S1 EP 14 The Bipolar Writer Podcast – Isami Interview

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 1 Comment

My Interview with Isami

I am honored to share the story of fellow mental health advocate, Isami. I have known Isami, followed her work, and worked with her before. It is incredible to see how she has grown within her mental illness journey since I met her in 2017. I wrote a feature article about Isami in 2018 for The Bipolar Writer Blog. Now, it is my great honor to give a voice to her story on my podcast and catch up with how she is doing today. I have seen amazing things that Isami has done with her mental health advocacy work, and I know you will enjoy this interview.

Listen to Isami’s episode here.

How can you become a interviewee, just email me @ thebipolarwriterpodcast@gmail.com.

I will record the interviews on Zoom, and use Anchor.fm to put the podcast on different platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcast or anywhere you listen. The only thing that will go live will be the audio file, and while I save my interviews, it will be on my cloud. The podcast is all about exploring the stories of depression, self-harm, anxiety, suicide, mental health issues today, mental illness stories, and everything in between. I would love for you to be one of the people that began on the ground floor of The Bipolar Writer Podcast. Thank you for your time, and you can use the contact page.

It is my hope for The Bipolar Writer Podcast to become fully listener-supported. You can become a supporter of the podcast here. You can also support the podcast by clicking the button below, where you can buy me a coffee.

So how can you support The Bipolar Writer Podcast and James Edgar Skye? Well, there are several ways.

There is becoming a listener supporter through the anchor.fm where I do my podcast episodes. That link is here. It is simple to support Apple Pay or a credit card for once month, and you can end your support whenever it feel right to you. There are options for $0.99, $4.99, and $9.99, and all options will go 100% to the podcast. No need to create an account.
Last is Buy Me A Coffee, a great platform in my mind and where I want to grow most of my lister support for the Podcast, blog, and in some ways, my writing. You can be a monthly subscriber or a one-time supporter. There are options for extras that include one on one mental health advocacy Zoom call, where you can ask mental health questions about blogging, tiers with my books, and other unique extras. The options for payments are credit card or PayPal. Soon, my support website Buy Me a Coffee will be t-shirts, mugs, and stickers available as soon as I get all that together with more support. You can click the button below.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

About A.K. My name is A.K. Wilson, or otherwise known as Angel. I am a mother, blogger, mental health, and domestic violence survivor advocate. I am a multi-genre author and writer. I was born in New York, Raised in NJ, made a home in Kentucky. I live life to the fullest and cherish every moment. My links 🙂 http://www.twistedenchantedworld.com Contact James If you are looking for all things James Edgar Skye, you can find his social media visiting https://linqapp.com/james_skye Also support a life coach that has influenced me along my journey of self-reflection: https://www.groundsforclarity.com The Bipolar Writer Podcast is listener-supported, and for as little as $5 a month, you can help support the mental health advocacy that I do by visiting http://www.buymeacoffee.com/jamesedgarskye. Please help this podcast grow by sharing with friends or anyone that you think will benefit from the experiences of others and myself. You can also find me on the following websites. You can also find me on the following websites to book your interview, ask questions, and reach out to me. http://www.jamesedgarskye.me Purchase my books at: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks — Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jamesedgarskye22/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jamesedgarskye22/support

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Jonathan Farber on Unsplash

The Bipolar Writer Podcast

February 8, 2021February 8, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 5 Comments

I wanted to update the blog on how The Bipolar Writer Podcast is doing, and I happy to say that it is going well! The interviews have been amazing, and season one is well on its way. I hope for about fifty episodes for the first season, and I am sure I will reach that goal no problem. The outpour of listeners and interviewees has been tremendous. I want to continue that momentum for the rest of the year. For the latest episodes, look up The Bipolar Writer Podcast on places like Spotify and Apple Podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts.

How can you become a interviewee, just email me @ thebipolarwriterpodcast@gmail.com.

So how can you support The Bipolar Writer Podcast and James Edgar Skye? Well, there are several ways.

