ABOUT THE EPISODE:

Today's episode of Thirsty is for anyone who is (or loves) someone who is managing an addiction. "Addiction" is a word that gets thrown around out of context quit often, when the reality is that clinical addiction is a disease that needs to be managed, and most of the time, things like a sugar or shopping addiction just don't compare. Dr. Shamin Ladhani is a clinical psychologist specializing in addiction, and she's visiting Thirsty to talk about how to approach relationships when clinical addiction is in the mix. Dr. Shamin is covering how to know that you're ready to date, staying tracked in with your recovery, and how your partner can help to support you. She's busting common myths, highlighting truths, and bringing a healthy dose of optimism to the table.

ABOUT DR. SHAMIN LADHANI:

Shamin Ladhani, Psy.D. received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2005. She works as a pain psychologist in pain management at Ascension Healthcare in Racine, Wisconsin. She also runs her own consulting practice where she conducts independent psychological evaluations, participates in speaking engagements, develops wellness programs for organizations and provides training for healthcare professionals and the general public.

Dr. Ladhani has designed and implemented in-person and online training and workshops for a variety of audiences. Her interests are in culturally sensitive and trauma informed healthcare. She leads staff trainings at the medical center that are designed to help healthcare professionals approach patient care in a manner that is sensitive and leads to better outcomes. She has also researched and presented on issues that affect the South Asian community and participates in outreach to her local community. Dr. Ladhani is passionate about work with chronic pain, more specifically helping people that have disabling conditions feel empowered and live a better quality of life through psychological techniques. Her clinical interests involve working with underserved medical populations, reducing mental health stigma, chronic disease management, addictions, and mind body integration.

She has also been active in governance for the American Psychological Association helping to influence policies that impact underserved individuals access to mental health care. In 2016, she received a Forty-under-Forty Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal for her work with underserved communities.

ABOUT THE EPISODE:

We’re all a little bit know-it-all. Egotistical. Self-centered. But — what if we challenged ourselves, looked deeper, searched wider? 

Thirsty: the Podcast is a show about dating, relationships, and life after divorce. Season four premieres October 2, and, we’re going big this time, with amazing guests who bring heavy-hitting expertise to the table: 

So, what happens next? Let’s get curious. Let's learn, try, and discover. It’s time to learn more about the world beyond what we’ve told ourselves with a brand new season we’re calling "Fresh Eyes", premiering this fall. 

This is Thirsty :the Podcast, because sometimes life leaves you wanting more.

Second Chance Summer is a limited series where Heather and Laura revisit dates of Dark Days past with the benefit of hindsight. "The Six Kinds of Men You Meet on Tinder" was the episode that started it all back on August 16, 2021. Things have changed a lot in two years (and that's an understatement). Take a listen to this original episode from the vault, then stay tuned afterwards for a brand new discussion.

Then, Heather and Laura share a sneak peek into Season 4 of Thirsty, premiering October 2nd. With new conversations on microdosing, polyamory, second marriages, and more on the way, Thirsty is just getting started.

Second Chance Summer is a limited series where Heather and Laura revisit the dates of Dark Days past with the benefit of hindsight. Take a listen to this story from the vault, then stick around for a brand new discussion. Shawn was a whirlwind romance from Heather's history that Thirsty originally aired February 21, 2022. He was a kind, fun, empathetic match who wasn't meant to last (but made quite the impression regardless). He marked a true turning point in Heather's dating journey, and everyone needs a lightning rod connection every now and then.

David the Disaster was one of Laura's very first Thirsty stories, published August 23, 2021. David was a tough experience for Laura (and all her girlfriends) because this match was toxic right from the start. Many painful lessons were learned, but now Laura can look back and see the role he played in her healing journey. From "lingering" to "baggage" and beyond, this story reminds us that we all gotta start somewhere.

Thirsty listeners first met Larry on March 21, 2022. Larry and Heather had matched, met, and were building a real friendship (or so Heather thought). Heather and Larry had already decided it wasn't a love match, so quelle surprise when their relationship took a hard left into romantic territory. This is a story about perception, communication, and learning to stick to your boundaries.

Nate the Great was a Dark Days date who met Laura right after a traumatizing encounter with David the Disaster. But, was Nate really all that great? With "Second Chance Summer", Laura is seeing Nate's impact through fresh eyes and the benefit of hindsight, and she's seeing things a little bit differently now. Today we're asking, why do we put certain connections up on a pedestal, and do they really deserve to be there? Nate may have been the right date, at the right time, but the breakup was just as timely. Laura found that sometimes a positive connection heals a piece of you that was a little bit broken, and it helps you see your way up and out.

This summer, Thirsty is revisiting the Dark Days of dating with a fresh take in a seasonal series called "Second Chance Summer". Harry was a date who decided Heather was "It", capitalized despite the fact that he barely knew her. Apparently when you're dating with a checklist, checking the boxes is all that matters, so much so that he pitched a trip to Hawaii on the second date. Listen to this oldie but a goodie, then stay tuned for a new discussion at the end of this episode, reflecting on why love never needed a checklist.