Show Notes
We welcome Neil Cole 🎭, a former member of parliament, award-winning playwright, and mental health advocate in the podcast "Bipolar Talk" 🎤. He shares his profound journey of living with bipolar disorder and how it has shaped his life, from the halls of parliament to the world of theatre 🏛️.
Together, we explore the multiple facets of this condition, a powerful force that can fuel immense creativity while demanding careful management. Neil shares invaluable insights on navigating high-stress environments , breaking down barriers as the first politician to publicly acknowledge his diagnosis, and the crucial role of language in fighting stigma ✨.
This episode is a true source of inspiration for anyone who wishes to understand the lived experience of bipolar disorder and discover the resilience of the human spirit 💡. Neil offers an enlightened perspective on channeling personal challenges into powerful advocacy and creative work, emphasizing the unique strengths that can emerge from adversity 🌱. I invite you to listen to this profound exchange to discover how a journey with bipolar disorder can lead to a life of impact, creativity, and change, contributing to a future where every person is understood beyond their diagnosis 🌐.
Listen to this captivating episode and enrich your vision of living with bipolar disorder! ▶️
More from Bipolar Talk
Why does the same medication affect people differently? In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Clement Baissat sits down with Dr. Leticia Shea, PharmD, a medication expert specializing in pharmacogenomics and precision medicine. They discuss the role pharmacists can play in mental health care, from helping patients understand their prescriptions and side effects to identifying medication interactions and supporting better treatment decisions. The conversation then moves into pharmacogenomics — the study of how our genes can influence the way we metabolize medications. Leticia explains how differences in genes such as CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 can affect how the body processes certain drugs, and how this knowledge could contribute to more personalized treatment. Clement and Leticia also talk openly about bipolar disorder, depression, medication adherence, side effects, the challenges of stopping treatment, and why mental health care often needs to be personalized to the individual. A conversation about medication, genetics, mental health, and the future of precision medicine. 🎙️ Bipolar Talk with Clement Baissat & Leticia Shea Topics discussed: • The role of pharmacists in mental health • Medication management • Side effects and drug interactions • Bipolar disorder and depression • Pharmacogenomics • CYP2D6 & CYP2C19 • Precision medicine • Personalized treatment • Communicating with your psychiatrist, GP, and pharmacist This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice. Speak with your healthcare professional before making changes to your medication.
What does long-term stability with bipolar disorder actually look like?
What does long-term stability with bipolar disorder actually look like? Michael Schneider has lived with bipolar disorder for decades—and has gone 26 years without another manic episode. But getting there wasn't simple. In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Michael shares the turning point that changed his relationship with bipolar disorder: learning to take ownership of his illness and becoming intentional about the habits that helped protect his stability. We talk about sleep, medication, therapy, discipline, substances, early warning signs, asking for help, and the difficult reality of accepting that bipolar disorder doesn't simply disappear. Michael also opens up about the years when he repeatedly cycled through hospitalization and recovery, why he once saw mania as exciting, and what finally made him realize that the pattern had to change. We also explore: • Why sleep can become an important warning sign • How Michael built his personal “toolbox” for stability • Why consistency matters • The risks he associates with alcohol and drugs • Why reaching out for help takes courage • How stigma affects people living with bipolar disorder • What Michael would tell his younger self • What he wants newly diagnosed people to understand • Whether stability is a skill or a personality trait A candid conversation about bipolar disorder, responsibility, acceptance, hope, and building a sustainable life. 🎙️ Michael Schneider 🎤 Clement Baissat 🎧 Bipolar Talk
Would you know what to ask if you were considering joining a clinical trial?
Suzanne Dang experienced her first psychotic episode at 14 and has since been hospitalized around ten times. For years, she believed that hospitalization might be the only way for her to get better. Today, Suzanne is a lived-experience mental health worker, peer worker, speaker, advocate and artist. She now uses her experience of bipolar type 1 and schizoaffective disorder to help others believe that recovery is possible. In this deeply personal conversation, Suzanne and I discuss psychosis, hearing voices, hospitalization, medication and the gradual process of rebuilding a meaningful life. Suzanne also explains how work gave her hope and purpose—but why she eventually reduced her hours to protect her stability. Together, we explore boundaries, burnout, self-stigma, supportive workplaces and the importance of finding an individual path to recovery. As Suzanne puts it: “One bad day does not mean that you’re going to have a bad rest of your life.” Discover Suzanne’s work: https://www.suzanne-dang.com/ Watch her videos: https://www.youtube.com/@suzannedang Content warning: this episode discusses suicide, psychosis, hospitalization and sexual violence. It shares personal experiences and does not replace professional medical advice.