100Pedals Talk

What happens when you take the time to listen to the perspective of someone else, without judgement, criticism, or condemnation? What happens when they feel heard and understood? It changes everything. Today's podcast looks at the listening, in a parenting model, and examines the impact selfless listening has on a child struggling to be heard or understood.

Today's "Inside the 100Pedals Blog" podcast focused on this statement, "Decisions made from a place of fear are often emotional reactions to complicated situations which rarely lead to the outcomes we desire as logic and reason have been minimized by the fear’s intense presence." Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/healing-through-listening/

From "Inside the 100Pedals blog" Podcast. Life rarely goes according to plan.When it doesn't, all is not lost. The same is true of a parent's story. Even if, even though, addiction may have radically changed everything, there is still an incredible, powerful story worth living and sharing. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/your-story-is-not-lost-or-broken/

What happens when a parent feels their child has fallen far enough? What happens when they think their child must have found their bottom? What if there is no such thing as a bottom? What happens when we rescue them because we have experienced enough? All these questions considered and more as we explore, in depth, this week's blog "The Myth of the Bottom."

When everything is not okay, many people hide their struggle from others fearing judgement, or feeling shame or guilt. Today's "inside the 100Pedals Blog" podcast explores the normalcy of things not being okay and the opportunities which come with them.  Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/it-is-okay-to-not-be-okay/

Today's "Inside the 100Pedals Blog" podcast focuses on a different approach for parents in response to a child's disconcerting behaviors, and encourages as shift from confrontational activities to one of love and understanding. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/trusting-your-love-is-enough/

Today's "Inside the Blog" podcast focuses on how parental micro- monitoring adversely impacts a child's recovery and the best steps for avoid this practice. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/getting-into-your-childs-business-only-creates-confusion/

When it comes to a child's addiction, a parent's essential first-step embracing their personal recovery path. Committing to a path of personal development, education, and healthy support, is fundamentally the most important recovery related activity any parent can engage in. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/two-trails-one-path/

Exploring how the words we choose can bring healing to a complicated, challenging situation or issue. Referenced blog: http://www.100pedals.com/healing-conversations/

Complicated problems are not easily solved at the drive-thru window. People trust random strangers with their most personal, intense problems. It makes decision making easier, but does it result in the best response? Today's podcast explores this issue in greater detail. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/the-trouble-with-problem-solving-in-public-forums/

Examining parenting, addiction, recovery and what you need to know: Why safety in the known is always easier than exploring the unknown. And, what these behaviors prevent. Subscribe on I-tunes here

Parents have a tendency to get heavily involved in a child's recovery. Their involvement has productive limitations. Today's podcast examines healthy, productive parent engagement in relationship to a child's recovery. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/recovery-management/

As we become dependent upon the barriers created by our ego to protect us, it becomes difficult to step out from behind the wall to receive the healing we need most. Today we are discussing how to move past these barriers and find true healing in our vulnerability and trust. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/the-ego-and-four-words-which-get-in-the-way-of-our-healing/

Healing broken relationships require someone step up and to authentically, vulnerably demonstrate their commitment to begin the process. In addiction driven relationships, parents have a great opportunity to change lives,including their own, through authentic love and commitment. This podcast explores these concepts. Blog post reference: http://www.100pedals.com/the-healing-process-begins-with-you/

Bringing transformed, healthy responses and behaviors into the chaos of a child's addiction provides a conduit for love and healing. Today's blog explores in greater detail, three critical behaviors parents and loved ones are encouraged to develop and engage in. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/three-behaviors-worth-committing-to/

Behaviors and interactions can become habit forming, including our responses to external triggers. Today's podcast focuses on productive ways to interrupt these patterns and habits. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/interrupting-the-patterns-of-response/

Examining the sources of our controlling behaviors and how to shift away from them at critical times. When things start to go in the "wrong direction" our desire to step in and take control increases. Unfortunately, this behavior can often be more destructive than we realize. Blog Reference: Undoing our perceptions of control

Addiction and recovery, healing and healthy outcomes are all the byproduct of change and transformation. Today's conversation focuses on the responsibilities of loved ones to embrace change and transformation in their personal recovery activities. Reference blog: Change is a required component of your recovery

