Recovery Talk

Today we're wrapping up an incredible journey with the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence. For the past four years, we have been a proud part of this community, offering support, education, and resources to all of you who are working tirelessly in the field of peer recovery. Without further ado, let's get talking!

We are wrapping up our special series "Amplifying Diverse Voices.” In these episodes, my colleague Wardell Royal III of our Health Equity team hosts discussions with featured guests from various backgrounds within the recovery movement. Our aim is to engage in dynamic conversations about their personal journeys and highlight the incredible work they are doing in their communities. In this final episode, we are excited to welcome several inspiring guests: Annie Powell, Laurie Johnson-Wade, Angelina Smith-Wilson, Tarusa Steward, and Angela Burton. In it, they share their unique perspectives, experiences, and the impactful contributions they are making to support recovery. Community Catalyst Article Info: https://communitycatalyst.org/resource/engaging-black-women-with-lived-experience-in-research-studies-recommendations-to-researchers/

Between now and the end of August, we are thrilled to bring you a special series called "Amplifying Diverse Voices.” In these episodes, my colleague Wardell Royal III of our Health Equity team will be hosting discussions with featured guests from various backgrounds within the recovery movement. Our aim is to engage in dynamic conversations about their personal journeys and highlight the incredible work they are doing in their communities. In this episode, we are excited to welcome two inspiring guests: Ariel Britt and Betsy Craft. In it, they share their unique perspectives, experiences, and the impactful contributions they are making to support recovery. 

Between now and the end of August, we are thrilled to bring you a special series called "Amplifying Diverse Voices.” In these episodes, my colleague Wardell Royal III of our Health Equity team will be hosting discussions with featured guests from various backgrounds within the recovery movement. Our aim is to engage in dynamic conversations about their personal journeys and highlight the incredible work they are doing in their communities. In this episode, Wardell has a conversation with Joe Powell about the future of recovery. In it, they share their unique perspectives, experiences, and the impactful contributions they are making to support recovery.

Between now and the end of August, we are thrilled to bring you a special series called "Amplifying Diverse Voices.” In these episodes, my colleague Wardell Royal III of our Health Equity team will be hosting discussions with featured guests from various backgrounds within the recovery movement. Our aim is to engage in dynamic conversations about their personal journeys and highlight the incredible work they are doing in their communities. In this episode, we are excited to welcome two inspiring guests: Johanna Dolan and Tamika Carter-Hargrove. In it, they share their unique perspectives, experiences, and the impactful contributions they are making to support recovery. Stay tuned as we amplify diverse voices and continue our mission to provide hope, support, and valuable insights for all those affected by substance use challenges.

Between now and the end of August, we are thrilled to bring you a special series called "Amplifying Diverse Voices.” In these episodes, my colleague Wardell Royal III of our Health Equity team will be hosting discussions with featured guests from various backgrounds within the recovery movement. Our aim is to engage in dynamic conversations about their personal journeys and highlight the incredible work they are doing in their communities. In this episode, we are excited to welcome three inspiring guests: Haner Hernandez, Liliana Spurgeon, and Tony Sanchez. In it, they share their unique perspectives, experiences, and the impactful contributions they are making to support recovery. Stay tuned as we amplify diverse voices and continue our mission to provide hope, support, and valuable insights for all those affected by substance use challenges.

Between now and the end of August, we are thrilled to bring you a special series called "Amplifying Diverse Voices.” In these episodes, my colleague Wardell Royal III of our Health Equity team will be hosting discussions with featured guests from various backgrounds within the recovery movement. Our aim is to engage in dynamic conversations about their personal journeys and highlight the incredible work they are doing in their communities. In this inaugural episode, we are excited to welcome two inspiring guests: Stancil Tootle and Nicole McAnnally. In it, they share their unique perspectives, experiences, and the impactful contributions they are making to support recovery. Stay tuned as we amplify diverse voices and continue our mission to provide hope, support, and valuable insights for all those affected by substance use challenges.

We are bringing you another episode full of conversations with some of our organizational stakeholders. This month, we get to hear from Kate Bastedenbeck of the Over the Rainbow Project and Wendy Jones of the Minnesota Alliance of Recovery Community Organizations. Stay tuned for stories from the field!

