The Journey with Mark Astor

Ep. 16 The Humble vs Humiliated Truth About Long-Term Recovery with Dr. Robert Sanchez

What's the difference between being humble and being humiliated in recovery? Dr. Robert Sanchez, a certified intervention professional with 18 years of sobriety and over 31 years in behavioral healthcare, reveals the daily reality of maintaining long-term recovery that most people never see. After more than 20 treatment episodes across three decades, Robert discovered the profound truth that changed everything: recovery isn't just about stopping-it's about becoming someone entirely different. His journey from repeated treatment failures to sustained sobriety offers hope and practical insight for anyone navigating addiction, whether personally or with a loved one. Robert shares the stark reality behind today's cannabis-induced psychosis epidemic, why Florida's legal framework saves lives that other states can't protect, and the critical first-year recovery statistics that determine long-term success. From his work as a forensic psychologist in maximum security prisons to his current intervention practice, Robert breaks down the neurological truth about addiction as a disease, not a choice, and explains why modern marijuana at 60-90% THC concentration is creating unprecedented mental health crises. This conversation goes beyond surface-level recovery advice to explore the deep work of rebuilding identity, maintaining humility, and creating sustainable change. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ [https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/] Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor] TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@astorsimovitchlaw] Contact Dr. Robert Sanchez: Website: AxiomHealthServices.com [https://axiomhealthservices.com/] Phone: 833-932-9466 Veritas Training: VeritasTrainingGroup.com [https://veritastraininggroup.com/]

Ep. 15 The Man Who Remembers Every Day Since Age 6 with Frank Healy

What would it be like to remember every single day of your life for the past 60 years? Frank Healy, one of only 20 people in the world with hyperthymesia, doesn't just remember every date since he was six years old-he remembers the weather, the day of the week, what he wore, and most importantly, how he felt. This rare neurological gift has shaped his entire career as a licensed professional counselor, giving him an extraordinary capacity for empathy that helps trauma survivors heal from their deepest wounds. Frank's journey from viewing his perfect memory as both blessing and curse to transforming it into a healing superpower offers profound insights into resilience, emotional regulation, and finding purpose through our most challenging traits. His unique perspective on memory, trauma, and healing reveals why some people get stuck in painful moments while others learn to override bad feelings with intentionally created good ones. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ [https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/] Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor] TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@astorsimovitchlaw] Contact Frank Healy: Website: https://www.healyshealing.com/ [https://www.healyshealing.com/] Email: healysheal1@msn.com

Ep. 14 'Nobody Will Outwork Me': How She Turned Academic Struggles Into Success with Kristen Goss

What happens when you score 139 on the LSAT three times and everyone tells you law school isn't for you? Kristen Goss proves that hard work beats talent every single time. As the founder of KWG Family Law and Mediation Services, Kristen's journey from struggling test-taker to successful attorney challenges everything we think we know about academic achievement and professional success. Her story reveals how her mother secretly applied to law school on her behalf, how she turned personal tragedy into professional purpose, and why she believes the collaborative law process can transform how families navigate divorce. From taking a four-year hiatus after her mother's death to building a practice that prioritizes children's well-being over courtroom battles, Kristen's path wasn't traditional, but it was authentic. In this conversation, you'll discover why standardized test scores don't predict real-world success, how personal loss can redirect your entire career trajectory, and what it really takes to help families heal instead of just win legal battles. Kristen shares the moment she realized litigation wasn't her calling, the collaborative approach that changes everything for divorcing families, and why she founded a nonprofit mentoring foster youth. Her insights on turning academic struggles into professional strengths will shift how you think about failure, persistence, and finding your true calling in life. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ [https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/] Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor] TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@astorsimovitchlaw]

Ep. 13 How 8 Hours of Heroism During Vegas Shooting Changed Everything with Todd Blyleven

What would you do if gunfire erupted around you and your family was running for safety? Todd Blyleven faced that exact moment at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, and his split-second decision changed everything. Instead of running with his wife and family to safety, Todd kissed his wife goodbye and ran back into the chaos - not once, but dozens of times over eight grueling hours. His actions that night saved over 30 lives and helped hundreds more escape one of America's deadliest mass shootings. Todd's story goes far beyond that horrific night in 2017. As a former MLB scout who signed 25 players to major league contracts and grew up in a Hall of Fame baseball family, Todd understood pressure and performance. But nothing prepared him for the moment he saw muzzle flashes from Mandalay Bay and made the choice to become a human shield for strangers. From carrying wounded victims to safety, to disarming a man with a knife in hotel corridors, to building makeshift triage centers on the street - Todd's journey through trauma, survivor's guilt, and ultimate healing offers profound insights into resilience, faith, and what it truly means to bounce forward rather than just bounce back. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ [https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/] Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor] TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@astorsimovitchlaw]

Ep. 12 Big T vs. Little T Trauma, ADHD & Addiction Explained with Renee Calhoun

Not all trauma looks the way people expect it to and that misunderstanding may be holding more people back than they realize. What if the experiences you’ve brushed off as “not that bad” are actually shaping your behavior, relationships, and mental health in ways you’ve never considered? In this episode, Mark Astor sits down with Renee Calhoun to unpack the difference between “Big T” and “Little T” trauma and why both can have a lasting impact. As the conversation unfolds, Renee connects trauma to ADHD, addiction, family dynamics, and even physical symptoms many people overlook. From generational patterns to the role of dopamine, medication, and emotional processing, this episode challenges common assumptions about mental health and recovery. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how trauma shows up, why it’s often misunderstood, and how recognizing it can completely change the way you approach healing for yourself or someone you love. Contact Mark Astor: Website: https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/ [https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com/] Phone number: 561-517-9405 Email: mark@astorsimovitchlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor] TikTok: Mark G. Astor (@astorsimovitchlaw) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@astorsimovitchlaw]