A lesson learned this week: My involvement in my son's recovery isn't always productive or healthy for either one of us. Today's conversation: Discovering how to stay detached and at peace. Blog Reference: Facilitating a healthy separation

The narrative around my son's addiction has changed significantly.  Yet, I find myself struggling to trust what I am being told and what I am experiencing. Today's conversation focuses on how to shift my energy away from fear, doubt and worry and embrace the possibilities of a different day dawning. Blog reference: Struggling to embrace a new level of trust

When the wind is in your face and going in difficult, push hard; when it is at your back and you are going downhill, push harder. Reflections on maintaining productive habits even when it seems impossible to do so. Blog reference: Maintaining momentum on your worst day

Reflecting on what happens when we lose trust and focusing our energies on regaining it. Blog reference: http://www.100pedals.com/rebuilding-and-redirecting-lost-trust/

Reflecting on the realities that Addiction corrupts the mind, resulting in choices which rarely, if ever, make sense. 100Pedals blog: You can't make sense out of nonsense

When chasing the expectations in outcomes get in the way of living with confident clarity to purpose. How these behaviors rob people of joy and peace in their life.

A closer look inside an earlier blog "I have been there often, too often" and what it means to be in a community where you are safe, loved, protected; and, have the ability to authentically share your struggles and fears.

What if it was possible to turn your Hope into a result you could live with? Today's podcast: Finding a different way and celebrating the result.

I was afraid of failing as a parent. I was determined not to fail as a parent. Everything I did with my children growing up was determined by how I defined my measurable success as a parent. Problem is, I was parenting from a place of being the parent I thought I needed to be, instead of being the parent my children needed me to be. These are two critically different behaviors. In today's podcast, I delve deeper into the content from this week's blog and explore the difference between parenting from fear and parenting in love. 

What if you could trust in the outcome? What if it was possible to be at peace with the process? What if letting go of our fears were not as hard as we make it to be? Today's podcast delves deeper into the battle between trust and fear. Exploring what it took for me to finally embrace trust and overcome my fears.

When you take control of your life. When you maintain your focus. When you trust in doing what you know you need to do. Your life will change. More incredibly, so will the behaviors of others as they adjust to your new habits and attitudes. This is the last in this early series about commitment, change, and taking back control of your life and the impact this one decision resulted in change in my life and influenced the lives of those around me.          

Everyone has that moment when... They realize they are at a fork in the road They discover they are not in a healthy place They know they need to do something, or else In a blog earlier this week, I reflected on that moment that changed my life and what it meant to me. In today's podcast, I share my thoughts on why focusing on you at this fork in the road is so critical for everyone in your life.  We cannot change anything until we change the path we are on.  What are you going to do to bring health, balance and clarity into yours?  

What would it look like if you could find a moment to just relax and reconnect with your inner self? How would it feel to have time every single day to simply get away from the chaos? What impact would having that kind of time have on you and others? Today's podcast explores the benefits of healthy balance and helps facilitate a way for you to find time for you and why this so critical in our chaotic lives.

These are reflections from the May 30 Blog, "Helping them find a way home." “Home is where you go to find solace from the ever-changing chaos, to find love within the confines of a heartless world, and to be reminded that no matter how far you wander, there will always be something waiting when you return.” ~ Kendal Rob Three stories jumped into my head when I heard this quote.  In today's podcast, I share these stories and the importance of making sure our addicted children know their is always a way home!    

What if there is an opportunity to learn from our children's hurtful outbursts ? What if our children don't know how to share their most painful experiences? What if all they need is a safe place to open up about issues they struggle with? Inside the blog explores a recent post and identifies alternative ways to respond to the harsh words parents often encounter when dealing with their addicted child.

