**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

In addition to reading the final chapter, Brian and Stephanie discuss what they learned in writing Part 2 of the book chiefly the power of re-writing stories and the intrangency of the codependent habits.

00:01:06 The road to recovery 00:08:00 Re-writing stories impact 00:17:06 Habits

The full audiobook can be purchased on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP) and other platforms.

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1

**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

In this chapter, Brian describes tackling the core codependent behaviors—feeling responsible for others' emotions, compliance, caretaking, people pleasing, compromising boundaries—that had been his default since childhood. Even after healing from the trauma and emotional wounds, he needed a new way of relating to people, seeing and valuing himself as an individual, and embracing an active role in his life. Identifying these codependent behaviors and their underlying motivations, like people pleasing out of fear rather than empathy, was essential. Recognizing signs of powerlessness, such as resentment, defensiveness, and dishonesty, helped him shift to personal agency. Awareness of his emotional responses and practicing being okay with disappointing others was also key to breaking free from these patterns. Healing from codependency has been about cultivating honest, authentic, and connected relationships.

00:02:05 Getting to Know Myself 00:05:03 Developing Personal Agency 00:07:30 Boundaries 00:13:07 The Codependency Habit 00:20:05 Breaking the Habit

The full audiobook can be purchased on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP) and other platforms.

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1

**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

Brian reflects on the complex interplay between memory, emotion, and narrative. Reflecting on various pivotal experiences, he realizes that many of the stories he told himself were crafted not to reveal truth but to evade uncomfortable emotions like shame. These narratives, often based on partial truths or outright fabrications, served as shields against facing his true feelings and the realities of his past. Through introspection and external guidance, he begins to unravel these tales, revisiting each with a critical eye to uncover buried emotions and reassess his behaviors. This process, though painful and destabilizing, gradually freed him from long-held shame and fear, revealing a clearer, more authentic understanding of himself and his life experiences. By confronting and rewriting his stories, he found a path to genuine self-awareness and the possibility of living authentically moving forward.

00:04:27 Shame 00:07:17 The Process 00:12:14 Rewritten Stories

The full audiobook can be purchased on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP) and other platforms.

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1

**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

In this Chapter, Brian chronicles the arduous and emotionally challenging process of healing from trauma. He recounts his realization that his conditioned freeze and fawn responses to perceived threats, stemming from childhood experiences with his parents and an abusive friend, were hindering his ability to respond adaptively to interpersonal stressors. Recognizing and naming these trauma responses, understanding his triggers, and learning to sit with and interpret emotions have been crucial steps in his journey. By developing awareness and practicing healthier emotional responses, Brian has gained more control over his emotions and interactions, allowing for a more authentic and empathetic engagement with others.

00:01:50 How Threat Responses Become Trauma Responses 00:04:45 Trauma Triggers 00:06:57 Recognizing Trauma Responses 00:10:30 Handling Trauma Responses 00:14:37 Emotional Development

The full audiobook can be purchased on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP) and other platforms.

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1

**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

In this episode/chapter Brian reflects on the journey of overcoming codependency, a set of learned behaviors initially meant to ensure safety but which eventually became dysfunctional habits. He discusses how these behaviors can be unlearned and reprogrammed through awareness of their origins and impacts. This reprogramming process involves not just removing or replacing behaviors, but transforming them into functional versions.

To achieve this transformation, Brian first needed to clear unresolved emotions like shame, fear, and resentment that accumulated over time. Facing these emotions was challenging and often painful, but necessary for gaining self-awareness. Despite the difficulty, the effort was worth it, leading to better understanding, healthier behaviors, and more fulfilling relationships.

Support from others played a crucial role in Brian's healing. Building deeper connections and opening up to people helped him break the cycle of codependency. Particularly, a supportive relationship with someone like Stephanie, who was invested and willing to challenge the author, was instrumental.

Journaling was another critical tool for healing, helping Brian reflect on past experiences and connect emotionally. Combining this reflection with discussions with Stephanie facilitated significant progress.

00:00:31 Getting Started 00:02:33 Motivation 00:04:48 Getting Help 00:08:58 Connecting With Other People 00:12:54 Journaling

The full audiobook can be purchased on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP) and other platforms.

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1

**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

In this chapter, Brian describes his mental and emotional state at the end of his relationship with J when he met Stephanie. As their relationship develops, he gets a glimpse of the kind of intimacy he always wanted, but his codependent habits start to threaten their connection and he has some tough decisions to make.

After the reading, Brian and Stephanie discuss writing Part 1 of the book and the learning and growth they experienced in that process.

Thank you for liking, reviewing and following the book and the podcast, it helps other people find us.

The full audiobook can be purchased on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP) and other platforms.

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1

Contact us: codependentmind@gmail.com

**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

In this episode, Brian reads chapter 4, which details his back to back relationships with abusive narcissists. He describes the lovebombing that began both of those relationships, the trauma bonds that kept him stuck and the powerless way the relationships ended. Sex, power and shame were all at play, contributing to the dysfunction and despair he experienced during those two marriages.

In this episode:

00:02:17 Relationship Beginnings - Love Bombing 00:06:12 Abuse 00:09:47 Trauma Bonds 00:12:45 How Trauma Bonds Form 00:16:16 Cognitive Dissonance -Self Gaslighting 00:19:39 Shame and Fear 00:21:43 Relationship Endings

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1

Contact us: https://www.codependentmind.com/

**The audiobook will only be available from the podcast until August 8, 2024. It will still be on Amazon, Spotify and other platforms for purchase.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Re-Making-Codependent-Mind-Codependency/dp/B0D2LYSJC3/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzyWWfGTv34T5Hev7DsOP?si=9be924b897f64269

Get your Paperback or eBook copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYH7TMZ1

In this chapter, Brian reflects on his struggles with codependency, which hindered his ability to form genuine connections with others. As a child, he learned to prioritize others' needs over his own, leading to a fragmented sense of self and difficulty understanding his emotions. As he navigated adolescence, he experienced sexual shame and a sense of unworthiness, further isolating him socially. He ended up passively accepting relationships with individuals who were also struggling emotionally, which often turned abusive.

A unique friendship with E, who shared similar struggles, provided safety but also enabled codependent behaviors. Reflecting on the friendship, the Brian acknowledges the complexity of their dynamic and the limitations of his codependent responses. Despite the challenges, the relationship taught him the value of intimate connections, planting a seed that would influence his understanding of healthy relationships in the future.

He then explores the many damaging relationships he has had with narcissistic individuals, highlighting the connection between codependency and narcissism, both stemming from trauma responses. While codependents seek safety by pleasing others, narcissists demand validation and entitlement. Narcissistic behaviors include grandiosity, entitlement, and lack of accountability. Brian's codependent tendencies made him susceptible to narcissists, excusing their abusive behavior. Different types of controlling behaviors are examined, with codependents managing emotions and narcissists asserting dominance aggressively.

00:02:35 Shame 00:04:18 Codependency and Other Behavior Disorders 00:10:16 Relationships with Narcissists 00:11:33 The Codependency and Narcissism Connection 00:14:49 Grandiosity, Entitlement and Lack of Accountability 00:19:55 Control

If you are enjoying listening to the book, please leave a review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0CYH7TMZ1