You and Me and BPD
by Stef RB
You and Me and BPD is hosted by Stef, a person living with Borderline Personality Disorder as well as being on the Autism spectrum. If you have BPD, are interested in hearing some experiences of what it is like to live with this disorder, or if you love someone with BPD then you might learn something by listening to these episodes. I am one person and these are my experiences, but if they relate to you feel free to suggest episode ideas or reach out on my Instagram @journey.bound.
Episodes
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Updates, Life Things, & Stuff
This will be the last episode of this podcast until the Spring. I hope that I will find the time and energy to continue making episodes in the new year but for now, I am so so sooooo thankful to be given the space to share my experiences and talk so openly about the topic of mental health. This...
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Navigating Negative Self Talk
In todays episode, I attempt to explain some of the ways that Negative Self Talk appears in our life and how we can find more space to combat the things we think. For many of us living with mental health conditions, our inner critic is ever present; always looking over our shoulders, just waiting...
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A Convo w/Sara ; Finding Work-Life Balance
In this episode, I sat down with Sara from the Bold Beautiful Borderline podcast to talk about her work as a therapy provider while living with BPD (and other co-morbid diagnosis'). Sara joined me virtually and we chatted about why she chose the field of Social Work, how her lived experiences...
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All About Anxiety/Panic Attacks
In this episode, I explain some of the things I've learned about living with panic attacks and how to manage their aftermath. The first part of this episode details some core DBT Skills that I've begun to incorporate into my daily routines to help with my understanding of where anxiety exists in…
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A Conversation about Sex & Intimacy
In this episode, Jay and I sat down to talk openly about what sex and intimacy mean in our marriage. While this episode doesn't directly cover topics pertaining to BPD, I hope that this type of honest conversation about my panic attacks and how we navigate engaging in sex can open the door for…
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Welcome to Season Five!
Hello and welcome back to the podcast! I can't believe this has been going on since 2020 and people still want to hear what I have to say but I am so thankful for every person who has given me the space to express myself through this medium. This season will definitely be more real and raw, more...
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End of Season Four
Thank you for every bit of support and love that you have shown me and this podcast. I hope that my experiences and sharing has helped you to feel less alone and find more self compassion on this healing path. This episode is an end to Season Four and encapsulates some of the lessons I've been...
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Advice for 'Young' People
Today, October 10th, is World Mental Health Day. I decided to record this episode to share some things I've learned about living with BPD, mainly targeted towards those who are just beginning to explore their own mental health, i.e teens/early 20s folks, and might need some encouragement. I asked...
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Unpacking Religious Trauma
*TRIGGER WARNING : Talk of Religious Ideology & Childhood Religious Teachings* In today's episode, I sat down with Becca to discuss the way that religious ideologies - specifically from a Christian perspective - can impact our mental health journeys. This topic was requested from a listener of…
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Love Me (More)
This episode is heavily inspired by the discography of Mitski, specifically the songs Love Me More, Nobody, and Should've Been Me. I decided to record this episode because romantic love is something that many of us crave or struggle to find, and I often get messages from listeners who are looking...
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Childhood Emotional Neglect
*Trigger Warning : Discussion of Childhood Emotional Neglect* In this episode, we discuss the correlation between childhood neglect/abuse and the development of BPD. It is estimated that 30-90% of people with BPD have trauma relating to their childhood experiences so it is super important to be...
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JDM Psychology with Carly
In this episode, I sat down with Carly Krespan to talk about JDM Psychology and how it relates to Executive Dysfunction. Carly is a JDM specialist living with BPD and other comorbidities working as a health coach and career development advisor. Our conversation focused around explaining…
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Executive Dysfunction
In this episode, I try to provide an overview of what Executive Dysfunction is and some of the ways that it impacts our ability to function in our daily lives. To be honest, I struggled to make this episode because I found myself wondering how I could explain something that I personally struggle…
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Opening Up: Looking for Therapy
In this very rambly episode, the conversation is focused on two important aspects of what it means to look for therapy 1. An explanation of different types of therapies that have been proven to be effective for the treatment of BPD and 2. Tips from my own personal experiences with therapy of what...
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Opening Up : Beginning to talk about your Mental Health
In this episode, I speak about some tips to keep in mind as we begin to have conversations around our mental health struggles. So many of the messages I get about this podcast are from people who don't know how to explain their mental health to others so I figured it might be worthwhile to share...
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Can BPD be "Cured"?
In this episode, I talk about the recovery process for BPD and how remission is possible over a long period of time. Do I think that BPD can be "Cured"? No. But I hope that this episode allows you to see how we can better understand the process of healing from this disorder and know that we are…
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A Convo with Sorcha
In today's episode, I sat down with Sorcha - @sorchaminc on instagram - to speak about her diagnosis journey and how she understands BPD in her every day life. We touched on a variety of different topics ranging from her experiences with talk therapy to how we can better have compassion for...
