The Stiicky Eddie Podcast

Stiicky Eddie #65: Self Care

Here in the U.S., this past Monday was Labor Day (thus, a long weekend). Holiday weekends can be harder for sober folk. All the barbecues, family gatherings, and trips with friends can be triggering. We would encourage anyone who is new to this, or just needs extra encouragement, to find a new challenge to focus on. This is why a lot of our podcast guests who are in recovery have turned to the gym and other activities, finding ways to take care of their mental and physical health, and moving away from things that take a toll on their bodies.

This week, Suzanne and I will talk about self-care, and really dive into those root words. HOW can we CARE for ourSELVES better? This goes beyond trips to the spa, bubble baths, and chamomile tea breaks (although ALL of those things are lovely). 

What are some of your favorite methods/hobbies/rituals, etc.? How have they helped your sobriety, and/or your life overall? Do you like to weight train? Hike? Journal and meditate? We would love to hear from you, and appreciate your feedback on this- and all- episodes!

Thank you, as always, for your support! Please, if you would, leave us a positive review and rating on your listening platform- it helps us grow, get better, and reach more people. 

 

Until next week, we wish you peace- be well!

 

Email us: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

IG: the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

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Stiicky Eddie #64: Please Drink Responsibly?

A listener recently asked me how I feel about non-sober people, especially now that I no longer imbibe. The short answer is that, in the wake of my dad's passing, I refuse to lead with judgement. I spend plenty of time with friends who drink and indulge in other substances. It is not the foundation for our relationship, nor is their use something which sways how much I love them- I have learned too much in the past 20 months. So, this week, Suzanne and I will be discussing the odd tagline "Drink Responsibly", why exactly we feel this is an oxymoron- and, conversely, how what we have learned deters us from shaming other people and instead inspires us to be gentle and lead with compassion. Our opinions are our own and are borne of personal experience and the education we have sought because of our circumstances. This is a safe space, whether we know you in real life, or you are a supporter of this show (or both).

 

I re-read this and realize it wasn't realllyyyy a short answer, but believe it or not, there's even more to be said during our conversation this week! Thank you, as always, for your support. 

 

We love you all, no matter your "sober status." And until next week, we wish you all peace- be well! 

 

Run for Recovery fundraising link: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/run4recovery/ChelseaPegues 

 

For more info on the show: stiickyeddie.com 

 

Email us: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

 

Find us on IG: @the_stiicky_eddie_podcast 

 

 

Stiicky Eddie #63: Podcaster Aaron Akulis on The War on Drugs- and the benefits of decriminalization

This Tuesday on the show, we speak to Aaron Akulis, host of The Peace on Drugs Podcast. Aaron and his guests discuss the war on drugs, namely "...the negative impact it has had on the world and the slow turning of the tide of public perception as more states legalize cannabis and decriminalize psychedelics and other drugs meant for personal use."
The Peace On Drugs is meant to inspire ongoing conversations on how to bring an end to this fight and "move into a new, peaceful world, with legal drugs and less addiction."

As someone who knew so little about the history, terminology, and logistics of drugs and addiction prior to starting this show, I was especially excited to talk to Aaron and gain some insight into everything he knows about the political and racial motivations which have propelled the War on Drugs for decades. He is a thoughtful, open, and very patient conversationalist, and we very much appreciate his perspective and knowledge. He did a beautiful job explaining why he feels decriminalization and legalization could be beneficial in myriad ways- we even touched a bit on the psychedelic movement that is evolving currently, and mentioned some pearls of wisdom from our late friend, David Poses.

Aaron's show is available wherever you listen, and I am positive he would love it if you gave it a five-star rating! Please find him on IG @peaceondrugspodcast

Suzanne and I cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support- we love you all and will see you next week. Until then, we wish you all peace-be well!

***The book Aaron mentions is The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer***

Email us to be a guest or with any questions/comments/concerns: 

stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

 

Finds us on IG: @the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

 

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Stiicky Eddie #62: The many lives (and chances) of Tim Lodgen- veteran, athlete, and advocate

WARNING: This episode contains mentions of physical and emotional abuse, and suicide/self harm. Listener discretion is advised. 

 

Tim Lodgen is so much more than his addiction: he is a husband, father, son, veteran, athlete, and advocate. He is a gorgeous storyteller, with a haunted, complex past. He is kind and funny, and very generous with his time (we would know, we took a LOT of it this week). He is also someone who involuntarily gave 27 years to opioid and alcohol abuse, and almost took his own life more than once. 

I have been looking at a lot of my old family photos lately, especially of my dad as a kid, and I believe there is a universal truth behind the monster we know as addiction: NO ONE starts as a little person who thinks, "When I grow up, I want to feel desperately miserable and be in so much pain that I have to mask it with substances and suffer great consequences." It's heartbreaking to think of the weight of this guilt bearing down on anyone's shoulders. Tim's story of how he worked his way through trauma and depression, and began to unlock his gifts, is so beautiful. He is most certainly an inspiration- and a wonderful example of taking a closer look at the person behind the addiction. Hopefully, this episode will inspire just one person to come out of that shadow. 

