When Sobriety Meets Mental Health: Jason Mayo’s Unfiltered Recovery Story

This week, Finn and Dr. Sarah welcome writer and recovery advocate Jason Mayo, author of In Case of Emergency: Break Childhood and founder of Sober Not Subtle. In this honest and often hilarious conversation, Jason opens up about the hidden trauma of childhood divorce, the messy intersection of mental health and sobriety, and the art of starting over without self-destructing. Together they unpack perfectionism, parenting, depression, and why “connection is the opposite of addiction.”

Key Takeaways:

• Trauma isn’t just tragedy — it’s the quiet disconnection that shapes how we love and cope.

• “I’m not a bad person getting good; I’m a sick person getting well.”

• Mental health and recovery aren’t separate stories — they’re one healing arc.

• Boundaries are love in action: “No” is a full sentence.

• Connection and purpose are the antidotes to isolation and burnout.

Timestamps:

[00:01:00] Jason’s recovery story — from emotional bottom to connection.

[00:06:00] Marriage in sobriety and rebuilding trust after addiction.

[00:13:00] The “three C’s” of marriage — a hilarious family lesson.

[00:15:00] The ACEs test and realizing childhood divorce as trauma.

[00:18:00] What trauma really is — and why it never fully disappears.

[00:25:00] Mental health crisis and what real support looks like.

[00:31:00] How sharing pain turns into purpose.

[00:35:00] Why men struggle to talk about emotions — and how to start.

[00:41:00] Recovery, community, and the healing power of connection.

[00:44:00] Jason’s top two recovery tools: boundaries and purpose.

Resources Mentioned:

• In Case of Emergency: Break Childhood by Jason Mayo

• SoberNotSubtle.com

• Co-Crazy by Dr. Sarah Michaud

• Gabor Maté – The Myth of Normal

• Peter Levine – Waking the Tiger

• Dr. Sarah Michaud, PsyD — Author of Co Crazy

• Leaving CrazyTown YouTube Channel

• Website: https://drsarahmichaud.com/

If this conversation hit home, share it with a friend in recovery who’s learning to set boundaries or find their voice.

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 dysfunctional relationships, identity loss, and emotional recovery—with humor, honesty, and hope.Subscribe, rate, and review—and share with a friend who’s ready to leave CrazyTown.