There is becoming a listener supporter through the anchor.fm where I do my podcast episodes. That link is here. It is simple to support Apple Pay or a credit card for once month, and you can end your support whenever it feel right to you. There are options for $0.99, $4.99, and $9.99, and all options will go 100% to the podcast. No need to create an account.
Last is Buy Me A Coffee, a great platform in my mind and where I want to grow most of my lister support for the Podcast, blog, and in some ways, my writing. You can be a monthly subscriber or a one-time supporter. There are options for extras that include one on one mental health advocacy Zoom call, where you can ask mental health questions about blogging, tiers with my books, and other unique extras. The options for payments are credit card or PayPal. Soon, my support website Buy Me a Coffee will be t-shirts, mugs, and stickers available as soon as I get all that together with more support. You can click the button below.

Over the years, you, my audience, is why I continue to do my mental health advocacy. Joining me allows for other projects and gives me more outlets to help end the stigma, and what I am saying is that it takes the community. I have a major writing project called The Many Faces and Voices of Mental Illness, and I want to open up my own non-profit. I know times are tough at times, but if you can help a little, please reach out in one of the ways above. It means the world to me and allows me to continue to bring the content that helps the community as a whole. If you can, please listen to The Bipolar Writer Podcast.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Thank you, my community, for always being there and looking out for this blog, the podcast, and the mental health advocacy projects that I am working on. Stay strong in the fight to end the stigma.

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Jeremy Enns on Unsplash

S1 Ep 13 The Bipolar Writer Podcast

February 6, 2021February 6, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 1 Comment

Interview with Brittany from Canada

I want to welcome all audiences from around the world to The Bipolar Writer Podcast season one, episode thirteen. Today I get to share an international story from Ontario, Canada, and Brittany’s story of dealing with Bipolar One and Generalized Anxiety. Please listen to Brittany’s story of her diagnosis came about, her history, and above all, her unique story. Her journey is her own, and it is always an honor to share the community’s stories. Thank you, Brittany, for being a guest.

Check out her interview here.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Interviews for The Bipolar Writer Podcast

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 22 Comments

The Bipolar Writer Podcast is new, with just a few episodes under my belt, but I am always looking for new people within the mental illness community to share their stories. It can be anonymous, with a pseudonym that you use or your real name. You can promote your work if it is blogs, mental illness/mental health podcasts and topics, your books, and really anything you want, but the central part will be your mental illness story.

I will record the Zoom interviews and use Anchor.fm to put the podcast on different platforms like Spotify and iTunes. The only thing that will go live will be the audio file, and while I save my interviews, it will be on my cloud. The podcast is all about exploring the stories of depression, self-harm, anxiety, suicide, mental health issues today, mental illness stories, and everything in between. I would love for you to be one of the people that began on the ground floor of The Bipolar Writer Podcast. Thank you for your time, and you can use the contact page or email me directly @ jamesedgarskye22@gmail.com. You can also leave a comment below.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

The Bipolar Writer Podcast

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Steve Halama on Unsplash

This Might be the End of The Bipolar Writer Blog

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 21 Comments

I am at a real crossroads with The Bipolar Writer Collaborative Blog. First, I want to say that it has been my honor to share my experiences with Bipolar One and give a place for the mental illness community’s voices to come together in one place since 2017. Many notable mental health bloggers have used this as a platform to launch their own work, and I am honored to be that place.

I have loved this blog and the outreach that has been amazing since day one. I never imagined that the blog would grow so much, but with all the projects that I have going on, most of my money is tied up, and I can’t pay for the next year to keep the blog alive, at least not at this juncture. My hope was to use my Buy me a Coffee site to raise the money, but I understand that many within the community struggle financially. I usually am okay with purchasing the yearly pro level, but in 2020 I saw my business take a significant dip, and I am stretched so thin in 2021. It is only $96 to renew, and if I get enough, I will, of course, renew and keep adding new writers, but the decline is February 1st. I should have been more vigilant in reaching out.

I am close to reaching the goal of a few more people reach out we can hit the goal.

