The Addicted Mind Podcast

In this episode of  The Addicted Mind , Duane speaks with  Nima Rahmany , a former chiropractor turned emotional health educator. Nima shares his profound journey from "success on paper" to a total relational breakdown that forced him to confront his own deep-seated patterns of anxious attachment and fawning. They dive deep into the concept of becoming  "trigger-proof,"  t...

Download: Debunking Common Emotion Myths Worksheet Have you ever felt like your emotions are running the show, pushing and pulling you in directions you don’t want to go? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind dive deep into the world of emotion regulation. They explore common myths about emotions that keep many of us stuck in unhealth...

In this episode, Duane speaks with Early Brunner , the founder of Recovery Demystified . Early shares their powerful journey of navigating addiction as a queer, neurodivergent (autistic) person growing up in a small town. They discuss why traditional recovery models like AA can feel alienating for marginalized groups and how science-based "Quit Lit," neuroscience, and self-compassion provided the...

In this powerful episode, Duane sits down with filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty to discuss his hard-hitting documentary, Shuffle . The film pulls back the curtain on the "Florida Shuffle"—a predatory cycle in the billion-dollar addiction treatment industry where vulnerable individuals are "brokered" between facilities for insurance payouts. Benjamin shares his own journey of recovery and explains how h...

Download: OVERCOMING BLACK OR WHITE THINKING WORKSHEET Welcome to the Addicted Mind podcast! Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "I'm either a success or a complete failure"? This episode is for you. In this episode, we dive deep into the pervasive issue of black-and-white thinking, also known as dichotomous thinking and its impact on addiction recovery. Join Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind...

Today, let’s journey through the realms of neuroscience, addiction research, and the promising future of treatment strategies for substance use disorders. On this episode, Duane speaks with Dr. Paul Kenny, a distinguished figure in neuroscience and addiction research. He unravels his research on signaling cascades in rodents’ brains, providing fascinating insights into addiction-like behaviors.&nb...

In this episode, Duane Osterlind sits down with author Dana Bowman to discuss the often-overlooked intersection of long-term recovery and menopause. Dana opens up about her journey through "the second reckoning"—a period where hormonal shifts triggered intense anxiety, suicidal ideation, and the resurfacing of addictive behaviors like sugar addiction and "doom scrolling." They explore the concept...

Worksheet: Meeting Your Shadow Have you ever done something and then wondered, "Who was that? That wasn't me"? Maybe it was a relapse. A hurtful comment you didn't mean to say. Or that familiar feeling of sabotaging yourself right when things were finally going well. The uncomfortable truth? It was you—just a part of you that's been hiding in the shadows. In this episode of The Addicted Mind, Duan...

In this episode, Duane sits down with Dr. Frank Putnam , a pioneer in the study of childhood trauma with nearly 50 years of clinical and research experience. Dr. Putnam discusses his landmark 35-year longitudinal study—the Female Growth and Development Study —which tracked the biological and psychological impacts of sexual abuse on girls from childhood into adulthood. They explore the concept of "...

Download: INTRINSIC VS. EXTRINSIC GOALS In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic goals and how they affect our well-being. Have you ever felt the high of achieving a big goal, only to have that happiness fade away? This episode explores why that happens and introduces the concept of the "hedonic treadmill." You'll...

Worksheet: Healing Power of Connection Ask people what the hardest part of addiction was, and they often won't say the drugs or the alcohol. They'll say the loneliness. Because addiction, at its core, is about isolation and shame. It's that crushing feeling of being in a crowded room and feeling completely invisible. It's the belief that if people really knew you—the real you with all your secrets...

In this deeply moving episode of The Addicted Mind , host Duane Osterlind sits down with Burton Fischler, author of The Gift: Trauma to Triumph . Burton shares a harrowing personal journey marked by unimaginable loss—the murder of his wife, Barbara, at the hands of her son who struggled with severe mental illness and addiction. Burton discusses how he navigated the dark abyss of PTSD and grief, ev...

