When we don’t know how to ask for what we need, we manipulate, avoid, or overextend. In this powerful and painfully relatable episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah unpack how fear of rejection fuels codependent behaviors—and how to finally break the cycle. From “polite lying” to people-pleasing to emotional seduction, they explore what drives us to control outcomes instead of asking directly for what we want. The truth? Authentic connection only happens when we stop trying to manage other people’s feelings and start telling the truth about our own.

Takeaways

• Fear of rejection is the root of many manipulative and codependent behaviors.

• You can’t build trust when your words and energy don’t match—people feel the fear underneath.

• Saying “no” to a request isn’t rejection of you; it’s just a no to that thing.

• Authentic requests lead to authentic relationships. Manipulation always breeds distance.

• Recovery means tolerating discomfort, setting clear boundaries, and staying in your own hula hoop.

Key Timestamps

• [00:01:00] Childhood patterns that teach us to manipulate instead of ask

• [00:03:00] Fear of rejection and why we avoid hearing “no”

• [00:06:00] How manipulation erodes trust and safety in relationships

• [00:08:00] The energy of fear—why people feel dishonesty before they hear it

• [00:12:00] Taking risks: why direct requests are a practice in courage and recovery

• Notable Resources

  Dr. Sarah Michaud’s book Co Crazy

• Follow Finn and Sarah on YouTube: @LeavingCrazyTown

• Additional tools and resources: www.drsarahmichaud.com
  

• If you loved this episode, subscribe and leave a review—it helps others find the show. And share it with that friend who always says “I’m fine” but clearly isn’t.
  

  Codependency Recovery: 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. This isn’t your average recovery show—it’s part laughter, part therapy, and all truth. Subscribe wherever you listen and join us as we break out of CrazyTown—one honest conversation at a time.
  

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Dr. Sarah sits down with Jamie H from Tennessee — a recovering alcoholic who turned his pain into purpose by helping women rebuild their lives through sober living. From childhood trauma and abuse to relapse, surrender, and radical forgiveness, Jamie shares how accepting responsibility for his healing set him free. His story is raw, redemptive, and full of hope — proof that no matter how dark it gets, recovery offers a way through.

Takeaways

• Forgiveness isn’t weakness — it’s freedom.

• “As long as I don’t drink or drug, I have a chance to get to the other side.”

• Recovery begins with accepting the truth of who we are

• The hardest words in healing: “It’s me, not them.”

• Pain from the past can be transformed through surrender and service.

Key Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome from Dr. Sarah — setting up today’s conversation

[02:00] Jamie’s first surrender and relapse story

[05:00] Accepting addiction as a mental illness

[09:00] The cost of denial — relapse and loss

[11:00] Jamie’s childhood trauma and family history

[16:00] Betrayal, forgiveness, and seeing through new “spiritual glasses”

[20:00] Letting go of resentment and reclaiming power [27:00] Jamie’s top tips for staying sober — no matter what

Notable Resources or Guest Links

• Dr. Sarah Michaud, Author of Co Crazy

• Jamie H’s Women’s Sober Living Community (Tennessee)

• Follow @LeavingCrazyTown on YouTube

CTA If this story moved you, share it with someone who’s ready to let go of resentment and find freedom in forgiveness. Subscribe, rate, and review — your support helps others discover hope beyond codependency.

Codependency Recovery: Leaving CrazyTown is the raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud — two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. Come for the truth bombs, stay for the laughter, and leave with a renewed sense of agency.

In this episode of Codependency Recovery: Leaving CrazyTown, Finn and Dr. Sarah get real about how communication breaks down when codependency takes the wheel. From the habitual “I don’t care” to the evasive “it’s complicated,” they unpack the language patterns that keep us disconnected from our true feelings. Through personal stories, humor, and practical insights, they reveal how to move from confusion to clarity—and why speaking your truth is a radical act of recovery.

Takeaways

• Common codependent phrases like “I don’t care,” “I don’t know,” and “it’s complicated” often mask fear or avoidance.

• Communication clarity begins with self-awareness—notice what you’re really feeling before responding.

• Detachment from emotions is normal in early recovery; reconnecting takes intention and patience.

• • Learning to express needs and preferences (even simple ones like dinner choices) builds emotional confidence.
  • Honest language strengthens boundaries and self-trust.

