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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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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/

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

Follow The Balance RehabClinic:
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#LivingALifeInBalance #podcast #mentalhealthpodcast #wellness #wellnessjourney #health #healing #wellbeing #traumainformed #love #mentalhealth #recovery #support #safety #motivation #healthylifestyle #doctor #addictionrecovery #

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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/

Follow Abdullah Boulad:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/
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Follow Dr Louise Stanger:
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlouisestanger/

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

Follow The Balance RehabClinic:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalancerehabclinic/

#LivingALifeInBalance #podcast #mentalhealthpodcast #wellness #wellnessjourney #health #healing #wellbeing #traumainformed #doctor #grief #love #mentalhealth #recovery #support #safety #motivation