Retrieving Sanity | Mental Health & Recovery from Addictions and Traumas

With the New Year of 2026, we are moving upload days from Sunday & Thursday to Monday evening and Friday/Saturday Evening. Summary In this episode of Retrieving Sanity, host Keegan Read engages in a deep conversation with Dale Walsh and Andrew about mental health, spirituality, and the journey of self-discovery. They explore the importance of connection, the role of shame in personal growth, and the power of presence. The discussion also touches on the creation of a new calendar, the balance of expansion and contraction in life, and the significance of co-creation in relationships. The episode emphasizes the need for inner work and the potential for miracles in everyday life, culminating in a call to embrace one’s own power and creativity. Takeaways The podcast serves as a platform for discussing mental health and addiction recovery. Dale and Andrew’s friendship blossomed through shared experiences and mutual interests. The concept of ’conspiracy’ is redefined as breathing together and connecting. Presence and connection are vital for personal growth and healing. Humor plays an essential role in navigating spirituality and mental health. Creating a new calendar symbolizes a fresh start and new perspectives. Shame can hinder personal growth, but acknowledging it is crucial for healing. Co-creation in relationships enhances the experience of life. Miracles are possible when one is open to them. The balance of expansion and contraction is necessary for a fulfilling life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 02:30 The Birth of a New Podcast 04:56 The Power of Connection and Friendship 07:35 Exploring Spirituality and Synchronicity 10:14 The Journey of Co-Creation 13:02 Humor in Spirituality and Mental Health 15:12 Innovative Concepts in Time and Reality 18:09 Insights from Spiritual Teachings 20:36 Understanding Complex Ideas 23:23 The Beauty of Nature and Co-Creation 26:20 Miracles and the Nature of Reality 28:53 The Power of Personal Responsibility 30:56 Expansion vs. Contraction: The Balance of Life 33:23 Finding Presence in Human Connection 34:57 The Journey of Healing and Transformation 37:30 Year Zero: A New Beginning 39:25 Creating a Utopian Reality 40:26 The Role of Safety in Personal Growth 41:20 Embracing Our Inner Power 48:24 Overcoming Shame and Guilt 53:57 The Synergy of Connection and Creation 📣Check out the website for a list of all guests! -- https://retrievingsanity.com 🔔Subscribe for more content ~2x/week Mental Health Podcast #podcast #mentalhealthpodcast #retrievingsanity #reality #schizophrenia #dale #creatingreality #recovery #abstract #mentalhealth #religion