When faced with the crisis of addiction in the family, many parents attempt to quickly and easily fix the problem without really understanding the deeper addiction related issues. Conditioned to believe that there has to be a simple answer to a complex problem, parents often seek out simple solutions without embracing a truly effective educational and learning process.  In today's podcast, I reflect on the mission of 100Pedals and how it prepares and guides parents through their addiction journey. We cannot understand what we are asking of our children in their addiction if we, as parents, are not going through the same transformational, learning process.  As parents, we have an inherent responsibility to challenge ourselves to go through our own, similar educational process and explore changing our lives in much the same way we expect our children to transform theirs.  I would have loved my journey to be easy, simple and concise. Addiction, the mind, and a lifetime of experiences are not unbundled easily, simply or quickly.  The sooner parents discover the process and engage in similar work on themselves, the healthier and more balanced they will be. This awareness and wisdom is a gift that can then be shared and appreciated through the entire family. Remember, there are no simple answers to complex issues. Finding the solution means understanding the entire issue, not just the one we think we see or know.

As parents of a child with an addiction, we are often tasked with making incredibly difficult and challenging choices. It can be quite a battle to decipher the better decisions from the bad ones. And, it is often difficult to move forward without reflecting back on the many options we had and the one we selected.  Second guessing ourselves is an easy habit to get into and a difficult one to break. Last month I was presented with a challenge that I have been preparing for over the past year. I knew the day would come and when it did, I made the decision that I made. While I still have some discomfort over the action I chose to take, there was a component of it that I was completely at peace with.   One of the many educational components of my journey was learning how to make better decisions and discovering how to become comfortable with both the choice and the outcome.  While I still wrestle with the pros and cons of every action, I have learned to be more at peace with the entire decision making process.  In today’s blogcast, I share the foundation on which this trust and peace in constructed. It doesn’t mean I don’t reflect on my many options before, during, and after the decision; but, it does mean I have learned to more readily let go of the fear and doubt that used to linger in my obsessive mind. In the process, I have found a quiet confidence in my decision-making process that empowers me to have more clarity and decisiveness. And, it frees me from becoming entangled in what I have historically defined as the required outcome of every decision. **** If you desire to regain control of your life. If you desire to learn how to make better, stronger, healthier, and more rational decisions. If you don’t know where to start or struggle to stay on task. Let me know.  I would be happy to help you create your personal 100Day plan. It will completely transform your life. If you are struggling with a loved one’s addiction and are looking for a path to clarity and peace, I am here to help. Contact me now. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com. Let’s get started now.  

“No matter how dark the present appears, I choose to live for the promise of the future...” This was the first quote I celebrated as I completed my first 100Pedals bike ride on January 1, 2011.  It has been six years since I made the decision that my life, despite the chaos of my son’s addiction, was going to be different. It had to be. If I didn’t do something to change my life, his addiction would continue to destroy me. In today’s blogcast, I reflect on the powerful transformation the 100Pedals commitment has had on my life, how it has helped me find peace despite the chaos of addiction, and why I share this message of hope with parents and loved ones. There was a time where I was looking for absolute answers for dealing with my son’s addiction. His recovery was and still is my highest priority. In six years, my life has really changed for the better. The objective has never changed; however, my responses to the outcomes are now dramatically different. What I have learned is there are no absolute answers to complex problems; nor are there any guarantees that things will turn out the way we want them to. Despite doing all that I can to set an example, mentor, coach, and encourage, my son’s recovery has still been an elusive dream. I have come to realize and be at peace with the reality that my son’s recovery is up to him and that the timing of his recovery is completely beyond my control. Despite the frustrations that exist in this truth, I have learned that the healthier I am spiritually, emotionally, physically, and psychologically provides a great opportunity for me to be a beacon of love, light, hope, and encouragement for my son on his journey. Whatever path he chooses is not a reflection in me as a parent, as a dad, or as a teacher; it simply means my son has the power to make his choices. Only he can decide when, how, and where recovery will happen, if ever. While it can be confounding and painful, I have found peace in that truth because I have moved forward to a healthier, more balanced place in my life. One that gives me the ability to accept the outcomes of his choices and the strength to assist him if and when he asks for it.  If you desire to regain control of your life. If you desire to learn how to make better, stronger, healthier, and more rational decisions. If you don’t know where to start or struggle to stay on task. Let me know. I would be happy to help you create your personal 100Day plan. It will completely transform your life. I am here to help. Just ask me how. Contact me now at  dave@100Pedals.com. Let’s get started now.

