The Addicted Mind Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

When Nick Padlo hit rock bottom, he never expected that a serene meditation garden would be the catalyst for a profound transformation. As a West Point graduate and Army combat veteran, Nick's journey through addiction and mental health struggles led him to discover the life-changing power of mindfulness and meditation. We explore the stark contrast between mindfulness and mindlessness and how focusing on meditation objects like breath, body, or emotions can sharpen both personal and professional effectiveness. Transitioning from rehab to real life poses significant challenges, and building a comprehensive sobriety toolkit is essential. Nick shares invaluable insights into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and daily mindfulness practices, stressing the importance of continuous self-improvement. We also underscore the vital role of education and skill-building in recovery, Sophros Recovery's expansion efforts, and the necessity of supporting veterans and first responders. Ultimately, Nick's journey sends a powerful message of hope and resilience, proving that with the right tools and mindset, anyone can aspire to a better life. In this episode, you will hear: Nick Padlo's transformative journey from addiction and mental health struggles to recovery The life-changing impact of mindfulness and meditation on Nick's recovery Contrast between mindfulness and mindlessness, enhancing personal and professional effectiveness Building a comprehensive sobriety toolkit including CBT, DBT, and daily mindfulness practices Importance of continuous self-improvement and education in addiction recovery Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you feeling drained, irritable, and on edge, even though you're doing everything right in your recovery? The missing piece of your puzzle might be as simple as getting a good night's sleep. In this eye-opening episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the often-overlooked importance of sleep in addiction recovery. Think sleep doesn't matter? Think again! The hosts reveal how poor sleep can sabotage your efforts, making you more likely to relapse. But don't worry – they've got your back with practical tips to transform your sleep habits and supercharge your recovery. Discover why sleep is your secret weapon for managing emotions, boosting brainpower, and keeping cravings in check. Duane and Eric share personal experiences and scientific insights that will make you rethink your relationship with sleep. They bust the myth that sacrificing sleep for productivity is a badge of honor and explain why it's time to prioritize those precious Z's. Ready to take your recovery to the next level? Tune in to learn five simple yet powerful steps to create the perfect sleep routine. From ditching screens before bed to crafting a sleep-friendly environment, these tips will help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your recovery journey. Don't let poor sleep hold you back any longer. Listen now and unlock the power of restorative rest to become the best version of yourself in recovery. Download: Bedtime Routine Planner and Tracker for Recovery Worksheet Join Our Deep Dive, where we discuss this episode in depth. Register Here: https://theaddictedmind.com/deepdive Click Here to Join the TAM + Community Waitlist. Get the support you need. Key Topics The five crucial reasons sleep is important for recovery How sleep affects emotion regulation and decision-making The link between sleep, stress management, and cravings Common sleep challenges in recovery and how to overcome them Five practical steps to improve your sleep quality Creating a sleep routine that supports your recovery goals Timestamp [00:01:14] Importance of sleep in recovery and mental health  [00:02:57] Two sides of sleep struggles: overworking and insomnia  [00:04:32] Sleep's impact on emotion regulation and impulse control  [00:05:50] How sleep affects cognitive function and decision-making  [00:06:43] Sleep's role in stress management and cortisol levels  [00:08:21] Sleep's influence on craving control  [00:09:35] Five practical steps to improve sleep quality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you imagine a life where alcohol isn’t the centerpiece of your social interactions? In this episode, Duane sits down with Veronica Valli, a recovery coach and psychotherapist, who challenges the deeply ingrained belief that a fulfilling life must include alcohol. She reveals the initial shock and eventual liberation that comes from meeting people who thrive without it. Having been alcohol-free for over 24 years, Veronica shares her deeply personal story.  What began as binge drinking and drug experimentation in her teenage years in the UK led to severe consequences and a struggle for self-acceptance. Her tale is a testament to the power of emotional sobriety, which she considers the cornerstone of true recovery. Through candid anecdotes, she discusses the role of fear in maintaining alcohol dependence and how sobriety transforms one's perception of joy and connection. Veronica emphasizes the importance of managing emotions without alcohol and discovering the surprising joys of being fully present in life's moments. This episode explores the rollercoaster of early sobriety and the necessity of a supportive community and the right tools to navigate this phase successfully. Veronica introduces her five pillars of sobriety – movement, connection, balance, process, and growth – as key components for maintaining and enriching a sober life. Duane and Veronica also cover addressing past trauma and shifting ingrained perceptions about alcohol. Veronica's journey is one of profound gratitude and clarity, offering hope and inspiration to anyone considering the path of sobriety. In this episode, you will hear: Why emotional sobriety is key to