Hey, it's what I do.

This episode is all about survival, and in it I talk about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, derealization, and taking vitamin supplements to help get you back on the road to recovery. Read this guide to vitamins and depression, then print it out and take it to the store with you. If you're curious as to what I take, it's Deva Prenatal Vitamins. They are vegan, they contain a minimum of the B vitamins that are important for mood health, and they have iron (since I tend to get anemic). If you're an omnivore or your iron levels are sufficient, you're better off with an iron-free supplement like this one.

Just for the fun of it, here's a cheapie concert video of Jarvis Cocker performing the title song. I <3 Jarvy...the man's got moves.
Oh yes, and the extra music is "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley Poet and a Prophet.

The marvelous Kevin Barnes from of Montreal, who unwittingly provided the music for this episode!

I'm back, friends, with a whole lot of "ums" and a great show, featuring a review of the book Unholy Ghost: Writers on Depression, edited by Nell Casey, who contributes an essay in the book along with her sister Maud. Also quite enthusiastically talked about: the album Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? by of Montreal. Here is an interview from VenusZine with Kevin Barnes discussing--enigmatically--his take on the album, and an article from Pitchfork entitled Please Mr. Pharmacist, which goes over more music for the medicated.

YouTube won't let me embed it, but if you want to watch of Montreal in action, here is the video for Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse, the song about chemicals (the kind inside your head). Enjoy!

Also...if you enjoy this podcast and you use Facebook, please join the Facebook Fan Page!

That is some puddle of drool!

Once again, delays and more delays. This time, it was NOT my fault, well except maybe for not buying a new computer until it totally blew up. Now I'm kicking myself for not getting the DSL set up in my apartment weeks ago, when my housemate initially announced she was moving out. Duh.

In the podcast I mention the zine Caboose by Liz Mason. The issue I'm talking about is issue #6. Get it here at Loop Distro. It's a DOLLAR! You can spare that, can't you? (Scroll down a little bit to find Caboose, Issue 6).

Also, I mentioned Susan Kleiner's book The Good Mood Diet. I think there is some sound advice in it, as pertains to how eating influences your mental health. It's not very vegan but I got a few good things from it, and if you're an egg and fish eater, you'll really do well on it. Give it a try. (Costs more than a dollar.)

The song clip you don't recognize is "Sleeping In" by The Postal Service.

It's back--your favorite show about being bummed out!

I have a whole process I have to go through before I podcast, it's funny. I have to brush my teeth, have a glass of water, put on some comfortable clothes, and get all situated. I clear my throat a thousand times, and go "memememememeeee" and do a couple test recordings and stuff. It is pretty silly but I have to prepare myself. Also, my housemate needs to be out and about, because I can't do it if someone else can hear me. Weird, huh?

This episode is all about the flipside of Isolation, which is Saying Yes to risks. Far from being an expert on this, I'm experimenting with the process and hope that you will, too, whenever you are ready.

The Good Feeling Tip of the Week is Guided Meditation. Belleruth Naparstek's wonderful CDs can be found at HealthJourneys.com. Another cd that I love is Susie Mantell's Your Present: A Half Hour of Peace. At first I thought it was really silly, because she talks to you like you're a child...but actually, I started to get into it, and it became my favorite after a while because it focuses on magic and feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Another well-liked cd is Andrew Weil's Meditation for Optimum Health. Poke around on the internet to find more guided meditation resources, and have fun.

Clip is from the movie Harold and Maude. A classic, a favorite, and a wonderful guide for learning how to live.

Did you think I'd gone away for good? Nope--just very engaged in life at the moment. I've added some new elements to the show, and I'd like to add more, if my listeners care to assist! What topics would you like me to cover? What songs would you like me to include? I would like to review books and resources too, but it takes a lot of time. You can help, if you've read or found any other resources that might be of interest, by writing a review for the show. Email me your ideas and I'll be glad to incorporate them into a future podcast.

