Welcome to "Speaking of Mental Health," where clinical psychologist Michelle Lindhardt explores the complexities of mental health and well-being. Join Michelle as she sits down with seasoned mental health professionals and researchers to uncover diverse perspectives on mental health. Tune in for valuable insights that broaden your understanding, foster your own well-being, and help reduce the stigma around mental health. Let this podcast be your guide for reflection, learning, and personal growth.
Subscribe now and join this community dedicated to mental well-being and be part of the change!
Feeding Your Brain: Why Your Food Choices Can Make a Difference for Your Mental Health — with Dr. Bonnie Kaplan
Have you ever wondered if the food on your plate is doing more than just filling you up? The surprising truth is, nutrition plays a much bigger role in your mental health than most of us realize.
In this episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle sits down with Dr. Bonnie Kaplan, Professor Emerita at the University of Calgary. Over her 40-year scientific career, Dr. Kaplan has spent decades researching the biological roots of developmental disorders and mental health - especially focusing on how nutrition supports brain development and function.
Dr. Kaplan, co-author of The Better Brain, shares science-backed insights into how key nutrients support brain function and emotional balance. Together, they explore why nutrition matters for mental health - and how simple, realistic lifestyle changes (not fancy or expensive diets) can make a big difference.
In this episode, we cover:
How nutrition impacts your brain, emotions, and mental health
Essential vitamins and nutrients your brain needs to thrive
The science behind food’s influence on mood and cognition
Why cutting ultra-processed foods matters
Realistic strategies to overcome barriers to healthy eating
Practical tips to help you make simple changes for better brain health
Join Michelle and Dr. Kaplan for an eye-opening conversation that could transform how you view food and mental health.
To learn more about Dr. Kaplan’s research on nutrition and mental health, you can find additional resources here (https://bonniejkaplan.com/).
9 Apr 2025
The Power of Silence: Why It Matters for Your Mental Health with Dr. Olga Lehmann
In this episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle dives into a topic we often overlook—silence. It’s easy to think of silence as merely the absence of sound, but what if it’s actually a powerful tool for emotional clarity, self-reflection, and personal growth? Join Michelle as she speaks with Dr. Olga Lehmann, an author, educator, psychologist, and TEDx speaker who has dedicated her career to studying the power of silence in mental health. Known as the "Silentist," Dr. Lehmann unpacks how silence isn’t just a break from noise - it’s a powerful tool for cultivating mental well-being.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the constant noise of your day? Or perhaps you crave more quiet but don’t know how to embrace it? In this episode, Dr. Lehmann shares why silence can be a game-changer for your mental health—helping you achieve greater mental clarity, emotional balance, and personal growth.
In this episode we discuss:
The many forms of silence—and what they each mean
The connection between silence and emotional well-being
How silence can strengthen relationships and deepen self-awareness
Practical ways to invite more silence into your daily life
Why sitting with silence—even when it feels uncomfortable—can lead to personal growth
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Olga Lehmann and discover how embracing silence could be the key to unlocking your mental health potential.
20 Jan 2025
Caring for Yourself While Supporting Someone with a Mental Illness or Trauma History: A Conversation with Dr. Michelle Sherman
Loving and supporting someone with a mental illness or history of trauma can be incredibly challenging. It’s a delicate balance between offering care, setting healthy boundaries, and taking care of your own emotional needs. Yet, the experience of loved ones is often overlooked. So, how can we best support our loved ones while also prioritizing our own well-being?
In this episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle is joined by Dr. Michelle Sherman, a clinical psychologist and Fellow of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Sherman is an expert in couples and family psychology and has dedicated her 30+ year career to supporting families navigating mental illness and trauma. She offers invaluable insights into how loved ones can effectively manage caregiving, set healthy boundaries, and avoid compassion fatigue — all while taking care of themselves.
Drawing from her extensive experience and insights from her new book, Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma, Dr. Sherman shares actionable strategies for finding the delicate balance between supporting others and prioritizing your own mental health.
