Imagine this: You're in the middle of a stressful moment. Your heart races, shame creeps in, and that familiar voice in your head starts up again: "I'm a failure. I'll never change." What if you could stop this spiral with just a few powerful words?

In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric explore how creating a personal positive mantra can transform your recovery journey. These simple phrases aren't just feel-good statements—they're powerful tools backed by science that can literally rewire your brain.

Our hosts break down how negative automatic thoughts become hardwired through repetition, creating harmful cycles that feel impossible to escape. But there's hope! Using the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections—they explain how intentionally shifting these thoughts with personal mantras can change how you feel and respond to stress, shame, and cravings.

The episode offers a practical three-step process to create your own personal mantra: identify your automatic negative thoughts, challenge them with more realistic perspectives, and craft a simple, memorable mantra you can use in tough moments. Examples like "This feeling will pass" and "I am stronger than this moment" show how these short phrases can become powerful anchors when you need them most.

Duane and Eric emphasize that recovery isn't something we do alone—it's a journey we take together. They share how these mantras, when practiced regularly, become stronger with each use—like doing one rep at the gym.

Whether you're new to recovery or looking to strengthen your journey, this episode provides a simple yet powerful tool to help you navigate stress, regulate emotions, and stay grounded when you need it most.

Rewire Your Brain: The Power of Personal Mantras for Recovery Worksheet

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Key Topics

• The science behind automatic negative thoughts and how they become hardwired in our brains
• How neuroplasticity allows us to create new thought patterns through intentional practice
• Three-step process to create your personal coping mantra
• Why writing down negative thoughts is crucial to identifying them
• The importance of personalizing mantras to make them more effective
• How to practice and implement your mantra in daily life
• Why community support enhances recovery alongside personal coping skills

Timestamp

[00:01:08] Introduction to personal coping mantras and their power in stressful moments

[00:03:54] The importance of community in recovery journeys 

[00:05:00] Understanding how automatic negative thoughts shape our emotions and behaviors 

[00:06:14] The science and history behind mantras in psychological practice

[00:09:00] Step 1: Identifying your automatic negative thoughts 

[00:11:58] Step 2 & 3: Challenging negative thoughts and creating positive mantras 

[00:16:09] Resources available for listeners to implement these practices

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Unlock the secret to healing from betrayal as Eddie Caparucci, a seasoned counselor, guides us through the transformative power of inner child work. Gain insights from Eddie as he unravels the intricate tapestry of trauma, betrayal, and recovery. Eddie’s latest book offers a lifeline to those grappling with the pain of infidelity, drawing connections between unresolved childhood wounds and present-day struggles. Together with his wife, Teri, they illuminate a path towards reclaiming one's sense of self and emotional resilience.

Join us as we explore the profound impact of childhood experiences on our responses to betrayal. Eddie shares his expertise on identifying core emotional triggers and how these can magnify the hurt of infidelity. By acknowledging the inner child, betrayed partners can begin the journey of healing and learn to separate raw emotions from rational thoughts. With compassion and understanding, this episode shines a light on the complex journey of recovery, empowering listeners to manage emotional distress more effectively.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Eddie Capparucci discusses healing from betrayal using inner child work, linking unresolved childhood trauma to current emotional issues.
• Exploration of betrayal and trauma intersection, offering insights on separating emotions from thoughts for recovery.
• Strategies for finding inner strength and resilience after betrayal, focusing on self-empowerment and understanding pain.
• The importance of community support and therapy for managing distress and rebuilding trust.
• Discussion on identifying emotional triggers and addressing past wounds for recovery and better relationship decisions.
• Insights on maintaining healthy relationships by understanding childhood impact on adult emotions and behavior.

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Supporting Resources:

https://abundantlifecounselingga.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.

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What drives you forward when recovery gets tough? In this powerful follow-up to their episode on values, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the concept of "meaning making" – the essential fuel that powers your journey toward your most important goals.

Have you ever achieved something you thought would make you happy, only to feel empty afterward? Or felt stuck in life despite doing everything "right"? This episode explores why so many people – even successful ones – struggle with feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from what truly matters to them.

Using the framework developed by Thomas Mara, the hosts break down how meaning isn't something external that happens to you – it's something you actively create. If values are your North Star showing you direction, meaning is the engine that moves your boat forward.