With that said, there is The Bipolar Writer Podcast is starting to take off, a lot like The Bipolar Writer blog did in 2017, and I now can share the stories of those in the community alongside my own journey as I continue to grow on my own journey. I look forward to my major two-year book project and documentary, The Many Faces and Voices of Mental Illness. There is so much to do in 2021, and I am planting as many seeds as I can to do more mental health advocacy work. Perhaps we can raise the money in time, or I will find a way. There is a possibility that I will be unable to, but it might spell the end for the blog. Who knows what will happen!

I have always relied on the community, and they have relied on me. The button above takes me to my buy me a coffee page. It doesn’t take a lot to hit our goal, and becoming a one time supporter or a member would mean the world to me.

If this is my last goodbye, then thank you my followers for everything and the joy that you have brought to me over the years. 2017-2021 was great for The Bipolar Writer blog and for James Edgar Skye.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Justin Luebke on Unsplash

Sobriety and Suicide My January 2021

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 16 Comments

It feels so good to be writing again about my experiences as I continue to navigate this mental illness life. It was a struggle in January of 2021, and I have to say I have come out stronger, but there are still lingering effects.

As of writing this blog post, I am now thirty-three days into my recommitment to my sobriety. That is huge, considering I lost five years in 2020. After the loss to my mom, it was easier to turn to alcohol, but I know she would have wanted me to get back on track with my sobriety.

I have gone through a lot in 2021, including feeling suicidal and coming up with another suicide plan that I considered following through at the end of January. I was able to reach out once again to someone I trust and develop a safety plan once again which has been in place for a few days. I was very depressed, though I got a lot down with scheduling podcast episodes, doing interviews, working on projects, and creating podcast episodes. I am still struggling with several things at once. There is the stress which is leading to high blood pressure, and of course, the issues with my teeth that are stress related. I will be lucky to stay healthy in 2021, but I know I need to work on stress triggers as I continue on into February and beyond.

With my stress comes issues, including more depression or the coming back of my dark passenger and issues with my past. I am still dealing with the fantastic part of my recent stint in working with a life coach for four months in 2020. It allowed emotions back into my life and being vulnerable, but with some unintended consequences like doors I thought I shut long ago. The most telling was when I was a kid and what happened to me when I was four years old. At the end of 2019, before my therapist moved on, I began to put together the very fragmented memories. I have been trying to keep these memories shut away for as long as I can remember. In 2007, when my diagnosis became Bipolar One, I vowed to close that door and never open it again.

The thing about my memories of that time is that I was so young, and I can feel how traumatizing it can be now to recount even the fragments. My dark passenger came from that time. It has grown with me over the years. My dark passenger has controlled me so much where I am still dealing with the fallout, and something has to change. I have begun a written journal of what I can remember, a recommendation from my life coach, and forcing myself to remember as much as I can about that time.

One of the things that my life coach recommended is to reach out to those with childhood trauma of any kind. Perhaps, we can get to my fragmented memories and begin to piece them together again. Please comment or reach out of you can help. That’s my hope for now, and perhaps I need life coaching in this one area because I am tired of my dark passenger having control of my life.

What’s next? I need to find balance in the work I do and my mental health. I am planting seeds in my life, so I am more efficient with my money when it comes to getting out of the poverty lifestyle mindset that comes with being a struggling up and coming writer. Life always finds a way, and if I live in the now, in these moments as they come to me, and not the future, I am sure the universe will help me on my path, whatever that might be for me.

Stay strong in the fight for better mental health, and check out my podcast below when you have a moment. Or look up The Bipolar Writer Podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify and other places that you listen to podcasts. Help me share others’ stories in the mental illness community by becoming a supporter of my mental health by buying me a coffee button on this page.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Medina Spahić on Unsplash

A Short Reprieve

February 3, 2021February 9, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 1 Comment

I am going to make this as short as possible. Over the weekend, two people reached out through my buy me a coffee page to help keep The Bipolar Writer Blog afloat. I have a little bit of time before my premium plan expires. Through the “Buy Me a Coffee” button below, I hope that your donations will help me reach the goal and perhaps also help keep the work I do going, and if we succeed, I will be adding new writers and revamping the entire blog. I plan on paying for two years if we can reach our goal so that this continues to be a safe place.

