Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this deeply honest episode of Ask Kati Anything, our guest shares valuable insights into overcoming his ego, financial fears, and the lifelong work of surrendering control. He opens up about his journey through addiction and recovery - He details how growing up closeted in a conservative town fostered a deep-seated need for external validation and people-pleasing. He discusses his corporate career at Google and YouTube and the subsequent struggles with exercise addiction and substance abuse, which ultimately led to a dramatic family intervention. He shares the powerful daily practice of the "Set Aside Prayer" for managing anxiety and his approach to using a daily inventory to foster self-awareness and set firm boundaries in both his business and personal life. This is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the true gift of recovery and how to finally let go of control for personal and professional growth.
Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offers:
• Fabletics • fabletics.com/Kati 80% OFF everything for new VIP members
• OneSkin • oneskin.co/KATI use the code KATI for 15% OFF
• Crowd Health • joincrowdhealth.com use the code ASKKATI to get your first three months for just $99
• Remi • shopremi.com/kati use the code KATI for 55% OFF plus a FREE gift!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction: His career at Google/YouTube
01:42 - Living for external validation in his 20s
02:20 - Growing up closeted in a conservative Minnesota town
03:36 - The early desire for external success and people-pleasing
04:44 - The unexpected process of coming out (on MySpace!)
07:06 - Moving to LA and the start of deeper addiction struggles
09:19 - Blacking out in high school and being kicked off sports teams
10:29 - The Lance Bass photos
11:09 - The conversation with his sister and parents about his sexuality
18:37 - The Intervention that forced him into his first rehab stint at 24
20:09 - The misconception about what recovery was
23:40 - Sobriety, relapse, and the key difference the second time around
My new book is available for pre-order:
Why Do I Keep Doing This? → geni.us/XoyLSQ
If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.
26:46 - What is an Inventory? (Self-check for resentment, fear, and harm)
29:29 - The deep-rooted fear of financial trauma and scarcity
31:05 - Why everyone should do inventories
32:39 - The Set Aside Prayer for walking into conflict or anxiety
33:58 - Getting over prejudices about the word 'God' and finding a Higher Power
40:32 - The 'Whack-a-Mole' nature of control and addiction
41:49 - Advice for someone who is Day One Sober
42:53 - The Gifts of Recovery
44:48 - How fear of losing clients resulted in poor boundaries
45:13 - The Resentment Inventory and the truth about envy
48:03 - Intimate relationships as the current area for growth
51:37 - Next steps: Overcoming the fear of change
Ask Kati Anything ep. 289 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT
**** MAIN YOUTUBE CHANNEL youtube.com/@Katimorton
MY BOOKS
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? geni.us/sva4iUY
CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP
youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join
ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)
While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: betterhelp.com/kati
PARTNERSHIPS
Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
#podcast #psychology #katimorton
In this deeply honest episode of Ask Kati Anything, our guest shares valuable insights into overcoming his ego, financial fears, and the lifelong work of surrendering control. He opens up about his journey through addiction and recovery - He details how growing up closeted in a conservative town fostered a deep-seated need for external validation and people-pleasing. He discusses his corporate career at Google and YouTube and the subsequent struggles with exercise addiction and substance abuse, which ultimately led to a dramatic family intervention. He shares the powerful daily practice of the "Set Aside Prayer" for managing anxiety and his approach to using a daily inventory to foster self-awareness and set firm boundaries in both his business and personal life. This is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the true gift of recovery and how to finally let go of control for personal and professional growth.
Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offers:
• Fabletics • fabletics.com/Kati 80% OFF everything for new VIP members
• OneSkin • oneskin.co/KATI use the code KATI for 15% OFF
• Crowd Health • joincrowdhealth.com use the code ASKKATI to get your first three months for just $99
• Remi • shopremi.com/kati use the code KATI for 55% OFF plus a FREE gift!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction: His career at Google/YouTube
01:42 - Living for external validation in his 20s
02:20 - Growing up closeted in a conservative Minnesota town
03:36 - The early desire for external success and people-pleasing
04:44 - The unexpected process of coming out (on MySpace!)
07:06 - Moving to LA and the start of deeper addiction struggles
09:19 - Blacking out in high school and being kicked off sports teams
10:29 - The Lance Bass photos
11:09 - The conversation with his sister and parents about his sexuality
18:37 - The Intervention that forced him into his first rehab stint at 24
20:09 - The misconception about what recovery was
23:40 - Sobriety, relapse, and the key difference the second time around
My new book is available for pre-order:
Why Do I Keep Doing This? → geni.us/XoyLSQ
If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support.
26:46 - What is an Inventory? (Self-check for resentment, fear, and harm)
29:29 - The deep-rooted fear of financial trauma and scarcity
31:05 - Why everyone should do inventories
32:39 - The Set Aside Prayer for walking into conflict or anxiety
33:58 - Getting over prejudices about the word 'God' and finding a Higher Power
40:32 - The 'Whack-a-Mole' nature of control and addiction
41:49 - Advice for someone who is Day One Sober
42:53 - The Gifts of Recovery
44:48 - How fear of losing clients resulted in poor boundaries
45:13 - The Resentment Inventory and the truth about envy
48:03 - Intimate relationships as the current area for growth
51:37 - Next steps: Overcoming the fear of change
Ask Kati Anything ep. 289 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT
**** MAIN YOUTUBE CHANNEL youtube.com/@Katimorton
MY BOOKS
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? geni.us/sva4iUY
CHANNEL MEMBERSHIP
youtube.com/channel/UCzBYOHyEEzlkRdDOSobbpvw/join
ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month)
While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: betterhelp.com/kati
PARTNERSHIPS
Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.
#podcast #psychology #katimorton
