What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered For

Is addiction a genetic defect, or a survival superpower trapped in the wrong century? In this episode, I sit down with Casey Hyatt, a Master’s level clinician with over 15 years of experience, to look beyond the clinical labels of addiction. We explore a perspective that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply humanizing: the idea that the traits often branded as "disorders" are ac...

"We want what you guys are on!"   That’s what a young couple told today’s guest Haven Thomas while she was dancing sober at a club with her partner.  Their secret? No "magic potions"—just recovery, better company, and a reclaimed sense of self. One of the biggest hurdles to starting recovery is the fear that life is about to become stiff, bitter, and boring. In this episode, Ha...

"She’s not giving me a hard time; she’s having a hard time." We often think of leadership and parenting as acts of control. But the greatest tool you have isn’t your ability to "fix" a situation—it’s your ability to stay steady within it.  In this deeply soulful episode, Talmadge Lowe and I sit down to explore the life-changing shift from living in a "bracing" stance—...

"Our secrets keep us sick, but our truth sets us free."   There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from keeping our own secrets. We think we’re being strong by staying silent, but that 'safety' is what keeps us stuck. Today’s guest, Alan Horsnell, lived behind that wall of silence for over two decades before realizing that raw honesty is the prerequisite for healing. N...

Have you ever realized that the 'bag of rocks' you’ve been carrying doesn't even belong to you?   In this reunion, Leah and I reflect on the two years since we met in Bali, diving into the raw and often difficult work of true personal healing. We pull back the curtain on how suppressed anger can hide behind sadness, sharing our own stories of walking away from careers in education a...

Why do we stay in cycles that hurt us? In this episode, we explore the true catalyst for transformation: the moment the pain of staying in a destructive pattern finally becomes greater than the pain of making a change. I share my personal story of recovery, highlighting why "loud" consequences were the necessary factor in my shift and how we often accidentally hinder others by shielding...

This week, I sat down with Reed Hendricks for one of the most moving conversations I’ve ever hosted. We trace his journey from the silence of childhood trauma to a life guided by radical authenticity. Reed shares openly about how gaslighting led to years of people-pleasing and compartmentalization, and the profound internal work—rooted in sobriety—that allowed him to finally find his voice and est...

Is the standard recovery path the only path to a healthy life? This week’s episode features certified recovery coach and digital marketer Steve Sarin, who shares an open, honest perspective, challenging traditional concepts in sobriety to make room for a more flexible, individualized approach. This powerful conversation affirms that all pathways are valid .  We dive into controversial but crucial...

On this week's episode, I talk with Molly Martin, founder of the culinary events company Juniper Green, about one of the most vital acts of leadership: finding the courage to protect your biggest aspirations from the well-intentioned people who love you but sometimes struggle to grasp the scope of your vision. We open with the "Running into the Room" experience—when enthusiasm tempo...

Your life path does not have to be a straight line. That feeling of being "behind" or having a disjointed journey is a common struggle—but it might simply be a sign that you have a multi-faceted purpose, one that branches out like a strong, deep-rooted tree.  In this week’s philosophical yet grounded episode, we explore why embracing a non-linear path is crucial to long-term fulfillment....

Do you feel rigid and stuck, even after years of sobriety? Many reach this plateau, but the key to moving forward isn't just abstinence—it's emotional sobriety and psychic integration. Jungian Analyst in training, Jeff Browning , offers a revolutionary perspective: the parts of ourselves we push into the Shadow (like anger or old complexes) don't disappear; they emerge sideways , ke...

"I think that the essence of reinventing yourself is owning who you are. "  Join us for a heartfelt and profound conversation with Anne Taylor that redefines what it means to age powerfully and joyfully. We dive deep into the silent struggle of cultural pressures surrounding body image and explore how our deepest self-worth is often unnecessarily tied to professional presentation. Throug...

This week, in a deeply personal conversation, Vanessa James takes us through the years she spent quietly concealing her identity. She speaks openly about the emotional struggle of navigating childhood trauma, overcoming explosive addiction within the music and hospitality scenes, and the immense hurdle of a shocking 164-year initial prison sentence, ultimately arriving at a place of true self-acce...

“The most surprising thing I found in recovery was myself .” In this week’s episode, I get candid with Ryan MacFarlane about our unique three-year journey as roommates, revealing how mutual respect was the foundation for success. We dive deep into recovery, with Ryan outlining the three universal anchors: community, a Higher Power, and service. We also explore the complexity of faith, detailing my...

It's Time to Choose Yourself. ✨   In this profound and honest conversation, Taura Ryan and I dive deep into the complexities of personal and professional growth , getting real about the inner struggle of letting go of old habits, expectations, and relationships that no longer serve you.  We explore the challenges of navigating change simultaneously and the necessity of embracing it—even when...

In this profoundly honest and transformative episode, Scott Kindel shares his personal story of navigating life's greatest challenges: co-parenting and grief.  Scott details the essential work required to evolve his co-parenting relationship and drain the "swamp of resentment." Hear the crucial choice he made to prioritize his kids’ stability and emotional well-being over his own de...

This week, we sit down for a powerful conversation with Michael Carlson, who opens up about his experience growing up in a military family and the lasting impact of his father’s alcoholism and PTSD. Michael dives deep into the challenge of finding his way back to himself, the complexities of 'clean time' versus true recovery, and how writing became his necessity and portal for healing. W...

"I kept the blinds down all the time... it was a metaphor for my whole life." Today’s episode introduces a new type of segment—shorter messages from me to you—straight From The Heart. These are spontaneous and will drop randomly , whenever the inspiration strikes and my heart is being tugged on by something that needs to be shared.  Think of them as surprise bonus episodes!  These are th...

This week’s episode meets us at one of my most treasured places: the intersection of intuition and addiction. In this conversation with one of my FAVORITE humans on this planet, psychic Bee Herz opens up on her personal recovery journey through rehab before transitioning to a powerful channeling session focused on discovering your life's purpose. She gets into themes of intuition, empathy, an...

In this conversation, Rashad and I explore different complexities that come with navigating personal relationships alongside addiction. We both share raw moments of self-confrontation—from breaking a deeply ingrained trauma of abandonment to overcoming the limiting internal beliefs that tie meaningful work to burnout and financial struggle.  This episode is a powerful blueprint for embracing posit...

Chris and I kick off this conversation with my favorite topic of all time: boundaries. It has been the thing I’ve had to work on the most; once I realized I didn’t have any, I set out to go find out what they were about and how to both set and uphold them in all types of relationships. We discuss the importance of setting boundaries in relationships, understanding emotional regulation, and the cha...

On a kitchen floor in September of 2018, I woke up inside my adult life.  And I was not okay.  In this premier episode, the stage is set at the lowest point I've ever been. That moment was a catalyst for the journey I would take over the next several years. The exact words I said out loud to myself on the floor that day were, “This is not how this story ends.” I didn’t know what that would lo...