The holidays have a way of turning up the volume on codependency — expectations, guilt, fear of disappointing others, and the pressure to “just make it work.” In this honest holiday wrap-up, Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud review what actually helped, what didn’t, and how clear communication became the difference between resentment and relief. From navigating COVID plans to managing adult kids’ expectations, this episode offers real-life examples of boundaries in action — imperfect, human, and effective.Takeaways

• Clear communication prevents resentment — even when it feels uncomfortable

• Being honest about what you want doesn’t make you selfish

• Boundaries work best when you release the need to control others’ reactions

• Avoiding discomfort creates long-term emotional “ick”

• Holidays don’t require self-abandonment to be meaningful

Key Timestamps

• [00:01:00] Why being “wishy-washy” fuels codependency

• [00:02:30] Navigating COVID, family expectations, and guilt

• [00:04:00] Saying what you want without managing others’ feelings

• [00:06:30] Holiday spirals and parental guilt

• [00:07:30] Choosing clarity over emotional chaos

Notable Resources

• Dr. Sarah Michaud — Author of Co Crazy

• Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

• Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

If this episode resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s still unpacking their holiday “stuff.”

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.

Episode Description

What happens when peak physical endurance collides with life-altering diagnosis? In this powerful episode of Leaving CrazyTown, Dr. Sarah Michaud sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds—nonprofit CEO, Ironman triathlete, and two-time cancer survivor—to unpack what it really means to do hard things. Jeffrey shares how endurance training prepared him for cancer treatment, how vulnerability reshaped his relationships, and why strength isn’t about avoiding fear—it’s about learning to run alongside it. This is an honest, grounded conversation about mortality, resilience, masculinity, and choosing presence over panic.

Key Takeaways

• Why fitness is not the same as health

• How endurance training builds emotional grit—not just physical stamina

• The hidden cost (and gift) of vulnerability, especially for men

• What cancer teaches us about priorities, presence, and legacy

• Why letting people help you is sometimes a gift to them

Key Timestamps

• 02:00 – From a spontaneous 5K to Ironman training
• 08:00 – “I did Ironman with cancer”
• 14:00 – Fitness vs. health: an important distinction
• 23:00 – Vulnerability, masculinity, and male friendships
• 37:00 – Rest, burnout, and rethinking productivity
• 41:00 – Legacy, meaning, and what truly matters

Notable Resources & Links

• Book: Every Mile Matters by Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds

• Website: EveryMileMatters.com

• Author Site: JeffreyReynolds.com

If this episode resonated, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown—and share it with someone facing something hard.

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

What if the fastest way out of resentment, anxiety, and emotional spirals was the one thing most of us avoid? In this episode, Finn and Dr. Sarah break down why speaking directly to the person who upset you is one of the most powerful tools in codependency recovery. With real-life stories, humor, and practical guidance, they show how confronting discomfort leads to clarity, intimacy, and emotional freedom—and why avoiding the conversation costs you far more in the long run.

Takeaways

• Making up stories in your head creates resentment, not safety

• Avoidance is a core codependency pattern that keeps you stuck

• Speaking directly builds intimacy—even when it feels risky

• Preparation matters: regulate before you communicate

• Short-term discomfort creates long-term emotional freedom

Key Timestamps

[00:01] Why we avoid the person who upset us

[00:03] The danger of making up stories in your head

[00:05] Deciding if a relationship is worth addressing

[00:07] How to prepare emotionally before the conversation

[00:10] Speaking without blame or defensiveness

[00:12] Choosing courage over gossip and resentment

Notable Resources

• Dr. Sarah Michaud – Author of Co Crazy

• Follow @leavingcrazytown on YouTube

• Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

If this episode hit home, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown—and share it with someone who’s been stuck rehearsing conversations instead of having them.

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.