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

Jodi White 8/28/24 Jodi White 8/28/24

Episode 51: Sketchy Psychics

In this episode, my friend Brooke and I share stories of seeking comfort from psychics, why we might look for guidance in such places, and put so much trust in someone we don't even know.

When an addictive relationship ends, we can find ourselves feeling wobbly, uncertain, and very vulnerable. We might seek therapy, the help of a support group, or even guidance from someone who SAYS they have the solution to our problem and can make the pain go away.

In this episode, my friend Brooke and I share stories of seeking comfort from psychics, why we might look for guidance in such places, and put so much trust in someone we don't even know.

Show notes & resources:

Music by JD Pendley

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Link to more information about The JOLA Network (Jodi's online recovery community): https://jodiwhite.jolanetwork.com/

Link to Jodi’s upcoming online Mother Hunger® Group beginning in September

Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.

Jodi White 8/8/24 Jodi White 8/8/24

Episode 50: A Recovery Story with Heidi Kingston, LCSW

In this episode, I talk with another therapist in recovery, Heidi Kingston, regarding her personal experience with love addiction, the ups and downs of her own recovery journey, and what she's learned along the way.

We often think of recovery as something we start, and then everything gets better. But everyone's path to recovery is unique, and truth is that once we do get started, things might actually get harder before they get easier.

In this epsiode, I talk with another therapist in recovery, Heidi Kingston, regarding her personal experience with love addiction, the ups and downs of her own recovery journey, and what she's learned along the way.

Show notes & resources:

Music by JD Pendley

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Link to more information about The JOLA Network (Jodi's online recovery community): https://jodiwhite.jolanetwork.com/

Heidi's website

Pia Mellody books referenced: Facing Love Addiction and Breaking Free

The Meadows workshop referenced: Survivors

Jodi White 7/3/24 Jodi White 7/3/24

Episode 49: Going Deeper with Heather Cronemiller

In this episode, I talk with Heather Cronemiller, a therapist in recovery and co-author of "Going Deeper For Women: How The Inner Child Impacts Your Sex & Love Addiction". Heather shares her experience with fantasy and the search for a soulmate, and what ultimately led her into recovery.

Fantasy plays a big part in the cycle of love addiction; and for many of us, using fantasy to escape discomfort starts early in life. This, acommpanied with the idea of a prince charming or soulmate as presented to us in childhood fairy tales, has a powerful impact on how we see ourselves, and what we look for in relationships.

Show notes & resources:

Music by JD Pendley

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Link to more information about The JOLA Network (Jodi's online recovery community): https://jodiwhite.jolanetwork.com/

Heather's website

Going Deeper For Women

Jodi White 6/16/24 Jodi White 6/16/24

Episode 48: Pain Shopping

In this episode, my friend, Brooke, and I discuss the concepts of pain shopping and comfort-seeking behaviors; and share our personal experiences with both.

In love addiction, we have an issue with reality. In other words, we tend to ignore the data that's often right in front of us, and might even seek 'different' data elsewhere--something that could possibly soothe us, but often hurts us.

In this episode, my friend, Brooke, and I discuss the concepts of pain shopping and comfort-seeking behaviors; and share our personal experiences with both.

Show notes & resources:

Music by JD Pendley

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Link to more information about The JOLA Network (Jodi's online recovery community): https://jodiwhite.jolanetwork.com/

Jodi White 4/29/24 Jodi White 4/29/24

Episode 47: A Therapist's Story with Leah Hoffman

It can be easy to assume that therapists have it together in life and relationships, but when it comes to attachment--and love addiction--no one is immune. And because hearing from a therapist who 'gets it' can be very helpful for those of us in recovery, I invited therapist and coach, Leah Hoffman, to the podcast to share her recent experience with the cycle of love addiction and what she's learned from it.

Show notes & resources:

Leah's website: coachingwithleah.com

Music by JD Pendley

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Jodi White 4/14/24 Jodi White 4/14/24

Episode 46: Setting Boundaries That Stick with Jules Taylor Shore

In this episode, I talk with therapist and boundaries expert Juliane (Jules) Taylor Shore about her new book, "Setting Boundaries That Stick" (you may remember Jules from EP31, "All About Boundaries"). Jules shares six steps to setting an external boundary, the importance of a pause and paying attention to feelings, why hard conversations are so challenging, why we struggle with self-compassion, and why growth comes with grief.

