Known for her incredible bravery and courage to bare her soul to the world through her podcast, Terrible, Thanks For Asking, and social media, Nora reveals a secret that she's struggled with recently. When you're so public with almost everything, what can you keep private? ______ If you or anyone you know is struggling with an addiction, depression, trauma, or sexual abuse, we've compiled a list of resources at https://secretlifepodcast.com . If you'd like to share your secret on the show or wan...
Jul 05, 2021•30 min•Ep. 56
Whether it was past sexual abuse, a conservative upbringing, or deep-seated Catholic beliefs, Carla was filled with shame whenever she had sexual experiences that weren't "traditional." She's now committed to using her platform and experience to help others embrace their authentic self. Carla Russo is a writer, transformational mentor and senior editor at HuffPost. In between journalism and mentoring, Carla spends most of her time on boats, fishing with her husband and practicing yoga and reiki....
Jun 28, 2021•31 min•Ep. 55
For decades Court chased after the unavailable woman. After years of causing harm to herself and others, she finally found recovery from sex and love addiction. This episode is jam-packed with so many secrets and her beautiful self-discovery. ______ JUNE IS LGBT PRIDE MONTH - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr...
Jun 21, 2021•25 min•Ep. 54
The lie that nearly destroyed Amy wasn’t that she was married and in love with a woman; it was when her heart was broken by the woman—Amy was in a downward spiral and couldn’t ask for help. How do we live an authentic life when the dark thoughts feel so real? In the episode, Amy shares her secrets and the healing road towards self-love and being her true authentic self. We're so proud of her! You are not alone. Ask for help. Find someone that you can talk to and share. We all have things we’re a...
Jun 14, 2021•32 min•Ep. 53
It was the summer of 1979 when Spencer discovered pornographic magazines with naked men while visiting Paris. Like a classic murder mystery, his coming out story will have you on the edge of your seat. ______ JUNE IS LGBT PRIDE MONTH - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americ...
Jun 07, 2021•21 min•Ep. 52
Postpartum bipolar disorder , the mood disorder Leah was diagnosed with, is virtually unheard of. Postpartum bipolar is also known as bipolar, peripartum onset , and it's arguably the least known of the six postpartum mood and anxiety disorders . *Trigger Warning: Please note that this episode contains topics of suicide and sexual abuse. Some people may find it disturbing. Most people who suffer from Bipolar Disorder tend to experience both the highs and lows. But Leah only experienced the high,...
May 31, 2021•37 min•Ep. 51
As a successful actor in tv and film, having a tic could easily be seen as a significant challenge. Still, with the help of a therapist, Jack discovered his tic was, in fact, a low-grade case of Tourette Syndrome. After suffering decades of shame for an undiagnosed "bad habit", Jack eventually found a way to control it and the addiction to negative thinking that went along with it. To DOWNLOAD Jack's book: https://jackplotnick.com/teacher/ _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addic...
May 24, 2021•23 min•Ep. 50
Dealing with mental and physical health problems before she even hit her 20s taught Rachel a lot. She learned what she wanted out of life and about the things that helped her get through very dark times. And perhaps most importantly, she realized that you can never know what someone else is going through. People go through all kinds of shit that we don't know about. Rachel's goal is to make everyone's lives better by discussing all of that shit. Sharing, listening, and laughing about the tough s...
May 17, 2021•31 min•Ep. 49
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations. — Body dysmorphic disorder - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic Body dysmorphic disorder affects about 1 in 50 people. In the United States, an estimated 5 million to 10 million people have this cond...
May 10, 2021•24 min•Ep. 48
After sexual abuse, teenage rape, suicide attempt, drug abuse, imprisonment, toxic relationships and chronic pain condition, Natalie now a self-esteem and relationship coach shares about how she managed to overcome the trauma and learned to love herself back to life. If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction or depression, we've compiled a list of resources on the Secret Life Website: https://secretlifepodcast.com To share your secret and be a guest on the show, email secretlifepodc...
May 03, 2021•40 min•Ep. 47
TRIGGER WARNING - This episode contains topics of sexual abuse by a parent and trauma. Some people may find it disturbing. The Secret Life team is committed to engaging in uncomfortable conversations to shed light and hope on some of the darkest topics. Our intention is to create a space for guests and listeners to release the shame attached to situations they had no control over. Amber was just 6 years old when she was molested by her father. A secret she'd kept from her family for over 15 year...
