From Politics to Psychiatry: A Bipolar Journey of Bold Choices with Dr Karen Tanavirus ⚕️
Bipolar TalkShow Notes
⚕️ Dr. Karen Tanavirus is a psychiatrist, political communicator, and someone who personally lives with bipolarity. Her story is anything but linear — from earning a PhD in political science to finding her true calling in psychiatry after her own diagnosis. 🎧 Bipolar Talk is a podcast where we explore real stories and expert insights to better understand bipolarity — from psychiatry to personal experience — and how to turn it into a path toward stability, purpose, and connection. In this episode, Karen shares how she turned her bipolarity into a source of strength and meaning. She talks about the freedom that comes from openness, breaking stigma by owning her story, and how deep listening became her greatest “superpower” for connecting with others 💎. She also gives heartfelt, practical advice on rebuilding relationships after depressive episodes 🌉 and finding stability beyond medication — through self-awareness, structure, and lifestyle choices. For her, medication is just the baseline — recovery is built on everything that comes after 💪. Beyond the personal, Karen calls for systemic change in how we view and fund mental health care, reminding us that advocacy and authenticity can transform not just lives, but entire systems 📣. 🕊️ This conversation is raw, inspiring, and deeply human — a reminder that bipolarity doesn’t have to limit your story. It can become the foundation for a more connected, compassionate future.
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.