Worksheet: Uncovering Your Superpowers What if you had superpowers you didn't even know existed? What if the very qualities that could transform your recovery have been hiding inside you all along? In this powerful episode, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind flip the script on traditional recovery thinking. Instead of endlessly focusing on what's broken, they show you how to uncover what's strong. Using tools from positive psychology, they guide you through a process of discovering your hidden chara...
Sep 25, 2025•15 min
In this compelling episode, host Duane Osterlind sits down with Mo Edjlali, founder of The Mindful Leader and author of the groundbreaking book "Open MBSR: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - Reimagining the Future of Mindfulness." Mo sounds an important alarm about a rarely discussed topic in the wellness world: how guided meditations, when overused or misapplied, can actually cause harm. This conversation dives deep into Mo's personal transformation from a high-pressure tech entrepreneur to a...
Sep 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 352
Worksheet: Stages of Change This episode dives into the Stages of Change Model, a powerful tool for understanding and navigating personal growth. Hosts Duane and Eric explore the six stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse. They emphasize the model's humanistic approach, acknowledging that change is a non-linear journey with room for setbacks and restarts. Learn how to identify your current stage, overcome obstacles, and move towards lasting positi...
Sep 18, 2025•16 min
When Lisa Smith's family was gripped by the terror of her son's addiction, they felt like mere spectators to a relentless storm. But through her groundbreaking concept of parallel recovery, they began to reclaim their roles as active participants in the healing process. In this compelling episode, we sit down with Lisa, a TEDx speaker and author, who shares her family's transformative journey. She illuminates how families can support their loved ones suffering from addiction and mental health ch...
Sep 15, 2025•36 min•Ep. 351
Worksheet: Your Relapse Prevention Blueprint What if you could stop living in constant fear of relapse and start building real confidence in your recovery? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind reveal how to create a practical relapse prevention blueprint that transforms your recovery from a terrifying tightrope walk into a journey of empowerment and self-trust. Too many people in recovery live with that constant, low-level hum of anxiety aski...
Sep 11, 2025•18 min
If you found out earlier on in your youth that you actually have a genetic propensity toward addiction, would you have made decisions a lot differently? Addiction is a bio-psycho-social model, but we don’t really look at the biology part of it. Sometimes, we have to look at the physiology of things to understand addiction better. And there has to be a paradigm shift in thinking about how we operate and exist in this world. On today’s episode, Duane speaks with Dr. Evelyn Higgins about genes and ...
Sep 08, 2025•32 min•Ep. 350
Worksheet: Riding the Wave with TIPP Picture this: Your heart is pounding so hard you can hear it in your ears. Your vision starts to tunnel. A wave of pure panic or white-hot anger is washing over every nerve in your body, and all you can think about is doing something—anything—to make it stop. We've all been there. That moment where one decision could change everything. Maybe it's reaching for that drink, lashing out at someone you love, or spiraling into a shame cycle that feels impossible to...
Sep 04, 2025•19 min
Join us for an enriching conversation with Dr. Diana Hill, a leading voice in the world of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as she shares insights from her latest book, "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most". Dr. Hill leads us on her personal journey from cognitive behavioral therapy to ACT, offering a fresh perspective on how shifting our relationship with thoughts can bring profound change. This episode promises to redefine your understanding of mental well...
Sep 01, 2025•38 min•Ep. 349
Download: The Worksheet ACE In this episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the groundbreaking ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study. This research revealed how childhood trauma significantly impacts mental, physical, and emotional health in adulthood. By exploring the origins, findings, and implications of the study, they discuss how early experiences of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction shape our lives. The episode also provides practical steps for re...
Aug 28, 2025•19 min
Brad Sorte, co-founder of Sober Companion AI, shares his remarkable journey from battling addiction to harnessing the power of AI to transform recovery processes. With nearly two decades of experience under his belt, Brad provides insights into how AI is making addiction treatment more personal and accessible. By integrating compassionate care with advanced technology, AI is opening doors to treatment for more individuals and families, offering new hope and reshaping therapeutic interactions. Ou...
Aug 25, 2025•55 min•Ep. 348
Download: Thought Challenge Worksheet What if the harshest critic you've ever known lives inside your own head? That relentless voice telling you you're not good enough, you'll never change, you always mess things up – it's been running the show for far too long. In this eye-opening episode, hosts Duane and Eric reveal how your inner critic has been acting as judge, jury, and executioner of your self-worth, especially during addiction and trauma recovery. But here's the game-changer: you don't h...
Aug 21, 2025•18 min
Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje’s story is one that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the hidden struggles of addiction. Imagine maintaining a successful career while secretly battling high-functioning alcoholism. Melissa opens up about her journey from denial to recovery, sharing the pivotal moments that led her to seek help. Her memoir, "Drunk Love: A Marriage Under the Influence," serves as a testament to the resilience required to overcome such a gripping hold on life. Her candid re...
Aug 18, 2025•39 min•Ep. 347
Download : The ANT Catcher Worksheet Have you ever felt like your mind was invaded by a constant stream of tiny, negative whispers? Like there's an army of ants crawling through your head, each one carrying a toxic message that you're not good enough, you can't handle it, or you're going to fail? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric reveal the hidden enemy that might be sabotaging your recovery without you even knowing it. They introduce you to ANTs – Automati...
Aug 14, 2025•16 min
Melody Glenn, an addiction and emergency medicine physician with a flair for creative writing, joins Duane to share insights from her upcoming book, "Mother of Methadone: A Doctor's Quest, a Forgotten History, and a Modern Day Crisis." Together, they unpack the legacy of Dr. Marie Nyswander, a trailblazer in methadone maintenance who reshaped addiction treatment. Dr. Glenn offers a candid perspective on her own journey in addiction medicine, revealing the transformative power of medications like...
