DEPTH Work: A Holistic Mental Health Podcast

Author: Jazmine Russell

DEPTH Work is a podcast for those who love to dive into transformative healing practices. We talk about mental health, madness, trauma, mind-body practices, energy work, ancestry, spirituality, societal change, somatics, and more. As a complex trauma survivor, holistic counselor, and co-founder of a transformative mental health training institute (IDHA-NYC.org), I believe that our deepest pain is guiding us towards our greatest transformation. Let's dive in! Become a Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/jazmine-russell/subscribe
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en

Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Trailer:

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

109. Seasonal Depression: Vitamin D, Brain Health & Structural Roots of Winter Blues
Episode 109
Friday, 30 January, 2026

Seasonal depression, often called “seasonal affective disorder”, can make getting through the Wintertime much more difficult. But what’s really happening in our brains and bodies when winter darkness sets in? How do our urban environments, work culture, and economic systems create the worst conditions for winter struggles. Shouldn’t we all be hibernating anyways?In this episode, I explore the links between seasonal depression and Vitamin D, beyond simplistic explanations about light exposure, revealing fascinating connections between our environment, brain chemistry, immune function, and mental health. I’ll tell you a bit about my own experience as living in Berlin, a city with pretty minimal winter sunlight, has given me personal insight into how profoundly seasonal shifts can affect our mental and physical wellbeing.The world needs all of us to be tuned in, feeling resilient, and able to support ourselves, our bodies, and our communities, especially right now, so let’s dive into what we can do.LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE AT: DEPTHWORK.SUBSTACK.COM In this episode:The medicalization of structural problems: how urban environments, work culture, and economic factors set us up for seasonal struggleWhat science actually tells us about vitamin D’s role in brain health, immune function, and mood regulationMy personal experiences with vitamin D testing and its connections to autoimmunity and mental healthPractical strategies for feeling awake and alive during darker monthsSupport Immigrants & Stand Against ICE: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.wfmn.org/funds/immigrant-rapid-response/https://mylegalaid.org/https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org/volunteerMutual Aid Resources:https://www.alwaysreadyhq.com/9719/strategies-for-forming-local-mutual-aid-groups/https://wildanarchistvessel.substack.com/p/10-ways-to-start-doing-mutual-aidResources:Find videos and bonus episodes: ⁠⁠⁠DEPTHWORK.SUBSTACK.COM⁠⁠⁠Get the book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mad Studies Reader: Interdisciplinary Innovations in Mental Health⁠⁠⁠Become a member: ⁠⁠⁠The Institute for the Development of Human Arts⁠⁠⁠Train with us: ⁠⁠⁠Transformative Mental Health Core CurriculumDisclaimer: The DEPTH Work Podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Any information on this podcast in no way to be construed or substituted as psychological counseling, psychotherapy, mental health counseling, or any other type of therapy or medical advice.