Episodes

  • We have decided to take a summer break and will be back in September with an interview with writer, director, and advocate, Claire Ayoub. For those of you in Edmonton, we're having an in-person event for our guests and listeners in August. Keep an eye on social media for our invite if you're interested in meeting us in person!

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Episode-061-Transcript-SUMMER-BREAK.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Our last episode before our summer break is one of the first guests our listeners asked us to have on the show! We had the absolute pleasure of talking to DR. KATHLEEN SMITH, a licensed therapist and writer who lives in Washington, DC. Her books include Everything Isn't Terrible: Conquer Your Insecurities, Interrupt Your Anxiety, and Finally Calm Down, as well as her latest book, True to You: A Therapist's Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself.

    Today we’re talking about anxiety through the lens of how it functions in relation to others and how you can manage different forms of anxious behavior within relationships. We cover the three As that manifest because of anxiety -- Avoiding, accommodating, and acting out -- and imagine what it would be like to let that go and be yourself and let other people be the same.

    We discuss how we can get stuck in patterns and what it takes to break out of them while dealing with the accompanying uncomfortableness. We also talk about the impact of over-functioning and under-functioning roles in relationships and how we are responsible TO someone and not FOR them. Such an important distinction!

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript-Ep060-Exploring-Family-Dramas-and-How-Anxiety-Manifests-in-Relationships.pdf

    ORDER True to You: A Therapist's Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195790863-true-to-you

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

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  • We deep-dive into the films and television that best represent the different experiences of having breast cancer with our guest filmmaker and indie journalist, Traven Rice. We look at how things can change for people experiencing recurrence, why you need a support network, and Traven’s wish for a trigger warning for films and TV with cancer stories. CW: Conversations about terminal cancer and death.

    Support Traven's latest short film about breast cancer at LayLeftyDown.com

    Listen to our full conversation with Traven about her experience with breast cancer at: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/breast-cancer

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript-EP59_-The-Family-Stone-and-Other-Breast-Cancer-Stories.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • We have the pleasure of talking with filmmaker and journalist, Traven Rice, about her experiences with Breast Cancer. We talk about how she discovered she had cancer, her treatment, the effects breast cancer can have on your mind and body, and the importance of community. We discuss how breast cancer can impact your view of your identity and how a mastectomy is not just a “boob job.” We also talk about seeing the experience of Breast Cancer on screen and why Traven wanted to create a comedic film about having a memorial for her left breast called Lay Lefty Down, which she is currently raising funds for at LayLeftyDown.com. Content warning – today we discuss terminal cancer and death. Listen to our conversation on breast cancer representation in film and TV: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/breast-cancer-representation DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript_-Episode-58-The-Big-C_-Breast-Cancer-and-Mental-Health.pdf Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com Follow: @BraaainsPodcast Music: @_Deppisch_ Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

    00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment

    00:36 Exploring Traven Rice's Experience with Breast Cancer

    06:18 The Emotional Impact of Discovering Breast Cancer

    08:37 Navigating Treatment Decisions and Medical Team

    10:54 Camp Breastie and the Importance of Supportive Communities

    13:41 The Need for Open Conversations and Awareness

    19:26 Creating a Comedic Film about Breast Cancer

    23:08 Emotional Journey and Healing through Filmmaking

    26:30 Breast Cancer Myths and Realizations

    29:25 The Importance of Sharing Experiences

    30:22 Addressing the Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Breast Cancer

    31:17 Finding Support and Building a Community

    34:35 Utilizing Resources for Support

    38:55 Advocating for Comfortable Medical Care

    43:15 The Power of Laughter and Sharing Stories

    44:13 Lay Lefty Down: Starting Conversations and Providing Support with Film

    49:17 Sarah Received a Grant for a Personal Film Project -- Hoorah!

    51:46 The Need for Diverse Stories and Voices

  • This mini-episode is a continuation of our conversation with Alim Somji, the Chairperson of AboutFace, a Canadian non-profit organization that strives to eliminate the stigma and discrimination encountered by individuals with facial differences. We dig into some of the stigmas surrounding facial differences and what Alim’s biggest personal turning point was when it came to his own facial difference.

