Have an episode suggestion? Text us!Spouses are told to learn the addict, but who teaches the addict what their choices did to the spouse’s brain, safety, and sense of self? In this conversation, Matt and Paige build on Paige’s recent mini episode to name the gap in traditional recovery. We break down why amends without education fall short, how betrayal trauma rewires responses, and why partners are mislabeled as codependent when many are reacting to real harm. We walk through a family-program handout to show what is missing, tackle the pros and cons of introducing this education early, and outline what mutual respect and real accountability look like at home. Expect validation, clarity, and practical next steps for couples who are genuinely rebuilding and for individuals choosing their own healing. Your experience matters. Your recovery matters too.Find video clips and full length video from this episode on YouTube and our other social media pages!On the web:www.twfo.comSupport the Show:Buy Us a Coffee!Online Course: www.independentlystrong.comUse code WHEELIES75 for 75% off the entire course!Soberlink Device:www.soberlink.com/wheelsCheck out our blog:https://twfo.com/blogFollow us on TikTok:https://tiktok.com/@twfo_coupleFollow us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/twfo_couple/Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TWFOCoupleFollow us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@twfo_coupleFind Taylor Counseling Group:https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/Donate to Counseling for the Future Foundation:Donate Here
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#238 - Mindset Monday: Patterns Don't Lie
Have an episode suggestion? Text us!Our brains love comfort, routine, and the familiar - even when the familiar keeps us stuck. In this Mindset Monday, Matt breaks down pattern recognition: why we miss our own loops, how denial and rationalization create blind spots, and how simply naming the pattern turns “I’m stuck” into something you can actually solve.We get real about sobriety (why “the safe number is zero” for some of us), relationships (no-contact, hopium, and learning to trust actions over words), and everyday goals (sleep, screens, the gym, sugar, spending). You’ll leave with a clear 4-step playbook: identify your top three patterns, map where they always lead, own your role in keeping them alive, and install one boundary or environment change that breaks the loop.Find video clips and full length video from this episode on YouTube and our other social media pages!On the web:www.twfo.comSupport the Show:Buy Us a Coffee!Online Course: www.independentlystrong.comUse code WHEELIES75 for 75% off the entire course!Soberlink Device:www.soberlink.com/wheelsCheck out our blog:https://twfo.com/blogFollow us on TikTok:https://tiktok.com/@twfo_coupleFollow us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/twfo_couple/Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TWFOCoupleFollow us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@twfo_coupleFind Taylor Counseling Group:https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/Donate to Counseling for the Future Foundation:Donate Here
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#237 - Paige's Perspective: Why Spouses Deserve More Than Addiction Education
Have an episode suggestion? Text us!In this episode of Paige’s Perspective, I dig into a powerful comment from one of our listeners: “As the spouse, I’m basically told to become an expert on their addiction, yet they don’t have to become an expert on my trauma.” This one line exposes the imbalance in the recovery world. Spouses are often told to go to Al-Anon, read the Big Book, and learn about addiction, but no one tells them to study their own trauma caused by their partner or expect their partner to understand the harm they’ve caused.I’ll share why this matters so deeply, how living in chaos rewires your brain and body, and why hyper-vigilance, self-doubt, panic, and physical symptoms are not “character defects”... they’re trauma responses. We’ll also explore different forms of betrayal trauma beyond lying and cheating, from financial secrecy to emotional neglect, broken promises, safety violations, and more.This episode is about reclaiming the focus: your trauma, your healing, and your right to be understood. Because recovery isn’t just about learning their dopamine pathways; it’s about acknowledging how their choices have impacted you and giving yourself permission to heal.Find video clips and full length video from this episode on YouTube and our other social media pages!On the web:www.twfo.comSupport the Show:Buy Us a Coffee!Online Course: www.independentlystrong.comUse code WHEELIES75 for 75% off the entire course!Soberlink Device:www.soberlink.com/wheelsCheck out our blog:https://twfo.com/blogFollow us on TikTok:https://tiktok.com/@twfo_coupleFollow us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/twfo_couple/Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TWFOCoupleFollow us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@twfo_coupleFind Taylor Counseling Group:https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/Donate to Counseling for the Future Foundation:Donate Here
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#236 - Resentment and Forgiveness
Have an episode suggestion? Text us!Matt and Paige pull the lid off a loaded topic: resentment. You’ve been told to “let it go,” to forgive, to be grateful - but what if your resentment isn’t a defect...what if it’s a warning? In this conversation, we separate toxic positivity from real safety, show how resentment protects you in unhealthy dynamics, and explain when it becomes dead weight in a healthy one. We talk early recovery (why 1–2 years of consistent change matter), why prepackaged resentment slogans only work in safe relationships, how to name patterns without gaslighting yourself, and what to ask instead of “How do I get rid of it?”- namely, “What is my resentment trying to tell me?” If you want clarity on when to hold the line and when to heal, this one’s for you.Find video clips and full length video from this episode on YouTube and our other social media pages!On the web:www.twfo.comSupport the Show:Buy Us a Coffee!Online Course: www.independentlystrong.comUse code WHEELIES75 for 75% off the entire course!Soberlink Device:www.soberlink.com/wheelsCheck out our blog:https://twfo.com/blogFollow us on TikTok:https://tiktok.com/@twfo_coupleFollow us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/twfo_couple/Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TWFOCoupleFollow us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@twfo_coupleFind Taylor Counseling Group:https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/Donate to Counseling for the Future Foundation:Donate Here
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#235 - Mindset Monday: The Sunk Cost Trap
Have an episode suggestion? Text us!We’ve all said it: “I can’t walk away, I’ve already put too much in.” That’s the sunk cost fallacy talking. In this episode, Matt breaks down why we stay in jobs, relationships, and habits that don’t serve us, and the five psychological traps that keep us stuck. More importantly, we'll share practical ways to start moving forward so you stop protecting your past and start building your future.Find video clips and full length video from this episode on YouTube and our other social media pages!On the web:www.twfo.comSupport the Show:Buy Us a Coffee!Online Course: www.independentlystrong.comUse code WHEELIES75 for 75% off the entire course!Soberlink Device:www.soberlink.com/wheelsCheck out our blog:https://twfo.com/blogFollow us on TikTok:https://tiktok.com/@twfo_coupleFollow us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/twfo_couple/Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TWFOCoupleFollow us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@twfo_coupleFind Taylor Counseling Group:https://taylorcounselinggroup.com/Donate to Counseling for the Future Foundation:Donate Here
Till The Wheels Fall Off (TWFO) podcast is hosted by Matt and Paige Robinson. TWFO focuses primarily on the relationship dynamics between spouses and partners of alcoholics or addicts and ways to best navigate the difficulties of codependent, addicted, unstable, and narcissistic behavior. The program is enjoyable and informative for anyone seeking self-betterment, inspiration, perspective, or direction with themes ranging from boundaries, recovery, marriage, and parenting with tons of humor built in. With over twenty years of experience in codependency recovery, addiction recovery, mental health battles, and navigating life's hurdles, the duo offers a valuable and unique perspective that is both inspiring and relatable.On the web: www.twfo.comFollow us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@twfo_couple Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/twfo_couple/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TWFOCoupleFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twfo_couple/featuredSupport us at buymeacoffee.com/twfo
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