Touching Tornadoes: Life with a Bipolar Mind

Hey everybody — it’s Conrad from Touching Tornadoes.Today’s live mood journal is about something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately: letting go of my past self.When you live with bipolar disorder or go through major life changes, it can feel like there’s an old version of you still hanging around — the one from before the diagnosis, before the healing, or before sobriety. Today I’m talking about what it means to release that version, forgive ourselves, and grow into who we are now.Join me for my gratitude check-in, daily mood journal, and affirmations to help start the day grounded and clear.#BipolarDisorder #MentalHealth #Recovery #TouchingTornadoes #MoodJournal #bipolarawareness

Here is the Daily Journal for 11/11/25

Welcome back to Touching Tornadoes!Today’s daily mood journal dives into what it feels like to step into new opportunities while living with bipolar 1 — especially right after a manic episode.I had another peer support interview today, and I talk about what that means for my recovery, my purpose, and my daily wellness routine. From managing nerves and sleep to practicing gratitude and staying grounded, this episode is about turning your lived experience into something meaningful — even when it’s still hard.In this episode:Gratitude check-in: second chances and communityMood journal: stability, nerves, and staying consistentTopic: interviewing as a peer support and finding purpose through struggleAffirmations for growth and self-compassionIf you’ve ever felt unsure about where you stand after recovery — or wondered if your story could help others — this one’s for you.✴️ Affirmations from today:My story has value.My lived experience gives me strength, not shame.I trust the process — the right opportunities will align with my purpose.I am calm, capable, and ready to help others heal.I don’t chase perfection — I share connection.🎧 Touching Tornadoes is about staying grounded through life’s storms — with humor, honesty, and heart.👉 Visit www.TouchingTornadoes.com for my blog and past episodes.

Daily Bipolar Mood Journal 11/9/25: Family Acceptance Living with Bipolar 1 disorder

Today’s mood journal comes from my morning walk — just me, the wind, and some honest talk about depression. Sometimes movement helps me process the heavy stuff, and this walk turned into a real reflection on what it feels like to live with bipolar depression and keep going anyway.🎧 Touching Tornadoes — real talk, raw moments, and reminders that we’re not alone in this storm.#BipolarDisorder #Depression #MentalHealthJourney #TouchingTornadoes

Walking while doing the daily mood journal. #bipolardisorder #mooddisorder #bipolarrecovery #touchingtornadoes #abilify #depakote

Family acceptance isn’t instant — it’s a journey. In today’s Touching Tornadoes episode, I talk about what happens when mental illness hits home: the confusion, the silence, and the small steps toward healing.Featuring my gratitude check-in, daily mood journal, and affirmations to remind you that love and understanding are built one day at a time.

In today’s 11/4/25 Touching Tornadoes episode, I open with a gratitude check-in, share my daily mood journal, and talk honestly about my time in the hospital — what it taught me about surrender, recovery, and rebuilding.If you’ve ever been through a hospitalization or felt like you were starting over, this one’s for you. Healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible.💬 Segments include: • Gratitude Check-In • Daily Mood Journal Prompts • Hospitalization & Healing • Affirmations to Close#BipolarRecovery #MentalHealthJourney #TouchingTornadoes #BipolarDisorder #Healing #Gratitude #MoodJournal

In this episode 11/3/25 of Touching Tornadoes, I talk about post-mania exhaustion, the reality of being on Abilify and Depakote, and why recovery can feel like fatigue instead of freedom.💭 Gratitude Check-In🧠 Daily Mood Journal💊 Medication Fatigue & Healing✨ Affirmations to Close#BipolarRecovery #MentalHealthPodcast #TouchingTornadoes #Abilify #Depakote #BipolarDisorder

Daily Bipolar Mood Journal 11/2/25: Bipolar Disorder vs. Schizoaffective Disorder

Daily Bipolar Mood Journal 11/1/25: Forgiveness and Family

Friday Mood Journal. Didn't Sleep Well. Feeling a little High or fuzzy.

