The Hanley Effect Podcast - Addiction and Mental Health

Hanley Foundation
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The Hanley Effect is a weekly addiction recovery and mental health podcast hosted by Dr. John Dyben, Chief Clinical Officer at Hanley Center, and Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO of the Hanley Foundation. This trauma-informed podcast explores substance use disorder (SUD), addiction treatment, neuroscience, co-occurring mental health disorders, overdose prevention, adolescent mental health, and long-term recovery through evidence-based conversations with leading experts, clinicians, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience. Featured guests include leading neuroscientists, healthcare executives, policymakers, law enforcement leaders, and nationally recognized advocates shaping the future of addiction treatment and prevention. Produced by the Hanley Foundation, a nonprofit leader in prevention, education, treatment, and advocacy, The Hanley Effect delivers trusted insight, practical tools, and real-world perspectives for behavioral health professionals, educators, first responders, families, and people in recovery. Grounded in science and compassion, this podcast helps listeners better understand addiction, reduce stigma, and build stronger, healthier communities.

  1. The Hidden Impact of Childhood Domestic Violence with Brian Martin

    1D AGO

    The Hidden Impact of Childhood Domestic Violence with Brian Martin

    In this powerful and eye-opening episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with Brian Martin, founder and CEO of the Childhood Domestic Violence Association, to explore a deeply overlooked form of trauma: childhood domestic violence. Brian shares his personal story of growing up in a home impacted by domestic violence and how, for years, he didn’t even have the language to describe what he experienced. That lack of awareness, he explains, is part of the problem. When we can’t name something, we can’t begin to heal from it. This conversation dives into the long-lasting impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly the trauma of witnessing violence between caregivers. Brian explains that even without direct physical abuse, simply being in an environment of unpredictability, fear, and instability can fundamentally shape how a person sees themselves and the world. The episode also explores the “10 common negative beliefs” that often develop in individuals who grow up in these environments, beliefs like guilt, shame, unworthiness, and disconnection. These internal narratives can persist into adulthood, influencing relationships, mental health, and even increasing vulnerability to substance use. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in recovery, working in mental health, or seeking to better understand how early life experiences shape adult behavior and how healing begins with awareness. Key Takeaways Childhood domestic violence is one of the least recognized forms of trauma, yet incredibly impactful.You don’t need to be physically abused to be deeply affected; witnessing violence is enough.Trauma doesn’t disappear with age; “time does not heal all wounds.”The brain forms beliefs in childhood before it’s fully developed, and then seeks evidence to reinforce them.Many individuals carry persistent negative beliefs like guilt, shame, and unworthiness into adulthood.Addiction can be rooted in a search for certainty and emotional stability.Healing begins with naming, understanding, and acknowledging these early experiences.About our Guest Brian Martin is the founder and CEO of the Childhood Domestic Violence Association (CDVA), a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for individuals who grew up in homes impacted by domestic violence. Drawing from both personal experience and extensive research, Brian has become a leading advocate for recognizing childhood domestic violence as a distinct and significant form of trauma. Through his work, including his book Invincible: The 10 Lies You Learn Growing Up with Domestic Violence, Brian helps individuals understand the lasting impact of early experiences and guides them toward healing and self-awareness. Learn more at: https://cdv.org/ Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    30 min
  2. Digital Minimalism & Mental Health: How to Break Screen Addiction with Kelsey Green

    APR 29

    Digital Minimalism & Mental Health: How to Break Screen Addiction with Kelsey Green

