The Managing Mental Health Podcast

The Gut-Brain Connection: Why Your Diet is Affecting Your Mental Health

🍟 Are you eating your way into anxiety, or could your "healthy" diet be missing the vital building blocks your brain needs to stay stable? In this episode of the Managing Mental Health Podcast, social psychologist Jamie sits down with public health nutrition expert Dr. Leanne Skehan and forensic behavioral specialist Dr. Jared Brown to bridge the gap between metabolic health and psychological well-being. The conversation reveals why traditional mental health treatments often fail by ignoring the gut-brain axis, where 80% of your serotonin is actually produced. You will learn how socioeconomic disparities and food insecurity create a "metabolic syndrome" that can reduce life expectancy by up to 20 years for those with serious mental illness. 😟 The experts dive deep into the science of Lifestyle Medicine, highlighting how chronic stress and childhood trauma (ACEs) program the body for emotional eating and nutrient depletion. We break down "Precision Mental Health," identifying why Omega-3s, Magnesium, B Vitamins, and Zinc are non-negotiable for neurotransmitter synthesis. Additionally, the episode uncovers a critical "clinical blind spot": how common medications like SSRIs can inadvertently strip your body of Melatonin and CoQ10, leading to a cycle of poor sleep and bone health issues. Whether you are a clinician or someone looking to optimize your own mental health, this episode provides a roadmap for re-inoculating your gut and resolving the root causes of depression and anxiety. Get your Managing Mental Health ebook here:  managingmentalhealth.net [http://managingmentalhealth.net] 📗 Managing Everyday Anxiety 📘 Managing Adult ADHD 📙 Managing Everyday PTSD 📙 Managing Clinical Depression ✅ Join the #1 free community for mental health education and encouragement: https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4 [https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4] ✨support and encouragement from a group of your peers (your community) ✨thousands of free resources, workbooks, worksheets - all to boost mental well-being ✨self-care routines like meditations, yoga, exercise, nutrition, & more ✨weekly class on various mental health issues ✨resources for family & friends of loved ones that struggle with mental health issues ✨access to member only courses, retreats, and conferences Get your paperback Managing Mental Health Journal (green or gray cover): 📚 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ] or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS]  Support this channel: ☕Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth [https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth] SOCIALS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359]  IG: managing.mental.health TT: ManagingMentalHealth For individual Trauma Recovery Coaching with Jamie: Jamiehughes.online [http://jamiehughes.online] Please like, subscribe, comment, and share with someone who can benefit from this episode, and hit the notification bell to stay tuned and to stay connected to this community of mental well-being as we all learn and grow together.

Autism Rocks and Rolls: Redefining the Spectrum with Sam Mitchell

🔎What if the world saw autism not as a neurological disorder in need of fixing, but as a brilliant, "outside the box" way of thinking? In this episode, Sam Mitchell, creator of the Autism Rocks and Rolls podcast, joins the show to share his first-person perspective on living on the spectrum. Sam breaks down the creative strengths of the autistic mind, such as unique problem-solving skills and intense motivation, while also providing an honest look at the daily challenges of rigidity and the high levels of anxiety that often accompany it. He illustrates these experiences through personal stories, from the comfort found in a dentist's parking lot to the importance of literal communication when metaphors like "pulling your leg" fall flat. 💙💛💚❤️The conversation also dives deep into the practicalities of advocacy and support for the autism community. Sam offers invaluable advice for parents, emphasizing the need for unwavering support during periods of regression and the importance of ignoring societal judgment. He also addresses the staggering 85% unemployment rate among autistic Americans, sharing his own journey of entrepreneurship after facing workplace neglect and encouraging others to create their own paths. From his upcoming children’s show to his mission of education and stigma reduction, Sam’s message is clear: success comes in many forms, and it begins with embracing who you truly are. Main themes: Autism awareness, neurodivergent perspective, autism spectrum, Living on the autism spectrum, first-person autism interview, parent advice for autism regression, understanding autism rigidity, creative strengths of autism, Neurodiversity affirming, autism acceptance month, neurodivergent employment, autism and anxiety Sam Mitchell http://autismrocksandrolls.com/ [http://autismrocksandrolls.com/] FREE resources for Autism Awareness & Support: (click here [info@managingmentalhealth.net] to receive both of these for free - English or Spanish) Autism: Facts vs Myths Empowering Parents: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Get your Managing Mental Health ebook here:  managingmentalhealth.net [http://managingmentalhealth.net] 📗 Managing Everyday Anxiety 📘 Managing Adult ADHD 📙 Managing Everyday PTSD 📙 Managing Clinical Depression ✅ Join the #1 free community for mental health education and encouragement: https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4 [https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4] ✨support and encouragement from a group of your peers (your community) ✨thousands of free resources, workbooks, worksheets - all to boost mental well-being ✨self-care routines like meditations, yoga, exercise, nutrition, & more ✨weekly class on various mental health issues ✨resources for family & friends of loved ones that struggle with mental health issues ✨access to member only courses, retreats, and conferences Get your paperback Managing Mental Health Journal (green or gray cover): 📚 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ] or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS]  Support this channel: ☕Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth [https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth] SOCIALS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359]  IG: managing.mental.health TT: ManagingMentalHealth For individual Trauma Recovery Coaching with Jamie: Jamiehughes.online [http://jamiehughes.online] Please like, subscribe, comment, and share with someone who can benefit from this episode, and hit the notification bell to stay tuned and to stay connected to this community of mental well-being as we all learn and grow together. 0:00 Introduction to Sam Mitchell 1:15 Defining Autism: A different way of thinking 3:45 Understanding masking and rigidity 5:20 Handling anxiety and schedule changes 8:10 Advice for parents on autism regression 9:45 Navigating the workforce and starting a company

