Stuck Brain

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Eric and Duane Osterlind delve into the concept of attachment and its critical role in recovery from addiction. They discuss the different types of attachment styles—secure, anxious, dismissive, and fearful—and how these styles impact our ability to form healthy relationships. By understanding your attachment style, you can improve your relationships and...

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Eric and Duane Osterlind dive into the groundbreaking ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study. This research revealed how childhood trauma significantly impacts mental, physical, and emotional health in adulthood. By exploring the origins, findings, and implications of the study, they discuss how early experiences of abuse, neglect, and household dysfu...

In this episode of Stuck Brain, hosts Eric Osterlind and Duane Osterlind explore the transformative power of routines in recovery. They discuss how establishing a daily routine can bring stability to the chaotic early and mid-stages of recovery and how it can even benefit long-term wellness. By setting a routine, individuals can reduce anxiety, improve sleep cycles, and create a positive structure...

In this episode of Stuck Brain, hosts Eric and Duane Osterlind explore the profound connection between grief and addiction recovery. Using Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—they discuss how these stages apply to the emotional process of giving up an addiction. Many people don't realize that overcoming addiction involves griev...

In this episode of “The Addictive Mind Plus,” hosts Eric and Duane Osterlind dive into the transformative power of the Three Circle Plan, a vital tool for those battling both substance and behavioral addictions. They discuss the importance of defining sobriety, identifying risky behaviors, and incorporating positive activities into daily life. By creating a clear and personalized plan, listeners c...

In this engaging episode of "Stuck Brain," host Eric Osterlind explores the transformative concept of meaning-making. Following up on their previous discussion about values, this episode dives deeper into how understanding and aligning with our deepest values can energize our life's journey. The hosts discuss practical strategies from dialectical behavior therapy and insights from Thom...

Join hosts Eric and Duane Osterlind in this enlightening episode of "The Stuck Brain," where they explore the vital role of values in achieving a harmonious and fulfilling life. Understanding and defining your values is likened to setting a rudder on your life's boat, guiding you through the storms of stress, guilt, and dissatisfaction that come from living out of alignment with your t...

If you're feeling trapped in a never-ending cycle of worry and fear, constantly seeking reassurance but never finding lasting relief, then you are not alone! Despite your efforts to find peace, anxiety continues to hold you captive, robbing you of joy and freedom. It's frustrating and exhausting, but there is hope for understanding and managing this relentless adversary. In this episode, y...

In this vital episode of Stuck Brain, Eric and Duane dive into the critical topic of relapse prevention and planning. They stress the importance of being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to maintaining sobriety. The duo discusses how a well-thought-out relapse plan can significantly reduce the overwhelming feelings of anxiety and defeat that often accompany recovery. They also emphasiz...

In this exciting episode of Stuck Brain, hosts Eric and Duane dive into the fascinating world of the Johari Window, a powerful tool for enhancing self-awareness and understanding in relationships. They explore how this simple yet profound model can illuminate the various aspects of ourselves—what we know, what we don't know, and what others see in us. From discussing how to navigate personal b...

Join hosts Eric and Duane Osterlind as they explore the profound impact of internal dialogue on recovery and mental wellness in this insightful episode of the Stuck Brain. Discover how the words we tell ourselves can either hinder or help our journey toward healing. Learn practical tips on reshaping self-talk to foster resilience, overcome addiction, and enhance overall well-being. Whether you&#39...

Welcome to an eye-opening episode that could change how you face life's big moments. Today, we're exploring the idea that when you hit a tough spot, you actually only have four choices. Sounds simple, right? But it's a game-changer. Imagine feeling stuck, like you're at a crossroads with no clear direction. It happens to all of us. We overthink, get overwhelmed, and just feel more...

Meet Megan Monger, a passionate advocate and expert in perinatal mental health. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Megan has devoted her career to the welfare of women before, during, and after pregnancy. Her work focuses on navigating the often choppy waters of life transitions, such as welcoming a child, with grace and resilience. Certified in perinatal mental health, Megan offers deep...

In today's episode, we explore the keys to setting goals and forming habits, with a focus on how they can positively impact our journey through addiction, anxiety, and depression. Join Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind as they lead us through the importance of realistic goal-setting and cultivating positive routines, emphasizing reflection and the use of SMART goals for clarity and action. Wi...

Today, Eric and Duane dive into a topic many of their listeners have been curious about: what comes after achieving a year of sobriety. Feeling stuck is common, even when you're confident in your sobriety. The hosts explore four main "pillars" to help listeners move forward: reflecting on the past, setting personal goals, building a supportive community, and seeking professional help i...

In this insightful episode, Eric and Duane delve into the Stages of Change model, a powerful framework developed in the early 1980s by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente. Originally studied in the context of smoking cessation, this model offers a universal roadmap for understanding how we can change any behavior, especially focusing on addiction recovery. Eric and Duane break down the model into...

In this eye-opening episode, Eric and Duane dive into the often painful topic of shame and how it can trap us in cycles of addiction, anxiety, and self-criticism. They introduce the concept of the shame compass, a tool developed by Donald Natherson in 1992, which helps us understand the four main ways we deal with shame: withdrawal, attacking self, avoidance, and attacking others. By recognizing t...

Today's episode of Stuck Brain is a game-changer for anyone feeling stuck in their journey toward sobriety. Hosts Eric and Duane dive deep into the world of cognitive distortions - those tricky thought patterns that keep us from achieving our fullest potential and lock us in cycles of addiction. They shine a light on the top seven distortions, from all-or-nothing thinking to personalization an...

In this enlightening episode of the StuckBrain podcast, host Eric Osterlind dives into the concept of rumination, exploring its nature, the myths surrounding it, and effective strategies to manage it. Eric breaks down rumination into its various types, including brooding, intrusive, reflective, and deliberate rumination, each affecting individuals differently. With a focus on understanding why rum...

In this enlightening episode of the Stuck Brain Podcast, hosts Eric and Duane delve into the fascinating topic of cultivating a curious mindset and its profound impact on mental health, emotional stability, and addiction recovery. They explore how curiosity collaborates with the parasympathetic nervous system to create a sense of safety, enabling us to venture beyond our immediate fears and concer...

In this insightful episode of the Stuck Brain Podcast, hosts Eric and Duane delve into the transformative power of establishing routines, especially for those in early to mid-stage recovery from addiction. They explore how simple, structured routines can significantly reduce anxiety and impulsivity, leading to a more stable and fulfilling life. The conversation covers practical tips for setting up...

Do you want to improve your emotional regulation and decision-making? I will be sharing the key to achieving greater emotional control and better choices. Learn the secret to enhancing your ability to manage your feelings and make sound decisions. Discover the solution to experiencing improved emotional regulation and better decision-making in your life. In this episode, you will be able to: Disco...

In a world where loneliness is on the rise, join host Eric Osterlind and guest co-host Pinky Virani on the Stuck Brain podcast as they delve into the causes, consequences, and strategies to combat loneliness.  Loneliness has been increasing in society over the last few decades, and this podcast episode dives deep into the topic with two psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. But as they di...

When Hannah Hamlin was diagnosed with type one diabetes, she felt her life was over. But little did she know this unexpected twist would lead her on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Attending a camp for children with type one diabetes, she met Dr. Stephen Ponder, a pediatric endocrinologist who also had the disease. He showed her that despite the challenges, happiness was possible. Lat...

Does this sound familiar? You've been told to chase after prestigious titles and high-paying jobs, thinking it would bring you career fulfillment. But here's the painful truth: despite your achievements, you still feel an overwhelming sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. It's time to break free from the ineffective action of pursuing external markers of success and start aligning yo...