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430: The Truth About Recovery with Dr. Mala

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

Release Date: 02/07/2025

A New Approach to OCD: Internal Family Systems w/ Melissa Mose

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

In this deeply informative episode, I’m joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Melissa Mose, LMFT, who brings 30 years of clinical experience to the table and a unique approach to treating OCD by integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) with traditional methods like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Melissa shares how a personal experience—her daughter’s sudden-onset OCD—propelled her into the world of OCD treatment and changed the direction of her career. We talk through how OCD manifests, why traditional ERP can be both life-changing and difficult for people,...

Celeb Chef Chris Valdes on Mental Health in Kitchens

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

In this heartfelt and candid episode, I'm joined by Chef Chris Valdes—TV personality, cookbook author, and lifelong culinary artist—to talk about his powerful personal journey through the culinary world and the mental health struggles he’s faced along the way. From growing up in a Cuban restaurant in Miami to rising to national TV fame, Chris has seen both the bright lights and the dark corners of the kitchen. He shares stories of family, grief, hustle, and healing—including why he took a year off from everything to rediscover himself. Whether you're in food service, struggling with...

Dr. Andrea Martinez Talks Gangs, Loss, Depression, and Learning Discernment.

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

Friends, welcome back to the Hardcore Self Help Podcast. This is my first interview back after a bit of a journey. I thought there was no better way to kick off this next phase of the podcast than by introducing you to a friend and brilliant human that I met in the interim. Dr. Amy Andrea Martinez is a professor of sociology with a focus on Chicano gang culture, incarceration, and abolition. She is a total badass, and she gets vulnerable about her experiences in this conversation. We discuss how her younger brother's arrest, the development of her identity as a Xicana woman, her experiences...

The Podcast is Coming Back.

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

Episode Summary: In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Duff returns to the mic after a hiatus to share what’s been going on behind the scenes with The Hardcore Self Help Podcast. He opens up about an almost-acquisition of the show by a larger mental health organization—a deal that initially looked promising but ultimately fell through. With transparency and vulnerability, Dr. Duff reflects on the emotional and professional impact of that experience, explains why the podcast paused, and announces the exciting new direction it’s headed in. What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why the...

437: Multicultural Identity, Somatic Healing, and Embodied Code Switching w/ Marcia Bonato Warren

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

In this insightful interview, I’m joined by Marcia Bonato Warren, a trauma-informed body therapist, somatic counselor, interculturalist, and author. Marcia brings over 30 years of experience working with cross-cultural mental health, and she shares a powerful lens on how identity, culture, and trauma intersect in the body. Together, we explore the concept of embodied code switching, how our bodies carry cultural and ancestral imprints, and how healing often involves not just the mind, but movement, sensation, and deep awareness of the self. Marcia discusses her personal journey as a...

436: Facing Horrific Family Trauma & Finding Joy After Divorce

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

In this episode, Dr. Duff takes on two powerful listener questions in a raw and compassionate Q&A format. The first question comes from a survivor of extensive childhood abuse, religious trauma, and complex family dynamics, who is wrestling with the decision of whether or not to publish a deeply personal memoir. Dr. Duff dives into the emotional, psychological, and ethical layers of this situation, offering validation, insight, and a heartfelt reminder that healing and storytelling can be acts of empowerment. The second question comes from a newly single parent facing feelings of...

435: Moving Past infidelity & Coping with Sudden Medication Changes

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

In this episode, I address two deeply personal listener questions that highlight the complex nature of anxiety and emotional healing in relationships. The first question comes from a listener who has struggled with anxiety for most of their life, recently facing severe limitations due to Generalized Anxiety Disorder and medication changes. We talk about the genetic components of anxiety, the risks of benzodiazepines in older adults, and the importance of advocating for the right care—even if that means seeking new providers or considering higher levels of treatment. The second question dives...

An Update From Robert

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

Just a quick update! Back to regularly scheduled programming next week!

Chapter From My NEW BOOK - Bipolar Answers

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

Pre-Order Bipolar Answers In this special episode, Dr. Robert Duff announces the pre-order launch of his latest book, Bipolar Answers: Questions from Real People Answered by a Real Psychologist. To celebrate, he provides listeners with an exclusive reading of the book’s introduction and one full chapter, giving a firsthand look at what to expect. This book is built from real questions asked on The Hardcore Self Help Podcast, expanded with deeper insights, case studies, and practical strategies for managing bipolar disorder. Dr. Duff shares details about the book’s structure, how it...

433: Stuck in Trauma & Embarrassed by Emotional Reactions

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

Episode 433: Navigating PTSD Triggers & Overcoming Shame In this episode of The Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I tackle two listener questions related to PTSD, trauma, and the emotional challenges that come with them. The first question is from someone who is deeply affected by their environment, living in a house that serves as a constant PTSD trigger. They want to move forward but feel completely stuck. The second question is about dealing with strong emotional reactions in public and the embarrassment that follows. I offer compassionate, practical advice to help both listeners begin taking...

More Episodes

Episode 430: Integrative Approaches to Recovery with Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri

In this episode of The Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri, also known as Dr. Mala, to discuss her integrative approach to addiction recovery, rehabilitation, and mental health treatment. Dr. Mala shares her personal journey that led her into the field, the importance of holistic and individualized treatment, and how she has worked to break down barriers in accessing quality care.

What We Cover in This Episode:

Dr. Mala’s personal journey into psychology and addiction recovery work
The challenges of pushing for integrative mental health care
How trauma informed her approach to treatment
The importance of cultural competence in mental health and recovery
Understanding addiction recovery as a non-linear process
The necessity of breaking isolation in the recovery journey
The evolving role of virtual therapy and accessibility in mental health care
How alternative and holistic approaches such as yoga, meditation, and adventure therapy are valuable in rehabilitation
The role of family and loved ones in supporting recovery
How to advocate for personalized treatment if current options aren’t working
Resources available through Recovery.com for both individuals and families

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Mala and her background
02:00 – How Dr. Mala entered the field of psychology and recovery
06:00 – Why she emphasizes integrative approaches in treatment
10:00 – Challenges in advocating for a holistic recovery model
12:00 – Misconceptions about addiction and recovery
16:00 – The importance of connection and breaking isolation
21:00 – Alternative therapeutic approaches that work
27:00 – The role of family and community in recovery
33:00 – Steps to take if current treatment isn’t effective
38:00 – Recovery.com and available resources
44:00 – Final words of wisdom for those struggling or supporting a loved one

If you found this episode helpful, please consider sharing it with someone who might benefit. And as always, take care of yourself!

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