Mind Of Her Own

Julie and Michelle are back together and sharing their reactions to the last MOHO episode featuring hormone expert Nicki Williams. PMS, heavier periods, hair loss, weight gain, brain fog, anxiety spikes and more – the ladies get real about all of it. They also chat about a new initiative that will see first-year students at the University of Waterloo receive mental health first aid kits and Olay’s new Face Anything campaign featuring Elyse Fox, mental health advocate and founder of the Sad Girls Club. Resources mentioned:   Period Tracker app Think Dirty App University of Waterloo students to get mental health first aid kits this fall Olay celebrates the fearless women who are tired of being told they’re ‘too” anything Sad Girls Club Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so tha

Julie talks to Nicki Williams, award-winning nutritionist, hormone expert and author. After failing to find any medical help for her symptoms of exhaustion, weight gain and hormone issues in her early 40’s, she discovered that she could turn things around using diet, lifestyle and natural supplements.  She started her own business called Happy Hormones for Life which focuses on helping women in their 40’s and 50’s address hormone imbalances and she sees a lot of women who are struggling with issues like brain fog, fatigue, low motivation, mood swings, and anxiety. Connect with Nicki Williams: Happy Hormones for Life Nicki Williams on Facebook Nicki Williams on Twitter Resources mentioned: It's Not You, It's Your Hormones: The essential guide for women over 40 to fight fat, fatigue and hormone havoc Think Dirty app Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget

Julie talks to Jenipher Lyn, an artist and illustrator on a mission to encourage and inspire young girls and women who are struggling with negative thoughts about themselves and low self-esteem. After spending years feeling depressed, lonely and not good enough, Jenipher began a nightly drawing routine to help her deal with her depression and anxiety. Her whimsical doodles caught the attention of others who appreciated her honesty, and now she has a new book for young girls called Find Your Rainbow: Color and Create Your Way to a Calm and Happy Life.” Connect with Jenipher Lyn: Jenipherlyn.com Jenipher Lyn on Facebook Jenipher Lyn on Instagram Resources mentioned: When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens Find Your Rainbow: Color and Create Your Way to Calm and Happy Life Timehop App Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to sh

Julie and Michelle are back for their second Self-care Session chatting about getting outdoors, the search for their next summer reads, vacation time and taking advantage of the longer days to slow down and enjoy life. Julie talks about getting back into yoga to stay active, and the ladies share their Bright Spot for the week - Serena Williams’ inspiring speech following her Wimbledon loss. Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information about the show, visit mindofherownpodcast.com. You can also join the Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/mindofherownpodcast, follow the show on Instagram and connect with Julie on Twitter at @julietrites.  

Julie talks to Stephanie Graham, owner of a successful boutique consignment store in Nova Scotia who has struggled with depression on and off for most of her life. Stephanie opens up about how she’s learned to cope with her depression while navigating a very public divorce, a job layoff and a significant career change – all while raising her three daughters.  Her mental health journey has led her to embrace her vulnerability, influenced the way she runs her store and inspired her to develop self-care art workshops to support other women. Resources mentioned: Brene Brown Connect with Stephanie Graham: The Perfect Fit Consignment Boutique on Facebook Love the show? Let us know! Thanks for tuning into Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information about the show

Julie and Michelle discuss Julie’s generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and what it’s like to have a mind that loves to ruminate on negative, irrational thoughts and jump to the worst case scenario. Julie also talks candidly about struggling with anger when her anxiety is at its worst and the journey she’s taken to find a medication that helps her manage her thoughts, which included genetic testing through the CAMH IMPACT Study. They also discuss a new peer support program for TTC workers who have witnessed suicide on the job, and actress Lili Reinhart’s reaction to online trolls criticizing her for opening up about her body dysmorphic disorder. Resources mentioned:   CAMH IMPACT Study Support program helps TTC workers who have witnessed suicide – Toronto Star   ‘Riverdale’ star Lili Reinhart explains body dysmorphic disorder to critics – ABC News Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a

