Shows
What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP26: Brave in the Process | Finding Strength in the Messiness of Becoming with Mark MartinIn this episode, I sit down with Mark Martin, who is currently nine months into a deep process of personal transformation and recovery. We dive into the raw, honest reality of what it looks like to dismantle an old life and the vulnerability of starting over at 36—reminding us that "on time" is wherever you happen to be right now. This isn’t just a conversation about sobriety; it’s a profound exploration of forgiveness, radical honesty, and the bravery it takes to be a beginner. Key takeaways from our conversation: The Marbl...
2026-02-241h 07What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP25: From the Heart | When Things Don't Go The Way You Think They Should: A Lesson in PerfectionismToday’s Tuesday episode is a little different. No guest this week—just a raw, honest conversation about what happens when things don't go according to plan. I’m opening up about a technical glitch that forced a choice: scramble to maintain the illusion of "perfect," or lean into the messy truth of my reality. As someone in recovery from perfectionism—I’m choosing the latter.In this solo heart-to-heart, I’m sharing:The Perfectionism Trap: Why my need for control often gets in my own way and how I’m learning to notice it be...
2026-02-1715 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP24: The Habit of Suffering | From Empathy Fatigue to Embodied Compassion with Angela MelzerAre You Carrying the Weight of the World? We often use the term "compassion fatigue" to describe the exhaustion of caring, but counselor Angela Melzer suggests a profound shift in perspective: compassion itself is an infinite resource. What actually drains us—what leaves us hollow and reaching for our phones to numb out—is empathy fatigue. When we over-identify with another person's suffering, we inadvertently jump off our own "boat" and into the turbulent waters with them. We lose our grounding, our creativity, and eventually, our ability to be truly helpful. This c...
2026-02-101h 00What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP23: Learning to Listen | Exhaustion of the Lie and the Purpose of Staying Teachable with Joe Singer“The biggest fight I’ve ever fought in my life was with myself.” When Joe Singer texted his boss at a beer distribution company to admit he was an alcoholic, he expected to lose his livelihood. Instead, he was met with a simple: “Welcome to Step One.” It was a moment of radical transparency that redefined Joe’s relationship with his work and himself.In this raw and un-sugarcoated conversation, I sit down with Joe to discuss the transition from being a liar by trade to the "truth guy." We explore the exhaustion of playing "s...
2026-02-031h 12What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP22: Stronger at the Break | Reinforcing Your Life for a Great Adventure with Russ PollardWhat happens when the life you dreamed of finally arrives, but you’re too "broken" to actually live it?This week, I’m talking with Russ Pollard, a professional musician and DJ who has lived the full arc—from touring the world on a bus to finding a profound, quiet peace in the present. We look past the early days of survival to talk about the practice of presence and what it really takes to live a life of abundance without the weight of the past.The Heart of the ConversationThe Re...
2026-01-271h 16What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP21: The Survivalist Brain | Why Addiction is an Ancient Power in a Modern World with Casey HyattIs 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 actually ancient survival mechanisms—evolutionary strengths that have been short-circuited by the modern world.Key Insights from our Conversation:The Biology of the "Hunt": We discuss why the...
2026-01-2059 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP20: Resiliency, Reclaimed | The Fire and the Joy of a New Life with Haven Thomas"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, Haven and I dismantle that myth. From roller skating at Pride to seeing UK DJs in Milwaukee, we talk about how we traded "gripping" onto a life...
2026-01-131h 01What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP19: The Anchor Effect | Reparenting, Risk, and the Power of Regulation with Talmadge Lowe"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—that exhausting, automatic state of being "on guard"—to becoming an anchor for every room you enter. This is more than a conversation ab...
2026-01-061h 35What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP18: Permission to Change | Why Healing Requires Raw Honesty with Alan Horsnell"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. Now 13 years into his recovery, Alan opens up about breaking his own stigma, shedding the fear of being a burden, and leaning into the profound power of be...
2025-12-3047 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP17: Breaking the Cycle | Healing Generational Patterns and Ending Self-Betrayal with Leah PryorHave 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 and surviving marriages marked by trauma. It is a conversation about the moment you decide to stop betraying yourself and finally look at the emotional bur...
