The Wild Power of Horses: Equine Therapy with Siarra Decomi

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DANG! The Todd Bridges Podcast

Todd Bridges and Bettijo Bridges

48 episodes

3 days ago

How do you support someone struggling with addiction without enabling them? In this episode of DANG!, Todd Bridges and Bettijo sit down with addiction expert Dr. Brian Samford to tackle this tough question and more, sharing practical, hope-filled advice on how to walk alongside someone you love with equal parts accountability and compassion—and why “tough love” is often just another way of saying true love.SUMMARYAddiction doesn’t just hijack one person’s life—it drags the whole family into the chaos. In this raw, honest episode, Todd and Bettijo sit down with addiction expert Dr. Brian Samford, Chief Clinical Officer of The Arbor treatment center in Texas, to talk about what actually creates lasting change, why you can’t force someone into recovery, and how to love an addict without losing yourself. Brian shares a powerful story from his clinical work about a longtime client who only revealed deep childhood trauma years into treatment—when she was finally ready—driving home a hard truth: recovery runs on the addict’s timeline, not ours.Together they dig into the messy family side of addiction: the guilt, the rescuing, the “If I don’t fix this, who will?” spiral. Brian explains why constantly stepping in—paying the fines, cleaning up the messes, smoothing everything over—might feel loving, but actually “disables” the person you’re trying to help. The key? Lead with genuine love, then add real accountability and clear boundaries. You can support someone’s sobriety, but you can’t drag them through a 12-Step program—or any kind of recovery—until they’re willing.HIGHLIGHTSWhat it’s like being Chief Clinical Officer of The Arbor treatment center (1:09)Dr. Samford shares his favorite strategy for getting reluctant patients to participate: bringing the group meeting to the client's bed! (3:03)How Brian’s recovery journey began at age 24 with a counselor who truly cared, inspiring him to help others. (4:45)Parental Sabotage: How well-meaning parents now act as the greatest barrier by constantly rescuing and enabling adult children. (10:07)Maybe the hardest part: letting go of your timeline for their recovery. (37:19)Brian’s formula for families: Accountability + Compassion = Real Love. (43:08)That thin line between loving someone and enabling—and how “helping” too much can actually disable growth. (44:14)ToddFlix: Tracker and using every tool you’ve got to stay sober. (44:42)Shows like Breaking Bad and Good Girls show “normal” people pulled into the underworld. (49:19)LISTEN TO LEARNWhy length of treatment matters so much.How to walk the tightrope between accountability and compassion in a family affected by addiction.How Todd Bridges uses lessons from the TV show Tracker—and radical surrender—to help sustain 32 years of sobriety.If you’re exhausted from trying to control your family’s chaos, here’s the secret: true love means setting boundaries and holding people accountable—and if that sounds too hard, just remember what happens when you pray for patience. Hit play!Follow on Instagram: Todd @toddbridges & Bettijo @pagingsupermom--------------------© 2025 Loop 101 MediaDANG! is produced by Loop 101 Media, Bettijo Bridges, Todd Bridges & Attalie AnneFor more information contact info@loop101media.com

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The Wild Power of Horses: Equine Therapy with Siarra Decomi - Ep. 43

DANG! The Todd Bridges Podcast

51 minutes

1 month ago

The Wild Power of Horses: Equine Therapy with Siarra Decomi - Ep. 43

Join Todd and Bettijo as transformational coach Siarra Decomi reveals how the parts of yourself you try to "fix" are the actual keys to your personal freedom, proving that your scary breakdown might actually be a breakthrough—all thanks to the incredible insight of rescued mustangs!SUMMARYThis week, Todd and Bettijo sit down with transformational coach Siarra Decomi, founder of Wild Hooves Open Hearts, a non-profit dedicated to mustang rescue and equine-guided empowerment. Siarra helps people stop white-knuckling life by showing them how to come home to themselves. She dives into the profound idea that your toughest challenges might not mean you are "broken," but that you're in a "portal"—a season of change where your breakdown is a breakthrough moment, leading to growth and personal freedom.The conversation explores the fascinating world of equine therapy, where horses act as a powerful mirror and reflection, sensing human energy and helping people get out of their overthinking minds and drop into their bodies to be present. Todd, a former horse owner himself, shares a funny, yet telling, story about his horse, Sailor, proving just how intuitively intelligent these animals are. Siarra shares the heartbreaking reality of the Bureau of Land Management's process for wild American mustangs and why she felt called to begin her rescue work.HIGHLIGHTSTodd shares a hilarious story about his horse, Sailor, who knew exactly how to mess with him. (1:27)Siarra explains the challenges for wild American mustangs in the Bureau of Land Management's program. (2:30)Siarra describes how she went from a career in banking and finance to becoming a transformational coach. (5:10)The difference between "breaking" a horse and equine-guided empowerment. (6:38)How horses act as a reflection and mirror to show you what you need to see about yourself. (7:23)The concept of tapping into your "lead mare energy" to live from your sovereignty. (9:36)Siarra explains why you are not "broken," but are simply in a "portal" of change. (16:52)Drawing parallels between life principles and retro video games, with a lighthearted exchange on favorite classics. (18:12)Todd recounts the scary moment on the trapeze that caused him to quit the circus for good. (28:39)Siarra explains a different approach to "shadow work" that involves fully feeling and integrating difficult emotions. (32:57)The philosophy of Existential Kink and realizing you might enjoy the drama you're creating. (36:03)Bettijo ties the book The Obstacle is the Way into the discussion. (39:01)The power of staying neutral and not panicking, whether facing an emotional trigger or a rattlesnake bite. (43:51)ToddFlix: The Rookie (48:05)LISTEN TO LEARNWhy your breakdown is a breakthrough in disguise.The simple secret to personal freedom: getting out of your head and dropping into your body.The transformative, healing power of equine therapy and rescued mustangs.If you're tired of white-knuckling life and ready to ditch the constant cycle of overthinking, hit play now to learn how these wild mustangs can guide you to your very own breakthrough!Follow on Instagram: Todd @toddbridges & Bettijo @pagingsupermom--------------------© 2024 Loop 101 MediaDANG! is produced by Loop 101 Media, Bettijo Bridges, Todd Bridges & Attalie AnneFor more information contact info@loop101media.com

DANG! The Todd Bridges Podcast