E001 Beth Beattie Living With Bipolar Disorder

Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 1
February 1, 2022 

Participants: John Webster, Sammy Damaren, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Beth Beattie

Summary: It’s the debut episode. Our podcast grew from concepts in John’s book, Accidentally Well. He’s developing a framework to seek balance and fulfillment, taking into account eight categories of wellness: Physical, Mental, Economic, Social, Artistic, Environmental, Spiritual and Intellectual. If he ignores some areas, even if he’s thriving in others, it affects his overall well-being. He needs to act – to take active steps – to foster wellness in the different areas. Most interviews relate to one or more the eight facets of wellness that we’re exploring.

Show Format and This Week’s Segment Summaries:

[0:03:20] What’s On Your Mind: chat between hosts about a wellness topic (10 minutes)⁠.
This week: John and Sammy talk about a social media post that compared toxic positivity to genuine optimism.
Link to Mental Health Commission of Canada for Mental Health First Aid Training: https://www.mhfa.ca/en/home

⁠[0:12:21] Expanding Minds Interview: We talk to guests about their experiences in the 8 areas of wellness we’re exploring. Some are from organizations that foster wellness (15 minutes).⁠
This week: [Mental Wellness] Part 1 of our discussion with lawyer Beth Beattie. Her story of living and working with bipolar disease is well publicized. She’s been a mentor to law students and junior lawyer on how to foster their own mental health. She works to eliminate stigma associated with lawyers who face mental health issues. It’s so important for business leaders to publicly disclose their mental illnesses. Beth is one of the brave leaders willing to do so.

⁠[0:31:04] Adventures of the Starving Artist: hear about Cameron’s adventures as a musician (3-5 minutes)⁠.
This week: Cameron introduces his segment and tells us about himself.

⁠[0:34:46] Move That Body: we highlight physical activities people enjoy and how the activities make them feel (great!) (5 minutes)⁠.
This week: Sammy and John talk about how great it feels – the sensations – when they hit the right level of physical activity – a good amount but not overdoing it.

[0:40:06] Running Popup: John shares a thought on a topic, which often comes together on a long run (3-5 minutes)⁠.
This week: John explains the popup that led to his book and ultimately this podcast.

⁠[0:47:49] Flipside of the Coin: banter between Sheila and John – some fun while discussing wellness in the context of a relationship (5 minutes).
This week: Find out how John and Sheila met.

Guest Information: Beth Bettie is Senior Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General Civil Law Division, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care Branch.  She has a broad litigation practice. Beth “came out of the mental illness closet,” as she puts it, after 14 years of working as a lawyer with bipolar disorder. Her story has been broadly featured on television, newspaper and other media. Beth has made presentations to thousands of people, including professionals and the public at large. Beth works hard and volunteers much time to help improve the lives of those living with mental illness as well those who care for them.

Connect with Let’s Be Well Together Podcast:
website: https://letsbewelltogether.com
Follow our Instagram account: @lets.be.well.together⁠ use hashtag #letsbewelltogetherpodcast
Provide input on Instagram using hashtag #letsbewelltogetherinput
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lets.Be.Well.Together/ ⁠

 Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-)   Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila and Julie