Gerard Bradbury's life was once a tumultuous storm of anxiety and alcoholism, but today it stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Gerard joins us to reveal his deeply personal journey chronicled in his memoir, "Tripping Over Myself: A Journey from Addiction and Anxiety to Awareness and Peace." His first brush with alcohol at just 12 years old set off a chain of events that nearly ended his life, but Gerard found his way through the darkness, guided by the support of his family and a newfound...
Jun 23, 2025•40 min•Ep. 339
Do you feel like you're constantly on high alert, waiting for the next shoe to drop? Like your body is braced for impact even when there's no real danger around you? You're exhausted, on edge, and maybe you find yourself reaching for something—anything—to make it stop. A drink, a pill, a behavior that gives you just a moment of peace. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And more importantly, you're not broken. DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET In this eye-opening episode of The Addicted Mind, host D...
Jun 19, 2025•16 min•Ep. 402
Duane is joined by Beau Williams, the author of "One Year With My Soulmate." We discuss the deeply personal and emotional process of navigating life after such profound loss. Beau courageously opens up about his late partner Melanie's struggles with unresolved trauma and dependency on Adderall, and her search for healing through breathwork and self-discovery. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of love and loss and the resilience required to find purpose amidst the chaos. Through s...
Jun 16, 2025•50 min•Ep. 338
Are you tired of being stuck in the same painful cycle? You know the one – where you can't deal with what's happening, you're angry at the world, and you keep hoping things will magically change. Maybe you're fighting with your spouse, holding grudges, or just feeling completely overwhelmed by life. Here's the truth: all that fighting against reality is actually making your addiction, anxiety, and depression worse. But there's a way out, and it starts with something called radical acceptance. In...
Jun 12, 2025•19 min
Years ago, Olivia Sproat stood at a crossroads. As a provisional psychologist and former counselor, she was drawn to a unique women's rehabilitation prison in Australia—a place where the focus on compassion and respect seemed to offer a glimmer of hope. Today, she joins us to share her journey into this transformative field, where a pioneering program has slashed recidivism rates to an astonishing 6%, compared to the usual 40%. Through her eyes, we explore how addressing the specific barriers fa...
Jun 09, 2025•48 min•Ep. 337
Picture yourself staring in the mirror at 3 AM, promising yourself that tomorrow will be different, while that familiar voice whispers "you're weak" and "what's wrong with you?" If this sounds familiar, you need to hear this episode. Host Duane Osterlind delivers a solo episode that completely destroys the most dangerous myth about addiction - that it's a moral failing or character flaw. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has personally walked through addiction, Duane brings both pr...
Jun 05, 2025•15 min•Ep. 325
Legendary musician Dion DiMucci joins us to share his extraordinary journey of recovery and growth, shedding light on the transformative power of spirituality and mentorship. Known for timeless hits like "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer," Dion candidly discusses his battle with addiction and his path to over 57 years of sobriety. He reveals how faith and a 12-step recovery program changed his life, offering profound insights from his co-authored book, "Dion the Rock and Roll Philosopher." Dion'...
Jun 02, 2025•53 min•Ep. 336
Have you ever felt completely stuck when facing a difficult situation? Like you're drowning in endless possibilities and can't find your way forward? You're not alone. Most of us get trapped in decision paralysis, overthinking every angle until we're more anxious than when we started. In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric Osterlind break down a life-changing framework that can transform how you handle any problematic situation. Based on Marshall Linehan's Dialectical Behavior Therapy work, th...
May 29, 2025•15 min
Mike Long, the brilliant physicist-turned-writer and co-author of "The Molecule of More," joins us for a riveting conversation on the Addicted Mind Podcast. Together, we dissect the fascinating world of dopamine and its powerful influence over our behavior and experiences. We take a closer look at how this neurotransmitter's relentless push for future rewards often clouds our present joys, impacting everyday actions from gambling to excessive use of social media. Mike's unique perspective bridge...
May 26, 2025•45 min•Ep. 335
Do you ever feel stuck, like something is silently holding you back from achieving your goals in recovery? You’re not alone. On today’s episode of Addicted Mind Plus , hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind tackle a subject that hits close to home for many of us: those sneaky, unhelpful thought patterns called cognitive distortions. These tricky mental habits can silently sabotage progress and keep us locked in cycles of addiction. From all-or-nothing thinking to blaming yourself for what’s outside your...