true recovery Misconceptions tied to alcohol dependency The struggle of managing emotions without alcohol Addressing underlying issues like resentment, fear, and self-worth The five pillars of sobriety Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://soberful.com/ NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movies, as much as they’re entertaining, can also play a major role in addiction recovery. Films and movies tell us a lot about our humanity, and stories in films always follow a very familiar pattern – they're all about transformation, a relatable theme for anyone in recovery. In an engaging conversation with Duane, Ted Perkins shares his passion for using movies to promote addiction recovery. As the author of Addicted in Film: Movies We Love About the Habits We Hate, you can use Ted's workbook to explore self-discovery questions while enjoying recovery-related movies. Ted is also the Founder/CEO of Recovery Movie Meet-Ups, where individuals in recovery can support each other. Having been in recovery himself, Ted is dedicated to helping others break the stigma of addiction and move forward, as we all overcome addiction, together. In this episode, you will hear: How film and addiction are intertwined Identifying with the movie characters  Addiction as a subjective mental experience How movies help in addiction recovery Putting screenwriting and recovery together Understanding the mental models of the future Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.  We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Addicted in Film https://www.addictedinfilm.com  Recovery Movie Meet-Ups https://www.recoverymoviemeetups.com/  NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As you're trying to find hope in the grit of addiction and trauma recovery, there's power in being part of a community that can move us from a place of struggle to freedom. On this episode, Duane speaks with Caroline Beidler about her new book, “Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in The Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery,” and how one can find hope in their own journey of addiction and trauma recovery by harnessing the power of sharing their story.  Caroline Beidler is an author, recovery advocate, and founder of the storytelling platform Bright Story Shine. With almost 20 years in leadership within social work and ministry, Caroline is a team writer for The Grit and Grace Project and a blogger at the global recovery platform, In The Rooms. Caroline's insights and personal experiences offer practical advice and inspiration for those navigating similar struggles. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for hope and healing in their own life. In this episode, you will hear: Why she came up with the title, “Downstairs Church” How she took the first steps down into the basement church How to find hope in the grit of addiction Having a personal relationship with God takes time How adversities give rise to healing The importance of showing up vulnerably  Highlighting the power of story Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.  We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Website: www.carolinebeidler.com Bright Story Shine https://www.brightstoryshine.com/  The Grit and Grace Project https://thegritandgraceproject.org/  In The Rooms https://www.intherooms.com/home/  Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in The Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery https://www.amazon.com/Downstairs-Church-Finding-Addiction-Recovery/dp/1631959786 NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of people who may be struggling with a family member that is in the throes of addiction think the person needs to go get help. But there's this whole system that probably has to be addressed. In this episode, Duane and Dr. Brooke Keels discuss the importance of family therapy in addiction recovery from a systems perspective. Dr. Keels highlights the importance of each family member doing their own individual work to achieve health for the entire system.  With her experience in clinical and leadership roles within the recovery industry for over 15 years, Dr. Keels shares her passion for the process and the positive impact it can have on people's lives. Dr. Brooke Keels holds a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy. She works to create, implement, and oversee the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Program and Individual and Family Therapy Programs at Lighthouse Recovery, Texas.  Listen in to learn more about the family's role in addiction recovery and how to work towards health and happiness for all. In this episode, you will hear: The importance of family in addiction treatment The power of seeing the system Why family healing is so important What hope looks like in a dysfunctional family The value of validating the reality of the situation Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.  We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Lighthouse Recovery Texas NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life is going to throw curveballs at you, and that’s a given. The question is, how willing are you to withstand those? On today’s episode, Duane talks with Andrew E. Guy, the author of Work Your Words: Finding Your Pathway to Personal Success. Andrew helps corporate leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs integrate work, life, and self-care to improve well-being so they can pursue purposeful living. Andrew is a professional certified educator, an educational engagement expert, and is certified in the prevention and management of aggressive behavior.  Today, Andrew is going to talk about his book, Work Your Words, specifically about resilience and stepping out of pain, hurt, and darkness to live your best life. With a contagious inspirational spirit, Andrew shares his incredible story of resilience that encourages people to take control of their lives and the life they're meant to live.  