Chemistry or Compulsion? Sex, Love, Addiction, and the Work of Real Recovery with Dr. Sheila Shilati

Episode 25 with Dr. Sheila Shilati

In this episode of No Permission Necessary, Molly Bierman and Jill Griffin are joined by clinical psychologist and recovery expert Dr. Sheila Shilati, co-founder of The Malone Collective, for an honest conversation about recovery, accountability, and what it really means to rebuild after public and private consequences.

Using Elizabeth Gilbert’s relationship memoir as a jumping-off point, the three unpack the complex realities of addiction, sex and love addiction, codependency, and the blurred line between chemistry and compulsion. They also dig into a topic dominating social media, narcissism, clarifying the difference between “traits” and a true personality disorder, and why labels often get misused.

This episode is ultimately about redemption: how healing requires humility, support systems, boundaries, and the courage to stop asking for permission, especially when your past tries to narrate your future.

Topics include: recovery and relapse, sex and love addiction, codependency, narcissistic traits vs. disorder, accountability, consequences, and rebuilding with integrity.