Hi Reader, Do you find yourself saying yes to everyone else while putting your own recovery last? In this week's episode of The Addicted Mind+, Eric and I talk about four types of boundaries that can make a real difference in your recovery. We cover physical, emotional, intellectual, and time boundaries, and why each one matters. A lot of us worry that setting boundaries is selfish. The truth is, healthy boundaries are one of the best ways to protect your recovery and build stronger...
18 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let me ask you something. If being hard on yourself really worked, would you still be struggling? Most of us think that criticizing ourselves will somehow motivate us to do better. But research tells us the opposite. When shame takes over, the brain shifts into a threat response. It becomes harder to think clearly, solve problems, and make healthy choices. That is not because you are weak. It is because your nervous system is trying to protect you. This is where self-compassion...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever felt like you were carrying something that was just too hard to tell anyone? In this week's episode of The Addicted Mind+, Eric and I talk about why sharing your story with the right people can be one of the most powerful parts of recovery. Addiction grows in isolation. Healing grows in connection. That does not mean telling everyone everything. It means finding safe people who can listen without judgment and creating space to be seen for who you really are. In this...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, The people around you have more influence than you might think. Supportive relationships can help you heal. But unhealthy relationships can increase stress, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. Over time, that can make recovery much harder. A toxic relationship is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it looks like constant criticism, manipulation, guilt, or someone who never seems happy unless you are struggling too. The good news is that you do not have to carry someone else's...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on the podcast, I had a fascinating conversation with Dr. Brody Miller about the brain, addiction, and the incredible power of neuroplasticity. Dr. Brody knows this topic from both science and personal experience. After surviving a serious brain injury and struggling with addiction, he discovered that the brain can adapt, heal, and build new pathways through consistent practice. One idea that really stuck with me is that the brain responds to repetition. Whether it is a...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s talk about anxiety. If you are in recovery, you have probably noticed that anxiety and addiction often travel together. The tricky part is that anxiety feels like an emergency. Your brain starts throwing out worst-case scenarios, your body gets tense, and suddenly you want relief right now. That is where many unhealthy coping habits begin. But here is something worth remembering: Anxiety is uncomfortable, but it is not dangerous. Most of the time, anxiety is your brain trying...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week, I welcomed Eric Zimmer back to the podcast, and as always, our conversation was packed with wisdom. Eric is the host of The One You Feed podcast and the author of a new book called How a Little Becomes a Lot. We talked about something many of us struggle with: how to create lasting change without getting overwhelmed. One of my favorite takeaways is that real transformation is usually not about one big moment. It is about the small choices we make every day. We also...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever said "yes" when every part of you wanted to say "no"? In this week's episode of The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about one of the most important skills in recovery: setting healthy boundaries. A lot of people think boundaries are about keeping others out, but I see them differently. Healthy boundaries help protect what matters most while making room for stronger and more honest relationships. In this episode, we break down what boundaries are, what they are not,...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Are you tired of negotiating? People rarely regret making choices that improve their lives. Nobody starts sleeping better, taking care of their health, finding more peace, and building stronger relationships, and says, "I really miss all that struggle." Yet when it comes to addiction, many of us spend years negotiating. Maybe this time will be different. Maybe I can manage it. Maybe if I make better rules, I can make this work. That negotiation is exhausting. Not because you are...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read