Breaking Free Recovery Radio

Alan Heide & Don Radon
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Breaking Free Recovery Radio: We Break The Cycle Together Welcome to Breaking Free Recovery Radio, a dedicated space for navigating the journey of addiction recovery, mental health, and spiritual renewal. Hosted by Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD., LMFT, a clinical expert in psychology, and Don Radon, owner of Recovered And Free, we bridge the gap between professional therapy and the power of lived experience. Our mission is simple: We Break The Cycle Together.

  1. 3d ago

    How to Set Boundaries Without the Guilt: Micro-Tools for People-Pleasers

    If you are carrying the absolute exhaustion of holding everyone else’s emotional weight while your own cup sits completely empty, this video is your safe space to land. Today, we are breaking down why exhausting yourself to keep everyone else happy isn’t kindness—it’s a trauma response. We’re diving into the psychology of boundaries, how to survive the inevitable pushback (the "extinction burst") from codependent relationships, and sharing actionable micro-tools you can use to regulate your nervous system when saying "no" feels terrifying. You are the house, not the doormat. It’s time to reclaim your space. 00:00 - The Grounding: The Myth of the "Good" Martyr & Reclaiming Your Space 07:15 - The Relational Shift: Handling Guilt, Ultimatums, and the "Extinction Burst" 14:30 - Micro-Tools: Exact Scripts for Setting Boundaries & Nervous System Resets 21:45 - Our Intentions: Why Choosing Yourself is Survival, Not Selfishness 32:30 - Letters of Hope: True Stories of Breaking Free From Toxic Dynamics 39:45 - Our Redemption: A Grounding Mantra for Difficult Environments Guilt as Information: The racing heart or pit in your stomach when you say "no" isn't a sign that you did something wrong; it's just your body shedding old habits of people-pleasing. The "Extinction Burst": When you start setting boundaries, the people who benefited from you having none will push back the hardest. This friction means the boundary is working. Separating Love from Access: You can deeply love someone from a distance. Restricting their access to your daily life is sometimes the only way to keep the love alive. The "Broken Record" Technique: Stop over-explaining. Learn how to repeat a neutral phrase without giving manipulative people leverage to argue. Radical Self-Loyalty: It is infinitely better to be disliked by others for being honest than to hate yourself for wearing a mask. If you are entering a difficult family or social space today, repeat this to yourself: I am allowed to protect my peace. I am not responsible for other people's emotions. Other people's disappointment is not my emergency. I can survive being misunderstood. I am choosing my mental health today. 💬 Join the Conversation: Which micro-tool are you going to try first? Let us know in the comments below. If you need us to hold the line for you today until you find your own strength, we are here. OUR WEBSITE: Breakingthecycletherapy.com #Boundaries #PeoplePleasing #MentalHealth #NervousSystemRegulation #SelfCare #TraumaHealing

    43 min

  2. Jun 11

    How to Handle Hard Days, Mend Broken Trust, & Stop Cravings Instantly

    If you are having a heavy day, if your anxiety is screaming, or if you feel like you're failing—please know you are exactly where you need to be. You don't have to navigate this journey perfectly. In fact, a messy day sober beats a "perfect" day in active addiction every single time. In this video, we are breaking down the reality of "nonlinear" recovery. We share practical, psychological micro-tools to stop cravings in their tracks, deep insights on how to rebuild broken family trust, and a soothing mantra to carry you through the night.If you don't have the strength to believe in yourself today, that is okay. Borrow our belief in you for the next hour. You are worth saving. 💡 Drop a comment below: Which tool or insight resonated with you most today? Let's talk in the comments. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 01:00 - The Grounding: The Myth of Linear Recovery 10:00 - The Relational Shift: Mending Family Trust & Finding Your Tribe 20:00 - Micro-Tools: Urge Surfing & Breathing Through Anxiety 30:00 - Our Intentions: Fighting for the Future You 45:00 - Letters of Hope: Stories from the Other Side 55:00 - Our Redemption: A Calming Mantra for Your Night or Morning 📖 CHAPTER BREAKDOWN & KEY TAKEAWAYS 01:00 - The Grounding The Power of 1%: Just sitting and listening to this video means you are winning. Small victories stack up into a brand-new life. Anxiety as Information: A racing heart or tight chest is just your nervous system trying to protect you—it is not a sign that you need to relapse. Action Precedes Emotion: You don’t have to feel motivated to take a positive step.10:00 - The Relational Shift Amends vs. Apologies: An apology is just words; true amends is a rewritten lifestyle. The Family "Time Lag": Your family’s healing timeline is separate from yours. They need time to feel safe again. Learn how radical transparency can soothe their anxiety. The Exit Strategy: How to set hard boundaries, protect your peace, and pause before reacting to family triggers. 20:00 - Micro-Tools Urge Surfing: Don't fight the craving wave—surf it. Every wave eventually crashes and dissolves. The "Not Right Now" Method: How to trick your brain into waiting out a craving for just 15 minutes. The Power of the Exhale: A zero-equipment, free psychological trick to instantly lower your heart rate and signal to your brain that the emergency is over. 30:00 - Our Intentions The Power of "Yet": Changing your vocabulary from dead ends to open doors. You Are the Sky, Not the Weather: The cravings and anxiety are just temporary weather patterns. You are the constant, beautiful sky underneath. Radical Self-Belief: The version of you that exists five years from now is cheering you on right now. Stay sober today for them. 45:00 - Letters of Hope We read anonymous success stories and share exactly what we wish we could go back and tell our younger, struggling selves during the darkest moments. 55:00 - Our Redemption Close out your day or start your morning with a grounding, repetitive mantra designed to quiet the mind, release the weight of the past, and remind you that you are worthy of healing. ✨ Connect with Our Community: Subscribe for weekly strategies, tools, and encouragement on your recovery journey. Share this video with someone who needs to hear that they are doing better than they think. Our Website: Breakingthecycletherapy.com #Recovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth #AnxietyRelief #UrgeSurfing #AddictionRecovery

