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Johnny Graaff joined Abdullah Boulad for an honest and reflective conversation about how addiction develops over time, often beginning in adolescence with the need to belong, fit in, and feel comfortable in social environments. Drawing on lived experience, the discussion explores how substance use can evolve and shift, from alcohol to drugs to prescription medication, when underlying struggles are never fully addressed.

The episode also looks at neurodivergence, trauma, and emotional regulation, and why it can be difficult to separate the two without proper understanding and support. Johnny reflects on the changing landscape of youth mental health, the impact of technology and social media, and how constant access, comparison, and isolation shape anxiety, behavior, and identity in young people today.

Beyond individual experience, the conversation widens to include parenting, freedom, and the loss of community spaces, as well as broader challenges within mental health systems. It offers a grounded perspective on recovery as a process shaped not by force or quick fixes, but by accountability, care, and knowing when to apply support with firmness and compassion.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on addiction recovery, mental health, neurodiversity, and why meaningful change often begins with a single, difficult decision.

About Johnny:
Johnny Graaff is the Founder of Lions Campus and has spent many years working in addiction recovery and youth mental health services. His work focuses on understanding complex patterns of substance use, emotional regulation, and behavioral change, as well as the environments that shape them. Through both professional practice and lived experience, Johnny brings a deeply human perspective to conversations around recovery, responsibility, and long-term support. He is also an experienced investor in the behavioral health industry.

00:00:00 – Introduction to Johnny Graaf
00:02:15 – Motivation and Entry into Mental Health Field
00:04:18 – Early Neurodiversity and School Challenges
00:08:27 – Family Dynamics and Enabling
00:09:38 – Addiction Onset and Substance Use
00:12:58 – Treatment Attempts and Final Recovery
00:17:01 – Mental Health Diagnoses and Psychiatric Care
00:18:30 – Critique of Addiction Treatment Models
00:19:47 – Post-Recovery Career and Founding Lyons Campus
00:21:19 – Motivation for Working with Young People
00:22:58 – Genetics, Family History, and Addiction
00:24:52 – Empathy for Young Clients and Brain Development
00:26:21 – Lack of Youth Services and Systemic Issues
00:29:10 – NHS, Private Sector, and Healthcare Economics
00:31:29 – Trends in Teen Issues: Technology and Substance Use
00:36:14 – Social Media, Hyper-Connectivity, and Parenting
00:40:20 – Loss of Freedom and Community for Youth
00:42:35 – Lyons Campus: Reintegration and Program Structure
00:43:47 – Program Details and Team Ethos
00:49:51 – Client Selection and Family Involvement
00:50:58 – Advice for Families and Family Therapy
00:52:14 – Innovation and Gaps in Mental Health Services
00:54:59 – Industry Trends and Collaboration
00:58:53 – Personal Balance and Self-Care
01:00:53 – Final Wisdom

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Johan Sorensen, Founder of Portobello Behavioural Health, joined Abdullah Boulad for a thoughtful conversation on how early disruption and emotional overwhelm can shape behaviour long before they are fully understood. Drawing on personal experience, the discussion reflects on how unhealthy patterns can become normalized, how boundaries are crossed gradually rather than suddenly, and how awareness often emerges quietly as a sense that something no longer feels right.

The episode also expands the conversation beyond narrow ideas of recovery. It examines how outcomes are measured, why abstinence alone is not enough, and how connection, kindness, and accessible support play a central role in lasting change.

Tune in for a conversation that offers a grounded, human understanding of recovery as a process shaped by environment, relationships, and care.

Johan Sorensen has spent more than 25 years working in mental health care. Over that time, he has set up and led treatment facilities and programmes across the UK, the Middle East, and the United States. Trained initially as a therapist, Johan has worked across every stage of service delivery, from direct clinical work to programme development and leadership. He has also served on charitable boards and consulted with the media on issues related to mental health and addiction. He later founded Portobello Behavioural Health to focus on personalised, practical solutions that support individuals, families, and organisations throughout the full continuum of care.

