Ep. 522: 5 Myths of Bipolar Disorder and Healing
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
JJ welcomes back Michelle Reittinger, author and host of The Upside of Bipolar, for a bold, hope-filled conversation that challenges common cultural narratives around bipolar disorder. Together, they unpack “myths” that can keep people stuck in fear and identity-based labels—and invite listeners into curiosity, root-cause investigation, and a more empowering view of symptoms, healing, and personal responsibility. In This Episode, We Cover · Michelle’s story: diagnosed in 1998, years of intensive psychiatric treatment, polypharmacy, and...
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Ep. 521: Healing the Abandonment Wound
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
What if the deepest wound you carry isn’t about what happened to you—but about whether you ever felt truly held by life itself? In this powerful and intimate conversation, JJ is joined by a longtime soul sister, healer, and registered nurse who shares a deeply transformative experience that healed a lifelong sense of abandonment—not just from people, but from God, Source, and existence itself. After more than 25 years of personal growth, spiritual practice, and emotional work, she realized there was still an existential fracture beneath it all: a quiet belief that life was not fully...
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Ep. 520: The Cost of Always Putting Yourself Last
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
In this solo episode, JJ explores a pattern she sees repeatedly in women who are deeply caring, self-aware, and ready for healing—yet hesitate when it’s time to invest in themselves. Drawing from real conversations with women who are caregivers, over-givers, people-pleasers, and survivors of illness, JJ unpacks the deeper truth beneath statements like “I can’t afford it.” This episode isn’t about money—it’s about self-worth, nervous system safety, and the beliefs that quietly keep women putting themselves last. Through the energetic lens of the Year of the Snake and the...
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Ep. 519: Homeopathy for Flu Season
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
JJ reconnects with longtime friend and homeopath Avghi “Avi” Constantinides (yes—at Trader Joe’s!) for a timely conversation on natural immune support during the holiday season and beyond. Avghi breaks down what homeopathy is, how it differs from symptom-only approaches, and shares her go-to homeopathic “flu season trio” that many of her clients use for prevention and support. The conversation then expands into entrepreneurship, education, and why responsiveness and follow-up are essential for building a sustainable, heart-centered business. In this episode, you’ll hear: How a...
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Ep. 518: Shedding the Skin Needed for 2026
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
Shedding the Skin Needed to Set the Stage for 2026 As we step into 2026, it’s tempting to rush ahead with goals, intentions, and action. But energetically, we’re still in a powerful transition period. Although the calendar year has changed, the Fire Horse doesn’t officially arrive until February 17, meaning we’re still completing the work of the Year of the Snake. In this solo episode, JJ explores why this moment is less about acceleration—and more about discernment, honesty, and conscious completion. The Year of the Snake asks us to shed old skins: identities, coping...
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Ep. 517: Wisdom from a World before Wi Fi
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
In this special intergenerational conversation, JJ and Doug sit down with JJ’s parents—ages 80 and 77—for an honest and heartfelt discussion about happiness, perspective, and what truly matters in life. Together, they reflect on how priorities evolve over time, what contributes to lasting fulfillment, and how ideas around success, relationships, and happiness have changed across generations. The conversation also turns toward the future, with thoughtful reflections and intentions for 2026—what to protect, what to release, and what feels most important moving forward. This episode...
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Ep. 516: 5 C's of Flow with Christy Whitman
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why contrast (the thing you don’t want) is not personal—and not a sign you “did it wrong” How survival responses (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) can pull you out of flow automatically Why self-compassion is the “neutralizer” that helps you move from emotional intensity back to steadiness The “three buckets” model: lack → neutrality → abundance How to move from “what I don’t want” into true clarity using three powerful questions The difference between observing vs. judging—and how judgment instantly shuts off flow How...
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Ep. 515: Super Body with Dr. William Davis
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
In this episode, JJ Flizanes welcomes back cardiologist and bestselling author Dr. William Davis to celebrate the launch of his newest book, Super Body, available starting today, December 16, 2025, wherever books are sold. Together, they explore why our culture’s obsession with quick weight-loss fixes — from low-calorie diets to trending injectables — often leads to muscle loss, more visceral fat, faster aging, and even higher long-term health risks. JJ brings in her Date Your Body philosophy to highlight why resistance training is essential for staying strong, youthful, and independent...
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Ep. 514: Life After Date Your Body
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
Real Women. Real Results. Real Transformation. In this very special episode, JJ checks in with past participants of Date Your Body to share where they are now, what has stayed with them, and how their lives have continued to transform long after the program ended. This is more than a “weight loss” conversation. These women healed their nervous systems, rewrote emotional patterns, and finally created a loving, sustainable relationship with their bodies. And the ripple effects? They’ve touched every area of their lives — relationships, confidence, movement, self-worth, energy, and...
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Ep. 513: Are you weight loss resistant?
Spirit, Purpose & Energy
If you’ve been doing all the right things—eating clean, exercising, thinking positive—and still not seeing the changes you want… This week I recorded a solo show on Weight-Loss Resistance and the REAL reasons your body isn’t changing. (Spoiler: it’s not your willpower, your discipline, or your motivation.) I break down the top 7 metabolic blocks I see over and over again, plus the missing link that most programs ignore:👉 your nervous system. Because your body cannot release weight or inflammation when it doesn’t feel safe. And to help you go deeper, I’m giving you...
info_outlineJJ welcomes back Michelle Reittinger, author and host of The Upside of Bipolar, for a bold, hope-filled conversation that challenges common cultural narratives around bipolar disorder. Together, they unpack “myths” that can keep people stuck in fear and identity-based labels—and invite listeners into curiosity, root-cause investigation, and a more empowering view of symptoms, healing, and personal responsibility.
In This Episode, We Cover
· Michelle’s story: diagnosed in 1998, years of intensive psychiatric treatment, polypharmacy, and a breaking point that became a turning point
· Why a diagnosis can feel like an “answer,” but often doesn’t explain why symptoms started
· The difference between a “cluster of symptoms” and an identified disease mechanism
· Why curiosity (vs. shame) changes everything—especially with intense symptoms like rage, anxiety, and dissociation
· The “detective” approach: identifying triggers, patterns, and underlying contributors
· The role of foundational health (nutrients, sleep, nervous system regulation) in emotional resilience and symptom reduction
· Why suppressed emotions can show up as anxiety, depression, physical pain, or crisis states
· How identity, victimhood, and relationship dynamics can unconsciously reinforce staying stuck
· A grounded reminder: do not abruptly stop medications—tapering/changes should be done slowly and safely with qualified support
Notable Takeaways
· Labels can reduce curiosity—and curiosity is often the doorway to change.
· “Symptoms” are information; the goal is to explore what they’re pointing to.
· The most empowering question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?” but “What happened—and what is my system asking for now?”
· Healing can have a social cost: if your “sick role” has been rewarded with attention, protection, or lowered expectations, getting better can feel threatening (even subconsciously).
Resources Mentioned
· Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker
· The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
· Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno
Connect with Michelle
· Website: theupsideofbipolar.com
· Free resource: Mood Cycle Survival Guide (available on her site)
· Podcast + book links are also on her website.