In the premiere episode of season five, we’re addressing the topic of grief. Contrary to popular belief, grief comes in many forms, it impacts people in varying ways, and it does not have to stem from the loss of a loved one. Grief is the thing that we feel and experience in the absence of something or someone we love—a pet, a relationship, a parent, a job, a home. To help us explore, identify, and even learn how to navigate grief through creativity, we’ll be joined by content creator Vivian Nuñez, reporter Megan Fernandes, and therapist Erica Adams. &nbsp; &nbsp; Megan Fernandes is an award-winning business and community news reporter that has worked in newsrooms across the country. For a long time, Megan thought that her purpose was to share the stories of others, but after losing her mother to cancer in January of 2020, Megan turned to memoir writing and poetry as a way to cope with her grief and tell her own story.&nbsp; She now writes to share her struggles in coping with grief, mental health, and trauma to normalize these conversations and remind others that they are not alone. &nbsp; Vivian Nuñez is a writer, content creator, and dog mom. Her award-winning Instagram community has created pathways for speaking on traditionally taboo topics, like mental health and grief, but don’t worry she’s also really funny. While her humor is a cross between Chandler Bing and Phoebe’s mom jokes, she’s also one with TikTok trends, dog videos, and how much fun it is to be creative. Her life and work are rooted in the simple truth that life’s a lot more livable when you get to play outside the box.&nbsp; &nbsp; Eric Adams is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Mental Edge Counseling in Dover, Delaware.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at:    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at&nbsp; Read Megan Fernandes’ blog at .&nbsp; Purchase a guided grief journal by going to .&nbsp; Listen to “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran by visiting .&nbsp; Learn more about Vivian Nuñez by visiting  or following her at /.&nbsp;   Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.&nbsp;

Episode 501: “Grief: What’s Loved, Lost, and Left” with Vivian Nuñez, Megan Fernandes, and LMFT Erica Adams

Self-injury appears in the TWLOHA mission statement. It’s something we work to destigmatize and to present hope and healing for those who struggle with it. But in today’s episode, we’re talking about what it means to be the parent, friend, partner, or loved one of someone who engages in non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors. What so many people need is a safe space to share without judgment and to explore their options when it comes to professional care.&nbsp; &nbsp; To help us navigate and understand how to be safe spaces, we’re joined by counselor Michelle Moore, who addresses the hard but honest fact that we, as caretakers, confidants, and guardians, can rarely be everything that person might need. She also talks about how it’s OK for us to recognize that we too might ultimately need help in being safe spaces.&nbsp; &nbsp; Michelle Moore is a licensed mental health counselor in Orlando, Florida, who works at Solace Counseling, which is also owned and run by Michelle and her husband Aaron. She specializes in working with both adults and adolescents who are facing mental health challenges such as self-injury, eating disorders, depression, addiction, and more.&nbsp;    Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at: &nbsp;    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at&nbsp; For resources, blogs, and more on self-injury, go to .&nbsp; To check out Cornell University’s Self-Injury Resources, visit .&nbsp; &nbsp; Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.&nbsp;

Episode 502: “Being a Safe Space For Someone Who Self-Injures” with counselor Michelle Moore

The topic of this episode is rather specific. It’s something we haven’t addressed on the podcast until now and have only briefly explored elsewhere. It’s something that carries a heavy stigma and the weight of expectation. It’s something that impacts 20% of people who are pregnant or give birth. We’re talking about perinatal—that’s before, during, and after pregnancy—mood and anxiety disorders that include depression, irritability, and heightened anxiety.&nbsp; &nbsp; To help us paint a picture of what these struggles can look like, we’ll be talking to Ceara Pertain, who will not only share her own difficult journey with a traumatic birth experience and a myriad of mood disturbances that followed—but will cast a net of compassion for those entering or facing motherhood. And to guide us in understanding these challenges and how treatment can range from therapy and medicine to movement and sunshine, we’ll be joined by counselor Leighya Richard. &nbsp; Ceara Pertain, is an Air Force veteran, an Intuitive Life and Soul Coach, a Master Resiliency Trainer, a Yogi, an author, a blogger, and a poet. She lives with her mystical daughter and her black cat, and is a self-confessed book-and-crystal fanatic. &nbsp; Leighya Richard is a licensed mental health counselor, wife, and toddler and “pandemic baby” mom. She works to support and advocate for women’s health and to empower those facing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.    Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at: &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at .&nbsp; Read Ceara’s blog by going to .&nbsp; For perinatal mental health resources, visit  and .&nbsp; Purchase “Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts” by Karen Kleiman at . &nbsp; Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.&nbsp;

