The Addicted Mind Podcast

When the cheering crowds and the stadium lights fade, what remains for a former NFL superstar? Dominique Easley’s meteoric rise to football fame was rivaled only by the depth of his personal struggles. From Staten Island to the heights of Super Bowl victory, Dominique's narrative is a stark reminder of the thin line between professional success and personal turmoil.  On this episode, Duane speaks...

In this episode of “The Addictive Mind Plus,” hosts Duane and Eric 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...

How does one confront the silent battles of sex addiction within the LGBTQ community? Brandon Simpson, an associate marriage and family therapist from Novus Mindful Life Institute, joins this conversation to unravel this complex issue, sharing not just professional insights but personal experiences as a gay man. Together, Duane and Brandon shed light on the intersection of intimacy and identity, e...

In this engaging episode of "The Addictive Mind Plus," hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore 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...

Struggles with alcohol and depression are narratives many may find familiar, but not everyone's story is a journey through the eye of the storm to a place of hope and healing. USMC veteran Jesse Carrajat, our esteemed guest, brings to light his transformation from a high-flying corporate executive to a beacon of wellness through his ventures, Altum Fitness and the Live Deep podcast. His candid con...

Join hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind in this enlightening episode of "The Addicted Mind Plus," 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 true s...

When life presented an unexpected challenge that shook the foundations of Eric’s world, it was the principles of martial arts that enabled him to regain stability. Duane is delighted to introduce Eric Fisher, a certified counselor and martial artist based in Calgary, AB Canada. In the episode, they delve into how the discipline of martial arts can serve as a formidable ally in combating addiction...

In this vital episode of "The Addicted Mind Plus," Duane and Eric Osterlind 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 recov...

Discover the transformative journey of overcoming addiction with Cesar Wurm, author of "The Powers of Addiction: Finding Freedom in Acceptance and Recovery." This latest episode delves into Cesar's raw and personal struggle with alcoholism, a battle intensified by the loss of his mother and the pressure of emotional stoicism in his family.  The story unfolds as he recounts a relapse marked by dece...

Are you making changes but feeling stuck in your recovery journey? It could be because you're focusing on first-order changes. These are the surface-level adjustments we make – quitting a substance, changing routines – but they don't address the root of the problem. That's where second-order change comes in. This is about digging deeper into your anxieties, past traumas, and the underlying beliefs...

When healing takes center stage, hope is never far behind. Dr. Mark Lasko joins Duane as they step into the conversation space with a heart full of empathy and a wealth of knowledge on the intricate dance of addiction treatment and recovery. Mark’s journey, touched by the struggles of addiction within his own family, has fueled a passion that's evident as we navigate the subject of client-focused...

Join hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind as they explore the profound impact of internal dialogue on recovery and mental wellness in this insightful episode of the Addicted Mind Plus. 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...

In this exciting episode of Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind 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 naviga...

Join us as Emmy award-winning writer and director Topaz Adizes unveils the art of creating deep, human connections through conversation. In this discussion, Duane sits down with Topaz who shares his journey with the documentary series {The And} – revealing how authentic dialogues between various pairs, from family members to romantic partners, can transform our understanding of communication.  By...

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 and more stuck....

Struggling with love and sex addiction can feel like an isolating battle, but this recent conversation with Lacy Bentley and Heather Cronemiller casts a ray of hope on this often-shadowed topic. Lacy, a relationship and recovery coach, and Heather, a seasoned therapist, join Duane to shed light on their personal journeys and their book, "Going Deeper for Women: How the Inner Child Impacts Your Lov...

In this episode of "The Addicted Mind Plus," hosts Duane and Eric Osterlund dive into the power of a curious mindset in recovery and emotional stability. They explore how curiosity can shift our nervous system from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest, leading to less stress and more emotional resilience. The discussion covers the simple yet profound ways asking questions about ourselves and the wor...

Our guest on this episode of the Addicted Mind podcast is Maureen Cavanagh, author and founder of Magnolia New Beginnings. Maureen’s family had a long history of addiction, but since she was not personally prone to addiction, she thought that she knew the formula to help keep her kids away from addiction as well. However, her world was suddenly shaken when one of her daughters came to her to admit...

Today's episode dives into the essential topics of goal setting and habit formation, especially focusing on how they can help break the cycle of addiction, anxiety, and depression. Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind guide us through understanding the critical role of setting realistic goals and forming positive habits to steer our lives in the direction we desire. They highlight the importance of...

The echoes of a troubled past can often linger long into our future, but for Kelly Wallace, they became the stepping stones toward a life of resilience and healing. As she recounts the harrowing experiences of childhood sexual abuse and the complex aftermath of addiction, we are reminded of the power of human spirit.  Kelly's story unfolds, revealing the injustices she faced, not only from her abu...

In this eye-opening episode of TAM+, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the transformative concept of radical acceptance. They explore how embracing reality as it is—without avoidance or escape—can break the vicious cycle of addiction, anxiety, and depression. The discussion begins with an introduction to the concept's roots in Buddhist teachings and its development into a key component of D...

Struggling with mental health can feel like a solitary battle, but there's profound strength in shared experiences. In this episode, Duane speaks with Derek DuChesne and Dr. Zaid Fadul of Better U, a company that provides safe, affordable, clinically-guided at-home ketamine treatments for anxiety and depression. Walk through Derek's raw and poignant narrative, from grappling with identity loss and...

In this episode of "The Addicted Mind," hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the transformative world of mindfulness meditation and its incredible ability to combat rumination. If you've ever found yourself stuck in a loop of repetitive thoughts, replaying past events, or worrying about future conversations, this episode is your first step towards breaking free. Duane & Eric explain how ru...

In this episode of "The Addicted Mind" podcast, we dive into the inspiring world of Ronnie Marmo, a talented actor, director, and writer with a 25-year journey through addiction, recovery, and the arts. Ronnie opens up about his personal battle with addiction, finding solace and salvation through Alcoholics Anonymous at a young age, and how this experience has profoundly influenced his career in t...

In this eye-opening episode, Duane and Eric 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 Nathanson in 1992, which helps us understand the four main ways we deal with shame: withdrawal, attacking self, avoidance, and attacking others. By recognizing t...