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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
27 min
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!
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
27 min
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!
May 21, 2025
May 21, 2025
26 min
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!
May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
24 min
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!
Apr 16, 2025
Apr 16, 2025
22 min
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!
Apr 2, 2025
Apr 2, 2025
16 min
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!
Mar 19, 2025
Mar 19, 2025
19 min
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!
Mar 5, 2025
Mar 5, 2025
23 min
Welcome back to WRAP Plan, Part 2. This week we will be visiting the different steps involved in breaking down ones plan. These include:
Daily maintenance activities
My triggers
Self care techniques (coping skills)
Early warning signs
Breaking down
Crisis intervention plan
Post crisis plan.
I will be discussing each section in detail. Please feel free to make your WRAP plan as personal as needed. As I mentioned last week, I include crisis intervention plan in fluorescent pink paper. Happy listening!
Feb 20, 2025
Feb 20, 2025
16 min
Today, I talk about a very important document that each of us should have in our files. It's called the WRAP plan and it stands for "Wellness Recovery Action Plan". This document when notarized is a legal binding form that can greatly exist to aid your family and doctors during either a medical or a psychiatric stay. I chose to discuss this now as recently I have encountered the urgency to have this document updated in what was a very unfortunate and unnecessary experience. Please take this to heart create your own WRAP plan.
To create your own WRAP plan, go to:
https://www.wellnessrecoveryactionplan.com/
Feb 6, 2025
Feb 6, 2025
20 min
Welcome everyone, today's podcast will be venturing into new areas and new ideas that I have experienced in hope and recovery. I share this information with you in hopes that you see things in a new light to perhaps began your recovery journey and give you hope. If it is beneficial to you, feel free to pass this podcast onto others. Happy listening!
Now available for sale online!
Free shipping if you order 2 or more copies
To order, please send an e-mail to: michelleholtby@gmail.com
Cash or checks only
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.