2025-12-231h 16What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP16: From the Heart | Boundaries, Consequences, and the Fantasy of PotentialWhy 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 them from their own natural outcomes. We also dive into the "Potential Trap"—the danger of holding onto a fantasy of who someone could be instead of bel...
2025-12-1917 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP15: Finding Your Voice | The Healing Power of Radical Self-Honesty with Reed HendricksThis 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 establish healthy boundaries. The heart of Reed’s healing is his commitment to full accountability. We discuss how his willingness to own his mistakes became the bridge to repair...
2025-12-161h 03What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP14: The Unorthodox Recovery | Atheism, Accountability, and the 12-Step Paradigm with Steve SarinIs 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 topics with a welcoming approach. Steve shares his methods for making the 12 Steps work for the militant atheist, explaining how principles like humility and peer accountability can be applied to follow the program wit...
2025-12-091h 07What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP13: The Greatest Rebellion | Following Your Own Pulse with Molly MartinOn 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 temporarily outweighs judgment—and discuss how this impulse requires navigating a messy middle ground of accountability and ambition. We challenge the toxic belief that you must be burned out and broke to do mean...
2025-12-021h 18What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP12: From the Heart | The Power of Choosing and Refining Your Identity & Why Every Step CountsYour 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. We discuss: The difference between a linear purpose (the straight line) and a branching purpose (the tree). The immense freedom of knowing that every choice...
2025-11-2717 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP11: Shadow Work & Emotional Sobriety | Finding the Missing Link to Deeper Recovery with Jeff BrowningDo 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, keeping us stuck in cycles we thought we escaped.Jeff shares his personal path, guided by symbolic dreams, showing how connecting with your inner world is the true path to emotional freedom. We...
2025-11-2555 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP10: Empowered Aging & Radical Reinvention | Trading Perfectionism for Wisdom with Anne Taylor"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.Through personal stories of radical reinvention and self-acceptance, we prove that aging is a beautiful process filled with wisdom and growth. The discussion is a candid look a...
2025-11-181h 05What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP09: Becoming Vanessa | A Story of Courage and True Liberation with Vanessa JamesThis 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-acceptance—the long-awaited chance to finally live as her authentic self. Her road was long and winding, but she fought for her sobriety—even while incarcerated—all while battling the internal fear of becoming the woman s...
2025-11-111h 44What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP08: Letting Go of the Need to be Right with Ryan MacFarlane“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 evolution to a personal spirituality—including a powerful, physical connection that Ryan witnessed. Ryan opens up about finding serenity in solitude and the work of navigating old patterns...
2025-11-0457 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP07: Embracing the Unknown | The Courage to Show Up and Reinvent Your Life with Taura RyanIt'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 it feels scary. This episode is a powerful reminder that your value is non-negotiable and offers wisdom on building confidence from the inside out. Whether...
2025-10-281h 04What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP06: Compassionate Co-Parenting and Finding Closure After Loss with Scott KindelIn 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 desire to be right. Beyond co-parenting, he discusses moving past the profound grief of his father’s passing, transforming a "swirling mass of emotion" into inner clarity. Discover the practices that helped him find inner peace and the role of radica...
2025-10-211h 04What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP05: The Road to Acceptance and a Writer's Second Chance with Michael CarlsonThis 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.We also get personal: Michael asks about my favorite part of the podcasting process, and I reveal the thing that matters most—the hope that someone will...
2025-10-141h 08What I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP04: From the Heart | On Letting People In"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 the episodes that simply have to be made. First up is an essential contemplation for anyone who assumes they have to go it alone...
2025-10-1008 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP03: Channeling Hope | A Psychic’s Story of Recovery and Guidance with Bee HerzThis 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, and how most addicts have intuition in spades. Somewhere in the middle of the episode, she moves from answering my questions as a human into being a vessel and sharing her...
2025-10-0752 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP02: No One is Coming to Save You with Rashad SuttonIn 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 positive disruption, where Rashad unveils his vision for a business that encompasses purpose for him and I challenge his lifelong fear of commitment, tracing it back to a childhood wound. Join us to learn why it’s important to believe in the...
2025-09-3048 minWhat I Didn't Know: Building the Life You Recovered ForEP01: The Art of Setting Boundaries with Chris RayChris 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 challenges of navigating personal needs while supporting others. Throughout this episode Chris emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, the value of ti...
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