Episode notes
Traveling is supposed to be fun — but when you live with bipolar disorder, even a short trip can disrupt sleep, routines, and stability. In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington get honest about why vacations can feel overwhelming, how to plan without fear, and the exact safeguards that make travel not just possible, but enjoyable.From jet lag to family expectations, from “what if I’m not stable in 6 months?” to navigating early recovery setbacks, this conversation gives you practical, nonjudgmental guidance you can use immediately. Whether you’re…
Podcast
Inside Bipolar
Gabe Howard & Dr. Nicole Washington · Learning · English
Join Gabe, who lives with bipolar, and Dr. Nicole, a board certified psychiatrist, as they explore the spectrum of this misunderstood illness. They tackle bipolar disorder using real world examples, the latest research, and just enough funny to keep you intrigued. Signal Award Gold Winner, 2024. S
More from Inside Bipolar All episodes →
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23 Feb 2026 · 36 min
When Emotions Are Mistaken for Bipolar Symptoms
If everything you do is labeled a symptom of bipolar disorder, do you ever get to be yourself? In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington tackle one of the most frustrating — and rarely discussed — realities of living with bipolar disorder: when regular human behavior gets pathologized by friends, family, and even well-meaning supporters.Want to watch TV the whole weekend? Suddenly it’s “depression.”Excited about a new idea or passion? You’re being “grandiose.”Stumble over your words or get animated in conversation? Sounds…
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9 Feb 2026 · 41 min
Paranoia in Bipolar: Anxiety vs. Psychosis
Paranoia is one of the most misunderstood symptoms in bipolar disorder — and using the wrong word can delay the right treatment. Using real-life examples, this episode explains how psychosis in bipolar disorder is typically tied to mood episodes, how paranoid delusions form, and why people experiencing them often don’t report symptoms. In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and Dr. Nicole Washington (a board certified psychiatrist) break down what paranoia actually is, when it’s actually anxiety or hypervigilance, and when it crosses into psychosis and delusional…
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26 Jan 2026 · 45 min
The ‘Inside Bipolar’ Experiment: Why This Wasn’t Supposed to Work
This episode was never supposed to exist. Mental health “rules” say patients and psychiatrists shouldn’t share power, shouldn’t speak publicly as equals, and definitely shouldn’t build a show together. Yet here we are — over 100 episodes in, winning awards, and recording our first-ever in-person episode. In this special behind-the-scenes conversation, we pull back the curtain on “Inside Bipolar”: why so many doctors refused to participate, why patient-led advocacy makes professionals uncomfortable, and why influencer culture both helps and harms people living with bipolar disorder. We talk…
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12 Jan 2026 · 48 min
Bipolar Advocacy 101: From Political Change to Family Boundaries
Advocacy isn’t yelling, protesting, or going viral — and for people with bipolar disorder, doing it the wrong way can actually make things worse. In this episode, we break down what real, effective advocacy actually looks like, starting where the stakes are highest: your everyday life and expanding to social and political activism — covering everything in between. From setting boundaries with family members who won’t stop asking about your mental health to advocating calmly (and safely) with doctors, insurance companies, and healthcare systems to presenting in front of politicians, this…
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29 Dec 2025 · 40 min
From Panic to Peace: Self-Calming Tactics for Bipolar Disorder
Being told to “calm down” has never calmed anyone down — especially if you are experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder. In this surprisingly funny episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and Dr. Nicole Washington break down why the world’s most common advice backfires… and what truly helps instead. Whether you’re spiraling at 2 a.m., overwhelmed in your car, or suddenly flooded with anxiety for no clear reason, the ability to de-escalate yourself is a core skill for managing bipolar disorder. But knowing how to calm down — without shame, judgment, or dismissive clichés —…
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1 Dec 2025 · 32 min
Addressing Racial & Ethnic Groups in Bipolar Care: Stigma and Misdiagnosis Exposed
The mental health system didn’t start out fair — and in many ways, it still isn’t. In this powerful episode, Dr. Nicole Washington sits down with fellow psychiatrist Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox to unpack the long, painful history that continues to shape the experiences of Black Americans seeking mental health care. From the horrifying “diagnosis” of drapetomania in the 1800s to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, they trace how mistrust, stigma, and systemic bias became woven into the Black community’s relationship with psychiatry.But they don’t stop there. Dr. Nicole and Dr. Leesha explore the research…
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17 Nov 2025 · 39 min
Parenthood, Choice, and Bipolar: Reproductive Justice Explain
People with mental illness, including bipolar disorder, have long been denied the right to make their own reproductive choices. This episode looks at how psychiatry’s history and stigma continue to shape who gets to decide. Dr. Nicole Washington sits down with mental health advocate Dr. Keris Myrick to unpack the intersection of reproductive justice and mental illness — and how stigma, outdated systems, and silence continue to rob people of autonomy over their bodies and futures. Together, they explore the three pillars of reproductive justice — the right to have a child, to not have a…
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3 Nov 2025 · 46 min
How to Find Hope When Bipolar Steals It Away
Life with bipolar disorder often feels like a constant battle, so being told to find hope can seem like a cruel joke. But what if hope isn’t naïve — it’s necessary? In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington dive deep into the real, practical power of hope and how to find it even when it feels impossible. From planning something to look forward to, to saying “yes” to new experiences, they explore small, science-backed ways to keep hope alive. Gabe shares personal stories about concerts, silly dance videos, and even late-night wrestling shows that…
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20 Oct 2025 · 44 min
Fish Oil and Bipolar: Hype or Helpful?
In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington unpack what the research actually shows, why supplement quality is inconsistent (and sometimes downright sketchy), and how side effects — even with “natural” products — are very real. In short, they dig into the science, hype, and hope surrounding omega-3 supplements. Listener takeaways: why omega-3s may help with certain bipolar symptoms — especially depression the risks of using supplements as a substitute for prescribed treatment how to spot high quality fish oil (and avoid bottles full…
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6 Oct 2025 · 41 min
Unpacking the Binge Eating Disorder and Bipolar Connection
What happens when binge eating disorder and bipolar disorder collide? Research shows they co-occur in as many as one in four cases — and yet, many people living with both conditions feel completely alone. In this episode, host Gabe Howard shares his personal journey of living with bipolar disorder and binge eating disorder, including how food was his form of self-medication.Board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington breaks down the clinical side: what binge eating disorder actually is, how it’s diagnosed, and why treating it alongside bipolar disorder can get “tricky.” Listeners will…
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