Do you wish you had someone to understand what you're going through or have been through?

*This is a re-release of an episode

If no one’s told you this lately: you are your loved one’s best shot at survival — and maybe yours, too. In this episode of I Married Bipolar, I talk about what it really means to advocate for someone with bipolar disorder, especially when no one else seems to listen.

I’ll take you inside the ER, inside my grief, and inside the moments when I had to go to war for the people I love — even when it wasn’t pretty. This episode is part personal testimony, part training ground for anyone who’s ever felt helpless, overwhelmed, or silenced by the system.

Episode Summary

This episode begins with the loss of my mother, Paula Jean Leffingwell, who lived with bipolar disorder. Her passing became a mirror — showing me all the ways I’ve learned to fight for people who can’t always fight for themselves. I share how growing up with her shaped the way I advocate for my husband, for myself, and for this community. You’ll hear what happens when you don’t back down — with psychiatrists, with hospitals, and with your own boundaries.

We explore what I call protective love, the evolved version of “tough love” that’s not about punishment — it’s about survival. If you’ve ever had to be the one making the impossible decisions… this episode is your validation and your training manual.

🔑 Key Takeaways (SEO-Optimized)

• What it really means to be an advocate for a loved one with bipolar disorder
• How to set medical boundaries in a bipolar relationship
• What to do when doctors won’t listen about your bipolar spouse’s symptoms
• The difference between tough love and protective love
• How to navigate grief and trauma while still being the caregiver

Connect with Temple
Templeleffingwell@gmail.com
Instagram
Facebook

Amazon / Kindle
"Whoops, I Married Bipolar: An Inside Look at A Real Relationship with Mental Illness"
Book / AudioBook

Links
Heart Healers
Brain Gang
Major Transformation
Healing Foundation
90 Minute One on One

Post Production for I Married Bipolar is done by:
OceanTreeCreative@gmail.com

Do you wish you had someone to understand what you're going through or have been through?

*This is a re-release of an episode.

If you’ve ever walked into a psychiatrist’s office with your bipolar partner, watched them say “everything’s fine,” and wanted to scream — this episode is for you. I’ve been there too many times, where the truth of what’s happening at home never makes it to the treatment team.

In this episode, we unpack the critical (and broken) connection between the care team and the actual, lived reality of being a partner to someone with bipolar disorder.

Episode Summary

I take you into one of the most frustrating parts of navigating bipolar in a relationship: trying to communicate with doctors who only hear what they want to hear. We talk about what happens when the person you love masks their symptoms in front of clinicians, why so many providers dismiss the partner’s voice, and how a lack of release of information (ROI) can put everyone at risk.

We also dig into the emotional toll this takes — the heartbreak of being dismissed, the guilt of reporting symptoms, and the grief of holding it all together without support. This conversation is raw, real, and full of shared stories from people like you.

If you’ve ever felt like the crazy one in the room while trying to protect your family, this is your space to feel seen — and get stronger.

Key Takeaways (SEO-Optimized)

• Why your bipolar partner’s psychiatrist may never hear the truth
• How to navigate the healthcare system when bipolar symptoms are being masked
• The importance of a release of information (ROI) for bipolar care planning
• How to advocate for your loved one without being shut out by doctors
• Real stories from partners who felt gaslit by the mental health system

Connect with Temple
Templeleffingwell@gmail.com
Instagram
Facebook

Amazon / Kindle
"Whoops, I Married Bipolar: An Inside Look at A Real Relationship with Mental Illness"
Book / AudioBook

Links
Heart Healers
Brain Gang
Major Transformation
Healing Foundation
90 Minute One on One

Post Production for I Married Bipolar is done by:
OceanTreeCreative@gmail.com

Do you wish you had someone to understand what you're going through or have been through?

*This is a re-release of an episode

Let’s talk about safety — real, emotional, everyday safety when you're married to someone with bipolar disorder. I know what it’s like to live in a home where you’re constantly checking for signs, trying to keep the peace, and wondering if your boundaries will ever be respected.

In this episode, I share what I’ve learned over the years about defining safety for yourself, building recovery plans that actually work, and finding ways to care for your partner without losing yourself.

Episode Summary

I open up about the work Chris and I have done — and continue to do — to navigate his ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder and psychosis. From setting non-negotiable boundaries (like “no mania in the house”) to writing out emotional recovery lists and trigger inventories, this episode is packed with real strategies we've used to rebuild connection and trust.

I also talk with a friend about what it feels like to pour yourself into someone who isn’t meeting you halfway, and the pain — and power — in asking for more.

If you're in a relationship impacted by bipolar disorder, or you’ve ever asked, What does safety look like for me? — this one is for you.

Key Takeaways (SEO-Optimized)

• What emotional safety in a bipolar marriage really looks like
• How to create and use a bipolar recovery checklist with your partner
• The power of a personalized triggers list in mental health relationships
• How to support your partner with bipolar disorder without enabling mania
• Tools for navigating Christian marriage and mental illness with compassion

Connect with Temple
Templeleffingwell@gmail.com
Instagram
Facebook

Amazon / Kindle
"Whoops, I Married Bipolar: An Inside Look at A Real Relationship with Mental Illness"
Book / AudioBook

Links
Heart Healers
Brain Gang
Major Transformation
Healing Foundation
90 Minute One on One

Post Production for I Married Bipolar is done by:
OceanTreeCreative@gmail.com