EP 120 – Finding Peace of Mind: From Burnout to Bipolar Recovery with Jonathan Kemp

A powerful story of how mental health stigma, misdiagnosis, and burnout led to a breakthrough in self-awareness, medical understanding, and true peace of mind.

Have you ever felt compelled to prove your worth through relentless ambition, pushing yourself to professional burnout just to mask a deep, internal uncertainty?

Have you struggled for years feeling that something was fundamentally wrong,but believed you had to solve it all by yourself?

What happens when you realize the engine driving your success is actually an undiagnosed struggle?


In this powerful episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities – Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health, Dr. Adriana Popescu sits down with Jonathan Kemp, creator of the Smart Wisdom technique and author of Finding Peace of Mind, to explore his extraordinary journey from achievement-driven exhaustion to true mental wellness.
Jonathan shares how decades of striving for external validation led him to the brink, until a life-changing diagnosis of bipolar disorder type II and dyslexia reframed everything. Together, they unpack the profound impact of mental health stigma, the danger of untreated conditions, and the liberating power of understanding your own mind.
Listeners will learn how managing hypomania—not just depression—can be key to long-term stability, why community and social connection are essential for healing, and how AI and mindfulness tools supported Jonathan’s transformation. His story is a reminder that mental illness is a medical issue, not a moral failing—and that recovery is possible when we combine awareness, science, and compassion.

In this episode:

Recognizing undiagnosed bipolar disorder type II and dyslexia
Understanding that mental illness transcends privilege or status
Learning how to manage the highs to prevent the crash
Embracing community as a vital mental health practice
Using AI tools to overcome dyslexia and reduce pressure
Launching a mental health awareness walk across the UK & Ireland

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Book: Finding Peace of Mind: https://amzn.eu/d/ggWTlvF
Jonathan’s website: https://www.jonathankemp.com/
About Jonathan:Jonathan Kemp is a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and the creator of the scientifically validated note-taking technique, Smart Wisdom. Born into privilege as the future third viscount Rodale , he built careers in law enforcement and entrepreneurship before his mental illnesses—Bipolar Disorder Type II, depression, and dyslexia—were diagnosed at age 39. Following a life-changing recovery, he is now on a crusade to de-stigmatize mental health, sharing his experience through his book Finding Peace of Mind and an extensive mental health awareness walk across the UK and Ireland.

“The greatest wealth I have is the knowledge and experience around mental health.” – Jonathan


Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (  / kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast  )


About your host:

Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***d Up As You Think You Are?
 
For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/

To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/

To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/
 
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Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions.
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