Brooke Siem

Speaker & Author

MAY CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS

Country or state

United States

Available to

Global

City

Reno / New York City

Fee

Languages

English

Volunteer

Timezone

America/Los_Angeles

Personal Details

Bio

Brooke Siem was among the first generation of teens to be medicated with antidepressants. After spending half her life—and her entire adult life—on antidepressants, she wondered: Who might I be without them?

Unfurled against a global backdrop and her work as an award-winning chef, Brooke’s story chronicles explosive and terrifying antidepressant withdrawal and the fight to manage the modern mental health system, all while demanding hope and forgiveness in the name of healing.

Brooke's memoir, MAY CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS (Central Recovery Press, 2022) is the first book on antidepressant withdrawal to hit the mass-market, a notable milestone in the journey to bring global awareness to antidepressant withdrawal. She is also a Food Network "Chopped" Champion, and founder of the newsletter Happiness Is A Skill, and creator of the F*ckit Bucket™.

Current position (1)

Speaker & Author

MAY CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS

Achievements (1)

Food Network "Chopped" Champion

Winner, "Chocolate Obsession," Season 32 Episode 6

Degrees (2)

History

Middlebury College

2004 to 2008

Culinary Arts

Institute of Culinary Education

2008 to 2009

Presentations

Presentations (4)

THIS TALK MAY CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS

In this motivational talk, Brooke explores the unintended long-term effects of a young adulthood spent on psychiatric drugs, while asking us to reframe our conception of depression through the lens of hope and love.

THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF ANTIDEPRESSANT WITHDRAWAL

In this academic talk, Brooke bridges the experience of antidepressant withdrawal with research, enabling practitioners, patients, and caregivers with the tools to taper off psychiatric drugs safely.

FINDING HAPPINESS THROUGH FACTUAL OPTIMISM

In this corporate-focused talk, Brooke explores how using data to quantify emotion can actually empower people take control, recover from depression, and learn the skill of happiness.

LESSONS FROM THE GRANDMOTHER PROJECT

In this inspiring (and delicious) talk, Brooke shares how a year of traveling the world to cook with grandmothers taught her to grieve, connect, and heal from the death of her father. In the event of a kitchen, this talk can also come with snacks Brooke prepares in honor of the grandmothers who taught her.

Past talks (8)

This talk may cause side effects.

The Speaker Salon

New York City

June 8, 2023

Hope in antidepressant withdrawal

Medicating Normal x Richard Fee Foundation

Virginia Beach, VA

January 26, 2023

America's Breakdown

Newsy | Featured Guest

Atlanta, GA

October 11, 2022

Medicating Normal | Panelist

Jackson, Wyoming

October 3, 2022

Medicating Normal

Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference | Panelist

Calgary, Canada

June 9, 2022

Taking Control

The Legacy Show

New York, NY

January 10, 2017

Option #3

PressNomics 6

Tuscon, AZ

September 12, 2019

Prohibition Bakery

American Library Association

Boston, MA

January 10, 2016

All (3)
Videos
Photos (1)
One sheet (1)
Press information (1)

This speaker hasn't uploaded any videos yet.

This speaker hasn't uploaded any slides yet.

The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast

Books & Articles (9)

May Cause Side Effects

Central Recovery Press,

2022

Prohibition Bakery

Grand Central Publishing,

2015

I spent half my life on antidepressants. Today, I’m off the medication and feel all right.

Why we should stop casually prescribing antidepressants to teens.

https://www.insider.com/brooke-siem-chopped-winner-antidepressant-withdrawal-behind-the-scenes-tv-2022-8

What I wish I had known before I stopped taking antidepressants, and before I started

What it’s like to compete on — and win—Food Network’s “Chopped”

How Cooking Connected One Chef with Grandmothers Across the World

Flying Solo: What it's really like to travel the world alone

Expertise (10)

Health & Well-being

Leadership

Healthcare

Clients

Google

The Washington Post

The New York Post

The Washington Examiner

Insider

Mad In America

The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast

Inside Mental Health by Psych Central

Awards & certifications (1)

30 Under 30

Zagat

2014

Reviews

Testimonials (2)

Brooke is one of the most Vulnerable and In Control speakers I have ever had on my show. People to this day say to me that she was the most relatable & memorable speaker I have have had on the show. Not only is she a great speaker, but she is a flexible presenter. She brings humor and depth to her speaking. She stands on stage and uses real life stories to get her messages across. She will certainly be working with my team again! Clip of Brooke:

Brooke Siem • ‘Schedule The Day’ : The Legacy Show - #011

Full Talk:

Brooke Siem â¢ âTaking Controlâ : The Legacy Show - #011

More About The Legacy Show:

The Legacy Show: Inspiration as a Lifestyle

Michael Ian Cedar
Founder
The Legacy of You
The Legacy Show - "Taking Back Control"
02/10/2017
Verified
Brooke Siem is a powerhouse, and an incredibly powerful keynote speaker. She tells her story authentically, with great humor and grace — not an easy combination to master! She had the entire room spellbound on the day I heard her speak, and I'm confident she would invigorate, enrapture, and empower an audience of any size. Brook Siem is a force of nature who isn't afraid to share her lessons learned for the benefit of others, and it would be a privilege for anyone to hear her story live.
Jenny Blake

Why choose me?

As a Food Network "Chopped" Champion, my talks on antidepressant withdrawal come with snacks.