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Welcome Back to Season Four!
Hello! Welcome Back to Season Four 😁 today's episode is a short introduction to some of the things I have planned for the next season of the podcast. I am super excited to record episodes again and also to announce that the Collective Stories Gallery is now live! It is best formatted to view on…
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Your Story Matters (End of Season Three)
Hello! This is the end of Season Three!!! Thank you so much for supporting this journey and being with me as we unpack mental health issues and learn to find some more compassion for ourselves. I am so grateful for the growth that this year has brought the podcast and for each of you who took the...
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Bonus Episode - Deep Relaxation Meditation
I am leading a Yin Yoga + Deep Relaxation class for my Buddhist group so I decided to record a Deep Relaxation Meditation for the podcast aswell. This meditation is focused on relaxing the body and creating more awareness of our internal feelings and sensations; it is typically done in a lying…
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Convo with Elyse
In today's episode, I sat down with Elyse Brouhard (@elyse_brouhard on Instagram) to talk about her zine, Handle with Care: Living and Coping with Borderline Personality Disorder. I reached out to Elyse over DM and I am so happy we got to have this conversation about her creative process and…
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Call for Submission! (CLOSED)
SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED!!! Hiya! This bonus episode is to let you know about the online gallery I am hoping to create called You and Me and BPD: Collective Stories. If you have any digital art, poems, short stories, or mixed media pieces associated with your experiences with BPD, I would be…
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Searching for Love
This episode is all about love, specifically focusing on some of the issues that people with BPD face when they are trying to find romantic relationships. This topic is often spoken about from a very bias opinion, painting a picture of toxic relationships that are a direct result of BPD but I…
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Conceptualizing Self Harm
In this episode, Jay joins me to discuss what Self Harm is and why people engage with this type of activity. This episode might be triggering to those who are not ready for this type of honest discussion so please be safe and feel free to skip this episode if you find at any point you are feeling...
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Disability in the Workplace
*Please forgive my bad editing skills at the beginning* In this episode, I speak about my struggle to find meaningful work and how working can be hard for those with mental health disabilities. I haven't worked since mid-2020 and not working causes me a lot of anxiety, but trying to find a job…
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Suicidal Ideation
Here are some helplines if you feel triggered by this episode •TALK SUICIDE CANADA #1-833-456-4566 (45645 for text) •SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE in America #988 to connect with a local Suicide prevention helpline •UK SUICIDE PREVENTION PHONE LINE #0800-689-5652. In this episode, we talk about the...
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Spiraling & BPD Episodes
In this episode, I try to contextualize the idea of Spiraling and how it can lead to what some people call a 'BPD Episode.' Spiraling, to me, is kind of like falling down the rabbit hole; it usually begins when I experience some negative self talk and can lead to feelings of existential dread or...
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Convo w/ Alicen - Favourite Person Continued
In this episode, I sit down with Alicen - @alicenricard on instagram - who is one of the co-hosts of the Not Enough Spoons podcast. Alicen wrote an article called "To Those Who Don't Understand My Favourite Person Relationship (2020)" which I found when I was researching my Favourite Person…
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Identity Disturbance
In this episode, I speak about the topic of Identity Disturbance; a clinical term used to describe the chronic symptom of unstable identity. Many people with BPD struggle with feelings of Identity Disturbance; they might feel like they don't understand who or why they are the way they are, and…
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Comorbid Diagnosis + My Autism Journey
In this episode, I touch on the topic of Comorbid Diagnosis before telling you a bit about my own journey to getting diagnosed as Autistic. Research estimates that 50-96% of people with BPD are living with a comorbid mental health condition, whether that is depression or anxiety, other mood...
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Ways to Support Someone with BPD
In this episode, I offer 5 tips on how we can support someone on their mental health journey. The majority of messages I get from people who listen to this podcast ask how they can support their partner, loved-one, or friend who has BPD. Offering support is such a beautiful thing to do but it can...
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Feeling Low
Today's episode is a bit of a ramble; I'm not feeling the greatest and I decided to just talk about the reality of how mental illness can affect my daily life. I've been feeling this sense of impending sadness over the past few days - not being able to concentrate, feeling more pain than usual,...
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Favourite Person Phenomenon
In this episode, I try to breakdown the 'Favourite Person' phenomenon that seems to have become synonymous with BPD due to the rise of social media forums which speak about this topic. A 'Favourite Person' is more than a best friend or intense romantic partner; they seem to represent some type of...
