Shows
The JolieLife PodcastThe Active Optimist: Food, Fitness, and Feeling Better Mother-Daughter SpecialJulia sits down with her daughter, Irina Erickson, founder of The Active Optimist podcast and a graduate student in clinical mental health at Northwestern University. They get into the connection between mental health, nutrition, and lifestyle—with a focus on what actually works.Irina shares her own experience with mental health, why she launched her podcast, and what she sees in her work helping others. The conversation covers the role of exercise, food choices, and daily routines in shaping energy and mood, as well as how fashion and self-expression can shift how you fe...
2025-09-2925 min
The Active OptimistBody Dysmorphia & DepressionBack with another solo episode on the connection between body dysmorphia (BBD) and depression. BDD consists of being destressing preoccumation with perceived physical flaws. So in this episode, I will seek to anwser the questions: What do the emotions of guilt and shame have to do with both disorders? How can BDD relate to someone with depression? And can one cause the other?Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and find me on TikTok @theactiveoptimist. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!Shop...
2022-06-0729 minThe Active OptimistWhat is Reparenting? And Why It's Important for Your Mental HealthToday's podcast is in reflextion of some of the personal work I have been doing ie. examining my inner child. Here I hope to give you an introduction on the concepts of reparenting and inner child, plus examine how it can help our mental health. From what I've learned, depression and anxiety can be directly connected to the need to reparent, especially when we find ourselved suffering from depression as young adults or teens.Mentioned in this episode:How I learned about reparenting on the To Be Magnetic podcast. Link here!The Holistic Psychologist's artical on...
2022-05-1829 minThe Active OptimistThe Power of Escapism: The benefits of distraction on stressWe all want to escape reality sometimes. On this week's episode I am sharing the benefits of escapism whether its from a good book, cottage-core TikTok's, or bingeing a Netflix dating show. By engaging in some healthy escapism, you can leave any pressing concerns or worries behind. It can be a powerful tool in reducing anxiety, getting through depressive episodes. and everyday trials.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and find me on TikTok @theactiveoptimist. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!Shop...
2022-05-1029 minThe Active OptimistBody Image, Trauma, and Your Mental HealthIn continuation to last week's episode, on this week's episode we're talking about the important connection between body image, trauma processing, and mental health. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and find me on TikTok @theactiveoptimist. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!Shop our merch!The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.
2022-04-2628 minThe Active OptimistTackling Body Image and Your Mental HealthOn this week's episode we're talking about the important connection between body image and mental health. It is my opinion that we can NEVER separate our body image with our mental health. We are both in and are our bodies. I discuss 3 very popular approaches to throw out the window! And lastly I share what has helped me get to where I am now – *hint* none of them involved the gym or a diet.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and find me on TikTok @theactiveoptimist. Feel free to reach out wi...
2022-04-1938 minThe Active OptimistMy Morning Routine Is Not "It Girl" Approved and That's OKAnd I'm proud of it. On this week's episode, I'm back and come pleading: can we please stop with guilting people over the morning pages, the journaling, the meditation, the drinking lemon-infused water, and the yoga? Your worth is not dictated on how productive you are nor how aesthetically pleasing your day is. So what is a good morning routine, then?In truth, life is messy so let's not get lost in the ideas that social media puts forth. Put your depression or whatever-less-than-ideal-mental health on top of that. I also share a how to release yourself f...
2022-04-1229 minThe Active OptimistHow To Talk About Depression, revisitedThe Active Optimist is 1 year old! I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported, shared, and listened to the podcast! After 365 days of talking about depression and mental health, today I am revisiting the first steps towards getting comfortable talking about depression - figuring out “how,” to “who,” and breaking down depression stigma. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and find me on TikTok @theactiveoptimist. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!Shop our merch!The cont...
2022-04-0531 minThe Active OptimistSocial Reasons For Depression & 4 Stages to AuthenticityToday we're going back to basics – causes of depression. This week we have the lost of status and respect's effect on our mental health. We're talking MACRO forces playing on our micro minds! We also have four stages to greater authenticity. Being removed from our authenic self can literally silence our voice and internal sense of self. Based on patterns I've seen in my life, I lay out how you can get to be a more authentic, resilient, and happier self starting today!Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and find me...
