Leaving CrazyTown

How does a mental health diagnosis shape your life?

Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud invite fellow therapist and recovery expert Beth Lacey to dissect the world of mental health diagnoses. They explore the DSM's history, debate its strengths and pitfalls, and share personal insights on navigating labels in recovery.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Mental health diagnoses can offer clarity and support for those struggling.

• Over-diagnosis risks pathologizing normal human emotions.

• Diagnoses may be misused, leading to stigma or as excuses.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"Diagnoses can be used as weapons." — Beth Lacey

GUEST BIO

Beth Lacey is a retired licensed social worker with 35 years in mental health, specializing in chronic concerns, trauma, and recovery. She brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience as a woman in recovery.

Connect with Us:

• Dr. Sarah Michaud — Author of Co Crazy

• Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

• Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of codependency?

Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud dive into the complexities of codependency, inspired by Sarah's relationship with her goldfish. They share humorous yet insightful lessons on how we interpret events, decide for others, and often fail to communicate effectively. This episode provides tools to empower listeners to challenge these patterns and find emotional freedom.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Understanding feelings versus reality in relationships

• The importance of clear communication

• Consequences of projecting personal beliefs onto others

NOTABLE QUOTE

"You can either interpret an event in a way to empower you or disempower you. Your choice." — Finn

Connect with Us:

• Dr. Sarah Michaud — Author of Co Crazy

• Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

• Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

  
  

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.

How often do we project our feelings onto others instead of owning them?

In this episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud explore the humorous yet poignant story of Winston the Corgi and his owner, highlighting how we often project issues onto others. Through personal stories and insights, they discuss the importance of recognizing when you're rationalizing behavior rather than setting healthy boundaries.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• People often project personal issues onto others to avoid facing them.

• Rationalization can prevent us from setting necessary boundaries.

• It's crucial to embrace and navigate the gray areas of life.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"I'm not being stubborn. I was setting a boundary." — Finn

Connect with Us:

• Dr. Sarah Michaud — Author of Co Crazy

• Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

• Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

  
  

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.

Have you ever felt dismissed by a doctor who couldn't figure out what was wrong with you?

Amy Liz Harrison and Dr. Sarah Michaud dive deep into the shocking reality of medical bias against women through their Boozeless Book Club discussion of "Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men." Amy shares her harrowing two-year journey with eye issues that multiple specialists couldn't solve — until her husband asked one simple question that changed everything. What they found will leave you speechless: 14 contact lenses wedged behind her eye that no doctor bothered to check for.

This raw conversation exposes how women's pain gets dismissed, symptoms get minimized, and how the entire medical system remains built around male-centered care. From heart attack symptoms that present differently in women to the disturbing practice of labeling difficult cases as "whiny women," this episode reveals why advocating for yourself isn't just important — it's potentially life-saving.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Women receive less accurate diagnoses and less effective treatment because medical systems are designed around male bodies and symptoms

• Heart attack symptoms in women often present as shortness of breath and chest pressure rather than the classic chest pain taught in textbooks

• Medical research historically excludes women due to hormone complications, then applies male-based results to female patients

• Doctors may dismiss unexplained symptoms as psychological rather than admit they don't know the answer

• Women must learn to advocate fiercely for themselves while managing cultural conditioning to be accommodating and non-confrontational

• Trusting your instincts about your body is crucial — if something feels wrong, keep pushing for answers

• Setting boundaries with medical professionals isn't being difficult, it's being responsible for your own health

NOTABLE QUOTE

"The bottom line is being female in a medical setting can mean receiving less accurate diagnosis, less effective treatment, and less attentive care because the entire system has been based on male centered care. This isn't just inconvenient, it's life threatening." — Dr. Sarah Michaud

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.

Are you chasing perfectionism at the cost of your well-being?

Justin Kinney shares his gripping journey from rock bottom to redemption, revealing the struggles of perfectionism and the path to recovery. Explore the double life of high achievement and addiction as Justin speaks on reclaiming control and rebuilding life with purpose.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Discover the destructive cycle of perfectionism and addiction.

• Unlock the potential of stoicism in transforming your outlook.

• Learn how discipline can be a tool for lasting recovery.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"Redemption of life is not built in emotional breakthroughs. It's built in repeated obedience to small disciplined decisions." — Justin Kinney

GUEST BIO

Justin Kinney is the author of "From Rock Bottom to Redemption," a compelling narrative on overcoming addiction and rebuilding life through discipline and faith. A dedicated coach and teacher, Justin's recovery journey inspires others to break free from the chains of perfectionism and addiction.

Get the book: From Rock Bottom to Redemption: 365 Daily Lessons for Rebuilding Your Life through Discipline, Faith, and Purposehttps://a.co/d/0331MQOj

Connect with Us:

• Dr. Sarah Michaud — Author of Co Crazy

• Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.

What insights can we gain about codependency from a cat's perspective?

In a playful yet revealing episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud explore the codependency traps lurking in unexpected places — like pet care. Through the story of Barbara the cat, listeners uncover the importance of recognizing and respecting boundaries, setting honest expectations, and letting go of control in relationships.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Recognize when your actions are more about alleviating your discomfort than helping others.

• Truth-telling can dismantle codependence in personal relationships.

