The Addicted Mind Podcast

Download: 5 Crucial Mindset Shifts for Addiction Recovery Worksheet.Ever felt like you're stuck in a never-ending battle with addiction? You're not alone. In this eye-opening episode of Addictive Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the game-changing world of mindset shifts in recovery. They reveal that beating addiction isn't just about willpower – it's about rewiring your brain.The duo kicks things off by exploring why so many of us fall back into old habits, even when we're trying our hardest to change. They argue that the key to lasting recovery lies in how we think about ourselves, our addiction, and our future. It's not just about following rules; it's about embracing a whole new way of seeing the world.Throughout the episode, Duane and Eric break down five crucial mindset shifts that can transform your recovery journey. They explain how simple changes in thinking can open up a world of possibilities and help you build the skills and support network you need to thrive.One of the most powerful ideas they discuss is the shift from seeing relapse as a failure to viewing it as a learning opportunity. This change in perspective can help reduce shame and build resilience, making it easier to bounce back and stay on track.The hosts also dive into the importance of recognizing that recovery is a journey, not a destination. This shift can help listeners stay present and focused on their growth, rather than getting discouraged by setbacks.By the end of the episode, listeners will have a toolbox of mental strategies to help them navigate the ups and downs of recovery. Whether you're just starting out or have been on this path for a while, this episode offers fresh insights and practical tips to help you rewrite your recovery story.Key TopicsThe importance of mindset in addiction recoveryMoving from "I am my addiction" to "I am a person in recovery"Viewing recovery as a journey rather than a destinationShifting from relying on willpower to building skills and supportReframing relapse as a learning opportunityRecognizing personal power and choices in recoveryPracticing self-compassion throughout the recovery processTimestamp• [00:01:20] Introduction to the five crucial mindset shifts• [00:03:00] Discussing the first mindset shift: "I am a person in recovery"• [00:04:57] Exploring the second shift: "Recovery is a journey"• [00:07:00] Examining the third shift: "I need skills and support"• [00:09:52] Delving into the fourth shift: "Relapse is a learning opportunity"• [00:12:32] Discussing the final shift: "I have choices"• [00:15:30] Concluding thoughts and advice on implementing mindset shiftsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a powerful episode featuring Jesse Crosson, author of The Best Part of Prison and founder of the Second Chancer Foundation. Jesse shares his incredible journey from being an 18-year-old sentenced to 32 years in prison to becoming a leading voice in restorative justice and cultural change.Whether you are struggling with a physical "prison" or an emotional one, Jesse’s insights on vulnerability, routine, and radical acceptance offer a roadmap for anyone looking to reclaim their life from the darkness.🎧 In This Episode, We Discuss:The "Ping-Pong Ball" ExistenceAt 18, Jesse was "running from something he couldn't name," using substances and chaos to numb a deep-seated feeling of unworthiness. He describes the "insanity" of reacting to his environment rather than living with intention—a pattern that led to a robbery, a shooting, and a decades-long sentence.The Reckoning: Sitting with the SilenceJesse explains how being arrested was a "blessing" because it forced him to stop running. Locked in a cell with nothing but a blank wall, he had no choice but to sit with the fears he had spent his life avoiding. He discovered that when you finally make space for the pain, it loses its power to consume you.Redefining Guilt and AccountabilityA pivotal moment in Jesse’s journey came from a prison psychologist who taught him that guilt is a signal, not a life sentence. * The Lesson: Guilt is a flashing sign that something needs to change. Once you change the behavior and step into accountability, you are not meant to carry the weight of that guilt forever.The Power of "Second Chances"Jesse shares the story of helping a fellow incarcerated man—a "giant" everyone feared—earn his GED. This act of service provided a sense of meaning that no worldly success could match. This eventually led to the founding of the Second Chancer Foundation, which uses storytelling to change the culture surrounding incarceration and reentry.The "Prison" of the MindDuring a mentor session at South by Southwest (SXSW), Jesse realized that Fortune 500 CEOs and incarcerated individuals often struggle with the same "imposter syndrome" and feelings of being "not enough." He argues that we are all seeking freedom from some form of internal confinement.