Trapped to Triumphant: Justin McMillen on Breaking Addiction & Finding Purpose in Recovery

Trapped to Triumphant: Justin McMillen on Breaking Addiction & Finding Purpose in Recovery

Author: Dr Daniel & Tana Amen April 27, 2026 Duration: 55:23
Feeling trapped is one of the most painful parts of addiction—but Justin McMillen proves that breaking free is possible. In this episode, he walks through the key turning points that helped him shift from feeling powerless to taking back control. After years of battling his own addiction, Justin McMillen set out to help others recover from addiction. In 2008, he established Tree House Sober Living, an organization dedicated to sheltering those new in recovery without anywhere else to go. After spending years watching people recover only to relapse in an endless cycle, Justin began studying substance use disorder. The sober living residence became a laboratory for his research that would ultimately lead to today's most innovative addiction treatment solution. For Justin, this work is deeply personal and spiritual. He believes that his purpose is to put an end to as much unnecessary suffering in the world as possible during his lifetime. Justin is relentlessly driven to advance the mission of Tree House, to save as many lives as
possible by transforming how addiction is thought about, talked about, understood, and treated
around the world. His focus is on positioning the organization to establish new national
benchmarks for what is possible in substance use disorder treatment.

What if the small, daily decisions you make about food, thought patterns, and lifestyle are actively shaping your biology for better or worse? That’s the central exploration you’ll find within Change Your Brain Every Day, a conversation hosted by Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen. Moving beyond theory, this podcast delivers practical, actionable strategies rooted in clinical experience. Each episode feels like a direct consultation, where the Amens translate complex neuroscience into clear steps anyone can use. You’ll hear them discuss how specific habits influence conditions like anxiety, focus, and low mood, offering a tangible sense of agency over your own mental and physical well-being. The tone is both authoritative and deeply encouraging, stripping away the overwhelm that often accompanies health advice. Rather than promising a single miracle cure, the focus is on sustainable, incremental change-the kind that compounds over weeks and months to create lasting results. Tuning into this podcast is an investment in understanding the direct connection between your daily life and your brain’s health. It’s for anyone who feels stuck in unhelpful cycles or is simply curious about optimizing their mind. The Amens act as guides, providing the tools to not just manage symptoms, but to fundamentally reshape your approach to your own health journey, one day at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Change Your Brain Every Day
Podcast Episodes
7-Habits of Happiness with Dr. Daniel Amen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:32
In this week's mini episode, Dr. Amen goes over the 7-most important habits of happiness as he has seen and evaluated in his nearly 40 years of being a Psychiatrist.
10 Ways Brain SPECT Imaging Changes Mental Health Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
In this week's episode, Dr. Amen & Tana sit down to discuss the importance of brain SPECT Imaging for mental health care. Seeing your brain scan helps you understand that mental health issues is not a "mental" health con…
The 1-Page Exercise That Will Change Your Life in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:58
Why do New Year's resolutions fail 80% of the time? Even for smart, motivated people? It's not a willpower problem. It's a brain problem. In this powerful kickoff episode for 2026, Dr. Amen and Tana Amen share the simple…
Children with Mental Health Issues - What to Do When All Else Fails? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:31
As a parent, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information, helpful or not, when it comes to better parenting. As a result, parents are often experimenting with multiple techniques, one after another. H…
Choosing Clarity & Brain Health in 2026: The Alcohol-Free Lifestyle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:36
What if the best nights of your life didn't come with hangovers, regrets, or foggy mornings? This episode dives into the alcohol-free lifestyle and the Amen's recent birthday party they hosted—this proves that choosing n…
How to Use Focused Intentions to Improve Relationships in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:25
Every relationship is different, whether with our friends, coworkers, spouse, or kids. But by using focused intention, we are always pointed in the right direction when it comes to improving our relationships and forming…