Super Feeler: A BPD Podcast

Dene shares his profound journey through life marked by childhood trauma, family histories of mental health and addictions, and the complexities of unknowingly living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) before being diagnosed at 50. Dene recently started BPD Raw, a website that aims to share unfiltered stories of BPD to create better understanding. We also touch on the evolving role of AI in mental health and the importance of peer support. Learn more about the Strangers Project that inspired Dene to start BPD Raw here: https://strangersproject.com/We recorded this episode about two months before it was released and a lot has changed for Dene recently including starting his own podcast! You can find out what he's up to today here: https://bpdraw.comSupport the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Dr. Kiki Fehling, a psychologist, author, influencer, and self-proclaimed super feeler joins the pod to talk all about cultivating queer joy through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). We discuss the history of LGBTQ2S+ issues in psychology, the doing our own self-reflection of positioning in the world through intersectional lenses to understand minority stress, and the need for advocating for systemic change. *Buy the book!* (find Crows and Cross Queer Bookstore in Vancouver we discussed or your local queer owned bookstore!)Find the free handouts that accompany the books at the bottom of this page.Some of the links to other things we talked about today: Click for Kiki's previous episode of the podcast. Find Kiki at their website https://www.kikifehling.com/Substack of Kinnon Mckinnon the trans researcher doing great work in studying detransitioners.Research from Mark Hatzenbuhler about systemic discriminationSupport the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Clinical psychology PhD candidate, Jason joins the pod to talk about the impact of internalized racism, his research on self-damaging behaviours (things like self-harm, binge eating, substance use), and his experiences growing up Asian in Canada.We touch on the concept of minority stress, how badly informed we are on the impact of racism on many health outcomes, and how important it is to participate in research! If you're eligible, I highly encourage you to reach out to participate in this important study.The RISE-C study is currently recruiting people who (1) are 16 years or older, (2) reside in Canada, (3) identify as Indigenous, Black, or a person of colour, (3) have been treated differently because of their race, and (4) who habitually do things (or have strong urges) that are not in their best interests (e.g., binge-drinking, engaging in eating disorder behaviour,  suicide ideation, or deliberate self-harm).If you are interested in participating in the study, you can complete the pre-screening survey using this link: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8BHB591h11CmUe Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Dr. Maggie Flynn is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy specializing in psychiatric care. She explores how sensory-based interventions can transform our understanding and support for people engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (aka self harm) and those living with BPD. Together, we unpack the history and evolving role of occupational therapy in psychiatric settings, including how sensory modulation and planning for specific sensory activities throughout one's day can support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and limit behaviours like self-harm. Maggie shares innovative perspectives on understanding self-harm through the lens of unmet sensory needs, challenging common assumptions and stigma often faced by people with BPD.Check out the Skills Lab follow up email about self-soothing to get lots of ideas and resources made by Super Feelers for Super Feelers. The email includes Maggie's full slide deck! Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Ciaran is a crisis response worker and a Director with the Canadian Mental Health Association. They have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and are 6 years sober. Previously they had received a BPD diagnosis, one that their mother also shares. We chat about the internalized stigma of recieving a BPD diagnosis - especially working in the mental health field, as well as the importance of truly listening people who are in distress. We also talk about the importance of housing first and the impacts of homelessness on wellness. Learn more about the Canadian Mental Health AssociationRead an article that Laurie wrote for the World Association on Psychosocial RehabilitationSupport the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Marsha McAdam is a recipient of the esteemed Churchill Fellowship in which she traveled the world to better understand the experiences of people living with borderline personality disorder and those who treat and care for them. We discuss her own personal journey with BPD, the impact mentalization-based therapy has had on her life and what she learned along her journey through the UK, USA and Austrelia. We highlight the inadequacies of emergency care for individuals with BPD, the evolving work around young people with BPD, and the importance of hearing a wide range of voices whenever we're trying to advocate for change.  You can read Marsha's Churchill report here.Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala (@self-made.personality) is a clinical psychologist and the co-developer of a new personalized treatment for borderline personality disorder called BPD Compass.  This self-guided workbook is grounded in cutting-edge personality science and has demonstrated promising results in clinical trials.We talk through the data behind this new treatment, how it compares to existing evidence based treatments like DBT, MBT, and TFT, and how BPD Compass may help with existing treatment access issues. *** PLUS WE'RE DOING A GIVEAWAY! ***From August 1st - September 1st 2026 if you follow @thesuperfeeler and @self.made.personality on Instagram and tag a friend in the giveaway post you'll be entered in to win a free copy of the BPD Compass workbook and some Super Feeler goodies! PLUS for 10 bonus entries you can give a 5 start rating to the BPD Compass Book on Amazon and the Super Feeler podcast on Apple Podcasts (links in bio) - just send us a screenshot so we know it's you! Winners will be announced in early September! ******BPD Compass is available at major booksellers, and you can find it at your local bookshop here or if there aren't any local options you can order from Amazon here. Shannon's website is www.shannonsauerzavala.comAnd if you wanted a deep dive on the alternative model of personality disorders listen to the Super Feeler episode with Dr. Steven Huprich!Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Tess Gecha is a doctoral researcher who is studying siblings experiences of those with personality disorder and their personal growth. We discuss the intergenerational transmission of personality disorders and how mentalization and other interventions may support families impacted by BPD and other personality disorders.Study details - please share with anyone who may want to participate! The University of Houston Developmental Psychopathology Lab is looking for participants for an online research study about personal growth in siblings of individuals with personality disorder.You are eligible to participate if you are fluent in English, 18 years of age or older and the sibling of someone with personality disorder.You will complete one online questionnaire (takes roughly 30-40 minutes) and have the option to enter a raffle to win one of one hundred $20 Amazon gift cards (can be applied to countries outside the U.S.).Want to participate? Click hereQuestions? Email us at [email protected] the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Violet was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder at 15 years old and it changed her life. We explore how that diagnosis happened, the family dynamics that contributed to her escalating challenges and the impact of COVID-19 on her mental health.Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Dr. Glauco Valdivieso is a psychiatrist from Lima, Peru and joins the pod to share insights into the treatment of borderline personality disorder in Latin America. Topics include cultural and age influences to treatment and diagnosis, regional differences in stigma, available treatment approaches, and exciting upcoming work in the region. You can follow Glauco on Instagram at @dr.valdivieso.psiquiatriaSupport the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Caroline rejects the whole notion of anyone having a disordered personality which is exactly why I reached out to her to chat with me on the show. Sure, there are lots of things we disagree on - but there's actually far more we do agree on despite me finding tons of value of having a BPD diagnosis. Together we explore the complexities of labelling, Caroline's experience discovering she had autism all along, and the impact of significant trauma at the hands of psychology professionals.We discuss tons of controversies including: Do personality disorders exist?Are we overdiagnosing people with things like autism, ADHD and BPD?Does the way DSM criteria are defined make sense?AND MORE! If anything I hope this conversation inspires you to talk with someone who holds different opinions, because that's how we stop the strong divisions causing the world to crumble. Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Dr. Alec Miller is the co-creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) and the co-author of DBT Skills in Schools among many other books (see links below). We chat about the impact Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can have on children, youth and families and how this kind of treatment would have saved me and my family from years of trauma and crisis. We explore how DBT skills can be introduced earlier in life—not just in therapy, but in schools and at home—to support emotional regulation, reduce risk, and build a life worth living from a young age.Dr. Miller shares practical insights for parents, educators, and clinicians, emphasizing the importance of validation, structure, skills and positive reinforcement over punishment.This episode highlights the need for addressing emotion dysregulation and suicidality as a family unit - rather than focusing just on the "patient".We discuss many different programs and resources in this episode. Here's a list of the main ones linked: Access Psychology FoundationCognitive and Behavioral Consultants, LLPDBT Skills Manual for Adolescents (book)DBT Skills in Elementary Schools: Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving in Grades K-5 (DBT STEPS-E) (book)DBT Skills in Schools: Skills Training for Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents (DBT STEPS-A) (book)Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Suicidal Adolescents (book)The Anxious Generation (book) Why We Sleep (book)Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

You'll remember Katja from her previous episode about Schizotypal Personality Disorder and from the BPD Bunch podcast but this time you'll hear from her AND her wonderful husband Charles! Together we chat about how her BPD and STPD show up in their relationship and what healthy love looks like for them. We also get into a WILD story about impulsivity that had me laughing at random for weeks and how communication is the key to understanding and connection. Listen to Katja's episode of the BPD Bunch with her ex here! Don't forget to follow her on IG @livesnotlabels and buy Katja's book at this link for an even greater deep dive!And if you want to get really into the weeds here is the Bad Taxidermy facebook group that is both hilarious and horrifying at the same time. Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Daphnée is super passionate about Radically Open Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (RO-DBT) and shares about how it's helped her overcome overcontrol and perfectionism. Plus, Laurie has a bit of a spiral about how desperately she needs RO-DBT to help her with her own issues. We also chat about some tips to make the most out of therapy, parts work, and what happens when you branch out and find therapy that really works for you. Whether you're considering new therapeutic approaches or seeking insights into managing over-control tendencies, this conversation is for you! Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Charlene shares her journey navigating her daughter's BPD alongside some really complex family dynamics that continue to impact their lives today. We touch on the challenges they faces as a family and the key role that peer support and learning had for both her growth as a mother and her ability to support her daughter. Charlene is a facilitator of Sashbear's Family Connections program which you can learn about here. Join Laurie at the Sashbear Walk in Burnaby on May 9th 2026! You can donate and/or join Team Super Feeler at this link! We can't wait to meet you there!Join Charlene at the Edmonton (May 9th), Calgary (May 23rd) and St. John's (June 20th)! You can find the link and dates for all walks here. We can't wait to meet you!If you're looking for some of the books Charlene recommends check these out: The Explosive Child Raising Your Spirited ChildSupport the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Katja lives with Schizotypal Personality Disorder and BPD, two diagnoses that are misunderstood and rarely (if ever) talked about together. Katja shares her journey of learning to manage her BPD symptoms to the point of remission without typical treatment.We also explore what it’s like to live in the uniquely creative and magical world that comes with schizotypal personality disorder.If you want even more Katja in your life you can find her on the BPD Bunch Podcast and buy her book at this link!Don't forget to follow her on IG @livesnotlabels and see her on @thebpdbunch too! In this episode Laurie references an episode with Nine, who lives with BPD, Antisocial Personality Disorder and Psychopathy. You can listen to that episode here.Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Lindsay Dow is a former investment banker, a certified peer specialist and Program Director at Silver Hill New York. She's been diagnosed with BPD and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). We dive into what both of those disorders look like, how they were diagnosed and what life looks like now. Lindsay discusses her early diagnoses, struggles during college, and the impact of some pretty complex parental dynamics on her mental health. We also talk about her innovative work in utilizing real time data in tailoring therapeutic approaches and what the future might hold for psychiatric care if we can better integrate data into care focused decision making and introspection.Learn more about Silver Hill New York here. Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

When I read about Maya and Hilary's story in the news my heart sank. I didn't even have to finish the article to know that borderline personality disorder misunderstanding and stigma was at play. In this episode Hilary (Maya's mom) shares about the ways in which Maya's mental health changed, the help she tried to get, and the final days of her life where the combination of her mistrust of the health system and a subsequent FOI of her records led her to believe there was no hope left. It was that day that she tragically took her own life. Together, we explore Maya’s journey and the realities of navigating a system where critical information wasn’t fully seen, shared, or understood and the profound impact of hidden or missed diagnoses, and how a lack of communication across providers and supports can change the course of so many lives.At the heart of this episode is a mother’s experience of loss — and the ongoing grief that comes with it. We talk about the “what if’s” that linger, the questions that don’t have answers, and the emotional weight of trying to make sense of it all. Links and resources: You can read the original article that Laurie read here. Learn more about the Maya Veronica Cassidy Mental Wellness Fund here.Sashbear support for familiesKelty Resource Centre for youthFoundry BC youth wellness centresTrigger warning: This episode discusses a completed suicide.Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Dr. Steven Huprich, a leading clinical psychologist, researcher, and professor, specializing in personality disorder assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Together we unpack the differences between the DSM-5 and ICD-11 models of diagnosing personality disorders and how those differences impact people living with personality disorders and those who treat them. We also take a closer look at what a thoughtful and effective clinical assessment should include and we dive into some of the biggest challenges in diagnosing personality disorders, including:The impact of age and development in personalityThe limitations of self-reporting in diagnosisThe role of context in understanding personalityThe differences between how we see ourselves vs. how others perceive usSupport the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening! 

Laura's BPD was first discussed when she was 13 years old - and from there her family started the healing process as a unit. They accessed DBT-A as a family, learned new skills and ways to communicate, set boundaries and have grown tremendously over the last  13 years.Alison, Laura's mom, is a facilitator for the Sashbear Foundation and has found tremendous support through their Family Connections program. Their story brings so much hope that families can heal together and that love to withstand the challenges that BPD can bring. JOIN US ON MAY 9TH AT THE BRITISH COLUMBIA SASHBEAR WALK! You can donate and/or join Team Super Feeler at this link! We can't wait to meet you there! You can learn more about Sashbear's Family Connection program here Make sure you subscribe to the show so you don't miss Dr. Alec Miller - the creator for the DBT-Adolesence program talk about how he developed the treatment that Alison and Laura participated in! Support the showIf you want to support the show, dive deeper into the world of super feeling and for tons of bonus content please consider subscribing to the Super Feeler patreon page. Click here to register for The Super Feelers Club (the peer support group) If you are needing mental health support or someone to talk to, please connect with your local crisis line or call or text 988 in Canada or the US or find a local lineDon't forget to follow us on social media (@thesuperfeeler) and subscribe to our podcast for new episodes and updates. Your subscriptions, downloads, and reviews mean the world to us! Thank you for listening!