Michael Cantwell

Sober Psychology

Health EN ↓ 81 episodes

A mental health podcast with a focus on men's mental health, substance abuse, recovery, and healing. Honest conversations to break stigma and inspire hope for all on their journey. We recover out loud so fewer suffer in silence. Episodes posted weekly - subscribe today!

Author

Michael Cantwell

Category

Health

Podcast website

rss.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

Suicide: Staring Down the Void and Choosing to Fight | Episode 31 21.05.2025

Sober Psychology crew, it’s Michael, your ex-booze-battling, psyche-probing host! In this raw, 50-minute gut-punch, we tackle Suicide—no sugarcoating, just hard truths about the void and how to fight it. Expect brain-deep psych (amygdala chaos!), three real-deal tips to claw your way back, and recovery grit that stings. With laughs (lost keys apocalypse, anyone?), we honor the heavy while sparking...

Feelings: The Messy Bastards You Can’t Ignore | Episode 30 14.05.2025

Hey, Sober Psychology crew, it’s Michael, your ex-booze-wrestler, truth-dropping host! In this 50-minute, no-holds-barred episode, we’re diving into Feelings—those messy bastards hijacking your brain like a drunk driver. Expect psych heavy-hitters (amygdala taming!), three gritty tips to master your emotions, and recovery realness that’ll sting. Laughs? Think toaster tears and sandwich-saving marr...

Authenticity: Stop Faking It, You’re Not Fooling Anyone 07.05.2025

Hey, Sober Psychology squad, it’s Michael, your ex-booze-hound, truth-spitting host! In this 50-minute, no-BS banger, we’re ripping into Authenticity—because your fake ‘I’m fine’ grin is fooling nobody, and your soul is tired of the charade. Expect psych firepower (30% less anxiety for real ones!), three gut-punch tips to ditch the mask, and recovery real talk that stings. Laughs? Oh, we’ve got sa...

Taking Action: Outsmarting Your Brain’s Inner Slacker 30.04.2025

Hey, Sober Psychology posse, it’s Michael, your brain-wrestling, ex-whiskey-chugging host! In this unhinged 50-minute banger, we’re shredding Taking Action —because your brain’s a shady con artist selling you ‘tomorrow’ while your goals rot. Expect psych gold (25% prefrontal boost, anyone?), three legit tips to outsmart your inner slacker, and laughs that hit hard (yelling at toasters, dying-cat g...

Helping Others: The Paradox of Saving Yourself by Saving Someone Else 23.04.2025

Hey, Sober Psychology crew, it’s Michael, your psyche-surfing host! In this episode, I’m tearing into Helping Others —the ultimate mind-hack where saving someone else saves you. We’re talking brain-buzzing dopamine hits (20% spike, baby!), addiction’s selfish grip, and why sponsoring in AA slashes relapse by 40%. With three killer tips and laughs that don’t flop (ketchup packets, anyone?), this 50...

Self-Criticism: The Inner Tyrant You Didn’t Hire 16.04.2025

Yo, Sober Psychology squad, it’s Michael, your mind-diving host! In this gut-punch of an episode, we’re tackling Self-Criticism —that inner jerk who calls you a failure for forgetting your lines or, worse, for stumbling in recovery. Expect razor-sharp psych wisdom (Jung, CBT, brain scans, oh my!) and real talk on how this trash-talking voice fuels addiction’s chaos. I’m serving up three legit tips...

Grieving: The Chaos You Can’t Outrun 09.04.2025

In this powerful episode, we’re diving into the raw, messy world of Grieving —because loss isn’t just about saying goodbye; it’s about facing what addiction took from you and rebuilding in recovery. With a mix of brain science, Kübler-Ross’s stages, and a few laughs to keep it real, I unpack why you can’t outrun grief (spoiler: it’s faster than you). From denial to acceptance, we’ll explore how gr...

Compliance vs. Surrender: The Psychological Tightrope 02.04.2025

In this episode, we’re tackling a psychological showdown for the ages: Compliance vs. Surrender . Ever wonder why you say "yes" when your soul’s screaming "no"? Or how letting go might just be the secret weapon in your recovery arsenal? As your resident psychology nerd (with a dash of humor to keep it real), I’m diving deep into the mind’s tightrope—breaking down Milgram’s shocks, Jung’s shadows,...

Childhood Trauma: The Gift That Keeps on Giving | Episode 23 26.03.2025

Ever wonder why you’re a mess at 35 over a burnt bagel? Spoiler: it’s not just you—it’s that invisible backpack of crap you’ve been hauling since you were a kid. In this 35-minute dive, we’re getting real about where this trauma train starts (thanks, Mom and Dad!), how it rewires your brain to freak out at fireworks, and why it keeps screwing with your relationships, health, and sanity. Plus, some...

The Art of Conflict Resolution: Facing the Chaos Head-On 19.03.2025

Welcome to "The Art of Conflict Resolution: Facing the Chaos Head-On," where we don’t mess around with fluffy nonsense. This 30-minute episode dives deep into the gritty reality of human conflict. Forget the polite chit-chat—conflict is a battlefield, and we’re here to arm you with real psychology-backed tools to dominate it. From why your brain turns you into a caveman mid-argument to practical s...

