How Childhood Trauma Shapes Addiction and Self-Love with Dr. Nicki Monti
Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life
08/11/26
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In this episode of the Get Obsessed podcast, Dr. Nicki Monti joins Julie Lokun and Mika Altidor to share how childhood trauma, addiction, and the search for self-love shaped both her life and her decades of helping others heal.
An experienced therapist, author, and speaker, she draws on both professional expertise and personal experience to challenge the stories that keep people stuck.
Drawing from more than four decades of sobriety, Dr. Nicki explores core wounds, emotional defenses, authenticity, and self-worth. She also reflects on caring for her late husband, working with public figures, and why healing begins by replacing old survival stories with the truth.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What inspired Dr. Nicki to use her own life story instead of hiding behind professional credentials
- Why sobriety marked the beginning of emotional healing rather than the end of addiction
- How core wounds formed in childhood shape self-worth and lifelong beliefs
- Why emotional defenses can protect people while quietly preventing genuine connection
- The process of replacing old beliefs with personal responsibility and lasting emotional change
- Lessons from working with celebrities and why healing follows the same principles for everyone
- How projection shapes the way people judge themselves and others
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
- (Book) The Divine Traumedy of Nikki Joy: A True Grime Tale – https://stucknomore.com/the-divine-traumedy-of-nicki-joy/
- (Book) Stuck in the Story No More – https://stucknomore.com/books/
- (Video) Dr. Nicki Monti TEDx Talk – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihollwRf9tU
- (Reference) Margaret Cho (referenced in the discussion about Dr. Nicki's first book) – https://margaretcho.com/
- Website: https://stucknomore.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Nicki-J-Monti/179364015418429
- X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrNicki
- Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user15974785
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnickimonti/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnickimonti/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drnickimonti
Website: www.getobsessedpodcast.com
Be a Guest! http://www.getobsessedguest.com
Reach Out To Us! hello@getobsessedmedia.com
The Get Obsessed podcast is dedicated to exploring the passions, mindsets, and habits that drive high performers. We believe that what you obsess over defines your future.
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Previous Episode
Matt Grace joins Julie Lokun and Mika Altidor to share the extraordinary story behind more than two decades of sobriety after years of severe drug addiction, alcohol addiction, sex addiction, and self-destructive behavior. He reflects on childhood behavioral issues, family history, enabling, privilege, and the early experiences that fueled his substance abuse.
Matt explains how accountability, firm family boundaries, and service to others became the foundation of his addiction recovery after countless opportunities to avoid consequences.
He also discusses why many families unintentionally prolong addiction, how his work shaped his views on addiction treatment, and why making amends is essential to lasting change. The conversation offers an honest recovery story filled with practical insight and hope for anyone striving to live your best life.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The long road from addiction to lasting sobriety and hope for recovery
- The family history and early experiences that contributed to addiction
- Childhood behavior, therapy, and escalating problems before substance abuse took over
- How divorce, privilege, and enabling shaped years of destructive behavior
- Working with families affected by addiction and the importance of healthy boundaries
- The stories behind Matt’s most destructive decisions and the impact they had on his life
- Service, making amends, and the principles that sustain long-term recovery
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
- (Book) God Doesn't Relapse: Sex, Drugs, and the Life That Almost Killed Me - https://www.amazon.com/God-Doesnt-Relapse-Almost-Killed/dp/1637635508
- (Organization) Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) — https://www.aa.org/
- (Organization) Narcotics Anonymous (NA) — https://na.org/
- Website: https://mattgrace.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattsavinggrace/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattSavingGrace/
- Tiktok: http://tiktok.com/@mattsavinggrace
Website: www.getobsessedpodcast.com
Be a Guest! http://www.getobsessedguest.com
Reach Out To Us! hello@getobsessedmedia.com
The Get Obsessed podcast is dedicated to exploring the passions, mindsets, and habits that drive high performers. We believe that what you obsess over defines your future.
LISTEN, RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE - Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Next Episode
In this episode of the Get Obsessed podcast, Dan Millman joins Julie Lokun and Mika Altidor to explore the ideas behind The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and how they have shaped his approach to Personal development.
A former world champion athlete, coach, martial arts instructor, and author, Dan shares the experiences that inspired his most famous work and the real story behind Socrates.
From surviving a devastating motorcycle accident to building a 50-year marriage, Dan explains how adversity can become a source of strength, why Happiness is something we practice rather than wait for, and how small steps can create lasting change. He also explores purpose, comparison, meditation, stress, and the importance of trusting your own path rather than following someone else's.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The truth behind Socrates and the story of Way of the Peaceful Warrior
- What it really means to live as a Peaceful Warrior through everyday challenges
- How adversity can become a source of strength, wisdom, and personal growth
- Finding your own path through experimentation, self-discovery, and personal growth
- Moving beyond comparison and learning to trust your own path and progress
- Understanding happiness as a practice rather than something we have to wait for
- Living with purpose by focusing on the small steps we can take today
Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor who has spent decades teaching principles of personal development and purposeful living. He is the author of 18 books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, which has inspired millions of readers and was adapted into the feature film Peaceful Warrior.
After a 20-year period of studying with different mentors and teachers, Dan developed what he calls the Peaceful Warrior’s Way. His work focuses on practical approaches to personal growth, purpose, resilience, and living with greater awareness. His books have been published in 29 languages, and he continues to speak through keynotes, seminars, workshops, and other educational programs.
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
- (Book) Way of the Peaceful Warrior - https://peacefulwarrior.com/way-of-the-peaceful-warrior/
- (Book) Peaceful Heart, Warrior Spirit: The True Story of My Spiritual Quest - https://peacefulwarrior.com/peaceful-heart-warrior-spirit/
- (Book) The Four Purposes of Life - https://peacefulwarrior.com/the-four-purposes-of-life/
- (Book) The Life You Were Born to Live - https://peacefulwarrior.com/the-life-you-were-born-to-live/
- (Film) Peaceful Warrior - https://www.amazon.com/Peaceful-Warrior-Widescreen-Scott-Mechlowicz/dp/B000QEIOSU
- Website: https://peacefulwarrior.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialpeacefulwarrior/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danmillmanpw/
Website: www.getobsessedpodcast.com
Be a Guest! http://www.getobsessedguest.com
Reach Out To Us! hello@getobsessedmedia.com
The Get Obsessed podcast is dedicated to exploring the passions, mindsets, and habits that drive high performers. We believe that what you obsess over defines your future.
LISTEN, RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE - Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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