Today's episode is a very special one for me as I'm speaking with Heidi Busche, a good friend who is the host of the Heidi B Podcast Show, author, and coach - who also happens to be one of the first people I reached out to when considering coming out publicly with my DID journey. Heidi is one of the most authentic, raw, and vulnerable souls that I know, who is bravely and boldly sharing her story of alcoholism and her path to sobriety. Heidi has worked through the guilt and shame she felt of what was a years-long struggle, and speaks openly about her human-ness, and how she needed to accept that as a human, she is both flawed AND amazing. This allowed her to make different decisions once she decided to get sober.

In a candid conversation, we talk about Heidi's young beginning with alcohol, her parents struggle with alcoholism, and how in a split-second moment of clarity, on a somewhat regular morning, she realized that she could either fight for her life and get sober, or she could die drinking. When Heidi really thought about what death would look like from drinking, it was a shock to her system, and caused her to start to make lasting moves to change her behaviors.

We also discuss how post-Covid, the conversation about alcoholism and the surrounding mental health is opening up, removing some of the stigma and shame, and showing people that we are all human, and our human-ness is what makes us great. Heidi also offers up 3 of her top holiday tips for those who might have some anxiety about the upcoming season, and how boundaries and accountability are some of the non-negotiables in recovery.

Find Heidi here:
IG: @heidibcoaching
Website: https://www.heidibcoaching.com/
Book: https://www.heidibcoaching.com/relationship-ready

If you loved today's episode, please share your favorite takeaways by taking a screenshot of this episode and tagging @drafletcher on instagram!

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Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is not a substitute for therapy or any other form of professional mental health/medical care. Listening does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Fletcher. The information provided is for inspirational and educational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain mental health resources in your area, please call 1-800-950-NAMI. If you are experiencing a crisis or need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

In a solo episode today, I'm diving into how you can use your pain and fuel it into your purpose and passion. With total honesty, it's definitely not easy, and for a long time, my perspective wasn't always this one. For many years, due to the trauma and abuse I experienced, I was incredibly angry, wasn't easy to be around, had a lot of negativity, and was constantly assessing people on whether or not they would use me for something or judge me. This was a toxic mindset to live in, and it was actually the anger that landed me in therapy to try and work through some of these big emotions I was feeling and living with.

In this episode, I'm sharing how, while not an easy road and certainly my journey isn't complete or done, I've worked towards turning that pain into my purpose, which is to both help others and dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and those living with DID. My own healing has come from therapy, writing, art, nature, meditation, and rituals such as using crystals, oracle cards, and other alternative healing modalities. I am now operating from a place of love, passion, grace, understanding, and receiving.

Recovery is not a straight line, it's a roller coaster, and while there are many steps, the first is having awareness of the feelings and emotions inside of you. Then, it's about taking the time to sit with yourself to decide what you want for your life, who are those people you can lean on and trust, and what healing modalities work for you, despite what anyone else may think. 

Thank you for joining me in listening to the 3rd episode. Know that I see you, and you are amazing. You can own who you want to be and how you show up in the world. Keep the faith and let your pain fuel you toward your purpose and passion -- you've got this.

Resources:
Sylvester McNutt: @sylvestermcnutt

If you loved today's episode, please share your favorite takeaways by screenshotting this episode and tagging @drafletcher on instagram!

CONNECT WITH DR.FLETCH
Follow Dr. Fletch:
@drafletcher

Visit the Dr. Fletch website:
https://www.drfletch.com/

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is not a substitute for therapy or any other form of professional mental health/medical care. Listening does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Fletcher. The information provided is for inspirational and educational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain mental health resources in your area, please call 1-800-950-NAMI. If you are experiencing a crisis or need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

In our second episode of "Braving the Way", I am excited to share the conversation between myself and Jaime Pollack, the founder of An Infinite Mind an International Organization on DID.

In 2005, Jamie was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) resulting from childhood trauma.  As she searched for support for herself, she quickly realized that there were very limited resources available, leading her to seek out other survivors living with the disorder.

As she found others living with DID, she witnessed first-hand the challenges they shared and decided to shift her focus to help others, like herself. In July of 2007, she started one of the only peer-led DID support groups in the country, which led to the creation of An Infinite Mind in January of 2008.

Her passion comes from the hope that people with DID can find the support and resources they need and will no longer fear the stigma surrounding the disorder. Listen in to the conversation as we further explore Jaime's journey. We talk about the challenges she has faced with DID, (including how her parts became more expressive once she was officially diagnosed), the ongoing healing after her diagnosis and battling her own internalized stigma of DID, and how she now sees DID as a gift. It's a truly raw and authentic conversation, and I'm honored to share this with you.

You can find Jaime below:
https://www.aninfinitemind.org/

Connect with Jaime and AIM
https://www.facebook.com/aninfinitemind 

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is not a substitute for therapy or any other form of professional mental health or medical care. It also does not constitute a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Adrian Fletcher. The information provided is for educational, informational, and inspirational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain mental health resources in your area, please call 1-800-950-NAMI. If you are experiencing a crisis or need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

It's episode one of "Braving the Way" and I'm honored and delighted you are here. I'm both excited and nervous for this new venture but my mission is just as the title of this show suggests: I wish to inspire you to brave the way, owning your own story, finding your authentic voice, and being fearless in showing up exactly as you are. I hope this show does many things, and while I'm not here to be your therapist, I am here to be human-to-human with you and to tell you that you are truly incredible. Your life and your voice are so critical and you deserve to be heard and loved, and I see you.

In this very first episode, I share a little more about my journey, and how after 40 years, I am finally owning my story which has been challenging and complex. As a sex-trafficking survivor, and a human with lived experience of dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder), I know the power of taking charge of your own healing journey, and the importance of community. The fact of the matter is life is hard, and we are not meant to go at this alone. 

I invite you to take a listen, knowing this safe space where you can simply show up as yourself, and hopefully we can all inspire each other towards owning our own stories, get present for ourselves with grace, kindness, and compassion. 

If you loved today's episode, please share your favorite takeaways and screenshot this episode and tag @drafletcher on instagram. If you think this episode might inspire someone else please share it with them, and take a minute to rate, review, and subscribe. It really helps get this podcast out to the larger community! I can't wait to see you on the audio waves!

You can continue to follow the journey on instagram @drafletcher

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is not a substitute for therapy or any other form of professional mental health or medical care. It also does not constitute a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Adrian Fletcher. The information provided is for educational, informational, and inspirational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain mental health resources in your area, please call 1-800-950-NAMI. If you are experiencing a crisis or need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Introducing Braving the Way with Dr. Fletch! I’m Dr. Adrian Fletcher, psychologist, speaker, consultant, and writer. Here on, BRAVING THE WAY, we are going to have honest, authentic, and brave conversations about mental health. I will share my own personal journey and lived experience with you, provide you with education, tips, and resources on a variety of mental health related topics and bring on inspiring guests who want to share their own experiences with mental health so that we can all be reminded that we are not alone.

The first episode drops on Friday, September 30 th , 2022. Don’t forget to follow BRAVING THE WAY so that you get every show as soon as it becomes available. Listen, follow, and share for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audacy and wherever you get your podcasts.

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is not a substitute for therapy or any other form of professional mental health or medical care. It also does not constitute a doctor/patient relationship with Dr. Adrian Fletcher. The information provided is for educational, informational, and inspirational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain mental health resources in your area, please call 1-800-950-NAMI. If you are experiencing a crisis or need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.