36. How to Find Acceptance and Meaning with Melissa Bernstein

In this episode, I have a conversation with Melissa Bernstein, who you probably know from her amaaazing, super-well known toy company, Melissa & Doug, but what you may not know about her - and what you MUST know about her is that she is among the most passionate and real mental health advocates I’ve ever encountered. We have such an authentic and vulnerable discussion about the weights of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and existential anxiety and depression. We discuss Melissa’s path to find meaning and self-acceptance, and the importance of nurturing ourselves, not fixing our feelings, and ultimately using our gifts to connect with others. If you consider yourself a highly-sensitive person or feel you are alone in how you are feeling, this definitely not one you want to miss.   Melissa Bernstein, along with her husband Doug, is the Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, which has created over 5,000 children’s products and sold billions of dollars of toys since its inception. Raised by educators, Melissa and Doug started the business in their garage in 1988, and they’ve been on a mission ever since to provide open-ended, inventive, non-technology playthings for young children. Throughout Melissa’s remarkable career, she kept secret her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety. She reveals her struggles in LifeLines, her first book, which she wrote to help others who are also suffering. Melissa’s book heralds the launch of LifeLines.com, an online ecosystem she and Doug are underwriting to support those seeking support, guidance, and community on their mental health journeys. Melissa lives in Connecticut with Doug and their six children.   You can find out more about her project LifeLines by visiting the website at LifeLines.com, and by following it on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also discover more about Melissa by visiting her Instagram.  I’m also obsessed with knowing all about you, so please follow (and DM!)  me on Instagram, Facebook and my website. We’re in this together and the journey is going to be so awesome. Produced by Dear Media