Apr 26, 2021•26 min•Ep. 46
When Jim Clemente walked into the Bronx home of his former summer camp director, it wasn’t for old time’s sake. The twenty-something Clemente was wearing a wire. Federal agents and an NYPD detective were listening in. And his old camp boss, Michael J. O’Hara, was showing Clemente pictures of kids he’d molested — just like he’d abused Clemente a decade prior. Clemente had convinced the predator he was a kindred spirit and had to keep his cool, or the criminal case being built against O’Hara — a B...
Apr 19, 2021•26 min•Ep. 45
Dancing With the Stars' Cheryl Burke has been very open about her abuse as a young girl and recently about her recovery from alcohol, but it wasn't until she had Brianne on her own podcast did she realize that she too struggled with sex and love addiction. _______ This year, President Biden announced that April 2021 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. He calls upon all Americans to protect our Nation’s greatest resource — its children — and to take an active role in supporting children and...
Apr 12, 2021•33 min•Ep. 44
Is there anything wrong with having a type? Don't we all have a type? That's what makes us unique. No two people have the exact same things that they find attractive. But what if our type becomes an obsession? What if it limits your choices, and you find yourself repeating a cycle of bad decisions because of it? They say marrying for looks or money is never a good thing—so does it have to be about something deeper then? Does having a type cut you off from finding someone whose insides are more t...
Apr 05, 2021•24 min•Ep. 43
*TRIGGER WARNING - This episode contains topics of sexual assault, trauma, and abortion. Some people may find it disturbing. In another moment of "What the f@#% is wrong with some men," we have a brave survivor who shares her story of being sexually assaulted minutes after giving birth. Was this deep-seated secret fuel on the first for her addictions and suicidal thoughts? Listen to her heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting journey to recovery. Just days ago, on March 26, 2021, USC agreed to pa...
Mar 29, 2021•37 min•Ep. 42
Dating apps are a $3 Billion industry with over 270 Million users worldwide. And for an addict of any variety—a dangerous place to swipe. April found herself falling for the first man she swiped right on. What ensued was a year-long “relationship” that consisted of the two recording their sexual encounters and little else. Shortly after, she heard our episode with Olivia Munn; she listened to Brianne’s story in episode #1. For the first time in her life, she heard her story and realized that she...
Mar 22, 2021•37 min•Ep. 41
Why do women stay once they find out that the man of their dreams is married? Is the saying true; once a cheater, always a cheater? "But he's different... he says he loves me and will choose me." Cut to years later, and that isn't the case. He stays in the relationship he said he was leaving, with the woman he loathed and left you wanting those years of your life back. Lee has kept this secret from everyone in her life except one person. How can she trust another man again? _________ If you or a...
Mar 15, 2021•27 min•Ep. 40
How many of us have fallen into the trap of seeking material things to fill that hole? Hoping and praying that if we just get this next big job or find the perfect mate, we’ll finally be happy? For Darren, his entire identity was defined by his success; his career, the women he dated and the cars he drove. With the help of a mentor/sponsor, he took a deep dive searching for his own truth, authenticity and self-love. _________ If you or anyone you know is struggling with an addiction, depression,...
Mar 08, 2021•35 min•Ep. 39
What happens when the man you love cheats on you… again and again? Or when his chronic, narcissistic behavior of gaslighting you every time is pushing you farther and farther away from trusting your instincts and your inner voice? This week, Chloe shares the heartbreaking story of a decade-long relationship and her journey of letting go and learning to trust herself once again. _________ If you or anyone you know is struggling with an addiction, depression, trauma, or sexual abuse, we've compile...
Mar 01, 2021•27 min•Ep. 38
Matt blew up his relationship with his fiancé because he couldn't stop going to massage parlors for sex. While attending an in-patient program for sex addiction, he uncovered a pattern of behaviors that stemmed from sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted family friend and an older boy. Listen to Matt's journey as he peels back the layers of shame and dependency and learns to find his truth. ________ If you or anyone you know is struggling with an addiction, depression, trauma, or sexual abuse, w...
