The Recovered Life Show

Have you ever been told to "just move on" from a painful past experience, only to find that your body and emotions refuse to cooperate? In this insightful episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon Frank is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Robinson, who specializes in trauma, anxiety, and EMDR therapy. Together, they break down why healing from trauma isn't as simple as making an inte...

Can you truly heal from trauma if you don’t fully remember what happened? On this episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon Frank sits down with Dr. Chuck Benincasa, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in complex trauma, dissociation, and severe forms of abuse and neglect. Together, they unpack the mechanics of human memory under severe stress and explore why incomplete, missing...

In this episode of the Recovered Life Show , host Damon Frank sits down with psychologist Dr. Natalie Feinblatt , who specializes in addiction, trauma, and codependency. Together, they take a deep dive into what it truly means to be "the fixer"—the person who constantly steps in to solve problems, keep the peace, and take responsibility for everyone else’s lives. Dr. Natalie shares key insights on...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon Frank sits down with researcher and expert Dr. Radwa to explore a paradigm-shifting perspective on ADHD. Instead of viewing ADHD purely as a deficit or a problem to be fixed, Damon and Dr. Radwa discuss the incredible hidden benefits of the neurodivergent brain—specifically its connection to out-of-the-box creativity and problem-solving. Dr....

What happens when you give up the obvious addiction but still find ways to escape? Damon Frank sits down with Dr. Judith Wright to explore soft addictions —everyday habits like scrolling, shopping, overeating, overworking, and entertainment that can quietly become ways to numb feelings or check out of life. Discover how to recognize when a harmless habit has crossed the line, uncover the deeper ne...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show , Damon Frank examines the conversation surrounding Brad Pitt and reports that he resumed drinking after seven years of sobriety. Damon questions whether the media is treating alcohol use too casually—as if returning to drinking were simply a lifestyle choice rather than a potentially serious decision for someone with a history of alcohol problems. Drawin...

In this personal episode of The Recovered Life Show , Damon Frank celebrates 33 years of continuous sobriety and reflects on why the past year became one of his best—not because of a major accomplishment, but because he finally felt more comfortable being himself. Damon discusses putting down fear, accepting that everyone has a different path to recovery, and how treatment options have changed sin...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, Damon dives deep into the concept of reinventing yourself during recovery. Many people enter recovery feeling broken or weighed down by the labels of their past, but true reinvention is about letting go of those old identities. Damon discusses how changing your life doesn't happen overnight, but rather through small, intentional actions. This episode exp...

We’ve all heard the bumper-sticker recovery advice: "Let go and let God." But let's be honest—actually doing it is a whole different story. In this episode of the Recovered Life Show, Damon Frank challenges the traditional concept of "letting go" and shares a mindset shift that completely changed his own multi-decade recovery journey: learning to be "good either way." Damon opens up about the cons...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon is joined by Dorothy Breininger , a renowned organizational expert and featured specialist on the hit show Hoarders . Dorothy explores the profound connection between physical clutter and mental health, particularly for those on a journey of recovery from addiction. She shares her unique perspective that many people in recovery shift from bei...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon talks with Leonard Buschel, author of High: From Cannabis to Clarity . They dive into the often-overlooked issue of marijuana dependency, specifically focusing on how long-term use can shift from casual enjoyment to a life-altering addiction, particularly for the baby boomer generation. Leonard shares his personal journey from smuggling hashi...

In this powerful episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon explores a radical shift in mindset for anyone in recovery. If you’ve spent years identifying as a "struggler" or viewing every day as a "battle" against addiction, this episode is a wake-up call. Damon discusses how clinging to the identity of a fighter actually gives power to the very substances you’re trying to avoid. By creating...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon welcomes contributor Cecil Galey Jr. to discuss the growing trend of sobriety and mental health awareness among the "over 50" demographic. They dive into how the pandemic disrupted traditional face-to-face support systems and why the older generation is finally trading the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality for authentic connecti...

