Leaving CrazyTown

Episode Description If you’ve ever rushed in with advice when someone you love was hurting—or felt shut down when you just wanted to be heard—this episode is for you. Finn and Dr. Sarah break down one of the most common (and damaging) traits of codependency: the need to fix other people’s feelings. Through real-life stories, honest reflection, and practical tools, they explain why fixing kills int...

What happens when you quit drinking—but life still feels unbearable? In this raw, deeply validating conversation, Dr. Sarah Michaud sits down with sobriety coach, author, and creator of the Soberful podcast with Veronica Valli, to unpack the missing link in recovery: emotional sobriety. From early addiction and fear-driven coping to codependent relationships and subconscious attachment wounds, Ver...

In this episode of Leaving CrazyTown , Finn and Dr. Sarah break down a deceptively simple but life-changing concept: there is nothing to defend . Through humor, real-life role-play, and honest reflection, they explore how defensiveness, ghosting, and emotional shutdown sabotage connection—and how validation, curiosity, and clarity create safety instead. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, reactive,...

In this raw, relatable episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah unpack two deceptively simple moments that sent them spiraling onto the “crazy train.” What begins as a casual invite — coffee or walk? — becomes a full-blown internal crisis about likability, expectations, and imagined judgments. Together, they reveal how codependency sneaks into everyday interactions, why old fears get activated, and how to paus...

In this powerful, unfiltered conversation, Dr. Sarah sits down with The Mental Illness Happy Hour host Paul Gilmartin for an honest look at trauma, recovery, intimacy, and the long-term impact of childhood wounds. Paul shares how early emotional experiences shaped his patterns in adulthood—and how compassion, boundaries, and accountability became the tools that changed everything. Together, Paul a...

The holidays can feel like a warm hug… or a codependent meltdown waiting to happen. In this episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah break down the five biggest shifts that help codependents survive (and seriously enjoy) the holiday season. From asking for what you actually want, to ditching rituals that don’t serve you anymore, to saying “no” without the spiral — these tools help you stop overgiving, overspen...

In this Leaving CrazyTown x Eternally Amy crossover, Dr. Sarah Michaud joins Amy Liz Harrison for a Boozeless Book Club deep dive into Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love” aftermath and the complex layers of love addiction, codependency, and emotional recovery. Together, they unpack how relationships can become the new addiction — and how self-awareness, radical honesty, and recovery tools can pu...

This week, Finn and Dr. Sarah welcome writer and recovery advocate Jason Mayo, author of In Case of Emergency: Break Childhood and founder of Sober Not Subtle. In this honest and often hilarious conversation, Jason opens up about the hidden trauma of childhood divorce, the messy intersection of mental health and sobriety, and the art of starting over without self-destructing. Together they unpack...

Shame spirals: we all know them, we all hate them, and most of us try to outrun them. In this raw, revealing, and hilariously honest conversation, Finn and Dr. Sarah break down what a shame spiral really is, where these intense emotional reactions come from, and why they often have deep roots in childhood patterns. Using Sarah’s real-life moment of “F-bomb shame” as a jumping-off point, the duo ex...

When we don’t know how to ask for what we need, we manipulate, avoid, or overextend. In this powerful and painfully relatable episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah unpack how fear of rejection fuels codependent behaviors—and how to finally break the cycle. From “polite lying” to people-pleasing to emotional seduction, they explore what drives us to control outcomes instead of asking directly for what we wan...

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Dr. Sarah sits down with Jamie H from Tennessee — a recovering alcoholic who turned his pain into purpose by helping women rebuild their lives through sober living. From childhood trauma and abuse to relapse, surrender, and radical forgiveness, Jamie shares how accepting responsibility for his healing set him free. His story is raw, redemptive, and full o...

In this episode of Codependency Recovery: Leaving CrazyTown , Finn and Dr. Sarah get real about how communication breaks down when codependency takes the wheel. From the habitual “I don’t care” to the evasive “it’s complicated,” they unpack the language patterns that keep us disconnected from our true feelings. Through personal stories, humor, and practical insights, they reveal how to move from c...

