In this week's episode, we delve into Brooke's compelling story of seeking acceptance and battling personal demons in the world of love and sex addiction. From her humble origins in a small town, where friends and family subjected her to bullying, to her discovery of a supportive online community that embraced her for who she truly is, this is a narrative of resilience and transformation. Join us as we follow Brooke's path through the shadows of desire, addiction, and depression, where she not o...
Oct 16, 2023•31 min•Ep. 176
Is Video Game Addiction Real? It’s great to do things you enjoy. But can you go too far with a hobby? And at what point does it become an addiction? That’s the question experts are trying to answer about playing video games. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired on March 21, 2022, as Ep #93. The World Health Organization added “gaming disorder” to the 2018 version of its medical reference book, International Classification of Disease...
Oct 09, 2023•26 min•Ep. 175
Jamie was living with her meth-addicted husband for over two years while pregnant with their second child. Though she knew something was wrong, he repeatedly lied and made her feel crazy. She suffered in silence to protect him until she found his "sex den" and crack pipes, confirming her worst fears. In a last-ditch effort, she staged an intervention with his family. After dropping him at rehab, she felt free for the first time in years. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addicti...
Oct 02, 2023•16 min•Ep. 174
Secret Life Podcast Ep 173 — 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 ...
Sep 25, 2023•25 min•Ep. 173
Lisa brings us into the world of BDSM and how she’s balancing that life and the life of recovery from sex and love addiction. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com ______ To share your secret and be a guest on the show email secretlifepodcast@icloud.com _____ SECRET LIFE’S TOPICS INCLUDE: addiction recovery, mental health, alcoholism, drug addiction, sex ad...
Sep 18, 2023•29 min•Ep. 178
Society conditions us to strive to be perfect — be thin, toned, ripped, trimmed, waxed, peeled, tan, liked, followed, friended, and then... we will be loved. There's a misconception that only women put themselves under a microscope when it comes to their bodies and their looks, but men do too. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired on November 2, 2020, as Ep #22. A new study points to a surprising connection between rising perfectioni...
Sep 11, 2023•29 min•Ep. 171
From a very young age, Gwenn realized that it was easier for her to do what people wanted instead of sharing her point of view. That theory carried into her marriage, profession, and motherhood. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com ______ To share your secret and be a guest on the show email secretlifepodcast@icloud.com _____ SECRET LIFE’S TOPICS INCLUDE: ...
Sep 04, 2023•26 min•Ep. 170
Unfortunately, Jamie's story is all too familiar within the recovery community. A person with a decade of recovery from alcohol relapses on pain pills. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com ______ To share your secret and be a guest on the show email secretlifepodcast@icloud.com _____ SECRET LIFE’S TOPICS INCLUDE: addiction recovery, mental health, alcoholi...
Aug 28, 2023•23 min•Ep. 169
The entertainment industry is getting better about hiring more women and BPOC, but there was a time, not so long ago, when even the make-up and hair departments were run by men. JC and Brianne unpack what it’s like to be a mother in the film and tv business. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com. ______ To share your secret and be a guest on the show email ...
Aug 21, 2023•25 min•Ep. 168
Kellee has 29 eggs chillin 'in a freezer in El Segundo. It all started when her seven year relationship came to a tearful and agonizing end. The heartbreak of saying goodbye to her almost, maybe, or one day baby daddy sent her into a tailspin of anxiety about what her future may hold. Naturally she did what every newly single Black woman in her late thirties does - She froze her eggs . Except, that’s not quite what we all do, is it? In fact, we rarely talk about fertility with ourselves, or each...
Aug 14, 2023•30 min•Ep. 167
What happens when you’re a casting director, and you meet the perfect guy, except he’s an actor and right for most of the projects you cast? Would it help or hinder his chances if the producers and director knew? Do you keep it a secret? For how long? That’s what Brianne and Claudia explore in this episode. ______ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com. ______ To ...
Aug 07, 2023•25 min•Ep. 166
What they don’t tell you is that when your child is born, a part of you dies and you have to come to terms with this new identity. Brittany Ishibashi and Brianne share their stories of struggling with postpartum, trying to be the perfect mom and finding time for self-care in times of quarantine. The two swap hilarious stories of fantasizing about just walking out the door (with their masks on of course), only to have their child do something insanely adorable, reminding them why it’s all worth i...
Jul 31, 2023•30 min
Growing up in a large family of six children, Maryanne struggled with feeling special; instead, it was more about being responsible. So when she herself got married and had kids, she saw an opportunity to explore what being special was like, even if it was with the wrong person. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com. ______ To share your secret and be a gue...
Jul 24, 2023•24 min•Ep. 164
This week's episode is all about host Brianne Davis-Gantt's "Twin Soul," but surprise, surprise, it's not her husband Mark. It's actually her awesome sister, Stephanie! Now, let's dive into a topic we can all relate to: emotional eating. You know how sometimes we chow down on food not just because we're hungry, but because we're seeking comfort, stress relief, or a little treat? We've all been there. It's like reaching for that tub of ice cream when we're feeling down, eating a bag of chips, ord...
Jul 17, 2023•21 min•Ep. 163
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. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired on March 29, 2021, as Ep #42. *TRIGGER WARNING - This episode contains top...
Jul 10, 2023•37 min•Ep. 162
Battling depression and having a hard time asking for help, Kristin shares her heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting story when she shot herself in the chest in an attempted suicide. *Trigger Warning: Please note that this episode contains topics of suicide. Some people may find it disturbing. You're not alone: Whether you have struggled with suicide yourself or have lost a loved one, know you are not alone. Hear about personal experiences from people in your local community whose lives have be...