    In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with strategist, speaker, and digital minimalist Kelsey L. Green to explore the growing impact of technology on our mental health, relationships, and sense of self. Kelsey shares her personal journey from burnout and constant connectivity to intentionally redefining her relationship with technology. Through the lens of digital minimalism, she challenges the idea that we need to be “always on” and offers practical ways to create healthier boundaries with our devices, without rejecting technology altogether. Together, they dive into the parallels between screen use and addiction, the role of dopamine and compulsive checking, and why so many of us feel out of control with our devices. From “Screen-Free Sundays” to small, realistic habit changes, this conversation offers both insight and actionable tools to help you reclaim your focus, creativity, and connection. If you’ve ever felt distracted, overwhelmed, or disconnected despite being constantly plugged in, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode What digital minimalism really means (and what it doesn’t)How technology impacts dopamine, attention span, and behaviorWhy constant phone use can mirror patterns of addiction and compulsivityThe hidden ways screens affect relationships and presenceSimple, practical strategies to reduce screen time and regain controlWhy core values, not just hacks, are key to lasting changeKey Takeaways Technology isn’t the problem, unintentional use isIf you can’t step away from your phone, even briefly, it may signal a deeper issueMany apps are designed to trigger dopamine and reinforce compulsive behaviorEven having your phone nearby can reduce focus and presenceSmall boundaries like putting your phone out of sight can create meaningful changeTrue transformation comes from asking: “Who do I want to be in relation to my technology?”Episode Highlights Kelsey introduces digital minimalism as a values-based approach to technology using tools intentionally while letting go of what doesn’t serve your well-being. The conversation draws powerful parallels between substance use and screen use, highlighting compulsivity, loss of control, and the impact on relationships. Listeners are encouraged to experiment with small steps, like reducing notifications, creating phone-free spaces, or trying a Screen-Free Sunday, to better understand their habits and regain autonomy. Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful parts of life: connection, creativity, presence, and purpose can’t be downloaded. About Our Guest Kelsey L. Green is a strategist, speaker, and community builder focused on helping people reclaim their focus, creativity, and real-world connection in an increasingly distracted world. Through her work in digital minimalism, she guides individuals and groups in creating intentional relationships with technology so they can live more present, purposeful lives. She is the creator of Summit in Six and How to Build Your Circle, programs designed to foster accountability, creativity, and authentic connection. To learn more visit: https://www.kelseylgreen.com/ Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    30 min
  3. How Early Childhood & Birth Trauma Shape Addiction, Anxiety, and Behavior with Dr. Annie Brook

    APR 22

    How Early Childhood & Birth Trauma Shape Addiction, Anxiety, and Behavior with Dr. Annie Brook

    In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with psychologist, educator, and author Dr. Annie Brook, Ph.D, LPC, MSME (ISMETA), to explore a groundbreaking perspective on trauma, addiction, and mental health. What if the patterns you struggle with today, anxiety, reactivity, disconnection, or even addiction, didn’t start in childhood as you remember it, but before you could think, speak, or form memories at all? Dr. Brook specializes in somatic and developmental trauma, helping people uncover how early experiences, including birth and infancy, are encoded in the nervous system and continue to shape behavior, relationships, and emotional regulation throughout life. Together, they unpack: How pre-verbal and birth experiences influence the brain and bodyWhy many patterns are not cognitive and can’t be “talked away”The role of the nervous system, brainstem, and survival responses (fight, flight, freeze)How early disruptions, like lack of touch, feeding struggles, or medical interventions, can show up decades laterWhy traditional approaches sometimes fall short and what it takes to truly healDr. Brook shares her own journey of healing after trauma and explains how somatic practices, movement, and awareness can help “update” old survival patterns through neuroplasticity and relational repair. This episode offers a deeply compassionate reframe: You are not broken.Your patterns are adaptations.And with the right tools, they can change.Whether you're in recovery, a clinician, a parent, or someone seeking deeper self-understanding, this conversation will expand how you think about healing. Key Topics & Takeaways Somatic therapy and the body’s role in trauma healingBirth trauma and early attachmentPre-verbal memory and the brainstemAddiction as an adaptation, not a failureNervous system regulation and emotional resilienceHow early unmet needs shape adult behaviorsWhy awareness + sensation = lasting changeAbout Our Guest Dr. Annie Brook, Ph.D., LPC, MSME (ISMETA), is a psychologist, educator, and author specializing in somatic and developmental trauma. As the founder of The Brook Institute and former director of the somatic psychology master’s program at Naropa University, Dr. Brook has spent decades helping individuals and clinicians understand how early experiences—including birth and infancy—shape the nervous system and influence behavior throughout life. Her work integrates neuroscience, movement, attachment science, and applied neuroplasticity to help people move from overwhelm and reactivity toward regulation, resilience, and connection. She is the author of Birth’s Hidden Legacy and is passionate about empowering others with practical tools to heal deeply rooted patterns and rediscover a sense of safety and well-being. Learn more at: https://www.anniebrook.com/ Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    24 min
  4. What Is Somatic Experiencing? How Trauma Lives in the Body with Jennifer Goggin

    APR 15

    What Is Somatic Experiencing? How Trauma Lives in the Body with Jennifer Goggin

    In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Jennifer Goggin, LPC, LMHC, SEP, for a powerful conversation about trauma, healing, nervous system regulation, and the role the body plays in recovery. Jennifer shares her personal story of adoption, early separation, and how her own healing journey shaped the work she does today. She explains how somatic therapy helps people process trauma not just through words, but through sensations, regulation, and connection. Together, the conversation explores why trauma often lives in the body, why healing does not begin by diving straight into the hardest memories, and why real human connection remains essential in therapy. The episode also touches on the limits of AI in mental health care, the growing impact of technology on the nervous system, and why hope remains central no matter where someone is in their recovery or healing journey. This is a meaningful episode for anyone interested in trauma-informed care, addiction recovery, somatic therapy, adoption, nervous system healing, and mental health treatment that addresses the whole person. In this episode, you’ll hear: What somatic experiencing is and how it supports trauma healingHow trauma can be stored in the body, even before a person has words for itJennifer’s personal story of adoption and how it shaped her understanding of healingWhy nervous system regulation is foundational in recovery and mental health treatmentHow somatic work can help people process trauma without starting with the most painful memoryWhy the therapeutic relationship cannot be replaced by artificial intelligenceHow screen overload and digital life can impact empathy, stress, and emotional regulationWhy healing looks different for every personKey Takeaways Jen explains that somatic experiencing focuses on helping people build regulation and resilience in the nervous system before revisiting traumatic experiences. Rather than forcing someone to relive the most painful moments first, this approach helps create safety, trust, and internal resources so the body can begin to release what it has been holding. Her story also highlights a powerful truth: sometimes the body carries experiences long before the mind fully understands them. Through both her personal healing and professional work, Jen offers a compassionate perspective on trauma, therapy, and the possibility of change. One of the most memorable parts of the episode is the discussion around AI and therapy. Jen emphasizes that healing happens in relationship. Eye contact, attunement, presence, and human connection are essential parts of trauma recovery that technology cannot replicate. About Our Guest Jennifer Goggin is a licensed mental health counselor, licensed professional counselor, and Somatic Experiencing practitioner who helps clients work through trauma, stress, and nervous system dysregulation with a compassionate, body-based approach. Her work integrates clinical expertise, lived experience, and a deep understanding of how healing happens through both insight and connection. To learn more about Jennifer and her work, visit: https://jennifergogginlmhc.com/ Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    26 min
  5. Trauma, PTSD, and Healing: Why Triggers Happen and How Recovery Really Works - Dr. Christal Badour

    APR 8

    Trauma, PTSD, and Healing: Why Triggers Happen and How Recovery Really Works - Dr. Christal Badour

    In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with Dr. Christal Badour, PhD, clinical psychologist, academic researcher at the University of Kentucky, and founder of Science for Survivors. Dr. Badour has spent her career studying how people recover from trauma and how science can make that recovery more compassionate and effective. Her research focuses on the intersection of trauma, PTSD, and substance use, including the best treatment approaches for individuals facing co-occurring mental health and addiction challenges. Drawing from her work as a therapist, professor, researcher, and forensic psychological evaluator, Dr. Badour explains how traumatic experiences affect the brain, why triggers and retraumatization occur, and how survivors can begin to process and integrate their experiences. The conversation also explores how public perception and cultural narratives impact survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, why victim-blaming remains a barrier to healing, and how media coverage of violence can retraumatize individuals who have experienced similar events. Dr. Badour also discusses the impact of trauma on children and families, including the ways trauma can show up differently in young people through withdrawal, behavioral challenges, or risk-taking behaviors later in life. For families and loved ones, she shares practical guidance on how to respond when someone discloses a traumatic experience, including why the most powerful response is often simply listening, validating, and saying “I believe you.” This thoughtful and compassionate conversation offers both science-backed insight and hope, reminding listeners that trauma may always be part of someone’s story — but it is never the whole story. To learn more about Dr. Christal Badour and her work, visit: ScienceForSurvivors.com Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    28 min
  6. How Angela Kennecke Turned Loss Into Hope in the Fight Against Fentanyl and Addiction