In the first Mind of Her Own Self-care Session Julie and Michelle take a deep dive into one of Michelle’s favourite topics – skin care! They share their favourite products, walk through their routines and chat about why it’s so important to take care of the skin you’re in.  Products and resources mentioned:   Arbonne Calm Gentle Daily Cleanser Pixi Glow Tonic  Origins Original Skin Essence Lotion NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Origins GinZing SPF 40 Energy-boosting Tinted Moisturizer Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Cream Philosophy Purity Made Simple Ultra-Light Moisturizer Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Oil of Olay Regenerating SerumJergens Natural Glow firming moisturizer Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Garnier Skinactive Micellar WaterLife Brand Sunscreen Face Lotion Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head

Julie talks to Patricia George Zwicker, an autistic disability rights and mental health advocate from Nova Scotia. Autism is not a mental illness, but autistic people often struggle with co-occurring mental health conditions including anxiety, PTSD, OCD and depression. Patricia shares what it’s like to face the negative stigma and bias surrounding autism, the toll it takes on her mental health, and the urgent need for society to move beyond just talking about autism awareness to understanding and accepting autistics and providing the proper support they need. Connect with Patricia George Zwicker: Patricia George Zwicker on Twitter Patriciageorge.ca Resources mentioned: The Unspoken Price of Advocacy – Patricia’s presentation at 2018 Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA) Leadership Summit NeuroTribes: the Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberrman Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode,

Julie and Michelle enjoy a glass of wine as they reflect on last week’s episode featuring Ann Dowsett Johnston, a recovering alcoholic who raises some alarming concerns about rising rates of women developing alcohol addictions. They chat about drinking culture, self-medicating with alcohol, their own drinking habits, gender differences related to alcohol use, the ways marketers promote drinking to women and why we should be talking about this issue more. They also discuss recent mental health headlines including Demi Lovato and Janet Jackson opening up about their mental health struggles and World Health Organization (WHO) changes related to video game addictions and transgender people. Resources mentioned:   Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol by Ann Dowsett Johnston Demi Lovato Reveals She Relapsed After Six Years in New Song 'Sober': 'I'm Only Human' – People magazine Janet Jackson reveals the secret to her happiness – Essence magazine Heather Locklear reportedly hospitalized f

On this week’s episode Julie talks to Ann Dowsett Johnston, bestselling author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. Ann is a journalist who spent most of her career at Maclean’s magazine before taking on the role vice-principal of McGill University in 2006. From the outside looking in, Ann appeared to have it all together. But behind closed doors she was battling an addiction to alcohol that would ultimately unravel everything and land her in rehab. Now 10 years sober, she’s raising some alarming concerns about increased rates of binge drinking and alcohol abuse among women – particularly educated and professional working mothers who are under a lot of stress. Connect with Ann Dowsett Johnston: Anndowsettjohnston.com Resources mentioned: Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol Addictions Treatment Helplines in Canada The Jean Tweed Centre for Women & Their Families Alcoholics Anonymous - A.A. Near You Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that

Mental illness and suicide made news headlines last week following the tragic deaths of fashion designer Kate Spade and famous chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain. Julie and Michelle share their reactions to the news and discuss how high-profile celebrity suicides can impact and sometimes trigger others. They also review a new online women’s mental health self-check tool recently launched by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart.   Resources mentioned:   Women’s Mental Health Self-Check Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information about the show, visit mindofherownpodcast.com. You can also join the Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/mindofherownpodcast, follow the show on I

On this week’s episode Julie talks to mental health advocate and author Rebecca Lombardo. Rebecca was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 19 years old and has battled with that illness as well as several other conditions for more than 20 years. After the death of her mother, her depression was just too much for her to take and she attempted suicide in 2013. Grateful that she survived, Rebecca started writing about her experience and decided to share her story in the hopes that she could help others choose a different path. Her personal blog eventually evolved into a book called “It’s Not Your Journey.” Connect with Rebecca Lombardo: Rebeccalombardo.comRebecca Lombardo on TwitterRebecca Lombardo on FacebookRebecca Lombardo on Instagram Resources mentioned: It’s Not Your JourneyVoices for Change 2.0 Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share

It’s a mixed bag of mental health topics on this week’s episode. Julie and Michelle discuss the television return of 13 Reasons Why and its impact on teens and their parents as well as two very different raw, honest and humourous portrayals of motherhood in the movie Tully and in Ali Wong’s latest Netflix comedy special. They also chat about a recent Globe and Mail column questioning how many Canadians actually suffer from mental illness. Resources mentioned:   13 Reasons WhyTully – official trailer Ali Wong, Hard Knock WifeHow many Canadians actually suffer from a mental illness?  André Picard, Globe and Mail CMHA Ontario Erase the Difference campaign and petition Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information about the show, visit m