I think there is some confusion with buy me a coffee. It is a patron site where you buy cups of coffee for artists, bloggers, writers, and podcasters like myself. I am, first and foremost, a writer, blogger, and podcaster. There is no signup. There are two ways. You can become a member, which is monthly (there is a special deal for yearly subscribers), which comes with benefits like copies of my books, t-shirts, mugs, and other things, or you can support me by buying me a cup of coffee (at $5) multiple cups, your choice. I also have extras like copies of my book and one on one session mental health discussions where you ask me anything. I use Stripe and Paypal as options, it is safe and secure. It is a great way to keep this blog alive and keep my work going with the podcast. I have been rejuvenated by this blog, but I have so much money tied up running my business right now. Use the button below.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

S1 E12 of The Bipolar Writer Podcast

February 2, 2021February 2, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 12 Comments

Cutting and Self Harm – Why So Serious?

\*disclaimer\* I am not advocating that cutting is right or wrong. For some people, like myself, it is just a way you have to live with when emotional pain becomes unbearable for a good portion of my life. This subject means the world to me. When I look at the scars on my arm, it is a constant reminder of who I was and how far I have come since I was a teenager. It’s a sensitive subject, but I would rather talk about it than push it to the side. Here is my story of how cutting and self-harm was a significant part of my life.

So how can you support The Bipolar Writer? Well, there are several ways.

Listen to the latest episode here.

There is becoming a listener supporter through the anchor.fm. That link is here. It is simple to support Apple Pay or a credit card for once month, and you can end your support whenever it feel right to you. There are options for $0.99, $4.99, and $9.99, and all options will go 100% to the podcast. No need to create an account.
Last is Buy Me A Coffee, a great platform in my mind and where I want to grow most of my lister support for the Podcast, blog, and in some ways, my writing. You can be a monthly subscriber, a one time supporter, and there are options for extras that include one on one mental health advocacy Zoom call where you can ask mental health questions and tiers with my books. Soon to come will be t-shirts, mugs, and stickers available as soon as I get all that together. You can click the button below.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

The Bipolar Writer Podcast

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Beyond delusion, plus self worth and authentic discourse.

January 30, 2021January 30, 2021 / dans / 5 Comments

So its time a wrote a little because my health fluctuates alot, so writing has gotta help me consolidate the healthy parts of the brain.
Or at least get them moving.

So i have this psychotic delusion or depression. It’s both. It causes the depression.
(believe me or not… lol it was there)

Even though i was aware of it, and it was the real reason i went inpatient – not harm OCD. I needen’t go into it’s content, but its a fairly benign topic, but that’s not how it felt and everytime i thought i’d nailed the topic adn labelled it benign…. it would come back later. I still think, and my final psychiatrist thought, that it was not my OCD despite of course i would attempt to find ‘answers’ to it too. Psychotic feelings my friends. Delusion covered up by reasoning and a legitimate enquiry. Underestimated how it made me placid with regards reality, and memory and attentinon was often sabotaged. Sabotaged all the time, Not like a concentration isssue, more of a reality issue. I’m sure you know what i mean in some ways. In different ways to when my ocd was bad. I haven’t been able to work or do anything i would’ve wanted to do in many parallel dimensions, because of mental illness. All throughout my life. Honourable attempts have been cool to look at though.

Facts, no munchausen.

And you know what, i am really only truly going beyond both my ocd and this, now, as i work out why i could never work or pay attention to the important things throughout my life, or understand some things or be confused and disorientated by other things. Or be emotionally affected by things, even painful things, in a healthy way. Bring the pain I want pain. Not the mental illness pain. Realities’ pain.
The pain from grieving, the pain from poverty, the pain from being alone. Thats not to say the pain from my grief doesn’t exacerbate my mental illness. In some ways it does, like with others, however with regards my delusion, I’d rather sink into realities’ pain and grieve properly. Grieving is hard. But what i meant at my mother’s funeral, when i spoke with a friend, was that I already knew what it was like to experience a lot of suffering. I wasn’t disrespecting my mother, i just felt like explaining that. Perhaps i felt that i needed to talk about both my mother and my mental illness. Address both. Yea so its take me a few years to grieve and now i have.