I ask you to trust me when I say- you are NOT alone. If you are struggling, please reach out. There are actually helpful resources available and if you don't know where to start, we are happy to help. When we spoke to Tim, I can say with certainty that Suzanne and I were blown away. We can't imagine a world without someone like him in it- and thanks to his hard work, and the support of his loved ones, we don't have to. 

You're worth it, too.

 

You can give Tim a follow on IG: @tlodgen

 

We are there, too: @the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

 

Email us: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

 

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Thank you, as always for listening! Until next week, we wish you all peace...be well!  

 

 

Stiicky Eddie #61: Solo vacations and other adventures in grief

September 8, 2022 will mark two years since Suzanne lost her husband, Bobby. This past weekend was the first time she’d been on vacation without him. It may sound insignificant to someone who is not familiar with grieving their person, but this step is actually a BIG one. You see, when you are a widow/widower, or anyone dealing with fresh loss, it can extremely overwhelming to consider just leaving the house to go to the store, let alone spending a night away from a home where your loved one once took up space. Where they had a toothbrush, rested their head on a pillow, cooked meals in the kitchen. No one wants to feel haunted by grief, but sometimes it can feel scarier to be without the ghosts of moments past. The more you evolve into someone who has experiences- and creates memories- without your person, the farther away you are from the last moments you shared with them. That’s what’s truly terrifying- and can evoke visceral responses we may not be prepared for.

Suzanne returned feeling happy that she went, and grateful for the experience, but sad that she couldn’t share it with Bobby. I am so proud of her for taking this step, but I can relate to the mixed emotions…and we all know it doesn’t take much to make me weepy!

So, listen in this week as we discuss this new leg of Suzanne’s grief journey. Hopefully someone listening comes away feeling less alone, and perhaps ready for a new adventure. And if not, that’s cool too. We’re here for you, either way!

As always, we thank you for listening. Until next week, we wish you all peace- be well!

 

Email us: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

Find us on IG: @the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

and @grievedashgrow

Listen to full episodes on stiickyeddie.com for free! 

 

 

Stiicky Eddie #60: Exploring ”The Science of Stuck” with author Britt Frank

Stiicky Eddie is trying to get UN-stuck this week, and I think we've found juuuussssttt the person to help us out- our special guest is the extraordinary Britt Frank! Britt is a licensed psychotherapist, Somatic Experiencing practitioner, and trained in the Internal Family Systems model (Level 3). She is an esteemed adjunct professor at Kansas University and teaches classes on ethics, addiction, and social work. Her book, The Science of Stuck, is what brings her to the podcast, and we were really excited to delve into this fascinating text!

 “We all experience ‘stuckness’ in our lives. We feel stuck in our relationships, career paths, body struggles, addiction issues, and more. Many of us know what we need to do to move forward--but find ourselves unable to take the leap to make it happen (and then we blame and shame ourselves, and stay in a loop of self-doubt that goes nowhere.) The good news is you're not lazy, crazy, or unmotivated. In this empowering and action-oriented guide, you'll discover why we can't think our way forward--and how to break through what's holding us back.” (scienceofstuck.com).

For anyone dealing with trauma, grief and loss, addiction, ADHD, and myriad other conditions, this is definitely a book you will want to add to your library- and the great news is, it is structured in such a way that you can read any chapter- in any order- and take exactly what you need. Very low-pressure and highly informative! Trust us, you don’t want to miss this week’s discussion, especially if you’re looking to get un-stuck!

Thank you again, Britt- and thank you, listeners, for your continued support! Until next week, we wish you all peace- be well!

Email us: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

Find us on IG:

@the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

@grievedashgrow

 

You can listen to full episodes on stiickyeddie.com or wherever you get your shows! When possible, pleaseee give us a 5-star rating and review- it helps us grow the podcast and break the stigma surrounding addiction and grief! We LOVE you for it! 

 

 

 

Stiicky Eddie #59: Abandon (relation)ship!

Welcome to episode #59! This week, we discuss our abandonment issues. For Suzanne, she felt largely abandoned at a very early age, due to the intensity of her father's alcohol abuse and her mother's tendency to pursue other activities over spending time with the kids. For me, the feelings of abandonment are due to my very tumultuous relationship with my mom, who I always felt kept me at a distance. This feeling has intensified since losing my dad and realizing that my mother is in the early stages of dementia- and likely she and I will never have the connection I longed for growing up.

Addiction can stimulate feelings of abandonment, and vice-versa. So we will dig in tomorrow and hopefully touch on an aspect that resonates with someone who needs to know- YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

Thank you for all of your continued support...we appreciate all of your feedback and messages!!!! Keep them coming!

Until next week, we wich you peace...be well!