✨ Key Takeaways:Accountability is the First Step to Freedom: Radical acceptance of "what is" (rather than what "should be") is the only way to move in a new direction.Routine as a Tool for Sanity: Transformation began for Jesse with the simple, controllable task of cleaning his cell. Small wins build the foundation for big changes.Vulnerability is Power: Sharing your "why" and your struggles doesn't take your power away—it connects you to others and opens doors that logic and "professionalism" cannot.Service is Redemption: We find our own healing by helping the person we used to be.💬 Notable Quotes:"I was running from something and I didn't know what it was... I'd run to relationships, drugs, alcohol—anything to numb that pain.""Accountability is the first step to freedom. Radical acceptance of what is right now gives us the freedom to make different decisions.""Your wiring may explain you, but it doesn’t excuse you.""We are all incarcerated in some way, whether we have bars around us or handcuffs on our wrists. We’re all seeking freedom, but we don't always know how."🔗 Resources Mentioned:Book: The Best Part of Prison: The Power of Second Chances and Reclaiming Life Out of DarknessFoundation: The Second Chancer FoundationConnect with Jesse: Follow @JesseCrosson on social media or visit JesseCrosson.com.If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery CenterNovusMindfulLife.comWe want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmindDisclaimerNovusMindfulLife.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Duane Osterlind sits down with Mitchell Osmond, founder of Dad Nation, to discuss the unique challenges faced by career-driven men. Mitchell shares his powerful personal journey from the brink of divorce, $100,000 in debt, and substance struggle to a life of health and purpose. The conversation explores why the very skills that make men successful in the boardroom often sabotage them in the living room, and how to bridge the gap between professional power and personal connection.Key HighlightsThe Paradox of the "Successful" ManMany men feel respected and competent at work but powerless and disconnected at home. Mitchell explains that the tools of business—logic, efficiency, and detachment—don't translate to intimate relationships.The Struggle: Feeling like a "powerful leader" from 9-to-5 and a "robot" or "stranger" from 5-to-9.The Sabotage: Using workplace attributes to solve emotional problems, which often leads to further isolation.The Two Turning Points: A Fight and a FuneralMitchell reflects on the "brutal, painful journey" that led to his transformation:The Fight: A massive argument with his wife that made him realize he was on the verge of losing everything.The Funeral: While singing at a funeral, Mitchell heard a question that changed his life: "Are you living a life worthy of imitation?" He realized his current legacy was one of alcoholism and debt, and he chose to put a "stake in the ground."The Three Pillars of TransformationMitchell breaks down the process of change into three distinct phases:Information: Gaining the knowledge (though he warns we are "starving for wisdom" despite an abundance of data).Implementation: Taking action on that knowledge.Transformation: The result of consistent implementation, usually found within community and accountability.Understanding "Normative Male Alexithymia"The duo discusses the concept of Alexithymia—the lack of words for emotions.The "Lone Wolf" Trap: Society often teaches men to "stuff it down," leading to a lack of emotional intelligence.The Solution: Practicing emotional communication as a skill, using tools like the "Rise Conversation Ladder" or even simple emoji charts to identify feelings.The "Middle Way" of MasculinityMitchell rejects the extremes of "hyper-masculinity" (toxic/aggressive) and "passive-masculinity" (pushover)."I’d rather be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war." He advocates for being courageous yet compassionate—strong enough to protect the family, but meek enough to sit and listen to a daughter’s feelings.Notable Quotes"You are the most qualified to help the person you used to be." — Mitchell Osmond (referencing Ed Mylett)"Time is the only currency that we spend without knowing the remaining balance.""Your wiring may explain you, but it doesn’t excuse you."Resources & LinksDad Nation Website: dadnationco.comSocial Media: Follow Mitchell on Instagram (Search: Dad Nation)The Addicted Mind: theaddictedmind.comTool Mentioned: The Hoffman Institute’s Feelings List.If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery CenterNovusMindfulLife.comWe want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmindDisclaimerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Download: Identify And Regulate WorksheetHave you ever felt a whirlwind of emotions but couldn't pin down exactly what you were feeling? You're not alone. Many people, especially those on the road to recovery, struggle to identify their emotions. This episode of "The Addicted Mind" podcast dives into the crucial skill of recognizing and naming our feelings.Hosts Duane and Eric explore why pinpointing emotions is so important, especially for those battling addiction. They explain that many people used substances or behaviors to cope with overwhelming or confusing feelings. Learning to identify emotions is a key step in breaking free from destructive cycles.The hosts introduce a practical tool: asking yourself specific questions to figure