Podcasts about Peer support

Today's real sober mom Chelsea grew up in a home where alcohol wasn't seen as a problem. As the child of two drug addicts, Chelsea was raised to view alcohol as a ‘safe choice' in comparison to hard drugs. So, when Chelsea began drinking at age 14 she thought nothing of it. Chelsea went to work in retail right out of high school to be there for her family. After meeting her future husband in New York, she pivoted into becoming a funeral director - a career path rife with alcoholism due to the emotional heaviness of the job. Things took a very challenging turn in 2020. Shortly after the birth of her son who had congenital defects, Covid arrived and Chelsea's work became extremely intense. The circumstances took a toll and she began experiencing worrisome health issues. Tests revealed she had muscular dystrophy. Shortly after, Chelsea received a call. Her father had OD'd. Facing her father's death and the changes in her own life, Chelsea realized she never wanted to put her children through anything like what she'd experienced with her parents. She was looking for a change. All of this led to a casual plan with her husband to take a short break from alcohol in December of 2023. During this brief window, Chelsea had a massive wakeup call. She learned alcohol's impacts on our bodies and lives, and how big alcohol was preying on moms to get them addicted. Chelsea realized - big alcohol had scammed her! She wasn't going to let that stand. Chelsea is now 2 ½ years sober! She wants you to know there is never a ‘perfect' time to begin sobriety. The best time to start is now. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Join me on Substack! https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've arrived at mid-summer, which means you've made it halfway through your first sober summer! You badass, you. Let's reflect on how your sober summer is going so far. In this episode, I'll give you five midsummer check in questions that you can ask yourself to help you root into your wins, your struggles, and what you've gained along the way through this summer of sobriety. Go deeper into my midsummer check in questions over on my Substack, Sober for Good: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sobriety and parenting writer Sydney Allen was still in her 20s when she chose sobriety. She hadn't had a rock bottom. She hadn't experienced all of the terrible things that could happen with alcohol. Yet she could still tell - her gray area drinking was unhealthy, and alcohol was going to take more and more away from her if she continued to drink. So, she cut it out of her life in 2022. Explaining her sobriety to her friends and family, though? That felt like a challenge. People didn't understand. She didn't look like she had a problem… why did she need to quit? Today, Sydney shares how she navigated her emotions and the emotions of others through the different stages of her sobriety, why boundaries and honesty have been instrumental to solidifying her sobriety in a way that uniquely fits her, and the things she loves to do (and doesn't love to do!) in sobriety. Plus - Sydney is our first Gen Z sober mom on the show (we're spanning generations here)! We'll talk about how Gen Z drinking culture differs from the other generations and her experience of still being quite young as she navigates sobriety. Read more from Sydney on her Substack, This Is Not Okay. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You've made it deep into your first sober summer when everything in your daily life is about to shift: it's time for your first sober vacation. The change in scenery, the days of travel, and the upending of your daily routine can feel daunting. You might also be worried if a vacation can even feel fun without alcohol (spoiler alert: the answer is yes!). Today I'll walk you through how to prepare yourself before, during, and after your first sober vacation. We'll talk through how to navigate the airport, integrating community support into your days, types of places and situations to avoid, and what you can intentionally build into your travel itinerary to support you. Get more ideas on how to navigate your first sober vacation in this Sober Mom Life episode from 2023. Get more of my thoughts on your first sober vacation over on my Substack, Sober for Good: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailIf peer support is supposed to be a safe place, why do so many first responders avoid it because they're afraid their story will end up in the station, the briefing room, or the chief's office? Stephanie Conn get blunt about the real problem behind “peer support doesn't work” and it's usually not the idea, it's trust, confidentiality, and what happens when one person treats private conversations like gossip.We walk through what strong peer support programs do differently: clear boundaries, transparent language about the narrow exceptions to confidentiality, and the courage to name the elephant in the room when a team's reputation has been damaged. We also dig into something that doesn't get said enough in police, fire, EMS, and dispatch culture: sometimes the healthiest move for a peer supporter is to hit pause. Stepping back because your capacity is shot isn't weakness, it's integrity, and pretending you're fine while telling others to “take care of yourself” is the fastest way to lose credibility.From there, we shift into resilience that actually fits first responder life. We talk about writing and teaching in plain language, translating research into tools people will use on shift, and why understanding the “why” behind strategies matters. Nutrition, stress hormones, sleep, and the messy reality of progress all come up, including the reminder that growth looks more like a squiggly line than a straight climb. We also preview a new peer support book and where to find it, plus a simple question we think every guest should answer: What is your why?If this helped you think differently about peer support and first responder mental health, subscribe, share the episode with a coworker, and leave a review so more people can find it.You can find everything about Stephanie, including her books at her website at https://firstresponderpsychology.comHer LinkedIn account is https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stephanie-conn/DeemedFit: First Responder OwnedWe are a first responder owned company looking to get first responders in the best mental shape.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

