In this powerful episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on how dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical—shapes not just our habits, but our energy, alignment, and ability to manifest.

As a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) professional and aligned living mentor, I share how I learned that dopamine doesn’t just spike when you receive a reward—it spikes in anticipation of it. This understanding shifted everything for me, and today I’ll show you how it may be silently driving your self-sabotaging behaviors, addictive loops, and even your mindset around success and worth.

This season, I’m speaking straight to the part of you that’s ready for more—more peace, more clarity, more self-trust. These episodes are designed to reflect not just what you’re walking through, but who you’re becoming.

I’ll be sharing the truths I’ve lived, the tools that helped me heal, and the exact frameworks I now teach in my courses and retreats to help women come back into full energetic alignment.

Today we’re talking about something that may be sitting quietly in the background of your life… something you may have felt unsure or even afraid to explore—and that’s your relationship with alcohol.

Not from a place of judgment. Not from a place of labeling.

But from the place I always come from with you: energy alignment…

If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, addiction, emotional numbing, or chronic relationship patterns—and you don’t quite understand why you do what you do—this episode will give you insight, validation, and a map for healing.

We’re going to talk about:

What ACEs really are
How they show up in your adult life
The science behind why they affect your health and behavior
And most importantly—how to begin healing and reclaiming your power…

Today we’re talking about why it’s so important to allow the person struggling with addiction—what we call the “identified patient”—to experience the full repercussions of their actions.

And why stepping in to shield them—even when it’s done with love—can unintentionally block their growth and prolong the cycle of addiction.

Substances like alcohol, for example, literally suppress the part of the brain responsible for fear, self-judgment, and restraint. So yes, it makes sense that you might feel more expressive or open when you’re under the influence. But that doesn’t mean the alcohol is creating your authentic self…

We often think of trauma as something that happens to the mind. But what if I told you that your body holds just as much—if not more—of the story?

In an exclusive conversation for Breaking Free from Within, Clint and Joanie Malarchuk open up about the hidden toll of trauma, the long road to recovery…

“We’re going to explore the powerful connection between internalized oppression, negative self-talk, and projection—and how they show up in our healing journeys, especially when we’re working through substance use, codependency, emotional eating, or emotional withdrawal.

This is the kind of conversation that can change everything.”

Whether you’re overcoming substance use, emotional eating, or codependent patterns, these thoughts often sound like “Just this once won’t hurt” or “I deserve it,” but they create dangerous openings for relapse. Prairie shares real-life examples, offers a simple 3-step tool to work with these thoughts, and closes with reflective journal prompts and a powerful mindset shift.

Today, we’re going to talk about how to develop real inner strength—the kind that doesn’t come from willpower alone, but from self-compassion and resilience. And if you want deeper guidance on this journey, my Self-Paced Recovery Course at alignmentwithprairieyana.com is designed to help you break free from cycles of shame and step into self-acceptance.

“Today, we’re talking about something that often gets overlooked in recovery—thriving beyond it.

Recovery isn’t just about what you’re breaking free from—it’s about what you’re stepping into. Once the initial work of quitting harmful behaviors is done, the real question becomes: What kind of life do I want to create?”

In this episode, Prairie Francia explores the reasons we engage in numbing behaviors—like emotional eating, social media scrolling, or staying “busy” to avoid our emotions. She explains how numbing is a learned survival strategy and shares practical steps to break the cycle. Listeners will learn how to shift from avoidance to self-awareness and adopt nurturing behaviors that support true healing.

Keynotes:

• What numbing behaviors are and why we use them.

• The emotional and psychological roots of numbing.

• How to identify triggers and pause before reacting.

• Steps to replace numbing behaviors with nurturing habits.

• Encouragement to embrace discomfort as part of healing.

• Invitation to join the Self-Paced Recovery Course at alignmentwithprairieyana.com

In this episode, Prairie Francia explores how integrative healing approaches can support recovery beyond traditional methods. She discusses the role of energy healing, somatic therapy, nutrition, and breathwork in emotional regulation and trauma release. Listeners will learn how to create a holistic recovery plan that supports the body, mind, and spirit.

Keynotes:

• Why traditional recovery models may not address the full healing process.

• How trauma is stored in the body and how somatic healing can help.

• The role of nutrition in stabilizing emotions and reducing cravings.

• How energy healing and Reiki support emotional release.

• A guided breathwork practice for stress relief.

•Invitation to join the Self-Paced Recovery Course at

In this episode, Prairie Francia explores the transformative power of mindfulness in the recovery journey. She explains how being present can help manage cravings, reduce emotional triggers, and create a sense of self-trust…

In this episode of Breaking Free from Within, Prairie Francia explores the many faces of addiction—not just drugs and alcohol, but also food, social media, television, and other behaviors we use to escape and numb out. Addiction is often a form of self-sabotage, a way to avoid unresolved traumas and emotional discomfort. This episode dives into:

• The different forms of addiction and how they function as escapism

• The importance of detoxification—physically, mentally, and emotionally

• The roots of self-sabotage and why we repeat destructive behaviors

• Healing through somatic work, breathwork, and cognitive reframing

• A powerful mindset tip to shift focus away from addictive patterns

“For me, marketing is about more than just outreach—it’s about education and breaking down barriers. There’s still so much stigma around addiction, and people often don’t know where to turn. My job is to make sure that when someone is searching for help, Sierra Health and Wellness is there with answers, with solutions, and most importantly, with real support”