Writers for Recovery

Kurtis Thompson is a Vermont native who grew up on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. He has wanted to be a writer since he was five years old. After living in the Rochester area for eleven years, he moved back to Vermont four years ago and is always trying to learn new things and make improvements to his life. On this week's podcast, Kurtis reads his original poem, "Sobriety Stew."

John Gower lives in Burlington in a furnished room. He says writing makes his life bigger: it doubles the pleasure, doubles the fun. He thinks dating a woman long distance is what started his interest in writing. He likes the idea of being in love. Imagination, he says, is a very sweet thing. It can lead most anywhere. On this week's podcast, he reads his original poem, "Why I Like to Garden."  

Stan Worthley is a recovering addict and alcoholic. He has lived with PTSD for 30 years and self-medicated for 20 years. His recovery was only able to begin after he started writing about his experiences. On this week's podcast, Stan reads his original poem, "I Am From." This episode is supported by Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region.   

Angala Devoid has been in recovery for fourteen years. Angala says she drank to forget yesterdays and hide her feelings, to be liked and accepted. Once she admitted she was an alcoholic, her life changed. She grew to love the world she once hated and looked in the mirror and saw a beautiful, outgoing woman. Today she is a great mother, sister, daughter, friend, and member of her community. This episode is supported by Indian Stream Health Center.

Doreen Phillips grew up in Indiana and has lived in central Vermont for almost 19 years. She now participates in the Transformative Language Arts Network (TLAN) affiliated with Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont, and hopes to earn her master's degree by 2020. In collaboration with writers and storytellers across the nation, Doreen plans to use TLA and recovery work to assist others. On this week's podcast, she reads "The Moment I Knew Something Had to Change."

Maura Quinn came to sobriety late in life: at fifty-four, when she began a journey to reset her soul. Quinn spent twenty-five years behind the scenes in television news. Her mother’s death, the loss of four beloved pets, and a layoff sent her in search of natural beauty in Vermont. Working the steps of recovery with her fellow writers unearthed a path to liberation from inebriation. On this week's podcast, Maura reads her original poem, "Craving."

In addition to holding workshops in recovery centers, Writers for Recovery convenes writing groups in correctional facilities across Vermont. This week's author is currently held in the Vermont correctional system and cannot be identified by name. He reads his original poem, "Lampshade, AKA Ugly Bulb." This episode is supported by Little Rivers Health Care. 

Robyn Joy has been making something out of nothing since 1976, sober since the first day of 2016. Her daily life includes a growing yoga practice, talking to squirrels and her cat, attempting mindful meditation, singing narrative duets with her husband, and perfecting her tofu marinade. She publishes a recovery-based zine called “Best Intentions.” On this week's podcast, Robyn reads "I Began to Notice." This episode is supported by Northern Tier Center for Health.

Richard Gengras moved to Vermont with his family in the late 1980s, and moved from Killington to Danville in the late '90s. He is a chef and a singer and songwriter. On this week's podcast, Richard reads his original poem, "A Morning in the Middle of My Addiction." This episode is supported by Gifford Health Care.

Caitlin Ferland is a participant in Writers for Recovery’s Burlington group. She has been sober for five and a half years. Caitlin says she greatly enjoys writing about her journey: It helps her to express her feelings and love for life in a whole new way. She has participated in Writers for Recovery workshops for over two years. In this week’s Writers for Recovery podcast, Caitlin reads her original poem, “Dear Addiction.” This episode is supported by Community Health Centers of Burlington.