In this episode, we discuss:
The emotional challenges of supporting someone who's struggling with a mental health condition or history of trauma
How to set healthy boundaries and prioritize your own well-being while supporting someone else
Practical ways to manage compassion fatigue and avoid burnout
How to communicate effectively in sensitive situations while also honoring your own emotional needs
The concept of anosognosia — when someone with a mental illness is unaware of or denies their condition — and how it can impact caregiving
Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Michelle Sherman, and gain actionable insights into how you can take care of yourself while still supporting your loved ones.
25 Nov 2024
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Reclaim Your Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Valerie Young
Michelle explores how to overcome imposter syndrome and reclaim confidence with Dr. Valerie Young, a leading expert on imposter feelings and self-doubt.
7 Oct 2024
Cultural Identity and Mental Health: Insights with Psychologist Haza Rahim
Cultural identity can shape our sense of self and influence our mental health in profound ways. But what does it mean to navigate cultural identity, and how can it affect our mental well-being?
In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle is joined by psychologist Haza Rahim. Having grown up as a bicultural and researching cultural identity and its impact on mental health, Haza brings both personal experience and a wealth of professional knowledge to our conversation
Together, we dive into the complexities of cultural identity conflict, exploring how cultural backgrounds can both enrich and challenge our mental well-being. Haza shares her insights on the unique challenges bicultural individuals can face and emphasizes the importance of supporting cultural diversity and educating ourselves about these vital topics.
In this episode, we discuss:
The concept of cultural identity and its significance for mental well-being
The challenges that can arise when navigating different cultural backgrounds and how cultural identity conflict can emerge
The importance of staying curious and educating ourselves about cultural identity
Practical insights on how to navigate cultural identity conflict and foster our own cultural journeys
Join us for an enlightening conversation that seeks to broaden your perspective on how cultural identity influences mental health and how we can better support one another in our diverse experiences.
9 Jul 2024
How to Build Resilience to Improve Your Mental Health and Thrive at Work with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier
Resilience is often a central theme in discussions on mental health in the workplace. But what does resilience actually entail, and how can we build it to enhance both our work performance and mental well-being?
In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle sits down with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, an award winning work place mental health expert, psychologist, advisor and speaker. With over 20 years of experience and holding both a PhD and an MBA, Dr. Pelletier offers valuable insights into workplace mental health. Drawing from her acclaimed book, 'The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health,' she provides practical strategies for building resilience and enhancing professional success.
In this episode, we discuss:
The notion of burnout and it's implications
What resilience entails and how it plays a vital role in mental health and helps us thrive at work
Why resilience isn't a given, but something we can cultivate with the right plan and strategies in place
The importance of being strategic when it comes to building resilience and how to create a personalized resilience plan
Practical tips for cultivating resilience in our daily lives
Join us for an insightful conversation on building resilience, and learn how to thrive in both work and life.
25 Jun 2024
Exploring The Nuances and Complexities Of Grief With Dr. Henk Schut
Grief is often an inevitable part of life, and while it can be seen as a rather universal experience, it can also be deeply personal with many nuances. But what does grief actually entail, and how can we navigate the complexities that accompany loss?
In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle is joined by Dr. Henk Schut, an esteemed psychologist, researcher, and associate professor at Utrecht University. Henk has devoted the majority of his career to researching grief and debunking common myths surrounding it. He is renowned for his extensive experience and research on grief, including his co-development of the dual process model of coping with bereavement together with Margaret Stroebe.
Together, we dive into the nuances of grief, exploring its many facets and the misconceptions that often surround it. Henk also shares his insights on grief and reflects on his 40 years of research in the field.
In this episode, we discuss:
The many nuances of grief and how it can impact our mental well-being
Why grief isn't an illness but a normal process of life
Common misconceptions about grief and why it's important to debunk them
Why there is no quick fix or set recipe when it comes to dealing with loss
The dual process model of coping with bereavement and how it offers a different perspective on the grief process
Why it might be better to not listen to too much advice when trying to navigate grief
How to support those dealing with loss
Join us for an insightful conversation to learn more about grief and help foster understanding and support for those navigating loss.
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11 Jun 2024
Understanding and Supporting Mental Health Challenges in Children and Adolescents
In today's fast-paced world, children and adolescents are struggling with unprecedented mental health challenges. From academic pressures to the influence of technology, the younger generation is navigating a complex landscape that seems to highly impact their mental well-being.