Duane and Eric explain how distorted meaning-making contributes to anxiety disorders, depression, addiction, and eating disorders – and how reconnecting with authentic meaning can transform recovery. They introduce the concept of "supreme concerns" – the things that matter most to you – and provide practical strategies for identifying them and building your daily life around them.

Whether you're struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or simply feeling disconnected from purpose, this episode offers a roadmap for creating a more authentic, fulfilling life aligned with what truly matters to you. The hosts remind us that meaning-making isn't just a nice addition to recovery – it's essential for building resilience against life's challenges and creating genuine happiness.

Don't miss the downloadable worksheet mentioned in the show notes to help you identify your own supreme concerns and start creating more meaning in your life today

Download the Worksheet

Key Topics

• The relationship between values and meaning in recovery 

• Understanding meaning as a perspective rather than inherent in objects 

• How distorted meaning contributes to mental health disorders 

• The concept of "supreme concerns" as guideposts for meaningful living 

• Practical strategies for embedding meaning into everyday life 

• Overcoming obstacles to meaning making like fear and powerlessness 

• How alignment with meaning creates resilience and authentic relationships

Timestamp

[00:01:30] Eric's analogy: Values as North Star, meaning as the motor 

[00:03:00] Defining meaning and why it's personal to each individual 

[00:05:49] How anxiety and depression distort meaning 

[00:07:52] The challenge of misalignment even in successful people 

[00:09:13] Exploring the concept of "supreme concerns" 

[00:11:43] Overcoming obstacles to meaning making 

[00:14:00] How meaning making enhances recovery and relationships

Follow and Review: 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:

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

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Growing up amidst the chaos of a turbulent family life in Detroit, Dwayne Barnes discovered a lifeline in the form of creative expression. His journey from a tumultuous childhood to the bright lights of Hollywood is nothing short of remarkable. During our conversation, Dwayne opens up about how acting became his sanctuary, a place where he could channel the dysfunction of his upbringing into something beautiful and transformative. His debut book, "Their Eyes Were Never on Me," is a raw exploration of self-addiction and limiting beliefs, offering a beacon of hope for those eager to break free from their own chains.

Our discussion with Dwayne shines a light on the intricate balance between family challenges and career aspirations. He shares candid reflections on the sacrifices made by loved ones, including a grandmother's unwavering support amidst addiction struggles. Navigating the pressure of Hollywood, Dwayne faced the daunting task of starring in roles that eerily mirrored his own life’s trials. Despite being surrounded by the glamor and allure of fame, he unveils the real-life personal battles and healing processes that unfolded behind the scenes, including the realization of personal issues, obstacles in therapy, and the unyielding quest for resilience.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Dwayne Barnes' transformative journey from a turbulent childhood in Detroit to success in Hollywood
• Acting as a sanctuary; channeling his chaotic upbringing into creative expression
• Insights from his book "Their Eyes Were Never on Me," exploring self-addiction and breaking limiting beliefs
• The role of family dynamics and sacrifices, including the support of his grandmother, in his journey
• Navigating the pressures of fame while facing personal challenges and healing processes
• Embracing creativity and spirituality as tools for authentic growth and empowerment

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:

http://www.authordwaynebarnes.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.

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Are you feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or like you're living someone else's life? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive deep into how unclear values might be sabotaging your recovery and overall well-being. Like a rudder on a boat, your values guide you through life's challenges and decisions. Yet many people in recovery struggle because they haven't identified what truly matters to them.

The hosts explore how living without clear values can lead to anxiety, depression, and that nagging feeling that something's missing. They share practical insights on how to discover your authentic values across different life areas - from relationships to career choices. Whether you're in recovery or simply seeking a more meaningful life, this episode offers concrete strategies for aligning your actions with what truly matters to you. Plus, listeners get access to a special worksheet to help them define their personal values and start making better decisions today.

Download the worksheet: Building a Life & Recovery Guided by Your Values Worksheet

Key Topics:

• The connection between undefined values and recovery struggles
• How misaligned values lead to anxiety, depression, and unfulfillment
• The importance of differentiating between personal values and "shoulds" from others
• How values change throughout different life stages and circumstances
• Using values as a decision-making tool in relationships and career choices
• The role of emotion regulation in living according to your values
• Practical strategies for defining values in different life domains

Timestamps: 

[00:01:14] Values as a rudder: The importance of guidance in life 

[00:02:37] Why values need regular review and refinement 

[00:04:31] How undefined values impact mental health and recovery 

[00:06:00] Using values to make better decisions [00:09:35] Breaking down values into specific life categories 

[00:11:18] Practical examples of applying values to relationships 

[00:13:21] Access to free values worksheet and resources

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.

