In Episode 34 of Too Light Too Dark, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Michaud for a powerful conversation about co-dependency, addiction, recovery, and the impact these patterns have on our relationships.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in addiction and codependency recovery, Dr. Sarah shares both professional insights and personal lessons from her own journey. We explore why co-dependent behaviours develop, how they can keep us trapped in unhealthy relationships, the connection between addiction and emotional dependency, and what genuine recovery looks like. Together, we discuss boundaries, self-awareness, responsibility, healing, and the path toward healthier, more authentic connections.

Whether you're navigating recovery yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply trying to understand relationship dynamics more deeply, this episode offers practical wisdom and hope for lasting change.

Dr. Sarah Michaud is a clinical psychologist, author, and recovery advocate who has worked in the field of addiction and codependency for over three decades. She is the author of Co-Crazy: One Psychologist's Recovery from Codependency and Addiction and co-hosts the Leaving CrazyTown podcast and YouTube channel, where she explores recovery, relationships, emotional health, and personal growth.

Learn more about Dr. Sarah Michaud:

🌐 Website: Dr Sarah Michaud Official Website

🎥 YouTube: Leaving CrazyTown YouTube Channel

📖 Book: Co-Crazy: One Psychologist's Recovery from Codependency and Addiction

🎙️ Too Light Too Dark explores the stories, struggles, and breakthroughs that shape our lives. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, rate, and share the episode with someone who might benefit from it.

Retired FBI Agent Eric Robinson joins Too Light Too Dark for a gripping deep dive into the investigations, psychological pressure, and real-life cases that stayed with him long after the files were closed. In Episode 33, we explore the human side of criminal investigations, the pursuit of truth, and the emotional weight carried by those who work in the darkest corners of society.

From haunting memories to hard-earned lessons inside the FBI, this episode uncovers the realities behind true crime, human behavior, and the search for justice.

Feel disconnected from your body? Trauma might be the reason.

Sam Mishra breaks down how trauma shapes body perception and explains how to heal through nervous system regulation, dissociation awareness, and rebuilding self-awareness from the inside out.

In this episode:

• How trauma shapes body perception beyond appearance
• Dissociation as a survival response from childhood into adulthood
• The link between attachment styles and adult relationships
• Why nervous system regulation is key to trauma recovery
• The limits of talk therapy without somatic work
• Rethinking addiction through a trauma-informed lens
• Unlearning conditioned behaviors and rebuilding self-awareness
• The role of lived experience and storytelling in healing

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: trauma & body perception
02:19 – Trauma’s role in shaping identity
03:09 – Nervous system and stress responses
05:26 – Social conditioning and loss of self
07:00 – Coping mechanisms: dissociation & self-harm
09:17 – Why therapy alone isn’t always enough
12:18 – Fragmentation and protection responses
15:56 – Attachment styles and relationships
20:45 – Emotional regulation challenges
23:41 – Communication, trust, and trauma
27:09 – Lifelong healing and self-work
32:35 – Accountability and self-compassion
38:20 – From victim to survivor mindset
44:05 – The myth of quick fixes
52:15 – Trauma in the body and physical tension
58:45 – Vulnerability and emotional disconnection
63:58 – Self-awareness and relationship patterns
69:20 – A message for those healing

Resources:

• Conscious Loving – Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks
• When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress - Gabor Mate

Takeaway:

Healing from trauma is not a quick fix—it’s a lifelong process of understanding your nervous system, unlearning survival patterns, and reconnecting with your body. A holistic approach that combines mind and body work is essential. Your story matters, and healing is possible.

You can find Sam's work and services in the links below

https://www.themedicalmassagelady.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/stories/themedicalmassagelady/