
Show Notes
Starting at just twelve years old, smoking was simply part of the landscape of Dr. Bill’s life. He loved smoking so much that he never reflected on the health consequences or felt any social pressure to stop. For decades, the thought of quitting never even crossed his mind while smoking up to three packs a day. Everything changed instantly one day when a sudden realization forced him to look at his future in a completely different way. He went from a lifelong lover of smoking to being successful on his very first attempt to quit. About Dr. Bill: Dr. W.J. (Bill) Brendle is a paranormal scholar and historian of the unseen. His fascination with cryptids, witchcraft, and the paranormal began in childhood after encounters that defied rational explanation, sparking a lifelong quest to seek answers and explore the forces that shape human belief. He holds a Ph.D. in Metaphysics with a specialization in parapsychology and has studied and practiced folk magick, Tarot, scrying, and esoteric Masonry. Brendle is the author of The Cryptids & Monsters of North Carolina and Heretics of the Harvest Moon: The True Story of the Witch Trials. He is also the writer, producer, and co-host of the 4 Ever Paranormal podcast, where stories of the strange are brought to life with atmosphere, scholarship, and an eye toward truth. ✨You can find Dr. Bill at: wjbrendle.com 4everparanormal.com
⌛ Special Offer: Personal Coaching to Quit Smoking 💜 Confidently Move Forward Personal coaching is a way to confidently move forward on your path to quitting smoking. I got you! I’ll guide you through a heart-led framework that is adaptable to your unique needs around smoking and moving on from it in a lasting way. I’d love to walk alongside as you move on to something greater. 💰 Lock in the Current Rate! Rates are going up for 2026 so book a connection call now to lock in the current rate: Book Your Connection Call: 👉 https://www.honoryourheart.net/schedule
More from You Can Quit Smoking
For Mo, smoking up to 60 cigarettes a day was never just a physical habit. It was how she navigated awkwardness and heavy emotions. Though emotional setbacks led to past relapses, a sudden turn of events gave Mo a fresh chance to stop. In this episode, Mo shares how facing her feelings head-on allowed her to finally break the cycle.
Leigh knew she was ready to move on from smoking as a young adult, and she managed to quit through sheer discipline. Later on, however, she found herself relying on alcohol to quiet the harsh inner critic in her mind. Through deep self-reflection, curiosity, and hope, Leigh transformed her life by learning to put trust in herself rather than her critic.
Jani didn’t like being addicted to smoking, but found herself trapped in a cycle with it due to many contributing factors of her childhood, neurodivergence, and navigating adulthood in a new country. She struggled to quit, going as long as eight months at time before falling back into the habit from “just having a couple pulls.” Jani finally found her way out by following her heart’s wisdom and soothing her busy mind and hands with artistic expression.
Originally trying to be cool by smoking, Jeannie came to see the habit as anything but. She felt it kept others at a distance and carried deep shame around both the habit and her struggle to quit for good. Though she disliked it, she leaned on smoking as an emotional crutch for years. After a life crisis, Jeannie turned inward and realized the direct link between her self-esteem and smoking. Given the right opportunity, she quit in a deeply meaningful way that ultimately expanded her joy, connection, and presence in life.
Cathy never wanted to think of herself as a smoker yet smoking was a major part of her life. The cognitive dissonance became overwhelming as she joined the composting community and grew increasingly passionate about environmentalism. Realizing it was time to extend that same care to herself, Cathy finally left the habit behind after 30 years. Today, she enjoys life fully completely free from the baggage and shame of being a closet smoker.