Follow and Review: 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:

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

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When Caitlin Morrison found herself facing the bittersweet task of continuing her brother Matthew Perry's legacy, she embraced it with a deep sense of purpose and resilience. On this episode of the Addicted Mind Podcast, Caitlin joins us to share her poignant journey of supporting a loved one through addiction and how it shaped her work at the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada. Through her story, we unravel the layers of hope, frustration, and the powerful drive to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction.

We explore the intricate world of addiction treatment, emphasizing the necessity for extended care and the brain's lengthy healing process. We challenge the misconceptions around addiction by advocating for a perspective that treats it as a chronic disease, akin to diabetes or heart disease. With insights from Caitlin's experiences and Matthew's courageous openness about his struggles, we highlight the importance of long-term support and the role of compassion in recovery.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Caitlin Morrison's journey continuing her brother Matthew Perry's legacy in addiction support.
• The role of the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada in advocating for long-term recovery.
• Addressing addiction as a chronic disease, similar to diabetes or heart disease.
• Importance of reducing stigma and embracing compassion in addiction recovery.
• The transformative impact of community-centric facilities like the Matthew Perry House in Ottawa.
• Matthew Perry's courageous openness about his struggles inspiring others to seek help.

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:

 matthewperryfoundation.ca

Instagram: @mpfcanada

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

Have you ever felt guilty for missing your addiction, even though you know it was destroying your life? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric explore the often-overlooked emotional journey of grieving your addiction during recovery. They dive deep into why letting go of addiction can feel like losing a best friend – even when that friend was toxic. Using Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's famous five stages of grief as a framework, they explain why these feelings are completely normal and how to process them without shame. Whether you're in recovery yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers vital insights into the complex emotional landscape of addiction recovery and provides practical tools for moving forward. Learn why missing your addiction doesn't make you weak – it makes you human.

Download The Worksheet

Key Topics

• The five stages of grief in addiction recovery: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance

• Why missing your addiction is a normal part of recovery

• Understanding what you're really grieving (substance, rituals, identity)

• How to process grief and loss in recovery without shame

• The importance of community support during the grieving process

• Practical strategies for moving through grief in recovery

• Tools and resources for processing addiction-related grief

Timestamps

[00:01:06] Introduction to loss and grief in recovery

[00:04:00] Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief explained

[00:09:54] The dangerous bargaining stage in recovery

[00:12:00] Understanding the depression stage

[00:15:12] What we're really grieving in recovery

[00:18:35] Healthy ways to process addiction-related grief

[00:20:33] Resources and support options available

Follow and Review: 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:

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

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Our guest on this episode of the Addicted Mind podcast is Lacy Bentley, a recovery mentor, and coach in the areas of love and sex addictions for women. At age 13, Lacy found herself consuming erotic novels and pornographic anime called hentai. She didn’t realize it until much later in life, but her involvement with those types of pornography had created an addiction to the fantasy that affected all of her relationships into adulthood. She developed a pattern of escape and avoidance related to any intense emotion – positive or negative – that was affecting her marriage and her relationship with her children as well.Once she realized her own issues, she realized that there had to be other women out there who were struggling as well, but no one was willing to talk about women having problems with pornography. Since so much of pornography involves the subjugation and abuse of women, there is a “girl code trauma” associated with women being aroused by the terrible things that are portrayed happening to other women.

Lacy has found in her work to help women find the freedom and recovery that they so desperately need that once a woman is willing to admit her addiction, she is usually all-in to do whatever needs to be done to heal. They need to go through a period of raw and unfiltered honesty about what has happened, then move past the shame that they have been living with for too long, and find their way to reconnecting with their partner healthily and intimately. One of the keys to a successful recovery is opening up and walking through your struggles with your partner, talking about what happened, what works, what doesn’t work, and so on.

Women who are struggling with love, sex, or porn addictions need to know that they are not alone. That they are worth recovery and that they have the right to be empowered to be themselves and have the courage to face their problems head-on. Lacy is a strong advocate of the concept of regaining your integrity because integrity is a big part of what is lost during an addiction.