• Key Timestamps

  [00:02:00] The four codependent communication habits: “I don’t care,” “I’m confused,” “I don’t know,” “It’s complicated.”

  [00:04:30] How “I don’t know” masks fear of judgment and emotional vulnerability.

  [00:07:00] The childhood roots of people-pleasing and early silence.

  [00:10:00] Everyday examples of communication shutdown—how to spot and shift them.

  [00:13:00] Why “It’s complicated” really means “I’m afraid to decide.”

  [00:15:00] Final reflections: awareness, clarity, and courage to speak your truth.Notable Resources or Guest Links

  • Dr. Sarah Michaud, Author of Co Crazy

  • Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

  • Website: drsarahmichaud.com
    

  If you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown—and share it with a friend ready to reclaim their voice and leave confusion behind.

  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.

Andrea Ashley, host of The Adult Child Podcast, joins Dr. Sarah Michaud for a no-filter conversation about the messy middle of recovery—the part where you’re learning to stop saving everyone else and finally start saving yourself. From unraveling childhood patterns to setting adult boundaries that stick, Andrea shares how she turned her pain into purpose and built a platform for fellow Adult Children ready to get real about healing. Expect laughter, raw truth, and practical tools for leaving CrazyTown behind.

Takeaways

• Healing starts with awareness—and the courage to see your story differently.

• Codependency recovery is about identity reclamation, not perfection.

• Boundaries are an act of self-love, not punishment.

• • The inner child needs validation, not discipline.
  • Humor and honesty are recovery tools, too.

• Key Timestamps

  • [00:03:20] Andrea shares her journey from dysfunction to discovery.

  • [00:10:45] The moment she realized codependency was running her life.

  • [00:18:00] Breaking the shame spiral: reparenting the inner child.

  • [00:27:15] The truth about boundaries and backlash.

• • [00:36:50] Building The Adult Child Podcast as a recovery resource.

  Notable Resources / Guest Links

  • Andrea Ashley: @adultchildpod | The Adult Child Podcast

  • Dr. Sarah Michaud: Author of Co Crazy

  • Follow Finn & Sarah: @leavingcrazytown

  CTA

  Subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with someone ready to ditch codependency and find freedom.

  Codependency Recovery: Leaving CrazyTown is hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud—two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. Tune in each week for truth bombs, laughter, and tools for emotional freedom.

Finn and Sarah get real (and really funny) about health anxiety—the mental habit of turning every ache into catastrophe—and share how recovery tools like reality-checking, perspective, and self-compassion can break the spiral. You’ll hear outrageous mind-movies, why our brains escalate to “late-stage everything,” and simple practices to build a looser, friendlier relationship with your thoughts.

Takeaways

• Thoughts are not facts; feelings are not emergencies—build space before reacting.

• The mind loves worst-case stories (“late stage everything”); humor shrinks their power.

• Reality-check: get clarity with a call or simple test before catastrophizing.

• Past losses/trauma can prime health anxiety; name the trigger to lower intensity.

• Self-permission helps: if you do overreact (ER calls, extra vet visits), meet it with compassion and learn.

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 — Welcome & “I thought it was an aneurysm” opener.

• 02:00 — Why the brain jumps to late-stage diagnoses.

• 04:05 — The dog-at-the-vet spiral (and the bill).

• 05:10 — The “black spot” baby story: a washcloth cure.

• 08:00 — Panic calls after family loss—when trauma fuels alarms.

• 11:10 — Tools: clarity calls, humor, and perspective practice.

If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who might be stuck in their own CrazyTown—and don’t forget to subscribe for more raw recovery talk.

Come for the truth bombs, stay for the laughter, and leave with a renewed sense of agency. Subscribe and review the podcast, watch on YouTube @leavingcrazytown, and share episodes with a friend who’s ready to leave CrazyTown.

In this candid episode of Codependency Recovery: Leaving CrazyTown, Finn and Dr. Sarah dig into one powerful question: Are you happy? Together, they explore how denial, fear, and codependency often keep us stuck in jobs, marriages, and patterns that quietly drain our joy. Through raw personal stories and clinical insights, they reveal why acknowledging unhappiness is the first step toward change—and how to take small, courageous steps toward true freedom.

