The Addicted Mind Podcast

In this powerful episode of The Addictive Mind, host Duane Osterlind sits down with Christian Struthers to discuss his incredible journey from an ego-driven lifestyle of addiction to surviving a catastrophic, near-fatal car accident. Christian shares how a simple shift in perspective saved his mental health, how a German Shepherd named Millie helped him heal, and how he turned his trauma into a mission to give back.

Key Takeaways From This Episode
The Illusion of "Superman": From the outside, Christian had it all—athletic talent, college baseball scholarships, and a supportive family. However, a lack of consequences fueled a massive ego, leading him down a dark path of alcohol, party scenes, and using prescription pills (like Xanax and painkillers) to regulate his extreme lifestyle.
The Crash That Changed Everything: On August 3, 2016, Christian was the passenger in a vehicle traveling 130 mph that flipped end-over-end for a football field and a half. The driver tragically did not survive. Christian suffered catastrophic injuries, including a broken neck, two strokes, a punctured lung, and a shattered pelvis. He survived by a thread, stopping his internal bleeding on the very last available bag of his rare O-negative blood type.
The "I Get To" Mindset: Facing the reality of being bedridden and told he might never walk again, Christian fell into deep depression. A profound piece of wisdom from a hospital nurse flipped a switch for him: "Christian, you don't have to do this. You get to do this." This shift from obligation to gratitude changed the trajectory of his recovery.
Millie and the Genesis of Dog Dash 3K: Promised a dog by his parents if he survived the coma, Christian bonded with a German Shepherd named Millie. She became his ultimate motivation to heal. To honor her unconditional love, he started Dog Dash 3K, a community event that now donates 100% of its profits to animal shelters.
Recovery is a Work in Progress: Christian opens up about the painful loss of Millie to heart disease years later, which triggered a brief relapse into drinking. He shares a vulnerable, vital reminder that sobriety and healing are never linear, and that addiction is often a coping mechanism for underlying pain.
Memorable Quotes
"My ego—they called me Superman... it started with ego, went to bad choices with no consequences, and then it went to addiction." — Christian Struthers
"A nurse looked at me and she said, 'Christian, you don't have to do this. You get to do this.' That right there switched for me... That's what changed my life." — Christian Struthers
"Addiction isn't necessarily the problem... it's our answer to the problem. There's an underlying pain." — Christian Struthers
"You're one good decision away from completely changing your life. And you get to make that good decision today, right now." — Christian Struthers
Resources & Links Mentioned
Connect with Christian Struthers:
Websites: christianstruthers.com | dogdash3k.com
Social Media (Dog Dash 3K): Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Social Media (Personal/Vlog): Christian Struthers Real Life Rambles (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube)

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Supporting Resources:
If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center
NovusMindfulLife.com
We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
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Download: Self-Disclosure in Recovery Worksheet
Ever feel like you're carrying a secret that's too heavy to share? In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore why sharing our authentic stories is crucial for lasting recovery. They dive into how keeping parts of ourselves hidden can actually deepen our isolation, while taking careful steps to share with trusted others can create profound healing. Drawing from the wisdom of pioneering psychotherapist Carl Rogers, they discuss how genuine connection and unconditional acceptance can transform recovery from a lonely journey into a shared path of growth. The hosts offer practical strategies for breaking down the walls of shame and secrecy, while emphasizing the importance of choosing safe people and spaces for self-disclosure. Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, this episode provides valuable insights into building the authentic connections that make lasting change possible.

Key Topics:
Understanding the relationship between isolation and addiction
The role of unconditional positive regard in healing
How to identify safe people for self-disclosure
Practical steps for sharing your story
The importance of starting small with vulnerability
Using journaling to explore sharing readiness
Creating a self-disclosure plan

Timestamps
[00:01:04] Introduction to self-disclosure and authentic connection
[00:02:00] The impact of keeping secrets in recovery
[00:04:08] Carl Rogers' insights on understanding and acceptance
[00:08:35] Practical steps for building vulnerability
[00:11:55] Understanding your comfort level with sharing
[00:13:21] Journaling prompts for self-reflection
[00:14:30] The power of community in recovery

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In this episode of The Addictive Mind Podcast, host Duane Osterlind sits down with Dr. Brody Miller, a brain rehabilitation researcher and author of Brain Rescue. Dr. Brody shares his incredible journey from suffering a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and deep addiction to uncovering the life-changing power of Neuroplasticity.
They dive into the invisible link between brain trauma and substance abuse, how mindfulness physically rewires brain structures, and why massive life transformation actually starts with tiny, everyday "pinky moves."

Key Takeaways
The TBI & Addiction Connection: Research shows that individuals who experience brain injuries or trauma have a significantly higher propensity toward addictive behaviors. When the brain isn't functioning properly, it struggles to produce stable mood-regulating neurotransmitters (like dopamine and serotonin), leading individuals to self-medicate.
The Power of 56 Days: Dr. Brody highlights a Harvard study demonstrating that just 56 days of consistent meditation can physically alter the structure of the brain, lowering stress and improving concentration.
The Brain Only Cares About Repetition: The brain doesn’t differentiate between positive or negative habits; it simply reinforces whatever path you repeat. Whether it's taking pills or going for a walk, repetition builds neural superhighways.
Accountability Over Shame: Healing requires looking honestly at your current reality without letting shame keep you stuck. Swallowing the hard pill of accountability is the first step toward building a new identity.

