A Couple of Multiples: The Reality of Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder
There’s never a dull moment for hosts, Drew and Garden System, who are a couple that have both been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. While they are navigating their healing journey, they continue to manage full time careers, raise four teenagers and a house full of pets. Not only do they aim to speak to people who have lived experience with DID and their supporters, but also therapists and anyone who wants to learn more. The podcast talks about Dissociative Identity Disorder in a way that someone who knows nothing about DID will be able to understand, and at the same time is designed to be a resource for therapists, while supporting and validating those with lived experience. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a highly stigmatized mental health diagnosis that has been subject to many myths and misinformation over the years. These myths, along with highly-sensationalized media portrayals, have led to many who still believe this disorder is not real and simply created by therapists who impose themselves on highly suggestible clients. The goal of the podcast is to dispel these myths and educate the world at large the truth about Dissociative Identity Disorder, and the reality of what having this diagnosis really looks like. The brain had to find a unique way to cope in order to survive the trauma people with DID faced from a very young age. Also, this condition is not rare, although many reputable sources still cite it as such. People with DID are ordinary members in your community that you might encounter in your daily life. Drew and Garden System want to shed light on the challenging symptoms people with DID face and share how they have overcome those challenges and found the gifts of joy that all of their parts bring to each other.
Episodes
60 episodes
Authentically Living with Multiplicity: An Interview with Skylar Lyralen Kaye, author of Bachelorx
Drew & Garden System have an open and candid conversation with Skye on all things multiplicity/plurality, gender identity, unmasking, and living openly with Dissociative Identity Disorder and plurality.Skye's memoir, Bachelorx, can be f...
Healing is a Mess! An Interview with Julia by mes: Artist & Survivor Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder
Drew & Garden System hang out with Julia by mes to have conversations about intergenerational trauma as a grandchild of war in Germany, the complicated mess of healing, career changes, and organizing in-person meetups in Ottawa, Canada!...
My Name Means Fire: An Interview with Atash Yaghmaian LCSW-R
Drew & Garden System discuss the effects of traumas such as war and childhood abuse with Atash Yaghmaian LCSW-R, who also lives with dissociative identity disorder. She is the author of the book, My Name Means Fire, where she shares h...
Finding Our Bees: An Interview with Jaime Pollack, founder of An Infinite Mind
Drew & Garden System chat with Jaime Pollack, founder of An Infinite Mind, to discuss her discovery of multiplicity, getting a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder, and her incredible healing journey that led to the creation of An In...
Creating Affirming Care & Support: An Interview with Ryder Fox
Drew & Garden System sit down with Ryder Fox to clarify the complexities of affirming care and non-carceral support of folx living with DID/multiplicity that are navigating their healing journey.Ryder Fox, MS (they/them) is a trauma-...
A Brilliant Adaptation: An Interview with Sally Maslansky LMFT
Drew & Garden System sit down with Sally Maslansky LMFT to discuss her healing journey with dissociative identity disorder and her new memoir, A Brilliant Adaptation. Sally provides a unique look at what living with DID and trauma recovery ...
Yoga, Somatics, & Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Interview with Amy Beckler LCSW RYT-200hr
Drew & Garden System have an informative discussion with Amy Beckler LCSW on the benefits of yoga and somatic exercises for people living with complex trauma, particularly those experiencing dissociative identities.Wheel of Toleranc...
An Apparently Normal Person: An Interview with Bonnie Armstrong
Drew & Garden System discuss the healing journey from childhood abuse and dissociative identity disorder with Bonnie Armstrong, the author of An Apparently Normal Person. Bonnie's story is unique in that she worked in child welfare and advo...
Healing From Cult Torture: An Interview with Cheryl Rainfield
Drew & Garden System have an in depth discussion about surviving and healing from cult torture and abuse with Cheryl Rainfield, a survivor living with poly-fragmented dissociative identities. who used creative writing as a tool for healing ...
You Can Heal: Jade Miller, Peer Support Specialist
Drew & Garden System share powerful healing stories from Jade Miller, a peer support specialist. Jade Miller is a multiple, writer, and peer support worker who helps others living with dissociative experiences find community, l...