Episode 503: “Mental Health in Motherhood” with Ceara Pertain and counselor Leighya Richard

Candance wrote, “Parts of my brain continually struggle for power while others retreat completely. But no matter what’s been taken—time, control, hope for the future—it’s never too late to start anew.” &nbsp; Bianca said, “Every day I learn new things about how my OCD manifests, and I am figuring out in real-time what that means for my relationships, health, and job.” &nbsp; And Kirsten shared, “OCD, contrary to popular belief, is not tidy or clean. It’s messy. Exhausting. Loud.” &nbsp; These words come from personal experiences with OCD. Stories we’ve had the honor of sharing on our blog. But OCD is not a challenge we’ve talked about on this specific platform. So on today’s episode, it is our honor to have Sara Galgalo, a psychotherapist who works at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, as our guest to help us better understand OCD, how it gets misdiagnosed for other things like anxiety, and the type of treatment that is having a pretty incredible impact.&nbsp; &nbsp; Sara is a big Doctor Who fan, she grew up playing sports and was even a figure skater for years, and she loves to go hiking back in her home state of Washington.&nbsp; &nbsp; Sara Galgalo is a psychotherapist licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California. Sara received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Sara’s work at the OCD Center of Los Angeles focuses on CBT for adults, adolescents, and children suffering from all types of OCD (including all “Pure O” variants such as HOCD, POCD, ROCD, and Harm OCD), and other anxiety disorders. In addition to treating individual clients, Sara also currently leads a low-fee therapy/support group for adults with OCD.&nbsp; She’s a big Doctor Who fan, grew up playing a lot of sports (and was a figure skater for a few years), and loves to go hiking in her home state of Washington.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at: &nbsp;    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at .&nbsp; Check out the services offered at the OCD Center of LA by visiting .&nbsp; Read blogs relating to OCD at .&nbsp; Discover resources and learn more through the International OCD Foundation by visiting .&nbsp; Purchase “Turtles All the Way Down” by John Green by going to .&nbsp; Check out the show Pure at .&nbsp; Buy the book “The Happiness Trap” by Dr. Russ Harris at .&nbsp; &nbsp; Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.&nbsp;

Episode 504: “Delay, Slow, and OCD” with therapist Sara Galaglo

Mindfulness. It’s become a bit of a buzzword. But boiling it down to a single word does it a bit of disservice. Mindfulness can take the shape of various forms of meditation, yoga practices, immersing ourselves in nature, noticing our breath, or tapping into our senses.&nbsp; &nbsp; But how does mindfulness, and all the avenues it involves, intersect with mental health? How can our awareness of the present moment, of a tangible aspect of reality change or improve our inner world?&nbsp; &nbsp; To help us explore and understand this, we’re going to be joined by Tianna Soto. Tianna is a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese writer, speaker, and mental health educator based in New York City. She received a Master's in Clinical Psychology in Education from Columbia University and is a certified yoga and mindfulness instructor. Her ongoing mission is to empower others to embrace their journey with clarity and confidence. &nbsp; Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at: &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at .&nbsp; Learn more about Tianna Soto at .&nbsp; &nbsp; Purchase Bessel van Der Kolk’s “The Body Keeps The Score” book by going to .&nbsp; &nbsp; Download the Insight Timer app at .&nbsp; &nbsp; Follow Tianna Soto at .&nbsp; &nbsp; Listen to “Trigger Protection Mantra” by Jhene Aiko by visiting .&nbsp;   Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Episode 505: “Mindfulness, The Present Moment, and Non-Judgment” with Tianna Soto