In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle sits down with clinical psychologist Stina Knudsen to explore these challenges. Drawing from her experience in treating children and adolescents and supporting parents, Stina provides valuable insights into this critical issue.
Together, we try to unravel the mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents in modern society. We discuss practical tips and strategies for identifying when our young ones may be struggling and how to best offer support.
In this episode, we cover:
Possible factors contributing to the rise in mental health challenges among the younger generation
The influence of societal pressures, technology, and social media on youth mental health
Signs to look out for when a child or teen is experiencing mental health difficulties
How gaming can impact mental health
Ways in which parents, teachers, and caregivers can provide support to children and adolescents facing mental health challenges
Practical tips for supporting the well-being of the younger generation
Join us to deepen your understanding of the mental health challenges faced by the younger generation and gain practical insights to nurture their mental well-being.
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakingofmentalhealth/message
28 May 2024
Unraveling Loneliness: Understanding and Navigating It from a Psychological Perspective
In society, we often talk about loneliness, but what does it actually mean to be lonely, and how can we manage it when it affects our mental well-being?
In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle sits down with psychologist Anneke Vedder to unpack the complexities of loneliness. Anneke brings a wealth of expertise as an experienced mental health professional, lecturer, and researcher who is highly passionate about loneliness and an expert on the topic.
Together, we dive into the nuances of loneliness, exploring how it can affect our mental well-being, and discuss how we can navigate it.
In this episode, we examine:
What loneliness entails and how it can affect our mental well-being
The difference between "social loneliness" and "emotional loneliness"
How loneliness differs from solitude
How our expectations play a vital role when it comes to loneliness
Why it's important to acknowledge and normalize loneliness
Practical advice for navigating loneliness, seeking support, and establishing connections
Join us in this conversation to broaden your perspective on loneliness and gain insight into how you can navigate it.
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakingofmentalhealth/message
15 May 2024
Introducing: Speaking of Mental Health
Welcome to "Speaking of Mental Health," where clinical psychologist Michelle Lindhardt explores the complexities of mental well-being. Join Michelle as she sits down with seasoned mental health professionals and researchers to uncover diverse perspectives on various mental health related topics. Gain valuable insights to broaden your understanding of mental health and foster your own mental well-being. With each episode, this podcast serves as your guide for reflection, learning, and personal growth.
Subscribe now and join our community to learn more about mental well-being!
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/speakingofmentalhealth/message
14 May 2024
How To Let Go Of Worry: A Conversation with Clinical Psychologist Shang Olsen
Are you struggling with overthinking and finding it difficult to let go of your worries?
In this first episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle sits down with Shang Olsen, a clinical psychologist specializing in metacognitive therapy, to explore why we tend to worry and how we can learn to let go of it. Together they dive into the mechanisms of overthinking, the beliefs that drive it, and you can develop a more relaxed relationship with your own mind.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why it's completely normal to experience negative thoughts
What overthinking actually is
How metacognitive therapy offers a different perspective on managing our thoughts and inner experiences
The underlying beliefs that drive worry and rumination
Practical tips for reducing overthinking
If you have a tendency to worry and find it difficult to let go of it, this episode might just be for you.
14 May 2024
How To Let Go Of Worrying: Insights From A Metacognitive Therapy Perspective
Are you struggling with overthinking and find it difficult to let go of your worries?
In this inaugural episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle sits down with clinical psychologist Shang Rasul Olsen to explore how we can learn to let go of overthinking. Shang brings valuable insights as a licensed metacognitive therapist with extensive experience in helping individuals let go of persistent worry.
Together, we dive into the complexities of overthinking, discussing its underlying mechanisms and practical strategies for reducing its grip. Discover how Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) offers a fresh perspective on managing our thoughts and improving mental well-being.
In this episode we examine:
- What overthinking entails.
- How it's completely normal to experience negative thoughts.
- How Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) offers a rather unique perspective on managing our thoughts and understanding mental illness.
- How to identify underlying beliefs that can drive worry and rumination.
- Practical tips for reducing overthinking and fostering healthier self-reflection.
Join us on this journey where we discuss how to reclaim control over our thought processes and let go of persistent overthinking.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
41
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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