Tatyana Frost is a writer and advocate for mental health and diversity in technology.  She’s currently working on her memoir about her experience with bipolar disorder.  She talks about growing up and the arc of her illness - going through extreme highs and lows, attempting to cope with suicidal depression, all while achieving academic and professional success. She speaks of being misunderstood and receiving a lack of family support on her initial efforts to get treatment and a diagnosis, as well as her own battle with feeling a stigma about being unwell or “crazy”.  She now draws on her background of championing diversity in science and technology, to become a mental health advocate.  She is sharing her story in a book “The Madness Effect” -  a title Tatyana has coined to refer to one’s ability to develop pride in their mental health journey.  

Crazy! Right? With Dave Asher

40. Tatyana Frost - "The Madness Effect"

Steel Maggie is a songwriter and recording artist from Los Angeles who creates bittersweet and bold dance pop music for the minimally sane, the moderately restless, and the significantly idealistic.   She lives with bipolar, and has battled addiction.  She shares her story with Dave including having the experience of wearing the moniker "crazy" as a badge.  Maggie is also the host of the "Mind Made Wrong" podcast.  Maggie and Dave muse about the alignment of their respective podcasts.  Steel Maggie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/steelmaggiehq/ Steel Maggie on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/48auQrrY6KzqE8q92IxXFJ Steel Maggie on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHw3uYAZB5SiwSV6cJrTKcA Steel Maggie Website http://www.steelmaggiemusic.com Steel Maggie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/steelmaggiemusic/ Mind Made Wrong podcast website:  https://www.steelmaggiemusic.com/podcast  

39. “Like Minds” with Steel Maggie

Tim Davis is the author of TRIPOLAR: The Story of a Bipolar Triathlete”.  He is a coach, science teacher, 12 time Ironman finisher, and 7 time 100-mile endurance run finisher.  Tim shares about his history with addiction, personal family tragedy, mental illness and recovery. You can get Tim's book TRIPOLAR at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and through several other stores listed on his website at ultratimdavis.com; where you can also sign up for coaching, connect to follow him on social media and subscribe to his blog.  

38. Tim Davis - "Forward"

June Converse is an author and blogger who provides an authentic look at the day-in-day-out worries, hopes, dreams, and fears of suffering from bipolar. After several downward spirals, she now is able to share and write from a place that inspires others through her struggles, helping them to feel safe to express themselves as well. June has published two fictional novels that tell the stories of hope through mental health struggles. Decide to Hope and Journey to Hope are both available on Amazon or your preferred bookseller. She can be contacted on Instagram and Facebook. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuneAConverseAuthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/converse.june/ Website / Blog: www.juneconverse.com Decide to Hope: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087J997RX?ref_=dbs_s_ks_series_rwt Journey to Hope: https://www.amazon.com/June-Converse-ebook/dp/B08FBBQY7J

37. June Converse - "Backstory"

Carl LaMark is a composer, pianist, and recording engineer born and raised in Chicago. He shares about living a life of music while coping with loss, anxiety, and clinical depression. He also shares insight into his experience of falling ill with Covid-19 earlier this year.

36. Carl LaMark - "Seen and Heard"

Alex Rembold is a Chicago based singer songwriter and improvisational actor. He has performed at the iO with the musical improv group "La Di Da" and is the host of the podcast "Little City; Big World".  He shares about his experience living with Bipolar 1.

35. Alex Rembold - "Balancing the Scale"

Eric Majeski is an innovator, a musician, and a holistic healer/counselor in-training. He’s currently in grad school cultivating new solutions for the addiction epidemic and studying mental health counseling. Eric performs and tours across North America with his band the Mystic Hearts.  Eric is a fierce mental health advocate, and maintains a transformational coaching practice of select clients looking to up-level their creativity and productivity as well as become more adept at managing their energy and natural intelligence.  

34. Eric Majeski - "Morning Sun"

Luke Warner is an improviser, rapper, comedian and world traveler.  Luke chats with Dave about the use of offensive language and content to reach an audience.  They discuss Luke’s history with mental health and dig deeper into how people communicate in art, politics, and life.  Luke a.k.a “Uncle Tasty” improvises a rap with Dave on keys.

33. Luke Warner - "Language"

Scott Gilmore, a Chicago based dual citizen from Canada, is a former paramedic, and aspiring actor/performer.  After a more than 15 year long battle with alcoholism, addiction, and several relapses, he is nearly six months sober.  He recounts his story of ups and downs with Dave, his struggles to avoid taking one more drink, and the wisdom of being a “grateful” alcoholic.

32. Scott Gilmore - "One More"

Liz Komos is a Chicago based actor and comedian who was born with a physical deformity and chronic illness.  Growing up as a square peg in a world of round holes, she developed a passion to live earnestly and with a deep appreciation for every moment.  It is her goal to create more access and awareness for others to express their true selves through art while also bringing light to the world with comedy.  Liz shares about her powerful and spiritual journey to accomplish big things.  Liz and Dave sing two improvised songs together. 

31. Liz Komos - "Butterflies"

Jam Alker is a leader in the recovery through music movement. Following a battle with several addictions, including heroin, Jam returned to his musical roots and used song writing and expressive therapy to improve his life.   He has gained a large following in the process, inspiring others and showing them a light to guide their own paths to wellness.  On this episode, he shares his story, including performing a live version of a song he wrote for his wife during treatment.  

30. Jam Alker

Alexia Jasmene is a Chicago based trans actor/musician/comedian/poet that performs across the country and Chicago at various events, theaters, bars, and digital mediums trying to open hearts and change minds with her seed planting storytelling art forms.  She has been diagnosed with ADHD since she was 3 years old, lives with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, and through a combination of spiritual practices such as loving awareness mediation (Sharon Salzberg and Tara Brach) and Bhakti Yoga (open hearted yoga in conjunction with teachings from Ram Dass) and extensive therapy with EMDR and trauma therapy, she has been able to heal, feel, and deal from her complex PTSD from childhood and decrease her Borderline Personality Traits to a manageable level.

29. Alexia Jasmene

Norm Holly is a Chicago based improvisor, teacher, actor, and director,  who has been inspiring students and audiences for more than 30 years.  He’s shared in the evolution of the next generation of performers who are sharing more openly about their mental health.   Dave and Norm talk politics, improv, addiction, and the way in which artists are “broken toys” that can overcome and use their life history.  The episode ends with Norm performing an improvised monologue, with Dave providing musical underscore.

28. Norm Holly

Thomas Schuberth is a Chicago based podcaster with Asperger Syndrome.  He struggles with depression and anxiety.  He and Dave explore experiences with difficulties in relating to people due to an unquiet mind, misinterpreting social cues, and emotions that are at times more extreme.  They sing two improvised songs together.

27. Thomas Schuberth

Violet is musical artist who writes, produces and performs hard rock and indie pop music all around the city of Chicago.  She speaks about her experiences with mania, depression, addiction, and gender dysphoria.

26. Violet

Dave Asher is a Chicago based musician and producer, known for improvisation and using the piano in creative ways. He is joined by guests affected by mental health and addiction. During the interview, he improvises on the piano.

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Crazy! Right? With Dave Asher

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