Your Bright Recovery

Join Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with the founder of In the Meantime, a recovery residence for women in South Carolina, Tiffany Knight.Tiffany shares that:"At In the Meantime, we'll provide a safe, substance-free recovery residence to bridge the gap, while increasing the likelihood of success on their long-term recovery journey.I have had an intimate experience with addiction and recovery. As a child of a (now deceased) recovering addict and recovering myself, I will be the first to tell you the journey to recovery is not easy. In 2002, I found myself homeless and all out of options. I had burned every bridge I crossed. A piece of my story: I was dropped off at a detox center in 2002. After 7 days of detox I was discharged with the clothes on my back, a bus pass, and one phone call. My phone call was to a Goodwill shelter who had one mat on the floor. I begged them to hold that mat on the floor for me, and I would be there as soon as possible. I started this journey with a mat on the floor and a little bit of hope. Where I have been and where I am now is what motivates my continued sobriety today and provides me the passion and willpower to assist other women in need. In 2002 “In the Meantime” was just a dream. Today it is a reality."Join Caroline as she talks with Tiffany about why recovery housing or access to recovery residences for women is so important for the recovery journey. You'll also learn some helpful tips for starting a recovery home, like the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) resources, along with how to build trauma-informed and resilience-centered practice into recovery residence programming. Tiffany will share about her amazing model for women's recovery housing! “The gift for me is the empowerment of women recovering together.”To learn more about how you can support In the Meantime, visit the website at: https://itmrecoveryresidence.org/

September is National Recovery Month, a time when recovery advocates and allies celebrate the reality that recovery is possible. How do stories impact us? How can we find meaning in a shared recovery story? What impact can recovery stories have on our journey and how we show up for others? Join Caroline Beidler, MSW as she shares about her first experience of being connected to a recovery story through her friend and mentor, Florence (Flo) Hilliard.  Caroline also connects with women advocates across the U.S. including Lucy Battles, Tara Moreno, and Diane Scott. These incredible women share about the power of the recovery story in their own life and in their work in the recovery field. If you connect with power of story or would like to, visit www.brightstoryshine.com and check out the latest blog posts.You can also submit your #brightstory of recovery here.

Why is it important to think bigger, think globally, when we consider Recovery Month? Why should we learn more about intersecting issues like gender-based violence, trauma, and human trafficking and how do we help other women regain their voice?Join Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with Sophie Otiende, a woman whose work impacts women across the globe. Sophie Otiende is a global women's rights leader and survivor advocate for survivors of human trafficking from Nairobi, Kenya. Her work focuses on developing systems and processes for grassroots organizations. The past eight years she has focused on creating ethical standards for protection of survivors of trafficking, developing systems for organizations, training, and development of curriculum on both protection and awareness of human trafficking. Her advocacy on standards of care and survivor engagement has made her an international speaker. She is also passionate about ethical engagement of survivors of trafficking in the sector and ethical storytelling. Sophie firmly believes in a future where empathy, harmony and trust can be articulated in processes and systems in institutions seamlessly. She is a 2015 Vital Voices Fellow and the recipient of the US Trafficking in Persons Report Hero 2020. She previously worked as the Regional Operations Manager – Africa for Liberty Shared and later as the Director of Consulting for Survivor Alliance. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS). She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery and the founder of a survivor led initiative in Kenya called Azadi that focuses on supporting survivors of trafficking with long term care and leadership skills to engage more in the human rights space. For more information check: www.sophieotiende.com  

What does healthy grieving look like?How do we embrace all of the emotions surrounding profound loss? What is disenfranchised grief - or grief that is wrapped into the stigmatization of addiction loss? Join Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with Kate J. Meyer, MDiv, LPC, who is an ordained minister and licensed professional counselor.Kate has worked in both private practice and hospice care.  She is passionate aboutbringing grief into the light so that all grievers know how to move forward in a healthy,life-giving manner. Kate is also the author of The Red Couch, a novel about pastmistakes and a challenge to overcome them. She is a dog mom living with her husband inWestern Michigan.  The grieving process is part of being human, but far too often, grievers are pushed out of grief and rushed into rejoicingthat their loved one is in heaven. Licensed professional counselor and ordained minister Kate Meyer isan experienced, warm, practical guide to walk you through thegrieving process. In Faith Doesn't Erase Grief, she encouragesgrievers and shows them how to find hope.Grief is a difficult but natural part of life. For grievers, professionalhelpers, and those wanting to better understand loss, let FaithDoesn't Erase Grief help you embrace the fullness of grief anddiscover the first steps toward hope.Get your copy today at your favorite bookstore!Connect with Kate at https://www.instagram.com/kate.j.meyer.author/ and https://www.katejmeyer.com/To learn more about International Overdose Awareness, check out https://www.overdoseday.com/