2022-03-2932 minThe Active OptimistGender Norms & Advocating for Men's Mental Health with Diego – The ProcessWelcome to Diego to The Active Optimist! We come on to talk about Diego's story with depression and how taking a stand for his emotional authenicity has made the difference. We also discuss the pressures of high school and college culture that can effect your mental health. Last but not least, Diego talks about the connection between male gender expectations and his mental health in America and in his Venezuelan immigrant experience. Follow Diego's blog on Instagram @consciencia.blog and check out his blog for full essays on men's mental health here. Thank you for...
2022-03-2248 minThe Active OptimistInsecurity, Self Worth & DepressionHalfway to 100! Irina's back and going back to the basics: talking about your favorite topic - depression. Where does insecurity and depression have to do with together? What is self worth anyway? Why are we all so insecure in the first place? In reflection to her experience with suicidal depression and what enlightenment happened post-recovery, Irina is breaking down the connection between insecurity, self worth, and depression. Last but not least, she also shares 3 ciritcal questions we all should be asking ourselves in order to evaluate our self worth. Thank you for supporting the podcast...
2022-03-1528 minThe Active OptimistDevon Loftus & Jenna Radomski on Learning How to Nurture + Releasing ShameThis week we are joined by Devon Loftus and Jenna Radomski, MScN, co-authors of "The Moon Cycle Cookbook." Together the three dive into many different aspects of having a menstral cycle that we never talk about including (but not limited to): shame, feeling depressed, and why we can have low energy. Your period is more than cramps, PMS-ing, and eating chocolate! The trio also dives into feeling worthy of striving towards health even when you mess up. Yes, depression begets depression, but you are meant to feel happy & connected and it's your birthright to strive to be so.
2022-03-0851 minThe Active OptimistThe 3 Ds: Drained, Dejected, DepressedThe more the merrier! On this week's podcast we not only have one topic, we have three!I am entering her ex-influencer era aka building a better relationship with social media that serves me and aligns with my boundries. As we all know, social media can take a toll on our mental health so I breakdown what has led me to this point and the actual step I've taken upon reflection. I also guide you through the signs of burnout and what we can do to address it. Burnout is not only a work-related feeling...
2022-03-0130 minThe Active OptimistAda Sang Mata on Abusive Relationships And Your Mental HealthToday, I am with you all to learn all about abusive relationships and mental health. I am joined by Ada Sang Mata, a Licensed Social Worker and Psychotherapist, to talk about what an abusive relationship actually looks like so you can RUN FOR THE HILLS, some myths and truths about abusive relationships, and practical ways to move forward. We also talk about the normalization/romanticization of toxic love or struggle love in popular culture. This is a must-listen for all of us to be aware and knowledgeable to not only help ourselves, but also the people around u...
2022-02-2245 minThe Active OptimistHow To Stand Your Ground and Gain RespectIrina is back with a SOLO EPISODE! This week we are talking about standing your ground in being treated with respect and high self worth. With depression or without, our self worth can be at an all time low. We can find ourselves paralized by anticipating rejection if we stepped up, but fear not! You can start today building back your self respect and making desicions from a high worth space. Today, I'm talking about my own experience getting to a place where I couldn't live another day without my self respect, how I said no, stood m...
2022-02-1526 minThe Active OptimistComing Out, Coping Strategies & Hotline Help with Jerson Castro – The ProcessWelcome, Jerson to the podcast! In today's episode, Jerson shares his insight into accepting that you can adapt to what you need and remain true to yourself. He talks about how he used his university wellness hotline to get him through his most precarious moments and connect to a therapist. Jerson shares the importance of idenifying vulnerable moments and putting his coping skills to work before his mental health takes a hit. He also shares a bit about how coming out effected his mental health in both positive/negative ways. Through this he's learned that key to...
2022-02-0836 minThe Active OptimistWhy This Generation is InsecureSocial Media. Flex Culture. It goes without saying that social media has effected this generations mental health like no other and it's getting worse. We start to believe in the lie: I am no good and there is only one right way to be. This week I will be talking about building the mental strength to start building self confidence and being ok with feeling bad in a world that seems always lit.Shop our hats!! Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to...
2022-02-0127 minThe Active OptimistNavigating Medication & Finding Balance with Jonathan – The ProcessWelcome, Jonathan! On this week's process episode, Jonathan tells us about his mental health history over the past 16 years, starting at age 14. He gives a honest recount of navigating medication, trying to refine what balance means in his life, and his diagnosis with Bipolar Disorder. Jonathan also talks about how parental dynamics have effected his mental health and learning to reevaluate absolutist thinking.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!The content shared...
2022-01-2538 minThe Active OptimistWhen a Mental Breakdown is also an Anti-Asian Hate CrimeThey said it was a mental breakdown, a deranged homeless man, and not a racially motived hate crime. In this week's episode, I am reflecting on muliple anti-Asian attacks over the past year that have been overshadowed by investigations of the attacker's mental illness history. While no one will ever really know what happened, the immediate response to it illustrates a larger reality: when the offender is mentally ill, we as a society have an exceedingly difficult time ascribing political or racial motivations to their actions. I share how this furthers mental health stigma and doesn’t ac...
2022-01-1826 minThe Active OptimistHolistic Healing & Acknowledging Trauma with Abigail – The ProcessWelcome to another process episode! Today we have Abigail, a true active optimist, who share's her dive into depression after falling 18 feet and shattering her arm. As a professionally trained nurse, Abigial share's how she struggled under western (mainstream) medicine's separation between the mind and the body. She tells us how a more holistic approach was the key to her healing and acknowledging sexual trauma was the connection she had to make that finally put her on the road to recovery.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. F...
2022-01-1145 minThe Active OptimistRecap: The Active Optimist Class of 2021Happy New Year! To start off 2022, I am recaping all the guests of 2021 and sharing some of my favorite clips from every episode.A big thank you to my interviewees, who were extremely generous with their time and their willingness to explore difficult subjects, having these conversations, and let us hear it.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical a...
2022-01-0439 minThe Active OptimistEnd of Year Review the Anti-Depression WayWelcome to the last episode of 2021! As the year ends it is inevitable that we start to reflect. In this week's episode I talk about how to turn our often dispairing and depressing thoughts about the past year into something useful and balanced. End of year review questions the anti-depression way questions:Is there anything to celebrate from the past year?What bad experiences or charge are we carrying right now?How is your mental health, physical health, spiritual health? What changes do you want to see happen over the next 365 days?Thank you fo...
2021-12-2228 minThe Active OptimistThe Real Role of Genes and Brain Changes in DepressionIn this week's episode I am going over the real role of genes and brain changes in developing depression and being depressed. Most of us are only told the half truth of depression being a simple, yet spontaneous chemical imbalance in the brain. But there is so so much more than that. I will talk about what current research says about how genetic predisposition, neuroplasticity, and immune system functions can cause depression.Mentioned in this episode:Active Optimist episode on nutrition and toxic environmental causes for depression. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me...
2021-12-1529 minThe Active OptimistSelf Doubt & the Lie "I should be further along by now"This week's episode comes from my experience doubting myself, where I'm going, and playing into the lie that I should be further along by now. Self doubt is one of the many ways negative self talk keeps up from staying on an upward spiral away from depression. I talk about distinguishing between internal and external judgement and their respective solutions.Things that have helped me with self doubt (shared in this episode):Talking to someone.Writing down my past accomplishments. Check out Serena on Instagram @serenakerrigan and her post here. Thank you f...
2021-12-0727 minThe Active OptimistDating Yourself and Choosing Self Love with Atiyyah Flood – The ProcessWelcome Atiyyah to the podcast! In this week's process episode, Atiyyah share's her mental health journey and the greater journey of self love. She shares the freedom and wholeness that comes with choosing yourself and shedding the expectant dreams that we can carry. She also share's her radical act of self love – dating herself – where you treat yourself to the most enjoyable time ever for yourself as an act of love. Last but not least, we talk about stepping into the most authentic you, releasing yourself from the second act.Check out Atiyyah on Instagram at...