Links

[email protected]

REAL Love Tribe on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/417549051983126/

www.herrecoveryroadmap.com

Instagram

http://instagram.com/lacyalajna/

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Supporting Resources:

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

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What if the walls you built to protect yourself have become your prison? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric explore how sharing our authentic stories can break the chains of shame in recovery. They dive into why many people get stuck in their recovery journey, despite doing "all the right things," and reveal how authentic sharing can be the missing piece. Drawing from both clinical experience and research by Brené Brown, they explain why shame thrives in silence and how connection can be the antidote. The hosts provide practical, actionable steps for those struggling to share their story, making this complex journey more manageable. Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable insights into the transformative power of authentic connection.

DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET

Key Topics:

• Understanding how shame creates isolation and perpetuates addictive behaviors
• The role of authentic sharing in building shame resilience
• How to identify and connect with safe people for sharing
• Practical steps for beginning to share your story
• The importance of self-compassion in the sharing process
• Setting healthy boundaries while sharing your story
• The connection between authentic sharing and sustained recovery

Timestamps: 

[00:01:17] Introduction to shame and authentic sharing 

[00:02:54] How silence keeps people stuck in addiction 

[00:05:00] Discussion of Brené Brown's research on shame 

[00:07:02] The dark room analogy for shame 

[00:10:19] Practical steps for sharing your story 

[00:12:17] Setting boundaries around sharing 

[00:13:51] Resources and worksheet information

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.

Follow and Review: 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:

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

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Suzanne Jessee is with us today to talk about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a relatively new treatment, at least in the United States, for individuals who are struggling with depression. Depression is often present in addiction and TMS is something that may help people that are struggling with addiction and treatment-resistant depression. Suzanne Jesse is the CEO and founder of Anew Era TMS in Huntington Beach, California. To start, Suzanne breaks down what TMS stands for. Transcranial means “beneath the cranium,” and magnetic stimulation means “stimulation using magnets.” The technology behind MRI magnets is used in TMS. But the big difference between TMS and MRI magnets is that the TMS magnetic technology creates a field of energy that is fairly intense that penetrates beneath the cranium into the brain. TMS focuses in on the mood center of the brain that is responsible for the depressive symptoms. That area is stimulated to wake up those neurons again so that they are able to fire efficiently and transmit the neurotransmitters across the synaptic gap more efficiently.

For patients that have tried psychotherapy, and medications, and they haven’t seen the results that they are looking for, TMS may be very beneficial. Even though TMS has been used in Europe and Asia for more than 20 years, it is now being used in the United States. This use is mainly due to TMS being approved by the FDA for depression, but it can also be used to treat conditions like PTSD, OCD, anxiety, smoking cessation. It has also been used to address issues like dementia and Alzheimers. This cutting-edge technology has so many different opportunities for treatment that weren’t available before TMS coming to the United States. TMS is completely noninvasive. Patients can drive themselves in, have a 45-minute treatment, and then drive themselves home. The only possible side effects are sometimes a mild headache. Suzanne encourages people to come in for a free consultation and see the equipment. Her team of psychiatrists will do an overall assessment to see if this type of treatment is appropriate for you.

Supporting Resources:

visit https://aneweratms.com/ Or call (888) 503-1549

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.

Follow and Review: 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:

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

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In this episode of The Addicted Mind podcast, Eric and Duane dive deep into the often-overlooked topic of perfectionism and its profound impact on recovery journeys. They explore different dimensions of perfectionism, from self-imposed standards to societal expectations, revealing how these can lead to self-criticism and hinder progress. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, they offer practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism, such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and seeking professional support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has felt the weight of unattainable standards and seeks a path to greater peace and acceptance in their recovery.

Download: OVERCOMING PERFECTIONISM WORKSHEET

Join Our Deep Dive, where we discuss this episode in depth.

Click Here to Join the TAM + Community Waitlist. Get the support you need.

Key Topics:

• Types of perfectionism: self-oriented, other-oriented, socially prescribed
• Psychological impacts of perfectionism in recovery
• Practical steps to combat perfectionistic tendencies
• Connection between perfectionism and substance use disorders
• Importance of mindfulness and self-compassion in recovery

Key Moments:

1. 00:01:14 - Introduction to the topic of overcoming perfectionism in recovery
2. 00:04:24 - Historical and psychological perspectives on perfectionism
3. 00:09:00 - Link between perfectionism and substance use disorders
4. 00:11:25 - Practical steps for fighting perfectionism
5. 00:16:22 - Invitation to join the deep dive and community for support

Follow and Review: 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:

If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center

NovusMindfulLife.com

We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind

Disclaimer

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