Michelle Smith joins me for a conversation about breaking the stigma of sobriety and recovery. Michelle is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of Recovery is the New Black, a digital community for women living or exploring an alcohol-free life. In this episode, we highlight the importance of seeking help and support and how practicing self-awareness and setting boundaries can go a long way in the journey toward sobriety.

This episode marks the end of the theme of recovery. Thank you so much for tuning into all of the themed episodes we’ve explored over the last year. Next week we return to episodes featuring guest interviews covering various areas of personal development. Stay tuned! 
Featured topics:

Some alcohol truths that no one talks about such as alcohol does not discriminate – alcohol dependency can affect anyone (4:28)

The first steps someone can take towards sobriety such as practicing awareness and curiosity about why you are drinking, as well as taking a look at your social circle (8:12)

Mother-drinking culture as “self-care”: If we are not addressing “why the grief, why the stress, why, the pain, why the overwhelm?” women are going to keep drinking (16:11)

Why are boundaries so important in sobriety (33:39)


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Episode 516: Boundaries, Sobriety, and Breaking Stigmas with Michelle Smith

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.

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Self-Improvement

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
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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
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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
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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

Minisode 599: On the grief of breaking up

Female friendships are meaningful, yet we still tend to put them on the back burner. That is why I invited guest Danielle Jackson back to the show. Previously, we talked about how to make friends, and in this episode, we talk about how to make deeper connections with women in friendship. Danielle Bayard Jackson is a certified friendship coach and national speaker dedicated to teaching women how to create and maintain meaningful female friendships. We can never have enough episodes about female friendships; I really hope you enjoy this episode! 
You’ll hear:

The three "affinities" that bring women together (and tear them apart) (6:39)

What’s the deal around gossip? Is it good or not? (8:24)

The nine most challenging "friend types" (11:25)

How to have hard conversations with a friend (13:46)

The way female friendships are depicted in today’s media, specifically on reality tv (18:53)

How to know if a friendship is worth saving (27:55)


Resources: 
Write Your Way Through It Registration is Open!
Subscribe for free to my Therapy Journey podcast series
Danielle’s website, Better Female Friendships
Maintaining Meaningful Friendships with Danielle Bayard Jackson
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/598

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 516: Boundaries, Sobriety, and Breaking Stigmas with Michelle Smith

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