Feb 22, 2021•35 min•Ep. 37
It doesn't matter how successful you are, how much money you make, or what you look like, Compare and Despair can and will bring you down. Jana and Brianne talk about how Compare and Despair thinking is pervasive and dangerous. It can contribute to anxiety, depression, shame, and envy, leading to self-criticism and a lack of self-worth. It rapidly undermines any confidence. ________ If you or anyone you know is struggling with an addiction, depression, trauma, or sexual abuse, we've compiled a l...
Feb 15, 2021•30 min•Ep. 36
Ever since she was little, Brianne Davis had the belief that she wasn’t smart because she struggled with standardized testing due to her dyslexia and ADHD. No matter how successful, abundant or happy she was, those negative voices of doubt and shame plagued her. As she peeled away the layers of the false self she created to protect her, the unique talent, voice, and purpose have come into the light. With just days ahead of releasing her debut novel, Brianne shares her journey and the gift of sho...
Feb 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 35
Hollywood actress Olivia Munn struggled for years with chronic pain, fatigue, stress and fluctuating weight loss/gain until she discovered she had Fibromyalgia. With demanding shooting schedules and continually being in the public eye, Olivia suffered for years while trainers, doctors and nutritionists attempted to find solutions. It took a ton of research and a team of doctors at the UCLA medical center to determine what the culprit was finally. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by wides...
Feb 01, 2021•28 min•Ep. 34
Natasha was diagnosed with BPD at the age of 33 after years of being told she just had depression or she was too 'OVER THE TOP' her entire life - after entering treatment and learning how to adopt DBT skills into her life, her entire way of being shifted for the better and she knew she had to share the wisdom and help others. ______ What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? BPD is a type of ‘personality disorder’. It is an illness that makes you struggle with your emotions and this can affe...
Jan 25, 2021•34 min•Ep. 33
We are not defined by others' opinions of us. But those opinions can be challenging to overcome. When we are young, those outside influences can shape our thinking about ourselves. The change we want to see in the world will require that we own our true authentic power. With a ton of courage, tenacity, and self-love, Jorge Ortiz is a shining example of claiming his heritage, celebrating the differences and stepping into his greatness. ________ Jorge Ortiz is an actor and writer, born and raised ...
Jan 18, 2021•22 min•Ep. 32
Even the happiest, healthiest marriages require a certain amount of work to stay that way, but it is also common to want out. Some research has even said that not arguing is a bigger red flag than fighting. Arguing in a respectful, productive way can be a positive sign because it means both spouses still care. What lies underneath that argument can vary from person to person. From resentments, depression, fear of abandonment and stress. How do you stay in a marriage when you want to run? When yo...
Jan 11, 2021•30 min•Ep. 31
What's Sarah Goodson's secret? For 15 years she worked for other people/businesses even though she wished for something more. The "steady paycheck" kept her in corporate jobs that never fully fulfilled her. Then a life-changing event happened. The murder of one of her dearest friends prompted Sarah to ask the question: "If today were my last day, would I be okay with my life right now?" The answer was no -- and that answer finally ignited her to make the jump to full-time entrepreneurship. In 20...
Jan 04, 2021•24 min•Ep. 30
Is it possible that the thing we fear the most is precisely what we need to push through and expand our life? Our minds often create a future that is filled with disappointment and failure. Yet, most of us can look back and see that even when that situation happened, it was hardly as bad as it was in our heads. Or if it was, there was a silver lining on the other side. 2020 has been a challenging year on so many levels. As we move into 2021, with no clear picture of how it will turn out, we have...
Dec 28, 2020•23 min•Ep. 29
It doesn't have to be a holiday to make some's life a little better. Our anonymous guest shares how she's found a way out of depression by helping others. Covid-19 has affected so many people this year. Is there someone in your life that could use some help? Is it you? You are not alone. Reach out, risk being vulnerable, and ask for assistance. Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday season. Check out and support Barbara's skateboard Instagram account: ThrashXArt Some resources if you're strugglin...
Dec 21, 2020•18 min•Ep. 28
If you have binge eating disorder, please know that you’re not alone. Binge eating disorder (BED) is actually the most common eating disorder. It affects about 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men. According to the National Eating Disorders , BED is a severe, life-threatening, and treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often very quickly and to the point of discomfort. Some symptoms are feeling a loss of control during the binge; ex...
Dec 14, 2020•27 min•Ep. 27
