A non-motorized trek across the East Coast. A hospital stay that reset everything. And a clear, human roadmap for living well with bipolar disorder. I sat down with Steven Nawotniak—occupational therapist, certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner, New York certified peer specialist, and award-winning author—to trace how he moved from coping with symptoms to building a purpose-driven life grounded in fulfillment and action over feelings.

In this episode Stephen and I discuss:

• The two types of stigma
• The power of expanded self-awareness (Building Block #5)
• Four perspectives living with bipolar
• Three things to have a good quality of life while living with discomfort
• The five rung acceptance ladder from hopelessness to gift
• Practical "and" statements to diffuse negative self-talk

Finally, the episode ends with Stephen sharing his hopes for the future related to mental health treatment and the two lies that depression tries to tell us.

If you’ve felt stuck chasing happiness and trying to fight or avoid negative feelings, this conversation points to something more powerful and grounded: fulfillment built through aligned action, even on hard days.

Subscribe, share with someone who needs hope, and leave a review with the rung on the acceptance ladder you’re on today and one step you’ll take next!

You can get in touch with Stephen at his website:

https://www.stephennawotniak.com/

Stephen's Books:

Bipolar Life Hacks: Keys to Loving Life with Bipolar Disorder

Handbook for Healthy Living with a Mood Disorder

Mubu the Morph (children's book)

Disclaimer: Guest views and offerings are their own. Any links, resources, or services mentioned are provided for convenience and informational purposes only. Please use your own judgment when exploring or purchasing anything. We appreciate our guests for sharing their insights and experiences.

*AI was used to help with the creation of the episode title and description

For more information about the Five Building Blocks of Recovery and/or to contact Jared, go to Five Building Blocks of Recovery (thefivebuildingblocksofrecovery.com)

Hard seasons test our values. After losing a home to a wildfire, getting sick, and wrestling with an inconsistent rhythm in 2025, I made a decision that protects my mental health, supports self-care, and honors your time: I'm switching to a monthly release so every conversation about recovery gets the care it deserves.

New episodes will come out every four weeks on Sundays at 3PM, which adds up to approximately 13 episodes every year.

Thank you for sticking with me through the ups and downs this year. I genuinely appreciate every listen, every download, every review... And a new episode will be coming very, very soon!

*AI was used to help with the creation of the episode description

For more information about the Five Building Blocks of Recovery and/or to contact Jared, go to Five Building Blocks of Recovery (thefivebuildingblocksofrecovery.com)

It is no secret that the current mental health treatment model, is, to put nicely, flawed and incomplete.

In this week’s episode I talk with Adam Sholder, mental health advocate and founder of Insight Enrichment Group, a mental health coaching and consulting company, about the missing elements to the standard mental health treatment model.

In this episode we talk about:

• Adam’s personal and family history with mental health struggles
• The power of creative community in recovery (A Gap in the Forest)
• The importance of staying present in life and trusting the process
• The concepts of “social prescribing” and “link workers” as key elements of recovery

Join us for this illuminating discussion that reimagines mental health support as a holistic ecosystem where therapy, medication, creative expression, and community connection work together to nurture lasting recovery. Whether you're on your own recovery journey or supporting someone who is, Adam's insights offer practical wisdom for moving forward with purpose and hope.

Links to Insight Enrichment Group and A Gap in the Forest:

https://www.insightenrichment.com/

https://www.agapintheforest.org/

*suicide was briefly mentioned in the episode

*AI was used to help with the creation of the episode title and description

Disclaimer: Guest views and offerings are their own. Any links, resources, or services mentioned are provided for convenience and informational purposes only. Please use your own judgment when exploring or purchasing anything. We appreciate our guests for sharing their insights and experiences.

For more information about the Five Building Blocks of Recovery and/or to contact Jared, go to Five Building Blocks of Recovery (thefivebuildingblocksofrecovery.com)