May 22, 2025•16 min•Ep. 328
Mark Lucia, Director of Programming at the KindBridge Research Institute, brings his exceptional experience from being a special forces medic to mastering public health and behavioral health program design. Join us as we uncover the systemic barriers that hinder service members and veterans from accessing help for gambling addiction, a problem exacerbated by deeply ingrained institutional stigma. Mark’s relentless efforts to reshape policies and heighten awareness, evidenced by groundbreaking st...
May 19, 2025•53 min•Ep. 334
The Liberation of Letting Go: Finding Joy in What You Choose to Miss Have you ever felt that nagging anxiety when you miss a social gathering, decline an invitation, or don't immediately respond to a text? That feeling has a name—FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)—and it might be silently sabotaging your recovery journey. In this enlightening episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore a powerful mindset shift from FOMO to JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). They reveal how the cons...
May 15, 2025•16 min•Ep. 325
After facing the unimaginable heartbreak of losing a child, Stephanie Marquesano transformed her grief into a powerful mission to advocate for individuals battling co-occurring disorders. Her son Harris's struggle with mental health and substance use inspired the creation of The Harris Project, an initiative focused on holistic care. Stephanie's journey from personal tragedy to activism underscores the critical need for integrated approaches to mental health and addiction treatment, offering hop...
May 12, 2025•45 min•Ep. 333
Ever felt like recovery is a mountain that's just too steep to climb? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, host Duane Osterlind tackles the most damaging myths that keep people trapped in cycles of addiction and shame. Drawing inspiration from Johan Hari's profound insight that "the opposite of addiction isn't just sobriety, it's connection," Duane explores how recovery isn't about perfect willpower or never making mistakes – it's about reconnecting with yours...
May 08, 2025•17 min•Ep. 303
After enduring the chaos of addiction and the devastation of personal loss, Dr. Devin Effinger emerged with a new perspective and a mission to explore the healing potential of neuroscience. At just 15, a traumatic brain injury set the stage for a tumultuous journey through substance abuse, but also inspired a relentless pursuit of recovery and scientific discovery. Join us as Devin courageously shares his story, from the darkest moments marked by addiction and tragedy to the pivotal breakthrough...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 332
In this enlightening episode of "The Addicted Mind," hosts Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind dive into the fascinating world of the four archetypes of happiness based on the work of Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar. These archetypes offer a roadmap for understanding happiness and its pivotal role in addiction recovery. The discussion spans the spectrum from the "Rat Racer," who postpones present joy for future gains, to the "Hedonist," who seeks immediate gratification without pondering future consequences. ...
May 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 357
Growing up, Sam Thomas faced the harsh realities of bullying, leading him to battle bulimia in his teenage years. This challenge was only the beginning of a tumultuous journey through addiction and recovery, marked by a critical diagnosis of complex PTSD. As we sit down with Sam, the writer, speaker, and campaigner from Brighton, UK, he opens up about the intricate dance between dual diagnosis and addiction transference, shedding light on how unaddressed trauma can fuel dependency and how confro...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 332
Beyond Survival Mode: Living Your Values Through Recovery's Toughest Challenges When life gets turned upside down in recovery, what keeps you moving forward? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane Oline and Eric Osterlind explore how reconnecting with your values can be the anchor you need when emotional pain threatens to pull you under. We've all been there – stuck in survival mode, consumed by shame, fear, or anger after a setback in recovery. The hardest part? Feeling...
Apr 24, 2025•18 min•Ep. 356
Raised with dreams of becoming a missionary, Dean Patrick's journey took an unexpected detour following a fateful encounter with cocaine in high school. This pivotal moment diverted him from a path of faith toward one of ambition and excess, eventually leading to Stanford and the cutthroat world of cryptocurrency. On this episode, Dean shares his battle with substance abuse and the profound lessons he learned through the chaos of addiction and the healing power of Zen meditation. Dean's story is...
Apr 21, 2025•37 min•Ep. 344
In this episode of The Addicted Mind, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the powerful concept of the inner child. They explore how past traumas influence our present reactions and behaviors. Understanding and healing your inner child can lead to profound personal growth and recovery. Learn about the history of the inner child concept, its impact on addiction and recovery. Start your practical steps to your healing journey. Join us as we provide compassionate insights and actionable advice to hel...
