Secret Life

In this profound episode of Secret Life Podcast, Brianne Davis-Gantt confronts the underestimated force of trauma and its pervasive influence on our lives. With unflinching honesty, Brianne delves into the myriad ways trauma manifests, from addictions and toxic relationships to relentless pursuits of success and material possessions. Through a powerful narrative, she shares a gripping intervention...

Dive into a raw and transformative journey with Brianne Davis-Gantt on this week's Secret Life Podcast, where she exposes the harsh reality of enduring toxic friendships. Brianne pulls no punches as she explores the reasons we cling to long-term relationships that drain our spirit and violate our boundaries. With her characteristic candor, she shares the signs of unhealthy friendships, from fr...

In this eye-opening episode of the Secret Life Podcast, Brianne Davis-Gantt tackles the pervasive culture of toxic positivity and the misconception that positive thinking alone can heal deep-seated trauma. With her trademark blend of passion and authenticity, Brianne challenges the societal pressure to maintain a facade of happiness, arguing that true healing requires us to confront and feel our p...

As we journey beyond the initial rush of lust that so often masquerades as connection, Brianne breaks down the five essential types of intimacy: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social. With her signature blend of humor and raw honesty, she shares personal anecdotes from her own 19-year relationship, offering insights into the evolution and deepening of intimate bonds over time. W...

Explore the complex dynamics of intimacy in the latest episode of the Secret Life Podcast with host Brianne Davis-Gantt. Join the candid conversation as she delves into the impact of pornography on relationships, shedding light on how it can blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Brianne shares personal insights and stories from her journey, questioning the effects of widespread exposure to e...

In this episode of the Secret Life Podcast, Brianne Davis-Gantt dives into the concept of lasting change, emphasizing the need to embrace pain and the journey of evolution. Sharing personal experiences, she challenges the conventional idea of New Year's resolutions and encourages listeners to focus on continuous improvement rather than setting unrealistic goals. Brianne advocates for leaning i...

In this exciting new direction for the show, Brianne opens up about the often-overlooked concept of emotional currency in relationships. Drawing from her 19-year marriage, she challenges societal norms that prioritize financial contributions over emotional support. Brianne shares personal experiences and explores how emotional currency, the value one brings to a relationship through emotional fulf...

The Secret Life Podcast takes a bold turn in this episode as host Brianne confronts her fear of change and announces a significant shift in the show's format. After three years of sharing secrets and fostering a supportive community, Brianne opens up about the emotional challenges of letting go and the difficulty of navigating endings. Candidly discussing the overwhelming demands of her flouri...

Checking himself into a psych ward with 29 years of sobriety was the last thing Ricky B. thought he would do. But after an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis, he found the distant darkness that had plagued him in the past snuck back in. And the only option that made sense was to take his life. Yet he kept that all to himself. Yet another example that people are facing their own battles all the t...

Is it really cheating? If you haven't actually done anything? But it's clear, that it can be very dangerous to get involved in. An emotional affair generally starts innocently enough as a friendship. But when a person invests significant emotional energy and time in a close friendship outside of their marriage, it's possible for the friendship to form an emotional bond that ultimately...

So, you know, sometimes old friendships kinda fade away because, like, all you have left is the good ol' days, you know? Like, people change and stuff – interests, opinions, life paths – it's just the natural flow of things. Imagine, our guest Ashley is going through this, trying to figure out where her friendships stand. You get to a point where all you and your friend talk about are thos...

In this intriguing episode, we explore the clandestine love affair of Charlie, a woman who unexpectedly found herself entwined in a romance with a man 17 years her junior. Charlie opens up about the joys and challenges of their secret relationship, detailing the initial hesitations, the thrill of covert rendezvous, and the emotional rollercoaster of keeping their connection hidden from judgmental...

Seduced by her powerful and charismatic boss, Nico found herself in a four year affair that got more and more adventurous as time went on. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired as EP #125 on October 31, 2022. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've...

Charla started to shut down emotionally since age six. From emotional and physical abuse, to neglect and losing her virginity to rape at sixteen, Charla had to shut down in order to survive. Her underlying self-talk is, “Charla, you don’t matter.” As she got older and got into more relationships, she found herself trauma bonding and eventually found herself in recovery from Sex and Love Addiction...

Secret Life Podcast Ep #179 — Best Of: Mark — Money: From Debt to Abundance — In honor of Mark's 13-Year Anniversary from debting on Sunday, we wanted to replay this powerful episode. — Debting and underearning were destroying Mark’s relationships, career, and ultimately his sanity. With 20 years of sobriety, he found himself at yet another bottom. Underearning wasn’t just about an inability t...

Working from home is also a double-edged sword for parents, who can find themselves taking on a disproportionate share of household and child care responsibilities on top of their paid work. The effect is more pronounced for parents whose partners work outside the home, and for moms, who still do the majority of child care in American families. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with ad...

Ever since she was little, Brianne Davis had the belief that she wasn’t smart because she struggled with standardized testing due to her dyslexia and ADHD. Those negative voices of doubt and shame plagued her no matter how successful, abundant, or happy she was. As she peeled away the layers of the false self she created to protect her, her unique talent, voice, and purpose came into the light. Ju...

In this week's episode, we delve into Brooke's compelling story of seeking acceptance and battling personal demons in the world of love and sex addiction. From her humble origins in a small town, where friends and family subjected her to bullying, to her discovery of a supportive online community that embraced her for who she truly is, this is a narrative of resilience and transformation....

Is Video Game Addiction Real? It’s great to do things you enjoy. But can you go too far with a hobby? And at what point does it become an addiction? That’s the question experts are trying to answer about playing video games. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired on March 21, 2022, as Ep #93. The World Health Organization added “gaming...

Jamie was living with her meth-addicted husband for over two years while pregnant with their second child. Though she knew something was wrong, he repeatedly lied and made her feel crazy. She suffered in silence to protect him until she found his "sex den" and crack pipes, confirming her worst fears. In a last-ditch effort, she staged an intervention with his family. After dropping him at...

Secret Life Podcast Ep 173 — Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations. — Body dysmorphic disorder - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clini...

Lisa brings us into the world of BDSM and how she’s balancing that life and the life of recovery from sex and love addiction. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com ______ To share your secret and be a guest on the show email secretlifepodcast@icloud.com _...

Society conditions us to strive to be perfect — be thin, toned, ripped, trimmed, waxed, peeled, tan, liked, followed, friended, and then... we will be loved. There's a misconception that only women put themselves under a microscope when it comes to their bodies and their looks, but men do too. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired...

From a very young age, Gwenn realized that it was easier for her to do what people wanted instead of sharing her point of view. That theory carried into her marriage, profession, and motherhood.  _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com ______ To share your...

Unfortunately, Jamie's story is all too familiar within the recovery community. A person with a decade of recovery from alcohol relapses on pain pills. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com ______ To share your secret and be a guest on the show email...