In this episode of the Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast, Dr. Rosenna Bakari, author of 7 Exits: Leave Behind What No Longer Serves You, shares a powerful conversation about empowerment, recovery, shame, healing, and personal transformation.

The discussion explores how empowerment differs from traditional psychology’s focus on pathology and mental illness. Rosenna shares why people often struggle more with leaving familiar situations than with knowing where they want to go, and how understanding the function of behaviors can create deeper and more meaningful change.

Topics covered in this podcast episode include:

• Empowerment in addiction recovery
• Shame and self-forgiveness
• Comfort culture vs true rest
• Risk-taking and personal growth
• Trauma and adverse childhood experiences
• Worldview exploration in counseling
• Healing beyond addictive behaviors

This conversation highlights the importance of addressing the underlying experiences beneath addiction while encouraging listeners to recognize their own capacity for growth, healing, and change.

What keeps people stuck in unhealthy patterns — even when they know they need change?

About the Guest:

Dr. Rosenna Bakari is a leadership consultant, empowerment expert, and author of the upcoming book Seven Exits: Leaving Behind What No Longer Serves You. With a background in psychology and educational leadership, she has spent decades helping individuals and organizations create meaningful change through empowerment and self-awareness. Earlier in her career, Dr. Bakari worked in the field of addiction and recovery for several years, supporting individuals and families through the challenges of healing, transformation, and rebuilding their lives. Today, her work bridges personal growth, leadership, and emotional wellness with a practical, empowering approach.

Links:

• Website: transformation.sevenexits.com
• E-mail: dr.b@sevenexits.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosenna-bakari-ph-d-b3120194/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenexits_rosennabakari/

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Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.