The Sober Mom Life is 4! Whether you've been here from the beginning or this is your first time listening to the podcast (welcome!) I just want to say thank you. Thank you for making my dreams come true, for creating this incredible community of sober moms with me, and for trusting me with your stories. It has been an honor every step of the way. In celebration, today I'm bringing back the very first episode! Please enjoy little baby Suz as she climbs into her closet to talk into a microphone for the very first time back in 2022. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Speak softly and carry a big stick” is more than Jared Vermeulen's favourite quote it reflects the way he thinks about leadership, responsibility, and the modern fire officer. Born and raised in the blue-collar fishing town of Jupiter, Florida, Jared grew up around construction and was originally working towards a career in industrial design engineering before the fire service found him. After completing his technical training and emergency medical degree with PBCC, he was hired by the City of Boca Raton as a firefighter in 2007 and has never looked back. Now a fire officer with over a decade in the seat, multiple state certifications in technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation, and the author of The Modern Fire Officer, Jared brings a grounded, practical, and deeply human perspective on what it means to communicate, motivate, and lead.connect with Jared HEREBUY HIS BOOKS HEREAccess all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HEREPodcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE Please check out our Partners supporting this episode areWilliam Wood Watches - Discount code FFPODCAST gives the user 10% off full range on websitePBI high-performance fabrics GORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyJAFCOSend us Fan MailSupport the show***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

As we enter the 4th of July weekend I want to remind you that no matter how hard it feels right now, your sobriety is bigger than one weekend, or one holiday, or one party. The choice you're making to leave alcohol behind will absolutely feel hard in some moments - let it feel hard! You can face the discomfort, I promise. And also - let yourself also feel the joy of the freedom, clarity, and hangover-free mornings you're giving yourself by choosing sobriety. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women.Get more of my thoughts on your first sober summer over on my Substack, Sober for Good: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My sober podcasting pal Casey Davidson, host of the Hello Someday Podcast, is back on the pod! Together we'll tackle a common sober first: your first sober work conference. Casey has had tons of experience at work conferences, both while she was drinking and while she's been sober, and she's full of advice. Casey will share about the conference experience that served as a wakeup call for her drinking. We'll talk about how unsafe women can be at these events when alcohol is in the mix. And Casey will share how she prepares for and navigates work conferences sober. Remember: a lot of time at conferences is your time! You don't have to go to every planned event. There are so many ways that you can create your own wonderful and unique sober conference experience. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the biggest sober firsts of the summer is the 4th of July. In a society that turns to alcohol for celebration, it can feel challenging to swim against the tide and choose sobriety this Independence Day. But I promise - you've got this! This episode is special! It was my very first solo episode of the entire podcast in 2022. I was so impressed with the tips that little baby sober Suz shared that I'm bringing it back for you today. You'll find tips that will help you feel supported and confident on your first sober 4th of July. It's possible that today might be more than just bearable - it might also be so fun! Get more of my thoughts on your first sober 4th of July over on my Substack, Sober for Good: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Episode 092 of the Beyond the Diagnosis podcast! In this episode we're exploring the often-overlooked mental health impact of rare disease across every stage of the journey, from the uncertainty before diagnosis to treatment, remission, and beyond. Licensed social worker Doris Dahdouh joins us to discuss the emotional realities patients, caregivers, and siblings face, including anxiety, grief, guilt and isolation, while offering practical ways to cope through clear communication, intentional support, daily routines, gratitude, and peer connection. The conversation is compassionate, validating, and deeply practical, reminding listeners that feeling overwhelmed is normal and that no one has to navigate rare disease alone. Let us know what you think! Leave us a review, drop us a comment or share an idea for a future podcast with us at podcast@histio.org.   Take a screenshot and tag us @histiocytosis_association on Instagram. We'd love to hear your feedback!  Be sure to subscribe so you can be notified the moment a new episode of Beyond the Diagnosis is released.   Resources mentioned in the podcast: Learn more about our Peer Support Groups at www.histio.org/resource-overview/peer-connection Follow the Histiocytosis Association on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/histio Twitter: @histiocytosis Instagram: histiocytosis_association YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Histiocytosis  Music: “Heroes” by Noah Smith 

