
Inside Bipolar
Join Gabe, who lives with bipolar, and Dr. Nicole, a board certified psychiatrist, as they explore the spectrum of this misunderstood illness. They tackle bipolar disorder using real world examples, the latest research, and just enough funny to keep you intrigued. Signal Award Gold Winner, 2024. Signal Award Listener's Choice Winner, 2024. Webby Honoree two years in a row -- 2024 & 2025!
Latest episodes

Oct 31, 2022 • 41min
Handling Grief While Managing Bipolar Disorder
It should come as no surprise that the death of someone you love can cause duress. No one is at their best after someone they care about passes away.Grief is a difficult and misunderstood emotion that often leads to mental health challenges for even the most stable of people. However, if you are managing bipolar disorder, how do you manage grief?To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 17, 2022 • 32min
Coping with Agitation and Irritability with Bipolar Disorder
Agitation is a real and somewhat common symptom of bipolar disorder. Many people experience it and often we don’t even realize it. Today’s episode covers how agitation presents and some common warning signs. We also mention the subtle differences between being agitated in a clinical sense and being irritable in a typical range of human emotions.To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 3, 2022 • 38min
Handling Insensitive Comments About Bipolar Disorder
It’s no secret that there’s stigma around mental health. Offensive comments made about bipolar disorder are enough to drive anyone, well, crazy. Listen as Gabe explores the intricacies of language down to word choice and how comments can impact folks with bipolar disorder. He and Dr. Nicole Washington discuss how language can be an alienating force — sometimes the only language we have to describe our experiences is grounded in stigma — and how to better handle insensitive comments from others. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 19, 2022 • 37min
Understanding Lack of Insight (Anosognosia) in Bipolar Disorder
Have you ever wondered what would happen to you if you didn’t understand that you needed treatment for your bipolar disorder (or other mental illness)? Have you heard of legal concepts like “Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)” or “forced treatment” and wondered how they relate to “lack of insight?”Turns out there’s a name for lacking insight — anosognosia. And it affects some people with severe and persistent mental illness. Listen as Gabe and Dr. Nicole explore what anosognosia means, what a diagnosis entails, and if the word is overused or weaponized contemporarily. Get ready, cause you won’t see what this episode has coming.To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 5, 2022 • 28min
Feeling Tired Because of Bipolar Disorder?
Fatigued. Lethargic. Drowsy. All words that mean you aren’t feeling 100% awake. Many people with bipolar disorder report this symptom — but is bipolar the cause? Could it be a medication side effect, lifestyle choice, or simply not getting enough sleep? Listen in as we discuss the link between bipolar disorder and feeling tired.Learn more -- or read the transcript -- on the official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 29, 2022 • 4min
Important Announcement From the Inside Bipolar Podcast
Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Inside Bipolar podcast is moving to every other Monday starting September 5th. Same great hosts, same great content, and same great show -- just biweekly instead of weekly. Please subscribe so you don't miss an episode.In the meantime, if you need a weekly mental health podcast fix, you can check out Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast on your favorite player.About the Show & Hosts:Join Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, as they explore the spectrum of this misunderstood illness. They tackle bipolar using real world examples, the latest research, and just enough funny to keep you intrigued. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 22, 2022 • 35min
How Does Aging Impact Bipolar Disorder?
Did you know that age changes not only potential symptoms of bipolar disorder, but also what care is available, how doctors see the illness, and even our own perspective? It’s even possible for bipolar disorder to show up for the first time in your 50s, 60s, or even later. Listen in as Gabe Howard and Dr. Nicole Washington discuss bipolar and aging — from myths about diagnosis, to whether the symptoms of bipolar disorder subside with age.To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 13, 2022 • 34min
Need Help Dating with Bipolar Disorder?
From swiping fatigue to getting ghosted, dating is a beast on its own. Throw in a bipolar disorder diagnosis and it gets really complicated, really fast. The first step might be telling someone you live with bipolar, but do you tell them before you meet, on the first date, or wait until you know them a bit better? How do you navigate the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and manage rejection — regardless of whether it’s because of your bipolar or something else? Listen as Gabe and Dr. Nicole discuss all this and more.To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 8, 2022 • 35min
Coping with Pessimism and Bipolar Disorder
Pessimism can feel like it’s part and parcel of having bipolar disorder. But differentiating how much of your pessimism comes from bipolar disorder and how much of it is just your personality can be difficult. Host Gabe Howard talks to co-host Nicole Washington about his experience with pessimism and bipolar, how (and when) to get help if you’re a Negative Nelly, and where to draw the line between the two. Give yourself a little grace — because let’s face it, even if we imagine a world where bipolar disorder doesn’t exist, there would still be plenty of pessimists.To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 1, 2022 • 33min
Co-Occurring PTSD and Bipolar Disorder: Everything You Need to Know
What’s it like to have PTSD and bipolar disorder? Many people know that mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, frequently co-occur. Having bipolar disorder doesn’t preclude you from other mental health conditions like PTSD. Seeking treatment for bipolar disorder alone can feel daunting enough. Compound it with PTSD and it may feel ever more complicated and maybe even scary. In this episode, we explore different treatment options, how bipolar and PTSD can overlap in terms of symptoms, and more. To learn more -- or to read the transcript -- visit the official episode page.Meet Your Inside Bipolar Podcast HostsGabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.He is also the host of Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices