EP18: Permission to Change | Why Healing Requires Raw Honesty with Alan Horsnell
"Our secrets keep us sick, but our truth sets us free."
There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from keeping our own secrets. We think we’re being strong by staying silent, but that 'safety' is what keeps us stuck. Today’s guest, Alan Horsnell, lived behind that wall of silence for over two decades before realizing that raw honesty is the prerequisite for healing. Now 13 years into his recovery, Alan opens up about breaking his own stigma, shedding the fear of being a burden, and leaning into the profound power of being uncomfortable.
In This Episode:
The Vocabulary of Truth: We explore how gaining the right words for our mental health—like distinguishing between intrusive thoughts and active intent—removes the power of shame and stops the cycle of isolation.
Dual Diagnosis & The Mountain Metaphor: A deep dive into the "chicken and egg" relationship between addiction and mental health. Alan explains why we eventually have to shed our "safety furs" and walk into the uncomfortable unknown to find real freedom.
The Vulnerability Muscle: Why healing isn't a "one-and-done" event but a practice. We discuss the act of vibe-checking your support system and how "going first” with your truth gives everyone else permission to do the same.
If you’ve been waiting for permission to be real, to be seen, and to be different—this conversation is for you.
00:00 The Prerequisite for Healing
08:30 Why Our Secrets Keep Us Sick
15:47 Building the Vulnerability Muscle
24:37 Understanding Dual Diagnosis and Co-occurring Disorders
29:40 Breaking the Cycle of Addiction and Mental Health
35:43 The Necessity of a "Life Pause"
40:49 Seeing the Invisible: Service Outside the Rooms
48:28 The Final Word: Permission to Change