Andrew believes in the power of words. He believes that when you’re able to work the right words, the right things happen, and what you say about yourself makes a huge difference. You're not living this life for yourself, because you're actually living this life so you can help others to live and people will live through your experience. In this episode, you will hear: Unworthiness as a symptom of depression Not your fault, but it’s your choice Finding a community that will support your changes The willingness to be vulnerable The HOPE acronym How finding your purpose changes everything in your life Navigating your pain and trauma Participating in your own miracle Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.  We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: www.andrewguyspeaks.com  Work Your Words: Finding Your Pathway to Personal Success https://www.amazon.com/Work-Your-Words-Finding-Personal/dp/1987890019  The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma-ebook/dp/B00G3L1C2K  NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of people go through an experience where they fall madly in love with someone, they crave them, and they want to be with them. There's this addictive nature of romantic love. And then for whatever reason, it doesn't work and you break up. Now, what? That being said, falling in love does not mean something’s wrong with you. Dr. Cortney S. Warren is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).  Having won numerous professional awards for her research, Cortney is an expert on addictions, self-deception, romantic relationships, eating pathology, and the practice of psychotherapy from a cross-cultural perspective.  Today, we’re going to talk about her book, Letting Go of Your Ex: CBT Skills to Heal the Pain of a Breakup and Overcome Love Addiction (2023). This is perfect for readers who are trying to explore breakups through an addictive framework. In this episode, you will hear: How is love addictive? How do we know when we're in a relationship that might be love addicted?  What to do when we're ending the relationship and how do we get out of that relationship in a way that brings about personal growth and self-actualization? How love addiction goes awry What is love addiction? Evaluating your core beliefs about romantic love How romantic love is portrayed in the media The addictive nature of a breakup What is CBT and how does it work? Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.  We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Dr. Cortney Warren’s Social Media links:  Website: https://drcortney.com/ Psychology Today Naked Truth Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/naked-truth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CortneySWarren  Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCortneyWarren  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcortney/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQGXD7Ms5oR3GzsPZl3Tjl_9qj71MezHj Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Ka7bam4AAAAJ&hl=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcortneywarren/?hl=en TEDx Talk: Honest Liars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpEeSa6zBTE&t=2s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drcortneywarren?lang=en  NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About four years ago, in the face of what little did she know was going to be an increasing horror show in terms of deaths due to opioid use, Debra Gonsher Vinik decided to do a documentary on the opioid crisis. She also wanted to put the spotlight on women because, as she says, women are almost absent in terms of the media coverage of what's going on. Since 1999, we have lost over 200,000 women to the opioid crisis.  On this episode, Duane and Debra take a deep dive into her new documentary, Attention Must Be Paid: Women Lost in The Opioid Crisis. Addiction is so stigmatized that the idea of women coming forward is a big thing. These brave women featured in the documentary have put aside any concern or worry about other people's perception of them so they can speak their truth and their story in order to help other women. Hopefully, other women who will watch this can also relate and feel that, after all, they’re not alone.  In this episode, you will hear: The psychological dependence on opioid addiction The story of a mother who didn’t want to film The most explicit recipe for tragedy The story of two women from different walks of life Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.  We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://divacommunications.com/ Attention Must Be Paid: Women Lost in The Opioid Crisis https://divacommunications.com/attention/  NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're trying to move away from addiction and all the falsehoods, you have to start looking through that lens and replace them with axioms or self-evident truths. Once you’re in harmony with the world you live in, you get clarity on who you really are. In today’s episode, Duane speaks with Rio Timberlane to talk about the power of decision-making, how to get clear on your identity, and understanding axioms or self-evident truth. Rio Timberlane is a relationship scientist who has spent about two decades looking at the underlying axioms that we all operate in as humans.  In this episode, you will hear: Understanding axioms or the self-evident truth The importance of having the right mindset The power of decision-making Asking the right questions What does it mean to be a tree The simplexity of love How to get clear on identity Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.  We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: ELAO.guru https://www.riowrks.org NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices