In this episode, Sarah shares how the death of her 20-year-old goldfish Joe triggered a full codependency relapse as she obsessed over whether his tank mate Jeff was lonely. Finn and Sarah dive into how we project our own unprocessed feelings onto others including our pets and create suffering where none exists.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Codependency involves obsessive thinking about others similar to how addiction involves obsessive thinking about substances

• We often project our own unmet emotional needs onto others including pets and make up stories about what they need

• The question to ask yourself when you start obsessing is what am I feeling right now and what story am I making up

• Our codependent behaviors usually start with our own unprocessed emotions not the other person's actual needs

• Projection can happen with anyone in our lives from romantic partners to children to pets

NOTABLE QUOTE

"The thing why codependency is awful is it doesn't work for either person. All it does is affect the relationship and it kills us. We go down the tubes with them." — Dr. Sarah Michaud

Connect With Us

Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com

Buy the Book: Co-Crazy

If you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown.

Hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud. Codependency healing with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up.

For educational and entertainment purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.

Ever wonder why your pet seems cranky despite all your care?

In this eye-opening episode, Sarah and Finn respond to a letter from Bentley, a dog struggling with his codependent owner's over-helping behaviors. Through Bentley's story, they explore how codependent patterns show up in pet relationships and why "helping" can actually harm those we love most.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Codependent behavior with pets mirrors parent-child dynamics where we fix feelings instead of allowing them
• Over-helping pets (or people) removes their opportunity to build self-esteem through their own accomplishments
• When we focus on everyone else's needs while ignoring our own, resentment and anger build up
• Boundaries may start out harsh when we're not used to setting them, but they can be refined with practice
• Pack animals need to interact with their peers, not just be attached to one human
• True helping means allowing others to experience consequences and build their own confidence

NOTABLE QUOTE

"We are not responsible for other people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The most important thing is to notice what is happening for me and what do I need." — Dr. Sarah Michaud

Connect With Us

Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com

Buy the Book: Co-Crazy

If you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown.

Hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud. Codependency healing with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up.

For educational and entertainment purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.

Do you stay when someone you love is spiraling — or do you walk away?

Sarah and Finn sit down with Alex Konicke, author of Evil Among Us, to talk about a family tragedy no one saw coming — and the mental health system that failed them. Alex's older brother Zach struggled with addiction, mental illness, and escalating behavior that culminated in murder and arson. This is a raw conversation about codependency, boundaries, community, and what happens when love isn't enough to save someone.

Key Takeaways

• Mental illness often looks like addiction — and both get missed until it's too late
• Families can enable and protect out of love — and still end up in danger
• Calling 9-1-1 creates a record — and can be the difference between intervention and tragedy
• Grief isn't linear — it spirals, and everyone processes it differently
• Community, therapy, and sharing your story are essential for survival after trauma

Guest Bio

Alex Konicke is the author of Evil Among Us, a memoir about love, loss, mental health, and survival. After losing his mother in a family tragedy involving mental illness and violence, Alex became an advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of boundaries in crisis situations. He lives with his wife and stepchildren and continues to share his story to help others facing similar pain.

Resources and Links

Book: Evil Among Us by Alex Konicke — available on Amazon

Website: alexkonicke.com

Connect with Alex on Facebook and Instagram

Notable Quote

"Just because someone is crazy doesn't mean they're dumb — and just because you love them doesn't mean you're safe."

— Alex Konicke

Connect With Us

Dr. Sarah Michaud, Author of Co Crazy

Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com

If you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown — and share it with a friend ready to reclaim their voice and leave confusion behind.

Leaving CrazyTown is a raw, real-talk podcast hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud, two recovering addicts turned relatable guides on the wild ride of codependency healing. Each episode dives deep into the chaos of dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and emotional recovery — with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up — we're leaving CrazyTown.

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you're struggling, please seek support from a licensed professional.