Neuroplasticity in Practice: The Power of "Pinky Moves"
If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of changing your life, Dr. Brody emphasizes taking micro-steps rather than trying to climb the mountain in one day.
Interrupt the Default Mode Network: Humans have a natural negativity bias wired for survival. You can begin to interrupt these automatic negative thoughts simply by shifting your internal self-talk.
Combine Thought with Action: True neural change requires backing up your thoughts with behavior. Your brain will "call BS" on positive thinking if it isn't paired with action.
Start Small: Dr. Brody recommends James Clear’s Atomic Habits. Committing to a simple 10-minute walk or 5 minutes of breathing exercises daily creates an upward spiral of positive momentum.
Words of Wisdom
"Just because you feel this way today does not mean that you have to feel this way for the rest of your life. If you start to make small changes, I promise you—from someone who has lived exactly what you're going through—you can start today and make a big change over time." — Dr. Brody Miller
Resources & Links Mentioned
Books
Brain Rescue by Dr. Brody Miller
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton
The Answer by John Assaraf
Programs & Connect
Addiction Rescue Course: Addiction Rescue Team (A neuroscience-backed recovery program co-created with Sean David Cohen).
Website: Dr. Brody Miller Official Website
Instagram: @Dr.BrodyMiller

Follow and Review: We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center
NovusMindfulLife.com
We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
Disclaimer
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Addicted Mind Podcast: How a Little Becomes a Lot with Eric Zimmer
In this episode, Duane welcomes back Eric Zimmer, host of The One You Feed podcast, behavior coach, and author of the new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life.
Eric shares his profound journey from being a homeless heroin addict facing 50 years in prison to building a deeply meaningful life in long-term recovery. Together, Duane and Eric break down why massive life transformations don't happen overnight, but are instead built on thousands of microscopic daily decisions. They explore how to navigate behavioral "choice points," overcome the trap of perfectionism, and beautifully balance the duality of acceptance and change.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
The Fallacy of the "Big Moment": While "moments of clarity" are real and pivotal, they only matter if they are backed up by small, daily actions over time.
Change is a Skill: Struggling to change a habit is not a character flaw or a sign of laziness; it is a skill set that must be practiced and learned.
The Autopilot Pitfall: Many of our worst habits occur completely outside of our conscious awareness. Learning to slow down and introduce deliberation is key to making better choices.
The 80% Rule: Except for active substance addiction, striving for 80% consistency in life (exercise, meditation, healthy eating) protects you from the self-sabotage of perfectionism.
Puzzles Over Problems: Shifting your perspective from "I have a problem" to "I have a puzzle" opens the door to curiosity and solutions rather than shame.

In-Depth Discussion Topics
At 24 years old, Eric was a homeless heroin addict, weighing 100 pounds, jaundiced from Hepatitis C, and facing severe prison time. When he finally agreed to long-term treatment, it wasn't his first attempt. Eric explains how his previous "failures" to stay clean were actually an essential part of his learning process.
Mastering "Choice Points"
A choice point is that exact split-second where you either move toward your best self or fall back into old behaviors. Eric notes that relying purely on willpower at a choice point is a losing game. Instead, behavior change requires two distinct layers:
Structural Elements: This includes your support system, clear protocols, accountability partners, and removing triggers from your environment.
In-the-Moment Skills: This involves recognizing self-doubt, slowing down the urge, and learning how to "trick" yourself into taking action by shrinking the task (e.g., just putting on your running shoes to walk to the mailbox).
"The music producer Quincy Jones has this line, and I love it. He says, 'I don't have problems, I have puzzles.' There's a shift in there that's really important, because a puzzle has a solution. It has an answer. We just haven't figured it out yet." — Eric Zimmer
Moving Beyond the Self-Improvement Project
The episode wraps up with a deep dive into the final chapters of Eric’s book, focusing on presence and radical acceptance. While it seems counterintuitive for a book about behavior change to end on "allowing everything to be exactly as it is," Eric explains that treating your life as a non-stop self-improvement project strips away contentment. True healing happens when we can skillfully change what we can, while holding space for our pain, low moods, and current realities without judgment.
Framework: The 80% Rule vs. The Perfection Mindset
The Perfection MindsetThe 80% Consistency FrameworkViews every slip-up as a total failure.Views slip-ups as temporary data points and "puzzle pieces."Relies heavily on high motivation and intense willpower.Relies on structural support, habits, and reducing friction.Leads to burnout, self-sabotage, and quitting.Leads to long-term, sustainable lifestyle changes."If I can't do it perfectly, why bother?""If I can just hit 80% consistency over a year, I'm winning."
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Eric Zimmer’s Website: oneyoufeed.net (Find his podcast, behavior coaching program, and new book)
Eric's Book:How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life – A Guide to Lasting Transformation Through Behavioral Science and Wisdom
The Addicted Mind Website: theaddictedmind.com

Follow and Review: We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Supporting Resources:
If you live in California and are looking for counseling or therapy please check out Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center
NovusMindfulLife.com
We want to hear from you. Leave us a message or ask us a question: https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind
Disclaimer
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Download: Setting Healthy Boundaries Worksheet

Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, replaying that moment when you said "yes" but every fiber of your being was screaming "no"? In this transformative episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind dive deep into one of recovery's most overlooked yet crucial components: setting healthy boundaries.

They explore why boundaries aren't walls that keep people out, but rather fences that let the right things in. The hosts break down common misconceptions about boundaries, explaining why they're not selfish acts but essential tools for self-respect and healing. Through practical examples and clear guidance, they show how proper boundaries can actually lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships while protecting your recovery journey.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is its practical approach. The hosts provide a step-by-step guide to setting and maintaining boundaries, from starting small to handling pushback. They emphasize that while setting boundaries might feel uncomfortable at first, especially for those who haven't seen them modeled in their lives, they're skills that can be learned and improved over time.

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