Takeaways

• Why denial is one of the biggest roadblocks to happiness

• How to evaluate different “arenas” of your life with honesty

• The cost of staying silent in jobs and relationships

• Why acknowledging unhappiness is powerful—even without immediate change

• How fear and codependency keep us stuck, and how to begin breaking free

Key Timestamps

• [00:01:00] The big question: Are you happy?

• [00:03:00] The “life pie” tool for evaluating different areas of happiness

• [00:06:00] Finn’s story: hating his job—and finding a way to thrive

• [00:09:00] Marriage, denial, and the cost of staying stuck

• [00:12:00] The freedom in honesty: why awareness is the turning point

Notable Resources

• Dr. Sarah Michaud, author of Co Crazy
  Watch full episodes on YouTube: @leavingcrazytown

  If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who might be stuck in their own CrazyTown—and don’t forget to subscribe for more raw recovery talk.

  Come for the truth bombs, stay for the laughter, and leave with a renewed sense of agency. Subscribe and review the podcast, watch on YouTube @leavingcrazytown, and share episodes with a friend who’s ready to leave CrazyTown.

Dr. Sarah welcomes Lori McCarthy, Executive Director at Herren Wellness, for an honest look at modern addiction treatment and the codependency patterns that shape families. From calling residents “guests” to integrating AA, SMART, DBT, CBT, Refuge, and IFS, Lori explains why flexible, community-based care matters—and how grief, parenting, and humility keep us growing. Hear why “connection is the answer,” how COVID reshaped admissions, and the single mindset she urges families to adopt: be willing to try.

Takeaways:

• Connection and community drive outcomes; guests hold each other accountable and staff work as one team.

• Herren Wellness blends modalities (AA, SMART, Refuge, DBT/CBT, IFS) to keep learning active and individualized.

• Post-COVID shifts: first college students, then dads, then moms—prevention slots don’t require “meeting criteria.”

• Codependency is universal; relationship skills are lifelong work.

• “Be willing to try” is the doorway for families and guests alike.

Key Timestamps (approx.):

• 00:00 – Meet Lori McCarthy & the Herren Wellness origin story

• 05:00 – Today’s clients: anxiety, loneliness, and the social media effect

• 09:00 – Program design: structure + interactive learning; AA/SMART/IFS/Refuge/DBT/CBT

• 12:00 – Why they say “guest” (dignity, safety, wellness, family welcome)

• 26:00 – COVID cohort waves; prevention without diagnostic thresholds

• 38:00 – Adding a Codependency group + book box on the way

• • 43:00 – Grief and gratitude can coexist in recovery and parenting

  
  

  Notable Resources or Guest Links:

  • Herren Wellness (treatment center founded with Chris Herren)

  • SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, AA/NA, IFS (context from episode)

  • Family support: twice-weekly Zoom groups at Herren Wellness (mentioned by Lori)
    

  If this helped you, share it with one person who needs hope today and subscribe for weekly tools on codependency recovery.

  Leaving CrazyTown with Dr. Sarah Michaud explores how we heal codependency and build real connection—in recovery, in families, and in ourselves.

In this raw and relatable episode, Finn and Sarah unpack the sneaky ways codependency shows up as manipulation—even when we think we’re just being “nice.” From passive food suggestions to emotional baiting and over-gifting, they break down three classic behaviors that masquerade as care but actually come from fear, control, or discomfort with directness.

Key Takeaways:

• Manipulation often hides behind passivity, politeness, or “helping.”

• Asking someone what they want when you’re hungry is not the same as expressing your own need.

• Emotional baiting ("I might get kicked out...") can trigger codependent rescuing.

• Over-gifting or “fixing” someone’s problem without consent undermines intimacy.

• True kindness is direct, respectful, and leaves space for choice.

Key Timestamps:

[00:01:00] – Why codependents struggle to state their needs directly

[00:05:00] – Food, frustration, and the fallout of passive manipulation

[00:08:00] – Emotional baiting and the illusion of connection

[00:12:00] – Gift-giving and fixing: when “help” becomes control

Notable Resources:

Dr. Sarah Michaud’s book Co Crazy

Follow Finn and Sarah on YouTube: @LeavingCrazyTown

Friendly CTA:

🎧 Subscribe, review, and send this episode to a friend still stuck in “nice mode.”

Codependency Recovery: 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. Come for the truth bombs, stay for the laughter, and leave with a renewed sense of agency.