Imagine growing up in a family where secrets are an everyday reality. Picture yourself being taught to rehearse stories and lies to mask the painful truth of addiction. That's the terrain we navigate in this powerful episode with our insightful guest, Kevin Petersen, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and founder of the Chronic Hope Institute. Kevin draws on his abundant experience to explain the detrimental effects secrets can have on families dealing with addiction. Together, we expose the debilitating shame and sickness that can result from misguided advice to keep secrets, and highlight the transformative power of telling your own story, not someone else’s.

But don't think we stop there. We're also wading through the murky waters of codependency. We're unmasking the art of setting boundaries for personal protection and establishing systems of rewards and consequences. We're emphasizing that therapy should focus on the system, not 'fixing' the other person. Additionally, we're laying bare family trauma, stressing the importance of self-care and understanding the varied impact of 'big T' and 'little T' traumas. This poignant discussion provides a guide for anyone struggling with addiction, codependency, or family trauma. Every issue, from the most urgent 'A-Basket' to the more manageable 'C-Basket', finds its place in our conversation, offering listeners valuable insights, guidance, and hope.

Music for Unshackling the Soul from Josh Woodward - Invisible Light (Instrumental Version)