Today's incredible guests are bringing us so much wisdom around the subjects of sex, addiction, relationship & habits with one throughline; dopamine. Dopamine drives what we chase, what brings us joy and it shapes our experiences. Understanding how it works and how to direct your dopamine toward healthy, life giving choices is the key. Join us as we explore the impact of our behaviors and how we train our bodies and minds to want certain things or behaviors because of dopamine.
About today's guests.
Dave MacDonald: American actor, Dave MacDonald started his career as a military broadcast journalist for the US Army. He hosted a radio and talk show in Berlin, Germany on the American Forces Network for three years. After leaving the service he headed for Los Angeles, California and graduated from the theater department at Loyola Marymount University. Dave toured nationally with the Chicago based Griffen Theatre production, Letters Home and started his tv career in the Windy City. After moving to Asheville, North Carolina, he started working in film and tv projects based in the Southeast. Some of his notable credits are Ozark, Stranger Things, The Resident, Mr. Mercedes.
Jonathan Esslinger: Jonathan is Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. His clinical experience began at the Emory University Hospital's Wesley Wood's day treatment program for geriatric patients, and then progressed through to the other end of the spectrum as a child specialist conducting trainings thru the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education. After moving to North Carolina, Jonathan served as the program director at Meridian Behavioral Health Service's Recovery Education Center from 2006-2012. During that time, he was immersed in the Recovery Model which strongly influenced his counseling techniques giving him a wide range of expertise to help his patients.