Boy Problems Podcast

Boy Problems Podcast

By Recovering Too: Families Navigating AddictionHealth & FitnessMental Health
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Boy Problems Podcast episodes

  • 76. A Work in Progress

    It's been a while since we've checked in, so today we're catching up on life. Jessica starts off by sharing that she's been under stress at work but things with Casey are going well. However, sometimes this makes her question if things are *really* ok. This leads to a discussion about how normal, everyday things (like sweating, sleeping, irritated eyes) can make us wonder when the other shoe will drop. We share some recent examples that reminded us of past using times and discussed our reactions in the moment. Over the years we've learned ways to cope better, but we're all a work in progress. One of the best tools has been counseling, both individually and as couples. Katie and Jessica share that they are currently in couples counseling with their husbands, and we talk about how it's a different experience at this point in their relationships versus when they were in the midst of active use and early recovery. 

    Follow/Support us at:

    • Instagram: @recoveringtoo
    • Facebook: @recoveringtoo
    • Support Us: Patreon.com/recoveringtoo
    • Resources:

      • Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/
      • Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/
      • Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/
      • National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
      • 40 min
      • 75. Overcoming the Statistics

        Brandi Bennefield is a tattoo artist from Alberta Canada who has created a following on social media sharing her life stories. Many of these stories stem from the chaos and dysfunction of growing up with parents in active addiction. In today’s episode we discuss:

        • Brandi’s childhood and the ways she coped
        • Choosing sanity over family
        • Holding yourself hostage and letting go of that mindset
        • Becoming a healthy, successful person despite the hardships
        • The sad reality that some people will choose not to get better
        • Brandi reconnecting with her dad after he got sober, an example that it is possible for people to grow and change.
        • Follow/Support us at:

          • Instagram: @recoveringtoo
          • Facebook: @recoveringtoo
          • Support Us: Patreon.com/recoveringtoo
          • Connect with Brandi:

            • Instagram: @banditinkorporated
            • For appointments: call Solarium 7803527855
            • Resources:

              • Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/
              • Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/
              • Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/
              • National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
              • 44 min
              • 74. Anticipatory Grief

                Have you ever found yourself planning your loved one’s funeral or imagining your life without them in it? Or maybe you’ve felt a range of emotions around a looming change or impending loss. There’s a term for this, and it’s called anticipatory grief. In this episode of Boy Problems Podcast, Katie and Shannon discuss their own experiences with anticipatory grief. Shannon shares her struggles during Jay’s last relapse, and Katie talks about the importance of preparation.

                Topics also discussed: Relationships, Drug Use, Recovery, Shame, Rehab, Marriage, Family, Separation, Relapse

                Other episodes referenced:

                • 49.Sarah with Hazelden Betty Ford
                • 51.A Mother’s Love
                • Bonus: Check-in with Liz (after episode 3)
                • Follow us at:

                  • Instagram: @recoveringtoo
                  • Facebook: @recoveringtoo
                  • Support Us: Patreon.com/recoveringtoo
                  • Resources:

                    • Anticipatory Grief Article: https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-is-anticipatory-grief/
                    • Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/
                    • Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/
                    • Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/
                    • National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
                    • 43 min
                    • 73. Parenting & Addiction Part 2

                      This is Part 2 of the Parenting & Addiction podcast. Parenting with an addicted loved one is a question we get a lot, so we asked one of our favorite guests, Lizzie, to come back and join us for this conversation.  


                      Katie and Lizzie talk about: 

                      • What things we've put in place to protect our kids from our husband's addiction.
                      • Lizzie answers if she would have stayed with Drew if she didn't have kids with him. 
                      • Katie spoke about why she decided to have a second child now knowing Kemmon was an addict. 
                      • How we built back trust with our husbands 


                      • Want to hear more of Lizzie’s story?
                        Check out these other podcasts:
                        57: One Foot Out the Door
                        45: Drugs for Coffee
                        13: Meet Lizzie

                        Topics also discussed: Relationships Drug Use Recovery Shame Rehab Marriage Family Kids

                        Follow us at:
                        Instagram: @recoveringtoo
                        Facebook: @recoveringtoo
                        Support Us: Patreon.com/recoveringtoo

                        Additional Resources: Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/ Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/ Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/ National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

                        29 min
                      • 72: Parenting & Addiction - Part 1

                        Lizzie is back! We get so many messages and questions about parenting with someone who is in recovery or in active use. While Jessica and Katie’s husbands weren’t in active use when they had their children, that was not the case for Lizzie. Lizzie and Drew have 5 children and have been through the ups and downs of recovery and active use.

                        Lizzie talks about: 

                        • Having a newborn and Drew leaving for a 90-day rehab out of state.  
                        • Getting her 3-year-old therapy. 
                        • Disciplining their junior in high school who was caught drinking.  
                        • How she talks to her little kids about Drew’s ‘allergy’.  
                        • Want to hear more of Lizzie’s story? 