Jul 03, 2023•31 min•Ep. 161
For many adults, a parent getting sick is their first real experience with illness, disease, or facing the possible loss of a loved one. Both the ill parent and the adult child are faced with the idea of life without one another. Whether you live close to one another or far apart, the concept of not having your parent, this person who has literally never been more than a phone call away for your entire life is a scary prospect. Panic and anxiety frequently surface here too as one starts to imagi...
Jun 26, 2023•26 min•Ep. 160
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. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired on March 1, 2021, ...
Jun 20, 2023•27 min•Ep. 159
The follow up episode to Ep #157 - Brianne and Rebecca breakdown the last five minutes of the one on one interview with Raquel from Part 3 of Season 10 of Vanderpump Rule's. The two share the opinions and experience with love addiction. Relevant questions discussed in this episode about LOVE ADDICTION from Love Addictions Anonymous questionnaire Do you find yourself flirting with or sexualizing someone even if you do not mean to? Do you replace ended relationships immediately? Do you feel that y...
Jun 12, 2023•31 min•Ep. 158
Sex, Love, Addiction, and Reality TV: The Toxic Relationships of Vanderpump Rules — Rebecca was deep in her alcohol and sex & love addiction 18 years ago when she met Tom Sandavol at a Hollywood house party, and they slept together. Despite the fact, they both were in relationships. In the latest episode of Secret Life, host Brianne Davis teams up with guest Rebecca to delve deep into the intricate and toxic relationships portrayed on Bravo's Vanderpump Rules. Their critical and insightful a...
Jun 05, 2023•41 min•Ep. 157
In celebration of the First Day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we’re re-releasing one of our Best Of episodes today. Robert Gonzalez Gant share's about coming out as a proud gay man in Hollywood and the shift that is possible for those who struggled with acceptance. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired on August 2, 2020, as Ep #3. _____ About Robert Gant - Like you, I started out with big goals and dreams for my life but little idea how to ...
Jun 01, 2023•27 min•Ep. 156
Searching for attention and a means to support her daughter as a single mother, Kat put herself in situations that were not only dangerous, they prolonged and fed her alcohol and drug addiction. Continuing our Best Of series, we share some of our listener favorites. The episode originally aired on March 28, 2022, as Ep #94. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast...
May 29, 2023•40 min•Ep. 155
While still deep in her addiction, Susan married a sociopath and was trauma bonded with him for the first four years of her sober journey; he continued to drink daily while she focused on staying sober even through the abuse. Once she finally found the strength to walk away, her husband continued to stalk and harass her up until the day he decided to end his life. She shares her story today to help others that may be trapped in an abusive relationship or suffer from alcoholism. Her is a message ...
May 22, 2023•32 min•Ep. 154
The more Joe looked at porn, and the more deeply he got into those fantasies, the fantasy of porn became his reality, and the reality of having sex with another person became fantasy. There is so much to unpack in this episode. You’ll hear how through therapy, Joe discovered the hidden reasons for his sexual anorexia and how he overcame those fears and found himself with a sex surrogate. Continuing our Best Of series, we're sharing some of our listener favorites, including our good friend, Joe. ...
May 15, 2023•47 min•Ep. 153
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...
May 08, 2023•30 min•Ep. 152
Celebrating our 150th episode, we're sharing some of our listener favorites, starting with our good friend, Jim Clemente. Unfortunately, his story is all too common, as we see with recent news of the Baltimore Catholic Church , so incredibly prevalent still. This episode originally aired on April 19, 2021 as Ep #45. What would you do if you came face to face with the man that molested you when you were a teen? When Jim Clemente walked into the Bronx home of his former summer camp director, it wa...
May 01, 2023•26 min•Ep. 151
Karen shares her powerful story of growing up in an alcoholic home and the impact it had on her life, including her struggle with emotional suppression and disconnection. Tune in to hear Karen's journey towards healing, self-discovery, and finding peace within herself. She offers insightful advice for those dealing with addiction in their lives and emphasizes the importance of seeking support and approaching these situations with curiosity and compassion. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone...
Apr 24, 2023•32 min•Ep. 150
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly trying to be perfect and never quite reaching it? Then don’t miss the latest episode of Secret Life! We’re diving into the complicated world of perfectionism and its impact on our lives. Join us as we chat with Kevin E. West about his journey of learning to accept his imperfections and combatting perfectionism. Find out how to find peace, relaxation, and balance in your life, and learn valuable lessons about self-love, acceptance, and appreciation! Listen ...
Apr 17, 2023•25 min•Ep. 149
Likes, Love, and Lipstick: The Ups and Downs of Social Media Addiction -- Brianne and Bianca dive into the world of social media and its impact on self-expression, addiction, and attention-seeking behavior. They offer valuable insights into the authenticity of social media, the harm it can have on mental health, and the obsession with external image. With a focus on being true to oneself, the hosts provide valuable advice to younger generations on how to use social media mindfully and not let it...
Apr 10, 2023•27 min•Ep. 148
Michelle was determined to break the general trauma she suffered with an abusive father, and found herself unwittingly falling in love with someone so similar. Michelle's journey is similar for so many victims of abuse, the push and pull, the gas lighting and lies. Listen how Michelle pushed through to provide a better life for her daughters, even though she's still struggling to find her abuser at fault. _____ If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual ab...
Apr 03, 2023•31 min•Ep. 147
