Hi Reader, Here’s a mental health reminder that can save you a lot of unnecessary suffering: Feelings are weather — not facts. Some days feel sunny. Others feel stormy. Emotional weather can change fast. Anxiety rolls in. Cravings spike. Old thoughts show up and start telling scary stories. The mistake we often make is assuming, “If I feel this way, it must be true.” But feelings are temporary signals, not permanent truths. A helpful question during hard moments is:Is this how things are… or...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever felt the ground shift beneath you in a relationship? That moment when trust is broken, and the reality you knew is shattered, can be one of the most painful experiences to navigate. It often leaves you feeling lost, questioning everything, and wondering if healing is even possible. I want you to know you are not alone in this. In our new Shame to Resilience episode, we explore the difficult but essential path of healing after betrayal. We talk about a process called...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, In this episode of The Addicted Mind, I’m diving into the science side of addiction with Dr. Paul Kenny, a leading researcher in neuroscience and addiction studies. And don’t worry—this conversation is fascinating, not clinical. We talk about how addiction actually changes the brain, especially around cravings, motivation, and satisfaction. Dr. Kenny shares groundbreaking research on how certain medications may help quiet cravings and rebalance the brain’s reward system. We also...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Society tells us that strong people leave after infidelity. But here's the truth: most partners actually stay—and then struggle with the crushing shame of that choice. If you're working on your relationship after betrayal, you don't need judgment. You need compassion and support. In my latest conversation with Tammy Gustafson—a trauma therapist who's walked this path herself—we dismantle the stigma around staying and explore self-compassion, boundaries, and focusing on YOUR...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Stressful moments are part of life. Big conversations, tough days, unexpected news, or just too much at once can flip your nervous system into overdrive. The good news? You don’t need willpower to get through stress. You need tools. Here are a few that actually help in the moment: Slow your breathing. Longer exhales tell your brain you’re safe. Try breathing in for 4, out for 6 — just a few rounds can lower anxiety. Ground your body. Put your feet flat on the floor. Name five...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in recovery: your shadow—the parts of yourself you’ve learned to hide, push away, or feel ashamed of. Here’s the twist: your shadow isn’t just the “bad” stuff. It also holds creativity, passion, and drive—parts of you that may have felt unsafe or unwanted at some point. In this episode, we explore why there are no “bad parts,” and how bringing these hidden parts into the light can...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s a question worth asking more often: Am I resting… or am I avoiding? Both can look the same on the outside — lying low, saying no, taking a break. But they feel very different on the inside. Rest restores you. You come back with more clarity, energy, or patience.Avoidance numbs you. You come back feeling more stuck, guilty, or disconnected. A simple check-in can help:Does this give me more capacity — or help me escape a feeling I don’t want to face? In recovery and mental...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s a gentle reminder that can lower your stress almost instantly: you don’t have to solve tomorrow today. Our brains are great at time travel — replaying the past and worrying about the future. But recovery and mental health happen in the present. When we try to figure out everything at once, we overload ourselves and create pressure that can lead to anxiety, shutdown, or old coping habits. Instead, try this question: What’s the next right thing I can do today?Not the whole...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about something that’s at the heart of long-term recovery: connection. Not perfect habits, not superhuman willpower—just having people in your life who really see you and support you. Addiction feeds on isolation and shame. It convinces you to hide and tells you that you’re a burden. But recovery grows in community. When you hear someone else share a story that sounds a lot like yours, something shifts. You realize you’re not alone,...
29 days ago • 1 min read