Recovered Life Newsletter: The Recovered Life Show

Jumping Out of a Plane to Stay Alive: Belonging as Veteran Suicide Prevention with Dave Campisano

Damon Frank — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 15:05:34 GMT

Dave Campisano is the founder and president of 22Mohawks, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit with a simple and radical idea: shared challenge builds belonging, and belonging saves lives. Twice a year, Dave's team flies 20 veterans and first responders to the X35 Airborne School in Dunnellon, Florida, where strangers arrive from all walks of life and leave as a community — connected, seen, and looking out for each other.

In this Veterans Day conversation, Dave explains why the jump itself is only the beginning. The real work is the connection that forms around it: people who may be carrying PTSD, isolation, or silent pain finding a group where they belong. His team is now working with researchers to build the evidence behind what participants keep telling them — that the experience gives them purpose, something to look forward to, and, in their own words, saved their lives.

Dave also shares the personal loss that shapes his message. After his good friend John Hatfield died by suicide, Dave wrestled with anger — at John for not reaching out, and at himself for not reaching out first. His takeaway is for anyone listening: become the person it is safe to be vulnerable with, because speaking openly about our struggles gives everyone around us permission to do the same.

If you are a veteran or first responder, or you love one, this episode is an invitation to find your people — and a reminder that nobody has to carry this alone.

Read Dave's article, "Beyond the Jump: Building the Evidence for Connection, Belonging, and Veteran Suicide Prevention"

Learn more about 22Mohawks

And if you or someone you know is in crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 any time.

She Has Coffee Before Bed — and Sleeps Just Fine. After the Show with Vanika Lall

Damon Frank — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 02:05:25 GMT

The conversation continues after the show.

Vanika stays on to talk about why sleep is not one-size-fits-all — why screens wreck one person's night and help another person wind down, why she can have caffeine a couple of hours before bed and sleep just fine, and how worrying that your sleep doesn't match someone else's "perfect" routine can itself keep yo…

Why You Can’t Beat Depression If You Can’t Sleep with Guest Vanika Lall

Damon Frank — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 15:01:49 GMT

Up to 9 in 10 people with depression also struggle with disturbed sleep — and new research says that leftover insomnia may be exactly why depression keeps coming back.

Sleep researcher Vanika Lall of the University of Western Australia joins Damon to break down her Sleep Well for Mood study: when people with depression treated their insomnia with CBT-I — cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia — their depression improved too, and their recovery lasted longer. Vanika explains why insomnia often survives depression treatment, why it is the quality of your sleep (not just the hours) that moves your mood, and the three core tools of CBT-I: quieting the racing mind, stimulus control, and sleep restriction.

Plus: what this means for people in addiction recovery, where being tired is one of the classic HALT relapse triggers — and why Vanika says even 20 or 30 years of chronic insomnia is treatable.

The Addict Brain Isn't Weak — It's Wired to Obsess! After the Show with Dr. Thomas Elston

Damon Frank — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 15:00:46 GMT

The conversation continues after the show.

The cameras kept rolling after our episode on willpower, and Dr. Thomas Elston went somewhere the main conversation didn't: what an "addictive personality" actually is inside the brain. His answer — a brain that learns from rewards too well — reframes everything, including the story Damon tells about a friend who was addicted to meth, got sober, got into fitness, and then became a multimillionaire. Same drive. Different target.

It's Just a Cupcake' Is the Biggest Lie in Recovery. After the Show with Molly Carmel

Damon Frank — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:30:37 GMT

The conversation continues after the show.

After our Halloween episode on candy and cravings, Molly Carmel stayed on — and Damon made a confession. A family member told him that if he just quit sugar, a lot of his symptoms would go away. His answer, after 33 years sober: "I'm just not ready to do that yet." Molly's response is the moment this whole segment turns on: that voice saying how would I live without it? isn't you. It's the addiction, putting up a wall.

Why Willpower Fails: The Brain Science of Saying No with Guest Dr. Thomas Elston

Damon Frank — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 13:03:34 GMT

Why does willpower collapse right in the middle of a craving? Dr. Thomas Elston, assistant professor of neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin, shares his lab's new study in the journal Neuron that captured something never seen before: the brain catching itself mid-impulse, as one brain region interrupts another's autopilot to deploy self-control. Damon and Dr. Elston break down the tug-of-war between impulse and self-control, what it means for addiction and OCD, and why struggling to say no is a brain circuit issue — not a character flaw.