Duane Osterlind sits down with Doug Leech , founder of Ascension Recovery Services , to discuss the monumental challenge of expanding high-quality addiction treatment to "treatment deserts"—specifically rural areas and tribal lands. Doug shares his vulnerable personal journey from a high-achieving accountant struggling with opioid addiction and homelessness to becoming a visionary leader in behavi...

Worksheet: Drawing Your Lines Boundaries Imagine living in a house with no walls, no doors, and no fences. Anyone could walk in at any time—tracking mud on your carpet, eating your food, or sleeping on your couch without asking. You'd feel exposed, anxious, and exhausted. For many people in recovery, this is exactly how they treat their emotional lives. They leave doors wide open, letting people w...

In this episode, Duane Osterlind sits down with Swami Revati, a Hindu monk with over 15 years of monastic experience. Together, they explore the intersection of Eastern spirituality, modern psychology, and the human search for lasting fulfillment. Swami Revati shares his journey from a multicultural upbringing to finding his spiritual mentor, offering a refreshing perspective on how Hinduism serve...

This episode of the Addicted Minds podcast features a critical discussion on the escalating crisis of teen addiction and mental health, highlighting the vital work of the Free Mind Campaign . Host Duane Osterlind speaks with Jasmine Kenney from the CDC's Division of Overdose Prevention and Dr. Meena Mirhom from Athletes for Hope, who detail the necessity of addressing substance misuse among young...

Download: MICRO WINS WORKSHEET In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the importance of celebrating micro wins in the journey of recovery. They discuss how small victories, often overlooked, play a crucial role in maintaining motivation and building resilience. By focusing on these tiny achievements, you can create a positive mindset that fuels your progress...

In this episode, host Duane Osterlind speaks with Jaime W. Vinck MC, LPC, President of Meadows Behavioral Health and a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience in the treatment industry. They discuss her book, The Rehab Playbook , which aims to demystify the rehabilitation process and encourage more people to seek help for addiction and mental health challenges. 📖 Why the Book...

In this episode, host Duane Osterlind speaks with Liz Friedman , CEO and Co-founder of GPS Group Peer Support , about the vital role of peer support and group modalities in addressing the widespread mental health crisis. Liz shares her personal journey into the work, stemming from a severe mental health crisis after childbirth, which revealed significant gaps in the healthcare system. The conversa...

Worksheet : Hope Building Blueprint What do you do when your hope tank is completely empty? When you're going through the motions of recovery but deep down don't believe things will ever really get better? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind tackle one of the most critical—and often overlooked—elements of lasting recovery: hope. But this isn...

This week on the podcast, host Duane Osterlind welcomes Brenda Zane , the founder of Hope Stream Community . Brenda is a former high-level advertising executive who completely shifted her career after her son struggled with severe substance use disorder, including multiple fentanyl overdoses. Her experience led her to realize the lack of effective, compassionate, and actionable resources for paren...

Worksheet: Growth & Gratitude Journal Prompts What if the experiences that broke you could also be the source of your greatest strengths? It's a radical question, especially when you're standing in the aftermath of addiction and trauma, surrounded by what feels like nothing but devastation and regret. But what if within that rubble, there were seeds of profound growth waiting to be discovered?...

Host Duane Osterlind welcomes Dr. John Gallagher , an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Alvernia University, a licensed clinical social worker, and a licensed clinical addiction counselor. Dr. Gallagher brings 25 years of experience working with addiction and mental health recovery within the criminal justice system. This essential episode dives deep into the history, structure, and effec...

Download: THE INNER CHILD WORKSHEET In this episode of The Addicted Mind, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the powerful concept of the inner child. They explore how past traumas influence our present reactions and behaviors. Understanding and healing your inner child can lead to profound personal growth and recovery. Learn about the history of the inner child concept, its impact on addiction and...

Journalist Sam Quinones , renowned for his deeply impactful books Dreamland and The Least of Us about the opioid and synthetic drug crises, returns to The Addicted Mind with a profoundly different, yet connected, story. In this episode, Sam and host Duane Osterlind dive into Quinones' newest book, The Perfect Tuba : Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band and Hard Work.  Sam shares his u...