    Listen to the full interview with Alim here: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/facial-differences

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript-EP057_-The-Stigmas-of-Facial-Differences.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today’s guest is Alim Somji, the Chairperson of AboutFace, a Canadian non-profit organization that strives to eliminate the stigma and discrimination encountered by individuals with facial differences. Today’s conversation revolves around what facial differences are, the impact having a facial difference can have on mental health, and the journey that Alim took toward the acceptance of his own facial difference.

    We also talk about facial differences in movies like Deadpool and how some companies have been instrumental in creating awareness around facial differences in their advertising.

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript_-Episode-056-Understanding-Facial-Differences-in-Deadpool.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

    TIMECODES

    00:37 Guest Introduction: Alim Somji and AboutFace

    01:28 Alim's Background and AboutFace's Mission

    06:13 Discussion on the Representation of Facial Differences in Deadpool

    10:29 The Changing Landscape of Advertising

    14:43 Alim's Personal Experience with Discrimination

    24:19 Desired Representation in Film and TV

    28:12 The Isolation and Support for Individuals with Facial Differences

    32:03 Resources and Organizations for Facial Differences

  • This mini-episode is a continuation of our imposter syndrome conversation with Communication Skills Trainer, Ottillie Parfitt. This episode covers the five types of imposter syndrome and ways people with imposter syndrome misinterpret what it means to be competent. (NOTE: These five subcategories were originated by Dr. Valerie Young and based on her research). We also delve into the myths that persist around the universal experience of imposter phenomenon.

    Listen to our full interview with Ottillie Parfitt: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/imposter-syndrome

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-EP055-Transcript_5-Types-of-Imposter-Syndrome.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today, we’re excited to talk to Communication Skills Trainer, Ottillie Parfitt, about all things imposter syndrome!! That’s right, we’re talking about that little voice in your head that tells you that you’re a fraud, a phony, or just not good enough (even when you are). We go into what imposter syndrome is, what some of the triggers are, how it shows up in the workplace, and some techniques for overcoming Imposter Syndrome.

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript-EP054_ImposterSyndrome.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • This mini-episode is a continuation of our conversation with Rabiya Mansoor and Marushka Jessica Almeida, two of the creators of Get Up, Aisha now streaming on CBC Gem. Today we talk about the other films and TV series about depression that inspired Rabiya and Marushka and how important it is to get it right when you are dealing with subjects surrounding mental health, depression, and suicide.

    Get Up Aisha is a compelling dramedy series following the intricate life of Aisha Rehman, a Pakistani Canadian student who grapples with her compulsive need for control as she deals with depression. The series, streaming on CBC Gem in Canada, follows Aisha’s story as she is diagnosed with depression after living through a suicide attempt and applies a checklist approach to curing the incurable. CW: Discussions of depression and suicide

    Listen to our full interview with Rabiya and Marushka here: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/depression

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Transcript-EP053_-Depression-in-Film-and-TV.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today we’re talking with two of the creators of Get Up, Aisha, Rabiya Mansoor and Marushka Jessica Almeida. Get Up Aisha is a compelling dramedy series following the intricate life of Aisha Rehman, a Pakistani Canadian student who grapples with her compulsive need for control as she deals with depression. The series, streaming on CBC Gem in Canada, follows Aisha’s story as she is diagnosed with depression after living through a suicide attempt and applies a checklist approach to curing the incurable.

    Our conversation looks into what depression is, the signs (or lack of signs) that present, what you can do to get help, and how to reframe your experience to allow you to choose yourself. We also discuss using your personal stories of mental health to inform your material as a film and television creator and how to use this work to address the stigmas of mental health both broadly and specifically in the South Asian community.

    DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-EP052-Transcript-Depression_-A-Conversation-with-the-Creators-of-CBC-Gems-Get-Up-Ai.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • This mini-episode is a continuation of our conversation with board-certified ObGyn, Dr. Sophia. Today, we talk about the stigmas surrounding menopause, what Dr. Sophia would like to see represented on TV, film, and in the media, and how to prepare for menopause - the more you know, the less scary it is!

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-EP51-Transcript_-Breaking-the-Stigmas-and-Preparing-for-Menopause.pdf

    Listen to our longer interview with Dr. Sophia on navigating menopause: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/menopause

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today we’re talking with Dr. Sophia Lubin about menopause and perimenopause. Dr. Sophia has been a board-certified ObGyn for over 15 years and as a women’s health and well-being enthusiast, she spreads her knowledge and care through her “Dr. Sophia, ObGyn Podcast” where she helps women learn about their bodies and embrace themselves.