Real Sober Mom Erin's childhood revolved around her father's alcohol addiction and she made a promise to herself: that would never be her. Amidst her parents divorce during high school, though, she developed a new opinion: Alcohol felt like it gave her control. And that felt good. From the beginning, Erin knew that she drank differently than others. Once she started she didn't want to stop. And so, she developed a reputation of a party girl, and the party didn't slow down until motherhood. Motherhood gave her a sense of purpose, but as her kids got older and her relationship became more dysfunctional, alcohol crept back into the driver's seat of her life, until she received her second DUI. The probationary period around her DUI resulted in nine months of sobriety, and she truly believed that she could manage alcohol after that. What she didn't know was that the shame and negative effects of alcohol could roar back into her life two-fold. She knew then - she needed a permanent change. Grandmotherhood gave her the final push she needed to change her life. Sobriety for Erin began one day at a time, through faith, community and accountability, and she doesn't regret a single sober day. Every day that she wakes up clear headed is another reminder that she's done the right thing. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Few sober firsts can feel more daunting than your first sober wedding, but I promise - you can do this! In today's episode we'll talk through what you can do before, during and after a wedding to prepare yourself for this big sober first. Want to go deeper in preparing for your first sober wedding? Check out my Substack. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Let us know what you think!Security Halt's Med Group - https://zcform.com/QA5QsClick the link for a FREE consultation with My Med Team to see how we can help.   How do you help a veteran who may be struggling before a crisis becomes a tragedy?In Episode 441 of the Security Halt! Podcast, Deny Caballero sits down with Kristen Vescera to discuss veteran mental health, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and the critical role friends, family members, and communities play in supporting those who may be struggling.Drawing from personal experience and her work with Worry About a Veteran, Kristen shares practical tools for recognizing warning signs, starting difficult conversations, creating safety plans, and connecting veterans with life-saving resources. This conversation offers actionable guidance for anyone who wants to better support veterans, first responders, and loved ones facing mental health challenges.If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a veteran, first responder, family member, or friend. One conversation could save a life.Subscribe to the Security Halt! Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for more conversations focused on service, resilience, leadership, and veteran well-being.Chapters:00:00 Project Reach and the Mission to Prevent Veteran Suicide 03:03 Kristen Vescera's Journey Into Mental Health Advocacy 05:55 Understanding Veteran Suicide Prevention Resources 08:56 Recognizing the Warning Signs of a Crisis 11:51 Why Connection Saves Lives 15:06 Empathy vs. Sympathy in Peer Support 18:02 What to Do When Someone Is in Crisis 20:56 Setting Healthy Boundaries While Helping Others 24:01 Community Resources Every Veteran Should Know 29:20 Preventing Burnout in Mental Health Advocacy 30:18 Firearm Safety and Temporary Transfer Options 31:10 Understanding Safe Storage Laws and Best Practices 32:26 Creating Time and Distance During a Crisis 33:14 Why Emotions Are Temporary but Actions Can Be Permanent 36:01 The Critical Role Friends Play in Suicide Prevention 39:32 Using Military Skills to Build Resilience 43:46 Breaking the Cycle of Negative Thinking 45:58 Effective Communication During Difficult Conversations 50:53 Veteran Mental Health Resources and Final Takeaways Sponsored by: Transcend Use my referral link to book a consultation for Peptide Therapy http://transcendcompany.com/DenyCaballero Pure Liberty Labs Use Code: SECURITY_HALT_10 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purelibertylabs/ Website: https://purelibertylabs.com/ PRECISION WELLNESS GROUP  Use code: Security Halt Podcast 25 Website: https://www.precisionwellnessgroup.com/ SPECIAL FORCES FOUNDATION Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialforcesfoundation_/ Website: https://specialforcesfoundation.org/ Request Help: https://specialforcesfoundation.org/get-support/  Security Halt Mediahttps://www.securityhaltmedia.com/Instagram: @securityhaltX: @SecurityHaltTik Tok: @security.halt.podLinkedIn: Deny CaballeroSupport the showProduced by Security Halt Media