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Candy, Sugar, and Cravings with Guest Molly Carmel

Damon Frank — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 16:07:06 GMT

You put down the alcohol or the drugs — and picked up sugar instead. If that sounds familiar, this Halloween episode is for you. Molly Carmel, an addictions and eating-disorder therapist and the author of Breaking Up with Sugar, joins Damon to talk about the addiction nobody takes seriously: sugar. Molly nearly died of food addiction herself, and she explains why sugar is so hard to quit — you've been in a relationship with it since your first birthday cake, you can't simply stop eating, and today's ultra-processed food is not your grandma's sugar. They also get into why Halloween kicks off the "Bermuda Triangle" of relapse season — Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas — and how to make it through without trading one addiction for another.

After the Show: What’s really in 7-OH?

Damon Frank — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:45:41 GMT

In this exclusive After the Show segment, the conversation dives deeper into the controversial and rapidly evolving world of kratom-derived products and concentrated 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine). Joined by leading natural product and medicinal chemistry researchers from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy—Dr. Christopher McCurdy, Dr. Oliver Grundmann, and Dr. Abhisheak Sharma—the panel unpacks the critical safety concerns consumers and physicians face today.

What's Really in 7-OH?

Damon Frank — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:30:08 GMT

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, we tackle the rising controversy surrounding kratom and concentrated 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine) products head-on. Joined by leading University of Florida researchers Dr. Chris McCurdy, Dr. Oliver Grundmann, and Dr. Abhisheak Sharma, we break down the critical pharmacological differences between whole-leaf kratom and modern semi-synthetic extracts.

The panel dives into how concentrated 7-OH acts as a potent opioid receptor agonist, why it carries rapid tolerance and intense withdrawal profiles, the unregulated market filling vape shops with mislabeled products, and the severe risks these formulations pose to individuals in recovery.

Join the Recovered Life Group here.

After The Show: Why does your body act like you are still in danger? with Guest Lisa Robinson

Damon Frank — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:01:45 GMT

In this After The Show bonus episode, host Damon Frank sits down with trauma therapist Lisa Robinson to explore how past trauma manifests in the body and mind long after the threat has passed.

Together, they unpack:

Why does your body act like you are still in danger? with Guest Lisa Robinson

Damon Frank — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:36:34 GMT

Have you ever been told to “just move on” from a painful past experience, only to find that your body and emotions refuse to cooperate? In this insightful episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Robinson, who specializes in trauma, anxiety, and EMDR therapy.

Together, they break down why healing from trauma isn’t as simple as making an intellectual decision to move forward. Dr. Robinson explains how unprocessed traumatic memories get stuck in the nervous system, what actually happens in the brain during a trauma trigger, and the deep connection between early childhood neglect, trauma responses, and addictive behaviors. The conversation also covers the fundamental differences between traditional talk therapy and bottom-up approaches like EMDR, practical strategies for regaining control of your nervous system, and why full recovery and post-traumatic growth are truly possible.

After The Show: Can You Heal From Trauma If You Can’t Fully Remember?

Damon Frank — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:23:11 GMT

In this candid “After the Show” segment, we dive deeper into the question: Can You Truly Heal from Trauma? Joined by guest Chuck Benikasa, the conversation explores the complex survival mechanisms of the human mind—including why we block out traumatic memories, how childhood experiences shape adult nervous system responses, and the sub-conscious reasons behind seeking out conflict in relationships.

Can You Heal From Trauma If You Don't Fully Remember? with Guest Chuck Benincasa

Damon Frank — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:45:06 GMT

Can you truly heal from trauma if you don’t fully remember what happened? On this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank sits down with Dr. Chuck Benincasa, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in complex trauma, dissociation, and severe forms of abuse and neglect.

Together, they unpack the mechanics of human memory under severe stress and explore why incomplete, missing, or unclear memories are a natural protective response of the nervous system. Dr. Benincasa explains the subtle differences between processing abuse versus early childhood neglect, how the body stores trauma through sensory cues and nervous system baseline shifts, and why “digging” for lost traumatic memories can often cause more harm than good.