• Notice the energy of urgency or fear, as it's often a sign of misplaced control.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"I was like, 'But I didn't need consoling, so you're consoling me for you.'" — Finn

Connect with Us:

• Dr. Sarah Michaud — Author of Co Crazy

• Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

• Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.

Do you spend more time thinking about what they're doing than thinking about yourself?

In this solo episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud read a letter from Gary — a goldfish swimming literal circles in his tank while his dad drinks himself into the couch every night. It sounds funny until you realize you've been Gary. This episode breaks down the core of codependency: obsessing over someone else's behavior until there's nothing left of your own life, and what to actually do instead.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Obsessing over someone else's behavior — their drinking, their moods, their choices — is the core of codependency, not a side effect

• Recognizing you can't control it is step one, but most people skip it and keep trying to fix anyway

• Shifting focus to your own needs, feelings, and self-care is not selfish — it is the recovery

• There is a real difference between worrying about what someone else is doing and identifying behaviors that are directly affecting you and require a boundary

• A boundary is not about controlling what they do — it is about expressing what you need and what you will do if things don't change

• You cannot carry the worry and expect it to help them — offloading it to something outside yourself, whether that is a higher power, a shelf, or a little spoon, actually works

NOTABLE QUOTE

"You're not expressing what you want your dad to do, but what you're expressing is what you need to do for yourself — and that's what really impacts the people we love." — Dr. Sarah Michaud

Connect with Us:

Dr. Sarah Michaud — Author of Co Crazy

Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.

Ever build a whole case for why you're the outsider — then realize you're the one who put yourself there?

In this Boozeless Book Club crossover, Amy Liz Harrison and Dr. Sarah Michaud dig into Cheryl Strayed's Brave Enough and what it stirs up in recovery: loneliness we're ashamed to admit, the hard conversations we avoid, and the grief of the life that didn't happen. They trade real stories about taking things personally, holding the people we love hostage to old wounds, and what it actually takes to face the truth.

Key Takeaways

• You're often the one casting yourself as the outsider — and naming the loneliness out loud is where connection starts.

• When someone's petty, distant, or weird, their behavior is usually about them, not your worth.

• Old wounds will rewrite a neutral conversation into "I'm not worth it" — the work is catching it and not making your person pay for the past.

• Being brave enough means having the hard conversation, especially with the people closest to you.

• Some grief doesn't get fixed; it gets walked through. You let time pass, you keep moving, and one day you realize you're okay.

Resources & Links

• Dr. Sarah Michaud's Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com

• Get Sarah's Book "Co Crazy": https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736720430

Subscribe & Share

If this episode resonated, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown—and share it with someone who needs permission to find their own way.

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. Each episode dives deep into the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and emotional recovery—with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up—we're leaving CrazyTown.

*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you're struggling, please seek support from a licensed professional.

Do you keep wondering if you're the one who's wrong?

Dr. Sarah sits down with Craig Jackson, author of Beyond the Lies: Addiction Is Much More Than Drinking Alcohol and Using Drugs, to talk about the emotional realities that live beneath the surface of addiction. Craig shares his journey from high-functioning alcoholic to recovery advocate — and breaks down the difference between denial and delusion, how manipulation shows up without malice, and why the loved ones around an addict often end up sicker than the person using. This conversation is for anyone who's ever felt like they're losing their mind trying to help someone they love.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Denial is conscious. Delusion is their truth. One you can argue with — the other you can't.
• Addicts manipulate to protect their ability to use, not because they don't love you.
• Co-addicts become addicted to the state of the addict — how much they're drinking, what they're hiding, whether today's the day.
• Your boundaries get softened over time. What was once unacceptable becomes tolerated. That becomes the new baseline.
• The identified patient gets all the attention. Meanwhile, everyone else in the system is suffering too.
• You can't base your recovery on what your addict is doing. They may never stop. Save your own life.

GUEST BIO

Craig Jackson is the author of Beyond the Lies: Addiction Is Much More Than Drinking Alcohol and Using Drugs, written under the pen name C.S. Jackson. He's been in recovery for over a decade and wrote the book as a map for loved ones navigating the emotional landscape of living with addiction. Craig lives with his wife Nicole, who also shares her perspective throughout the book.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Beyond the Lies by C.S. Jackson — available on Amazon

Notable Quote

"Addicts and alcoholics do this to protect their ability to use. They have this underlying fear — using is their only tool for coping. The thought of not being able to have that kicks in their fight or flight, and then they'll do whatever it takes." — Craig Jackson

Connect With Us

Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com

Buy the Book: Co-Crazy

If you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown.

Hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud. Codependency healing with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up.

For educational and entertainment purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.

Ever catch yourself thinking everything will be perfect when you get married, find your people, or reach that next milestone?

In this raw conversation, Finn and Dr. Sarah tackle the codependent habit of living for tomorrow instead of experiencing life today. They explore why we escape the present moment through busyness, achievements, and managing other people - and how this keeps us disconnected from ourselves and real happiness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Codependency means seeking validation from outside sources instead of finding peace within yourself

• We escape discomfort through busyness, relationships, achievements, and even our phones

• Setting boundaries means accepting that people will step over them and choosing how to respond

• The present moment is rarely the problem - anxiety comes from past regrets or future worries

• Real life happens now, not when you finally achieve that next goal or fix that relationship

NOTABLE QUOTE

"Rarely is the present moment a problem. Usually nothing's happening that is causing pain or disruption." — Finn

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.