Send us Fan MailWhat would you do if your car broke down on the side of the road and there were no available options for transport assistance to get you somewhere safe? To get you home? This year, Sarah-Jane (SJ) Staszak was stranded on the side of the M4 in New South Wales for four hours after her car broke down, because there wasn't an alternative option for her to be transported safely in her wheelchair when the tow truck arrived.It just so happened that she knew someone who had a trailer to transport her power wheelchair – but what if she didn't?Also on the episode is Tony Jones, SCIA's Disability Inclusion and Insights Advisor, who worked with SJ on this case. Both share their insights on what it's like to live with a disability and heavily rely on accessible taxis for their primary form of transportation, as well as discussing the problem with accessible public transport when living in a regional, rural and even remote area in Australia.Information in this episodeAdvocacy & Your Rights https://scia.org.au/living-with-a-disability/advocacy-your-rights/Navigating Life with a Disability https://scia.org.au/living-with-a-disability/navigating-life-with-a-disability/Anti-Discrimination NSW https://antidiscrimination.nsw.gov.au/Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) https://humanrights.gov.au/Justice and Equity Centre https://jec.org.au/Parliament of Australia - Contacting Senators and Members https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contacting_Senators_and_MembersFind Your Local Representative - Find My Electorate https://electorate.aec.gov.au/CreditsThis episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email community@scia.org.au with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

Real Sober Mom Bailey chose sobriety not as a ‘punishment', but as a gift to herself. After a lifetime of difficult relationships with her parents, Bailey became a mom herself. Fear and postpartum depression consumed her because she was terrified of repeating the cycles that had played out in her own family and with her own mom. Bailey sought help, and through her work with an excellent therapist she chose to do the hard work of healing so that she could give her kids a very different kind of family: one filled with unconditional love. Sobriety is central to Bailey's healing work, and it has given her the clarity to fully feel her feelings. She simply loves being a mom and offering her kids a relationship with a supportive sober mom means the world to her. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if educating your people so well that they could leave was exactly the point? At Your Health, that's not a risk to manage — it's the philosophy that built an entire learning ecosystem. In this episode, Jamie talks with Aubrey Wall, who came to Your Health from a background in education and now leads Your Health University, the organization's learning management system and continuous-development engine. Aubrey brings an educator's eye to a fast-evolving healthcare environment, where best practice changes by the day and meeting patients where they are demands that staff never stop learning. Here's what you'll hear: Why a healthcare company runs 12-month, Department of Labor–registered apprenticeships — including programs in management, value-based care, population health, and hospice aide preparation How gamification is being built into nurse instruction (straight from Aubrey's dissertation research) The difference between Your Health University (your classroom) and the Hub (your resource library) How LinkedIn Learning delivered roughly $4.2 million in CEUs to staff last year Meeting Leah — the new AI assistant that helps employees find exactly the right course If you've ever believed growing your people is a cost rather than the whole point, this conversation will change how you think. Press play, then go ask Leah a question. www.YourHealth.Org

