PODCAST · education
Breaking Free Recovery Radio
by Alan Heide & Don Radon
Breaking Free Recovery Radio: We Break The Cycle TogetherWelcome 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.
Episodes
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Does the 12 Steps Ask You to Define God... or Just Get Out of the Way?
Does 12-step recovery force you to adopt a specific religious definition of God, or is the literature pointing toward something entirely different? In this 50-minute deep-dive discussion, we break down the subtle shift between trying to define a Higher Power and simply stepping out of your own…
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Hyper-Vigilance & Addiction: Why Family Members Can’t Stop Watching for the Next Crisis
Living on High Alert: How Addiction Causes Hyper-Vigilance in Families (And How to Heal)When a loved one struggles with addiction, family members often develop a constant state of high alert—a survival mechanism known as hyper-vigilance. Even when a loved one enters recovery, the nervous system…
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"My Way" vs. Denial: How to Tell if They’re Truly Ready to Change
Is "I'll do it my way" a sign of true self-determination, or is it just denial in disguise? When someone insists on managing their recovery, therapy, or personal growth on their own terms, it can be tough to know where to draw the line between supporting autonomy and enabling avoidance. In this...
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What Real Amends Look Like (And Why Apologies Aren't Enough)
Saying "I'm sorry" and making true amends are two completely different things. In this episode, we break down what real repair actually looks like, how to know when you're genuinely ready, the hidden risks of rushing the process, and how to handle situations where direct amends simply aren't...
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Why Is Addiction Ruining My Sanity? Codependency, Enabling & Family Healing
When a loved one is struggling with addiction, the chaos rarely stays confined to one person. In this episode of Breaking Free Recovery Radio, Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD, LMFT, and Don Radon break down the intense emotional toll addiction takes on families, spouses, and parents. If you've ever asked...
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When Loving Someone with Addiction Is Destroying You: A Family Guide
Loving someone struggling with substance use is one of the most painful, exhausting experiences a family can face. In this video, we break down what it truly means to detatchem emotionally while keeping your love intact, how to stop enabling, and how to take those critical first steps toward...
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Why We Get Addiction Completely Wrong
Despite decades of neuroscientific progress, society continues to treat addiction as a moral weakness rather than a complex health condition. In this video, we break down the root causes behind our collective misunderstanding of substance use, overdose response, and life-saving harm reduction...
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High-Functioning, Burned Out, and Addicted: When Do We Accept Help?
When you look successful on the outside, it’s easy to mask what’s happening on the inside. High-functioning addiction often hides behind perfectionism, high achievement, and severe burnout—until spiritual exhaustion sets in. In this video, we discuss the unspoken loop of maintaining appearances...
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Unlocking Addiction: Disease, Choice, and Healing the Family System
Are you or someone you love trapped in the confusing cycle of addiction? In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD., LMFT, and Don Radon break down the complex reality of addiction as a family disease. From the ongoing debate of choice versus biology to the hidden mechanics of addiction...
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Rewire Your Brain: Neurology, Mental Wellness & Community with Dr. Sameera Siddiqui
How much do you actually think about your brain health before something goes wrong? 🧠 In this episode, we sit down with neurologist Dr. Sameera Siddiqui for a deep dive that goes far beyond complex medical science. While we explore the fascinating world of neurology and neuroscience, this...
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The Truth About Addiction & How Families Can Heal Together
Addiction is never just about one person—it is a family disease that impacts everyone in its orbit. In this free-flowing, 50-minute conversation, we dive deep into the true nature of addiction, how it reshapes family dynamics, and the vital (but difficult) art of detaching from a loved one's...
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Action Precedes Motivation: Micro-Tools to Beat Burnout & Perfectionism
If you woke up today with zero drive, a heavy spirit, or you're feeling completely paralyzed by a massive goal... this video is your spark. Constant, high-octane motivation is a lie. True inspiration relies on cycles of rest and output—being tired isn't a character flaw, it’s just a signal to...
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How to Handle Relapse, Beat Cravings & Stop the Shame Cycle
If you are fighting an intense craving right now, or if you are picking up the pieces of a recent slip-up... this video is your safe harbor. A relapse or a stumble doesn’t erase your previous progress, and it doesn't define your identity. In this episode, we break down the practical psychology of...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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"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...
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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…
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5 Keys to a Successful Intervention: How to Get Your Loved One Help Now
"The goal of an intervention isn't just to stop the using; it's to start the healing." In this episode of Breaking Free Recovery Radio, hosts Dr. Alan Heide, Psy.D., LMFT and Don Radon, owner of Recovered And Free, dive deep into one of the most stressful yet life-saving moments a family can…
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The Pitfalls of Modern Day Treatment Centers Part II
In this candid discussion, Dr. Alan Heide, Psy.D., LMFT and Don Radon, owner of Recovered And Free, pull back the curtain on the modern addiction treatment industry. While the goal of recovery is to save lives, the "business of rehab" often creates systemic pitfalls that can hinder long-term...