    Our conversation covers a wide range of information about what menopause really is, the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, how to ask for treatment, and what representation of menopause looks like in film and TV. We deep dive into shows like Fleabag, Sex and the City, and Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce as well as conversations on shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live!

    READ TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-EP50-transcript-Navigating-Menopause_-Fleabag-Sex-and-the-City-and-Girlfriends-Guid.pdf

    Listen to our mini-episode with Dr. Sophia on breaking the stigmas of menopause: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/menopausestigma

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today’s mini-episode is a conversation with Dr. Jill L. Creighton, a higher education professional and the host of SA Voices from the Field Podcast. She came to talk with us about her experience as a transracial adoptee and how she would like to see adoption represented on film and television.

    Also be sure to listen to our other episode on adoption with research sociologist, Gretchen Sisson -- braaainspodcast.com/episodes/adoption

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-EP049-Transcript_-Dispelling-Myths-of-Transracial-Adoption.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today we’re talking with Gretchen Sisson, a research sociologist with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. She is the author of Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood, a critical, ten-year examination of domestic adoption. Centering on the stories of relinquishing mothers, the book chronicles America's refusal to care for families at the most basic level, and instead allows cultural and political ideas of adoption to advance an individual, private solution to large-scale social problems.

    In our conversation, we discuss the function of adoption in society, its representation in popular culture, and the experiences of birth mothers. We explore the stereotypes and tropes perpetuated by modern adoption stories in TV and film like in shows like This is Us and 16 and Pregnant, and the impact of these narratives on societal biases and policies. We also talk about how the women who Gretchen spoke with feel like The Handmaid’s Tale is the closest representation of their experience of relinquishing their child. We then delve into the complexities of adoption, the historical context of pre-Roe adoption, and the consequences for birth mothers and relinquished children.

    This discussion explores the complexities of adoption, highlighting the experiences and perspectives of birth mothers as captured in Gretchen Sisson's new book. It delves into the emotional journey of birth mothers, their hopes and expectations, as well as the challenges and grief they face. The conversation also touches on the impact of adoption on adoptees, particularly in terms of trauma and identity. It further discusses the connection between adoption and reproductive justice, and the need to critically examine the narratives and beliefs surrounding adoption. Our discussion concludes with a discussion on the potential of pop culture to shape a more nuanced and inclusive narrative around adoption.

    Here is a link to find out more about Gretchen's book: https://www.relinquishedbook.com/

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-EP048-transcript-The-Handmaids-Tale-This-is-Us-and-Adoption.pdf

    Listen to our companion episode on Dispelling Myths of Transracial Adoption in Media here: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/transracialadoption

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today’s mini-episode is all about working with consultants and team members with lived experience on projects about mental health and disability.

    Our conversation is with Karen and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy, sisters and the co-creators of the new CW and CTV show, SIGHT UNSEEN. The series is about a homicide detective who rapidly loses her vision and has to quit the homicide force. When she leaves, she’s haunted by the cases she’s left behind and is determined to solve them with the help of her visual guide via a visual assistance app.

    If you want to hear our full episode with Kat and Niko about low vision, vision loss, and the representation of it in their show and beyond, listen here: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/visionloss

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/EP047-Braaains-Podcast-transcript-Working-with-disability-and-mental-health-consultants.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today's guests, Karen and Nikolijne Troubetzkoy, are the co-creators of the new CW and CTV show, SIGHT UNSEEN. The series is about a homicide detective who rapidly loses her vision and has to quit the homicide force. When she leaves, she’s haunted by the cases she’s left behind and is determined to solve them with the help of her visual guide via a visual assistance app.

    In this episode, we discuss sight loss, the representation of vision loss and blindness on SIGHT UNSEEN, and what considerations had to be made when creating a television show for viewers across the entire vision spectrum.