We are bringing you another episode full of conversations with some of our organizational stakeholders. This month, we get to hear from Kattie Lail of We Face It Together and Betsy Craft of Colorado Drug Policy Coalition. Stay tuned for stories from the field!

This month, we are bringing you an episode with one of our Organizational Stakeholders, Dolan Research International. In it, we speak with Johanna Dolan and Kris McGinnis about their work through and operations of Dolan Research International. And without further ado, let's get talking!

This month, we are bringing you another episode filled with conversations with some of our organizational stakeholders. I had the privilege of talking with Chrystal Cantrell of Take Action Today, Dana Smith of New Life II, and Darrell Keim of Latah Recovery Community Center. Get ready to hear from some incredible people doing incredible things. And without further ado, let's get talking!

This month, we are bringing you an episode hosted by my colleague, Steph Spitz. In it, she talks with Kasey Edwards Snider of Providence Project Nurture and Sarah Bovee of Legacy Midwifery Project Nurture about perinatal harm reduction and the vital role a doula with lived experience plays in the lives of pregnant people with substance use challenges.

In this first episode of the year for us, we've brought Tim Saubers back to host a conversation around the intersection of harm reduction and peer support: moving beyond abstinence-based models. In December of last year, Tim hosted a similar conversation for his communities of practice series. In this episode, Tim talks with Jose Martinez of the National Harm Reduction Coalition, and Arc Telos Saint Amour and Shayn McDonald both of Youth MOVE National, to get their perspectives on the subject. 

This month, we are bringing you another conversation with one of our organizational stakeholders. In this episode, we talk with Donald Gunther of Mary Hall Freedom Village.

This month, we are bringing you another conversation with one of our organizational stakeholders. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mo of Straight Up Care.

This month, we are bringing you an episode inspired by the Clinical Training Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health's Clinician Café: Utilizing the Intersection of Family Planning and Harm Reduction in Communities. In this episode, I talk with Casey Johnson, a harm reduction specialist, and Russell Campillo, a peer educator. They share their personal experience engaging with clinicians, the intersection of harm reduction and sexual reproductive health, and what guidance they have for clinicians addressing harm reduction with their patients.

This month, we are bringing you another conversation with a few of our organizational stakeholders. In this 13th episode of the series, we talk with Stefanie Robinson of Hope Recovery Community, and Patty McCarthy of Faces and Voices of Recovery. Find out more about Recovery Month: https://rm.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/.    

In this episode, our host spoke with Scott Breedlove and Melanie Cobb of Landmark Recovery, and Rabbi Ilan Glazer of Our Jewish Recovery. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field. In this sixth and final episode of the series, Tim speaks with Jessi Davis about understanding and supporting mental health experiences. Jessi is an experienced Program Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the Peer Support, Mental Health, and Substance Use Recovery fields. Jessi is known for work surrounding Youth and Young Adult Peer Support training, technical assistance, and leadership. Currently working at the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, Jessi works to provide support, technical assistance, and training to the peer workforce throughout the 5 states and all tribal communities within Region 6. They have spent much of their career focused on Youth and Young Adult Peer Support and are currently the President of the National Association of Peer Supporters.

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field. In this fifth episode of the series, Tim speaks with Mx. Yaffa about developing advocacy skills. They are an award-winning disabled, mad, trans, queer, Muslim, indigenous Palestinian. Mx. Yaffa conducts transformative work around displacement, decolonization, equity, and centering lived experiences of individuals most impacted by injustice. Mx. Yaffa is a storyteller and an equity and transformation consultant, having shared their story with over 100,000 audience members at speaking events globally. Mx. Yaffa has worked in over two dozen countries, and specializes in global and community vision building.

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field. In this fourth episode of the series, Tim speaks with Shandelle Friedman exploring multiple pathways to recovery. Shandelle is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist with 2 years of experience working in the field. Working with members of her local Sober Squad Chapter, she developed a desire to help others navigate the challenges faced by those recovering from substance use challenges. She now works as an ADC-T for her organization and finds peer support to be a vital part of the recovery process.

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field. In this third episode of the series, Tim speaks with Sera Davidow about developing skills as a professional. Sera is a filmmaker, activist, advocate, author, and mother of two very busy kids. As a survivor of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse as a child and relationship violence as an adult, Sera has faced many challenges throughout her own healing process, including many ups and downs with suicidal thoughts, and self-injury. At present, she spends much of her time working as Director of the Wildflower Alliance (formerly known as the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community), which includes Afiya Peer Respite, recently recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of about two dozen exemplary, rights-based programs operating across the world.  