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, Caroline Beidler, MSW connects with a mom who has been personally touched by overdose loss. Pattie Vargas lost her son, Joel, in November 2017, to overdose. After this tragic experience, Pattie went from managing a thriving consultancy firm into learning more about the disease of addiction. Pattie found new purpose in advocating for meaningful change in the way we address Substance Use Disorder and the accompanying stigma and trauma. She now focuses her speaking engagements, writing and podcast appearances on helping others navigate the frightening journey through addiction, finding hope for recovery, and comforting those who have lost loved ones to this disease.Pattie is grateful to serve in many capacities within the Recovery Community including: ·       Peer Parent Coach with The Partnership to End Addiction ·       California State Organizing Team for The Recovery Advocacy Project ·       Advisory Committee for the Addiction Recovery Communities of California ·       National Ambassador with Shatterproof Her book is out for pre-order now:  Secrets, Scars and Heart Shaped Jars . She talks candidly about her own experience of overdose loss, how to remain resilient in the face of life's most challenging circumstances and how parents and other family members can find help.  Check out Caroline's latest blog article on addiction loss: Coping with Addiction Loss: Grief in the Recovery Family. 

Radical honesty is something that challenges our lives and the way we live day-to-day. In mental health and addiction recovery, radical honesty does lead to radical healing. Manda Carpenter knows this firsthand, surviving trauma as a child and then moving into adulthood with related trauma symptoms and other challenges. Now, she works as a foster parent to support other children who go through similar experiences. "I believe that God uses the catastrophes of our life to be the catalysts of our calling." - Manda CarpenterIn her new book, Soul Care to Save Your Life: How Radical Honesty Leads to Real Healing, Manda shares her own personal journey and drops some gritty and real examples of how being ruthlessly honest can lead to living a more authentic life. Manda Carpenter is a writer, speaker, and advocate committed to helping people grow in their relationship with God, self, and others. She is a neighbor, question-asker, and cheerleader of the underdog. Manda and her husband, Eric, are foster parents and hosts of A Longer Table Podcast. They live with their son, Shia, in Los Angeles, California. Her first book, Space, is a 30-day devotional for women, and her new book, Soul Care to Save Your Life releases on August 9, 2022. For more, check out @mandacarpenter on Instagram and visit www.mandacarpenter.com.Want to share Your Bright Recovery story? Check out the submission guidelines on Bright Story Shine.

Can God move in unexpected ways? Can everyone have a purpose?How can we all support women, specifically women of color, on their faith and recovery journey?Join host Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with Faith Eury Cho about the way that God moved in her life and how she is helping to equip and support others on a faith journey."Impact is determined by the power of God." – Faith Eury ChoFaith is from Korea and has been a gospel preacher since she was 19-years-old. Currently, she is a pastor, a pastor's wife, writer, and an itinerant speaker. Faith is the CEO and founder of  The Honor Summit, a nonprofit organization that centers Asian American women in the mission of God. One of the goals of The Honor Summit is to encourage every church to be fully equipped to be able to disciple a diversity of women.Alongside her husband, Pastor David Cho, she is also the co-founder and co-pastor of  Mosaic Covenant Church in NJ. Her most precious role, however, is being a mom to her 4 children— Moriah, Elias, River and Adalynn.You can connect with Faith Eury Cho here:https://www.instagram.com/faitheurycho/Follow news from The Honor Summit:https://www.instagram.com/thehonorsummit/

Join host Caroline Beidler, MSW as she explores the concept of radical vulnerability and how this is played out in the recovery community.What happens in the Downstairs Church?Find out why Caroline wrote her new book Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery and what happens in the radically vulnerable spaces of the addiction and mental health recovery community.How can we bring the lessons learned from the recovery community into the light? What can we all learn about life change and transformation? In the last year alone, there has been a record of overdose fatalities and a rise in substance use, especially for women. Tragically, many are living in the darkness of shame often created by the consequences of addiction like sexual violence and even death. In DOWNSTAIRS CHURCH: FINDING HOPE IN THE GRIT OF ADDICTION AND TRAUMA RECOVERY, I explore the problem of addiction and trauma for women today and then highlight the freedom—and hope—that can be found in the recovery community. I also share with the radical vulnerability required of addiction and mental health recovery, something that everyone can benefit from. When we share our stories of struggle in real ways, authentic transformation can happen.DOWNSTAIRS CHURCH:

