Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige’s Perspective, I dive into the ups and downs of the holiday season and how to handle them with strength, self-care, and realistic expectations. The holidays can be tough—shorter days, overwhelming demands, and the stress of dealing with family dynamics can easily throw us off balance. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ll share practical tips to help you stay grounded, from setting healthy boundaries and managing expectation...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode, we share our personal journey through Matt's recent surgery and the challenges of managing pain with opioids - his past drug of choice. This was scary, new territory for us and it's a slippery slope given the history of addiction. We discuss the emotional complexities surrounding the surgery recovery, how we planned in advance and discussed the decision to treat the pain with a dangerous substance, the accountability built into the situatio...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige's Perspective, we're diving deep into the true power of self-care—not as a luxury, but as a crucial foundation for healing and growth. Self-care isn’t about spa days or quick fixes; it's about rebuilding from within and learning to prioritize ourselves so we can face life’s challenges with clarity and strength. We’ll explore how self-care helps us understand who we are, what we need, and what we stand for. Think of it as self-mainte...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode, we dive into the idea of hope that doesn’t rely on perfect conditions or external circumstances—a hope that’s rooted in resilience and meaning. We share a deeply personal story about a friend who found the strength to keep going after unimaginable loss. Together, we’ll talk about the concept of “reservations” in recovery—those mental escape hatches we keep in case things get tough—and how letting go of them opens the door to real growth and...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige’s Perspective, we explore why focusing on substance use keeps partners stuck in unhealthy dynamics and how shifting attention to behaviors leads to real growth and change. Paige breaks down the common societal trap of thinking sobriety will fix everything and highlights why manipulation, dishonesty, and emotional neglect must be addressed—whether or not the substance is involved.Through personal insights, practical exercises, and re...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode, we sit down with Abby Eckel, a powerful content creator who highlights some of the most pressing issues women face today—unequal partnerships, the mental load of motherhood, how addiction and mental health disorders give context - not excuses - she gives her opinion on whether you can train someone to change, and discusses the complexities of navigating relationships in a patriarchal society.Together, we dive into what it means to have a tr...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige’s Perspective, we dive into some of the most impactful books that have shaped my journey through life’s toughest moments. Instead of focusing solely on addiction or codependency, I recommend books that emphasize personal growth, shifting perspectives, and stepping out of comfort zones. I walk you through key takeaways from works by Lundy Bancroft, Eckhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, David Goggins, and many others. These books are designed to...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this special episode celebrating 250,000 downloads, I sit down with Paige for an honest, no-holds-barred Q&A. Together, we reflect on the journey through addiction, recovery, and what it took to rebuild our marriage from the ground up. Paige answers the questions people should be asking about recovery and what she has done to find success through a difficult journey —offering raw insights into the patience, struggles, and victories that come with lov...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode, Paige explores the difference between anger and aggression, helping listeners understand how to express anger without letting it control them. She acknowledges that anger is a natural response to betrayal, harm, or crossed boundaries, but warns that reacting aggressively—yelling or lashing out—often shifts the focus away from the real issue and gives others an excuse to dismiss your needs.Paige discusses how aggression can leave us feeling ...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!This episode tackles the real issue behind many struggling relationships—unequal partnership. It’s not just about addiction or bad behaviors, but the mental toll of a one-sided relationship. We explore the emotional impact of carrying the mental load—chronic stress, burnout, resentment—and highlight what true equal partnership looks like: shared responsibilities, open communication, mutual involvement in home life, and respect.We also challenge the myth tha...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode , Paige dives deep into the power of anger—how it can be both justifiable and destructive depending on how we manage it. Paige shares personal experiences of waking up angry, snapping at her kids, and the realization that controlling her reactions is key to healthier relationships and self-growth. She explains the difference between justifiable anger—when we’re betrayed, manipulated, or taken advantage of—and unjustified anger, which often s...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Till the Wheels Fall Off, we explore the concept of “Gray Area Thinking”—a mindset that embraces nuance, complexity, and multiple truths in life. While we dive into the challenges of rigid, black-and-white thinking, we also recognize that in some instances, black-and-white thinking is necessary. We discuss when having clear, binary thinking can provide structure, safety, and clarity, particularly in situations involving boundaries, moral ...