    59 min

  3. Jun 5

    The Wildest Rehab Stories Ever Told 🌴💰🚑

    When you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, walking through the doors of a treatment facility takes immense courage. But what happens when the very institutions trusted with a person's life are operating in complete bad faith? In this episode, Dr. Alan Heide and Don Radon pull back the curtain on the dark side of the recovery industry. Moving past the humor of everyday recovery chaos, we lean into documented public records, extensive investigative journalism, and state regulatory filings to name the actual operations, companies, and locations that have exploited clients, run elaborate scams, and treated human beings like automated teller machines. From the "Florida Shuffle" to modern-day indentured labor rings, we expose the institutional bad actors who turned a healthcare crisis into an assembly line of corporate greed. 🌐 CONNECT WITH US Looking for ethical, professional, and evidence-based care? We are dedicated to breaking the cycle of addiction with integrity and transparent clinical practices. Visit Our Website: Breakingthecycletherapy.com Subscribe for More Episodes 🕒 CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Act I: Intro & The Wild West of Private Rehab 03:30 - Segment 1: The Florida Shuffle and Patient Brokering 08:30 - Act II: Fraudulent Treatment & Ghost Staffing 11:15 - Segment 2: The "Ghost Clinic" & The AAC Scandal 14:45 - Segment 3: The Toughest "Love" — Wilderness & Boot Camp Abuses 18:00 - Act III: Exploitation & The Forced-Labor Facilities 23:30 - Segment 4: CAAIR and the Sham Chicken Factory Rehabs 30:00 - Act IV: Standing Up to the Corruption 32:15 - Segment 5: The Whistleblowers of the Synanon Legacy 35:00 - Conclusion & Outro: How to Protect Yourself 41:30 - Viewer Resources & Credits ⚠️ WARNING SIGNS OF A BAD FACILITY A legitimate, ethical treatment center will never: Offer you cash, free flights, or luxury perks just to get you through the door. Hide or be vague about their active staff credentials and medical directors. Use your physical labor for corporate profit or leave you without licensed clinical supervision. 🏛️ VERIFIED, NON-PROFIT & GOVERNMENT RESOURCES If you or a loved one are seeking trusted, highly rated treatment providers without navigating the traps of predatory marketing, please use these vetted resources: SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): SAMHSA.gov National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) 💬 Join the Conversation: Have you or someone you know encountered the "rehab shuffle"? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Hit that SUBSCRIBE button, leave a comment if you want us to do a deeper dive into healthcare advocacy, and keep holding the system accountable! #AddictionRecovery #HealthcareFraud #InvestigativeJournalism #TheFloridaShuffle #Whistleblower #BreakingTheCycle #MentalHealthAdvocacy

