What’s Going On Up There? (a conversation between me & my mind)
A conversation between me and my mind, and you get to come along! Welcome, my name is Gretchen (she/her), I’m a 19 year old from America, and this is my mental health focused podcast where I share my experiences, advice, and generally just whatever’s going on in my mind, in hopes of helping you feel less alone. I’ve struggled with my mental health most of my life, and I recently decided I needed a platform to share my story with others as a support that I wish I could have had for myself. Mental health struggles can be insanely difficult, trust me, I’ve collected a bunch over the years, and no one should have to feel like they’re in it alone. Whether you’re in the thick of it, or looking back, I hope you can find support and comfort here. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, let’s get through this together and fight the stigma! This podcast is updated weekly (very weakly haha) Transcriptions are available for each episode Check out the podcast Instagram page! @whatsgoingonupthere_pod Cover art description: cover features the phrase WHAT’S GOING ON UP THERE? in large, light blue letters, over a drawing of a pink brain. Below is a drawing of a white female with blue glasses, a raised eyebrow, curly blonde hair, and an orange question mark to the right of her head. She’s wearing a multi-colored sweatshirt and holding a black cat. In blue beside her on the left are the words “A Conversation Between Me”, and on the right “& My Mind”. In the bottom right corner in green, are the words End The Stigma, Mental Health Matters.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Welcome back to my podcast! It’s been a while since the last episode, but don’t worry, this one was worth the wait!
A common theme I’ve experienced throughout my mental health journey, and just with life in general, is feeling behind. It’s so frustrating to feel like you could be doing more, or feel like everyone else is able to do more than you because of your mental illnesses. Comparison is the thief of joy, but it’s so difficult to stop comparing yourself when you feel so behind in life.
In this episode, I discuss feeling behind in life because of my mental illnesses, and the various treatments and therapies I have been through to help myself heal. Come with me, as I share what life is like for me, and why I feel so behind in a race that doesn’t exist. Life isn’t a “one-size fits all” journey, and learning to adjust to new paths is something I’m working on every day. We can do this, one day at a time.
Potential triggers*
Broken Bones
Eating Disorder Treatment Program
Therapy
Panic Attacks
Depression
Bipolar II
Medication (not by name)
Residential Treatment
Suicidality
Anorexia Symptoms/Treatment
Anxiety
Social Media/Comparison
*this list is made up of what I believe might be triggering to someone, but it may not be a complete list, feel free to check the show transcription for your personal triggers before listening :)
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Welcome Back! It’s your favorite podcast featuring new cover art!!! Ooooo Ahhhh! Don’t worry, George is still on there. This week it’s episode 5, and I had to switch up the title to fit with my thoughts. Join me on a journey through the journeys I’ve taken since being diagnosed with Bipolar 2 in 2022.
Having a mental illness is difficult, especially one that relies on low stress and stability. So, naturally, travel will be difficult. But I love to travel. I love it!
In this episode you get to come along on a journey (I’m really loving that word today) through 3 journeys (ok, maybe this is too much) or as they would better be described, trips/vacations, after I was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder. Come see what it was like for me to travel so early into learning what it was like to have this disorder. And I’ll even tell you what I learned from my 3 treacherous journeys (haha good word choice).
Potential triggers*
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Eating Disorders
Unstable/dysregulated moods
Medication (not by name)
Medication side effect/allergic reaction
Planes/flights
Depression
Suicide
Hospitalization
Residential Treatment
*This list is made up of what I believe might be triggering to someone, but it may not be a complete list, feel free to check the show transcription for your personal triggers before listening :)
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Welcome to the long overdue episode 4 of What's Going On Up There? (a conversation between me & my mind)!!
Body Image... I have struggled with my body image almost my entire life. In this episode I discuss my relationship with my body, from childhood to college.
There's a lot of pain surrounding my negative body image, which still affects my everyday life. Sometimes it can feel debilitating, not sure how to move forward, feeling stuck in self-hatred. But I continue to work on this every day (well, most days, some days, occasionally...I'm trying my best here!)