Ever find yourself trapped in a spiral of overexplaining when you really just want to say no ? In this raw and hilarious episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah unpack what they call “The Codependent No” — those long, apologetic responses that avoid clarity, create confusion, and leave everyone frustrated. From miscommunication marathons to guilt-driven maybes, they reveal why saying no clearly is one of the...

Andrea Ashley, host of The Adult Child Podcast , joins  Dr. Sarah Michaud for a no-filter conversation about the messy middle of recovery—the part where you’re learning to stop saving everyone else and finally start saving yourself. From unraveling childhood patterns to setting adult boundaries that stick, Andrea shares how she turned her pain into purpose and built a platform for fellow Adult Chi...

Finn and Sarah get real (and really funny) about health anxiety—the mental habit of turning every ache into catastrophe—and share how recovery tools like reality-checking, perspective, and self-compassion can break the spiral. You’ll hear outrageous mind-movies, why our brains escalate to “late-stage everything,” and simple practices to build a looser, friendlier relationship with your thoughts. ...

In this candid episode of Codependency Recovery: Leaving CrazyTown , Finn and Dr. Sarah dig into one powerful question: Are you happy? Together, they explore how denial, fear, and codependency often keep us stuck in jobs, marriages, and patterns that quietly drain our joy. Through raw personal stories and clinical insights, they reveal why acknowledging unhappiness is the first step toward change—...

Dr. Sarah welcomes Lori McCarthy , Executive Director at Herren Wellness , for an honest look at modern addiction treatment and the codependency patterns that shape families. From calling residents “guests” to integrating AA, SMART, DBT, CBT, Refuge, and IFS, Lori explains why flexible, community-based care matters—and how grief, parenting, and humility keep us growing. Hear why “connection is the...

In this raw and relatable episode, Finn and Sarah unpack the sneaky ways codependency shows up as manipulation—even when we think we’re just being “nice.” From passive food suggestions to emotional baiting and over-gifting, they break down three classic behaviors that masquerade as care but actually come from fear, control, or discomfort with directness. Key Takeaways: Manipulation often hides beh...

Are you genuinely nice—or is your “niceness” a codependent disguise? In this kick-off episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah dive into the blurry line between kindness and codependency. With relatable stories, raw honesty, and a healthy dose of humor, they explore how saying “yes” when you want to say “no” might actually be self-betrayal, not generosity. Get ready to smash the illusion of “niceness” and lear...

In this episode of "Leaving Crazy Town," Finn and Sarah delve into the complex terrain of honesty in relationships. They discuss how unspoken truths can manifest in behaviors and thoughts, often leading to misunderstandings and loss of connection. With personal anecdotes and candid insights, they explore the significance of expressing one's truth to foster intimacy and avoid the sile...

In this episode of Leaving Crazy Town, Finn and Sarah delve into the concept of hidden anger and how it can impact your life and relationships. They share personal experiences and insights on identifying hidden anger and offer strategies to manage and process it effectively. This episode is packed with practical advice for achieving a more peaceful and grounded life by understanding and addressing...

In this episode of Leaving Crazy Town, Finn and Sarah dive into the concept of "fear bombs" and how they impact our daily lives. They discuss the prevalence of fear-driven media, especially during times of crisis like COVID, and explore strategies to maintain peace and stability amidst chaos. Finn and Sarah share personal experiences and tips for managing fear and staying grounded during...

Join Finn and Sarah in this insightful episode of "Leaving Crazy Town" as they navigate the complex world of codependency, even when they consider themselves experts. Through personal anecdotes, they unpack the ease with which our minds can rationalize codependent behaviors, especially when dating or interacting with others. Discover their humorous and enlightening take on how quickly th...

In this lively episode of Crazy Town with Finn and Sarah, we dive into the intricate world of communication differences, pondering whether these are rooted in gender, personality, or individual needs. Finn and Sarah discuss their personal experiences, shedding light on how these differences play out in their relationships and invite listeners to reflect on their own communication styles. What You’...

In this episode of Leaving Crazy Town, Finn and Sarah dive into the intricate world of codependency and character defects. Through candid conversations, the hosts share personal experiences from the week, exploring how these aspects influenced their lives and relationships. From navigating the aftermath of back surgery to managing emotional triggers on a trip, Finn and Sarah offer insights on self...