    APR 1

    How Angela Kennecke Turned Loss Into Hope in the Fight Against Fentanyl and Addiction

    In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with Angela Kennecke, award-winning investigative journalist, founder of Emily’s Hope, and host of the Grieving Out Loud podcast. Angela shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 21-year-old daughter, Emily, to accidental fentanyl poisoning. What began as Angela’s reporting on the overdose crisis became deeply personal, and in the wake of unimaginable loss, she transformed grief into action, creating the non-profit Emily's Hope. This conversation explores the realities of substance use disorder, the dangers of the illicit drug supply, and why fentanyl awareness, naloxone access, and evidence-based prevention education are more important than ever. Angela also discusses how Emily’s Hope is expanding access to treatment scholarships, distributing naloxone across South Dakota, supporting overdose survivors, and building a K–12 substance use prevention curriculum designed to protect the next generation. This episode is a moving conversation about addiction, loss, resilience, stigma, recovery, hope, and a reminder that no family should have to suffer in silence. In This Episode, We Cover Angela Kennecke’s journey from journalist to advocateEmily’s story and the devastating impact of fentanyl poisoningHow stigma keeps families silent about addiction and overdose lossWhy naloxone/Narcan saves lives and belongs in every communityThe importance of early, age-appropriate, evidence-based preventionHow peer support, youth empowerment, and family advocacy can change outcomesWhat resilience looks like after profound lossLearn more about Emily's Hope: Learn more about Emily’s Hope at emilyshope.charity. Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    30 min
  7. Choose Yourself: Hakeem Bourne Mcfarlane on Identity, Addiction Recovery, and Turning Pain Into Purpose

    MAR 25

    Choose Yourself: Hakeem Bourne Mcfarlane on Identity, Addiction Recovery, and Turning Pain Into Purpose

    What happens when the identity that once defined your life disappears? In this powerful episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with speaker, author, and founder of the Choose Yourself Movement, Hakeem Bourne Mcfarlane, to explore how personal loss, trauma, and identity struggles can lead to addiction, and how radical accountability can lead to transformation. Hakeem shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped his path: the devastating loss of his younger brother, the pressure of athletic success, and the collapse of his identity when his dream of becoming a professional athlete ended. Without the structure sports once provided, he found himself spiraling into destructive patterns that many high performers face when achievement becomes their entire sense of self. Through years of reflection, recovery work, and rebuilding his life, Hakeem developed what he calls the “Choose Yourself” philosophy, a framework for reclaiming identity, healing unresolved pain, and creating purpose through personal responsibility and contribution. In this conversation, Hakeem breaks down the five pillars of his Choose Yourself process, explaining how identifying emotional triggers, changing environments, and building daily discipline can transform how we see ourselves and our potential. This episode dives into the deeper truth often discussed in recovery: addiction is rarely just about substances, it’s often about the unresolved void underneath. Healing that void requires awareness, accountability, and the courage to choose a different path. If you’ve ever struggled with identity, purpose, or breaking destructive patterns, this conversation offers both practical insight and powerful motivation. Episode Highlights Hakeem McFarlane’s personal journey from grief and identity loss to recovery and purposeWhy addiction is often a symptom of deeper emotional voidsThe Choose Yourself Movement and its mission to help people reclaim their identityThe TEFIC framework: Triggers, Environment, Foundation, Investment, and ContributionHow daily discipline and self-awareness help break destructive cyclesWhy contribution and helping others is a key part of lasting recoveryThe difference between performing a role and living authenticallyKey Takeaway True transformation begins when we stop waiting to be chosen by others and instead choose ourselves—our healing, our purpose, and the life we want to build. Resources & Links Learn more about the Choose Yourself Movement at chooseyourself.info Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    22 min
  8. Show Up and Shimmy: Bruce W. Brackett on Recovery, Positivity, and Self-Forgiveness