In today’s episode, through a question and answer session, we dive into the topic of rest. Rest in the form of actual sleep, rest from our jobs, from school, from social interactions, and rest, even from the work that our healing and recovery requires of us.&nbsp; &nbsp; In a heavily digitized world, we are often expected and asked to be engaged—or at least available—at all times. But as human beings who get tired and drained, being “always on” and “always accessible” is an expectation we can’t and shouldn’t meet. It’s honestly something we need to protect ourselves from if we want to lead healthy, balanced lives. And because To Write Love aims to inspire and lead by example, this episode also marks a mid-season break for the podcast so that Becky, our editor and producer, can go on a month-long sabbatical.&nbsp; &nbsp; When we say that “we need you here,” we also mean to say that we need you to take care of yourself so that you can be here. We need you to advocate for your well-being, to prioritize things like rest so that you don’t get burnt out to the point that being a “story still going” feels next to impossible.&nbsp; &nbsp; Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at:    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at .&nbsp; For self-care tips and resources, go to .&nbsp; &nbsp; Follow and learn about The Nap Ministry at .&nbsp; &nbsp; Read about and participate in the Black and White campaign by visiting .&nbsp;   Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.&nbsp;

Episode 506: “The Importance of Rest & Why We’re Taking a Mid-Season Break”

&nbsp; Borderline Personality Disorder. It has been deemed a heavy diagnosis. One that has been linked to characteristics such as manipulative, self-destructive, unstable, selfish, and untreatable. It is described as involving patterns of wavering interpersonal relationships, a distorted sense of self, and emotional reactions that are characterized as intense.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this episode, we’re going to confront some truly harmful labels, reiterate that this diagnosis, contrary to popular belief, is indeed treatable, and note that amidst the black and white thinking, there is a middle space of gray to be found and known. To help us tackle all of these things and more, we’ll be joined by Genevieve Jacobs and counselor Patrick Miranda. &nbsp; Genevieve is a resident physician navigating the roles of both doctor and patient with her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. She is passionate about addressing the stigma associated with physician mental health and seeking help. Gen currently lives in Ontario, Canada, with her partner and their dog. Outside of work, you can often find her kayaking, adventuring with her pup, or working on being a better plant mom. &nbsp; Patrick Miranda has worked in multiple treatment settings, including residential and outpatient services for substance use disorders. He has experience working with adolescents, adults, and families with a range of therapeutic issues, including addiction, mood disorders, trauma, and suicidality. He especially enjoys working with those in the LGBTQ+ community. In his downtime, Patrick reads a lot and plays an exceptional amount of video games.&nbsp; &nbsp; Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at:    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . &nbsp; Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at . &nbsp; Purchase the “I Hate You—Don’t Leave Me” book by going to .&nbsp; &nbsp; Read the words of Genevieve Jacobs at .&nbsp; &nbsp; To access the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook, go to .&nbsp; &nbsp; For resources and more information on Borderline Personality Disorder, you can visit , , and .&nbsp; &nbsp; Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.&nbsp;

Episode 507: "Borderline Personality Disorder: Seeking the Gray" with Genevieve Jacobs and counselor Patrick Miranda

