Why The War on Drugs Failed—Lessons from The Mersey Model | Dr Simon Bratt | Too Light Too Dark #30

The FBI Cases That Never Left Him | Eric Robinson Interview | Too Light Too Dark #33

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.

The Hidden Link Between Trauma & Body Perception (How to Heal) | Sam Mishra | Too Light Too Dark #32

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.themedicalmassagelady.co.uk/] https://www.instagram.com/stories/themedicalmassagelady/ [https://www.instagram.com/stories/themedicalmassagelady/]

Too Light Too Dark Bonus Episode: Unorthodox Recovery Coaching with Tony Crowe

In this special bonus episode of Too Light Too Dark, we sit down with the unorthodox recovery coach Tony Crowe to explore his unconventional approach to healing, discipline, and personal transformation. Tony shares raw insights from his coaching journey, challenging traditional recovery methods and offering a fresh perspective on mindset, resilience, and rebuilding from adversity. Check out Tony on socials and his own podcast https://www.instagram.com/crowetony22/ [https://www.instagram.com/crowetony22/] https://www.tiktok.com/@unorthodox.recove [https://www.tiktok.com/@unorthodox.recove] https://www.youtube.com/@tonycrowe7875 [https://www.youtube.com/@tonycrowe7875] https://open.spotify.com/show/4ggN37cfC1g2wdGHgCKpKC [https://open.spotify.com/show/4ggN37cfC1g2wdGHgCKpKC] https://www.theturnaroundproject.org/ [https://www.theturnaroundproject.org/] Tony Crowe, recovery coach, unorthodox recovery, addiction recovery, mental health recovery, Too Light Too Dark podcast, recovery journey, mindset coaching, relapse prevention, trauma recovery, Northern Ireland recovery, The Turnaround Project, personal development podcast, coaching mindset #Recovery #MentalHealth #Podcast #TonyCrowe #AddictionRecovery #PersonalDevelopment

I Lived Addiction and Abuse, Now I Help Families Heal | Jennifer Chase | Too Light Too Dark #31

In this deeply personal episode of Too Light Too Dark, certified coach Jennifer Chase shares her lived experience as a person in long-term recovery, the child of an alcoholic, and a mother impacted by her son’s addiction. Her story spans addiction, abuse, generational trauma, and ultimately healing. This is not a surface-level conversation about recovery. It’s an honest look at how addiction affects entire families, how shame and codependency keep cycles alive, and what it actually takes to begin breaking free. Jennifer opens up about her journey through substance abuse and recovery, surviving childhood trauma and abuse, and how those experiences shaped her mission today: helping individuals and families navigate addiction with clarity, boundaries, and compassion. In this episode, we explore: * Addiction as a family system, not just an individual struggle * Growing up in addiction and the long-term impact of childhood trauma * The role of shame, denial, and codependency in keeping cycles alive * What “supporting” a loved one with addiction actually looks like * Why boundaries are essential in recovery—for both families and individuals * How Jennifer now helps families move from crisis to healing Jennifer’s work through Rise Addiction Life Coaching focuses on guiding families impacted by addiction toward understanding, resilience, and recovery support: https://www.riseaddictionlc.com [https://www.riseaddictionlc.com] If you are struggling with addiction, supporting someone who is, or trying to make sense of family trauma, this conversation offers real-world insight and hope not theory. Recovery is not just about stopping a behavior. It’s about rebuilding a life, and in many cases, rebuilding a family system. Listen now and start breaking the cycle. For socials https://www.tiktok.com/@jenchase [https://www.tiktok.com/@jenchase] https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-chase-704b28243/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-chase-704b28243/]

Why The War on Drugs Failed—Lessons from The Mersey Model | Dr Simon Bratt | Too Light Too Dark #30

This conversation explores how harm reduction frameworks like the Mersey Model challenge traditional approaches to addiction, mental health, and care systems. In this episode of Too Light Too Dark, Dr Simon Bratt explores harm reduction and The Mersey Model, challenging traditional drug policy and asking why systems built on punishment continue to fail vulnerable people. If we’re honest, the way we’ve approached drugs for decades hasn’t worked. People are still dying, systems are still failing, and stigma is still driving harm underground. The Mersey Model tried something different—something grounded in care, not punishment. Today, we’re breaking down what actually works. 🧠 DR SIMON BRATT * Academic Profile (Liverpool Hope University): https://profiles.hope.ac.uk/bratts1 [https://profiles.hope.ac.uk/bratts1] * Research Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Simon-Bratt-2 [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Simon-Bratt-2] * Professional Profile (LinkedIn): https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simonbrattphd [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simonbrattphd] Dr Simon Bratt is a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, Visiting Research Fellow at Staffordshire University, author with Palgrave Macmillan, and founder of Layered Care Consultancy. His work focuses on mental health, substance use, harm reduction, and rethinking systems of care. 🎙 TOO LIGHT TOO DARK * Website: https://www.toolighttoodark.com [https://www.toolighttoodark.com] * YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL-wGWNul8iEfBvXmdlrB3g [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL-wGWNul8iEfBvXmdlrB3g] * Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL-wGWNul8iEfBvXmdlrB3g?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL-wGWNul8iEfBvXmdlrB3g?sub_confirmation=1]