In this uplifting and heartfelt episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Bruce W. Brackett, author, artist, motivational speaker, life coach, and advocate for recovery, positivity, and mental health.
Bruce shares his powerful story of moving from early trauma, addiction, and self-sabotage toward sobriety, healing, and purpose. With honesty, humor, and compassion, he opens up about what it took to stop running, ask for help, and begin showing up for himself day by day. His message is clear: no matter what you’ve been through, you are still worthy of growth, self-forgiveness, and a meaningful life.
The conversation explores Bruce’s recovery journey, the life-changing impact of therapy and 12-step programs, and the mindset shift behind his newest book, Show Up and Shimmy. He explains that “shimmying” is more than a fun phrase; it is a practice of self-care, self-love, courage, and taking the next right step even when fear, doubt, or pain are present.
This episode is full of hope for anyone navigating addiction recovery, mental health challenges, trauma, or the ongoing work of becoming who they were meant to be. Bruce’s perspective is both inspiring and practical, reminding listeners that healing is not linear, support matters, and the version of you that you dream about is already waiting.
If you or someone you love is on a recovery journey, this conversation offers encouragement, validation, and a powerful reminder that you do not have to do it alone.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
- Bruce W. Brackett’s story of sobriety, recovery, and healing
- How childhood trauma and addiction shaped his early life
- Why positivity is a practice, not a personality trait
- The importance of therapy, community, and 12-step recovery
- What “Show Up and Shimmy” really means in everyday life
- How self-forgiveness can become part of the healing process
- Why sitting with hard feelings is different from staying stuck in them
- How one supportive person can make all the difference in recovery
- Why doing no harm to yourself is a powerful place to begin
Key Takeaways
Bruce reminds listeners that recovery is not about having everything figured out. It is about continuing to move forward, even through discomfort, uncertainty, and fear. He speaks candidly about relapse, radical acceptance, and the value of asking for help. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes that healing is possible, purpose is real, and every person is worthy of love and a better future.
About Our Guest
Bruce W. Brackett is an author, international motivational speaker, certified life coach, artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for positivity, recovery, and mental health. He is the author of How to Breathe While Suffocating and Show Up and Shimmy, and he shares messages of hope, resilience, and possibility with a social media community of more than 1.4 million people. Through his art, writing, and speaking, Bruce encourages others to reclaim their worth and step into their full potential.
Guest Resources
Website: bwbart.com
Socials: @bwb.positivity
Books: How to Breathe While Suffocating and Show Up and Shimmy
Learn More
To learn more about Hanley Foundation programs, visit hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.