Nothing disrupts or interrupts peace or joy more than adversity. Life would be so much simpler and easier if we just didn’t have to deal with conflict. In the world of a parent of child with substance abuse issues, the disruptions can often become overwhelming.  The other day I was coaching a parent about managing their response to these events.  The discussion centered around learning to emotionally react to the situation vs. intellectually responding to it. The challenge is understanding how to detach from the situation long enough to identify the differences between what you can control and what you have no control over; then, defining how to respond to what you have control over. The likelihood you have positioned yourself to make a better, more intelligent decision increases significantly.  Additionally, you begin to learn how to avoid getting pulled into the chaos of the behaviors, choices, and decisions of others, which are activities you have no control over anyway. This is one of the processes I have used in my 100Pedals journey to help me find peace in the chaos of my son’s addiction. It is a process I have used to manage conflict in every area of my life and it has been a game changer for me. It is my hope you find peace in your chaos as you learn to manage your emotional reactions and replace them with intellectual responses. Wishing you and your family Peace and Blessings through the Christmas Season! **** If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com. Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com. #StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!

In the holiday season, the relationship tensions that exist in families are often exacerbated. Even in the best of families, there are often relationship issues present between various family members. A family impacted by addiction are no exception. In fact, these tensions might even be more significant and pronounced, especially during the Holidays.  There are really no easy answers regarding the reality that these tensions might prohibit one loved one from attending a family function because of the potential participation of another. Because every family situation is different and unique, I cannot offer a clear, simple solution.  I can only share how our family is dealing with this very issue and why I am comfortable with our approach. In today’s podcast, I am sharing our family’s approach to the possibility that some members may not be in attendance because of their boundaries or history. I love that my children have defined their boundaries and expectations based on lessons and experience. I have no intention of challenging, changing, or criticizing their boundaries. Defining them and honoring boundaries are critical for one’s emotional, physical, and psychological health and security.  However, relative to the boundaries of others, my own boundaries, rules, and philosophies are to be equally respected and honored, as well. It is in this conflict is where today’s podcast goes.  Hoping this helps you and your family. Wishing you and your family a Holiday Season of Peace, Love, and Forgiveness!   **** If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com. Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com. #StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!

Most family members are terrified about the response when neighbors, or the people at church, work, or school find out that their loved one is addicted to drugs. The stigma of drug addiction and the fear of the judgment that comes with having an addict in your family is a very powerful, negative force. Knowing who to trust with our story, our struggle, our pain and our problem often prevents many parents and loved ones from finding the help they need most to get through our difficulties. In today’s podcast, I talk about the opportunity that exists in having the courage to be authentic and transparent with those we know and trust. It is in our authenticity and our humility that we put ourselves in position to be real, to be loved, and to be understood. It takes a great deal of courage to be able to expose our warts and our problems; yet, it is in that release we find honesty and trust and love and support.  And, it gives us an opportunity in that humility to be trusted in such a way that we can give back to those around us who have their own secret pain.

When it comes to a loved one’s addiction, every member of the family responds to it differently. Moms and dads are no exception. In an earlier podcast, I reflected on why it is critically important for parents to work together and come to agreement on how they are going to respond to this crisis within the families. This week's podcast is a direct invitation to Dads to become and remain more actively involved in this crisis. When I give talks or workshops, the participation of Dads is less than 20%. There are always are a variety of reasons and justifications for this occurrence; however, just like problem solving, education and collaboration requires a team effort. Addiction is a family problem; everyone is involved whether they want to be or not. It is one that requires the active engagement of all to better understand the issue and the appropriate measures for dealing with it while helping our loved ones.  Dads provide a critical leadership component in the family dynamic. Regardless of this situation, it is important they participate in this process, as well. Dads, please accept my heartfelt invitation to join us in the learning process.  We need you.  **** If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com. Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com. #StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!

It all began with a phone call informing me my son was in jail. What unfolded from that call was a story of homelessness, legal troubles, and a heroin addiction.  This is where my addiction journey began.  In the early stages I learned all about addiction related behaviors. I received a crash course in theft, deception, arrest, court systems, and jail. With every relapse, every arrest, every painful event, I felt more the failure as a man and a dad. All this became so painful, so difficult and so overwhelming it broke me. Thankfully, there is so much more to this story and it gets much better from here.  The following podcast is a recording of a talk shared with the congregation at Broadway Christian Church.  It is an inspiring, uplifting, and informative message for parents and other family members struggling with the addiction of a loved one.  It also provides a insightful perspectives for those who do not yet understand this issue of addiction and what families go through when dealing with a loved one who is struggling.

