MOVIE

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Crazywise

2016

What can we learn from those who have turned their psychological crisis into a positive transformative experience? During a quarter-century documenting indigenous cultures, human-rights photographer and filmmaker Phil Borges often saw these cultures identify "psychotic" symptoms as an indicator of shamanic potential. He was intrigued by how differently psychosis is defined and treated in the West. Through interviews with renowned mental health professionals including Gabor Mate, MD, Robert Whitaker, and Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD, Phil explores the growing severity of the mental health crisis in America dominated by biomedical psychiatry. He discovers a growing movement of professionals and psychiatric survivors who demand alternative treatments that focus on recovery, nurturing social connections, and finding meaning. CRAZYWISE follows two young Americans diagnosed with "mental illness." Adam, 27, suffers devastating side effects from medications before embracing meditation in hopes of recovery. Ekhaya, 32, survives childhood molestation and several suicide attempts before spiritual training to become a traditional South African healer gives her suffering meaning and brings a deeper purpose to her life. CRAZYWISE doesn't aim to over-romanticize indigenous wisdom, or completely condemn Western treatment. Not every indigenous person who has a crisis becomes a shaman. And many individuals benefit from Western medications. However, indigenous peoples' acceptance of non-ordinary states of consciousness, along with rituals and metaphors that form deep connections to nature, to each other, and to ancestors, is something we can learn from. CRAZYWISE adds a voice to the growing conversation that believes a psychological crisis can be an opportunity for growth and potentially transformational, not a disease without a cure.

82 min

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FindCenter Quotes ImageIt may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for a bird to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.

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Amy talks to Latin GRAMMY award-winning producer Maffio about how he’s found happiness and inner peace. He’s sharing the mental strength strategies that have helped him create the type of family life he always dreamed of.

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02 – Becoming an Idea Machine with Entrepreneur James Altucher

Amy talks to entrepreneur, best-selling author, and podcast host James Altucher about how to become better at generating new ideas in life.

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03 – Stop the Toxic Positivity with Widow and Bestselling Author Nora McInerny

Amy talks to best-selling author and podcast host, Nora McInerny, about how toxic positivity causes more pain. She shares how to embrace uncomfortable feelings rather than fight them so you can live a better life.

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04 – Seek Discomfort with Thomas Brag from Yes Theory

Amy talks to Thomas Brag, one of the guys from Yes Theory (who got Will Smith to bungee jump out of a helicopter). Thomas shares how to seek discomfort, manage anxiety, and face your fears head-on.

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05 – Mentally Strong Relationships with Celebrity Life Coach Tony Gaskins

Tony Gaskins shares the biggest mistake men and women tend to make in relationships. Amy also talks to Tony about how both men and women can build the mental strength they need to have healthy relationships and the strategies that can help everyone become mentally stronger.

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06 – Secrets to Being Confident with Best-Selling Author Heather Monahan

Amy interviews Heather Monahan, the best-selling author of Creating Confidence, about how to feel confident in any situation you face. Heather shares actionable tips for building healthy confidence in all areas of your life.

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08 – Reinvent Yourself with Actress Danica McKellar (She Went from Winnie Cooper to Math Expert)

Danica McKellar is best known for her role as Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years. Some of the mental strength-building strategies Danica shares include what boosts her mood when she's feeling depressed, how to find your purpose, and how to tackle giant goals.

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10 – The Real Story behind “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do”

Three years after losing my mother, my 26-year-old husband died. I was a therapist. But the textbook material on grief I had to draw from wasn’t exactly helpful. In this episode, I’ll share my story and what I’ve learned about what it takes to be mentally strong.

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11 – Discover Your Creative Side with Latin Grammy Award-Winning Music Producer Motiff

When it comes to music, Motiff can do just about anything! He’s an artist, producer, DJ, and songwriter. But his rise to success wasn’t an easy one. And now he’s sharing what he learned about creativity, curiosity, and success.

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EXPLORE TOPIC

Depression