Shows
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 min
Creative Entrepreneur: A Podcast For Business Growth, Strategy and MonetizationAuthentic Storytelling: How To Be A Badass Brand Builder with Adam SinkusThis week, join Corinna & Jules as they connect with a B2B podcasting badass, Adam Sinkus of The Winning Tactics. They discuss how finding your authentic voice, practicing it, and varying your story with your audience in mind can keep your story fresh, engage your audience, and create an authentic story that will resonate with your audience, no matter the method you use to get it out into the world.About Adam Sinkus, The Winning Tactics:Adam brings his over 10 years of business and marketing skills to build engaging conversations about the...2022-01-1035 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 min