out which emotion you're experiencing. They walk through examples for emotions like fear, envy, anger, shame, and guilt. By answering these targeted questions, listeners can better understand their emotional state.Duane and Eric stress that accurately identifying emotions is crucial for "checking the facts" – a method discussed in a previous episode. Once you know what you're feeling, you can examine if your emotional response fits the situation. This allows you to "adjust the volume" of your emotions – either dialing them up or down as needed.The hosts share real-life examples of how this process has helped people. In one case, a client realized they were feeling shame rather than guilt, leading to a breakthrough in their healing journey.Listeners are encouraged to practice this skill and to join a live "deep dive" session for more in-depth learning. The hosts also offer a downloadable worksheet to help listeners work through identifying different emotions on their own.Download: Identify And Regulate WorksheetKey TopicsThe importance of identifying specific emotions in recoveryUsing targeted questions to pinpoint emotionsExamples of questions for fear, envy, anger, shame, and guiltHow emotion identification connects to "checking the facts"Real-life impacts of accurately naming emotionsResources for further learning and practiceTimestamps0:00 - Introduction and importance of emotion identification2:43 - Connection to previous "Check the Facts" episode5:43 - Exploring fear as an emotion7:10 - Discussing envy and its complexities8:05 - Examining anger and its various triggers10:13 - Distinguishing between shame and guilt13:43 - Closing thoughts and resources for listenersSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Duane Osterlind sits down with Dr. Alexandra Katehakis, founder of the Center for Healthy Sex, to explore the complex relationship between shame, affect dysregulation, and addiction. Dr. Katehakis breaks down why shame isn’t just a "bad feeling" but a survival-based biological process rooted in our nervous system and early childhood development.Key Highlights1. What is Shame? (The Gut Connection)Shame is a pro-social function embedded in the human organism from birth. Unlike many other emotions, shame is primarily located in the enteric nervous system (the gut).The Biology: When we experience shame, we feel a visceral "drop." This is a rapid shift from a high-dopamine state (joy or excitement) to a low-dopamine state (collapse).The "No" Moment: Around 18 months, a child experiences the "genesis of shame" when a parent must use a firm "No" to protect them. In a healthy relationship, this is a temporary state.2. Rupture and Repair: The Building Blocks of ResilienceHealthy Dyad: A parent shames a child (rupture) but immediately follows up with soothing and "motherese" (repair). This teaches the child’s nervous system how to regulate itself.Toxic Shame: When shaming is chronic and unrepaired, "states become traits." The child remains in a collapsed, shame-based state, leading to pathological dissociation or chronic depression.3. Addiction as "Auto-Regulation"Dr. Katehakis posits that addiction is often a result of affect dysregulation. If a person lacks the internal capacity to regulate their emotions (due to a lack of interactive regulation in childhood), they turn to external sources to "auto-regulate."The Cycle: People use substances or behaviors (sex, gambling, shopping) to escape the painful, "dead" feeling of a shame-based core.The Body: Chronic shame results in low dopamine tone, often manifesting as a "limp" or depleted physical presence.4. Shame and IdentityShame deeply impacts how we view ourselves and interact with the world:External Locus of Control: Without internal regulation, people look outward for validation, often leading to poor boundaries and becoming susceptible to exploitation.The Victim/Perpetrator Paradox: In adulthood, those with toxic shame may "perpetrate from a victim position." They use their shame to avoid accountability, forcing partners to caretake them rather than addressing the original issue.Recovery and HopeHealing from chronic shame is a long-term process (often 3–5 years), but change is possible:Ownership: Admitting to the behaviors and secrets without defense or minimization.Community: Utilizing 12-step programs or therapy to experience "interactive regulation" with others.Healthy Shame: Learning to use shame as a pro-social "lane marker" that helps us stay in integrity, rather than a weight that collapses our identity."You can't undo shame by yourself. You really have to have a community of concern to help you through it." — Dr. Alexandra KatehakisResources MentionedBooks: Sex Addiction as Affect Dysregulation by Alexandra Katehakis.Experts: Allan Schore (Affect Regulation), Bruce Perry (Trauma and Development), Dan Siegel (Attachment).Center for Healthy Sex: Located in Los Angeles, CA. Sex Addiction as Affect Dysregulation: A Neurobiological Relational Modelhttps://theaddictedmind.com/If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery CenterNovusMindfulLife.comWe want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmindDisclaimerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.