Are you an emotional eater? You're not alone! It is estimated that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions. In this episode I share some tips about how to come more fully aware of your emotions so that you can take measures to manage or regulate them. I also address existing in survival mode, what that looks like and what you can do about it. 

Check back Mondays for new episodes! Join our online discussions in our "Healthy and Bright" group on Facebook -> facebook.com/groups/healthyandbright

#foodaddictionrecovery

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We've all probably been there....you know...another diet and another failure! We feel discouraged and hopeless. We stop trying even though in our heart of all hearts, what we really want and dream about is being healthy someday. 

Discouragement is dangerous. It keeps us feeling "stuck." In today's episode, I am sharing 7 steps you can take to end discouragement and find hope again. 

Check back Mondays for new episodes! Join our online discussions in our "Healthy and Bright" group on Facebook -> facebook.com/groups/healthyandbright

#foodaddictionrecovery

#healthyandbright

This episode answers two important questions:

1. What exactly is food addiction?

2. Why don't I feel in control of my food choices?

There are two brains in our bodies: the gut and the brain. Today we're looking into our brains. Understanding how certain substances (we call "food) affects our brains can help us understand why we feel hijacked, discouraged, hopeless, out of control, and scared. It's just like a patient waiting for a diagnosis. Knowledge is power. When we know what the problem is, we are better equipped to find a solution. 

The information I am sharing is also shared in Dr. Susan Pierce Thompson's book, "Bright Line Eating." I highly recommend reading her books and also books authored by Dr. Amen. Both of these doctors have studied brains in depth and have offered ground-breaking evidence of what is affecting our brains and how our brains function. 

Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson expounds on the facts that I have extracted and shared. She explains in much greater detail the information presented in this episode. Even if you weren't ready or wanted to try her plan, her book is definitely worth the read simply for the education alone. It is life-altering! 

Join our online discussions in our "Healthy and Bright" group on Facebook -> facebook.com/groups/healthyandbright

#foodaddictionrecovery

#healthyandbright

How many times have you thought you didn't do something because you're just being lazy? How do you know you weren't just stuck in apathy? In this episode, you'll:

I've condensed a lot of valuable information in this little episode in hopes that it will help you get "unstuck" and prevent you from falling into the trap of guilt. 

This episode could have easily been titled, "The Feel-Good Episode." Who doesn't love a good story with a happy ending? Sometimes, when we go through hardships, it's hard to recognize or catch miracles when they happen. We could use a renew hope or faith in humanity, especially with so much evil in the world. I could sit and binge-watch inspiring reels of miracles happening in the form of someone surprising another with money or doing a kind deed. (I may or may not have done this...often.) Why? Witnessing miracles reaffirms and can restore our faith in humanity and in G-d. It helps us understand that G-d is often in the details of our lives...IF we let Him. It helps us understand that good people still exist in our world and inspires us to be that miracle in someone else's life. I hope this episode gives you all the feels as I share about the miracles that have happened in my life. I don't share these personal stories to boast, but rather to instill a hope or faith that good things still happen, that modern-day miracles are real, and to inspire you, our audience, to be that miracle in someone else's life.

I have a philosophy and it goes like this...

There seems to be two types of relationships: the soul-mate type of relationship that is often portrayed in movies, or marrying your opposite. Both encounter problems, but somehow one type seems more "ahead of the game" than the other type, often leaving those who have married their opposites, envying and wishing they had the "soul-mate" relationship. 

I hate using the term "soul-mate" in conjunction with the word "marriage" because it suggests that one type of marriage is better than the other. A soul-mate relationship is typically one where two individuals are very much alike. There is a natural ease and harmony present because the similarities are so strong and prevalent within that relationship. There are problems but the approach or solution comes with ease because the two individuals who make up the relationship tend to think alike and/or take similar approaches. 

Where does this leave those who have married or are in a relationship with their opposites? Opposition is necessary. It is the door that learning and growth come through. Marriages comprised of opposites have great potention for learning and growth - even healing; however, it may require a little more work in problem-solving and compromising. These types of relationships also experience tremendous rewards if and when they can get on the other side of their problems or issues. They can be highly stimulating. 

