Andrew was bullied as a boy for being gay. As an adult, he suffered from severe depression. Andrew realized that to survive and thrive he must create meaning of his experience, recreate his narrative, and build his identity to incorporate his experience and grow from them. In this episode, Andrew shares his insight on this process of creating meaning, as well as his research into communities that openly support depressed members of the community and how other communities are neglected in getting clinical help. the tension between acceptance and curing, and the ultimate power of compassion.
Read MoreElizabeth tried everything— meds, therapy, alternative approaches— to manage her depression and suffering, but nothing gave her lasting results. She didn't give up, and, over the years, came up with her own method, Mindfulness for a Messy Life. To help her overcome difficult times, Elizabeth reminds herself that “I can’t let the bad stuff win.” Through memories of herself as a hyper sensitive child who was cruelly bullied to her adulthood of high achievements despite agonizing self-loathing and mental anguish, Elizabeth shares her strategies for healing and thriving.
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