In this special episode of The Pivotal Point w/ Dwayne Barnes, I step into the guest seat for a deeply personal conversation originally recorded on The Addicted Mind podcast with host Duane Osterlind.

We explore the hidden layers of addiction, not just to substances, but to approval, invisibility, and the masks we wear to survive. I open up about the emotional and spiritual journey behind my book,“Their Eyes Were Never On Me: One Man’s Painful Journey with Self Addiction,” and what it took to begin rewriting that story through healing, truth, and radical self-acceptance.

This conversation is raw, honest, and necessary. If you've ever struggled with your identity, your past, or the pressure to be who others expect you to be — this one’s for you.

📚 Learn more about Duane’s work at theaddictedmind.com
📘 Get my book here: https://www.amazon.com/Their-Eyes-Wer... https://www.amazon.com/Authenticity-O...
🎧 Listen + subscribe for more healing conversations every week.

CTA:
If this episode resonated with you, leave a review, share it with a friend, or explore 1:1 coaching at authordwaynebarnes.com.
And don’t forget to access your free guided meditation:
👉🏾 dwayne-barnes.kit.com/16a3a3b18d

🎙️ The Pivotal Point w/ Dwayne Barnes – Explore radical authenticity, emotional freedom, and spiritual resilience. Dive into coaching, meditations, and books at www.authordwaynebarnes.com. Join the movement and transform trauma into transformation.

In this deeply personal episode of The Pivotal Point w/ Dwayne Barnes, we explore one of the most hidden but powerful forms of grief: grieving what you never had.

So many people are walking through life with unhealed wounds from unmet needs—whether it's the safety, love, protection, or stability they never received. These emotional losses can silently fuel fear, anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or even shame. But the truth is: you cannot fully heal what you will not fully name.

Dwayne shares his own story of grieving the absence of safety and offers insight into:

• What grief really is (beyond death and loss)
• How unmet needs fuel emotional wounds
• Signs you’re carrying unprocessed grief
• How to finally honor and process the pain
• Practical ways to grieve what you never received — therapy, coaching, inner child work, nature walks, journaling, somatic release, and more
• How to know when grief has fully moved through you

You don’t have to pretend you're okay. You deserve to name your loss. You deserve to heal. And grieving what you never had is one of the most courageous steps toward freedom.

👉 Ready to go even deeper?
If you're ready to do the sacred work of healing your unmet needs, schedule a 1:1 Freedom Coaching Session with me at authordwaynebarnes.com.

🎙️ The Pivotal Point w/ Dwayne Barnes – Explore radical authenticity, emotional freedom, and spiritual resilience. Dive into coaching, meditations, and books at www.authordwaynebarnes.com. Join the movement and transform trauma into transformation.

Are you living from your truth, or are you constantly trying to prove your worth to others? In this transformative episode of The Pivotal Point w/ Dwayne Barnes, we delve deep into the journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance. Dwayne shares a poignant personal story from his teenage years in "The Future Stars" singing group, highlighting the moment he realized the difference between seeking validation and embracing authenticity.

Discover how societal pressures, familial dynamics, and personal insecurities can lead us to live lives aimed at proving ourselves rather than being true to who we are. This episode offers insights into:

• The psychological impact of seeking external validation
• The power of embracing imperfections
• Strategies to shift from a proving mindset to living authentically

🎯 Ready to Embrace Your Authentic Self?

If this episode resonates with you, take the next step in your journey:

• Join "The Courage to Be™" Freedom Coaching Program: A transformative coaching experience designed to help you uncover and live your truth.
  authordwaynebarnes.com/pages/the-courage-to-be-freedom-coaching​
• Download the Free 15-Minute Ancestral Meditation: A guided meditation to help you reconnect with your roots and find clarity.
  dwayne-barnes.kit.com/16a3a3b18d​
• Explore Dwayne's Books:
  • Their Eyes Were Never On Me: One Man’s Painful Journey With “Self” Addiction – A raw and deeply personal memoir.
    authordwaynebarnes.com
  • The Authenticity Over Approval Method: 10 Ways to Embrace Your True God-Given Essence – A guide to embracing who you are.
    authordwaynebarnes.com

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• Subscribe to The Pivotal Point w/ Dwayne Barnes on your favorite podcast platform.
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🔗 Connect with Dwayne Barnes

Stay updated and join our community:

• Website: www.authordwaynebarnes.com
• Substack: dbrichking.substack.com
• Instagram: @dwaynebarnes

🎙️ The Pivotal Point w/ Dwayne Barnes – Explore radical authenticity, emotional freedom, and spiritual resilience. Dive into coaching, meditations, and books at www.authordwaynebarnes.com. Join the movement and transform trauma into transformation.