    MAR 18

    Show Up and Shimmy: Bruce W. Brackett on Recovery, Positivity, and Self-Forgiveness

    In this uplifting and heartfelt episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Bruce W. Brackett, author, artist, motivational speaker, life coach, and advocate for recovery, positivity, and mental health. Bruce shares his powerful story of moving from early trauma, addiction, and self-sabotage toward sobriety, healing, and purpose. With honesty, humor, and compassion, he opens up about what it took to stop running, ask for help, and begin showing up for himself day by day. His message is clear: no matter what you’ve been through, you are still worthy of growth, self-forgiveness, and a meaningful life. The conversation explores Bruce’s recovery journey, the life-changing impact of therapy and 12-step programs, and the mindset shift behind his newest book, Show Up and Shimmy. He explains that “shimmying” is more than a fun phrase; it is a practice of self-care, self-love, courage, and taking the next right step even when fear, doubt, or pain are present. This episode is full of hope for anyone navigating addiction recovery, mental health challenges, trauma, or the ongoing work of becoming who they were meant to be. Bruce’s perspective is both inspiring and practical, reminding listeners that healing is not linear, support matters, and the version of you that you dream about is already waiting. If you or someone you love is on a recovery journey, this conversation offers encouragement, validation, and a powerful reminder that you do not have to do it alone. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Bruce W. Brackett’s story of sobriety, recovery, and healingHow childhood trauma and addiction shaped his early lifeWhy positivity is a practice, not a personality traitThe importance of therapy, community, and 12-step recoveryWhat “Show Up and Shimmy” really means in everyday lifeHow self-forgiveness can become part of the healing processWhy sitting with hard feelings is different from staying stuck in themHow one supportive person can make all the difference in recoveryWhy doing no harm to yourself is a powerful place to beginKey Takeaways Bruce reminds listeners that recovery is not about having everything figured out. It is about continuing to move forward, even through discomfort, uncertainty, and fear. He speaks candidly about relapse, radical acceptance, and the value of asking for help. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes that healing is possible, purpose is real, and every person is worthy of love and a better future. About Our Guest Bruce W. Brackett is an author, international motivational speaker, certified life coach, artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for positivity, recovery, and mental health. He is the author of How to Breathe While Suffocating and Show Up and Shimmy, and he shares messages of hope, resilience, and possibility with a social media community of more than 1.4 million people. Through his art, writing, and speaking, Bruce encourages others to reclaim their worth and step into their full potential. Guest Resources Website: bwbart.com Socials: @bwb.positivity Books: How to Breathe While Suffocating and Show Up and Shimmy Learn More To learn more about Hanley Foundation programs, visit hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

    31 min
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About

The Hanley Effect is a weekly addiction recovery and mental health podcast hosted by Dr. John Dyben, Chief Clinical Officer at Hanley Center, and Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO of the Hanley Foundation. This trauma-informed podcast explores substance use disorder (SUD), addiction treatment, neuroscience, co-occurring mental health disorders, overdose prevention, adolescent mental health, and long-term recovery through evidence-based conversations with leading experts, clinicians, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience. Featured guests include leading neuroscientists, healthcare executives, policymakers, law enforcement leaders, and nationally recognized advocates shaping the future of addiction treatment and prevention. Produced by the Hanley Foundation, a nonprofit leader in prevention, education, treatment, and advocacy, The Hanley Effect delivers trusted insight, practical tools, and real-world perspectives for behavioral health professionals, educators, first responders, families, and people in recovery. Grounded in science and compassion, this podcast helps listeners better understand addiction, reduce stigma, and build stronger, healthier communities.

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