IG: @the_stiicky_eddie_podcast and @grievedashgrow

Email: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

Website: stiickyeddie.com

 

Stiicky Eddie #58: Maintaining friendships (or not) while grieving

Grief is hard, and so awkward. As an outsider, it's difficult to know what to do and say in support of your loved one. As the griever, it can be really tricky to navigate the onslaught of feelings you will have in the moments, weeks, and years following the loss of your person.

I'm sure we are all familiar with the saying "some people are with you for a reason, a season, or a lifetime", and as cliché as it is, in grief you will certainly find that your relationships change in surprising ways. It's inevitable.

This week, Suzanne and I discuss how we have been able to maintain certain friendships while grieving, how we have been forced to mourn the end of others... how our loved ones have supported us and shown up, and things folks have said (or done) which were NOT helpful at all.

At some point, everyone will experience a profound loss. Consider this conversation our PSA on how to treat your grieving loved one. It might be more simple than you think...and taking good care of those struggling can make a world of difference when they're further along in their grief journey, trust us!

As always, thanks for listening. We wish you all peace- be well!

 

Email us: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

Find us on IG:

@the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

@grievedashgrow

 

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Stiicky Eddie #57: The ”Prolonged Grief” gripe

Hello everyone, it’s been awhile and I HAVE MISSED YOU! As some of you know by now, I have taken on an amazing co-host, and I know you all will fall more and more in love with Suzanne as we go along. This will mark our first episode working together in this capacity, and boy- it’s a doozy!

This week, Suzanne and I are discussing the relatively recent (and EXTREMELY controversial) addition to the DSM-5: Prolonged Grief Disorder. According to Psychiatry.org: “Grief is a natural response to the loss of a loved one. For most people, the symptoms of grief begin to decrease over time. However, for a small group of people, the feeling of intense grief persists, and the symptoms are severe enough to cause problems and stop them from continuing with their lives. Prolonged grief disorder is characterized by this intense and persistent grief that causes problems and interferes with daily life.”

As two trauma survivors who very recently lost significant people in our lives, we have some things to say on the matter- and we bet you will, too! Please feel free to share your feedback and comments. You can do so as follows:

Email us at: stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

Find us on IG: @the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

Suzanne can be reached on IG as well, @grievedashgrow

And visit stiickyeddie.com for more info, as well as to listen to every episode, in full, for free!

As always, thanks for listening! Until next week, we wish you all peace…be well!

Stiicky Eddie #56: How ASMR can be a useful tool when you’re struggling

*DISCLAIMER* I AM NOT AN ASMRTIST, NOR A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. ALTERNATIVE COPING MECHANISMS FOR ANXIETY AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS, SUCH AS ASMR, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED EXPERIMENTAL AND USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL. ASMR IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL TREATMENT- IT IS PURELY FOR ENTERTAINMENT, ESCAPE, AND RELAXATION.

Have you ever had your hair played with as a child, or let a friend trace words or shapes on your back? Do you experience a deep, relaxing sensation during the personal attention of someone applying makeup to your face? The chills (or tingles) that you may feel in these moments now have an official name: ASMR.
The discovery of ASMR is a bit of a journey. In an online forum back in 2007, users began to talk about their “tingly” experiences and triggers and share individual videos they found to incite this sensation. YouTube really came into play in early 2009, after a few “whispery” videos began circulating among a niche group of viewers. In the U.K., Nottingham-based “Whispering Life” is credited with creating the first specific ASMR content. Not long after, Jennifer Allen, a healthcare worker, founded the ASMR research Facebook and web pages. She coined the term ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. In recent years, this phenomenon has gained tremendous recognition and popularity. According to an article published by the City University of Seattle, “…Key findings indicate that ASMR is an effective therapeutic tool in the treatment of several psychological (sic) problems*. However, further research is warranted on AMSR’s long and short-term effectiveness, ways in which the sensory experience can be induced, common triggers, and suitable therapeutic approaches that can work alongside ASMR to increase the effectiveness of its therapeutic capacity.” Most people appreciate the pleasant sensation of ASMR and turn to it for stress relief. Overall, it seems that many professionals are of the opinion that this can be a non-threatening, accessible, and most importantly, useful tool for individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and for those in recovery. Listen in as I delve deeper into all things ASMR this week and decide for yourself! Let me know what you think. 

Thank you, as always, for listening. Until next week, I wish you all peace- be well!

Visit stiickyeddie.com to listen to full episodes free!

Catch me on IG: @the_stiicky_eddie_podcast

Email me allllll the thoughts! stiickyeddiepodcast@gmail.com

 

Resources:

http://repository.cityu.edu/handle/20.500.11803/1601

https://theconversation.com/asmr-videos-could-be-a-new-digital-therapy-for-mental-health-100989

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-asmr-real-or-just-a-pseudoscience/

https://www.verywellmind.com/why-anxious-neurotic-people-are-more-likely-to-experience-and-benefit-from-asmr-5219321#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,likely%20to%20benefit%20from%20ASMR.