Christy Carlson Romano: Love Addiction Brought Me To My Knees

Christy Carlson Romano (Disney actress, activist, entrepreneur, content creator) breaks down her career pivot from Disney icon to child star advocate, the mechanisms of dissociation, and her struggles with love addiction. She details the juxtaposition between her typecasted acting roles with her actual complicated family dynamics, feeling “othered” from her siblings as she became the focal point for family, and the insecurities she carried after her Disney career. Christy explains why child actors are prone to addiction, her own sobriety journey, and the importance of supporting children’s mental health on sets. She shares her heartbreaking story of being assaulted while on her path to recovery, why she once cut her family off, and how she was conned by a “psychic”. Christy opens up about imposter syndrome when it comes to therapy, why she’s not active in it anymore, and her experience with EMDR.
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NOTE: This episode was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike.
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Find Christy Carlson Romano:
Twitter: / christyromano
Instagram: / thechristycarlsonromano
Christy Carlson Romano's Podcast, Vulnerable: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
8 Tips for Parents and Teens on Social Media Use - from the US Surgeon General: apnews.com/article/social-med...
Theme Song Written, Produced, and Performed by Ed Robertson. Mixed by Kenny Luong.
#MayimBialik​​​ #BialikBreakdown #christycarlsonromano #EvenStevens #Disney #loveaddiction #psychic

[@Nicole_with_a_tte]

Loving the "90's" vibe with the guest's.🙌💞

[@riya-fj5yj]

I love this episode so much!! Hopefully one day you can get Jim Parsons as a guest it would be so fun to watch! 💗

[@annabelskaya6121]

Didn't know about Christy but LOVED the episode. And so grateful for Jonathan's come back, I believe we haven't seen him in a while!

[@jendirgo8200]

Mayim, you literally just blew my mind! I was a straight C student in high school, I didn't answer questions, I loved math but didn't really show it. I went to an all female college and graduate with honors. I went on to get my Master's in Mathematics education (yes, I'm a math teacher now) and had a 3.98 GPA. I always felt like I had a voice in college and wondered what was SO different from high school to then. I wasn't embarrassed that I knew what I was talking about, that I was intelligent, etc. My strong voice has continued since then, in my profession as a teacher as well as in my personal life. This literally had opened my eyes to something that had a huge impact on me and I didn't even realize it. The funniest thing is I had another college in mind as my top pick but they didn't give me as big of a grant/scholarship so I didn't choose it (that one was not all female). The one I went to was where I was meant to be!

[@fbueller]

Loved hearing of your success in higher education with the right environment!

[@leticiaperez243]

This is such an in depth episode Christy was so vulnerable. The “slightly violent” I am so glad Mayim made sure she addressed that statement. It was weird to hear her call Jonathan Jon. I didn’t realize all that Christy did. I love seeing Mayim blush when she is complimented. Mayim - the push back - not being confident in my role as a parent - wow. I hope that’s a clip on Instagram - if not I will clip it for me to remember. Talking about trying to fill that void - it’s definitely something many non actors get it - trying to feel seen - all the things you do - 😮 All the shit I have done was not in front of the public and it was disruptive enough. ‘I knew I was living wrong’ such a strong statement. I am doing EMDR - ITS WILD - but it’s been fantastic for me. You definitely need to be in the right space for EMDR. I am only able to do it because I took time off from work and my kids are older. It’s definitely right to wait. Another fantastic episode you don’t let me down ever.

[@orland0110]

It is so great that you have the awesome Christy Carlson Romano on this episode. She was amazing on "Even Stevens'', and she has a wonderful KZbin channel that I absolutely love. Your episodes make my Tuesdays Mayim! ❤

[@nonnidreams]

Christy and Mayim been best friends is just giving me the feels, this was awesome❣️ I already listen and have been listening to the different podcasts and have been following Christy’s KZbin career. Big fan of both, and big fan of this friendship🥰

[@MayimBialik]

🤝🫶

[@kimberlybega8271]

So excited for this episode! I feel like I have been waiting for this crossover! I love listening to both "Vulnerable" and "Breakdown" and see a lot of similarities, although I know Breakdown has the added neuroscience/psychology piece (which makes nerdy me with psych and counseling degrees happy).

[@fbueller]

This was a GREAT episode! CCR really brought it. Her level on honesty here was so much greater than her walk and talk series! This episode needs a Part 2!

[@brigidbrennan2119]

Mayim! When you said you have not felt confident enough in your role as a parent to say the social media topic is not up for discussion, this is it. I felt that in my core! I have. 13 year old and an 11 year old. You absolutely have to hold yourself just as accountable and it’s always such a tricky balance! Gosh, you are so relatable on a human level it’s so refreshing! So glad I found this podcast! Christi!! The relationship with your mom resonates with me strong as well. What a great conversation this was! So real, so vulnerable! So transparent!

[@vodkajaybulls]

C.C.R. is my favorite entertainer/host! I'm so glad to see her on. ❤️💯!! Her story always moves me.😢❤️ Love.

[@award112]

Wow! Great quote! That one is going in my journal. I really appreciate her honesty and vulnerability. So hard to do and so needed today!