Old Before Their Time: An Interview with Dr, Frank W. Putnam
Welcome to Season 5!Dr. Frank W. Putnam shares the results from a 35 year long study, the Female Growth & Development Study, which he co-founded with the late Penelope K Trickett, PhD, on the effects of childhood maltreatment,...
The Price of the Podcast: The Risk of Public Disclosure & Addressing Misconceptions of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Drew & Garden System share a deep and personal story of how disclosure and having this podcast affected their personal lives. They discuss the consequences of fear and stigma that people with dissociative identity disorder face. They addres...
Supporting the Challenges of Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder
An unscripted interview: Drew & Garden System discuss supporting the challenges of living with dissociative identity disorder. Topics include disclosure, boundaries, and ideas for those who are supporting loved ones with DID.Thank...
Understanding Recovery & 12 Steps for Dissociative Identities: An Interview with Dr. Jamie+ Marich
Drew & Garden System have an illuminating conversation with Dr. Jamie+ Marich on recovery, the 12 step program, and dissociative identity disorder. They touch on important topics such as sponsors, adaptations and language, and consideration...
Ketamine Assisted Therapy & Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Interview with Melissas Parker, LMHC
Drew & Garden System discuss all things related to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, other psychedelics, and dissociative identity disorder with Melissas Parker, LMHC.Thank you to our sponsors: (sponsorship of this episode doe...
Queering EMDR Therapy & Understanding Dissociation in the LGBTQIA+ Community: An Interview with Rev. Karla Fleshman LCSW, MDiv
Drew & Garden System have an open-hearted discussion with Rev. Karla Fleshman on her contributions to Queering EMDR Therapy, an upcoming book edited by Roshni Chabra LMFT and with a forward by Dr. Jamie Marich. They dive into Rev. Karla's b...
Differential Diagnosis: Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Interview with Dr. Mike Lloyd
Drew & Garden System engage Dr. Mike Lloyd of the CTAD clinic in the UK in an educational conversation about recognizing, diagnosing, and treating dissociative identi...
Exploring Expressive Arts for Dissociative Disorders: An Interview with Alix Amar, LCSW
Drew and Garden System have an artistic discussion with Alix Amar, LCSW about various express arts activities and how they can be beneficial for survivors of trauma particularly those with dissociative identity disorder. Specific expressive art...
Recovering From Eating Disorders When You Have DID: An Interview with Monika Ostroff LICSW, CEDS-S
Drew & Garden System interview Monika Ostroff LICSW, CEDS-S (creator and host of Healing My Parts Podcast) and talk about treatment for eating disorders when a client also has dissociative identity disorder. In depth topics include navigati...
Ritual Abuse & Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Interview with Dr. Alison Miller
Drew & Garden System have an insightful and informative conversation with Dr. Alison Miller, the author of Demystifying Mind Control & Ritual Abuse: A Manual for Therapists. Dr. Alison Miller shares important signs that therapists shoul...
Finding the Right Care: Inpatient Treatment For Dissociative Identity Disorder, Interview with Donna Earle LPC, CCTP
Drew & Garden System discuss in-patient/hospitalization care for people living with dissociative identity disorder with Donna Earle, LPC, CCPT. They cover important topics such as helpful tips for hospital staff, the differences between the...
Using EMDR to Heal When You Have Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Interview with Amy Wagner, LMFT/LMHC
Drew & Garden System have a candid conversation with Amy Wagner, LMFT/LMHC! Amy Wagner is an EMDRIA approved consultant and they all discuss the many dos and don'ts of using EMDR when clients live with dissociative identity disorder. They d...
Learn to Recognize Dissociation with Dorinna Ruh, LCSW
Did you know that dissociative disorders are almost as common as mood disorders? Drew & Garden System chat with Dorinna Ruh, LCSW and cover valuable information about prevalence rates, how to recognize dissociation in yourself or in your cl...
Part III The Hot Topic: Sex & Intimacy When You Have Dissociative Identity Disorder
Note: We highly encourage you to listen to Parts I & II before listening to this episode, as we continue to honor our truth and authenticity, which may feel more intense than the previous episodes on this subject. We would like for you to b...
When Your Parent Has Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Interview with Garden System's Adult Children
Drew & Garden System have a candid conversation with Garden System's two oldest children, both adults now, about what it was like growing up with a parent that has dissociative identity disorder. Please visit