Tip of the week: Omega 3 fatty acids are really good for your beleaguered brain. Here are my two recommendations if you're looking for a high-quality supplement: Nordic Naturals is a great line of fish oils, and Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe has a lovely selection of vegan/vegetarian oils, and, whether you're vegan or not, flax oil is a component in some of the incredibly amazing salad dressings in How it All Vegan and it's an excellent way to incorporate them seamlessly into your diet, if you're not big on taking a bunch of pills.

Oh yeah--there is a sound glitch in the show. I don't know what caused it but I fixed it by taking out one of the channels. Audacity (my recording program) is fast, easy and free, but apparently has a bug. Bzz bzz.

I wish I had more awesome links for you! Help me out here people!

Smashing song credit: "Numb" by Pet Shop Boys

It's a very warm night. Pardon me for singing. I feel like I might have left something out, but I'm reducing my caffeine right now, and I'm feeling a bit dodgy.

Song snippet credit: "Sad Song" by Psapp

Good god. I'm incredibly peppy in this episode. You'd almost think that depression is a lark. I hope nobody thinks I'm making light of what you're going through; I realize that it's hard enough waking up some days, and that you might not be in the mood for Green Cine. But who knows--it could be exactly what you need. That, and a shower. Being depressed need not be the end of the world, so don't give up. There is humor in darkness.

There is a link to the right (see it?) for The Secret Language of Feelings if you're interested. (Cal Banyan is always peppy.)

Extra bonus song clip: "California" by Quasi. OMG, I don't want to become an indie rock deejay, but this band snuck up on me while I wasn't looking and hit me with a frying pan. Yes. They're dangerous.

And here it is, my Odeo Channel. (odeo/7f157e83c163559d)

Another one in the can! In this episode I ramble a bit about the marvelousness of Salty Pirates, bad things happening in the world today (including more talk about meds), read a list of anti-depressing actions published by Belleruth Naparstek, who also records some excellent guided meditations, and finish up with a question from a listener about art therapy.

I was going to mention that the Salty Pirates sound a bit like a collaboration between Belle and Sebastian and Pavement. Fans of indie rock will roll their eyes at this cliche, but listen to them and tell me you don't hear it. And then go laugh at this Onion article.

Song snippet credit: "Blues with a Feeling" by Paul Butterfield Blues Band

New title! New logo! New theme song! I like it. It's a beautiful day here in Berkeley and I'm off to learn more about brains so I can better help you understand yours. A couple of links:

Bipolar at About.com has a basic overview of how neurotransmitters work. A little basic knowledge about brain function makes it easier to figure out what is going wrong in your noggin. You can do more research on your own, starting (as I always do) with Wikipedia.

Crazy Meds! is a great resource for no B.S. info about that drug you were just prescribed.

Additional music credit: "Good Feeling" by Violent Femmes

Sorry this one took so long, everyone. I have been happily busy with school, friends, baby showers, and various other enjoyable distractions. I had already recorded this one and ditched it, so another day off had to roll around before I could do it again.

In this episode I give my first thoughts on Andrew Solomon's book "The Noonday Demon", a book which covers so much of what I was hoping to in this podcast. In some sense, this puts me back to the drawing board, but I think it's good; the most basic "topics" regarding depression are covered thoroughly in his book, and I really recommend it (although it can be scary!) for anyone with depression.

I also talk about my current search for a new therapist, and some tips on how to find a therapist for yourself.

Let me know your feedback, comments, suggestions and stories!

Here is the first episode of the podcast when it was called "Taming the Dragon". This episode gives a brief explanation of what depression is described as by people who don't have it vs. what it truly feels like. I outline an immediate strategy for getting help when you realize that you're probably suffering from depression or anxiety.

I briefly mention the wonderful book Darkness Visible, by William Styron, which describes the inner landscape of depression very accurately.

Also check out this hilarious cartoon, Tales of Mere Existence: How to Cope with Depression. (Not safe for work, I'm afraid.)

psst...here is My Odeo Channel! (odeo/7f157e83c163559d)