One of the hard parts of recovery--and life--is having difficult conversations, especially those that come with a chance of discord, being seen as the 'bad guy', or simply feeling uncomfortable. When confronted with having hard conversations, it can seem 'easier' to avoid them...but also less functional, and avoiding can lead to resentment and feeling stuck.

But there's good reason for the discomfort: In this episode of the podcast, I talk about this with therapist and boundaries expert Juliane (Jules) Taylor Shore and her new book, "Setting Boundaries That Stick" (you may remember Jules from EP31, "All About Boundaries"). Jules shares six steps to setting an external boundary, as well as the importance of a pause and paying attention to feelings; why hard conversations are so challenging; why we struggle with self-compassion, and why growth comes with grief.

Show notes & resources:

Information about Jules Taylor Shore and her Instagram.

Purchase "Setting Boundaries That Stick" by Jules Taylor Shore

EP31: All About Boundaries with Jules Taylor Shore

Music by JD Pendley

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Jodi White 3/24/24 Jodi White 3/24/24

Episode 45: The Hard Parts

It's hard to be still sometimes, especially in a culture that constantly tells you to get moving, to achieve, and perform. In this episode, I talk about a few of the hard parts of recovery…

It's hard to be still sometimes, especially in a culture that constantly tells you to get moving, to achieve, to perform--plus being still often comes with all the feelings...and feeling our feelings can be hard, too.

In this episode, I talk about a few of the hard parts of recovery, including difficult conversations, how I view past shameful experiences, and the reality of joy in recovery.

Show notes & resources:

Information about Emily Nagoski

The Principles of Pleasure on Netflix (trailer)

The Robcast episode referenced (#365)

Danielle Laporte

Music by JD Pendley

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Jodi White 3/8/24 Jodi White 3/8/24

Episode 44: Most Codependable

Love addiction comes with a set of symptoms leading to a pattern of dysfunctional relationships. Then, after each relationship we say "I'll never do that again", fully intending to make some changes, but... In this episode, I discuss these cultural beliefs--how they fuel love addiction and how they can meddle with life in recovery, too.

Love addiction comes with a set of symptoms leading to a pattern of dysfunctional relationships; whether we tend to be more anxious or more avoidant (or both), we may find ourselves in the push/pull of addictive relationships more than once. Then, after each relationship we say "I'll never do that again", fully intending to make some changes, but...

Even if we enter love addiction recovery and address the symptoms, we may still find that we're unknowingly driven by outdated messages telling us who we're supposed to be and how we're supposed to live our lives. Why? Because of inherited cultural beliefs that infiltrate our decision-making.

In this episode, I discuss these cultural beliefs--how they fuel love addiction and can meddle with life in recovery, too. I also review the symptoms of codependence and love addiction and talk about the impact that seemingly benign labels can have on kids.

Show notes & resources:

Jodi's website: jodiwhiteonline.com

Books referenced: Facing Codependence and Facing Love Addiction by Pia Mellody and Ready to Heal by Kelly McDaniel

Album referenced: Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt

Jodi White 11/4/22 Jodi White 11/4/22

Episode 35: When He's Married To Mom with Dr. Kenneth Adams

When we're enmeshed with a parent we might feel responsible for taking care of them emotionally, and guilty if we don't do what they expect of us. And while enmeshment is often uncomfortable, it may also come with feeling special and can be very challenging to recognize and overcome.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kenneth Adams, therapist, and author of "When He's Married to Mom", about mother-enmeshed men: What is childhood like for them? What are their adult relationships like? And how to recover from enmeshment and have functional adult relationships (with both partners and parents).

Jodi White 9/8/22 Jodi White 9/8/22

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.

Brooke and I also share personal experiences about sexual harassment, body insecurity, and how uncomfortable it is to talk about “this stuff”.

Jodi White 9/2/22 Jodi White 9/2/22

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.

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: She not only tells her story, but she calls love addiction what it is. In this episode, I talk with Charlene about her personal experience with love addiction and recovery, as well as what she's learned about herself and how recovery has changed her life.

Jodi White 8/11/22 Jodi White 8/11/22

Episode 31: All About Boundaries with Jules Taylor Shore

We hear a lot about "having boundaries" or "setting boundaries" or "respecting boundaries"... but what does any of this really mean? To answer this question, I invited trauma therapist and boundaries expert, Jules Taylor Shore, to talk all about boundaries.

We hear a lot about "having boundaries" or "setting boundaries" or "respecting boundaries"... but what does any of this really mean?

