Living With Depression: Real Stories, Recovery, and Hope From the Podcast

Season 19 of Giving Voice to Depression brought together powerful, vulnerable conversations about what it means to live with depression. From learning that you’re not alone in your struggles, to understanding recovery as a non-linear process, to hearing about veterans’ mental health, racial trauma, journaling, and holiday survival tips—this season offered both compassion and practical insights.

In this special season wrap-up, co-hosts Bridget and Terry revisit the most impactful episodes, highlighting the resilience and wisdom of people living with depression. If you’re looking for real stories, validation, and hope, this recap will help you reflect, heal, and carry forward lessons into the new year.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why “The Beginning of Hope” resonated with so many listeners
• Understanding recovery as non-linear: moving in and out of hope
• Veterans’ mental health and how civilians can support them
• Trauma recovery and the role of culture and community messages
• Holiday mental health strategies for self-care and compassion
• The power of journaling as a mental health tool
• Reducing stress in social invitations with “the graceful out”
• Listener-favorite story: It’s Really Hard to Fix Something Broken With Something Broken
• Reflections on depression’s lies and the importance of shared voices
• Gratitude for the GVTD community and a look toward the new year

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction
 00:33 - Why this review is about Season 19, not 2021
 01:34 - Invitation to share: “What does your depression tell you?”
 02:30 - Episode 191: The Beginning of Hope
03:45 - Episode 192: Recovery Is Not Linear
05:12 - Episode on veterans’ mental health with Dr. McBride
06:33 - Civilian support for veterans’ mental health
07:46 - Episode 193: Trauma Recovery, Race, and Mental Health
09:12 - Holiday mental health advice with Dr. Maggie Mulqueen
10:36 - Behind-the-scenes blooper + journaling as a mental health tool
12:23 - Journaling to “get the ugly out”
13:48 - Dr. Anita Sands: the “graceful out” for social invitations
14:36 - Episode 195: It’s Really Hard to Fix Something Broken With Something Broken
16:04 - Listener responses and gratitude for community voices
17:31 - Acknowledgment of Facebook community support
18:13 - Closing reflections and new year wishes

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
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Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/