The Recovery Couch

What if the life that looks “perfect” on the outside is actually masking chaos within?

In this powerful episode of The Recovery Couch, I sit down with Jen Schneeman—a trauma-informed nervous system specialist, researcher, and co-founder of REAL Human Performance—to unpack the illusion of perfection and the hidden cost of constantly striving to prove our worth.

Jen shares her deeply personal journey of having her identity wrapped up in achievement, performance, and “doing.” On paper, she had success. To others, she looked confident. But internally, she was battling relentless self-criticism, chronic pain, and a dysregulated nervous system stuck in survival mode.

She opens up about the cycle so many of us know too well:

Without a trusted guide to connect the dots, Jen had to lean into her own lived experience and decades of scientific understanding to rewire her nervous system. What she discovered changed everything.

In this conversation, we dive into:

Jen also shares the heart behind the SCAR program—a science-backed framework designed to help individuals regulate their nervous system, increase self-compassion, and reduce stress long-term.

Today, Jen lives with more peace, flow, and freedom—not because life is perfect, but because she’s no longer trying to be.

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, anxiety, or feeling like you’re never enough… this episode will give you practical tools and a new perspective on healing.

You always have a seat, right here, on The Recovery Couch.

In this inspiring conversation, Nathaniel Schooler shares insights on faith, discipline, and manhood, emphasizing the importance of daily habits, mental clarity, and spiritual connection to live a fulfilled and resilient life.

Niemah shares her miraculous journey from a Palestinian orphan fleeing honor killing to being adopted by American Christians, highlighting divine intervention, resilience, and faith. This story offers hope and insight into overcoming impossible odds through God's grace.

Key topics

Exploring the nature of ego, its role in spiritual growth and recovery, and how to manage it for authentic connection and healing.

Key topics

The constructed nature of ego and its origins

Ego as a barrier to spiritual growth and authentic connection The importance of surrender and humility in overcoming ego The role of ego in separation, comparison, and shame Strategies for managing ego and embracing authenticity

Takeaways

Ego is a constructed identity shaped by experiences, fears, pride, and need for control.

Unchecked ego hinders spiritual growth, authentic connection, and healing.

Ego develops as a protective mechanism but can keep us stuck in fear.

Surrendering the ego involves releasing pride, control, and fear-based identity.

Managing ego is essential for spiritual growth and lasting recovery.

On this episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch sits down with Lisa Matile to discuss her powerful journey through addiction, trauma, and healing.

For years, Lisa struggled with multiple addictions—including stimulants, alcohol, tobacco, and food—while battling feelings of unworthiness rooted in childhood trauma and abusive relationships. But through faith, prayer, journaling, and the grace of God, Lisa found a path toward healing and purpose.

Now over four years sober from alcohol, Lisa shares how surrendering to God, forgiving her past, and building a supportive community helped transform her life.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• The hidden roots of addiction and trauma

Lisa now helps lead alcohol-free events for women through the Boozeless Babes community and is committed to helping others discover that recovery is possible.

If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, shame, or feeling unworthy—this episode is a reminder that healing begins the moment you choose honesty and surrender.

Because when we give people a space to be real… we give them a space to heal.

In this episode of the Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch speaks with John Young, who shares his journey from a troubled upbringing in a drug-infested neighborhood to overcoming addiction and finding redemption. John discusses the impact of his childhood, the struggles he faced in prison, and the pivotal moments that led him to change his life. He emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, both for oneself and others, and how sharing stories can foster empathy and healing. John's experiences highlight the challenges of recovery, the necessity of personal responsibility, and the transformative power of faith and resilience. Takeaways The environment you grow up in can shape your choices. Forgiveness is essential for personal growth. Daily struggles in recovery can be overwhelming. Self-responsibility is key to breaking the cycle of addiction. Sharing stories fosters empathy and connection. Trauma can be transformed into wisdom for others. Reinventing oneself is a crucial part of recovery. The teachings of Jesus can guide personal transformation. Healing is a long and challenging process. Family bonds can be formed beyond blood relations.

In this episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch speaks with Karen Pizza, who shares her powerful journey through addiction and recovery. Karen recounts her initial struggles with opioid addiction following a car accident, her subsequent journey through recovery, and the challenges she faced with relapse. She emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and personal growth in her recovery process, ultimately finding strength in her sobriety and a desire to help others facing similar struggles.

Takeaways -

Recovery is a journey that often includes setbacks.

Community and support are crucial in overcoming addiction.

Acknowledging one's addiction is a significant step towards recovery.

Faith can play a vital role in the healing process.

It's important to take recovery one moment at a time.

Relapse can be part of the recovery journey, not the end.

Sharing one's story can help others and reinforce personal recovery.

Mental health is closely linked to addiction and recovery.

Finding a supportive network can make a difference in recovery.

It's okay to seek help and admit when you're not okay.

In this episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon sits down with Dorian Rodgers for a grounded, beginner-friendly conversation on cryptocurrency—through a recovery-minded lens.

We break down what cryptocurrency actually is, how to recover after bear markets and market crashes, and why emotional discipline matters just as much in investing as it does in life. Dorian clearly explains the  blockchain log, and unpacks the concept of the Internet of Value vs. the Internet of Data—why that distinction matters, and how it’s shaping the future of money.

We also discuss dollar-cost averaging as a long-term strategy, especially during volatility, and why chasing hype often leads to poor decisions. Dorian emphasizes one critical takeaway throughout the episode: do your own, continual research. Education, patience, and personal responsibility are key to avoiding costly mishaps—financially and mentally.

Whether you’re crypto-curious, navigating losses, or simply looking to understand the space without the noise, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and practical wisdom—without the hype.