In this episode, Allison Larkin shares her journey as a writer and the impact of mental health on her creative process. She discusses her experiences with ADHD, the emotional toll of writing, and the importance of authenticity in her work. The conversation explores the challenges of balancing personal relationships with the demands of being a writer, as well as the grieving process that comes with finishing a book. Larkin emphasizes the significance of self-discovery and vulnerability in creativity, and the role of reader feedback in shaping her writing.

Learn about Allison: Allison Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novels Home of the American Circus, The People We Keep, Stay, Why Can’t I Be You, and Swimming for Sunlight. Her short fiction has been published in the Summerset Review and Slice, and nonfiction in Author in Progress, a how-to guide from Writer’s Digest Books, and the dog anthology I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Jeremy, and their rescue dogs, Roxy and Bosley.

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

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Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

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New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this episode of the More Than You See podcast, Deborah Lee Smith shares her personal journey with a gratitude practice that has significantly impacted her mental health. Following a family emergency, she discusses how actively engaging in gratitude has helped her cope with stress and maintain a positive outlook. She also delves into the neurological benefits of gratitude, explaining how it can enhance emotional well-being and improve mood. The episode concludes with encouragement for listeners to adopt their own gratitude practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Episode Overview

01:43 Personal Experience with Gratitude Practice

06:42 Neurological Benefits of Gratitude

09:03 Conclusion and Encouragement for Listeners

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

Join us on social media:⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

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Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~⁠⁠⁠⁠

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New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this episode of More Than You See, Deborah Smith discusses the importance of mental health for creatives, especially in overwhelming times. She emphasizes the need for community, self-care, and the power of storytelling to reclaim joy. Through reflective questions, she encourages listeners to prioritize their well-being and recognize their unique contributions as storytellers.

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

Join us on social media:⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

_______________________

Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~⁠⁠⁠⁠

~

New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this episode of 'More Than You See', hosts Deborah and Shelley discuss the impact of AI on podcasting, the importance of creativity in a tech-driven world, and the challenges of maintaining mental health in a digital age. They share personal experiences, insights on navigating the complexities of technology, and the significance of finding balance and connection in life. The episode concludes with a positive story about an organization making a difference in food rescue and emissions reduction.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

01:56 The Impact of AI on Podcasting

03:16 Concerns About AI and Creativity

05:46 Navigating Technology and Mental Health

08:23 The Future of Human Connection

10:53 Finding Balance in a Tech-Driven World

13:10 Personal Reflections and Life Choices

18:47 Reflections on Control and Faith

20:31 Navigating the Digital Age

23:00 Mental Health Toolbox: Managing Overwhelm

27:35 The Impact of Technology on Anxiety

33:15 Good News: Positive Change in the World

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

Join us on social media:⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

_______________________

Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~⁠⁠⁠⁠

~

New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this candid episode of the "More Than You See" podcast, host Deborah Lee Smith takes us on a reflective journey through the challenges of creative paralysis and the quest for authenticity in a world filled with noise. As she navigates the pressures of multiple projects and the struggle to find her unique voice, Deborah shares personal insights on embracing imperfection and the importance of being kind to oneself. Join the conversation and discover how to stay motivated amidst the chaos.

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

Join us on social media:⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

_______________________

Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~⁠⁠⁠

~

New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this episode of 'More Than You See', Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner talk about the emotional rollercoaster of finishing a huge acting gig and how that impacts well-being.

They discuss navigating life transitions, coping with grief, and the significance of sharing personal stories to foster connection and understanding. The episode also ends with three positive mental health news stories for the week!

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Emotional Turmoil in the Acting Profession

03:42 The Addiction Cycle of Acting

06:47 Intentional Living and Career Choices

09:19 The Pressure of Decision-Making

12:24 Finding Purpose Beyond Self

14:54 Coping with Grief and Loss

17:40 The Importance of Naming Emotions

20:28 Reflections on Personal Experiences and Growth

29:48 Navigating Postpartum Trauma and Communication

32:10 Mental Health Statistics and Societal Impact

34:04 The Importance of Sharing Personal Stories

38:54 The Role of Connection in Mental Well-being

41:56 Positive Mental Health Stories and Nature's Impact

44:50 Climate Change Anxiety and Positive Actions

48:06 Finding Balance and Acts of Service

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

Join us on social media:⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠| ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠

_______________________

Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Shelley Regner:

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

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New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this episode, Deborah shares her struggles with perfectionism and the pressure to present a polished version of herself in her podcast. She introduces the 'Fuck It' series, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfection and allowing oneself to be authentic. Deborah reflects on her long workday and the challenge of prioritizing self-care over productivity. She encourages listeners to recognize that taking breaks and doing nothing can be just as productive as work, highlighting the need for mental health and relaxation in our busy lives.

Chapters:

00:00 Embracing Imperfection in Podcasting

02:53 The Importance of Self-Care and Downtime

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Thank you for being part of this MTYS community! ~Join us on social media:Instagram: HTTP://www.instagram.com/morethan_youseeFacebook: HTTP://www.facebook.com/MTYSMentalHealthWebsite: HTTP://www.morethan-yousee.comLearn more about Deborah Lee Smith:Instagram: HTTP://www.instagram.com/deborah_lsmith Facebook: HTTP://www.facebook.com/debnextdoor Website: HTTP://www.deborahsmith.me~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~ HTTP://morethan-yousee.com~New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.