An Evolving Man Podcast
An Evolving Man Podcast explores leadership, emotional intelligence, trauma, healing and peak performance.
Hosted by Piers Cross, the show features conversations with leading psychologists, psychiatrists, executive coaches, authors, researchers and high-performance leaders, alongside solo episodes on leadership, resilience, relationships and personal transformation.
Drawing on the latest research in psychology, neuroscience, attachment, trauma and human performance, the podcast helps leaders develop greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the capacity to lead with clarity, compassion and courage.
Whether you are a CEO, founder, entrepreneur or aspiring leader, each episode offers practical insights to help you thrive professionally while creating a more meaningful and connected life.
An Evolving Man Podcast
Why We Stay Stuck in Addiction | Alcohol, Trauma & Grief with Colleen Clifford | AEM #169
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What is the story beneath addictive behaviour?
In Episode 169 of An Evolving Man Podcast, Piers Cross speaks with commercial fisherwoman, health coach, speaker and alcohol-free living advocate Colleen Clifford.
Colleen spent more than three decades working in Alaska’s commercial fishing industry. Months at sea without alcohol made it easier for her to believe that her binge drinking was under control—even when episodes of drinking continued to create consequences in her life.
She also shares the devastating loss of her husband by suicide and the long process of grief, depression and healing that followed.
Their conversation moves beyond alcohol itself to explore the beliefs and wounds underneath destructive behaviour.
While writing her memoir, Colleen recognised that a traumatic experience at nineteen had left her carrying an unconscious belief that she was unlovable. She began to see how that story had influenced relationships, risk-taking, drinking and the fiercely independent persona she developed.
Piers and Colleen discuss trauma, emotional avoidance, shame, asking for help, hyper-independence and the parallels between institutional environments such as ships and boarding schools.
They also explore Colleen’s 95/5 trap: when a behaviour appears manageable 95% of the time, it can be easy to dismiss the 5% in which things become chaotic or dangerous.
Colleen finishes with practical suggestions for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol: take an honest inventory, identify your personal reason for change, find support and avoid becoming paralysed by the idea that you must make a decision “forever.”
A compassionate conversation about binge drinking, addiction, grief, suicide loss, trauma, shame and discovering the story beneath the behaviour.
Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide, alcohol misuse and traumatic loss.
For UK listeners who need someone to talk to, Samaritans can be reached free on 116 123.
Find Colleen:
https://lifebeyondthebinge.com
Find Piers:
https://piers-cross.com
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Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems.
He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man.
He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1
For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross
For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic
For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community
Many blessings,
Piers Cross
http://piers-cross.com/