The horrors we grow up with can define us. That’s what happened to Adriene, but she now has turned the table and has her mental health on lock. Check out her website here: https://www.unbrokencaldwell.com/ Explicit Warning!!!! Summary In this episode of Retrieving Sanity, host Keegan Read engages with Adriene Caldwell, author of ’Unbroken’, as she shares her harrowing journey through childhood trauma, including sexual assault and the impact of survivor’s guilt. Adriene emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s instincts in dangerous situations and discusses the long-term effects of trauma on mental health and addiction. Through her story, she highlights the significance of resilience, healing, and the power of sharing personal experiences to help others feel less alone. In this candid conversation, Adriene Caldwell shares her journey through addiction, recovery, and self-discovery. From her early experiences with cocaine and alcohol to hitting rock bottom with a DUI, she reflects on the challenges she faced and the decisions that led her to sobriety. Adriene discusses the impact of family dynamics, motherhood, and the importance of confronting one’s past to achieve mental health and personal growth. She emphasizes the need for individualized approaches to recovery and the significance of living through experiences rather than numbing them. The conversation concludes with Adriene’s aspirations for her upcoming book and her commitment to helping others through her story. Takeaways Childhood trauma shapes adult behavior and perceptions. The importance of discussing mental health openly. Instincts often serve as a warning system in dangerous situations. The impact of addiction can stem from unresolved trauma. Healing is a journey that requires self-awareness. Support systems are crucial for recovery from trauma. Sharing personal stories can help others feel less alone. Adriene took 18 hours of classes in her first semester. She had a strong relationship with cocaine for five months. Recognizing the destructive path of addiction was crucial for her. She used alcohol to cope with cravings after quitting cocaine. Her engagement ended a week before the wedding due to her addiction issues. She experienced a second DUI that impacted her life significantly. Adriene sought to remove herself from toxic environments. She made a conscious decision to give her daughter a better childhood. Her sobriety date is November 8th, marking a significant turning point. Adriene believes in living through experiences for personal growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trauma and Resilience 02:23 The Impact of Childhood Trauma 05:16 Survivor’s Guilt and Its Effects 08:03 Listening to Your Instincts 10:47 Trust Issues and Relationships 13:45 The Role of Family in Trauma 16:33 Escaping Dangerous Situations 20:17 The Irony of Homelessness 20:39 A Daughter’s Fear and Escape 21:45 The Decision to Leave 22:56 A Dangerous Ride 23:47 Finding Safety 24:43 The Aftermath of Escape 28:18 The Descent into Addiction 29:26 College Life and Substance Abuse 31:57 Self-Imposed Rehab 33:42 Rock Bottom and Recovery 37:35 Breaking Free from Toxic Environments 38:30 Love and Marriage: A Green Card Story 39:42 The Dark Side of Drinking 40:35 Overcoming Childhood Trauma 41:46 The Turning Point: Choosing Sobriety 42:39 The Pain of Loss and Relapse 43:58 Finding Personal Recovery Paths 45:04 The Complexity of Addiction 46:10 The Journey of Healing and Growth 50:29 The Power of Sharing Stories 53:52 Retrieving Sanity: Embracing Emotions 📣Check out the website for a list of all guests! -- https://retrievingsanity.com 🔔Subscribe for more content ~2x/week Mental Health Podcast #podcast #mentalhealthpodcast #retrievingsanity #ptsd #cptsd #horror #growingup #childhoodtrauma #survivor #complextrauma #resilient #mentalhealthjourney #recoveryjourney #emotionalhealing

Learn Grit & Gratitude from Laura herself over at: https://www.laurabratton.com/ Get the reflection sheet here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eSv2QENK9JcAxlgrYBS7xxBsqfXWhb7-/view?usp=drive_link Summary In this episode of Retrieving Sanity, host Keegan Read speaks with Laura Bratton, who shares her inspiring journey of losing her sight due to a rare eye disease. Laura discusses the emotional challenges she faced, including anxiety and depression, and how she navigated these feelings with the support of her community. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, grit, and gratitude in overcoming adversity and highlights the significance of allowing oneself to grieve while also moving forward. Laura’s insights on intuition, self-compassion, and the power of emotions provide valuable lessons for anyone facing their own challenges. Takeaways Laura’s journey of losing her sight began at age nine. She emphasizes the importance of community support during tough times. Mindfulness helped Laura manage her anxiety and depression. Grit is about acknowledging difficulties and choosing to move forward. It’s okay to grieve while also moving forward in life. Self-compassion is crucial for mental wellness. Laura’s intuition has strengthened since losing her sight. Emotions should be acknowledged, not shamed. Laura’s book, ’Harnessing Courage’, shares her life story and insights. Daily practices are essential for maintaining mental health. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Laura’s Journey 03:04 Navigating Loss of Sight 07:52 Emotional Reactions to Blindness 10:18 The Power of Mindfulness 12:33 Grit and Gratitude in Adversity 18:20 Permission to Grieve 20:39 Stress and Its Effects 22:52 Redefining Grit and Bravery 24:03 Understanding Emotions and Control 27:21 Holding Space for Emotions 29:15 Navigating Emotions and Self-Compassion 30:15 Harnessing Courage: A Personal Journey 31:29 Daily Practices for Mental Wellness 32:56 The Role of Shame in Emotional Health 34:55 Understanding and Managing Grief 36:19 Visualizing Nature: A Unique Perspective 38:59 The Power of Intuition 42:01 Empathy and Energy Awareness 45:09 The Gratitude Gauntlet: Real-Life Scenarios 54:53 Retrieving Sanity: Embracing Our Humanity