[@amyjimenez3913]

This is such an amazing episode, i love the conversation you get into! Great episode! This episode was so relatable and i feel like this was definitely a conversation that needed to be said 👏🏻

[@FiinalFlaash]

Been waiting for this one for a couple of years. I can finally watch it.

[@KristinM626]

Thank you for having Christy on. I related so much to Ren on Even Stevens as a tween/young teen as I was also the type A, studious, middle sister with a little bit crazy younger brother. I love hearing the stories of the people I admired at one point or another.

[@sweingold5686]

I really enjoyed this episode, once again. I do like it when you and Jonathan discuss it at the end. Why have you stopped?

[@lynettedennis9044]

I came across this and it was needed! I don't have a relationship with my mom because she is narcissistic and having a relationship causes me to self harm with a eating disorder that creeps up when we do talk.

[@quixotichippie]

whew, that light and dark quote right at the end... that really hit home, had to back it up and write that down ✍️🥺

[@MayimBialik]

That part blew us away, too!! 🤯🧠🫶

[@altaresjoyceee]

GREAT EPISODE! ANOTHER LESSON WE CAN GET AND ALSO RELATABLE ❤

[@angelaholmes8888]

I love christy Carlson Romano on even Steven's and cadet Kelly and kim possible I really enjoy her podcast ❤😊

[@unhumanoidediferente]

I'm learning so much from this! Thank you for devoting yourselves to this!

[@mimmycal]

This was wonderful Wonder full! So honest so Real. Thank you all.

[@robertgoyette5863]

big fan of both your podcasts so hapy for this crossover

[@airbendingeagle2358]

This is a great episode. I remember watching Christy Carlson Romano on Even Steven and Cadet Kelly. She also has become a talented voice actress. I was surprised when I found out that she voiced Yuffie in the Kingdom Hearts game. I will admit that I didn't even know that she has a podcast. Thanks for another great episode

[@angelaholmes8888]

Her podcast is really good many child stars appear on her podcast

[@normankairns2583]

Another great podcast. Thanks for sharing.

[@marileemck]

thank you for this episode.

[@julesmbc]

Such a refreshing conversation 🤗🥹 Wow, thank you both, I love the tone and message of this one!

[@julesmbc]

(and Jonathan, too, of course :)

[@wendixdlov3]

❤ thanks for sharing this

[@tomlichnofsky.7048]

Another Great Episode! 👍👌 The Awesomeness Continues!! 👊✊😎🖐🖖🖐🍁

[@medicinaemdia4895]

42:53 I keeps saying over and over again that mental health is something that the world NEEDS NOW !!! Why in the blazers we still don’t have free mental health treatments? Body and mind are connected. It’s been already studied . You can just pretend that things don’t happen and not give a sh!t when it comes to mental health.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yes mental health is so important

[@airbendingeagle2358]

I agree with this

[@braynroquero2918]

My gosh... Love this podcast. Learned a lot... The Truth for you.... That should always be asked

[@sydnigrauberger5984]

So interesting what you were saying about your sexualization on set and firsts in front of the camera. Since it is now more of a thing...and those kid/adolescent shows are often dealing with sexual firsts...I hope there are now intimacy coordinators on set that specialize in CHILD intimacy and the sensitivity that is needed for that.

[@Alyson_Turner]

Yahhh I'm with ya girl On the regurgitation of the past especially when it comes to trauma which is never ending guilt and never really in the past. But I kinda believe that's what got Chester Bennington of Lincoln Park. He's a savior for speaking out about abuse and it killed him. I am glad you are alive and strong enough to do it sober KCR❤😊😊😊

[@lorrainelf1712]

Loved the conversation!!! 😊

[@verosan78443]

Awesome episode

[@helpingkarma]

I just love you Mayim!!!! You are brilliant!

[@carriesmith742]

I took Lamictal for my seizures for over 15 years and I mainly took it to counteract the weight gain associated with Depakote and then last year found myself in the hospital with plummeting BP and sparking HR so they switched me to Kepra and I've been great! Money issues always cause stress as a parent of a paraplegic child in a state like WV where they don't care about the disabled, unless it's through the military, not a child suffering from a spinal cord injury at age 6. We ended up losing our house due to medical bills then my husband was forced to stop working to make our income low enough to qualify for SSI / Medicaid, which literally took years. If I could move to a country with universal health care today, I would! Lovin' Canada, Jonathan!

[@augusthavince8909]

I remember the "go pick your switch." Looking back, that seems like an attempt to sabotage giving a child some agency. Yeah, I've noticed there's a transition time from harsh consequences meant to "accelerate" learning to be in an adult world and situations _to_ patient nurturing and appropriate consequences for the level of development of a child.

[@sarahaskham2600]

Yup I agree ❤❤ love this podcast

[@elishaminor2900]

great points

[@Mishaaaaah]

Basic 12 step programs discuss this a lot. There is an emptiness in us and we try to fill it with whatever to make us “full”. So yea, I agree so many humans of all walks of life have this.