Once or twice years ago before any real insight into why i was diagnosed, i would mention I get detached. I very polite way of saying i was suffering. Some would say ‘hey that’s a good thing, man!’ haha, nope, no it was not. I never knew how to explain how disturbed i felt.

I would feel emotion however, but they would often be misfiring, misguided exacerbated anxiety, or delusional. So I’d rather be a psychopath. Just kidding.

I’ts highly likely I am autistic spectrum disorder, but upon careful examination it hasn’t lead to inconsistent recovery, not like the OCD or this.

ill leave it there with that, i’ve got a healthy part of my brain going 😉

Self worth. What i have learned from having mental illness, is that although i would fight often like a warrior to try and have fun, it was often forced and i couldn’t quite sink in to reality enough to understand that it all comes from realisation of our own self worth.

it was just so hard to get at, breaking down all the cages and bricks mental illness produce.

symptoms are symptoms. they differ and often overlap in diagnostic DSM (4 or 5 whichever they are up to now) practice but they are very important. Psychiatric disorders differ and suffering is unique, but what i am getting at, is that its very often unique even if we had the same diagnosis.

I’m studying neuroscience now which is why im moving further along with de-legitamizing my delusion and understanding things beyond how i have in the past. (well its a good course so i kinda have to! Can’t reason my way through like i scraped on thru with in my undergrad, without understanding and engagement)
If I decide I can do it I shall return to let you know. God speed.

Authentic discourse will help with this. I am not saying i haven’t always been authentic. to the contrary. However, i haven’t always been able to write or think in ways some healthy parts of my brain know that i can. And I’d often be attempting to de-legitamize an obsession or the delusion without realizing that that was all i was attempting to do. No conflicts.

ok so, welcome let’s begin 🙂

Support for The Bipolar Writer Mental Health Advocacy & Writing

January 29, 2021February 2, 2021 / James Edgar Skye / 10 Comments

As you know, everything outside of my writing is for the mental illness community and is mainly free to all. The Podcast is a free outlet for people within the community to share their stories and to listen, but it is not free to do a podcast. There is equipment that needs to be paid for and time. I am dependent on the mental health advocacy side for the podcast and blog to be “listener and reader supported.” As much as I hate to reach out, it always helps when the support comes from the community because it shows that the platforms that I have are essential, like The Bipolar Writer Podcast and The Bipolar Writer blog.

So how can you support The Bipolar Writer? Well, there are several ways.

There is becoming a listener supporter through the anchor.fm. That link is here. It is simple to support Apple Pay or a credit card for once month, and you can end your support whenever it feel right to you. There are options for $0.99, $4.99, and $9.99, and all options will go 100% to the podcast. No need to create an account.
Last is Buy Me A Coffee, a great platform in my mind and where I want to grow most of my lister support for the Podcast, blog, and in some ways, my writing. You can be a monthly subscriber, a one time supporter, and there are options for extras that include one on one mental health advocacy Zoom call where you can ask mental health questions and tiers with my books. Soon to come will be t-shirts, mugs, and stickers available as soon as I get all that together. You can click the button below.

Over the years, you, my audience, is why I continue to do my mental health advocacy. Joining me allows for other projects and gives me more outlets to help end the stigma, and while I am saying that it takes the community. I have a major writing project called The Many Faces and Voices of Mental Illness, and I want to open up my own non-profit. I know times are tough at times, but if you can help a little, please reach out in one of the ways above. It means the world to me and allows me to continue to bring the content that helps the community as a whole. If you can, please listen to The Bipolar Writer Podcast on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast

Always Keep Fighting.

What is the worst that can happen?

James Edgar Skye

Visit my author website at http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

Purchase my Memoir and Novella here: https://www.jamesedgarskye.me/jamesedgarskyebooks

The Bipolar Writer Podcast

For everything James Edgar Skye use the QR code below Or use this link .

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash