The Truth About Fear, Shame & Addiction with Dr. Adi Jaffe | Kreatures of Habit episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 11, 2026 · 1H 10M

The Truth About Fear, Shame & Addiction with Dr. Adi Jaffe | Kreatures of Habit

from Kreatures Of Habit Podcast · host Michael Chernow

In this powerful episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with psychologist, author, and addiction expert Dr. Adi Jaffe for a raw conversation about trauma, fear, shame, addiction, and the discipline required to heal and reclaim your life.The discussion begins with Michael sharing his experience of childhood sexual abuse and the shame that followed, opening the door to a deeper exploration of how hidden pain, fear, and secrets often fuel addiction and compulsive behavior. Dr. Jaffe explains why bringing darkness into the light can create relief, how belief systems shape our experience of life, and why identity labels like “I am anxious” can reinforce suffering.Together they explore the psychology of fear versus joy, the power of discipline as a free tool for building confidence and boundaries, and how shifting from scarcity to abundance can fundamentally change how we approach life and recovery. Dr. Jaffe also shares his own story—from addiction and jail to a life-changing motorcycle accident that forced him to confront deeper truths about purpose and healing.The conversation also dives into themes from his book Unhooked, which examines the deeper emotional hooks behind addiction trauma, fear, shame, and feelings of worthlessness and how understanding these patterns can lead to real transformation.This episode is a vulnerable and thought-provoking exploration of healing, accountability, and the courage it takes to own your story.If you’re navigating trauma, addiction recovery, or personal growth, this conversation offers powerful insights, perspective, and hope.#AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthTIMESTAMPS00:00 Why Speak Up01:37 Sharing Darkness04:08 Fear Shame Secrets06:02 Fear Versus Joy08:33 Balance Hustle Culture11:05 Obsession Or Passion14:00 Discipline Builds Confidence18:40 Jail And Owning Reality20:08 Beliefs Shape Life27:57 Scarcity To Abundance32:10 Value Over Scarcity33:49 Optimism As A Practice34:57 Sobriety And Discipline36:55 Rose Colored Research38:22 Motorcycle Crash Turning Point40:54 Facing Pain And Fear42:13 Sharing Abuse And Shame45:28 Grooming And Realization48:28 Trust Barriers With Men53:32 Fear Journaling Exercise58:30 Marriage Discipline And Repair01:02:15 Best And Worst Decisions01:04:38 Unhooked Book And Farewell

In this powerful episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with psychologist, author, and addiction expert Dr. Adi Jaffe for a raw conversation about trauma, fear, shame, addiction, and the discipline required to heal and reclaim your life.The discussion begins with Michael sharing his experience of childhood sexual abuse and the shame that followed, opening the door to a deeper exploration of how hidden pain, fear, and secrets often fuel addiction and compulsive behavior. Dr. Jaffe explains why bringing darkness into the light can create relief, how belief systems shape our experience of life, and why identity labels like “I am anxious” can reinforce suffering.Together they explore the psychology of fear versus joy, the power of discipline as a free tool for building confidence and boundaries, and how shifting from scarcity to abundance can fundamentally change how we approach life and recovery. Dr. Jaffe also shares his own story—from addiction and jail to a life-changing motorcycle accident that forced him to confront deeper truths about purpose and healing.The conversation also dives into themes from his book Unhooked, which examines the deeper emotional hooks behind addiction trauma, fear, shame, and feelings of worthlessness and how understanding these patterns can lead to real transformation.This episode is a vulnerable and thought-provoking exploration of healing, accountability, and the courage it takes to own your story.If you’re navigating trauma, addiction recovery, or personal growth, this conversation offers powerful insights, perspective, and hope.#AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthTIMESTAMPS00:00 Why Speak Up01:37 Sharing Darkness04:08 Fear Shame Secrets06:02 Fear Versus Joy08:33 Balance Hustle Culture11:05 Obsession Or Passion14:00 Discipline Builds Confidence18:40 Jail And Owning Reality20:08 Beliefs Shape Life27:57 Scarcity To Abundance32:10 Value Over Scarcity33:49 Optimism As A Practice34:57 Sobriety And Discipline36:55 Rose Colored Research38:22 Motorcycle Crash Turning Point40:54 Facing Pain And Fear42:13 Sharing Abuse And Shame45:28 Grooming And Realization48:28 Trust Barriers With Men53:32 Fear Journaling Exercise58:30 Marriage Discipline And Repair01:02:15 Best And Worst Decisions01:04:38 Unhooked Book And Farewell

NOW PLAYING

The Truth About Fear, Shame & Addiction with Dr. Adi Jaffe | Kreatures of Habit

0:00 1:10:24

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Kreatures Of Habit Podcast?

This episode is 1 hour and 10 minutes long.

When was this Kreatures Of Habit Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on March 11, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In this powerful episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with psychologist, author, and addiction expert Dr. Adi Jaffe for a raw conversation about trauma, fear, shame, addiction, and the discipline required to heal and...

Can I download this Kreatures Of Habit Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!