Living a Life in Balance - PODCAST cover art

Living a Life in Balance - PODCAST

Living a Life in Balance - PODCAST

By: Abdullah Boulad
Listen for free

About this listen

Founder & CEO of THE BALANCE RehabClinic | Book Author & Podcast Host of "Living a Life in Balance" | Global Expert in Mental Health & Wellbeing

I lead one of the world’s most exclusive mental health and addiction treatment brands, helping global leaders, creatives, and high-net-worth individuals find deep healing and personal transformation. Through my podcast, I explore the intersection of psychology, purpose, and wellbeing.


This Podcast is dedicated to meaningful conversations about mental health, well-being, and the challenges we face today. It is part of my ongoing commitment to supporting people in navigating complex emotional and psychological struggles. Through open discussions with leading experts in the industry, I aim to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and offer valuable insights that can make a real difference.

https://balancerehabclinic.com

© 2026 Abdullah Boulad
Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Understanding Chronic Pain: And Its Role in the Opioid Epidemic
    Apr 1 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Chronic pain affects millions of people around the world. Yet many patients are still told that if scans look normal, the problem must be “in their head.”

    In reality, chronic pain is far more complex. It involves the brain, the nervous system, emotional regulation, and the way the body responds to stress and trauma.

    In this episode of Living a Life in Balance, Abdullah Boulad is joined by Dr. Mel Pohl for a deep conversation about chronic pain, addiction medicine, and the mind-body connection.

    Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Pohl explains why traditional medical models often struggle to treat chronic pain effectively. The discussion explores how addiction medicine intersected with pain treatment during the opioid epidemic, and why a deeper understanding of the nervous system is essential for long-term recovery.

    The conversation also examines how trauma, stress, loneliness, and emotional regulation influence pain perception. Dr. Pohl discusses the role of the vagus nerve, Polyvagal Theory, and why safety and co-regulation are critical factors in healing.

    Rather than focusing on quick fixes, this episode looks at the gradual process of restoring balance within the nervous system and helping individuals regain agency over their lives.

    Topics explored in this conversation include:

    • The evolution of addiction treatment and lessons from the opioid crisis
    • Why high-functioning professionals are not immune to addiction
    • The relationship between chronic pain, trauma, and the nervous system
    • How thoughts, stress, and attention shape the experience of pain
    • Polyvagal Theory and the role of the vagus nerve in healing
    • Why integrative approaches are changing how chronic pain is treated

    This conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on one of the most misunderstood conditions in modern medicine.

    About Dr. Mel Pohl: Dr. Mel is a physician specializing in addiction medicine and chronic pain treatment. With decades of clinical experience, his work focuses on the intersection between substance use disorders, pain management, and the nervous system, emphasizing integrative approaches that address both the biological and psychological dimensions of healing.

    00:00:00 — Dr. Mel Pohl’s Path into Addiction Medicine
    00:01:05 — Why Doctors Specialize in Addiction Treatment
    00:01:29 — Early Addiction Treatment and Aversion Therapy
    00:04:57 — The Opioid Epidemic and Chronic Pain
    00:05:35 — Addiction Among High-Functioning Professionals
    00:08:21 — Recovery Models and Alcoholics Anonymous
    00:10:27 — The Evolution of Addiction Treatment
    00:13:10 — Why There Are No Quick Fixes in Addiction Recovery
    00:13:41 — Dr. Mel Pohl’s Personal Experience with Chronic Pain
    00:16:06 — Why Back Surgery Often Fails Chronic Pain Patients
    00:18:29 — What Chronic Pain Really Is
    00:21:16 — How the Brain Influences Pain Perception
    00:25:07 — Psychological Approaches to Chronic Pain
    00:28:16 — The Vagus Nerve and Polyvagal Theory
    00:32:29 — Trauma, Co-Regulation, and the Nervous System
    00:34:28 — Placebo, Nocebo, and the Power of the Doctor-Patient Relationship
    00:39:19 — Integrative Medicine and the Mind-Body Connection
    00:42:50 — Self-Regulation Tools for Chronic Pain
    00:49:18 — Trauma, Stress, and Chronic Pain
    00:57:38 — The Future of Chronic Pain Treatment

    Follow Abdullah Boulad:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/
    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/

    Follow Dr Mel Pohl:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-pohl-4b104914/

    You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51

    Follow The Balance Rehab Clinic:
    https://www.linkedin.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Sex & Porn Addiction: Understanding Compulsive Behaviour and Recovery
    Mar 18 2026

    Send a text

    What is the difference between a high sex drive and compulsive sexual behaviour? How does internet pornography affect the brain, relationships, and emotional regulation? And why are more people seeking help for porn and sex addiction than ever before?

    In this in-depth conversation, psychotherapist and addiction specialist Paula Hall shares her clinical perspective on compulsive sexual behaviour, pornography addiction, and the psychological mechanisms that drive these patterns. She reflects on her professional journey from marketing into psychotherapy and explains what led her to specialize in working with individuals and couples affected by sex and porn addiction.

    Drawing on decades of therapeutic experience, Paula Hall explores the growing impact of digital pornography, the emotional and neurological factors that contribute to compulsive behaviour, and why shame and misunderstanding often prevent people from seeking help. She explains the difference between high libido and addiction, the role of stress and emotional regulation, and how early exposure to online pornography can affect adolescent brain development and relationship expectations later in life.

