Baking Away the Stigma: Valerie Van Galder's Journey with the Depressed Cake Shop

Cake Therapy

What if baking could help break the stigma surrounding mental health? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Valerie Van Galder, CEO of Depressed Cake Shop, as she shares her transformative journey from a high-powered marketing executive to a passionate mental health advocate. Hear Valerie's deeply personal story of leaving her corporate career to care for her father, who struggled with bipolar disorder, and how this experience ignited her mission to promote mental health awareness through innovative baking projects.
Discover how Valerie's pop-up baking shops and keynote speaking engagements at events like the Mental Health Marketing Festival have brought therapeutic baking to the forefront of mental health advocacy. Together, we discuss the challenges of caregiving, the importance of early mental health support, and the power of storytelling in creating cultural change. Valerie's insights into the therapeutic benefits of baking and the pressing need for accessible mental health care offer practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to engage in mental health support initiatives.
Lastly, we take a closer look at the Depressed Cake Shop's creative journey, from its inception with gray cakes symbolizing untreated depression to its evolution incorporating colorful elements of hope. Valerie highlights the project's inclusive and collaborative spirit, encouraging participation from the community and spotlighting unique events like Angie Fitzpatrick's pop-ups in Portland and Karen Renis's collaborations in Austin. Join us for heartfelt stories, actionable insights, and a fresh perspective on using baking as a powerful tool for mental health advocacy.

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Chapter

1. Baking Away the Stigma: Valerie Van Galder's Journey with the Depressed Cake Shop (00:00:00)

2. Mental Health and Baking Advocacy (00:00:02)

3. Baking and Mental Health Advocacy (00:12:55)

4. Caregiving, Baking, and Mental Health (00:18:05)

5. Caring for Elderly Parents and Baking (00:22:17)

6. Depressed Cake Shop Collaboration and Creativity (00:27:46)

7. Promoting Mental Health Awareness Through Baking (00:30:42)

8. Early Mental Health Support and Baking (00:34:54)