Episode #16: Addicted to the Struggle with Kate Sullivan

In this raw and powerful episode, I’m joined by Kate Sullivan, who drops this #hottake: mental health struggles can be just as devastating as addiction—instead of healing the root, we keep slapping Band-Aids on the symptoms. Together we dig into what it really means to live with that weight, including the addiction to sorrow and suffering, the link between dyslexia and addiction (learning something new every day!), and the life-changing moment Kate was finally placed in a school with kids who learned like her, where she actually felt seen. She also speaks to the deep need for belonging and community, and how so much of addiction stems from the lack of both. When we’re disconnected, the spiral is easier to fall into...and harder to crawl out of.

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation? The truth about relationships and safety. Kate shares what it was like being in a relationship so unsafe, she had to tell coworkers to check on her if she ever didn’t show up. Her story is a wake-up call and a reminder that choosing yourself is rarely easy, but always necessary. What followed was five years of chaos, but also growth, reclamation, and the kind of strength that can only come from walking through fire.

This episode is full of real talk and reflection, including:
- Why you’ve gottaaaaa stop letting people “squat in your mind”
- How to create a list of what you actually want in relationships based on your values, not your wounds
- The magic of being brave enough to date your friends
- How apps and multigenerational friendships are expanding the way we connect
- And why making eye contact, talking to strangers, and being human AF is the actual way we rewrite our view of the world

Because if you grew up guarded, hypervigilant, or disconnected...we need new evidence! We need reminders that most people are good, and that being human doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being real. We close with this reminder: You are not a robot. You are human. And that’s your superpower. Healing isn’t just about surviving, but remembering how to live.

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