    The conversation explores:
    • Compulsive sexual behaviour and the debate around sex addiction
    • The neurological impact of internet pornography and dopamine
    • Why men are more commonly affected by porn addiction
    • Early exposure to pornography and adolescent brain vulnerability
    • Recognizing the warning signs of compulsive sexual behaviour
    • Shame, stigma, and cultural misunderstandings around porn use
    • The impact of pornography on relationships and intimacy

    This episode offers both clinical insight and practical understanding for anyone interested in behavioural addiction, relationship health, digital culture, and the evolving challenges of pornography in modern society.

    About Paula Hall:
    Paula Hall is a UK-based psychotherapist, author, and leading specialist in the treatment of sex and pornography addiction. She is a Senior Accredited Sexual and Relationship Psychotherapist at The Laurel Centre and the Founder of Pivotal Recovery CIC. Paula is also a widely recognized author and broadcaster who has written extensively on addiction, relationships, and recovery.

    00:00 Sex & Porn Addiction Statistics and Global Impact
    01:05 Introducing Dr. Paula Hall | Sex and Porn Addiction Specialist
    03:13 Dr. Paula Hall’s Journey from Marketing to Sex Therapy
    05:29 Why She Specialized in Sex Addiction Therapy
    06:32 Is Sex Addiction Real? Understanding Compulsive Sexual Behaviour
    08:45 Compulsive Sexual Behaviour vs High Libido
    10:24 Emotional Regulation, Stress, and Coping Through Sexual Behaviour
    12:08 Why Men Are More Affected by Porn and Sex Addiction
    13:36 Recognizing the Signs of Porn and Sex Addiction
    16:47 Internet Pornography and the Rise of Digital Addiction
    18:31 Porn Addiction vs Sex Addiction
    21:41 Why Porn Addiction Cases Are Increasing
    24:10 Impact of Pornography on Young Adults and Relationships
    27:18 Early Exposure to Porn and Adolescent Brain Vulnerability
    31:34 Parenting, Prevention, and Digital Awareness
    35:12 Shame, Misconceptions, and Cultural Conversations About Porn
    41:41 Porn Addiction, Dopamine, and the Brain
    45:52 Treatment and Recovery for Porn and Sex Addiction
    50:33 Relationship Trauma, Disclosure, and Rebuilding Trust
    57:00 Long-Term Recovery, Sex Positivity, and Final Advice

    Follow Abdullah Boulad:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/
    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/

    Follow Dr Paula Hall:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-hall/

    You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/A

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • The Shadows of Childhood and Generational Trauma: The Hidden Roots of Addiction and Mental Illness
    Mar 4 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    What are the lasting effects of childhood trauma, generational addiction, chronic stress, and unresolved grief on adult mental health?

    In this in-depth conversation, mental health and diagnostic expert Dr. James Flowers shares the personal experiences that shaped his clinical philosophy and approach to integrative psychiatry. Growing up in South Texas in a family affected by dysfunction, alcoholism, emotional adversity, and repeated loss, he reflects on how early life environments shape identity, coping patterns, overachievement, and vulnerability across generations.

    With more than twenty five years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of chronic pain and co occurring addiction, Dr. Flowers explains why modern psychiatry often moves too quickly toward diagnosis and medication without fully understanding root causes. He discusses the risks of fragmented care and standardized treatment models, and introduces his comprehensive 360 degree psychiatric evaluation approach known as the Living MRI. This model integrates medical testing, neuropsychology, hormones, nutrition, inflammation, brain imaging, and longitudinal assessment to understand the whole person rather than isolated symptoms.

    The conversation explores:

    • Generational trauma and addiction cycles
    • Emotional abuse and high functioning coping patterns
    • Workaholism as a trauma adaptation
    • Complicated grief and cumulative loss
    • The connection between chronic pain and addiction
    • Neuroplasticity and brain healing
    • Holistic and integrative psychiatric care
    • Affordable residential treatment models
    • Boundaries, self care, and spirituality in long term recovery

    This episode offers both personal insight and clinical depth for anyone interested in trauma psychology, addiction recovery, brain health, and the evolving future of modern mental health treatment.

    About James Flowers: For more than 25 years, Dr. James has been one of the most recognized and respected names in the field of chronic pain, pain recovery, and addiction. With his broad educational background and extensive experience in both the evaluation and treatment of chronic pain and co-occurring addiction, he is recognized as an expert.

    00:00:00 Introduction to Dr. James Flowers and his clinical mission
    00:02:17 Childhood in South Texas and early family dysfunction
    00:04:56 Generational addiction and emotional abuse
    00:06:03 Loss, workaholism, and family instability
    00:08:17 Death, grief, and academic resilience
    00:12:32 Healthy coping mechanisms and overachievement
    00:14:53 Therapy, early intervention, and lifelong support
    00:18:03 Understanding family dysfunction and trauma cycles
    00:21:56 Trauma, wealth, and generational behavioral patterns
    00:25:34 Choosing psychology and psychiatry as a calling
    00:29:26 The evolution of modern mental health resources
    00:34:04 The risks of fast psychiatric diagnoses
    00:37:31 The Living MRI comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
    00:42:02 Moving beyond standardized mental health treatment
    00:43:14 The Jay Flowers Health Institute model
    00:48:32 Accessibility and barriers to quality mental health care
    00:51:28 Building an affordable residential treatment model
    00:52:42 Vision, purpose, and manifestation in clinical practice
    01:07:38 Neuroplasticity and healing the brain after trauma
    01:13:03 Boundaries, balance, and sustainable self care
    01:21:01 Spirituality, compassion, and final reflections

    Follow Abdullah Boulad:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/
    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/

    Follow Dr James Flowers:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflowersphd/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 25 mins
No reviews yet