No Time Limit, No Order: Ditching the Rules of the Five Stages of Grief

😓Are you feeling like you're grieving "wrong" because you keep cycling between anger, sadness, and fleeting moments of acceptance? Stop comparing your journey to a checklist. Social psychologist Jamie welcomes Lisa Rites, a certified grief educator and former respiratory therapist with 40 years of experience, for a deeply honest conversation that dismantles the biggest myths about grief and loss. Lisa shares her unique perspective, gained from working with dying patients and navigating her own difficult divorce. You'll learn why the so-called "five stages" of grief are not a linear checklist, why you might be grieving a job loss or a divorce without realizing it, and why it's completely normal to fall back down the ladder of healing. This episode is essential for anyone experiencing loss, including loss of a loved one or loss of a future vision. 🫂We dive into what support for grief truly looks like, moving beyond the unhelpful platitudes like "just move on" that society constantly offers. Lisa offers valuable coping strategies and actionable self-care tips, emphasizing the importance of talking and listening without judgment. Learn the warning signs of related mental health struggles, such as depression and suicidal ideation, and how to spot them in yourself and others. We also explore the deeply touching phenomenon of elderly couples passing shortly after one another. Whether you are looking for advice on how to deal with grief and loss, seeking to support a friend, or ready to begin healing from a breakup or divorce, Lisa Rites offers a compassionate, honest guide to the complex, non-linear path of true healing. Lisa Rites: website:  Lisaritesgrief.com [http://lisaritesgrief.com]  FREE ebook to listeners of this podcast: lisaritesgrief.com/resource [http://lisaritesgrief.com/resource]    IG: angelsamonguslisa FB: angelsamongusgrief Get your Managing Mental Health ebook here:  managingmentalhealth.net [http://managingmentalhealth.net] 📗 Managing Everyday Anxiety 📘 Managing Adult ADHD 📙 Managing Everyday PTSD 📙 Managing Clinical Depression ✅ Join the #1 free community for mental health education and encouragement: https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4 [https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4] ✨support and encouragement from a group of your peers (your community) ✨thousands of free resources, workbooks, worksheets - all to boost mental well-being ✨self-care routines like meditations, yoga, exercise, nutrition, & more ✨weekly class on various mental health issues ✨resources for family & friends of loved ones that struggle with mental health issues ✨access to member only courses, retreats, and conferences Get your paperback Managing Mental Health Journal (green or gray cover): 📚 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ] or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS]  Support this channel: ☕Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth [https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth] SOCIALS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359]  IG: managing.mental.health TT: ManagingMentalHealth For individual Trauma Recovery Coaching with Jamie: Jamiehughes.online [http://jamiehughes.online] Please like, subscribe, comment, and share with someone who can benefit from this episode, and hit the notification bell to stay tuned and to stay connected to this community of mental well-being as we all learn and grow together.