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT - https://braaainspodcast.com/https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Episode-046-TRANSCRIPT-Vision-Loss-and-Blindness-on-Sight-Unseen.pdf

    Listen to the mini-episode with Niko and Kat on Working with Disability and Mental Health Consultants: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/visionlossconsultants

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

    KEY POINTS

    05:21 The Genesis of Sight Unseen

    06:44 The Plot and Characters of Sight Unseen

    07:35 The Importance of Sight Loss Representation

    24:04 The Visual Representation of Sight Loss

    34:15 Challenging Stigmas and Representing Vision Loss

    36:07 Filming Challenges with an Immersive Point of View

  • For today's mini-episode, we're chatting with New York Times best-selling author Bassey Ikpi about the depiction of mental illness (specifically Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD) in The CW's musical comedy-drama series My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019) by Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna.

    Our guest Bassey Ikpi is a Nigerian-American, ex-poet, current writer, mental health advocate, underachieving overachiever, and memoir procrastinator. Her best selling book I’m Telling the Truth But I’m Lying is available in both print and audio at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/im-telling-the-truth-but-im-lying-bassey-ikpi.

    Listen to our full interview with Bassey: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/bipolardisorder

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-EP045-transcript-BPD-and-Mental-Health-Representation-in-My-Crazy-Ex-Girlfriend.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Mixing/ Mastering: Tony Bao

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Welcome to season three of Braaains! Today we have the pleasure of talking with New York Times Best Selling author Bassey Ikpi about Bipolar II disorder, how she got her diagnosis, and the representation of bipolar and depression on shows like Atlanta, Insecure, and Dave.

    Bassey is a Nigerian-American, ex-poet, current writer, mental health advocate, underachieving overachiever, and memoir procrastinator. Her best selling book I’m Telling the Truth But I’m Lying is available in both print and audio at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/im-telling-the-truth-but-im-lying-bassey-ikpi.

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-Podcast-Episode-44-bipolar-disorder-transcript.pdf

    Listen to our mini-episode with Bassey on BPD in My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: https://braaainspodcast.com/episodes/bpdincrazyexgirlfriend

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Mixing/ Mastering: Tony Bao

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • Today is our last episode of 2023 just in time for the holidays. We bring all of the Taylor/Deppisch siblings together – our little sister, Becky Taylor, and our little brother, Jonathan Deppisch – who is also our composer – to discuss how to deal with stress and protect your mental health over the holidays!

    We’re especially grateful for all of our listeners, friends, and family who submitted voice recordings, and text messages with advice on how to deal with your mental health over the holidays and throughout the year. We’re grateful to have so much to share today to hopefully make the upcoming weeks a little lighter.

    Our conversation explores the topics of creating healthy expectations, setting boundaries, saying no, and reconciling your capacity with your expectations during the holiday season. Our advice emphasizes the importance of appreciating simple things and respecting boundaries. The conversation also highlights the value of creating alone time and quiet spaces. As the holidays approach, find a way to find joy in everyday moments and cherish happy memories.

    Thank you to Mary-Anne Taylor (our mom!), Marcie Peterson, Blair Drover, Nicole Tersigni, Julia Rowland, Lilly Waterfield, Amanda Smith-Kolic, Sarah Snyder from Adulting ADHD, Susan Madigan, Leah Iwaniuk, Leah Simmons, Lisa Lutes, Erin Davis, Kathleen Smith (The Anxious Overachiever), Stephanie Fornasier from Psychocinematic, Pete Whemby, and Celeste Koon.

    DOWNLOAD OUR TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://braaainspodcast.com/s/Braaains-EP043_a-little-advice-for-the-holidays_transcript.pdf

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast

  • In the penultimate episode of our second season, we’re looking at the experiences and representation of Traumatic Brain Injuries, or TBIs with our guest, Naomi Mellor. Naomi is an equine veterinarian and podcaster, who not only runs a podcast production company but also founded the amazing International Women’s Podcast Awards.

    We discuss how a TBI can impact you with symptoms like headaches, neuro exhaustion, double vision, depth perception issues, sensory stimulation overload, and how Naomi spent 23 hours a day in bed after her accident.

    Lastly, we talk about the representation of TBIs in film and TV and how Naomi would love to see more stories about the subtlety and variety of the effects of TBIs and what the long-term impact is on your brain, body, and mental health. We also talk about the film Causeway and how it is one of the few films dealing with some of the lasting effects of TBIs.

    DOWNLOAD THE TRANSCRIPT HERE

    Contact us: BraaainsPodcast.com

    Follow: @BraaainsPodcast

    Music: @_Deppisch_

    Design: Perpetualnotion.ca

    Support this show: Patreon.com/BraaainsPodcast