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Bonus - Guided Meditation
In this bonus episode, I decided to record a Guided Meditation to encourage you to find some sense of stillness and mindfulness in your every day life. The actual meditation starts around the 2min mark, with a short introduction before we begin. I meditate to work on my emotional resiliency…
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Psychosis and Hallucinations
This episode was inspired by a poll on my Instagram where I asked people if they would be interested in learning more about psychosis and hallucinations, especially within a BPD context. I start by providing some definitions and examples of what psychosis is, then I talk about my own experiences...
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The Basics Revisited
In this episode, I decided to go back to the basics of what BPD is. I talk about the history of this mental illness, the 9 symptoms that are associated with getting a diagnosis, and some of the critiques or controversies around this often misunderstood disorder. I wanted to revisit the format of…
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Season Three Intro
Hello! Welcome back to Season Three of You and Me and BPD. I am so excited to be making new episodes again and to continue to get to connect with people who live with BPD and/or autism. As I mentioned in this episode, I was re-diagnosed with BPD at the end of August, along with the new diagnosis…
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End of Season Two
This is a little rambly episode where I sign off for the winter season. Winter, to me, is a time of deep introspection and rest so like last season, this podcast will be on hiatus until the spring (or summer, depends on how I feel). Thank you so much for listening and messaging and being a part…
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A Conversation with Cordelia
In today's episode, Cordelia and I spoke about her journey to diagnosis, what BPD is like in her daily life, and some of the ways that she makes sure that she is taking care of herself. Cordelia reached out to me on my Instagram to be a part of this podcast and I am so happy I got to interview…
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Depression
This episode is all about depression; what the symptoms are, some of the ways I've experienced depressive states, and how important it is to allow ourselves to feel our emotions in a safe way. There is some talk about suicide and self harm, so if you are not in the best mindset to hear about…
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Family Matters - A Convo with My Mother
In this episode, I sat down with my Mother and had a conversation about my childhood, trauma, setting boundaries, and how we have managed to navigate our relationship while living with mental health issues. We talk about how important it is to have open forms of communication, as well as how...
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Feeling Lonely
In this episode, I talk about how I experience loneliness. The feeling of loneliness is one of the most human feelings we can experience, but I know that it can be hard to explain and hard to vocalize why we feel the way we do. I touch on the topic of 'spiraling' - when one emotion or thought…
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How to Explain BPD to Family & Friends
In this episode, I provide a quick rundown of what BPD is and some things that I think are important to talk about when friends and family are trying to understand what this diagnosis means. Of the most important aspects to this conversation, I think the main takeaways are to have more compassion...
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Substance Abuse & Addiction
2/3rds of people with BPD will struggle with Substance Abuse & Addiction issues. With the warmer weather and people starting to get excited for lockdowns to end, many of us will be put in situations where we can't hide our addictions any longer. This episode is to encourage you, spread awareness...
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Meditation Practice Using the Breath
This is a short meditation practice using the breath. The actual practice starts around 12mins. These are the 4 statements we will be repeating to ourselves :::: A) Breathing in, I am aware of the in breath + Breathing out, I am aware of the out breath B) Breathing in, I am aware of the breath in...
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Stress Management, Mindfulness & Meditation
Hello! Thank you a thousand times over for a year of this podcast. I am so thankful to every one of you who have given me a space to talk and connect and feel supported by this amazing online community we have created. Today's episode is about stress management, specifically how to make sure we…
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Self Doubt
In today's episode, I decided to talk about some of the self doubt I struggle with on a near constant basis. I talk a bit about Imposter Syndrome and how it relates to BPD, as well as many of my daily experiences when it comes to formulating my idea of 'self' and how I try to handle self doubt…
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Some Silver Linings
In this episode, I talk about the aspect of 'reframing a situation' as it pertains to how we look at and understand what it means to live with Borderline Personality Disorder. A lot of my podcast is about spreading awareness and advocacy for the struggles we face, but honestly, it can be hard to...
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Accountability & Responsibility in Relationships : A Convo with my Husband
In this episode, I sit down with my partner and talk about how we handle the emotional rollercoaster of BPD in our relationship. Many of the messages I get from people who listen to the podcast are from people who are dating or married to someone with BPD so I thought a convo with my husband…
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Personal Accountability & Responsibility
In this episode, we look into how living with BPD or mental illnesses can affect how we are in the world and how we relate to others. Chronic mental illness changes everything about your being... how you see the world, and how you see yourself, so I think it is super important to talk about ways…
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About this show
You and Me and BPD is hosted by Stef, a person living with Borderline Personality Disorder as well as being on the Autism spectrum. If you have BPD, are interested in hearing some experiences of what it is like to live with this disorder, or if you love someone with BPD then you might learn something by listening to these episodes. I am one person and these are my experiences, but if they relate to you feel free to suggest episode ideas or reach out on my Instagram @journey.bound.
Hosted by
Stef RB