Apr 17, 2025•19 min•Ep. 326
Ever felt like you're stuck in a downward spiral of negative thoughts and emotions? Well, you're not alone. Join us as we converse with the spectacular Alex Korb, eminent neuroscientist and author of 'The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time.' Our exchange pivots around his life-changing journey from probing the depths of neuroscience to uncovering the profound understanding of depression. You're in for a treat as Alex reveals the intr...
Apr 14, 2025•56 min•Ep. 361
Imagine this: You're about to play the biggest game of your life when someone offers to just put the final score on the board—you win! No sweat, no struggle, no game. Would you take that deal? In this eye-opening episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore why most of us would actually turn down this seemingly perfect offer. They introduce the powerful "Scoreboard Metaphor" from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that helps separate goals from values in addi...
Apr 10, 2025•17 min
On this episode of the Addicted Mind podcast, our guest is Tom Horvath, founder of Practical Recovery and co-founder of Smart Recovery. Smart Recovery is a non-12-step approach to addictive behavior problems that provides an alternative to programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. While both methods provide new communities and relationships to build on as well as specific examples of individuals who are models of success, AA is based on the idea that you must give yourself up to a higher power because...
Apr 07, 2025•30 min•Ep. 359
Have you ever felt anxiety, grief, or shame bubbling up and immediately reached for your phone, a drink, or a distraction? That instinct to push away painful feelings is completely normal – but what if that very avoidance is keeping you trapped in unhealthy patterns? In this illuminating episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric dive into the world of emotional avoidance and reveal why our natural tendency to escape discomfort might be sabotaging our mental health and recovery. Whe...
Apr 03, 2025•19 min•Ep. 351
Join us on an enlightening journey with award-winning author and journalist Julia Hotz, who shares her insights into the world of social prescribing. Julia's groundbreaking book, "The Connection Cure," reveals the transformative power of community activities like art classes and fishing clubs, which foster meaningful connections crucial for tackling addiction and mental health challenges. Inspired by the UK's Minister of Loneliness, Julia highlights the immense health risks of isolation, compari...
Apr 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 341
Have you ever experienced something so painful that you just wanted to erase it from your memory forever? Those "never again" moments that feel too heavy to carry? We all have them – whether it's a relapse, a toxic relationship, or a betrayal that left us wounded. In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, hosts Duane and Eric explore the practice of "benefit finding" – a transformative approach to mining our painful experiences for growth and wisdom. Instead of pushing away difficul...
Mar 27, 2025•21 min•Ep. 346
Our guest on this episode of the Addicted Mind podcast is Jack Bloomfield, a specialist in the ARISE model of interventions. This model is an alternative to the “traditional” form of confrontational interventions created in the 1960s by Dr. Johnson. In this confrontational model, the focus is very much on the addict, usually involving an ambush-type situation where several family members trick the addict into coming to a certain location where they are presented with some type of “go to rehab to...
Mar 24, 2025•27 min•Ep. 360
In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric dive deep into the unspoken roles that families often fall into, especially when dealing with addiction. They explore how these roles—like the hero, caretaker, scapegoat, mascot, and lost child—can perpetuate dysfunction and hinder recovery. By understanding and identifying these roles, you can begin to break free from the cycles that keep you stuck. Tune in to learn practical steps for recognizing these dynamics, fostering open communica...
Mar 20, 2025•26 min
Discover the profound insights of Dr. Frederic Luskin, renowned psychologist and director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, as he unpacks the powerful role forgiveness plays in our lives. Alongside him, former Episcopal priest, Lyndon Harris shares his compelling journey of healing after the 9/11 tragedy, illustrating the transformative power of forgiveness. Together, they share personal narratives and professional insights that highlight forgiveness as a vital skill for mental and emotional ...
Mar 17, 2025•45 min•Ep. 325
Have you ever thought, "I've tried recovery before and failed—why try again?" or "This is just who I am"? These beliefs might be the biggest barrier to lasting recovery. In this solo episode, licensed therapist Duane Osterlind shares how a growth mindset can transform your recovery journey. Drawing from Dr. Carol Dweck's research, Duane explains how viewing your abilities and capacity for recovery as things that can grow and change (rather than fixed traits) makes all the difference. Recovery is...
Mar 13, 2025•18 min•Ep. 327
