Life Lived Better

Joseph Massey and Paula Garland
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Your space for self-discovery, mental wellness, and personal growth. Join two close friends, both seasoned counselors and wellness enthusiasts, discuss facets of living a more fulfilling and balanced life. With engaging conversations, heartwarming anecdotes, and expert insights, Joseph and Paula help you make every day a step towards a Life Lived Better. In a world where well-being and self-improvement are more important than ever, this is a space for you to explore, learn, and grow. The unique blend of professional expertise and genuine friendship feels like a chat with close friends.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 155: Hype or Healing: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and the Future of Addiction Treatment

    In this episode of Life Lived Better, Joseph and Paula explore one of the most promising and controversial developments in addiction and mental health treatment: psychedelic-assisted therapy. They examine the history and emerging science behind psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine, and ayahuasca, discussing what researchers are learning about their potential to address addiction, trauma, depression, and other behavioral health concerns. Special attention is given to ibogaine, including its unusual history in addiction treatment, potential effects on withdrawal and cravings, and the serious medical risks that make careful screening and supervision essential. Rather than presenting psychedelics as miracle treatments or dismissing them because of their controversial history the episode focuses on what the evidence actually tells us. Our co-hosts explain the important differences between carefully controlled clinical research and underground treatment settings, who may not be appropriate candidates for these therapies, and why preparation, medical oversight, therapy, and follow-up matter. Ultimately, they consider whether psychedelic-assisted therapies could someday become another evidence-based pathway to recovery while emphasizing a central message: good clinical practice requires curiosity, caution, and a willingness to follow the evidence wherever it leads. Questions? If you have questions, you would like Joseph and Paula to address during an upcoming episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at www.lifelivedbetter.net or email them directly at Info@lifelivedbetter.net     Just a reminder - Anything shared during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice - it is solely our opinion. Information shared does not represent our employers or profession.   We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us.   And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.    Resources used to create this episode:  Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research  Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)  Psychedelic Drugs: Considerations for Clinical Investigations | FDA

  2. Aug 20

    Life Transitions in a Mental Health Moment

    In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - Life Transitions. You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.   If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠Info@LifeLivedBetter.net⁠⁠⁠  We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

  3. Aug 13

    Vacation in a Mental Health Moment

    In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - The mental health benefits of Taking a Vacation! You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.   If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠Info@LifeLivedBetter.net⁠⁠⁠  We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

  4. Aug 6

    MAT Meds in a Mental Health Moment

    In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - The 3 Main Medications used in treating Opioid Use Disorder: what they do and how they differ from one another. You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.   If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠Info@LifeLivedBetter.net⁠⁠⁠  We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

  5. Jul 30

    Episode 154: Does Recovery Always Mean Abstinence? 

    Is medication replacing one addiction with another? Does harm reduction encourage drug use? Why do addiction professionals sometimes disagree about the best path to recovery? In this episode, Joseph and Paula tackle some of the most debated topics in addiction treatment. Together, they explore how our understanding of addiction has evolved over time, why controversy continues to shape the field, and what current research tells us about evidence-based care. You'll learn about the history of addiction treatment, the role of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and the principles behind harm reduction all through the lens of science, compassion, and real-world counseling experience. Along the way, Joseph and Paula introduce their Controversy Meter, separating myths from evidence while encouraging thoughtful conversation rather than heated debate. Whether you're a professional, someone in recovery, a family member, or simply curious about addiction treatment, this episode offers practical insights and a balanced perspective on some of the field's most important and misunderstood topics. Questions? If you have questions, you would like Joseph and Paula to address during an upcoming episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at www.lifelivedbetter.net or email them directly at Info@lifelivedbetter.net     You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: www.lifelivedbetter.net.     Just a reminder - Anything shared during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice - it is solely our opinion. Information shared does not represent our employers or profession.   We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us.   And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.    Resources used to create the episodes on this topic:  American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2020). The ASAM national practice guideline for the treatment of opioid use disorder: 2020 focused update. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 14(2S), 1–91. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Medications to treat opioid use disorder. https://nida.nih.gov Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (Updated). https://store.samhsa.gov Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Harm Reduction Framework. https://www.samhsa.gov Resource for Naloxone Drugs.com for Narcan Emergency Kit resources   Next Distro - This national Naloxone program collaborates with nationwide US harm reduction programs. On their website you will find:  Links to distribution programs throughout the United States Pharmacies that carry Naloxone An extensive Resource Library Access to Naloxone supplies for free in Texas, contact Naloxone Texas

