Ever build a whole case for why you're the outsider — then realize you're the one who put yourself there?

In this Boozeless Book Club crossover, Amy Liz Harrison and Dr. Sarah Michaud dig into Cheryl Strayed's Brave Enough and what it stirs up in recovery: loneliness we're ashamed to admit, the hard conversations we avoid, and the grief of the life that didn't happen. They trade real stories about taking things personally, holding the people we love hostage to old wounds, and what it actually takes to face the truth.

Key Takeaways

• You're often the one casting yourself as the outsider — and naming the loneliness out loud is where connection starts.

• When someone's petty, distant, or weird, their behavior is usually about them, not your worth.

• Old wounds will rewrite a neutral conversation into "I'm not worth it" — the work is catching it and not making your person pay for the past.

• Being brave enough means having the hard conversation, especially with the people closest to you.

• Some grief doesn't get fixed; it gets walked through. You let time pass, you keep moving, and one day you realize you're okay.

Resources & Links

• Dr. Sarah Michaud's Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com

• Get Sarah's Book "Co Crazy": https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736720430

Subscribe & Share

If this episode resonated, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown—and share it with someone who needs permission to find their own way.

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.

*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you're struggling, please seek support from a licensed professional.

Do you keep wondering if you're the one who's wrong?

Dr. Sarah sits down with Craig Jackson, author of Beyond the Lies: Addiction Is Much More Than Drinking Alcohol and Using Drugs, to talk about the emotional realities that live beneath the surface of addiction. Craig shares his journey from high-functioning alcoholic to recovery advocate — and breaks down the difference between denial and delusion, how manipulation shows up without malice, and why the loved ones around an addict often end up sicker than the person using. This conversation is for anyone who's ever felt like they're losing their mind trying to help someone they love.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Denial is conscious. Delusion is their truth. One you can argue with — the other you can't.
• Addicts manipulate to protect their ability to use, not because they don't love you.
• Co-addicts become addicted to the state of the addict — how much they're drinking, what they're hiding, whether today's the day.
• Your boundaries get softened over time. What was once unacceptable becomes tolerated. That becomes the new baseline.
• The identified patient gets all the attention. Meanwhile, everyone else in the system is suffering too.
• You can't base your recovery on what your addict is doing. They may never stop. Save your own life.

GUEST BIO

Craig Jackson is the author of Beyond the Lies: Addiction Is Much More Than Drinking Alcohol and Using Drugs, written under the pen name C.S. Jackson. He's been in recovery for over a decade and wrote the book as a map for loved ones navigating the emotional landscape of living with addiction. Craig lives with his wife Nicole, who also shares her perspective throughout the book.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Beyond the Lies by C.S. Jackson — available on Amazon

Notable Quote

"Addicts and alcoholics do this to protect their ability to use. They have this underlying fear — using is their only tool for coping. The thought of not being able to have that kicks in their fight or flight, and then they'll do whatever it takes." — Craig Jackson

Connect With Us

Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com

Buy the Book: Co-Crazy

If you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown.

Hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud. Codependency healing with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up.

For educational and entertainment purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.

Ever catch yourself thinking everything will be perfect when you get married, find your people, or reach that next milestone?

In this raw conversation, Finn and Dr. Sarah tackle the codependent habit of living for tomorrow instead of experiencing life today. They explore why we escape the present moment through busyness, achievements, and managing other people - and how this keeps us disconnected from ourselves and real happiness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Codependency means seeking validation from outside sources instead of finding peace within yourself

• We escape discomfort through busyness, relationships, achievements, and even our phones

• Setting boundaries means accepting that people will step over them and choosing how to respond

• The present moment is rarely the problem - anxiety comes from past regrets or future worries

• Real life happens now, not when you finally achieve that next goal or fix that relationship

NOTABLE QUOTE

"Rarely is the present moment a problem. Usually nothing's happening that is causing pain or disruption." — Finn

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. With a unique blend of humor, honesty, and clinical insight, this show tackles the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and boundary disasters — while offering practical tools, powerful storytelling, and a roadmap for emotional freedom. Weekly episodes on YouTube (@leavingcrazytown) and all major podcast platforms.