One of the greatest conflicts that arise as a result of addiction in the family is the impact this has on the parents’ relationship.  Moms and Dads respond to the situation and look at the issue from two different perspectives. At some point in the process, as the addiction adversity increases, the differences in approaches often lead to conflict, confusion, and resentment.  When parents are divided, the addiction has control over everyone. The family will experience an even greater division at a time when strong agreement and support for each other is at its most critical juncture. Addiction can easily, and often do, ruin marriages. This can be avoided. Nothing is more critically important to an addiction issue than having two parents in agreement, collaborating to find ways to support each other and their child appropriately, while going through the collective thought and education process together.  In today’s podcast, I talk about the keys to parents working together, how they can proactively collaborate despite each other’s different approaches, and tips for coming to agreement.  **** If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com. Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com. #StartWithaSmile. When you do your holiday shopping on Amazon this year, remember 100Pedals. Start your shopping on Amazon by clicking this link smile.amazon.com/ch/47-1567141 and Amazon donates to 100Pedals Inc. Thank you!

Every parent dealing with the choices and behaviors of child with an addiction struggles with developing and honoring boundaries.  In reality, most parents struggle with clearly defined boundaries and consequences, in general.  Teaching our children and ourselves this lesson is a critical life skill that the entire family benefits from.  The process for creating healthy boundaries involves three key steps. First, in a moment of rational thought clearly define your rules and expectations for the acceptable behaviors of others. Second, take time to share these expectations and outcomes with those involved. Finally, make and honor your commitment to follow-through on the consequences you have identified and articulated. Every parent has the authority and the responsibility to teach their children, whether they are using or not, that there are expectations and rules associated with their behaviors and their choices.  Part of teaching these responsibilities requires parents to be willing to assign outcomes for failing to honor these rules and expectations and following through with their declarations.  Otherwise, they become empty threats that effect credibility and respect. In this podcast, I share my personal thoughts and experiences with my responsibilities as a parent to my children in this area.  It begins with rational thought and planning.  And, it manifests itself in the execution of the commitment.  How others choose to respond to our clearly defined expectations is not our responsibility; it is our responsibility to teach our children the concept of and our commitment to our rules, expectations, and our defined consequences for failing to honor them.   **** If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com. Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com.  

We have all heard the saying “your gut is always right.” Despite our affirmative experiences with this truth, we have all had that defining moment where we wish we trusted our gut instincts. It is hard for parents to believe that one of their children is using, lying, being dishonest, or manipulating them.  Even though our strongest instincts are screaming at us to pay attention to them, many times we allow denial, not instinct to manage our decision-making processes. In this podcast, I share a story about a personal experience with denial and the powerful lesson I learned to trust my instincts from that day forward. From this experience, I have developed the confidence to trust my instincts over everything and it has protected me from disastrous decisions ever since. **** If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me. I am here to help you better understand the situation and help find a way to maneuver through the chaos and the pain. You can reach me at: dave@100Pedals.com Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com

This podcast segment is a response to a question sent regarding the boundaries a parent set for her addicted son. The boundaries didn't change anything and now the parent is struggling to be comfortable with the decision and the undesired outcome. In this response, I reflect on two components to this challenge: First, the motivation and necessity for these boundaries in the first place; Second, encouraging they embrace the opportunities for a healthier life as a result of their decision. So many times, we take action hoping to inspire a response that causes a change in behaviors, attitudes, or results. However, not everyone will see the guidelines as motivation enough to change. This does not mean we adjust our guidelines, it means that we need to recognize and honor the benefits of these constructs on our life until our loved one reflects appropriately on the impact of these boundaries on their life.