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The Pitfalls of Modern Day Treatment Centers
In this candid discussion, Dr. Alan Heide, Psy.D., LMFT and Don Radon, owner of Recovered And Free, pull back the curtain on the modern addiction treatment industry. While the goal of recovery is to save lives, the "business of rehab" often creates systemic pitfalls that can hinder long-term...
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Is A.A. Actually a CULT? Dr. Alan Heide & Don Radon Reveal the Truth!
In this episode of Breaking Free Recovery Radio, hosts Dr. Alan Heide, Psy.D., LMFT and Don Radon dive deep into the complexities of the family disease of addiction. The conversation gets provocative as the duo tackles a heated debate in the recovery community: Is Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) a...
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Addressing Addiction Misconceptions with Dr. Alan Heide & Don Radon
Is everything you know about addiction recovery wrong?In this episode of Breaking Free Recovery Radio, we dive deep into the heart of the "Family Disease." Addiction doesn't happen in a vacuum—it impacts every branch of the family tree. Join hosts Dr. Alan Heide and Don Radon as they dismantle…
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Stop "Fixing" the Addict: The Real Secret to Lasting Recovery
In this video, Don Radon (Owner of Recovered and Free) and Dr. Alan Heide, Psy.D., LMFT, sit down to recap the highlights of the event. They discuss the breakthroughs that occurred during our deep dive into the Step One Study and why educating the family on the "Family Disease" model is the…
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From Chaos to Calm: Navigating Control in Dysfunctional Family Dynamics
Are You Tired of Managing Everyone’s Chaos? 🕊️ Do you feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells, trying to manage everyone’s mood just to keep the peace? In dysfunctional families, the need for control isn't about power—it’s a desperate survival mechanism for internal chaos. What if the...
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Why "Tough Love" Fails (And the Truth About the "Silver Tsunami" of Addiction)
"I’m the doctor, he’s the guy who’s lived it. This is Breaking Free." Today, we’re tearing down the myths of recovery. We’re talking about why "tough love" usually fails and what actually works when it comes to saving a life. From the clinical "Family Blueprint" to the raw reality of the front...
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Digital Tracking in Addiction Recovery: Helpful or Harmful? 3 Pros & 3 Cons You Need to Know
Is digital tracking a breakthrough tool in addiction recovery — or could it actually make things worse? In this episode, co-hosts Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD., LMFT and Don Radon break down the real pros and cons of using digital monitoring tools in recovery, including: 📍 GPS tracking 🚗 Remote...
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Alcoholism as a Family Disease: Healing After Addiction & Codependency
Alcoholism doesn’t just affect the person drinking—it impacts the entire family system. In this discussion, we explore alcoholism as a family disease, how codependency develops, and what recovery can look like for everyone involved once addiction is addressed. We talk openly about: How addiction...
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NAD+ Explained: What It Is, and Why It Matters for Your Health | Nurse Practitioner Breakdown
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) plays a vital role in how our bodies create energy, repair damaged cells, regulate metabolism, and support healthy aging. However, NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, chronic stress, inflammation, poor sleep, and certain lifestyle factors—often...
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Key Updates in Substance Use Disorder Treatment 2026
What’s new in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment in 2026? In this video, we break down the most important updates shaping prevention, diagnosis, and recovery—based on the latest research, clinical guidelines, and policy changes.🔍 In this video, you’ll learn about:New and emerging medications...
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The Truth About Recovery: Spiritual Sobriety, Relapse Traps & the Insurance-Driven Treatment System
Join us for a powerful and insightful live conversation exploring the heart of recovery — from spiritual sobriety to the real challenges individuals face when navigating today’s insurance-based treatment system. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or a professional in the field,...
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Faith, Purpose & Caregiving, Taking Care of Our Elderly Community
We are honored to welcome a powerful and purpose-driven special guest to Breaking The Cycle — Lovie Baxter, MSSW, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CDP. ✨ About Our Guest Lovie Baxter is a faith-driven speaker, healthcare professional, and senior care advocate whose impact is growing across the nation. She is…
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A Journey From Addiction to Advocacy with Don Radon
🎙️ LIVE PODCAST: A Journey From Addiction to Advocacy with Don Radon From the depths of addiction to over 35 years of sobriety, Don Radon embodies the true power of personal transformation. Today, he joins us live to share his incredible journey—one that has reshaped not only his own life, but…
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The Password to Everything You Want: "I Am Nothing, I Am No One"
🚪 The Invisible Door in the Ether A young boy, whose name might have been Leo, or perhaps Finn, but for now we shall call him simply The Boy, found himself walking in a place that defied description. It was not a physical land, but a shimmering, boundless expanse known only as the Ether. The...