                          Check out these other podcasts: 

                          57: One Foot Out the Door 

                          45: Drugs for Coffee 

                          13: Meet Lizzie 


                          Topics also discussed: Relationships Drug Use Recovery Shame Rehab Marriage Family Kids 

                          Follow us at: 

                          Instagram: @recoveringtoo 

                          Facebook: @recoveringtoo 

                          Support Us: Patreon.com/recoveringtoo 

                          Additional Resources: Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/ Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/ Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/ National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

                          31 min
                        • 71. Too Independent?

                          Is being too independent a bad thing? Oftentimes, when you're dealing with a loved one in active addiction, all of the responsibilities fall on one person. When Jessica and Shannon's partners were out of their homes they had to take on everything. Katie was responsible for managing the household budget, chores and taking care of their newborn baby while Kemmon was away at meetings 6 days a week.  Being independent, for some of us, came out of necessity. The ladies also discuss how they balance self-care and their partner's recovery schedules. 


                          Topics also discussed: Relationships Drug Use Recovery Shame Rehab Marriage Family Kids 

                          Follow us at: 

                          Instagram: @recoveringtoo 

                          Facebook: @recoveringtoo 

                          Support Us: Patreon.com/recoveringtoo 

                          Additional Resources: Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/ Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/ Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/ National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

                          42 min
                        • 70. A Husband's Perspective
                          Today we have a husband and wife duo who both have found a path to recovery. Kelsey and Johnathan Autry share their story about drug use, rehab, recovery, family history of addiction, their relationship and parenting. When Kelsey went into rehab, Jonathan raised their two young children while she was away for 3 months. He also shares about the struggles of raising two kids while Kelsey was in active addiction. Kelsey shares her story of drug abuse and what her rock bottom was. We are so thankful that both of them came on our podcast and shared such a personal story with all of you.
                          Follow Kelsey on Instagram @kelseyautry
                          Topics also discussed:
                          Relationships Drug Use Recovery Shame Rehab Marriage Family Kids
                          Follow us at:
                          Instagram: @recoveringtoo
                          Facebook: @recoveringtoo
                          Support Us: Patreon.com/recoveringtoo
                          Additional Resources:
                          Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/
                          Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/
                          Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/
                          National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
                          Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
                          53 min
                        • 69. Euphoria’s Portrayal of Addiction
                          Like millions of people around the world, Jay and Shannon have been watching season 2 of “Euphoria”, an HBO series that follows a group of high school students through their experiences of identity, trauma, friendship, love, and sex. The main character, Rue (played by Zendaya), struggles with addiction, and Shannon and Jay are discussing this on the podcast today. The conversation was recorded before the season finale and covers:
                          - their thoughts on the way addiction is portrayed in the show
                          - the feelings and triggers each experienced while watching
                          - examples of personal experiences that are similar to certain scenes
                          FYI: you do not have to watch Euphoria to follow along with the conversation. Additionally, addiction is just 1 of several storylines, so this episode won’t spoil the show for you if you plan to watch sometime.
                          Extra: Head to our Patreon page for a post-season finale convo, that includes thoughts on D.A.R.E.’s criticism of the show and Zendaya’s statement. Patreon.com/recoveringtoo
                          Topics also discussed:
                          Relationships
                          Drug Use
                          Recovery
                          Shame
                          Follow us at:
                          Instagram: @recoveringtoo
                          Facebook: @recoveringtoo
                          Support Us: www.patreon.com/recoveringtoo
                          Additional Resources:
                          Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/
                          Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/
                          Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/
                          National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
                          Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
                          1 hr 7 min
                        • 68. Uncomfortable Conversations

                          Have you ever DREAD a conversation you have to have with someone? Unfortunately those conversations seem to happen often when a loved one is dealing with substance use disorder. Today's episode was inspired by an uncomfortable conversation Katie had to have with Jessica and Shannon recently. Listen in as we chat about some of those conversations we've had with families and loved ones and reflections we've taken away. 


                          Topics also discussed:

                          Relationships Drug Use Recovery Shame 

                          Follow us at:

                          Instagram: @recoveringtoo

                          Facebook: @recoveringtoo

                          Additional Resources:

                          Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/

                          Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/

                          Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/

                          National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

                          Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

                          40 min
                        • 67. Methadone Myths

                          Our dear friends, Dr. Greer and Angie, from the Bowen Recovery Center join us today to share their wisdom on Medicines for Addiction Treatment (MATs), specifically Methadone. There’s so much we didn’t know (and frankly, misjudged) about some of these medications. We’re always trying to stay educated, inclusive and at the end of the day help others keep their loved ones alive. Listen in to learn more about these life saving tools!

                          Topics also discussed:

                          • Addiction
                          • Medications for Substance Use Disorders
                          • Relationships
                          • Treatment programs
                          • Treatment options
                          • Drug Use Recovery

                          • Follow us at:

                            Instagram: @recoveringtoo

                            Facebook: @recoveringtoo


                            Additional Resources:

                            Co-Dependents Anonymous: http://coda.org/

                            Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/

                            Nar-Anon: https://www.nar-anon.org/

                            National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

                            Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

                            50 min

                          About Boy Problems Podcast

                          From the publisher's feed

                          Boy Problems Podcast is an open conversation about families navigating substance use disorder. Hosted by the Founders of Recovering Too, Katie, Jessica + Shannon bring you stories from different…