In this episode, we explore the inevitable dark thoughts we all experience and provide tools to help process these emotions. Sarah shares a personal story that uncovers the importance of recognizing and feeling our grief to aid in emotional healing.

Key Takeaways:

- Feeling Dark Thoughts: Understand that having negative thoughts is a part of being human and doesn't signify something is wrong with you.

- Identifying the Trigger: Learn the significance of recognizing when these feelings started and the events that may have triggered them.

- Grief as a Process: Grief can resurface in layers, and it's crucial to acknowledge and feel these emotions without trying to rationalize them immediately.

Quotes:

"The spiral of grief shows us there are more layers to uncover, and this process can't be rushed." – Sarah

"Feelings aren't wrong; they're just normal. Understanding this can keep us from spiraling into our heads." – Finn

Listener Challenge:

This week, take a moment to reflect on when you began feeling off and write down any triggering events. Share your reflections with us using #LeavingCrazyTown.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.  

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of denial in addiction and co crazy behavior, and how becoming aware of our feelings can be a crucial first step in overcoming it. Finn and Sarah share personal anecdotes and practical advice on how to navigate and gradually come out of denial.

Key Takeaways:

- Understanding Denial: Learn how denial functions as a protective mechanism and its role in addiction and codependency.

- From Denial to Awareness: Discover the process of recognizing and acknowledging uncomfortable truths about your situation.

- Small Steps Matter: Find out why taking tiny steps towards reality can be more effective than making drastic changes.

Quotes:

"It protects us to a certain degree, but it also can kill us if we deny we're a substance abuser." – Sarah

"I needed to feel what I was feeling about it to see what was really going on, what the truth about it was." – Finn

Listener Challenge:

This week, identify a situation in your life where you might be in denial and take one small step towards acknowledging the truth. Share your experience with us on social media using #LeavingCrazyTown.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.  

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics of codependency in relationships, featuring guest Sue who shares her personal experiences and insights. Discover how to identify red flags, trust your instincts, and maintain self-honesty in your relationships.

Key Takeaways:

- Self-Honesty: Emphasizing the importance of being truthful with oneself about feelings and instincts in a relationship.

- Red Flags: Recognize and address warning signs instead of rationalizing or ignoring them.

- Boundaries: Understand the significance of setting and maintaining personal boundaries to avoid self-abandonment.

Guest:

Sue, special guest sharing real-life experiences and discussion on codependency.

Quotes:

"I almost know on some level I'm victimizing myself." – Sue

"Listen to your body; it doesn't lie." – Sue

Listener Challenge:

This week, pay attention to how your body reacts in your relationships and share your reflections with us using #LeavingCrazyTown.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.  

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, we explore the pitfalls of people pleasing and why it leads to dissatisfaction for everyone involved. Through personal anecdotes and insightful discussions, we uncover strategies to break free from the cycle of people pleasing.

Key Takeaways:

- The Indian Food Dilemma: Understand how saying yes to things you dislike can create uncomfortable and unpleasant experiences for everyone involved.

- Gift Giving Gone Wrong: Learn from instances where over-the-top gifts did not meet the recipient’s needs and only led to frustration.

- Trusting the Process: Recognize the importance of trusting loved ones’ requests and not overcomplicating simple needs.

- The Power of Boundaries: Discover why setting boundaries and being honest about your preferences is critical to maintaining healthy relationships.

- Self-Check Strategy: Gain insight on how taking a moment to reflect before agreeing to something can save you from unwanted commitments.

Quotes:

"People pleasing does not work...and it also affects the relationship in a negative way. It's being dishonest." – Sarah

"Let me get back to you. I'll get back to you in 24 hours." – Finn

Listener Challenge:

This week, try saying "I'll get back to you" before agreeing to any request. Notice how this pause helps you make more thoughtful decisions and share your experiences with us on social media using #LeavingCrazyTown.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.  

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, Sarah and Finn discuss the five ways they avoid uncomfortable feelings, shedding light on codependent behaviors and addiction. They share personal anecdotes and practical tips to help listeners recognize and address their own avoidant behaviors.

Key Takeaways:

- Addiction: Understand how both addicts and codependents use addiction to avoid uncomfortable feelings.

- Helpfulness: Learn how excessive helpfulness can be an avoidance mechanism.

- Rationalization: Discover how rationalizing behaviors can prevent addressing uncomfortable emotions.

- Talking Over Others: Identify how managing conversations by talking constantly can be a form of control.

- Blaming Others: Recognize how shifting blame can be a defense against feeling vulnerable.

Quotes:

"God forbid I feel anything." – Sarah

"Our minds are amazing creatures." – Finn

Listener Challenge:

This week, try pausing whenever you catch yourself in an avoidant behavior and reflect on your feelings. Share your experiences and steps taken towards self-awareness on social media using #CrazyTownPodcast.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.  