In this episode of the Recovered Life Show , host Damon Frank explores a high-stakes question: Is the label "alcoholic" holding us back in recovery? . While the 12-step tradition often requires identifying as an alcoholic to participate, a new perspective from the Harvard Gazette suggests this term may conjure outdated stereotypes and keep individuals trapped in an identity of "brokenness". Damon...

After a several-month hiatus, host Damon Frank returns to the podcast to address his absence and share the future vision of Recovered Life . He reflects on the origins of the show during the COVID-19 pandemic and explains how his personal evolution as a recovery coach—and the changing landscape of the recovery community—led him to "go all in" on a new level of support for those struggling with add...

In this episode, we explore the simple yet powerful truth that every recovery journey begins with one breath. One conscious inhale, one intentional exhale — that’s where awareness starts. Damon Frank sits down with Recovered Life TV Contributor Kolleen , who shares how mindfulness brings presence and peace to the recovery process. Together, they unpack how staying awake, aware, and alive helps us...

Is Gen Z killing 12-step groups—or simply rewriting the rules of sobriety? In this episode of The Recovered Life Show , Damon Frank dives into the controversial question of whether Gen Z’s open approach to recovery and social media culture has watered down the traditions of anonymity that defined Alcoholics Anonymous for decades. From Slate’s recent article on #Sobertok to the legacy of Bill Wilso...

On this episode of Recovered Life , Damon dives into the power of identifying your domino —the single action that creates momentum and knocks down every other barrier in your way. Instead of drowning in busyness or hiding behind endless to-dos, Damon shows how to cut through the noise, find the bold move that matters most, and take massive action that shifts your entire week forward. This is a pra...

In this episode of the Recovered Life Show , Damon Frank sits down with guest Meegan to explore one of the most powerful — and challenging — parts of recovery: forgiveness. Resentment can feel like a stumbling block, keeping us tied to the past and stuck in pain. But as Meegan shares from her own experience, forgiveness opens the door to healing, freedom, and deeper connection — not just with othe...

In this episode of How I Did It , David shares a hard truth that changed everything for him: You can’t always control what happens, but you can always control how you respond when life doesn’t go your way. When life threw him curveballs, David stopped saying “life sucks” and started asking better questions: What can I learn? How can I be better tomorrow? That mindset shift became the foundation of...

Damon sits down with JOMO —an inspiring voice in the recovery community whose journey is marked by deep empathy, authenticity, and a powerful example of how to live a recovered life. From his compassionate outlook to his unwavering respect for others’ paths, JOMO shares what it means to give people the grace to grow. 🎯 Episode Highlights Here’s what stood out in our conversation with JOMO: Empath...

In this episode of How I Did It , Brandon doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. He’s been there—high, checked out, spiraling—and he’s done pretending it didn’t affect anyone else. This is the wake-up call most people don’t want, but damn sure need. Brandon breaks down what happens when you finally stop lying to yourself. The excuses run out. The fake promises don’t land anymore. And if you actually love the...

What if the addiction wasn’t the root—but the response? In this episode of The Recovered Life Show , host Damon Frank is joined by trauma therapist and EMDR specialist Sean Osterdorf to explore the hidden links between trauma, addiction, and the lingering emotional patterns that can persist long into recovery. Together, they unpack: What trauma really is—and how it can quietly shape addiction Why...

Damon Frank sits down with licensed therapist and trauma specialist Kyle Miller to explore the subtle and not-so-subtle ways trauma manifests in our daily lives. From the way we use our bodies to how we avoid emotional discomfort, Kyle shares powerful insights into the hidden impact of unresolved trauma and what it takes to truly reconnect with ourselves. Whether you're in early recovery or deep i...

On this episode of the Recovered Life Show, Stephanie lays it all out—the wreckage, the hustle, and the fight to come back from it all. What started with prescription painkillers slid into heroin. From there, things unraveled fast: shoplifting to survive, broken connections, waking up every day in survival mode, chasing the next high. But this isn’t just a story about the fall. It’s about the mome...