Episode 18: Breaking Through Addiction: Hannah Mirmiran's Story of Brokenness and Recovery

In this episode, Broken co-host Hannah Mirmiran shares her own story of brokenness.

The episode begins with co-host Alexa thanking listeners for their feedback and support, especially to previous show guest, Melissa Mueller, who shared her story of recovering from an eating disorder. Alexa encourages listeners to contact the show to share feedback and reactions. Listeners are also encouraged to rate and review the podcast, and to subscribe on iTunes.

Hannah shares that she was inspired by Melissa and other guests to share her own story of brokenness.

Hannah reminds listeners that historically, therapists have embraced a "blank slate" approach and have not disclosed anything personal to clients. Hannah talks about the reasons and benefits of this approach and also discusses the potential value of therapeutic disclosure and therapists who choose to be more open about their lives and experiences. Hannah encourages listeners who prefer the "blank slate" approach to not listen to this episode. 

Alexa interviews Hannah about her life story. Hannah shares details about her history and discusses difficult life experiences she encountered. She talks about how she started using alcohol to manage anxiety and difficult emotions, and how she learned to turn to alcohol repeatedly to cope with stressful life events. She discusses her struggles with alcohol and her struggle to find recovery.

Hannah openly shares about her marriage, becoming a mother, experiencing miscarriages, and her path to becoming a therapist and finding balance as a wife, mother, and therapist. She talks about the difficulties in her marriage and the decision to end her marriage. She vulnerably shares about her painful divorce experience, the shame and grief she experienced, her struggle transitioning to life as a single mother, her pattern of people pleasing, and how she relied on alcohol to cope with  divorce. Hannah then shares her story of hitting a bottom and feeling broken, how she asked for help, and the path she took to find recovery.

Hannah opens up about how she changed her life, let go of shame, became more authentic, found her voice, and created a new life that she's proud of.

Hannah thanks everyone who has supported her and has given her a second chance.

Resources:

Hannah Mirmiran and Alexa Theisen are both therapists and coaches who practice at Omaha Psychotherapy. omahapsychotherapy.com . [phone] . 

Song: "You're Gonna Be Okay", written by Jenn Johnson, sung by Brian and Jenn Johnson, released 2017 by Bethel Music.