Brandon Kapelow: Director, Photographer on Mental Health Advocacy, Crafting Compassion Through Psychedelic Therapy

Exploring Mental Health Through Visual Storytelling with Brandon Kapelow
This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie speak with Brandon Kapelow, a versatile visual artist hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Wyoming. With a diverse portfolio encompassing directing, photography, and cinematography, Brandon's creative journey is as dynamic as the landscapes he captures.
But there's more to Brandon's story than meets the eye. At an early age, he endured the tragic loss of his dad to suicide, an experience that profoundly shaped his artistic endeavors and personal mission. Now, as a survivor and advocate, Brandon channels his passion into exploring themes of mental health through his work.
Brandon delves into the complexities of mental health with a keen eye and compassionate heart. Beyond academia, he extends his support to those affected by suicide loss as a peer-support group facilitator.
Join us as we traverse the intersections of art, resilience, and healing with Brandon Kapelow. From the rugged landscapes of Wyoming to the bustling streets of LA and Vancouver, Brandon's nomadic lifestyle mirrors his insatiable curiosity for the human experience.

In this episode you will hear:
• I struggle with a succinct way to categorize what I do, because I really try my best to be a chameleon at times. (4:45)
• So you’re having these dramatic swings between one extreme and the other. On one end of that spectrum you have like the depressive, down quality, and the opposite side you have mania – hyperactivity, lots of energy, feeling like you’re king of the world. (7:44)
• I was a bit of a nerd in high school. I was in the speech and debate team. (9:18)
• Words do matter. (19:32)
• Even the word “triggering” is something that we try to avoid using now, because that evokes imagery of a specific thing that might be upsetting to certain people. (23:44)
• If each of us can encourage one other person to model slightly better behavior, then we’re gonna live in a better world. (25:07)
• People really don’t take unsolicited advice. (28:19)
• If you’re concerned about somebody, really just be direct with them and let them know that you are concerned, particularly with suicide. (31:31)
• The one thing that you can access anywhere in this country is the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Call 9-8-8. (34:50)
• If you know a person who has access to something that they can use to kill themselves, work with them to try to remove access to whatever that might be. (37:10)
• [Marcus] When you into a situation, don’t let the situation affect you. You go in there to affect the situation. (42:02)
• We have to separate people’s external circumstances from their feeling of worth, purpose, and meaning in life. (46:58)
• I work with a lot of veterans, because they are a particularly at risk group for suicide and other mental health challenges. (48:33)
• Vulnerability is a source of strength. (59:44)
• [Melanie] When I was introduced to psychedelic medicine, and I saw how it was helping so many people, I couldn’t keep my blinders on. I started to do research and seeing how it was changing lives. (66:56)
• It’s one thing to have a self-guided experience. It’s another thing to have a mental health professional there with you while you’re undergoing this experience to really maximize the benefits. (72:08)

Socials:
- https://youtu.be/VqdWscD-STk?si=IWIYw6TC9ggnVQC_
- https://www.brandonkapelow.com/
- IG: bkapelow
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit

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