00:00:00 – Early Life and Family Pressure
00:01:03 – Meet Johan Sorenson
00:03:03 – First Exposure to Addiction and Family History
00:07:08 – Father’s Addiction and Family Impact
00:10:16 – Parents’ Divorce and Substance Escalation
00:12:49 – The Moment That Broke the Spell
00:14:48 – AA, Kindness, and Early Recovery
00:17:14 – Residential Treatment and Group Work
00:20:51 – Genetics and Talking to His Kids
00:23:54 – One-Size Doesn’t Fit All in Recovery
00:26:30 – 12-Step Reflections and Compassionate Care
00:29:13 – Why Relapse Rates Are Misleading
00:32:08 – What Works and What Doesn’t in Treatment
00:35:07 – Regulation, Policy, and Political Gaps
00:39:34 – Behavioral Health Coaching as a Bridge
00:41:09 – Learning from Global Models of Care
00:48:16 – The Referral Fee Controversy
00:57:29 – Founding Portobello and Individualized Coaching
01:08:10 – Cultural Sensitivity and Client Dependency
01:25:09 – Connection Heals

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You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

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Natasha Silverbell, Founder and CEO of Silverbell Global, joined Abdullah Boulad for an open and deeply human conversation about addiction, recovery, and the long journey back to self. She shares her path from public success to private struggle, speaking about substance use, emotional numbness, shame, relapse, and the moments that led her toward sobriety, healing, and a redefined sense of spirituality.

Together, they explore what ethical, sustainable recovery truly looks like, from building multidisciplinary teams and addressing gaps in aftercare to balancing leadership, motherhood, boundaries, and self-care.

Tune in for a conversation that is honest, thoughtful, and grounded, one that speaks to the reality of recovery as a lived, evolving process rather than a fixed destination.

About Natasha Silverbell:
Natasha is the Founder of Silverbell Global and a recovery coach with lived experience at the heart of her work. Drawing from her personal journey and years of professional practice, she supports individuals and organizations in building ethical, compassionate, and sustainable approaches to recovery and leadership.

For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/

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You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

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Dr. Louise Stanger, a licensed clinical social worker with more than 35 years of experience, author, and global parenting expert, joins Abdullah Boulad for a deeply human conversation on grief, resilience, family patterns, and the moments that quietly shape our lives.

She reflects on losing a child to SIDS, the sudden death of her spouse, and the painful silence surrounding her father’s passing. Louise speaks about unanswered questions, generational wounds, and how the body often carries what the mind is not yet ready to hold.

This episode offers perspective for anyone navigating loss, supporting someone through grief, or trying to understand how our histories influence the way we love, parent, and build relationships.

About Dr Louise
Dr Louise Stanger is a respected clinician, interventionist, educator, and author who has supported families through addiction, trauma, and major life transitions. Her approach blends research, empathy, and practical guidance to help people strengthen relationships, rebuild trust, and create meaningful change with compassion.

00:00:00 – Introducing Dr Louise Stanger
00:01:47 – A Life’s Mission Born From Grief
00:02:11 – Generational Trauma and Family History
00:02:33 – Losing a Child to SIDS
00:03:44 – Sudden Loss of a Spouse
00:06:13 – Her Father’s Suicide and Childhood Silence
00:07:33 – Education, Mentors, and Becoming a Social Worker
00:09:43 – Learning the Truth About Her Father
00:12:01 – First Teaching Job and Early Encouragement
00:12:33 – Grief, Secrecy, and Maternal Support
00:14:40 – Teenage Turmoil and Emotional Survival
00:16:41 – The Power of Safe Havens and Mentors
00:17:40 – What Makes a Safe Space Safe?
00:21:33 – How Grief Shaped Her Parenting and Marriage
00:25:29 – Coping Through Friendship and Creativity
00:30:31 – Learning to Be Present Again
00:31:32 – How She Defines Grief Today
00:34:09 – From Pain to Resilience and Choice
00:41:40 – Debunking Myths About Grief
00:44:02 – Interventions, Family Portraits, and New Beginnings
00:47:04 – Portraiture, Mapping, and Systemic Insight
00:51:44 – Family Interventions and Long-Term Change
00:55:25 – What “Invitation to Change” Really Means
01:02:35 – Reflections at 79: Staying Present
01:14:40 – Final Wisdom: Keep Falling Up

For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/

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You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

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Paul Denniston, founder of Grief Yoga, joins Abdullah Boulad for a conversation that moves through grief, movement, identity, and the ways the body holds what the mind cannot always process.