Join host Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with Dora Wright, the Founder and Executive Director of the Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition about recovery, leadership and the gifts of being of service. Anyone interested in supporting recovery community development or learning more about an incredibly bright recovery story, listen up! Dora Dantzler-Wright, BS, C.A.D.C., NCRS is the Executive Director of Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition and has 34 yrs. long-term recovery from substance use disorder and mental illness. With over 25 years of experience in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and recovery, she has worked with thousands of individuals and their families. Through her professional and personal experience, she has built successful programs that empower individuals. Learn more about how to build a Recovery Community Organization here!Want to share #yourbrightrecovery story? Contact me today and check out the blog at www.brightstoryshine.com.  

How can families recover together? Join host Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with Naetha Uren about family recovery. Naetha shares her experience living with 4 generations in recovery and how to move into a place of healing with your family. She also talks about recovery coaching and what a coach is and isn't. If you are struggling with a family member or curious about how to recover as a family, this interview is for you! Naetha Uren is the founder of Recovery Coach Academy (Ltd.) in the UK, specializing in CCAR Recovery Coach Academy© Training. They support the training and implementation of recovery coaching among individuals, communities and organizations.  Naetha is a Recovery Coach, trainer, facilitator, speaker and the glue to 4 generations living under one roof.  As the first CCAR Recovery Coach Professionals in the UK and CCAR facilitators, Naetha & her daughter Calliese bring a unique perspective; (professionally and personally to the people they work with.)  Recovery Coach Academy provides additional workshops, guest experts, and ongoing training and support; they have created an amazing, growing community that they support and celebrate. Connect with Naetha and learn more about her offerings here:Website:   www.recoverycoachacademy.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/recoverycoachacademy Instagram: www.instgram.com/recoverycoachacademy LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/naetha www.linkedin.com/company/recoverycoachacademyTwitter: @Training_RCA  Want to share your story? Visit www.brightstoryshine.com today!

Join Caroline Beidler, MSW as she speaks with Dr. Mary Roberson, the founder of the North Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO). She shares a part of her own recovery journey as a woman and Veteran and also how she was moved to serve her community by starting a non-profit organization and Recovery Community Organization. NIRCO works a crisis outreach with the local PD and has other collaborative grants and projects that provide peer recovery support services in Northern Illinois in the U.S. What does it mean to have a heart to serve? How can this change our own journey? How can service not only help the community, but promote resilience? Listen in and learn from Dr. Mary Roberson! Also, if you'd like to learn more about Recovery Community Organizations, check out this excellent resource from Faces and Voices of Recovery: the RCO Toolkit.Dr. Mary Roberson has more than 29 years working in the Behavioral Health field. She is the founder and Executive Director of Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO). NIRCO is a nationally recognized Recovery Community Organization whose mission is to promote recovery principles for individuals, families and communities impacted by substance use and mental health. Dr. Mary is a person in long term recovery for the past 29 years and has facilitated women's specialized groups on various traumas for the Circuit Court of Lake County and serves as a member its Drug Court Team and Veterans Treatment Assistance Court. She has consulted and trained in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida on several behavioral health topics related to women, veterans and the criminal justice system.  Dr. Roberson is a proud Navy veteran with deep roots in the veteran's communities.  

Caroline Beidler, MSW talks with recovery advocate Angelo Lagares about why language accessibility for all Spanish speakers is important. He shares historical context, along with why having accountability with the provision of cultural and linguistic appropriate services (CLAS) is important in today's world. Join me as  Angelo shares about his professional work and personal recovery journey!You can learn more about LARA here and get involved today by contacting Angelo Lagares. You can also submit your story in Spanish anytime at https://es.brightstoryshine.com/