Gratitude Check-inDaily Mood JournalBrandon's StoryRecovery Fatigue and toolbox tips

Daily Mood Journal 10/29/25: Blue Collar Men and Mental Health

Welcome to *Touching Tornadoes*! This channel dives into the raw, real, and often funny aspects of living with bipolar disorder. From personal stories and insights to navigating mental health challenges, every video explores life through the lens of a bipolar mind. Whether it's dealing with the ups and downs of recovery, finding balance in the chaos, or breaking down stigma, this channel offers authentic reflections, humor, and hope. If you're looking for honest conversations on mental health, personal growth, and embracing life’s storms, you’ve come to the right place. I hope you find comfort in these stories and maybe even a laugh along the way. **Stay Connected & Reach Out:** 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌍 Blog: http://www.touchingtornadoes.com/blogSubscribe to join the journey and be part of a community that’s breaking down stigma, one story at a time. Let’s keep the conversation going! 💡 Topics include mental health, bipolar disorder, sobriety, relationships, and personal growth. 🎙️ Check out my podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/touching-tornadoes/id1784315466📧 Contact: [email protected] Subscribe for honest conversations about mental health and life's challenges!

Hey everyone, welcome back to Touching Tornadoes! In this episode, I dive deep into what it’s like to live with bipolar 1 disorder—especially the process of getting diagnosed, the struggle for acceptance (both personal and from family), and the fear of another episode. I reflect on my past manic episodes, the crash that followed, and how I’ve tried to manage my mental health with exercise, meditation, and lifestyle changes. I also talk about the frustration of feeling invalidated by those around me and the importance of finding others who truly get it. 📚 Books I’ve found helpful: An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison Episodes by Kat Alexander & Maya Northen Augelli The Other Side of Me by Julie Fast 🎥 Recommended Movies & YouTube Series: Infinitely Polar Bear (Mark Ruffalo) This Is My Brave (YouTube series) If you’ve been through similar struggles, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or email me at [email protected]. Let’s keep this conversation going! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more episodes. #BipolarDisorder #MentalHealthAwareness #TouchingTornadoes #LivingWithBipolar #Recovery #Mania #Depression

In this deeply personal episode, I'm diving into my first manic episode - a life-changing journey that unfolded while running a taco shop with my cousin in 2023. Before being diagnosed with bipolar 1 in 2024, I experienced a surreal period of intense delusion and heightened energy. I'll share how I transformed from a landscape business owner to a food truck entrepreneur, and then spiraled into a manic state where I believed I was a Native American warrior on a spiritual mission.I'll take you ...

In this episode I share how I remember the first manic episode I had with bipolar disorder. I try to describe the events that were spiraling me into my first manic episode, from thinking I was dead, to having a cosmic dream. Let me know what you think. It was and is a very confusing time for me, and I am still processing it. Visit my website and blog.

In this episode of Touching Tornadoes, I dive into the three major types of bipolar disorder and how they’re defined in the DSM-5. I share my personal experience with a Bipolar 1 diagnosis, reflecting on how some of the symptoms have affected me. I also talk about the role of medication in my treatment and the steps I’m taking to manage my mental health. Despite the challenges, I’m hopeful for the future. Thanks for tuning into this short, insightful episode. Don’t forget to subscribe!Visit m...

This episode of Touching Tornadoes is about showing up—whether it’s for family, life, or just yourself—after a tough year. I talk about facing family after my bipolar diagnosis, the stigma that still creeps in, and how I’m working to rebuild my life while staying true to who I am.There’s also some lighter stuff—like stinky gym clothes, losing my sense of smell, and figuring out how to laugh at the chaos. It’s a little messy, a little raw, and 100% real.Check out more at www.touchingtornadoes....

In this episode of Touching Tornadoes, host Conrad opens up about his journey to a bipolar type 1 diagnosis with psychotic features. From the chaotic launch of a taco shop on Route 66 to the beginnings of a manic episode marked by sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and an intense sense of purpose, Conrad shares the raw and unfiltered events that shaped his life before and after his diagnosis. If you're looking for relatable mental health stories or just curious about how tornadoes, tacos, and...