[@augusta8901]

I'm in my late 50's and grew up without a tv. I have lived with people who had them in college and as a couple , but have never enjoyed or grown used to staged interactions esp between romantic couples. I'm really glad as a child going into adolescence I was not exposed to all of that and grew to accept it as normal. I can't imagine acting and experiencing "firsts" before a camera. It really is a theft of innocence. I wonder how many child stars push their own children to do the same. It seems any parent is really off and completely disconnected from their kids to do so.

[@kencoleman5007]

While I've followed Christy's KZbin for years (and looked up to her in college 13 years before I realized I was trans). I honestly have never found her as relatable as now. I had worked in visual art all through my teen years, with totalitarian parents and alcoholism in my family. Spiritually, I'm more new age and less Abrahamic faiths, but I had my bamboozle moment in the kink community. Now, that hasn't turned me off from kinks but the experience has made me an even more shrewd judge of character (and more watchful of similar scam artists).

[@adamkalb1]

*YAY!* Mayim Bialik, I knew you would be happy to see Christy Carlson Romano again after all these years, since you both make similar channels about similar topics. Does she remember you from when you played Justine Flannery in the Kim Possible episode Partners?

[@jadeparker7138]

Mayim I just want to say this. You were back then and still are today very VERY PRETTY! you are beautiful, smart and still relatable! I was watching an old Blossom episode and was mesmerized by your beauty. Not to mention you stole the show in Beaches (my favorite movie). That’s all ❤❤❤❤ 😘

[@mislababe]

You should have Keke Palmer on ASAP!

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*Romano is technically Gen X (1965-1985) as well.* Though she's on the cusp and likely had lots of Millennial friends but she's also describing being raised in the old school of parenting. I know folks don't subscribe to the 20-year generational model but thems the breaks.

[@SheisSS]

The vulnerability.. sheesh 🙏🏾 what a beautiful share❣️

[@jaysoncowan5763]

This explains why all the former child stars are all about examining your own navels. Narcissistic purgatory is probably the best name for it. Learning to be yourself and shut off the noise is a life talent that is hard to learn. It's easier when people are not coming at you constantly.

[@DrawnByDandy]

What's Al Anon and how is it different from AA?

[@kimberlybega8271]

AA is for the alcoholic; Al-Anon is for the family members of the alcoholic to help them cope with their loved one's alcoholism and work on their own issues. I believe they both use the same 12 steps. Al-Anon was actually founded by the wife of one of the two men who started AA. A lot of places will have AA and Al-Anon meetings running simultaneously so families can ride to the meetings together and then split off to their separate meetings.

[@mrs.e3909]

When females can outnumber men in entertainment exec positions maybe some of these changes for child actors can take place. So many child actors talk about the disconnect between the character they played and their real identity they were forced to shove to the background in the name of branding. I just read Jamie Lynn Spears book and I was appalled by the lack of support she had as a young actor trying to juggle all the expectations she had on her.

[@phoenixmoon3]

Oh goodie goodie gumdrops!!🤗🤗🤗

[@Author_I]

It is insane to think that Christy didn't think she could get Maxim. I've always thought she was so gorgeous. Perhaps because her character was mature, brunette, and smart, and she was not characterized as blonde and dumb, she was overlooked. Who knows, but this conversation is fascinating.

[@phoenixmoon3]

💜💜💜💜

[@sunshinegalkw9675]

I would love to see you guys inter olympians, specifically young olympians…have you done that yet?

[@johnhudson9167]

Is ‘brought me to my knees’ when referring to ‘love addiction’ an intentional double entendres?

[@robletterly6679]

yeah, the phrasing of this, especially when referring to CCR, made me go hmm

[@ExoticTerrain]

I wonder if you’re taking about limerence when you’re talking about love addiction?

[@valentinantunezjr]

👍

[@nowitsCynder]

i want to see Johnathon in his 3 disney films😂

[@DaniElle-di4ho]

I wish I looked like Mayim!

[@raidendotson727]

Can you do a BreakDown with Lizzo?

[@JustMe_OhWell]

Are you? Are you going to break it down for us? 🤭😜😂 I'm just being silly! 🥰

[@ashley_aquarius]

Not to take the importance away from this episode because it has been great but YOU WERE IN PUMPKIN 🎃 HEAD?! 🤸‍♀️

[@maximusprime3459]

🤔

[@MeMand01]

I love you and your content but I do not like that you are being supported by Better Help when they are such a horrible company. Is this like a contract you signed that you can't get away from or did you not know how problematic Better Help is?

[@jmsl_910]

forgive me, who is this gal?

[@Ketofit62]

Lol. Christie. Carlson. Ray Romano.

[@monicagrindstaff5489]

I thought that you would do better, Mayim. I am a survivor and I've seen you bring predators and enablers on your show. I thought that you were better.

[@Ketofit62]

How was I supposed to function Luke?

[@LorE_aka-midwestmemaw8555]

12 step programs are EXTREMELY predatory!!

[@papondahoops]

I’ve been watching since day 1 and finally joined BetterHelp. It’s great to be in therapy again and I love their unique structure. Thanks for reminding us every week that it’s there when we’re ready. ❤️‍🩹

[@richardcarrillo2745]

❤

[@kristinmartin2899]

Genuinely hoping it’s everything you need and more!