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field. In this second episode of the series, Tim talks with Nze Okoronta about supporting people navigating “crisis.” Nze is the Peer Services Manager for Solstice House, a peer-run respite and warmline operated by SOAR Case Management, a small nonprofit organization in Madison, WI with the mission of serving individuals who have experienced mental health and/or substance use challenges. Nze is passionate about peer support in Wisconsin and views peer support work as a fundamentally restorative practice. She believes peer work has the power to reduce and prevent systemic harm, support marginalized communities in a more complete way, and bring radical acceptance to the forefront of mental health and substance use care.

In late 2022, Tim Saubers, who leads our workforce development team, hosted a 6-month Skill Development Series for Peer Recovery Support Specialists. The series was so well attended and in demand, that we also offered it in early 2023. In this podcast series, Tim sits down to have a conversation with each facilitator to have a deeper discussion with them about their presentation and what it means for the field. In this first episode of the series, I talk with Tim about his presentation on ethics within the provision of peer recovery support services. In addition to leading our workforce development team, Tim is a person with lived experience with both mental health and substance use challenges who got his start as a Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist in 2016, and has worked in direct support and supervisory roles. Tim has no formal education beyond his high school diploma and Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Certification. He believes strongly in the value of his lived experiences and learned skills, and advocates for greater recognition and compensation of those without higher education across the field of behavioral health.

This month, Kris Kelly, who leads our RCO capacity building team here at the PR CoE, hosts a conversation with Durga Leela, founder of Yoga of Recovery. In this episode, you'll get to hear about Durga's recovery journey embracing Ayurveda and how one of the oldest traditional systems of medicine helps her live a life of abundance. Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Yoga of Recovery Website Yoga of Recovery Events Durga's Book Bayan Botanitcals Durga's Email: durga@yogaofrecovery.com    

In this episode, our host spoke with Brandy Anderson-Willis of Indiana Association of Peer Recovery Support Services, Bailey Helgeson of the Roanoke Valley Collective Response, and Mike Durschlag of the Association of Recovery Schools. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

This month, we spoke with Kim Gannon and Emily Pasman, authors of a recent article in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment entitled, “Knowing or not knowing: Living as harm reductionists in Twelve Step Recovery.” With us, they shared their experiences navigating recovery through Twelve Step programs, their embrace of harm reduction values, their professional research, and the ongoing journey of reconciling these concepts and experiences for themselves. Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949875923000048?dgcid=author

In this episode, our host spoke with Tim Saubers and Haner Hernandez, both PR CoE team members. Tim and Haner discussed their experiences with cultural identity and how that affected their recovery and healing journeys. 

In this episode, our host spoke with China Darrington of Summit Recovery Hub and Ken Vick of Benilde Hall about the work they are doing through their organizations. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

In this episode, our host spoke with one of our previously featured organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their organization. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

This month, we are throwing it back to an episode we published last fall. Our host talked with Kris Kelly, Nell Hurley, and Marin Nelson about their experiences creating and supporting recovery friendly workplaces. We'll be back at the top of the new year with a brand new episode. 

In this episode, our host spoke with some of our previously featured organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their respective organizations. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field! Links mentioned in the episode: Healing House KC Bobby Jo: Under the Influence Recovery Idaho

This month, our host spoke with Theresa M. Knorr of Friends of Recovery-New York about their upcoming 7th annual recovery conference. This year's theme is 'When We All Recovery: Holistic Recovery For Individuals, Families and Communities' and will feature a wide variety of workshops and keynote speeches designed to provide a holistic view of recovery. Find out more, including registration information, online at: https://for-ny.org/2022-nys-recovery-conference/.

In this episode, our host spoke with one of our previously featured organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their respective organization. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field as well as a special announcement!

We are throwing it back to a previous episode. In September of last year, Tom Hill spoke with us about his recovery journey and how it intertwines with the history and ongoing recovery movement. Tom's life has been dedicated to the advocacy for and with people who have been marginalized, constantly working to promote the life-saving role of evidence-based treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support efforts.