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode, Paige explores how to recognize personal growth, inspired by a community question. She shares ten key signs of growth, from handling once-overwhelming tasks like social anxiety, to responding to emotions with more patience, and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Paige reflects on her own journey, emphasizing how changes in communication, a reduced need for external validation, and even phases of cynicism can mark significant personal d...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us! In this episode, we explore the fundamental differences between conflict in healthy relationships and marriages affected by addiction. Drawing on Dr. Gottman’s research, we unpack the “magic ratio” of 5:1 and how positive interactions can make love last, while also delving into the chaos and unpredictability that addiction brings into a partnership. We’ll discuss the key elements of healthy communication, how flaws differ in stable versus addictive re...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige's Perspective, Paige explores the power of viewing obstacles as challenges instead of letting them consume us. Inspired by Matt’s journey in addiction recovery, Paige shares how adopting a challenge mindset can transform difficult situations into opportunities for growth. From finding new routes on the way to school to cooking creatively with limited ingredients, she demonstrates how embracing challenges in everyday life leads to su...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode, we dive deep into the tangled web of "what if" scenarios that haunt spouses and partners of addicts. From "What if they change?" to "What if I leave and somebody else gets the version of them I always wanted? to "What if I lose myself completely by staying?" we’ll explore these questions using razor principles, cognitive biases, common sense and insights from personal experience to bring clarity and understanding to the fears and doubts tha...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige’s Perspective, we dive into the concept of "rock bottom" and what it looks like for each of us. Paige brings some tough love, helping listeners recognize when they've hit their lowest point and offering practical advice on how to rise from it. She highlights the importance of clarity and commitment in these moments, challenging her audience to stop making excuses and start taking action.Paige shares her personal journey of hitting r...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode, we dive into the hard truths of what it’s really like to be with someone in recovery. Recovery isn’t a magical reset button; it's a long, painful process filled with challenges. You can’t just “start over” once someone gets sober—years of emotional immaturity, anger, and resentment come to the surface. It's not just about substance use, but about dealing with stunted growth and the unhealthy behaviors that persist or worsen even after sobri...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige’s Perspective, Paige dives into what it means to feel overwhelmed, especially when carrying the mental and emotional load of an unequal partnership or living with a partner struggling with addiction. Paige shares her personal experience with overwhelm, offering practical tips for finding clarity in the midst of chaos. From acknowledging your emotions to taking small steps, and clarifying your values, this episode gives listeners act...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode we discuss the natural tendency to want to understand what is affecting your loved one if they struggle with addiction. Often times the journey of education is enlightening and fosters empathy and understanding, but it can also be a trap which keeps people stuck in a pattern of inaction. While understanding is important, it is not sufficient to "fix" anyone and runs the risk of keeping spouses and partners stuck in a loop of seeking to under...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!This episode highlights National Recovery Month, with Paige focusing on the recovery journey not only for addicts but also for their spouses and partners. She discusses the often-overlooked struggles of spouses, who experience emotional abuse, loss of their sense of self, and the need to rebuild their identity. She shares a letter from a spouse of an alcoholic, illustrating the emotional toll they endure. Paige also discusses the Independently Strong progra...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In the beginning, validation is KEY to the healing process, but at some point a decision has to be made. In this episode we discuss how to get from validation to making real changes in your life with the help of acceptance, impermanence, and the adoption of a growth mindset. So often our minds are geared toward guarantees and permanence so much so that we sacrifice the things we need for what is simply familiar. Come along with us as we discuss how we tackl...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!This episode focuses on understanding the roles that optimism, realism, and pessimism play in handling life situations. Paige emphasizes that each perspective has its place and that balancing them is crucial for making informed and healthy decisions. She shares personal experiences, including being overly optimistic in the past and learning the importance of realism and even pessimism in certain situations. Paige encourages listeners to reflect on their own...

Have an episode suggestion? Text us!Many people have experienced a situation where they are asked by someone struggling with addiction for "support." They will tug at heartstrings, elicit sympathy, ask for loyalty, and beg for support- but what are you supporting? If someone is asking for your support, but they are not making a recovery effort, is that really support? In this episode we talk about our own experience where asking for support was little more than leading someone on and asking f...