As we enter the summer concert season (at least here in the midwest) I want you to know: nothing beats a sober concert. They are the best. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to experience a concert without alcohol, especially if an artist you love is performing. The truth is you're never fully present when alcohol is involved. The music flies by while you're thinking about your next drink, or thinking through your moderation rules, or finding yourself standing in the bathroom line as your favorite artist plays your favorite song (trust me, that is the worst!) Sobriety will give you the opportunity to fully experience the concert without anything in the way. There's nothing better. Tell me about your first concert (and your first sober concert, if you've had one) in the comments on my sober concert Substack post. Check out my Substack here! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How can healthcare organizations better support professionals in recovery—and help them seek assistance before substance use disorder impacts their lives, patients, or careers?In this episode of Drug Diversion Insights, Terri is joined by Kristin Waite-Labott and Dr. April Lenzmeier to discuss a powerful new resource designed to help healthcare organizations establish and strengthen peer support and recovery programs.Kristin, who previously shared her own recovery journey on the podcast, co-chaired the IHFDA committee responsible for developing the Peer Support & Recovery Toolkit. Together with Dr. Lenzmeier, co-founder of the National Association of Peer Support for Nurses (NAPSN), they discuss how organizations can leverage existing best practices instead of building programs from scratch.In this episode, we explore:• Why peer support is a critical component of recovery• The importance of reaching healthcare professionals before a crisis occurs• How organizations can create recovery-friendly cultures• The value of lived experience in supporting colleagues• Common barriers to implementing peer support programs• How NAPSN is helping expand peer support resources nationwide• Practical ways healthcare organizations can use the toolkit to strengthen their programsDownload the IHFDA Peer Support & Recovery ToolkitWhether you're a healthcare leader, diversion specialist, nurse leader, pharmacist, compliance professional, or someone passionate about workforce wellbeing, this episode offers practical guidance for building systems that support recovery while protecting patients.Sometimes the best solution isn't to build something new—it's to borrow what's already working.More from Rxpert Solutions

Courtney joins me for another installment of SobrieTEA and we are two episodes into the Summer House reunion. It's… a lot. So much so that we're dedicating this entire episode to our reunion thoughts. We'll talk about everything having to do with the Amanda and West controversy. Is West a pathy? (what is a ‘pathy'?) What kind of furniture was Meija building at West's house (and how serious was their relationship?!)? Is this the reputation rehab that Kyle needed? Plus, we'll discuss the refreshing amount of tears coming from the men of the show, and we'll discuss the line when reality stops being fun and starts turning dark. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Day drinking is romanticized as ‘the ultimate summer freedom', but in reality? It's a recipe for disaster, and it's ruining your summer. Today we'll talk about how Big Alcohol has tricked us to feel an allure to day drinking, what day drinking really does to your body and mind, and what you'll gain in your summer days when you stop putting day drinking on a pedestal and leave it behind. Get my deeper thoughts on day drinking over at my Sober Summer Series on Substack! Subscribe here! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melody Mesmer tells the story behind Foundation 1023, a peer driven nonprofit born after a string of 2015 line of duty tragedies.   Melody explains how 1023 (Kristen McLean's badge number) connects first responders, dispatchers, medical crews, tow operators and families in Texas and Colorado to culturally competent, trauma informed counselors, peer support training, and outdoor resiliency programs like paddle boarding and movement-based therapies.   She covers what early intervention looks like, how peer support reduces isolation, confidentiality protections for peer teams, and practical steps to access help. Melody emphasizes rural volunteer gaps, the importance of community outside the workplace, and why asking for help is a hero's act.   This podcast is brought to you by Medical Shipment: https://medicalshipment.com/

In this episode of Health Gig, Doro and Tricia welcome Ed Morales, a now-retired Peer Support and Wellness Manager from the Gilbert, Arizona Police Department. Ed recognized that the officers he worked with were experiencing burnout and negative effects to their mental health. He developed a way to help them prioritize and improve their wellness while serving, and shares that process. He leaves listeners with the encouragement that their mental health matters.

In this episode of Hope Illuminated, I'm joined by Brandon Wilcox, peer support specialist, community crisis innovator, and suicide attempt survivor, from Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, a grassroots Colorado organization serving the state for 15 years through a statewide crisis line and innovative community-based support models. Our conversation centers on one of the most evidence-based, underused, and beautifully human tools in suicide prevention: the caring contact.Brandon opens by sharing his own lived experience with suicidal intensity — a term we unpack together as a more precise and less stigmatizing alternative to "suicidal ideation." His story is told with both vulnerability and strength, modeling exactly the kind of open, imperfect, human connection this episode advocates for. He describes what it felt like to receive messages of support in his darkest moments and how something as small as a text saying "thinking of you today" was not small at all.We walk through the robust research on caring contacts — decades of studies showing that simple, non-clinical, non-demanding outreach significantly reduces suicide risk among people in crisis and post-crisis. We unpack the do's and don'ts with practical specificity: don't ask voyeuristic questions about the method or the moment, don't load the message with expectations or advice, don't assume silence means the message didn't land. Do be honest about not knowing what to say. Do send sunsets. Do keep showing up.We also explore mutual aid as an emerging model in crisis response, the importance of soul care and awe as long-term resilience practices, and why the prevention ecosystem benefits most when people with lived experience are centered, not just as recipients of support, but as leaders, innovators, and voices of change. Brandon's work at Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners exemplifies this philosophy in practice. For more on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/164