2021-11-3037 minThe Active OptimistA Happy Holiday or Holiday DistressHappy Thanksgiving to all my American listeners! Now, are we entering the happiest of holidays season or a month long torture chamber? In this week's episode, I will share my thoughts on when you are less than enthusiastic for going home or the many social gatherings that characterize the month of December. With depression in mind, it is important to take proactive measures to prep ourselves if we anticipate a hard holiday season. That being said, if you do feel a tiny or overwhelming sense of dread for the next coming weeks the one thing I must l...
2021-11-2325 minThe Active OptimistGrowing After a Toxic Relationship & Moving Through Anxiety with Annalisa Giordano – The ProcessI'm so happy to introduce Anna in this week's process episode! Marking her one year, we talk about what this last year has brought + taught her after she started anew on her own after getting out of a toxic, traumatic relationship. She's real and raw about what got her on the path to recovering from her body image struggles, the power of positivity, and the reality of living with anxiety. Last but not least, we talk about self love and putting yourself first as one of the most powerful moves you can make not only for your me...
2021-11-1628 minThe Active OptimistYour Brain on Birth ControlCalling all women! This week's episode is all about your brain and hormonal birth control. With most women taking some sort of hormonal birth control presently or in the future, it is vital that we are informed about how it can effect our mental health & depression. Today, I'm sharing a overview on some of the unintended effects and consequences birth control can have on our brains that could lead us feeling depressed, dulled, and confused.Check out Sarah Hill’s book “This is Your Brain on Birth Control" here which I highly recommend.Also mentioned in th...
2021-11-0926 minThe Active OptimistFinding Faith & Co-Creating Your Life with Martin – The ProcessThis Process episode is graced by Martin! He gives a thoughtful recount of his mental health through the Army, college, and what he's done over the few years. We talk about the powerful perception that you co-create your reality and in control of your reactions. Martin also shares how faith and spirituality took centerstage in his approach to his mental health. Last but not least, Martin shows how empowering it is to get invested back into your life, take charge, and be energized in finding solutions to the struggles we are presented with.Mentioned in this episode:
2021-11-0246 minThe Active OptimistDon't Call The CopsIn this week's episode I am specifically talking to anyone who is supporting someone through depression or any other mental health crisis. I'm sharing my tips on how to hold space for someone, the importance of hearing them out, and why we must stop calling the cops when someone mentions mental health struggles or suicide. As with every episode, I am here to start the conversation, and I hope you can use it to jumpstart a conversation between friends, peers, your organizations, and community.If you are in NJ, join the Active Optimist Circle here...
2021-10-2630 minThe Active OptimistMental Wellness in a Time of OverwhelmWork is running my life! Today's episode is about work and mental health, staying afloat when it seems like outside forces are trying so hard to bring us down. Whether it's work, school, family, or anything else, we all have seasons of overwhelm and I'm sharing what I have learned about consciously keeping up my mental wellness when everything is going to the wayside. Join our new Facebook group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/185676800311717If you are in NJ, join the Active Optimist Circle here! https://www.subsequentlydepression.com/active-optimist-circle Sign up form...
2021-10-1928 minThe Active OptimistYou want to talk about losing friends?Today's episode is all about losing friends and finding peace! Based on my own experience over this past year, I will be talking about the pain that losing a friend can bring, loneliness, but also the power of saying "Thank You, Next"For my special listeners, here's the link! Scroll to the bottom of the page to give your info, I'll be in contact with you 10/19/21. https://www.irinaerickson.comThank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I...
2021-10-1228 minThe Active OptimistDark Humor & Living In the Now with Erin Salko – The ProcessToday's episode covers it all with Erin Salko. We talk about how therapy and medication helped her get out of a depression "stall" and prioritizing her mental health within her friendships & education. Erin also shares how art and comedy helps her cope with her depression as both she uses to process the complexities of her emotions. Last but not least, Erin shares her recent revelation on living in the now, letting go, and improving living in the present 1% a day.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to r...
2021-10-0533 minThe Active OptimistUpdate! Welcome to The Active OptimistSubsequently, Depression has gone through renovations and is now The Active Optimist!Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and feel free to send me any stories, questions, or comments my way!
2021-10-0102 minThe Active OptimistAre We Really Sick?Today on the show, I am questioning the idea of depression as a illness and if there is a truer + more empowering way of framing our depression. Are we really sick? Or is depression a sign of disfunction? Or are we lost, disconnected, and hurting? Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a q...