Aug 11, 2025•38 min•Ep. 346
In this exciting episode of Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive into the fascinating world of the Johari Window, a powerful tool for enhancing self-awareness and understanding in relationships. They explore how this simple yet profound model can illuminate the various aspects of ourselves—what we know, what we don't know, and what others see in us. From discussing how to navigate personal blind spots to the significance of revealing hidden strengths, this episode is packed wi...
Aug 07, 2025•15 min
Facing the relentless grip of meth addiction and the imminent threat of prison, Dr. Adi Jaffe's life seemed destined for darkness. Yet, from this adversity emerged a transformative story of resilience and redemption. Dr. Jaffe now stands as a guiding light for those grappling with addiction, demonstrating that recovery is a deeply personal journey. His candid reflections on childhood struggles with social anxiety and the turning points in his life illuminate the complex tapestry of experiences t...
Aug 04, 2025•54 min•Ep. 345
What if everything you've been told about overcoming your struggles is backwards? What if the very act of fighting your anxiety, depression, addiction, or trauma is actually making it worse? In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric dive into one of the most revolutionary concepts in recovery and mental health: creative hopelessness. This isn't about giving up on your life or your future. It's about giving up on something that's been sabotaging you all along - the belief that you need to control ...
Jul 31, 2025•25 min
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Richard Taite, a leading figure in addiction treatment who has transformed his own life and countless others. Richard takes us through his 25-year battle with addiction, highlighting moments of despair like homelessness, and his eventual breakthrough with therapist Margie Fetting. His journey underscores the power of resilience and the pivotal role of personalized, honest treatment in achieving 22 years of sobriety. Richard also shares his passion for c...
Jul 28, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 344
Ever feel like your emotions are on a wild rollercoaster, swinging between overwhelming highs and numbing lows? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Addiction Mind Plus , hosts Eric and Duane Osterlind dive into a crucial concept for anyone in addiction recovery: the Window of Tolerance. The Window of Tolerance refers to the emotional sweet spot where you can handle life's challenges without being overwhelmed or shutting down. Outside of this window, you might feel intense anxiety or ...
Jul 24, 2025•19 min
Addiction is not a new problem in the workplace. In fact, about 70% of folks that are using illicit drugs are employed in the workplace, either full-time or part-time. However, this is not a comfortable topic for people to talk about obviously due to the stigma around it. How do we then bridge that gap and break the silence so people get the help they need, and for total recovery to take place? On today's episode, Duane speaks with Cheryl Brown-Merriwether, HR professional and recovery support p...
Jul 21, 2025•43 min•Ep. 343
Stop Feeling Stuck: The Power of Goals and Habit Formation Podcast Episode Summary Today's episode dives into the essential topics of goal setting and habit formation, especially focusing on how they can help break the cycle of addiction, anxiety, and depression. Duane Osterlind and Eric Osterlind guide us through understanding the critical role of setting realistic goals and forming positive habits to steer our lives in the direction we desire. They highlight the importance of reflection in goa...
Jul 17, 2025•19 min
On today’s episode, Duane talks with Justin B. Long about his journey through childhood trauma and how he tried to escape it through alcoholism. We discuss the traps of toxic masculinity, the idea that, as men, we can't share our feelings. We can't be vulnerable. We should be stoic at all times. In the episode, you’ll learn how that idea prevents us from being able to heal from our past wounds. Justin shares his story of hope and healing for everyone else out there who's struggling with the same...
Jul 13, 2025•36 min•Ep. 342
We have to work and deal with our internal and early trauma. This can be more difficult to see and process without a reliable, trustworthy “other” in our lives. Sometimes it even takes an expert who can walk us through that journey in order for us to get to that safe space for healing and recovery. Today, Duane talks with Andrew Susskind about his book, It's Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after Sexual Addiction . They go into depth about attachment, emotional regulation, th...
Jul 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 341
Ever feel like you’re pouring your energy into the wrong things? You’re not alone. In this game-changing episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind tackle the secret to caring about the right things. They take a deep dive into how aligning your thoughts, words, and actions can unlock true happiness and fulfillment. Download: Caring About The Right Things worksheet. The conversation kicks off with an inspiring quote from Mahatma Gandhi about finding harmony in life—a perfec...
Jul 03, 2025•17 min
Join us on a transformative journey as we sit down with Dr. Jeff McNairy, the Chief Medical Officer at Rythmia, who shares his compelling shift from traditional mental health practices to the world of alternative therapies. Inspired by Gerard Powell's remarkable healing journey, Dr. McNairy unveils the promising potential of integrating Western psychology with indigenous medicine. We explore how ayahuasca, a powerful plant medicine, offers a new perspective on addiction and trauma recovery, prov...
Jun 30, 2025•46 min•Ep. 340
What if I told you that up to 90% of people with alcohol use disorder relapse within the first four years? Before you let that statistic discourage you, here's the game-changer: having a solid relapse prevention plan can dramatically shift those odds in your favor. In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric dive deep into one of recovery's most crucial yet overlooked tools – the relapse prevention plan. They're not talking about planning to fail; they're talking about planning to succeed when life...
Jun 30, 2025•19 min
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 30, 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...
Jun 30, 2025•16 min
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 29, 2025•50 min•Ep. 338
What if I told you that up to 90% of people with alcohol use disorder relapse within the first four years? Before you let that statistic discourage you, here's the game-changer: having a solid relapse prevention plan can dramatically shift those odds in your favor. In this powerful episode, Duane and Eric dive deep into one of recovery's most crucial yet overlooked tools – the relapse prevention plan. They're not talking about planning to fail; they're talking about planning to succeed when life...
Jun 26, 2025•19 min•Ep. 403