Maybe you look forward to the solitude that comes after a long day of work or spending the weekends in nature with your dog. Maybe you find energy and comfort in game nights with friends or love the opportunity to meet new people. Or, perhaps you find yourself best suited somewhere in the middle—reading books in the company of a loved one. But how do those varying preferences, those gages for recharging and feeling restored and rejuvenated, affect our mental health? Are they connected? Do they share the same space? We’re curious to find out, so on this episode, we’re talking about introversion and extroversion, and how they tie into the mental well-being of a person. To help us, we’re joined by Jess McAuley (introvert) and Bianca Mujica (extrovert).&nbsp; &nbsp; Jess McAuley an INFP, Virgo, and a new mom. She is a Niagara, Ontario-based arts worker and performer, as well as co-host of "The Introvert's Guide To.." podcast. While on maternity leave (and when she has free time), Jess is developing her craft of writing and indulging in her infatuation with Tombow and Copic markers. Between all of this, it is uncertain if she will ever sleep again. &nbsp; Bianca Mujica is TWLOHA's Community Care Coordinator, which means her work focuses on finding inclusive and creative ways to connect with supporters online. She is a Mexican-American queer woman from Texas with a background in journalism and a love for language. Outside of work, she can be found eating lots of pasta, cuddling with her dog, and creating colorful pieces of art.&nbsp; &nbsp; Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at:    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at .&nbsp; Check out The Introverts Guide to Podcast by going to ​​.&nbsp; &nbsp; Purchase “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain at .&nbsp; &nbsp; Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Episode 508: “Extroverts and Introverts Talk Mental Health” with Jessica McAuley and Bianca Mujica

Eating Disorders are a human experience. They don’t play favorites or stick to a certain stereotype. They are often ways a person seeks out safety or control amidst a traumatic or trying time. And they rarely begin straight out of the gate as a diagnosable eating disorder and rather a coping mechanism through which disordered eating and an ultimately harmful relationship with food or body image take hold. Some recurring themes throughout today’s episode will be empathy and connection. &nbsp; To guide us through these conversations, we have two guests joining us. The first is Nōn Wels. Nōn is a writer, doggo lover, mental health advocate, the creator of the weekly podcast, You, Me, Empathy, and the founder of the collaborative mental health community, The Feely Human Collective, where you can grow your capacity for empathy, vulnerability, and emotional curiosity. For Nōn, eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa, have played a role in his mental health journey, stemming from his parents’ divorce, childhood trauma, and a way to seek control and communicate his pain.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; We’ll also hear from Corrie Van Horne, co-founder of and therapist at Omni Counseling in Denver, Colorado, who will give us her professional perspective on eating disorders. Corrie believes that therapy is inherently radical in that it aims to dismantle and abolish systems of oppression and the ways we as individuals have internalized them. Outside of work, Corrie spends her downtime with family, friends, and her pup Roxy.&nbsp; &nbsp; Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at:    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at .&nbsp; To read Nōn Wels’s words on the TWLOHA Blog, go to .&nbsp; &nbsp; To learn more about Nōn Wels’ mental health community or weekly podcast, visit .&nbsp; &nbsp; Order Shrill by Lindy West at .&nbsp; &nbsp; For resources related to eating disorder treatment and information, go to , , , and .&nbsp;   Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Episode 509: “Empathy and Eating Disorders” with Nōn Wels and therapist Corrie Van Horne

Just say no. Drugs are whack.&nbsp; Recognize, Resist, Report. &nbsp; These phrases stem from programs and campaigns and political agendas that ultimately hurt the United States and its people. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or DARE filled schools in the 90s—and while overall being deemed ineffective, it continues today asking youth to take pledges to stay away from drugs and gangs. Then there’s the failed and heavily criticized War on Drugs that began in the 70s but really took off in the 80s. With it came laws that criminalized drugs and racially targeted specific groups and communities of people—especially people of color. Its focus weighed heavily on deterring use rather than emphasizing treatment and recovery. &nbsp; So today, with all of this in mind, we have the immense honor of talking with and learning from Dr. Nzinga Harrison about addiction and the on-growing and growing opioid epidemic. Dr. Harrison is a physician, educator, and the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Eleanor Health, a value-based provider of comprehensive, outpatient addiction treatment. Above all else, this conversation is about reframing the way we as individuals and as a society view and address addiction and the people who are dealing with substance use disorders.&nbsp;   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at:    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at .&nbsp;    Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.&nbsp;

Episode 510: "Reframing Addiction From Problems to People" with Dr. Nzinga Harrison

From the nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms comes a new podcast about mental health and the things that make us human. Each episode will cover topics we tend not to talk about, including depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

Episode 507: "Borderline Personality Disorder: Seeking the Gray" with Genevieve Jacobs and counselor Patrick Miranda

TWLOHA

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