To answer this question, I invited trauma therapist and boundaries expert, Jules Taylor Shore, to talk all about boundaries. Jules takes this complex topic and explains it in a user-friendly way, so we can better understand ourselves and others.

Jodi White 8/2/22 Jodi White 8/2/22

Episode 30: Like a Tornado of Sticks & Poo

Love addiction gets messy. It's full of intensity, shame, and regression that leads us to behave regretfully, or as I say, 'like a tornado of sticks and poo'.

In this episode, I celebrate six years in recovery by revisiting Pia Mellody's symptoms of love addiction; and by providing examples of how these symptoms looked for me during nearly three decades of addicted relationships.

Jodi White 6/17/22 Jodi White 6/17/22

Episode 29: The Science of Stuck with Britt Frank

What does it mean to 'feel stuck'? And, what exactly IS a feeling, anyway?

In this episode, I talk with Britt Frank, therapist and author of "The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward”, about the definition of stuck; the difference between feelings, emotions, and thoughts; fantasy and fairy tales. Britt also shares her experience with addiction and recovery, as well as her thoughts on what keeps us stuck in our love addiction.

Jodi White 6/8/22 Jodi White 6/8/22

Episode 28: Third Degree Mother Hunger with Jennifer Acker

For this episode, I invited fellow Mother Hunger facilitator and therapist, Jennifer Acker, to share her personal Third Degree Mother Hunger story.

If you listen to the podcast you've likely heard me talk about Mother Hunger and the role it plays in love addiction. But there's an extreme form of this attachment injury: Third Degree Mother Hunger- which happens when a daughter grows up frightened of her mother.

For this episode, I invited fellow Mother Hunger facilitator and therapist, Jennifer Acker, to share her personal Third Degree Mother Hunger story.

Jodi White 5/11/22 Jodi White 5/11/22

Episode 27: All About Betrayal Trauma with Michelle Mays

We might think we know the meaning of the term "betrayal", but what actually happens when we're truly betrayed by the person closest to us?

In this episode, I talk with therapist and betrayal trauma expert, Michelle Mays, about the complexity of this relational trauma.

We might think we know the meaning of the term "betrayal", but what actually happens when we're truly betrayed by the person closest to us?

In this episode, I talk with therapist and betrayal trauma expert, Michelle Mays, about the complexity of this relational trauma, as well as recovery resources. I also discuss my new awareness of the role that betrayal played in my love addiction.

Jodi White 3/30/22 Jodi White 3/30/22

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.

We all have a story to tell, and when it comes to love addiction our stories are as unique as they are similar. It's as if love addiction comes with a script and how it plays out depends upon who's directing.

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.

Jodi White 3/25/22 Jodi White 3/25/22

Episode 25: An Interview with Buck Dodson of Gay Men's Life Lab

In this episode, I talk with therapist and coach, Buck Dodson, regarding his personal experience with codependence and dysfunctional relationships, as well as his professional experience working with gay men's issues.

Love addiction and codependence come with patterns of dysfunction, as we unconsciously try to resolve (and act-out) the past through our current relationships.

Jodi White 10/23/21 Jodi White 10/23/21

Episode 21: Talking Therapy & Trauma with Tyndal Schreiner

In this episode I talk with Tyndal Schreiner, a fellow Texas therapist, about being a therapist on Instagram and the importance of professional boundaries. We also discuss the process of becoming a therapist and a few valuable lessons they learned along the way.

Mental health is an important topic, and thanks to social media its become a more widely discussed topic than in previous years. But while these platforms can provide lots of information, there's also misinformation--especially when it comes to how we talk about trauma and 'healing'.

In this episode, I talk with Tyndal Schreiner, a fellow Texas therapist, about being a therapist on Instagram and the importance of professional boundaries. We also discuss the process of becoming a therapist and a few valuable lessons they learned along the way.

Jodi White 9/17/21 Jodi White 9/17/21

Episode 20: An Interview with Guru Singh

What does 'home' mean to you? Is it a sense of safety? Belonging? Connection? In this episode, I talk with my teacher, Guru Singh, about our first meeting 24 years ago, and how it helped me create a new perspective of what home is and changed the trajectory of my life.

What does 'home' mean to you? Is it a sense of safety? Belonging? Connection?

In this episode, I talk with my teacher, Guru Singh, about our first meeting 24 years ago, and how it helped me create a new perspective of what home is and changed the trajectory of my life. We also cover relationships, addiction, spirituality, boredom, and much more in one epic hour of conversation.