    44 min

  4. May 22

    Finding Hope in the Hopeless: Understanding AA Step 2 | Don Radon’s Story

    "We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." In this video, Don Radon, founder of Recovered & Free, opens up about his deeply personal journey through Step Two of Alcoholics Anonymous. For many of us, the word "sanity" or the idea of a "Higher Power" can feel like a massive roadblock. Don shares his raw, lived experience of moving past the resistance, finding a glimmer of hope, and discovering what it truly means to be restored. If you are feeling stuck on Step 2, struggling with the concept of faith, or just trying to figure out if recovery is possible for you—you are not alone. This 10-minute personal share is a reminder that you don't have to have it all figured out today. You just have to be willing to believe that change is possible. Stick around until the end of the video, where we break down essential mental health resources for anyone who needs extra support on their journey. ⏱️ Video Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: Confronting Step Two 1:15 – What "Restoration to Sanity" Meant to Me 3:30 – Overcoming the Resistance to a Higher Power 5:45 – The Turning Point: Finding a Glimmer of Hope 7:15 – Living Step 2 in Daily Recovery 9:00 – Final Thoughts for Anyone Struggling Today 10:15 – Crucial Mental Health & Recovery Resources 🔗 Connect With Us Website: Breakingthecycletherapy.com Subscribe for More Recovery Stories 🚨 Please Note: If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use or a mental health crisis, please know that help is available. You can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. Both are free, confidential, and available 24/7. #AlcoholicsAnonymous #Step2 #Recovery #RecoveredAndFree #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealthSupport

    13 min

  5. May 15

    Surrender vs. Self-Abandonment: Finding Your Way Back to God | Dr. Alan Heide

    Is "dying to self" the same thing as losing yourself? In this deeply vulnerable discussion, Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD, LMFT, explores the thin but vital line between self-abandonment and abandoning our will to God. Many people confuse spiritual surrender with the neglect of their own needs, boundaries, and identity. Dr. Heide breaks down the psychological toll of self-abandonment—often rooted in trauma or people-pleasing—and contrasts it with the healing, intentional act of surrendering our will to a higher power. Connect with Dr. Alan Heide: Therapy & Clinical Services: Breakingthecycletherapy.com Resources & Support: Recoveredandfree.com In this video, we discuss: The clinical definition of self-abandonment. Why we often mistake "people-pleasing" for "godliness." The psychological freedom found in true surrender. How to reclaim your voice while still honoring God's path. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction: Defining the Struggle 1:15 – What is Self-Abandonment? (The Psychological View) 2:45 – The Scriptural Misconception: "Dying to Self" vs. Losing Identity 4:10 – Red Flags: How to tell if you are abandoning your needs 5:30 – The Power of Choice: Why God requires a "Self" to surrender 7:00 – Finding Peace in God’s Will without losing your Voice 8:00 – Final Thoughts & The Path to Integration 8:45 – Mental Health Resources & Support Links --- Disclaimer: This video is for educational and spiritual purposes and is not a substitute for professional clinical advice. If you are in crisis, please refer to the resources listed at the 8:45 mark or visit the websites linked above.

    11 min

  6. May 7

    The Power of the Steps: Don Radon’s Journey from Chaos to "Recovered and Free"

    "I didn't have a problem with my drinking and using; You have a problem with my drinking and using. And that was how I used to live my life." Don Radon, owner of Recovered and Free, sits down to share the raw, unfiltered truth of his journey. From the early shadows of growing up in an alcoholic household to the heights of his own struggle with addiction, Don’s story is a testament to the fact that no one is ever too far gone.In this 30-minute deep dive, Don explains how he transitioned from a life of survival to a life of service, specifically through the transformative power of working the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Whether you are currently struggling, in early sobriety, or a family member looking for answers, Don’s message offers a clear roadmap to freedom. Video Chapters 0:00 Intro: Who is Don Radon? 2:15 The Foundation: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Home 7:40 The Spiral: My Personal Battle with Addiction 12:20 The Breaking Point: Realizing I Couldn't Do It Alone 15:50 Entering the Rooms: My First Experience with AA 20:15 Working the Steps: The Practical Path to Freedom 26:45 Recovered and Free: Life Today and Helping Others 28:30 A Final Message of Hope for the Viewer About Don Radon & Recovered And Free Don is the founder of Recovered and Free, an organization dedicated to helping individuals find the tools they need to sustain long-term sobriety. His approach combines the lived experience of the 12 steps with a passion for community and freedom from the chains of addiction. Recovery Resources If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out for help: Breaking The Cycle Therapy: https://breakingthecycletherapy.com/about/ Online Recovery Community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BreakingTheCycleTherapy Recovered And Free: https://recoveredandfree.com/ Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): https://www.aa.org SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Connect With Us Subscribe to hear more powerful recovery stories every week. Share this video: You never know who on your timeline is secretly struggling and needs to hear Don’s message today. Comment: What step was the hardest for you to take? Let’s support each other in the comments. #RecoveryStory #DonRadon #12Steps #AlcoholicsAnonymous #Sobriety #RecoveredAndFree #AddictionRecovery #HealingTrauma

