Hopeful Living

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This podcast provides a mother's/wife's/daughter's/sister's perspective of living through addiction and recovery. I will share my story of going from surviving to thriving to help others know there is always hope.

Crystal Merck


    • Feb 26, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Hopeful Living

    Attachment Styles: Anxious Attachment

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 27:06


    In this episode, I discuss the anxious attachment style. Attachment styles were new for me 7 years ago, but I have learned about my attachment style and how it affects all of my relationships. It has been a long journey and is defiantly still a work in progress for me. On Attachment Podcast with Stephanie Rigg Anxiously Attached by Jessica Baum, LMHC

    Cognitive Dissonance: The Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2023 11:59


    Cognitive dissonance is defined by Leon Festinger as "The state of tension that occurs when a person holds two cognitions that are psychologically inconsistent with each other." In this episode, I share how cognitive dissonance came into play in my marital relationship and how I broke free and stood in my truth.

    The 3 Cs: Control, Cure, Cause

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2022 16:32


    In this episode I explore the 3 Cs, I can't control it (addiction), I can't cure it, I didn't cause it. I will explore how I might have contributed to my loved ones addiction and how I navigated the tricky waters to stop.

    What can jumping from 14,000 feet teach you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 19:31


    In this episode, I talk about my experience sky diving and how it helped me truly understand trust. Join me as I talk about being vulnerable, practicing your values and taking care of yourself!

    Scratched Eye = Compassion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2020 11:09


    This is the first episode of session two! I am excited to share a new season of hope with everyone. In this episode, I describe the overwhelming feeling of compassion I felt when I had a simple scratched eye. I realize for a brief moment, what our loved ones fighting addition feel on a daily basis. Listen to find out a few of the topics I will be discussing this session.

    Opening the mail bag and a reflection about Father's Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2020 17:10


    On this episode of the podcast, I answer listener questions. Join me as I talk about how I knew, what my first steps were, and how I continue to get better each day.

    Mindfulness, what's it all about?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2020 12:11


    In this episode of the podcast, I give a brief introduction to mindfulness and how it helped me along my journey.

    Why this podcast, and why now?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020 6:18


    Listen to find out my why.

    Rising Strong

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2020 15:41


    This week I share my thoughts about the recent events in America. I stand with my friends and loved ones, you matter.

    Week 6: Early Intervention Plan and Contract For Living At Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 22:20


    In this weeks episode, Zac and I talk about the early intervention plan and our contract for living at home.

    Week 5: Special Guest Zac Hunter Joins the Discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 17:58


    During week 5 of inpatient treatment, Zac and I both made a lot of life changing decisions. Listen to hear how we navigated all of the advice, and ultimately made our own choices keeping in mind what the counselors suggested. It was a week filled with many highs and lows but also one that changed the corse of both of journeys. 

    Week 4: Parents Weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020 20:32


    In this episode, I take you through the parents weekend I attended during the fourth week of my son's inpatient treatment. I talk about grief, seething boundaries, and feeling free for the first time in a long time.

    Week 3: Mother's Day

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2020 7:03


    This episode is dedicated to my mom friends that have lost their children to addiction. During week three I begin to learn about enabling and how I could be contributing to my sons addiction.

    Week Two: So Many First

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2020 15:02


    Week two was full of so many first. I discovered humility and learned that I had a lot of work to do for myself. I talked to Zac for the first time in two weeks and felt a peace that I can't describe.

    The first week

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 13:07


    During the first week that my son was in treatment, I spent many hours crying. I learned during that week that it was ok not to be perfect and that I was worthy of love and belonging. Listen to hear how I made it through the first week, and where I am four years later.

    April 20th, 2016: The day our journey began

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 8:02


    April 20th will always hold a special place in our family. Listen to find out how our journey began and where we are four years later.

    Where was God?: Victory Comes After the Darkness

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 7:08


    There were many times, during my journey, that I wondered where God was and how he could let this happen. Listen to find out how I found my faith again during the darkness.

    Shame vs. Guilt, what's the difference?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 10:04


    There is a difference between shame and guilt and knowing the difference can be life altering. Listen to find out how to call your shame gremlins into the light!

    The Title: Why did I choose Hopeful Living?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2020 8:36


    Listen to find out how the power of hope transformed my life and helped me find myself during a dark time.

    Does the journey ever end?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2020 6:16


    In this episode, I explore a question I get a lot; Does this journey ever end? Listen to find out how I answer this question, and to gain some practical advice on navigating your own way through recovery.

    Boundaries: what's it all about?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020 9:07


    Boundaries have always been a difficult subject for me. Listen to hear how I have navigated boundaries and what I have learned along my journey.

    Romance vs. Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2020 5:06


    This episode explores what it means to face the reality of your situation. Listen to find out how I first accepted the reality of my situation.

    Where is the checklist?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2020 5:28


    I wanted so desperately for someone to give me the checklist. I quickly learned there was no checklist, no right or wrong, only support and love. Listen for advise on how to navigate and build you own checklist.

    Hopeful Living: Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2020 1:29


    Welcome to the podcast Hopeful Living. Join me as I talk about my journey from surviving to thriving as I navigated my way through the disease of addiction.

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