Paul reflects on how his path began in places of anxiety, emotional suppression, and coping mechanisms that numbed rather than healed. He speaks openly about his childhood, his relationship with his sister, and the anticipatory grief that shaped so much of his inner world. From hitting rock bottom to entering recovery, he shares the moments and the people, who helped him find steadiness again.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about yoga, connection, healing, and the body’s role in emotional health.

About Paul:
Paul Denniston is the founder of Grief Yoga, a therapeutic movement method that helps people express and process emotional pain through the body. With experience in yoga, breathwork, dance, and movement therapy, he has trained thousands of mental health professionals, hospice workers, and grief counselors worldwide.

00:00:00 – Discovering Yoga Through Grief and Anxiety
00:01:03 – Introduction to Paul Denniston
00:02:06 – Childhood, Religion, and Emotional Suppression
00:03:32 – Coping Mechanisms: Food, Substances, and Anxiety
00:04:44 – Yoga as a Gateway for Emotional Release
00:07:05 – Addiction and Rock Bottom
00:10:46 – Relationship with Sister and Anticipatory Grief
00:15:27 – The Wake-Up Call and Beginning Recovery
00:17:03 – Support Systems and Somatic Practice
00:21:01 – First Yoga Class and Impact of Kindness
00:25:04 – From Fitness to Deep Connection in Yoga
00:28:34 – Gender, Misconceptions, and Spiritual Identity
00:31:52 – Integrating Mind, Body, and Spirit
00:36:19 – Western vs. Eastern Yoga Approaches
00:41:37 – Redefining Grief as Unwanted Change
00:45:15 – The Grief Yoga Cycle of Transformation
00:48:41 – Where Trauma Lives in the Body
00:53:42 – Grief Brain and Emotional Fog
01:02:48 – Movement, Breath, and Voice Techniques
01:14:22 – Guided Laughter Yoga Practice
01:20:09 – Balance, Joy, and Closing Reflections

For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/

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You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

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Bea Palya, singer, songwriter, and vocal artist, joins Abdullah Boulad on Living a Life in Balance for a heartfelt conversation about healing, creativity, and the power of the human voice.

Speaking with honesty and clarity, Bea reflects on the profound shifts that followed her divorce and the pain that took her to a very low point. She shares how music became the light she held onto, and how writing songs and using her voice helped her move through grief, rebuild her inner world, and reconnect with herself. Her story is a reminder that the darkest moments can become the ground where something new and meaningful begins to grow.

🔗 Tune in for a gentle and deeply authentic exploration of the voice as a healing tool, the resilience that emerges in difficult times, and the unexpected ways creativity can guide us back to balance.

About Bea:
Bea Palya is a Hungarian singer and vocal artist known for her emotionally rich sound and her ability to weave personal storytelling with profound musical expression. Through decades of performance, teaching, and artistic exploration, she has developed a unique approach to voice work that blends music, embodiment, and emotional honesty. Her work continues to inspire people to use their own voice as a pathway to healing, freedom, and inner connection.

00:00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Bea Palya
00:01:46 – Musical Childhood and Folk Rituals
00:02:30 – First Breakup and Therapeutic Singing
00:05:11 – Songwriting and Emotional Expression
00:06:22 – Creating the “Sing Yourself to Freedom” Method
00:07:34 – From Performer to Teacher
00:08:43 – Singing in Community and Connection
00:09:17 – Emotional Resonance of Folk Songs
00:10:53 – Music’s Physical Impact
00:11:51 – Divorce, Rebirth, and Writing Anthems
00:15:24 – Covid, Growth, and Online Teaching
00:17:34 – Fear of Success and Expanding Reach
00:19:38 – Roots, Loneliness, and Ambition
00:23:50 – The 4 Pillars of Her Voice Method
00:29:55 – Breaking Perfectionism Through Singing
00:36:21 – Voice, Sexuality, and Energy Work
00:55:56 – Using Voice in Trauma Recovery
01:27:47 – Live Song Performance and Final Reflection

For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/

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Cheryl Donaldson, MA, LMFT, LPC, Founder of Helping Families Flourish, LLC, joins Abdullah Boulad on Living a Life in Balance for an honest and practical conversation about emotional growth, family dynamics, and the inner world of children and adolescents.

