In this laid-back episode, I respond to listener voicemails and explore some of the intricate dynamics that shape our relationships and recovery journeys. We’ll dive into tough topics like trauma-bonded friendships, identifying signs of toxicity in our connections, and why diagnoses such as borderline personality disorder are more commonly applied to women than men.

We’ll discuss how to recognize trauma bonding and love bombing in friendships, and examine how patterns like intermittent reinforcement can create cycles of connection that are hard to break. Along the way, I’ll share some of the books that have been pivotal on my own healing path—insights and resources that may resonate with your journey as well.

Whether you’re reflecting on the health of a friendship, curious about the gendered aspects of mental health diagnoses, or simply looking for some thoughtful book recommendations, this episode offers a supportive space to explore these complex issues together.

Book recommendations:

■ What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D Perry and Oprah Winfrey

■ Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

■ Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are by Jack Kornfield and Daniel J. Siegel

■ Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brene Brown

■ A Life of Meaning: Exploring Our Deepest Questions and Motivations by James Hollis

■ Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live by Martha Beck

■ Healing Collective Trauma: A Process for Integrating Our Intergenerational and Cultural Wounds by Thomas Hübel

Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.

The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

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