At any rate, you cannot compare your relationship to others. No two relationships are the same and the probability is high that there are more than just the two types of relationships I mentioned above. No two individuals are exactly the same. 

In this episode I share insights from my 14-yr. marriage to the love of my life who also happens to be my exact opposite. I share some of the snags we've hit and what we did to have recently experience some breakthroughs and healing. I share the tips that have helped us. There are times I needed a little encouragement, inspiration, and hope in my marriage and it's my intent to provide that for you - should you find yourself needing those things too. 

"Don't let the pain of addiction outweigh the pain of recovery." Special guest Paul Pulsipher beautifully expresses this point in this episode.

Recovery is painful? This may be a new concept for some and a familiar one for others. The answer is, "Yes, it can be." It's often a process and depending upon the addiction, your brain can change, you may experience withdrawals, or unbury deep pain or trauma that needs to be addressed. The one thing all addictions share in common is the necessity of adopting a lifestyle change which can show up in adopting not only a new mindset, but new relationships, new and healthier habits, and/or new interests/hobbies. Anything new takes us out of the familiar and comfortable...even if it is good. 

Paul and I discuss our experiences with different types of addictions, what we have and continue to learn, and our healing processes. Paul has been clean from pornography addiction for 3 years, and I am currently recovering after 20+ years of struggling with a food addiction. Since we are both Christain, we share our experiences from a Christain stand point. This is important because there is an unspoken expectation of perfection when it comes to being Christain. It's important for Christains and non-Christains alike to acknowledge that Christains are human beings with weaknesses, experience temptations and hardships, and commit sins. The Christain community is not exempt from addiction.

DISCLAIMER: I have marked this episode "explicit" because we do discuss adult topics such as pornography, masterbation, death, and sexual intimacy in marriage as it relates to pornography addiction. 

If you would like to connect with Paul Pulsipher, you can find him on TikTok, Facebook, and Instragram under "PaulPulsipherPianoServices" as well as on his podcast, "Stepping Into Freedom" on Spotify, Wisdom, and Podamatic. 

If you would like to connect with me, Julie Hatch, you can find me on Facebook or through this podcast. 

I invite you to subscribe to this podcast and share it with your friends and family. Your support is appreciated.

Your struggle with willpower is not an uncommon one. Many people struggle with it because they don't undertand how the brain works as it pertains to Willpower. In this episode I define "willpower." You'll discover:

1. What it is

2. What depletes it

3. What restores it

While you may have thought you were weak or lazy at times, it could have just been masking the lack of willpower. I believe we are stronger than we know or realize and the information I share will change your perspective and understanding of yourself.

Remember to subscirbe by marking the star or "favorite."

Have you ever felt like you had the rug pulled out from under you? Have you struggled with trauma or addiction throughout your life? In this episode I share an experience I had today. I came face-to-face with an old wound; one that for many years went unaddressed. It came out of nowhere and smacked me upside the head in the middle of church. It had nothing to do with the messages given at church. I recognized a reaction (i.e., "trauma response") I had that didn't serve me, that has literally been blocking me, and was the result of unhealed trauma from my past. It's great that I recognized the wound, and NOPE, I still felt the old pain resurface which sucked! That's all well and good. I'm beyond the "blame game" at this age, but I was left with the question, "Now what?"

Sam Faulk is our special guest and we're talking about the elephant in the room. He is many things: a son, a friend, a Librarian, an alumnus, a podcast host...and he just so happens to have a disability. In this interview, Sam talks candidly about his experiences with his disability, what he preferred his teachers didn't do, what happened when he was in a relationship, his college years, and many other experiences that clarify, offer valuable insights and a much greater understanding of living life with a disability. 

You can learn more about Sam and his team by following his podcast on Spotify and Anchor.fm: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GiqR9Oijl2ruu6e9prRXw?si=fb0dd849c83e4370

Remember to subscribe to his podcast so that you will be alerted to when new episodes are published! While you're at, you can do that same for Past & Present. (wink) 

New episodes of Past & Present are published on Mondays.