Mental health can be a huge struggle to handle on your own, and it’s even harder when you grow up sacrificing yourself to make others happy.  Get the reflection sheet here Go to retrievingsanity.com for all guests, their websites, and more. Summary In this episode of Retrieving Sanity, host Keegan Read delves into the complexities of mental health and addiction recovery, exploring themes of self-acceptance, the impact of societal expectations, and the journey towards liberation from shame. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing one’s true self, while also addressing the challenges of conforming to external pressures. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Keegan encourages listeners to prioritize self-love and compassion as essential steps in the healing process. Takeaways It’s important to embrace the darkness within ourselves. Being true to oneself is liberating and essential for growth. Societal expectations can lead to self-sacrifice and disconnection from our true selves. Childhood experiences shape our emotional responses and coping mechanisms. Healing requires facing our demons rather than running from them. Self-advocacy is crucial in the journey of personal growth. We often act out of our past traumas, not our current age. Accepting oneself is a continuous journey that takes time and effort. Compassion for ourselves leads to compassion for others. Healing is paradoxical; we may push people away while trying to grow. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mental Health and Self-Discovery 02:43 The Impact of Societal Expectations 09:20 Childhood Trauma and Emotional Expression 16:14 Individuation and Self-Actualization 22:59 The Paradox of Healing and Connection #podcast #mentalhealthpodcast #retrievingsanity #recoveryjourney #addictionrecovery #traumarecovery #sacrifice #cptsd #ptsd #selfadvocacy #societalexpectations #liberation #compassion #selfcompassion

Be sure to check out her website here Get the Reflection Sheet here Summary In this episode of Retrieving Sanity, Keegan Read and Vanessa Cardenas delve into the complexities of healing from betrayal and the importance of resilience. Vanessa shares her personal journey of overcoming betrayal and the development of her Hope Framework, which emphasizes holding on through pain. They discuss the significance of self-love, the role of AI in mental health support, and the importance of recognizing red and green flags in relationships. The conversation culminates in a powerful message about reclaiming one’s identity and the journey towards self-acceptance. Takeaways Vanessa emphasizes the importance of hope in recovery from betrayal. The Hope Framework consists of holding on, organizing the truth, and protecting boundaries. Self-love is crucial for healing and reclaiming one’s identity. Trust and communication are essential in rebuilding relationships. AI can serve as a supportive tool but should not replace human connection. Recognizing red flags in relationships can prevent further pain. Taking small steps is vital in the recovery process. Compliments and positive reinforcement can strengthen relationships. It’s important to acknowledge and accept compliments from others. Retrieving sanity involves embracing one’s true self and identity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healing and Resilience 02:22 Vanessa’s Journey and the Impact of Betrayal 05:11 The Power of Storytelling and Sharing Experiences 07:57 The Hope Framework: Hold On, Pain Ends 10:43 Practical Steps for Overcoming Inner Criticism 13:31 Taking Action: The Importance of Small Steps 16:23 Building Trust in Yourself and Your Journey 19:29 Building Purpose and Accomplishment 20:22 The Power of Connection and Understanding 21:10 Overcoming Pain and Feeling Stuck 23:02 The Relationship Reset: Trusting Yourself 24:49 Navigating Relationships Through Challenges 25:39 The Importance of Support Groups 27:01 Sharing Dreams and Aspirations 31:31 The Impact of AI on Mental Health 36:14 Creating a Personalized AI for Support 40:42 The Role of AI in Personal Guidance 42:02 Human Connection vs. AI Interaction 43:24 AI as a Temporary Solution 45:04 Understanding Emotional Triggers 45:50 Red Flags and Green Flags in Relationships 48:11 The Importance of Trust and Respect 54:09 Retrieving Sanity Through Self-Acceptance #mentalhealthpodcast #retrievingsanity #emotionalhealing #betrayalrecovery #hopeframework #hope #painends #innercritic #relationships #selflove #AIsupport #redflags #greenflags #selfacceptance #selfies