2021-09-2832 minThe Active OptimistNathan Smith on Breaking Stigma & Talking About DepressionOn today’s podcast, we have Nathan Smith joining us to talk about his almost decade long life with depression and his thoughts on fighting depression sigma, which he primarily does through his blog My Brain’s Not Broken. Also, in this episode, we talk about the importance of acceptance and how each depression story is different. Last but not least, Nathan shares his tips on how you can start to talk about depression with someone in your life today.Follow Nathan on Instagram @_mybrainsnotbroken and Twitter @mybrainsnotbroken.Also check out his blog My Brain’s Not...
2021-09-2142 minThe Active OptimistA Case for (Active) OptimismOptimism is not dead. In this week's episode I will be discussing the difference between passive/blind optimism and active optimism. I believe that active optimism is a powerful idea in living an depressant resilient life because it does not ignore pain and the reality of life, but it can be a force in creating the future when paired with community and action. This week's episode is inspired by the idea of "Optimism as Cultural Rebellion," coined by artist Matthew Stone.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. Feel f...
2021-09-1432 minThe Active OptimistBroaching the Topic: SuicideFor this week, I'm broaching the very hard, but very necessary, topic of suicide. In honor of Suicide Awareness Month and the fact that suicidal ideation was a part of my depression story, in this episode I will be talking about suicide stigma and some ways I seek to understand suicide human to human. To all those listening, I'm glad you are here and I hope you can feel me reaching out my palm so we can hold hands together and walk through this every hard time. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me...
2021-09-0734 minThe Active OptimistSearching for Purpose & Navigating PMDD with Spurthi Konthan – The ProcessWelcome to another Process episode, this week with Spurthi! She gives a beautifully honest recount of depression as a college freshman and ways she's learned to heal. This one is jammed packed with gems including the reality of living with anxiety, how purpose is an antidote for depression, and her diagnosis with PMDD. We also talk about the dynamics of Indian culture which naturally impacted Spurthi's experience with medication. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!
2021-08-3146 minThe Active OptimistValid As You AreThis week's episode is all about validation and self betrayal. As one of the most common coping mechanisms, self betrayal leaves us living disconnected from our authentic self. In an attempt to receive love + approval we deny and highlight parts of ourselves. With depression, this can come up as not knowing what WE want. In this episode I share how habits and affirmations have helped me create connection with myself, take back my power, and know I am valid in what I am feeling, experiencing, and thinking. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me...
2021-08-2431 minThe Active OptimistSavannah Regensburger on Healing with Nutrition & Intuitive EatingToday I'm so excited to welcome Savannah Regensburger to the podcast! She is a mindfulness coach and the co-host of the And...A Diet Soda podcast, where she talks about intuitive eating and mental health. Together we talk about how intuitive eating was the cornerstone of her mental health journey. She shares tips how to get real about your nutrition to support your body + brain even in the face of food insecurity, food desert and disordered eating. Follow Savannah @savannahregensbuger and check out her podcast And...A Diet Soda!In this Episode:The Mind G...
2021-08-1747 minThe Active OptimistEmotional FitnessThis episode came out of the understanding of how uncomfortable our world is with emotions. Triggered by an emotional rupture in my life, I share my thoughts on how we can foster our own numbness and how we should start dealing with emotions. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a...
2021-08-1034 minThe Active OptimistStaying the Course & Solitude with Carter Owen – The ProcessWelcome, Carter! In this weeks episode, I am joined by Carter who shares his experience with functional depression and his natural tendency towards solitude. He shares the reality of getting too comfortable with being alone and the challenges & energy expended to maintain social connections. We also talk about how our current world order makes a balanced life hard and how mental wellness must be our priority.Check out Carter's blog Mindful Musings here: https://my-mindful-musings.medium.com Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. Feel free to reach out w...
2021-08-0340 minThe Active OptimistTaking the First Step & Navigating Identity with Jherlin Nunez – The ProcessToday we welcome Jherlin Nunez! In this episode we talk about Jherlin's cultural history & background and growing up in the Bronx, an environment where the idea of mental wellness is absent. Also, the importance of taking the first step that opens the door of healing and living authentically. Jherlin shares his journey of understanding trauma in the body and navigating therapy.Check out Jherlin's photography on Instagram @jerlinpn and book your portrait session in NYC. https://www.instagram.com/jherlinpn/Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. Feel f...
