We have another thrilling and exciting interview for you today around recovery. Melissa Bond joins me to discuss her story of addiction and recovery from benzodiazepines, more specifically, Ativan. Melissa is a narrative journalist and poet. In the years of her dependence on benzodiazepines, she has blogged and become a regular contributor for Mad in America. She is also the author of the memoir Blood Orange Night where she writes about becoming dependent upon and then withdrawing from benzodiazepines. 

 Some of the topics we discussed include:
  Melissa shares her story of addiction to benzodiazepines and how it affected her life with her family (5:53)
  “Benzos are the thieves that take everything.” (21:29)
  How Melissa decided to withdraw from benzos and took it upon herself to do it (24:19)
  Identifying as an addict and why as a culture we must ask, “What is addiction?” (38:12)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 507: Benzos Addiction and Recovery with Melissa Bond

Join Andrea Owen, life coach and author, as she serves up self help in a easy-to-digest way that is also practical and implementable. Andrea brings you guests as well as solo episodes on topics such as perfectionism, the inner-critic, courage, and more.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

How To

Self-Improvement

This week, we're diving into attachment styles and how they impact our lives professionally and personally. Kerra Bolten joins me for this conversation about shit that matters. For those new to this type of episode, it’s a conversation I have with friends or associates who aren’t necessarily experts on the topic but wish to share thoughts and insights. Kerra and I connected on LinkedIn and bonded over the topic of anxious attachment styles after I shared a post about it. Now you get to enjoy the conversation that culminated from our connection!
In this episode, we dive into the complexities of anxious attachment styles and share our personal stories, the dynamics of anxious versus avoidant attachment, and how cultural and familial influences shape our relationship patterns. We also discuss the journey of self-awareness, personal growth beyond codependency, and strategies for fostering healthier relationships. 
You’ll hear:

Anxious Attachment - what is it anyway? (5:22)

We both share some of our experiences being someone who’s “anxiously attached.” (7:34)

Relationships and attachment styles - what kind of partner do you tend to be attracted to? (17:10)

We explore some personal strategies or solutions for overcoming attachment styles that might be outside of what you actually want. (51:22)


Resources: 
Private Coaching with Andrea 
Subscribe for free to my Therapy Journey podcast series
The Science Behind Unhealthy Attraction (medium article Kerra mentioned)
Episode 418: Transforming fear and pain into purpose with Kerra Bolton
Attached, Amir Levine, Rachel Heller 
Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples, Harville Hendrix
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Kerra Bolton is a creative entrepreneur. She sees a problem and then builds a business to fix it. Over the past 30 years, Kerra has been a journalist, television and film producer, creative director, essayist, political operative, director, and foodie. Kerra recently launched Woodbine Ventures, helping individuals and companies navigate career transitions and employee downsizing with clarity and grace. Underneath Kerra's "ventures" is her core purpose to help others live soulfully, disrupt generational patterns, and embrace joy.
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/603
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 603: Kerra and Andrea on Anxious Attachment Styles

A friend and I recently were having a back and forth about love and relationships and our quest to learn and grow from them. I said to him, “All the men I’ve loved and cared about in my life have disappointed me and left me in some way or another. Family members included. Every one.” 
My friend pushed back and said, “You may not like what I’m about to say, but I think that’s a limiting belief.” 
Ugh. 
And recently, I stumbled upon a listener question…Colleen M. asks, “How do we actually get rid of limiting beliefs? I know you have covered this before but dig deeper to not just recognize them but banishing them.”
In this short minisode, you’ll hear my reaction to my friend's opinion of my own limiting belief and my answer to Colleen’s question. 
Resources from this episode: 
My psychedelic therapy journey
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/602
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Minisode 602: On how to let go of limiting beliefs

This week, we are exploring the fascinating realm of brain science and behavior patterns with our special guest, Kyra Bobinet, MD, MPH. Dr. Bobinet has dedicated a significant portion of her career to studying the intricacies of the human brain and how it influences our behavior. 
At the heart of our discussion lies the habenula, a crucial brain region implicated in fear, motivation, and behavior control. Dr. Bobinet sheds light on how tapping into the power of the habenula can help us neutralize failure and unleash our inner wisdom and strength.
You’ll hear:

The habenula (a part of the brain) and its connection to fear, motivation, and the most powerful behavior controller that we face. (6:10)

The solution to chronic anxiety of failing and negativity bias (16:08)

How standard methods like tracking, dieting, and goal-setting often backfire by triggering the habenula’s “failure detection” (28:22)

Iteration is the solution. “Everything is performative; we need to make it iteration.” (32:16)


Resources:
Private Coaching with Andrea 
Subscribe for free to my Therapy Journey podcast series
Dr. Kyra Bodinet’s website 
Unstoppable Brain: The New Neuroscience That Frees Us from Failure, Eases Our Stress, and Creates Lasting Change 
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/601
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 601: Behavior Change, Brain Science, and Fear with Dr. Kyra Bobinet

Before we get into today’s episode, I have a private podcast feed for anyone interested in my journey through psychedelic therapy. I’m starting with Ketamine therapy and then moving into Psilocybin. It’s free and just like the regular podcast, but you do need to sign up to be notified. 
Is Ketamine Therapy right for you? And what does it actually feel like during a session? Joining me to discuss its workings, sensations, and post-session integration is Kristin Arden, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and Lead Clinician at Mindbloom.
Previously on the podcast, we heard from my friend Brendan Fitzgibbons about his Ketamine Therapy experience. This time, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Kristin, a healthcare professional working directly in the field of Ketamine Therapy. Kristin addresses key questions like when to consider this therapy, detailing what a session entails and its effects.
You’ll hear:

What is ketamine therapy, and how it works (7:27)

Kristin answers, “Is ketamine therapy for everyone? When should one consider it?” (14:11)

What a typical session looks like and what it feels like (18:48)

The integration and therapy after a ketamine therapy session; it’s not a passive process (22:31)

Dispelling misconceptions or myths about ketamine therapy (30:03)

Advice for someone considering ketamine therapy as part of their mental health or personal growth treatment plan (38:40)


Resources:
Subscribe for free to my Therapy Journey podcast series
Mindbloom.com/andrea0100
Episode 595: The Psychedelic Therapy Experience with Brendan Fitzgibbons
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/600
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 600: Advice and Insights About Ketamine Therapy with Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Kristin Arden

It’s been a long time since I got divorced the first time in 2006. It was also a much different situation and we didn’t have kids. Kids throw a whole different level of complication and sadness to it. 
In this minisode, I talk about the process of getting separated and then divorced, and the things that are taking me OUT while doing so. 
Things like packing up…looking at my bathroom drawers empty. 
Finding old pictures and cards while packing up of the years passed. 
And more. 
I end the episode talking about how multiple feelings and experiences can be true…you can feel grief and sadness for what’s ending to the nth degree, and also hope, excitement and optimism for what’s to come. That, we’re at choice about. 
Resources from this episode: 
Write Your Way Through It is open for registration 
Book recommendations:
I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  
MSN is supported by:
We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/
Episode link:
http://andreaowen.com/599
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 507: Benzos Addiction and Recovery with Melissa Bond

Download our free app to listen on your phone