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, Finn and Sarah discuss the challenges of speaking up and asking for what you want or need. They share personal experiences of when they struggled to use their voice and offer insights into why this is a critical skill for personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

- Identifying Needs: Understand the importance of figuring out your feelings and needs to communicate them effectively.

- Overcoming Fear: Learn about common fears that prevent people from speaking up, including fear of calling attention to oneself or fear of being punished.

- Practicing Requests: Explore practical steps to practice asking for what you want in low-stakes situations.

Quotes:

"I felt like I really betrayed myself." – Finn

"We have a right to speak up. That's the lesson." – Finn

Listener Challenge:

This week, take note of a situation where you find it difficult to speak up and try expressing your needs. Share your experience with us on social media using #SpeakingUpChallenge.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.  

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, we explore the five signs that indicate you've boarded the "crazy train" in relationships. From codependent behaviors to emotional reactions, we delve into scenarios and solutions to help you regain your balance.

Key Takeaways:

- Intense Emotions: Identify when you're trying to fill an emotional void through distractions like dating apps or overeating.

- Problem-Solving Frenzy: Recognize when you start planning excessively to cope with your feelings.

- Urgency in Fixing Others: Notice when you feel a disproportionate sense of urgency to solve someone else's problems.

- Deflecting True Feelings: Understand how rationalizing unacceptable behaviors in others can indicate a fear of addressing the real issue.

- Obsessive Thoughts: Be aware of when you're obsessing over someone else's actions or problems, which is a sign of being hooked.

Quotes:

"Part of jumping on the crazy train is when we can't tolerate what's happening inside of us." – Sarah

"We teach people how to treat us by the behavior we tolerate." – Finn

Listener Challenge:

This week, practice sitting with your feelings without acting on them and share your journey with us using #LeavingCrazyTown.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.   

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, Finn and Sarah explore the raw emotions of rage, especially as it relates to their children. They discuss personal experiences and offer tools to manage and understand these intense feelings, enhancing self-awareness and relationships.

Key Takeaways:

- Emotional Processing: Understand the importance of allowing yourself to fully experience and process emotions rather than suppressing them.

- Ownership of Feelings: Realize that you are responsible for your own emotional world and can't control others' actions or feelings.

- Communication: Learn the value of sharing feelings without blame to maintain and improve relationships.

Quotes:

"The more spaciousness you give to your experience and your feelings, the better off you are in your relationships." – Sarah

"I don't hate my kid; I hate how I feel." – Sarah

Listener Challenge:

This week, practice giving yourself the space to process your emotions fully before reacting, and share how it affected your interactions using #LeavingCrazyTown.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life.  

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, we explore effective tools for dealing with anger, providing listeners with tangible strategies to recognize and manage their feelings. From pausing to setting boundaries, we discuss methods for addressing anger in healthy and constructive ways.

Key Takeaways:

- Pausing: Understand the importance of taking a moment to breathe and assess your emotions before reacting.

- Setting Boundaries: Learn how to communicate and establish personal boundaries to prevent resentment and manage anger.

- Turnaround: Discover the method of reflecting on the underlying emotions behind your anger, such as fear, sadness, or humiliation.

Quotes:

"Whatever comes out of someone else's mouth is about them, not us." – Sarah

"The options were to tell them how I felt and set a boundary or block them out of my life and hold onto the resentment." – Finn

Listener Challenge:

This week, practice pausing when you feel anger rising. Take deep breaths and reflect on what is truly causing your emotion. Share your experiences with us on social media using #LeavingCrazyTown.

Connect with Us:

Leaving CrazyTown is a Podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges, especially codependency. Created by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen, they offer unfiltered insights and strategies from personal experiences and mental health expertise. The episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement to guide and motivate listeners toward better mental health and overall well-being. Join the Leaving CrazyTown community and take the first step towards a happier, healthier life. 

Support the Show: 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. 

If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email host Dr Sarah Michaud: [email protected] or Finn Allen: [email protected] 

In this episode, we explore common codependency behaviors in relationships and how fear plays a role in controlling tendencies. Our guest, Mark Fedorov, shares personal experiences and discusses the importance of prayer and self-awareness in overcoming these patterns.

Key Takeaways:

- Fear of Abandonment: Understand how fear can lead to controlling behavior in relationships and the importance of identifying the root cause.

- The impact of Childhood Experiences: Learn how early experiences, such as frequently moving, can shape adult relationships.

- Importance of Prayer: Discover how prayer or speaking to a higher power can help quell anxiety and foster self-reliance.

Guest:

Mark Fedorov

Quotes:

"The fears, the reason it's so important, is because they operate from forever." – Sarah

"When you believe you have to be someone that you're not, it's out of a fear of not being loved, not being liked, rejected, abandonment." – Mark Fedorov

Listener Challenge:

This week, try using prayer or a form of asking the universe for help when you feel anxious in social situations. Share your experiences with us on social media using #LeavingCrazyTown.