Sara Amundson & Laurie Edmundson
Sara Abbott, MSW, LCSW, LICSW
Getting an Education with Borderline Feat. Cynthia Gralla
Getting an Education with Borderline Feat. Cynthia Gralla
Getting an Education with Borderline Feat. Cynthia Gralla
Monday 4th August 2025
Join Cynthia Gralla as she shares challenges and strategies for pursuing education with BPD, tackling stigma, and finding success.
55 minutes
hopeful
challenging
informative
supportive
empowering
About this podcast
Author:
Sara Amundson & Laurie Edmundson
Overview:
Categories:
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Sobriety Toolkit
Healing Relationships
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Navigating Challenges in Recovery
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Episodes:
258 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Education Challenges with BPD: Cynthia Gralla's Insights
Episode Overview
- Importance of addressing mental health stigma in education.
- Strategies for success in academia with BPD.
- Creative endeavors can aid mental health management.
- Podcasting can amplify voices and share experiences.
- Seek university support for mental health needs.
I really have built a life worth living, you know?
In this insightful episode, host Sara Abbott welcomes Cynthia Gralla to discuss the complexities of pursuing an education while living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Cynthia, a seasoned writer, professor, and host of the podcast 'A Real Affliction: BPD, Culture, and Stigma,' shares her journey navigating academia and mental health. Cynthia opens up about her background, revealing how her family's history with mental health issues informed her path.
She describes herself as an 'elder borderline' at 51, having spent years understanding and managing her condition. Her experience is a testament to the challenges individuals with BPD face, especially when it comes to education. Despite initial resistance to medical diagnosis due to stigma, Cynthia found peace and stability through proper care. Her journey underscores the necessity of destigmatizing mental health conditions to ensure individuals receive the support they need.
Cynthia discusses her dual projects: a nonfiction book on BPD, and a novel about Japanese internment in Canada. Both works reflect her deep commitment to storytelling and advocacy. Her podcast serves as an extension of her literary work, creating a platform for dialogue with experts and those who share her experiences. Sara and Cynthia delve into the significance of tailored educational environments for those with BPD. They explore how online learning and supportive campuses can make a difference.
Cynthia emphasizes the importance of seeking support, citing university resources as vital for success. This episode is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves access to education, regardless of mental health challenges. Cynthia Gralla's story encourages listeners to advocate for themselves and seek out environments where they can thrive. Her creative and academic endeavors highlight the intersection of mental health and education, offering hope and strategies for overcoming barriers.
Listeners are invited to explore Cynthia's podcast, books, and Substack for more insights. Sara Abbott concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the Bold Beautiful Borderline community and support the destigmatization of mental health issues.