Seeking Validation 06.03.2025

Do you check your phone 10 times a minute for likes? Feel uneasy when no one compliments your new haircut? Wonder why you need everyone’s approval—even from your dog? 🤔 In this episode of Sober Psychology , Michael dives into the deep (and slightly embarrassing) truth about why we seek validation. From childhood conditioning to the dopamine-fueled trap of social media, we break down the science b...

Honesty/ Vulnerability - The Truth Will Set You Free 26.02.2025

Are you truly honest with yourself? In this episode of Sober Psychology , we dive deep into the psychology of honesty and vulnerability —why we lie, how it affects our mental well-being, and how embracing the truth can transform your life. We explore the neuroscience behind deception, the power of authentic relationships, and practical steps to start living with radical honesty. If you’ve ever str...

The Insecurity Paradox: Why We're All So Damn Fragile 20.02.2025

Ever wonder why you rehearse conversations in the shower or lie awake remembering that weird laugh you did 3 years ago? In this episode, I'm diving deep into the psychology of insecurity - and yes, I definitely felt insecure while recording it. Using my questionably obtained psychology knowledge and years of personal experience being anxious in public, I break down: - Why your cave-person brain th...

EGO: Your Best Friend & Worst Enemy 12.02.2025

Ever met someone with an ego the size of a small planet? Or maybe you secretly suspect you’re that person? 😏 Either way, ego is shaping your life more than you think. It can make you confident—or completely delusional. It can push you toward success—or straight into self-destruction. In this mind-blowing deep dive , we explore: ✅ What ego actually is (hint: it’s not just arrogance) ✅ The two wa...

The Comparison Trap: Why We're All Secretly Miserable | Episode 17 05.02.2025

Are you constantly comparing yourself to others? Scrolling through social media only to feel like your life is meh while everyone else is thriving? You’re not alone! In this episode of Sober Psychology , host Michael breaks down why we compare , how it messes with our mental health , and what we can do to stop it before we spiral into a self-worth crisis. We’ll dive into Social Comparison Theory ,...

Narcissism 29.01.2025

Is everyone a narcissist these days, or are we just throwing the term around too loosely? In this episode of Sober Psychology , we break down what narcissism really is , the difference between healthy confidence and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) , and how to spot the red flags of narcissistic behavior . We also dive into social media myths, toxic relationships, love bombing, gaslighting...

Codependency 24.01.2025

If you're listening to this because you're my friend and you feel obligated, you're codependent and this episode is for you. If you're the one who always plans the office Christmas party "because everyone else is too busy", you're codependent. If you constantly put the pressure on yourself to be all things to all people, you're more than likely codependent. We are all codependent on some level. Bu...

Gratitude 14.01.2025

If you're reading this, it's probably on some electronic device that has more computing power than NASA had when they first sent people into space. If you're listening to this, you have the ability to hear the world around you. These are two quick things to be very grateful for, despite all the bad that has happened in your life. In this episode, we're diving in to what gratitude is, how it change...

Fear 08.01.2025

In this episode we talk about a universal emotion...fear. Fear encompasses everything, even excitement. We'll do a psychological breakdown, explain what fear is, different types of fear, why we have it, and what to do when it becomes a problem. Jump in and get ready, if you aren't too scared. Feel free to reach out on socials: FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564447151316 Instagram:...

Emotional Regulation 01.01.2025

We all have them. They have made up do crazy things, act out of character, reach out to that ex, and constantly tell ourselves we aren't good enough. I'm talking about emotions. The feelings we get that alert us to our situation can also be our emotional, mental, and even physical downfall. But there's hope! In this episode, we are going to talk about what emotions are, why we have them, and how w...

Outgrowing Others 25.12.2024

Evolving emotionally and physically are natural elements of a human's life. As we progress and experience change, our friendships change as well. In this episode, we're talking about the psychological reasoning for outgrowing others: why we do it, how to recognize it, and what to do when it happens. Feel free to reach out on socials: FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564447151316 Inst...

Victim Mentality 18.12.2024

Prepare to be triggered! Or, at least that's how you'll feel if you have victim mentality. In this episode, we're talking about something that runs rampant in our culture today...victim mentality. We'll define what this is, how it develops, the cost of holding on to the victim mentality, and then we'll talk about how to break free from this sick way of thinking. Buckle up, strap in, and get ready...

Setting Boundaries 11.12.2024

In this episode we dive in to the art and difficulty of setting boundaries. This can be beneficial for work/ life balance or even to benefit your mental health by establishing healthy distance from family/ friends. Wherever you are in your life, knowing what space you need, or how you want others to treat you is essential for your overall wellbeing. Let's break down what setting boundaries looks l...

The Dad Wound 04.12.2024

In this episode we delve in to one of the most common origins of trauma, "The Dad Wound". Regardless of whether our fathers stayed in our lives or not, there are traumatic triggers, emotional repercussions, and much confusions that can stem from the relationship with a father. We'll attempt to identify what this looks like, how it manifests into relationships and everyday life, as well as finding...

Resentment 27.11.2024

In this episode, we dive into the treacherous aspect of resentment. We'll see how resentment looks in different situations, how it can be poisonous to the mind and body, and what to do with the resentment you may have. Resentment is a response mechanism for when we perceive that we have been wronged. When one develops a resentment, there are two options: accept accountability and act, or let it fe...

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