In this episode, our host spoke with some of our previously featured organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their respective organizations. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

In this month's bonus episode, our hosts get to talk with Tim and Johanna about their experiences navigating recovery as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Stay tuned for more stories from the field!

In this episode, our host spoke with some of our previously featured organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their respective organizations. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

In this episode, our host spoke with some of our previously featured organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their respective organizations. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

In this episode, our host spoke with some of our previously featured organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their respective organizations. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

In this episode, we speak with Laurie Johnson-Wade about her recovery journey. In addition to serving on our steering committee, Laurie is the co-founding director of Lost Dreams Awakening, a recovery community organization in Pennsylvania, and an advanced implementation specialist with the Opioid Response Network. She brings over 30 years of lived recovery experience to the revolutionary and rewarding work of recovery support services. Named 2020's Advocate of the Year by the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk, Laurie is passionate about advocacy and seeks to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all systems of care.

In our first episode of the new year, we are bringing you something a little different. Our host spoke with some of our organizational stakeholders of the month about the work they are doing through their respective organizations. Tune in now to hear stories and anecdotes from the field!

In this episode, we talk with Johanna Dolan, one of the PR CoE's newest steering committee members, about their recovery journey. Johanna was a successful financial advisor. If you're imagining all the possessions and money that might come with such success, you'd be right. But having it all left her empty, lost and experiencing the lowest places one can get. She's emerged from that low - committing to a journey of self-love, self-respect, love for others. Along the way they've learned from some of the best coaches in personal development. Johanna has won recognition for her advocacy and leadership in the communities where she lives and works. Johanna teaches how to change your life through emotional intelligence, financial literacy, business ownership, and principle-centered living.

In this episode, we talk with Kris Kelly, Nell Hurley, and Marin Nelson about their experiences creating and supporting recovery friendly workplaces. Employers play a critical role in fighting the disease of addiction and recovery is good for business. Employers are becoming more proactive in recognizing the economic and cultural benefits of being better informed about substance use and ways to support talent who are seeking help or are in recovery. Through recovery friendly workplaces, we can fight the stigma associated with the disease of addiction and encourage employees to get help sooner by providing resources that support their own, unique recovery pathway.

In honor of Recovery Month, we spoke with Tom Hill about his recovery journey and how it has intertwined with the recovery movement. Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris administration appointed Tom to the position of senior policy advisor at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Tom's life has been dedicated to the advocacy for and with people who have been marginalized. In his current role, he is working to promote the life-saving role of evidence-based treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support efforts.

Today, we have a very special guest joining us, Cindy Christy. Cindy is a woman in long-term recovery and works as the Project Manager for the CoE's Coordinating Center. If you have attended any of our events or trainings, you probably already know her. She is passionate about her own recovery and dedicated to serving others on their journey. Cindy wears many hats in both her professional and personal life, but there is always one that she never takes off—the one that asks, “how can I help?” In this episode, we have the honor of hearing her recovery story.

In this episode, we have the honor of speaking with Haner Hernandez, a member of our Peer-Led Steering Committee. Haner is a person in long-term recovery from addiction and is committed to eliminating health disparities by working at the national, state, and local levels.  He is currently a Senior Consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with a focus on disparities, building health equity, addiction treatment, recovery supports, and the Recovery Support Centers located throughout the Commonwealth. Haner has worked for over 30 years in the health and human service field developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically intelligent youth and adult health prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support programs.

Today, we speak with Nell Hurley, a member of our Peer-Led Steering Committee, about her recovery journey. Nell has worked in the peer recovery space for over a decade and is an expert in developing vibrant recovery community organizations. She is passionate about recovery from addiction, fitness, and helping people meet their goals.

Today, we speak with Michael King about his recovery journey. In addition to serving on our Peer-Led Steering Committee and leading our organizational engagement, Michael is the director and creator of The Communities Project, a national initiative with the mission of saving a million lives from substance use related deaths over the next two decades. Michael is passionate about empowering individuals to find their full potential and reach for the power necessary to bring about social change.

Today, we speak with Sharon Hesseltine about her recovery journey. In addition to chairing our Peer-Led Steering Committee, Sharon is the President and CEO of Intentional Development Consulting & Training, an organization focused on promoting recovery from addiction. Sharon is passionate about reducing stigma associated with addiction and developing the capacity of communities, organizations, and individuals to better meet the needs of individuals with substance use disorders.