Drawing from her own early struggles, academic challenges, and family experiences, Cheryl reflects on the moments that shaped her understanding of resilience and motivation. She shares how the coping mechanisms she developed as a young person now guide the way she supports parents, teens, and families in her clinical work.

🔗 Tune in for a wise, supportive, and deeply human exploration of what it means to grow, parent, and find balance in an ever-changing world.

About Cheryl:
Cheryl is a seasoned mental health clinician with over 20 years of experience supporting families, parents, and teenagers through modern challenges.
She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and began her career serving at the American International School in Vienna. Today, her focus is on empowering families and adolescents with guidance that fosters confidence, resilience, and lasting well-being.

00:00:00 – Early Struggles and Motivation
00:03:27 – Academic Challenges and Family Dynamics
00:06:00 – Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Growth
00:10:37 – Parenting, Learning Styles, and Strengths
00:14:48 – Emotional Intelligence and Adolescent Support
00:18:45 – Cheryl’s Clinical Practice and Common Issues
00:21:15 – Helping Children Manage Anxiety and Friendship
00:24:57 – Social Struggles, Bullying, and Resilience
00:28:28 – Family Moves and Emotional Adaptation
00:33:40 – Career, Identity, and Purpose Abroad
00:42:08 – Building Connection and Navigating EXPAT Life
00:47:17 – Family Bonds, Friendship, and Finding Home
00:51:44 – Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS)
00:53:39 – Soul Work, Spirituality, and Self-Compassion
00:58:41 – Integrating Soul into Clinical Practice
01:04:44 – Leadership, IFS Principles, and Organizational Culture
01:10:54 – Communication, Curiosity, and Workplace Wellness
01:20:01 – Balance Practices and Final Wisdom

For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/

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You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

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Sat Dharam Kaur, ND, joins Abdullah Boulad on Living a Life in Balance for a deeply human conversation about healing, purpose, and spiritual growth.

From her early family challenges to her transformative meeting with Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam shares how her personal journey gave rise to Beyond Addiction and Compassionate Inquiry, both program rooted in compassion, awareness, and community. She reflects on the ways trauma shapes our lives, and how practices like Kundalini Yoga and naturopathy can help restore balance to the nervous system and reconnect us with our true selves.

🔗 Tune in for a heartfelt exchange on resilience, purpose, and the path toward inner balance.

About Sat: Sat Dharam Kaur is a renowned Naturopathic Doctor, Kundalini Yoga teacher, and author who has dedicated her life to helping others heal and transform. A long-time student of Yogi Bhajan since 1976, she has trained countless teachers and practitioners through her programs. She is also the visionary creator of Beyond Addiction and The Healthy Breast Program, two holistic approaches that integrate yoga, meditation, and lifestyle medicine to support emotional resilience and vibrant wellbeing.

00:00:00 – Motivation and Early Influences
00:01:00 – Meeting Gabor Maté and Launching Beyond Addiction
00:02:10 – Personal Background and Early Family Challenges
00:03:40 – Mother’s Trauma, Addiction, and Family Dynamics
00:05:00 – Becoming a Helper and Finding Purpose
00:06:12 – Creativity, Learning, and Academic Struggles
00:08:22 – Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Support
00:11:17 – Reading, Philosophy, and Intellectual Curiosity
00:12:29 – Discovering Kundalini Yoga and Naturopathy
00:14:25 – First Spiritual Experience and Awakening
00:16:46 – Yoga as a Tool for Emotional Healing
00:17:53 – The History and Philosophy of Kundalini Yoga
00:22:20 – Demonstration and Benefits of Yogic Movement
00:27:39 – Regulating the Nervous System through Yoga
00:30:32 – Trauma, Adaptability, and the Body
00:31:02 – Sikhism, the Turban, and Spiritual Identity
00:33:07 – Sikh Philosophy and Living in Harmony
00:43:53 – Nature, Permaculture, and Embodied Living
00:48:31 – Creating Compassionate Inquiry with Gabor Maté
00:53:26 – Therapist Presence and the Importance of Self-Work in Healing
01:04:53 – Somatic Practices and Building Supportive Communities
01:15:18 – Purpose, Passion, and the Evolution of Consciousness

For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/

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You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

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