    30 min

  7. May 7

    "I Was Slowly Dying": A Therapist's Journey to Al-Anon Recovery

    "I did not know I was slowly dying to the family disease of addiction."As a therapist, Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD, LMFT, spent his life helping others navigate their pain. But behind the scenes, the family disease of addiction was taking a silent, devastating toll on his own life. In this moving 12-minute share, Dr. Heide reveals his journey from the suffocating isolation of "saving" others to finding his own seat in Al-Anon.This is a story for anyone who has ever loved someone struggling with substance use and lost themselves in the process. It is a reminder that recovery is not just for the person using—it is for the family, too.Video Chapters0:00 Intro: The Silent Toll of the Family Disease1:15 Living in the Shadows: The Reality of Isolation4:45 The Turning Point: Awareness Through Connection5:30 Finding Home: My First Steps in Al-Anon11:00 A Message of Hope: You Are Not AloneAbout Dr. Alan HeideDr. Heide is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who brings both professional expertise and personal vulnerability to the conversation of recovery. His story highlights that no amount of "knowing better" can replace the need for a supportive community.Resources for HelpIf you are affected by someone else’s drinking or addiction, help is available:Breaking The Cycle Therapy: https://breakingthecycletherapy.com/about/Online Recovery Community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BreakingTheCycleTherapyRecovery Workbooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BTCTherapyAl-Anon Family Groups: https://al-anon.orgSAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA): https://adultchildren.orgJoin the ConversationRecovery flourishes in the light.Subscribe for more stories of hope and recovery.Comment Below: If you are in Al-Anon or a similar program, what was the "turning point" that brought you to your first meeting?#AlAnon #RecoveryStory #FamilyDisease #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #DrAlanHeide #Sobriety #Hope

    13 min

  8. May 1

    The Psychedelic Paradox: Hope vs. Habit (2026) 🍄⚠️

    As the psychedelic renaissance hits full stride, we’re facing a new crisis: the gap between clinical breakthrough and recreational reality. In this segment, we dive into the 2026 data revealing the "Shadow Side" of the movement—from the policy-driven surge in use to the rising rates of Ketamine Use Disorder. Are we fast-tracking a cure, or accidentally fast-tracking a new generation of habit-forming behaviors? Inside This Segment: The Policy-Attributable Surge 📈 New 2026 data from Oregon and Colorado shows nearly 200,000 new users annually. We discuss the causal link between decriminalization and unsupervised use. 📺 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RaD29j0KlOY The Panacea Problem (The "Halo Effect") 😇 Is the federal "breakthrough" status creating a false sense of security? Why the public is starting to treat high-intensity compounds like "mental health vitamins." 📺 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QktgJyngvMU | https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o7FgBpkvbAw The Poly-Substance Trap 🍹 Nearly 50% of users are mixing psychedelics with alcohol or cannabis. We break down how "cocktail culture" is increasing overall Substance Use Disorder (SUD) vulnerability. 📺 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_-Hu03JwgHU The "Danger Zone": Ketamine & MDMA 🧪 Not all psychedelics are created equal. While psilocybin has low addiction potential, we examine the measurable rise in Ketamine Use Disorder as gray-market use expands. 📺 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m1C_wyYShsU | https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bubis0XJBAw The Clinical vs. Recreational Gap 🏥 A lab has a "sitter"; the wild has "Heroic Doses." We look at why 2026 is seeing a spike in ER visits and psychological crises from unsupervised use. The Vulnerability Paradox ⚠️ The irony of the movement: Those with the deepest trauma are often the most at risk for psychosis or cardiac issues without proper medical screening. Final Thought 🔗 "We’re fast-tracking the cure, but are we accidentally fast-tracking the habit? As the FDA prepares to reschedule, the line between 'medicine' and 'misuse' is getting dangerously thin." Subscribe for more deep dives into the 2026 mental health landscape. #Psychedelics #MentalHealth2026 #Psilocybin #Ketamine #HarmReduction #PolicyChange #Psychology #HealthData

    1h 24m
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About

Breaking Free Recovery Radio: We Break The Cycle Together Welcome to Breaking Free Recovery Radio, a dedicated space for navigating the journey of addiction recovery, mental health, and spiritual renewal. Hosted by Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD., LMFT, a clinical expert in psychology, and Don Radon, owner of Recovered And Free, we bridge the gap between professional therapy and the power of lived experience. Our mission is simple: We Break The Cycle Together.

Information

  • Creator
    Alan Heide & Don Radon
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    131
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alan Heide & Don Radon
  • Show Website
    Breaking Free Recovery Radio