2021-07-2740 minThe Active OptimistHello, My Lonely Reality – Part 2 of 2It's about time to have an honest conversation about loneliness. This week's episode is part 2 of 2 on the reality of feeling alone and the universal feeling of being lonely. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression.The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.
2021-07-2030 minThe Active OptimistHello, My Lonely Reality – Part 1 of 2It's about time to have an honest conversation about loneliness. This week's episode is part 1 of 2 on the reality of feeling alone and the universal feeling of being lonely. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression.The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.
2021-07-1325 minThe Active OptimistThe Future Is CallingIn this weeks episode, I will be talking about one of the pillar connections that we must make in cultivating a depression resilient life – the connection to the future. Having a future and something to live for is essential to any human experience, but with depression it becomes harder to keep our sights on it. Also, I will be introducing how defensive emotions keep us locked in our depressive blindness and how I reorientated myself towards meaning.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with an...
2021-07-0627 minThe Active OptimistHow to Find Direction & Joy with Kamini MenonKamini Menon is back! On this episode we get deep on feeling passionless, lost, and depressed as a teenager. Kamini shares how she redirected her life towards the feeling of joy and what it means for us when creating an anti-depressant life. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression.The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.
2021-06-2934 minThe Active OptimistMental Poison: Environmental Factors of DepressionIn this week's episode, we're adding a new meaning to a toxic environment. Just like any other animal on earth, us humans are effected by our environment mentally and are unable to thrive if it does not meet our needs. In the modern day, our environment has increasingly become literally toxic and an unknown number of us are paying the price with mental poisoning. I will be breaking this down, discussing what happens to our brain, and give some concrete ways to look out for ourselves.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson...
2021-06-2224 minThe Active OptimistYou Don't Have to Be A Good PersonYou must kill who you are supposed to be, to become who you want to be.In this weeks episode, I will be sharing my thoughts on how editing or shutting down a part of our whole selves can factor into our depression because it leaves us blocked and disconnected from our true self. I'm breaking down how I've battled the lie "I have to be smaller" and break into being unabashedly you. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel free to reach out with any comments o...
2021-06-1522 minThe Active OptimistSelf Validation & the Power of Good Therapy with Flick – The ProcessIn this episode, I am joined by my good friend Felicity to talk about her journey through depression. She shares her experience as a high schooler with immense family pressure, not feeling she was valid in being sad and stressed, and deciding to get on an upward spiral out of depression in college. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @the.activeoptimist. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love them!The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice...
2021-06-0839 minThe Active OptimistDepression DigestIn this weeks episode, we're getting a little technical. I will be talking all about food's relation to depression, moods, and mental fitness. How does the food we eat effect our mental functions? One of the many overlooked causes of depression, the food you eat and subsequently the health of your gut must be looked at when building a depression resilient life! I’m simplifying the nutritional science so we all can be intentional in supporting a healthy brain & mental fitness. At the end of the day, we should be eating, not for our waistline, but for the health of...
2021-06-0124 minThe Active OptimistI am. I did. I do.Welcome to episode 10! In this weeks episode, I am doing a bit of a rewind on what the first step to recovery and freedom from depression. I'll be digging into (un)worthiness as the root of all our depressive thoughts and how acceptance can be the antidote to our autopilot of unworthiness. Acceptance of depression is not resignation, it is an active practice, and I share a little bit on how accepting my mental state, suicidal ideation, and depression reversed the downward spiral into an upward one.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow...
2021-05-2526 minThe Active OptimistDepression Is the Ideal Body TypeIn this weeks episode, I am breaking down my thoughts on depression's connection with body image and body shame. Is there a valid reason to be depressed due to body shame? While I think most people can say that body image contributes to their mental health in general, is there something more here? What does puberty have to do with it? All these questions I talk about & answer in this episode with some snippets of my story growing up feeling super awkward and ashamed of what I did not look like. Thank you for supporting the podcast! F...
