Bipolar No More: The Recovery Journey
Welcome to my podcast. This is intended for individuals with Bipolar Disorder and/or Anxiety issues that are looking for ways to further their recovery process. Where ever you are in your recovery process is fine. This is an ongoing podcast that will air every Wednesday beginning on May 24, 2023. It will cover a variety of tools and examples that can be used to help achieve a healthy recovery: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Please come with an open mind and know that everyone is on their place on this journey. I bring with me 22 years of living in recovery from Bipolar I Disorder. Many of my thoughts and ideas come from years of personal experience. May they be helpful to you as well. I’ve written three books over the past several decades that may be of interest to you. The first is: ”Bipolar No More: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery” (2008); ”Meet My Bipolar Brain” (2011) a Children’s book available in English and Spanish; and ”Covid-19- The Mental Health Connection” (2021). All are available through contacting me at my e-mail address at: michelleholtby@gmail.com. The most important thing any of us can do on a daily basis is to show up. Pray and set the tone for your day. If you need help, reach out to support groups, pray and/or journal. Then relax and do the best you can. Trust that God will do the rest! And if you like what you heard today, please feel free to pass it along to other’s you know. I look forward to having you join me each week
with a new and informative podcast.
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Episodes
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
I take a break from my regularly scheduled podcast to share with you a Christmas story I wrote about 15 years ago. Why Christmas now? Well, why not. Christmas hope is a fiction story I wrote based on one of the chapters from my first book "Bipolar No More, A Memoir of Hope and Recovery". It takes place at a local shopping center. I named the girl in the story Hope because she helps other people everyday. Happy listening!
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
How do you know when to let go of old things, patterns and emotions in your life, and to move forward? It's not as easy as it sounds. Me included. This past week has been one of revisiting items from my childhood and deciding what to keep and what to release. I suppose for me, it gets easier when I am ready to move forward in my life. And as a plus, it is a great opportunity to have a large yard sale. Happy listening!
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
How many of us like change in our lives? I prefer to look at change as opportunities for growth. Happy 4th of July. Happy listening!
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Happy Father's Day to all the father's out there. There is so much you do for your families and at your job. It's time to take time for yourself to celebrate the person you are, the person you are becoming and the person you may want to be in the future. Happy listening!
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Each of us has financial needs. And for many of us, most of this need is for medical reasons. I've been fortunate enough to have UNM Care financial aid for my medical needs for about 15 years. Without it, I cannot imagine how I would be able to acquire the things I need to live in this world now. May this episode be helpful to you if you are going through a financial hardship. Hopeful listening!
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Who doesn't like a good yard sale? I've been going to them since Middle School with my mom and now I venture out on my own, usually every Saturday. You never know what you'll find or who you will meet. It reminds me of the books (choose your own adventure). So I invite you along on this weeks journey of yard sailing in Albuquerque. Don't forget your quarters. Happy listening!
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
When it comes to making changes in your life, were do you begin? Today, we focus on morals and how they effect you now and growing up. We all have morals but depending on our upbringing, it will indicate what road they guide us on. Make good choices and life will lead you in a good path. Do your choices guide you or do you guide your choices? Happy listening!
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
The degree of our health and wellness relies mainly in our hands. While doctors guide us through medication and offer advice as needed. It's up to us as to what we choose to do and the dose that we agree on that best suits our needs. I encourage you when going to your doctors appointment that you take a family member or close friend with you. Both for support and reassurance. Happy listening!
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Who doesn't like to save money on everything from household items, to family clothing and accessories? If the answer is yes, I encourage you to visit Savers Thrift Store at any one of there 3 locations. I have frequently shopped here and have found valuable items at each location. If you do not have a Savers in your town, its worth visiting a Goodwill or any thrift store in your town. Happy listening!
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
No one likes to imagine losing a dear friend. It's something we all go through in life, some just sooner than others. My good friend Paul, passed away at the age of 49. It was the first time I had experienced a death of a close friend. I had no idea what it would be like to lose his friendship. I think of him frequently and wish he was still here. He was a dear friend when he was alive and he still is a good friend now. Good friends are hard to come by, so cherish yours. Happy listening!
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Bipolar No More: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery
Copyright 2008 Michelle J. Holtby
$19.95
This is my first published book written in 3 sections, Then, Now, and Always. Each section goes into detail about what my life was like before I was diagnosed, when I was hospitalized and what my recovery began to look like shortly thereafter. This book is written for anyone with a mental illness especially Bipolar I Disorder as well as family members, friends and those interested in learning more about mental illness.
A limited amount of this book is currently available in audio cd format. It has 6 cd's and the recording is done in Michelle's voice.
Copyright 2008 Michelle J. Holtby
$24.95
Meet My Bipolar Brain
Conoce Mi Cerebro Bipolar (avail. in Spanish)
2012 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards Finalist
Copyright 2011 Michelle J.Holtby
$14.95
Meet Abby, a six year old who has Bipolar I Disorder. When I was very young, my parents took me to see a brain doctor (psychiatrist) who told me I had a mental illness that affects the way my brain works. He gave my parents my brain pills (psychiatric medications) that I need to take everyday to stay healthy. These pills are only for me and not to be shared. They make me well but can make other people very sick. They are like vitamins for my brain. That is what I call them so my brain will grow up like me, healthy and strong.
Take this journey with Abby as she goes through school with her classmates as well as activities she does throughout the week. This book is intended for families as well as classroom settings and is intended for those who have children with a mental illness especially Bipolar I Disorder.
Covid-19 and the Mental Health Connection
Copyright 2021 Michelle J. Holtby
$13.99
This memoir is written for anyone who has been touched by a mental illness and/or COVID-19 pandemic. It's a guide, a tool, a comforter, uses various coping techniques, and provides support and views from the secular and Christian world. Michelle invites you to take this one-of-a-kind journey to find hope, help and answers to your most asked questions. Her experiences living with Bipolar I Disorder for 22 years will bring you inner piece so that you, too, can find the answers you need for today, tomorrow and always.