Hi Reader, Let’s talk mornings — specifically, how to make them less chaotic and more supportive of your recovery. I call it the Morning Bookend Habit: a simple 3-minute routine that tells your brain, “Hey, we’re doing today on purpose.” Here’s how it works:Minute 1: Take a few slow breaths. Nothing fancy — just a moment to land in your body before the world starts shouting.Minute 2: Check in with yourself. What’s one feeling you’re bringing into today — and one intention you want to...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind Podcast, I sat down with Jaime W. Vinck, President of Meadows Behavioral Health and a licensed professional counselor with two decades of experience. We talked about her new book, The Rehab Playbook, and how it breaks down the fear, stigma, and mystery that keep so many people from getting the help they need. Jaime shares why she wrote the book, what really happens inside quality treatment programs, and why rehab isn’t anything like the scary versions...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Since it’s a holiday week for some, I wanted to share one simple mental-health task that can make family time a lot easier: Do a quick “expectation detox.” That just means letting go of the picture-perfect version of how the holidays should go—and deciding on the one thing that actually matters to you this week. Maybe it’s staying calm. Maybe it’s staying sober. Maybe it’s enjoying one real moment with someone you care about. Write down your one thing. Keep it small and doable....
10 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’m excited to share a new podcast episode with Liz Friedman, CEO and Co-founder of GPS Group Peer Support. Liz opens up about her own mental health crisis after childbirth and how it inspired her to build a model of peer support that’s grounded in connection, authenticity, and shared lived experience. We talk about what makes peer support so powerful—how saying “I’ve been through hard things, and I believe you can get through yours too” can break through isolation and shame in...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, If you've betrayed trust, you know the weight of guilt and shame can feel isolating. It’s hard to know how to fix what’s been broken. But you don’t have to walk this path alone. I want to invite you to our 10-week "Shame to Resilience" workshop, designed specifically for men ready to do the work of healing. The next workshop starts on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM PST. This isn't about quick fixes; it's a guided process to help you understand the impact of your...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s an easy end-of-day ritual that can boost your mood: before bed, write down one good thing that happened today. That’s it. One. Big or small. It could be “I took a walk,” “I didn’t yell at traffic,” or even “I remembered to hydrate like a responsible adult.” Your brain naturally focuses on threats and stress — it’s wired to notice what went wrong. This tiny habit gently retrains it to see what went right. Over time, this practice builds resilience, hope, and motivation. And...
18 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, On the latest episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, I had an incredible conversation with Brenda Zane, the founder of Hope Stream Community. Brenda went from a high-pressure advertising career to becoming a lifeline for parents after her son survived multiple fentanyl overdoses. She shares what it was like to face that kind of fear and how it shifted everything about how she saw her life, her career, and her role as a parent. Brenda talks honestly about the myth of “rock bottom,”...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I dive into something that I think a lot of us in recovery wonder about: Can anything good really come out of the things that hurt us the most? We talk about a powerful idea called benefit finding—basically learning to see the real growth that can come from the struggles we’ve faced. Not by ignoring the pain or sugarcoating anything, but by holding two truths at once: what you went through was painful and you grew because you fought your...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s a little secret: your brain loves winning — even the tiny stuff. Finishing the dishes, showing up for a meeting, saying “no” when you needed to — those moments light up the same reward pathways that major milestones do. This is why celebrating small wins in recovery isn’t just feel-good fluff — it’s neuroscience. Every time you recognize a small victory, your brain releases a little dopamine hit, reinforcing positive behavior and wiring you for long-term success. The trick...
25 days ago • 1 min read