2021-05-1826 minThe Active OptimistFriendship, Self Discovery & Real Conversations with Kamini Menon – The ProcessWelcome to a Process episode, where I showcase one person who on the upward spiral out and away from Depression. This episode is super special - it's the first! I had the honor to sit down with my friend, Kamini, and have a conversation about her experience with depression as a woman growing up, the very real events that subsequently led to depression, and how connection through community, body, and self-understanding helped her move through her rainy seasons. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. Feel free to reach out with...
2021-05-1142 minThe Active OptimistHow Re-Prioritizing Will Revolutionize Your Life & Start Building Your Foundation For HealingHow to implement meaningful values into our anti-depressant life? What is the first block we must move to start a purposeful path to recovery? What values and habits did I prioritize to build a foundation for success that is sustainable? These three questions I will be answering in this episode drawing from own experience and the wealth of knowledge others on living well has given me. I am offering a mind shifts and real life actions you can do today to start your journey in living a sustainable, depressant resilient life by putting what we truly value in the...
2021-05-0428 minThe Active OptimistHow To Reconnect to Others Through Sympathetic JoyIn this weeks episode, I am discussing an explicit psychological cause of depression and one of the most powerful and potentially healing solutions found yet. I will be talking about how self obsession, a “junk value,” is perpetuated in our modern society and distracts us from the true connections we need. Next, I want to introduce you to the practice of Sympathetic Joy meditation which is unique in that it relies on thinking outside of ourselves vs conventional meditation's individualist tilt.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. Feel free to reach...
2021-04-2725 minThe Active OptimistFive Things Nobody Tells You About DepressionThis week’s episode I am sharing a brief overview of the five biggest myths about depression that continue to persist in the public, unquestioned, and are generally not dispelled by medical practitioners. Thankfully within research circles the pursuit of truth has given us a greater understanding about the complexities of depression. My hope is, through sharing this we can start to ask the harder questions and start demanding a better treatment.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love th...
2021-04-2025 minThe Active OptimistHow to Move Past Perfection & Drop the MaskToday I’m reflecting on my perfectionism and what it has to do with depression. Depression has many faces and one of them, maybe the most common, is a perfectly hidden one. I see perfection as a survival skill, but is it stopping us from getting on the road out of depression? How do we drop the mask without falling apart? And finally, how can we give ourselves permission to have self-compassion and get messy?THANK YOU, for supporting the podcast, follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or the podcast @subsequentlydepressionThe content shared here is no...
2021-04-1322 minThe Active OptimistHow to Find Joy in MovementI recently finished Kelly McGonigal’s book “The Joy of Movement,” which sparked this conversation. On today’s show, I’m explaining how we can harness movement to bring more joy into our lives, movement as an expression of being human and some helpful tips to get started. THANK YOU, for supporting the podcast, follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or the podcast @subsequentlydepressionCheck out Kelly’s book on Amazon.The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified...
2021-04-0626 minThe Active OptimistWelcome to Subsequently, Depression!Welcome to Subsequently, Depression! In this first episode, Irina shares her secrets and personal story about overcoming depression. How did she look beyond the chemical imbalance theory on depression? How has she reverse engineered depression, and what are some of the social reasons we get depressed? She is here to start the conversation on spiraling up from depression and making connections so you can be free, fully alive, and set to live the life you love.Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression.The content shared here is not...
2021-04-0225 minThe Active OptimistHow to Talk About DepressionOn today’s show, I’m sharing the first steps towards getting comfortable talking about depression - figuring out “how,” to “who,” and breaking down depression stigma. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression.The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified & licensed healthcare provider.
2021-04-0221 min
Immigration NerdsCassandra Robertson and Irina Manta | How Easily Can Your Citizenship Be Taken Away?On Wednesday, February 26, the Justice Department announced the creation of a special Denaturalization Unit tasked with investigating and litigating criminals who have become naturalized citizens.In this Immigration Nerds podcast, we ask a fundamental question: just how easy can your citizenship be taken away? We explore that answer today.Irina D. Manta, Professor of Law at Hofstra University and Cassandra B. Robertson, Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve join to share why the government has decided to emphasize these cases.Cassandra and Irina have collaborated on several scholarly publications on the role...
2020-03-0529 min