Hi Reader, Here’s something people don’t talk about enough in recovery and mental health: Real progress is usually quiet. It doesn’t always feel inspiring. It often looks ordinary — getting enough sleep, keeping a routine, saying no, showing up when you don’t feel like it. We expect healing to feel dramatic. But most growth is subtle. Your brain is learning safety. Your nervous system is stabilizing. And stability can feel… kind of boring. That’s actually a good sign. Chaos is loud. Crisis is...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind, I talk with Early Brunner, founder of Recovery Demystified. Early shares their journey of addiction and recovery as a queer, autistic person—and why traditional recovery spaces didn’t always feel like home. We explore the idea of “micro-recovery,” using neuroscience, self-compassion, and small daily changes to build lasting sobriety. Early explains why willpower alone isn’t enough, how the brain plays a huge role in addiction, and why recovery needs...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, If you’ve betrayed your relationship and have tried everything—individual therapy, couples therapy, 12-step programs, or community support—but still feel stuck, this workshop is here to help. The Shame to Resilience 10-Week Workshop is designed to guide you in rebuilding and healing your relationship after betrayal and in moving past the shame that keeps it stuck. Sign up now and join us on February 11th at 4:00 PM PST and take the first step toward meaningful change. If you have...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, We’re often told that change comes down to willpower. Try harder. Push through. Be stronger. But here’s a more recovery-friendly truth: most people don’t need more willpower — they need more capacity. Capacity is your mental, emotional, and physical fuel. When it’s low, everything feels harder. Cravings get louder. Stress feels heavier. Small problems feel overwhelming. Willpower tries to override that. Capacity works with your nervous system. A few simple ways to build capacity:...
11 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind, I’m sharing a conversation that’s hard—but really important. I sat down with filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty to talk about his documentary Shuffle, which exposes what’s known as the “Florida Shuffle.” It’s a predatory cycle in the addiction treatment world where vulnerable people are moved between facilities—not for healing, but for insurance money. Benjamin is also in recovery, and that lived experience gave him rare access to stories most people never...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you ever noticed how easy it is to fall into thinking like, “I’m either crushing it or I’ve completely failed”? If that sounds familiar, this week’s episode is for you. On the latest episode of The Addicted Mind, Eric and I dig into black-and-white thinking—and how it can quietly mess with your emotions and your recovery. We talk about why this mindset shows up so often, and how learning to think in shades of gray can make things feel more steady and manageable. We also share...
18 days ago • 1 min read
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...
19 days 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...
19 days 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...
21 days ago • 1 min read