Join the Recovered Life Group here.

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, therapeutic, or professional healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client or doctor-patient relationship. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this show.

After The Show: What happens when you stop being a fixer? with Guest Natalie Feinblatt

Damon Frank — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:00:58 GMT

In this After the Show conversation, Damon Frank and Dr. Natalie Feinblatt go deeper into people-pleasing, codependency, and the difficult process of separating learned survival patterns from who you actually are. Dr. Feinblatt explains how behaviors like fixing, rescuing, and constantly accommodating others can be learned early in life—and why neuroplasticity means those patterns can also be changed over time.

What happens when you stop being a fixer? with Guest Natalie Feinblatt

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:03:42 GMT

In this episode of the Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank sits down with psychologist Dr. Natalie Feinblatt, who specializes in addiction, trauma, and codependency.

Together, they take a deep dive into what it truly means to be “the fixer”—the person who constantly steps in to solve problems, keep the peace, and take responsibility for everyone else’s lives. Dr. Natalie shares key insights on where this compulsive need to save others comes from, how codependency operates in relationships affected by addiction or mental health issues, and how to spot the line between helpfulness and control.

Whether you’ve been a lifelong people-pleaser or are navigating your own recovery journey, this conversation provides actionable guidance on setting healthy boundaries, tolerating the discomfort of saying “no,” and reclaiming your energy.

Join the Recovered Life Group here.

After the Show: ADHD & Creativity

Damon Frank — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:00:53 GMT

Welcome back to After the Show! In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Dr. Radwa to explore why ADHD might just be your greatest untapped superpower. +

She shares the tips about how to harness your ADHD.

ADHD & Creativity with guest Dr. Radwa

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:45:46 GMT

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank sits down with researcher and expert Dr. Radwa to explore a paradigm-shifting perspective on ADHD. Instead of viewing ADHD purely as a deficit or a problem to be fixed, Damon and Dr. Radwa discuss the incredible hidden benefits of the neurodivergent brain—specifically its connection to out-of-the-box creativity and problem-solving.

Dr. Radwa breaks down the science of mind-wandering, attention spectrums (focusing and defocusing), and how harnessing these natural patterns can unlock powerful creative abilities. Whether you are neurodivergent, navigating addiction recovery, or simply curious about the untapped potential of the ADHD mind, this conversation will change how you think about attention.

Science Daily Article here.

Join the Recovered Life Group here.

After The Show: Soft Addictions with Judith Wright

Damon Frank — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:27:40 GMT

Judith Wright joins Damon to discuss and unpack the subtle habits, emotional numbing, and “soft addictions” that quietly drain our vitality. She shares her personal wake-up call—realizing that high achievement wasn’t bringing her peace—and breaks down the practical neuroscience behind true, lasting transformation.

Are Soft Addictions Stealing Your Life with Guest Dr. Judith Wright

Damon Frank — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:27:42 GMT

What happens when you give up the obvious addiction but still find ways to escape?

Damon Frank sits down with Dr. Judith Wright to explore soft addictions—everyday habits like scrolling, shopping, overeating, overworking, and entertainment that can quietly become ways to numb feelings or check out of life.

Discover how to recognize when a harmless habit has crossed the line, uncover the deeper need underneath it, and replace “counterfeit comfort” with things that genuinely make you feel more alive and fulfilled.

Brad Pitt Drinks Again. Can Alcoholics Ever Drink Safely?

Damon Frank — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:49:29 GMT

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, Damon Frank examines the conversation surrounding Brad Pitt and reports that he resumed drinking after seven years of sobriety. Damon questions whether the media is treating alcohol use too casually—as if returning to drinking were simply a lifestyle choice rather than a potentially serious decision for someone with a history of alcohol problems.

Drawing from more than three decades of personal recovery and his experience watching others attempt controlled drinking, Damon explores the belief that time, knowledge, and personal growth might allow someone with alcoholism to drink normally again. He explains why having to constantly monitor, limit, or manage alcohol consumption may itself be a warning sign.

Ultimately, the episode asks a difficult question: Can someone who has experienced alcoholism ever safely return to drinking? Damon shares his honest perspective while inviting listeners to examine their own beliefs about moderation, relapse, and what long-term recovery really means.