The Six Pillars of Health: How Lifestyle Medicine Powers Executive Function

🧠Are you feeling scatterbrained, forgetful, or struggling to follow through on your goals? Your lifestyle might be to blame! In the final episode of our six-part series on Executive Functioning, host Jamie welcomes back special guest Dr. Jared Brown to dive deep into Lifestyle Medicine and its direct impact on brain health and mental well-being. Discover why our modern way of living - marked by stress, sleep deprivation, and poor diets - is contributing to rising rates of mental illness and chronic low-grade inflammation. Dr. Brown, certified in lifestyle medicine, breaks down the critical connection between your physical habits and your cognitive capacity, explaining why ignoring factors like nutrition, sleep, and social support can lead to poor health outcomes and worsen executive function impairments. 📊This episode provides a holistic framework for better health, outlining the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: physical activity, avoidance of harmful substances, stress management, nutrition, promoting positive social connection, and restorative sleep. You'll also learn about the Life's Essential Eight (from the American Heart Association), how to adopt a health coaching lens to improve motivation and self-reflection, and the revolutionary concept of social prescribing, where doctors prescribe activities like dance or knitting classes instead of defaulting to medication. Dr. Brown and Jamie stress that physical and mental health are interconnected - what's good for the heart is good for the brain. By understanding and taking responsibility for these dimensions of wellness, you can strengthen your executive functions and achieve a higher quality of life. Dr. Jerrod Brown 6-part series on executive functioning 1. Executive Function: Introduction and Overview [https://youtu.be/xQxJ4xJGt0g] 2. Executive Dysfunction: Clinical and Forensic Considerations [https://youtu.be/nsog0cYoYXw] 3. Executive Dysfunction: Implications for Poor Health Outcomes [https://youtu.be/wb9BhGpR840] 4. Executive Dysfunction: A Neuroscience Perspective - Neuroplasticity [https://youtu.be/NrB_0aFWMXY] 5. Executive Function: Self-regulation [https://youtu.be/iydm9t9A_n4] 6. Executive Function: Healthy Lifestyle Practices/Lifestyle medicine [https://youtu.be/0OIcADFwUkk] Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals by Dr. Jerrod Brownhttps://www.amazon.com/Forensic-Mental-Health-Source-Professionals/dp/154713237X [https://www.amazon.com/Forensic-Mental-Health-Source-Professionals/dp/154713237X] Get your Managing Mental Health ebook here:  managingmentalhealth.net [http://managingmentalhealth.net] 📗 Managing Everyday Anxiety 📘 Managing Adult ADHD 📙 Managing Everyday PTSD 📙 Managing Clinical Depression ✅ Join the #1 free community for mental health education and encouragement: https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4 [https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4] ✨support and encouragement from a group of your peers (your community) ✨thousands of free resources, workbooks, worksheets - all to boost mental well-being ✨self-care routines like meditations, yoga, exercise, nutrition, & more ✨weekly class on various mental health issues ✨resources for family & friends of loved ones that struggle with mental health issues ✨access to member only courses, retreats, and conferences Get your paperback Managing Mental Health Journal (green or gray cover): 📚 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ] or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS]  Support this channel: ☕Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth [https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth] SOCIALS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359]  IG: managing.mental.health TT: ManagingMentalHealth For individual Trauma Recovery Coaching with Jamie: Jamiehughes.online [http://jamiehughes.online] Please like, subscribe, comment, and share with someone who can benefit from this episode, and hit the notification bell to stay tuned and to stay connected to this community of mental well-being as we all learn and grow together.

More Than a Headache: Navigating Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

☕From struggling to make coffee to almost giving up entirely, Rob Baugh learned the hard way how to survive a new reality. 🧠This episode dives deep into the invisible struggle of living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) through the powerful and candid story of guest Rob Baugh. After a seemingly minor head injury forced him to step away from his dream of opening a bakery, Rob endured five years of chronic, debilitating migraines and profound cognitive challenges. He shares the shocking reality of being released from the hospital with minimal guidance and having to navigate the complex, often unhelpful, healthcare system - where "concussion" is used instead of the more accurate, long-term diagnosis of TBI. Rob's journey highlights the critical need for greater awareness, as his pain and the loss of his identity led him through a period of intense depression and suicidal ideation. This segment is a raw, emotional look at the mental health crisis that often accompanies physical trauma, showing how TBI is truly a life-altering event that requires sustained support, not seasonal attention. 📘Rob's story ultimately transforms into a testament to resilience and the power of finding purpose through pain. He recounts the moment his counselor challenged him to create the resources he wished he had, which led to the creation of his podcast, "Life Rewired," and his book, My Life Rewired. He details the daily cognitive challenges he faces - from struggling to complete simple tasks like making coffee to forgetting his destination while driving - and reveals the effective "life hacks" he developed to cope, such as using a "memory station" and sticky notes on his steering wheel. Beyond his personal recovery, Rob has dedicated himself to being a lifeline for others, fostering a community where TBI survivors feel seen, heard, and validated. Listeners will be equipped with key resources and inspired by his commitment to spreading joy, making this episode a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the TBI experience, offer compassionate support, or find hope in their own invisible battle. Rob’s links: Youtube: Life Rewired podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@liferewiredpodcast] Website: My Life Rewired – A book by Rob Baugh [https://myliferewired.com/] JAN - Job Accommodation Network https://askjan.org/ [https://askjan.org/] Get your Managing Mental Health ebook here:  managingmentalhealth.net [http://managingmentalhealth.net] 📗 Managing Everyday Anxiety 📘 Managing Adult ADHD 📙 Managing Everyday PTSD 📙 Managing Clinical Depression ✅ Join the #1 free community for mental health education and encouragement: https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4 [https://www.skool.com/managing-mental-health-3053/about?ref=8ca4dc83b44b478689446364c28b82e4] ✨support and encouragement from a group of your peers (your community) ✨thousands of free resources, workbooks, worksheets - all to boost mental well-being ✨self-care routines like meditations, yoga, exercise, nutrition, & more ✨weekly class on various mental health issues ✨resources for family & friends of loved ones that struggle with mental health issues ✨access to member only courses, retreats, and conferences Get your paperback Managing Mental Health Journal (green or gray cover): 📚 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDWG68SJ] or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD8FC7VS]  Support this channel: ☕Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth [https://coff.ee/managingmentalhealth] SOCIALS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573891392359]  IG: managing.mental.health TT: ManagingMentalHealth For individual Trauma Recovery Coaching with Jamie: Jamiehughes.online [http://jamiehughes.online] Please like, subscribe, comment, and share with someone who can benefit from this episode, and hit the notification bell to stay tuned and to stay connected to this community of mental well-being as we all learn and grow together.