Join me as I share experiences throughout my life that have led me to where I am now. And know, you're not alone :)
Potential triggers*
Body Image (negative/debilitating)
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Eating Disorder Treatment/Recovery
Restrictive Eating
Body Dysmorphia
Celiac Disease
Fatphobia
Weight Stigma
Weight Gain
Weight Loss
“Freshman 15”
Intrusive Thoughts
*This list is made up of what I believe might be triggering to someone, but it may not be a complete list, feel free to check the show transcription for your personal triggers before listening :)
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Welcome to the 3rd episode of What's Going On Up There? (a conversation between me & my mind)! In this episode I discuss a very prominent topic in my life: loneliness and mental illness.
Struggling with mental health for most of my life, I've experienced years and years of loneliness (and still experience it every day). Through my anxiety, bipolar 2, and eating disorder, I share my journey with loneliness, and some tips I have to manage loneliness and your mental health.
Potential triggers*
Disabilities/accessibility
Anxiety
Depression
Hypomania
Bipolar 2
Rapid Cycling
Suicidality
Eating Disorders
Mental Illness Treatment
*This list is made up of what I believe might be triggering to someone, but it may not be a complete list, feel free to check the show transcription for your personal triggers before listening :)
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Welcome to episode 2 of my podcast, What's Going On Up There? (a conversation between me & my mind)! Today's episode dives into the very real, very dangerous feeling of not feeling "sick enough" in your mental illness. Mental illnesses are tricky little buggers, and they often like to warp our minds in ways that make it difficult, if not impossible, for us to see our situation as it truly is. This is something I've struggled with my whole life, and still do struggle with daily. Join me as I talk about my journey with not feeling "sick enough" throughout my life, and offer some tips on how to control comparisons and other factors that might enhance these feelings.
Potential triggers*
Eating Disorders
Hospitals/hospitalization
Comparison
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Self Harm
Death/Suicide
Residential Treatment
Social Media
Weight Loss/Gain
Calories
*this list is made up of what I belive might be triggering to someone, but it may not be a complete list, feel free to check the show transcription for your personal triggers before listening :)
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Welcome to the first episode of the What's Going On Up There? podcast! In this episode I answer some questions about myself, and give an overview of my mental health journey throughout my life. I discuss everything from music, black cats (George!), and aliens, to therapy, anxiety, and mental health treatment. Covering over a decade of my mental health, I hope that by hearing my story you feel less alone in your struggles. Listen in to hear really what's going on up there in my mind!
This episode gives a glimpse into my mental health, and touches on topics like anxiety, depression, bipolar II, and eating disorders. The episode does not dive super deep into any habits or symptoms of mental illness, but it does mention them and some of my experiences, below is a list of potential triggering topics that are mentioned, make sure to keep yourself safe!
Potential Triggers*
Therapy
Anxiety
Celiac Disease
Body Dismorphia
Panic Attacks
Depression
Bipolar II
Medication (not by name)
Suicidality
Mental Illness treatment
Eating Disorder
*this list is made up of what I belive might be triggering to someone, but it may not be a complete list, feel free to check the show transcription for your personal triggers before listening :)
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Welcome to my podcast! What's Going On Up There (a conversation between me & my mind) is my mental health focused podcast, where I share my journey and hope you come along for the ride. You are not alone in your struggles, the podcast and I are here for you, and I hope I can help you feel less alone, or at least provide some entertainment!
My Story
I've struggled with my mental health for most of my life. I've had highs and lows; times where I thought I would never be sad again, and times where it felt like the suffering would never end. I've been in and out of therapy for most of my life. I’ve received many diagnoses, gone through multiple treatment processes, but it all led me to this. This podcast is a compilation of everything I’ve ever experienced. The pain, the joy, the grief, and every moment in between. Accompanied by my therapy cat, George, I made this podcast in hopes that you can find something worthwhile here. You are loved, you matter, and you are not alone.