The question was asked, "how do you talk to your addicted child without pushing them over the edge?" The answer is easier than you may realize, executing it may take some time and effort. We want so badly to steer them toward recovery, responsibility, change that it is hard to resist the urge to remind them what they need to do to get there.  When in reality, they pretty much know all this already. In this short podcast, I share the approach I have used to have healthy conversations with my addicted son. While it sadly has not changed the choices he is making, it has enabled us to have very productive conversations that allow me to convey my unconditional love, hope and my commitment to him regardless of his mess.  I have learned that these conversations are more impactful to him because he always leaves knowing he is loved and left with something that reminds him there is hope. **** If you are struggling with the addiction of a loved one or child and need someone to talk with, please contact me.  You can reach me with your questions or concerns at: dave@100Pedals.com Dave Cooke travels around the country giving inspirational and educational talks to business organizations, support groups, churches, schools and treatment facilities. If you like to invite Dave to speak at your organization, please contact Dave Cooke at: dave@100Pedals.com

The last scheduled speaking stop on the Cycling for Recovery Mission was in Somerset, PA on Sunday, September 25. With nearly 35 people attending this event at St. Francis in the Fields Church, I shared the story of my journey with my younger son's addiction and the impact it had on our family. The chaos and pain of the addiction of a child can often break a parent as they often go all in to save their child.  I was one of those parents.  It took me almost eighteen months before I realized how destructive my son's addiction was on my life - relationships, home life, health, and business. In this talk, I share the struggle in my journey.  More importantly, I share my story of how I learn to love my son and help him through his struggles while learning to live and celebrate my life in healthier, happier, more peaceful and powerful way.

Dave Cooke made a presentation in Godfrey, IL on Tuesday, September 6 at the United Methodist Church. Dave shared the story of his journey with his youngest son's heroin addiction and his testimony in how he has found peace and hope in the chaos. 100Pedals is sharing this message to provide guidance and inspiration to other parents struggling with the addiction of a child. This talk was part of 100Pedals' Cycling for Recovery campaign a 3600 mile cross country cycling ministry.  The mission with this ministry is to provide love and support to family members struggling with the issue of the addiction of a loved one while bringing education and awareness to the issue of addiction in our communities. To learn more about the Cycling for Recovery Mission - http://cyclingforrecovery.com.

Today's guest, Midwestern Mama, went searching on the internet to find the answers for dealing with her son's addiction. Frustrated by her inability to find cohesive information for simplest of searches, she knew she would need to build a better on-line community, someday. In the meantime, she studied, researched, and interacted in many of the same ways every parent does. Except, she kept a mindful eye on managing the other relationships and resposibilities in her life - her other children, her husband, and her career.  Maintaining balance while learning, while growing an on-line support community helped her navigate and evolve through the difficult, challenging, and painful experiences of her son's addiction.  Today, her online community, Our Young Addicts is a manifestation of the lessons learned and the resources built through her journey and experiences, plus the wisdom and insight of others.   Resources: Our Young Addicts (Website) Our Young Addicts (Twitter) Our Young Addicts (Facebook)    

How do our belief systems affect our behaviors and responses to a child’s addiction? Do you want to learn how to better navigate the obstacles that get in our way? Have you ever struggled to find your way to a better, more peaceful life? Welcome to the addiction conversation.  Today’s guest, Tam Veilleux, is a mom, a transformational life coach, and a parent with a story about her child’s addiction.  Leaning on every ounce of professional training and experience, she was able to work through her own painful, difficult and challenging experiences with addiction – including her son’s harrowing, near death overdose.   Tam shares her journey plus her passion and commitment for coaching other parents in similar situations.  In this podcast she enlightens us with her three step approach to transforming our lives, even in the most chaotic and disruptive of situations.    Links to Tam's Coaching Programs: http://www.choosebigchange.com/dealing-with-addiciton/ http://www.choosebigchange.com/recovery-coach/

Not many people survive a thirty year addiction filled life unless it is followed by a nine year celebration of recovery. Today’s guest, Michael Manning, is one of those special people. Not only has he been celebrating his nine year recovery he has utilized his experience and his journey to teach, coach, and counsel those who are in their own addiction battle.   Like many of our addiction conversation podcasts, Michael brings his personal brand of honesty, passion, perspective, and truth our interaction. Please join the conversation as Michael shares his views and experiences with drug courts, parents of addicted children, societal stigmas, and rehab facilities.  There's a little something in here for all of us. Enjoy!