On this week’s episode Julie talks to Lisa Staples, a former accountant turned health coach and wellness advocate who says she spent three decades feeling fat, sick and depressed. Teased about her weight as a child, Lisa spent years obsessively dieting and exercising because she believed the only way to be happy was to be thin. But when she reached her goal weight, Lisa was still depressed.  Realizing that her negative thoughts about her appearance were distorting her perception of reality, Lisa learned that the only way to get the body she wanted was to love the body she had. Connect with Lisa Staples: Nourishing Healthstyles website Lisa Staples on Facebook Lisa Staples on Instagram Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information abo

In honour of Mother’s Day Julie and Michelle focus their conversation on topics related to maternal mental health. They reflect on their own first-time experiences of becoming moms and discuss the challenges they faced including postpartum depression and anxiety, the shame of not being able to breastfeed, guilt about going back to work and the very real struggle of rediscovering their lost identities after bringing babies into the world. Michelle joins Julie every other week to discuss how women's mental health topics play out in the media, pop culture and in the everyday lives of women everywhere. Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information about the show, visit mindofherownpodcast.com. You can also join the Facebook Group at face

On this week’s episode Julie talks to Kay Richardson, a successful business mentor, author and speaker from Miami, Florida. Shortly after having her second child seventeen years ago she began having intrusive, scary thoughts about harming her baby – a common symptom of postpartum depression. But because she was so ashamed and frightened, she never told anyone. Now she’s speaking out and sharing her story to shine a spotlight on maternal mental health and help other mothers. Connect with Kay Richardson: Kay Richardson on Twitter Kay Richardson on Instagram Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information about the show, visit mindofherownpodcast.com. You can also join the Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/mindofherownpodcast, follow

On this episode Julie and Michelle tackle self-care – from beauty products and bra fittings to working out and winding down – they discuss what self-care means to them, the things they do to stay mentally healthy and the things they need to work on. Spoiler alert: there’s plenty of room for improvement. Michelle joins Julie every other week for a very honest and real conversation about how women’s mental health issues play out in the media, pop culture and in the everyday lives of women everywhere. Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode! For more information about the show, visit mindofherownpodcast.com. You can also join the Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/mindofherownpodcast, follow the show on Instagram and connect with Julie on Twitter at

On this week's episode Julie talks to her friend Allison Garber who was diagnosed in her early 20s with generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She struggled her entire life, but didn’t appreciate the severity of her issues until she began an internship in Toronto and her symptoms began to rapidly escalate. She reached out for help and went back home to Halifax to live closer to her family after her diagnosis, and was able to manage the impact of OCD and anxiety on her quality of life. It wasn’t until her son was diagnosed with autism at the age of four that her family noticed symptoms returning and Allison once again asked her doctor for help.  Connect with Allison Garber: Allison Garber on Twitter Thanks for tuning into Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never mi

On this episode Michelle Tadique joins Julie to chat about how they’re feeling now that the podcast is officially out in the world for all to hear. They also discuss several big news events of the week related to mental health including the Humboldt Broncos tragedy and Mariah Carey’s public announcement that she has Bipolar Disorder. Michelle joins Julie every other week for a very honest and real conversation about how women’s mental health issues play out in the media, pop culture and in the everyday lives of women everywhere. Resources mentioned: After the Sirens – CBC documentary  Mariah Carey: My battle with Bipolar Disorder Thanks for tuning in to Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode!  For more information about the show, visit mindofherownpodcast.com. You can a

Having a baby and becoming a mother is supposed to be joyful – but what if it’s not? On this episode Julie talks to Kristina Cowan about her experience with postpartum depression which was triggered by a traumatic birth experience. Kristina is a journalist and her brush with postpartum depression compelled her to use her writing skills to comfort and empower other people battling mood disorders. Her first book is called When Postpartum Packs a Punch: Fighting Back and Finding Joy. Connect with Kristina Cowan: Kristina Cowan on Twitter Kristina Cowan on Facebook Kristinacowan.com Thanks for tuning into Mind of Her Own – the podcast that gets inside a woman’s head! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. Don’t forget to share your favourite episodes on social media and subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode!  For more information about the show, visit mindofherownpodcast.com. You can also join the Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/mind