Learn from experts and hear real stories of recovery on the Journals of a Love Addict Podcast
Do you…
Continually find yourself in dysfunctional relationships?
Undervalue yourself while putting others on a pedestal?
Have a pattern of dating emotionally unavailable partners?
Yes? I can totally relate.
On my podcast, Journals of a Love Addict, I share my personal story of love addiction recovery, and my experience as a therapist who works with love addiction.
I also talk with others who have struggled, as well as experts in trauma, addiction, and other areas of mental health.
My hope is to help listeners feel less alone as I spread awareness of what love addiction is really all about.
Music by JD Pendley
Episode 72: Happy Breakup Anniversary
Ten years ago this month, Jodi was in early withdrawal after the breakup that changed everything. It was also the start of her love addiction recovery, which is what actually made all the difference.
Episode 43: LYLAS
The term 'love addiction' is often referred to in the context of romantic relationships, but did you know that the symptoms can apply to platonic relationships, too?
In this episode, I talk about my history with undervaluing myself in friendships and overlooking red flags to belong and be the "best friend". I’m joined by my friend Brooke (from "A Breakup Story"), to discuss the complexity of female friendships past and present.
Episode 42: Talking About Blocking with Leah Aguierre, LCSW
To block or not to block? It’s a big question. In this episode, I’m joined by trauma therapist Leah Aguierre as we explore the reasons why the decision to block can be difficult, despite its commonality in our digitally-connected world. Tune in to understand the complexities and advantages of setting digital boundaries.
Episode 32: From Unlovable to Recovering with Charlene deGuzman
There are books and podcasts about love addiction, and people talk on social media about it… but there aren't many movies that address the topic. That's why Charlene deGuzman's film, Unlovable, is so unique.
Episode 23: The Power of What-if
Have you ever looked back on a past relationship and wondered "What if?: what if things had worked out differently, or I'd been more this/that, or the timing had been better?"
In this episode, Brooke is back to share another dating experience--one that started with a 'what-if' and led to a lot of useful information.
Episode 17: Brooke- A Breakup Story (Part Two)
Sometimes a breakup is The End, but sometimes we go back and try it again- especially when we're talking about love addiction and codependence.
Episode 16: Mother Hunger with Kelly McDaniel, Part Three
In Part Three, author and therapist Kelly McDaniel continue our conversation by defining Third-Degree Mother Hunger, as well as the steps involved in the healing process.
Episode 15: Mother Hunger with Kelly McDaniel, Part Two
Nurturance, guidance, and protection are three developmental needs for appropriate brain development in childhood; but what happens if any (or all) of these are inconsistently provided?
Episode 14: Mother Hunger with Kelly McDaniel, Part One
Mothers are valuable: they're our first love and the source of everything we need to survive. But what happens when a mother doesn't get the support she needs or is struggling with her own unresolved trauma?
Episode 13: Nothing Special
Why do we stay in co-addicted relationships, believing 'that one' person's validation is the key to our fulfillment? What drives us to pursue a fantasy, only to be disappointed when confronted by reality?
Episode 12: An Interview with Alex Katehakis
What is healthy sex? And intimate sex? And how about healthy sex in recovery? In this episode, we discuss the four cornerstones of intimacy, how stress interferes with desire, sex as a spiritual practice, and so much more.
Episode 11: Best Girlfriend Ever
Love addiction is rooted in codependence; it comes with boundary issues, dependency issues, and self-esteem issues, which leads us to look externally (often to our partners) for a sense of worthiness.
Episode 10: An Interview with Daniel Gowan
What’s it like to grow up as The Hero of the family? Hint: It’s not as awesome as it sounds.
Episode 9: Just So
Do you struggle with consistency? Does your desire to do All The Things - and do them perfectly - get in the way of actually DOING anything at all?
Episode 8: An Interview with Sarah Bridge: Part 2
What do seduction, fantasy, obsession, self-medicating and withdrawal have in common? They're all parts of the cycle of love addiction.
Episode 7: An Interview with Sarah Bridge: Part 1
In this episode (part one of a two part series), I talk with Sarah Bridge, LCSW, about the core symptoms of codependence, assigned family roles and post-induction therapy.
Episode 6: A Prefab Fantasy
Fantasy is a big part of love addiction; it’s what keeps us hooked in our co-addicted relationships as we try to make a partner into who we want them to be instead of accepting the reality of who they are.
Episode 5: Playing it Sexy
When a relationship ends, Love Addicts can spend a lot of energy trying to put it back together.
Episode 4: The Thing Is
Lots of people have a Thing - something that needs to be addressed in order to be the healthiest version of oneself; but sometimes that Thing is intertwined with another, much bigger Thing. In this episode, I talk about my experience with alcohol and how it was intertwined with my love addiction (AKA: The Big Thing) from a young age. My friend, Sondra Primeaux (The Unruffled Podcast), shares her history with her Things (codependence and alcohol) and how honesty, boundaries, and recovery have changed everything.
Episode 3: An Interview with Kelly McDaniel
What is love addiction? According to Kelly McDaniel, therapist and author of “Ready to Heal: Breaking Free of Addictive Relationships”, the answer is quite complex. In this episode, Kelly joins me to discuss the cultural programming that leads to love addiction; how sex and love get intertwined (and confused) at an early age; and how we can recover. Get a notebook and pen because this episode covers a lot of ground.