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 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 26: A Recovery Story with Kelly Henderson of Velvet's Edge
In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly Henderson from the podcast, Velvet's Edge, to share her personal experience with love addiction and recovery- and we realize our stories are very similar.
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 22: Enoughing
What is 'enough'? If you've struggled with codependence or love addiction, you might catch yourself feeling 'not enough'; or maybe you're driven to DO more (and more) but it never feels like enough.
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 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 2: Brooke - A Breakup Story
Breakups are hard, but sometimes staying in the relationship is even harder. In this episode, my friend Brooke shares her experience with codependence and how it affected a recent longterm relationship (plus how and why that relationship ultimately ended).