Join host Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with Annalice Argyle, Founder of TracUK and woman in recovery who lives in Middlesbrough, England, about issues that effect women in or seeking recovery from addiction, mental health, and/or trauma. Annalice also shares some ways that she has learned how to support women and why building community in recovery is so important. She has extensive experience in the substance misuse field both in community and prison environments and is a qualified trainer with a vast amount of experience facilitating and setting up mutual aid groups. Annalice has a degree in Counselling – studying CBT at the Core Model, DID qualified to work with Trauma and Disassociation with a Diploma in NLP and a 12 Step Therapist/Smart Recovery Facilitator with training in The Rewind Technique – Trauma and Phobias.Learn more about Annalice and her work with TracUK here. TRAC UK is an independent advocacy service for men and women, founded in 2015 by Annalice Argyle as a voice for people with substance misuse issues. TRAC UK also has a women only recovery service, you can visit our facebook page here.

Join host Caroline Beidler, MSW as she talks with founder of the Healing House, Inc, Bobbi Jo Reed about what it is like to answer the call to service in recovery.Bobbi-Jo Reed is a person in long-term recovery with 26 years of continuous sobriety. She has provided safe, transitional housing for nearly ten thousand individuals over the past 20  years. Her passion in life is to help those suffering with substance use disorders find their purpose.She is the Founder and CEO of Healing House, Inc. in the Historic Northeast Kansas City, MO; the ministry currently houses 200 adults and 30 children. She is Chair of the Kansas City Recovery Coalition, member of the Missouri-Division of Behavioral Health State Advisory Council, a Mental Health First Aid instructor, Trauma Informed Care trainer, Certified Peer Specialist- Supervisor and Medicated Assisted Recovery Specialist; recognized as a 2018 Mental Health Champion and an Executive Member of the Missouri Coalition of Recovery Service Providers and the National Association of Recovery Residences.The award-winning documentary film, Bobbi Jo: Under The Influence, was released on various streaming platforms in 2021 and continues to be recognized amongst film festivals internationally. Her autobiography, Beautifully Broken, continues to bring others out of darkness and “Welcomed Home”.Access more resources at www.brightstoryshine.com.

Join an important conversation with Jon Seidl, the author of the best seller:Finding Rest: A Survivor's Guide to Navigating the Valleys of Anxiety, Faith, and LifeJon is an incredibly talented writer, has worked with some pretty famous people and today will be sharing a bit about his own journey. I'm going to ask him about ways to promote recovery from things that we struggle with like anxiety – I'm raising my hand here, folks – and I'd also like to chat with him about some ways that we can support others on this often challenging journey. How can we break free from patterns of anxiety?What if it's okay to not be enough--and need others to support you?You are going to learn a lot in this week's episode!For more #brightstories  check out the blog at www.brightstoryshine.com. 

Author and speaker Elisa Morgan shows us that a woman of faith and dignity does not (ever) have it all together. She struggles, yet is honest about her journey. She rejoices, even in the hard times. And through all of it, she shares that no matter what we go through, we can rely on a loving God to be there. Elisa Morgan (MDiv) was named by Christianity Today as one of the top fifty women influencing today's church and culture. She has authored over twenty-five books including The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, She Did What She Could and her most recent release, When We Pray Like Jesus. For twenty years, Elisa served as CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita. She has lived a very public faith and also a very public struggle, sharing openly about growing up in a home impacted by addiction, supporting her teen daughter's pregnancy and more. The reality is God comes to us and provides hope for our messiness. Listen to an inspiring truth teller in my latest episode of Your Bright Recovery.Find more resources at www.brightstoryshine.com. Connect with your host @carolinebeidler_official 

If God is so good, then why is the world aching? Why am I in so much pain? How do I reconcile a loving God with a hurting world?  In his writings, world-renowned and best-selling author and journalist, Philip Yancey shows me that with doubt, can come a new faithful beginning. With pain and hurt, redemption. God's world can become, regardless of our experiences, “a gift to enjoy with grace-healed eyes.”  Over time because of guides like Philip Yancey, other addiction recovery supports, and God himself, I have been able to look back at tough events in my life: trauma, sexual violence, and addiction, with grace—even acceptance. Struggle might be a part of my story, of all of our stories, but it's not the only chapter. Join me as I have an incredible conversation with Philip Yancey. www.brightstoryshine.com

Why is it important to have friends in addiction and mental health recovery?How can we move past the awkwardness and fear to have real and intimate and vulnerable connections?Join your host, Caroline Beidler, MSW, as she guides you through a quick reflection on friendship in recovery and provides some practical tips for moving forward.