Leaving CrazyTown16 Sep 2025

How Codependency Hijacks Communication (And What To Do About It)

In this raw and relatable episode, Finn and Sarah unpack the sneaky ways codependency shows up as manipulation—even when we think we’re just being “nice.” From passive food suggestions to emotional baiting and over-gifting, they break down three classic behaviors that masquerade as care but actually come from fear, control, or discomfort with directness.

Key Takeaways:

Manipulation often hides behind passivity, politeness, or “helping.”

Asking someone what they want when you’re hungry is not the same as expressing your own need.

Emotional baiting ("I might get kicked out...") can trigger codependent rescuing.

Over-gifting or “fixing” someone’s problem without consent undermines intimacy.

True kindness is direct, respectful, and leaves space for choice.

Key Timestamps:

[00:01:00] – Why codependents struggle to state their needs directly

[00:05:00] – Food, frustration, and the fallout of passive manipulation

[00:08:00] – Emotional baiting and the illusion of connection

[00:12:00] – Gift-giving and fixing: when “help” becomes control

Notable Resources:

Dr. Sarah Michaud’s book Co Crazy

Follow Finn and Sarah on YouTube: @LeavingCrazyTown

Friendly CTA:

🎧 Subscribe, review, and send this episode to a friend still stuck in “nice mode.”

Codependency Recovery: 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. Come for the truth bombs, stay for the laughter, and leave with a renewed sense of agency.

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Episoder(110)

Why Do You Care?

Why do certain things disturb us so much? Finn and Sarah dive deep into the unexpected power of asking, "Why do I care?" They explore the control we crave, the disturbances we face, and the freedom fo...

1 Sep 10min

Understanding Codependency vs. Love

Are you confusing love with codependency in your relationships? In this episode, Finn and Sarah explore the tangled web of love and codependency. They use relatable stories to differentiate between he...

25 Aug 12min

Why Safety Is the Sexiest Thing You Never Knew You Needed

Why do you automatically move to the side when a man walks toward you? In this raw Boozeless Book Club episode, Dr. Sarah join guest Anne Marie to unpack Florence Given's Women Don't Owe You Pretty — ...

18 Aug 52min

Diagnoses: Help or Hindrance?

How does a mental health diagnosis shape your life? Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud invite fellow therapist and recovery expert Beth Lacey to dissect the world of mental health diagnoses. They explore the ...

12 Aug 45min

Healing Codependency with Communication

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4 Aug 10min

When Codependency Runs Amok

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28 Jul 13min

14 Contact Lenses in Her Eye: A Wake-Up Call About Medical Gaslighting

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21 Jul 53min

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Are you chasing perfectionism at the cost of your well-being?Justin Kinney shares his gripping journey from rock bottom to redemption, revealing the struggles of perfectionism and the path to recovery...

14 Jul 42min