  6. Jul 23

    Decluttering & Organization - Scams! in a Mental Health Moment

    In this Mental Health Moment, I am following up on the long episode from last week - Decluttering & Organization - Scams! You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.   If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠Info@LifeLivedBetter.net⁠⁠⁠  We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

  7. Jul 16

    Episode 153: Finding Peace One Drawer at a Time

    Have you ever felt overwhelmed, stressed, or stuck, but couldn't quite put your finger on why? The answer may be hiding in plain sight—in the clutter we carry every day. In this episode of Life Lived Better, Joseph and Paula explore the many forms of clutter that can accumulate in our lives, from overflowing closets and crowded calendars to emotional baggage, unhealthy relationships, and outdated beliefs about ourselves. They discuss why letting go can be so difficult, how clutter affects our mental and emotional well-being, and practical strategies for creating more space, peace, and purpose. Whether you're struggling to part with physical possessions, set boundaries with draining people, release old resentments, or simply simplify an overcommitted life, this episode offers thoughtful insights and actionable steps to help you move forward. Sometimes the path to a better life isn't about adding more, it's about making room for what truly matters. Join our co-hosts as they explore how decluttering your surroundings, your schedule, your relationships, and even your thoughts can lead to greater clarity, freedom, and well-being. Questions? If you have questions, you would like Joseph and Paula to address during an upcoming episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠ or email them directly at ⁠Info@lifelivedbetter.net⁠     You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠.     Just a reminder - Anything shared during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice - it is solely our opinion. Information shared does not represent our employers or profession.   We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us.   And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.    Resources used to create the episodes on this topic:  10 Easy Ways To Cleanse Your Home of Negative Energy  Clear Space, Clear Mind: The Science Behind Decluttering | Psychology Today  Do you have the Urge to Purge? by June Plahuta. — Reignite Your Soul  Energy Purification: What It Is and How to Cleanse Negative Energy  How to Declutter Your Home: 6 Best Room-by-Room Methods  How to Purge Your House: 10 Step Guide -  How Decluttering Can Reduce Stress and Improve Focus  The Psychology of Decluttering Time to Purge- Let Go of The Unnecessary | Mysticsense  The Emotional Benefits of De-Cluttering | Psychology Today  The Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering | USU  The urge to purge — Kate Swoboda

  8. Jul 9

    Self-Care in a Mental Health Moment

    In this Mental Health Moment, I am discussing - Self-Care You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Just a reminder - anything shared in this, and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.   If you have a topic, you would like us to address in a future Mental Health Moment, let us know. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠Info@LifeLivedBetter.net⁠⁠⁠  We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

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About

Your space for self-discovery, mental wellness, and personal growth. Join two close friends, both seasoned counselors and wellness enthusiasts, discuss facets of living a more fulfilling and balanced life. With engaging conversations, heartwarming anecdotes, and expert insights, Joseph and Paula help you make every day a step towards a Life Lived Better. In a world where well-being and self-improvement are more important than ever, this is a space for you to explore, learn, and grow. The unique blend of professional expertise and genuine friendship feels like a chat with close friends.

Information

  • Creator
    Joseph Massey and Paula Garland
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    191
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Joseph Massey and Paula Garland
  • Show Website
    Life Lived Better