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Empowering Survivors & Safer Communities: Dr. Alicia Hawley-Bernardez Joins Breaking The Cycle
✨ Breaking The Cycle — Special Guest: Dr. Alicia Hawley-Bernardez ✨ 📅 Thursday Afternoon | November 20, 2025We are honored to welcome Dr. Alicia Hawley-Bernardez, PhD, LMSW to this week’s episode of Breaking The Cycle! Join us for an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with a leader in...
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Mindfulness in Therapy: Transforming Awareness into Healing
Join us live for an engaging podcast discussion on mindfulness and its powerful role in therapy. 🌿 Our expert guests—therapists, mindfulness practitioners, and mental health educators—will explore how cultivating present-moment awareness can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and…
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Healing Begins at Home: Mental Health & Parenting with Jessica Seidel
🎙️ Breaking The Cycle – Special Guest: Jessica Seidel, LPC-S | Thursday, October 16, 2025 We are honored to welcome Jessica Seidel, LPC-S to this week's episode of Breaking The Cycle, airing Thursday afternoon, October 16th, 2025. Jessica brings over a decade of experience in the mental health…
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End Human Trafficking for Good & for All
We are honored to welcome Brooke Morris, Founder and Executive Director of Aisling, to Breaking The Cycle this Thursday afternoon! Brooke is a dedicated community advocate, business owner, and philanthropist based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Alongside her husband Kyle, she runs several...
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Healing Communities: A Conversation with Veda & Jerry MacGregor
Join us live this Thursday afternoon, October 2nd, 2025, for a powerful episode of Breaking The Cycle as we welcome our inspiring guests, Veda and Jerry MacGregor from The Belief Center. With a mission rooted in healing, connection, and community transformation, the MacGregors share their vision…
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Adoption, Trauma, and Hope: A Therapist’s Real Story
She Was Adopted — Now She’s Helping Others Heal the Wounds She Once Carried. In this emotional and inspiring interview, we sit down with April Scales, LPC-Associate, who was adopted as a child—and is now giving back to the adoption community. Through her lived experience and professional…
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Finding Peace Through Detachment & Surrender | Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD, LMFT
In this powerful discussion, Dr. Alan Heide, PsyD, LMFT shares his experience, strength, and hope on the essential spiritual principle of detachment and what it truly means to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understand Him.Drawing from both lived experience and decades…
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Healing, Identity & Alternative Lifestyles
Welcome to a powerful episode of Breaking The Cycle, where we dive deep into conversations that challenge stigma and empower healing. We are honored to be joined by Iris Muscarella, LPC-A, a trailblazing Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Lori Martin, LPC-S. Iris brings a...
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From Combat to Clinical Breakthroughs: Warren Ponder’s Mission to Heal Trauma
Meet Warren Ponder — a combat veteran turned trauma researcher with over 8.5 years of clinical experience treating PTSD, especially in military and first responder communities. After serving 15 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom as an infantryman, Warren used his battlefield experiences to shape…
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Trauma Healing & Community Care with Ashley Stafford, LCSW-S
We’re honored to welcome back Ashley Stafford, LCSW-S, to this special episode of Breaking The Cycle. Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor with deep expertise in trauma-informed care and mental health treatment across all stages of life. She specializes in EMDR therapy and...
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Transforming Relationships: The Work of Dr. Lisa Elieson, LPC-S, CST-S
🎥 Welcome to Breaking The Cycle with Dr. Lisa Elieson, LPC-S, CST-S Dr. Lisa Elieson is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist-Supervisor with over 20 years of experience transforming relationships and improving lives. She is licensed to practice in...
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Breaking the Cycle: How One Man’s Journey Is Changing Mental Health & Recovery
Join us for a powerful live conversation with Rick Bousquet, a former law enforcement officer turned nonprofit executive and behavioral health advocate. With over 30 years of leadership experience and a deep well of personal insight, Rick shares his extraordinary path from policing and executive...
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Feeling Stuck? Let’s Talk About Healing, Growth, and Breaking Patterns
Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by emotional pain or life transitions? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. I’m a compassionate, mission-driven therapist with over 7 years of experience supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, trauma…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Breaking Free Recovery Radio: We Break The Cycle TogetherWelcome 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.
HOSTED BY
Alan Heide & Don Radon
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Breaking Free Recovery Radio have?
Breaking Free Recovery Radio currently has 121 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Breaking Free Recovery Radio about?
Breaking Free Recovery Radio: We Break The Cycle TogetherWelcome 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...
How often does Breaking Free Recovery Radio release new episodes?
Breaking Free Recovery Radio publishes regularly with 121 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Breaking Free Recovery Radio?
You can listen to Breaking Free Recovery Radio on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Breaking Free Recovery Radio?
Breaking Free Recovery Radio is created and hosted by Alan Heide & Don Radon.
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