Journals of a Love Addict
The 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 journey through love addiction recovery, and my experience as a therapist.
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 41: The Three Whys with Nicole Lewis-Keeber
You may have heard about the importance of your 'why'--that thing that motivates you and provides a sense of purpose in life and work. But what if that concept was broken down even further, into three parts that took you deeper into that 'why'?
You may have heard about the importance of your 'why'--that thing that motivates you and provides a sense of purpose in life and work. But what if that concept was broken down even further, into three parts that took you deeper into that 'why'?
Nicole Lewis-Keeber (therapist, coach & author) has done just that, and she talks with me in this episode of the podcast about The Three Whys. I also share an early experience that took me away from my Why, and a little about the process of getting back to it.
Episode 40: That Therapist with Dr. Lara Dye
If you're a listener of the podcast, then you've heard me talk about 'that therapist'--the one I worked with in 2016, who taught me about love addiction, supported me through withdrawal, and played a vital role in my early recovery. That therapist is Dr. Lara Dye. And, because she was such an important part of my recovery journey, I invited Dr. Dye to talk with me for this episode of the podcast.
If you're a listener of the podcast, then you've heard me talk about 'that therapist'--the one I worked with in 2016, who taught me about love addiction, supported me through withdrawal, and played a vital role in my early recovery.
That therapist is Dr. Lara Dye, a Pia Mellody-trained psychologist specializing in love & sex addiction, who also has personal experience with love addiction recovery. And, because she was such an important part of my recovery journey, I invited Dr. Dye to talk with me for this episode of the podcast.
Episode 39: Intimacy Intolerance with Kelly McDaniel
What is intimacy? If you Google the term you might find varying--yet similar--definitions...but what does it mean to YOU?
What is intimacy? If you Google the term you might find varying--yet similar--definitions...but what does it mean to YOU?
In this episode, Kelly McDaniel (author of "Ready to Heal" and "Mother Hunger") is back to talk with me regarding what intimacy really is, and the reason why in love addiction--although we might crave closeness--we struggle to tolerate authentic intimacy.
Episode 38: Pretty Baby (A Mother Hunger Conversation)
Have you seen the Hulu documentary, "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields"? It paints a powerful portrait of Brooke's sexualization as a child actor, and brings attention to the waters in which young women swim from a young age. On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by my friend, Brooke, to discuss "Pretty Baby" through the lens of Mother Hunger (because we can't understand love addiction without talking about Mother Hunger).
Have you seen the Hulu documentary, "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields"? It paints a powerful portrait of Brooke's sexualization as a child actor, and brings attention to the waters in which young women swim from a young age. In this docuseries, Brooke Shields discusses the highs and lows of her career, and provides insight into the complex relationship with her mother.
On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by my friend, Brooke, to discuss "Pretty Baby" through the lens of Mother Hunger (because we can't understand love addiction without talking about Mother Hunger). Even if you haven't watched the documentary, you'll get something out of this one.
Episode 37: A Case of Cathexis
In love addiction we often feel like we're in love, but is it really love? And what is genuine love, anyway?
In this episode, I discuss the concept of cathexis--the thing we often confuse with genuine love--and the role it played in my love addiction.
In love addiction we often feel like we're in love, but is it really love? And what is genuine love, anyway?
In this episode, I discuss the concept of cathexis--the thing we often confuse with genuine love--and the role it played in my love addiction. I also share a recent painful experience that forced me to slow down in order to examine (and accept) reality, and to embrace the grief that came with all of it.
Episode 36: You Are Not Stuck with Becky Vollmer
Do you ever feel like what you're doing in the world isn't aligned with who you are? Like maybe you're going through the motions of 'supposed to' instead of living from your true purpose? If so, you're not alone...
Do you ever feel like what you're doing in the world isn't aligned with who you are? Like maybe you're going through the motions of 'supposed to' instead of living from your true purpose? If so, you're not alone...
In this episode I talk with Becky Vollmer about her new book, "You Are Not Stuck: How Soul-Guided Choices Transform Fear Into Freedom" which provides relatable steps for getting back to authenticity. We also discuss our similar experiences with first careers; the importance of knowing what we do and don't value; and how yoga can help us tap into our True Self.
Episode 34: All About the Scapegoat with Mary Toolan
Are you familiar with the concept of assigned family roles; roles assigned in childhood that are either falsely empowering or disempowering? Maybe you've heard of The Hero, The Lost Child, or The Scapegoat? But what does all of this mean?
Are you familiar with the concept of assigned family roles; roles assigned in childhood that are either falsely empowering or disempowering? Maybe you've heard of The Hero, The Lost Child, or The Scapegoat? But what does all of this mean?
In this episode, I discuss The Hero and Lost Child, and how these roles contribute to love avoidance or addiction. And I talk with London-based coach, Mary Toolan, regarding the role known as the toxic family's dustbin: The Scapegoat.
Episode 33: Dirty Secrets
In this episode, my friend, Brooke, joins me to talk about the recent Victoria's Secret documentary; and how the company's marketing in the early 2000s led to confusing messages about beauty and furthered the cultural double bind women experience.
In love addiction recovery, we focus a lot on developmental trauma and what took place in our family of origin (because looking at our history is important). But there's something else that plays a role in love addiction: cultural messaging.
In this episode, my friend, Brooke, joins me to talk about the recent Victoria's Secret documentary; and how the company's marketing in the early 2000s led to confusing messages about beauty and furthered the cultural double bind women experience.
Brooke and I also share personal experiences about sexual harassment, body insecurity, and how uncomfortable it is to talk about “this stuff”.