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
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
A young girls life was taken too soon. Samantha Keleher Bursum, age 14, died tragically on March 1st, 2024 in an automobile accident.
This podcast tribute is done to honor Samantha and her mom Lori. Samantha was a vibrant girl who had so much going for her. One of her biggest loves in life was blue butterflies. She also enjoyed poetry and was an extreme volleyball player. She had so much to offer the world and this is such a tragic loss for all who knew her.
For those who are interested, there will be a second memorial service in Las Cruces, NM on Thursday, March 21st at 2pm at The Cathedral of Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The address is: 1240 S. Espina
Let us remember Samantha in a positive light. Every time you see a blue butterfly, think of her. Think of the good times she brought to your life, the times she was there for you as a friend or loved one and remember that it is up to us to carry out her legacy by honoring her life in everything she accomplished here. She will be missed but she will never be forgotten.
Song: Gone Too Soon
Artist: Daughtry
Album: Break The Spell
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Who doesn't love a good animal in our lives? You all know I am a dog lover, but there are lots of other animals that need loving too. I found this show on PBS by accident and I must say it was a happy accident. Chris and I have been binge watching this weekly program and we hope it may become a favorite of yours too. If this isn't your cup of tea, then we also enjoy watching "When Calls the Heart". Happy listening!
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Spring has almost arrived. Are you ready? Don't worry? If not, you still have time to prepare for...change. Some of us like it and some of us don't. Which ever side of the fence your on, no worries. I've given lots of examples in this podcast to show you ways you can embrace and perhaps even like change. Happy listening!
Artist: The Four Seasons
Title of Song: December, 1963 (Oh what a night)
Album: Who Loves You
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Who of us out there doesn't wish we had a more blessed life? While many of us wish for this, the truth is messes are just out there. We can learn to embrace them and let them be a part of our lives or we can fight them. Either way we choose how we want to live out our lives. Happy listening!
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
We all need help from time to time in our lives. But the help I am referring to is the movie "The Help". Its been quite some time since a movie has impacted me to the degree that this one has. Whether it has been a recent release or a movie that has been out over a decade, the impact can still be monumental. As usual, there are additional tidbits of information that I include for your information and entertainment. Happy listening!
Artist: Mary J. Blidge
Song: The Living Proof (From the Motion Picture "The Help")
2011
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Today we celebrate the day of love, February 14th, 2024. Don't you wish we celebrated this day of love everyday with our loved ones? After incorporating many examples into today's podcast, demonstrating how this can occur. Maybe you can find ways to incorporate this into your own life. I will also be reading an article that I wrote titled "The Gift of You" and conclude with a chapter from the book "Perfectly Yourself". The title of the chapter is "A Chance to Turn It All Around". Happy Listening!
Artist: Jim Brickman featuring Martina McBride
Song: Valentine
CD: Jim Brickman Greatest Hits
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Today's episode includes a birthday, allergy update and new book information. Join me please as we take a moment to celebrate all the great moments in our lives. Happy listening!
Celebration
Kool and the Gang
From the Album: The Best of Kool and the Gang
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Who doesn't want inner peace? I do! But before we reach this phase, I am going have to pause for the cause to address my allergy needs. I will be taking off next Wednesday the 31st and resuming February 7th to have some allergy testing done. Should be loads of fun (haha) and I'll be sure to tell you all about it on the 7th. Got to love New Mexico allergens! Happy listening!
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Happy Birthday to Chris. Number 61. This week I talk about the importance of our health. Mainly physical but not to exclude mental, emotional and spiritual. There must be some truth in that as we age, our health takes more of a precedence in our lives. Journey with me as we discuss various health matters and how we can live our healthiest lives possible. Happy listening!
Riley Clemmons - Healing
From the Album: Godsend
2021
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Today we celebrate our little Noelle's 12th birthday. She is officially head of household and loving it! Some change is good. Like getting a year older and a year wiser. Other change (fill in the blanks) is not good and we'd rather do without it. Venture with me as we take a look at various ways to embrace change and have it be a positive part of our lives. 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.