After years of feeling like a socially awkward pre-teen, alcohol arrived in real sober mom Laura's life. It seemed to give her the courage to embody the persona of a ‘hot fun party girl,' and with it, she left her sense of awkwardness behind. From there on, ‘booze and boys' took priority over everything else in Laura's life. The party didn't stop when Laura entered her professional life. It didn't stop when she got married. And it didn't stop when she had kids. It just kept changing, and eventually it took on a new role - as a coping mechanism for the identity crisis of motherhood and resentments that she was struggling with in her life. Laura began to question: did she have a problem with alcohol? Laura's first attempt at sobriety was cut short by Covid. Future attempts, including medication and moderation, felt fruitless. She struggled to understand what she was ‘doing wrong' when everywhere else could drink ‘normally'. It was The Sober Mom Life podcast that gave Laura her first peek into who she really wanted to be as a sober woman. Now 2 ½ years sober, she's been a valued part of the Sober Mom Life cafe ever since! If you're in Southern Illinois, check out Clear and Connected, Laura's sober community in Clinton County! @ccsoberwomenCommunity makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plenty of advice. Plenty of experts. And still that nagging sense of figuring it all out alone. In this episode, Anna Lundberg unpacks the peer gap - why the advice you're getting often doesn't fit, and what to look for instead when you're building a business on your own terms. Key Takeaways Most advice is calibrated for someone else's model. Whether it comes from beginners, mega-influencers, or training company founders, well-meaning advice is shaped by their context, not yours. Old strategies don't always apply now. Facebook challenges, automated webinars - what worked five or 10 years ago has shifted, and AI is reshaping things again. Even good advice can be out of date. When you're building something deliberately different, the blueprint doesn't exist. That's the whole point of defining success on your own terms - but it means there's no one ahead of you on your exact path. You don't need someone who's done it identically. You need peers close enough that the advice maps, plus someone to help facilitate the conversation and ask the right questions. The right room is hard to find by accident. A small, consistent group of people who've chosen their own version of success will respect yours - and that's worth more than another course or mastermind. If today's episode resonated, Off Script is the community Anna built for established independents who want a small, consistent room of peers who've made the same kind of choice. Doors are open for the July intake. Apply at offscript.club.

Fridays on the pod are now dedicated to all things summer! Sober summer, that is. Each week we'll talk through a different summer experience so that you'll feel ready to face it without a drink. Today we're tackling how to prepare for your first sober barbeque, or cookout, or any daytime non-pool gathering where alcohol will be present. We'll talk through how to prepare yourself before, during and after the event so that you can set yourself up for success. You'll walk into that first sober barbeque knowing what you're drinking, what to say, what to do with your hands, and even when to know that it's time to leave. Get my deeper thoughts on your first sober barbeque over at my Sober Summer Series on Substack! Subscribe here! Not sure what to say? Here are 33 Responses to “Why Aren't You Drinking?” Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discover what's possible when you connect peer to peer.  Why is it important for peer support groups to be led by autistic individuals? Autistic Self-Advocate Stephane Guidon shares what has worked for his peer groups at the National Autistic Society, the largest autism charity in the UK, dedicated to creating a society that works for autistic people. This episode is part 2 of our conversation, originally released on February 24, 2023. Among other things, we discuss: The importance of having an autistic person leading the peer group Challenges of sustaining autistic support groups Measuring success and impact Empowering autistic individuals Tips for finding support and resources To learn more about Stephane Guidon and his work, please visit our show notes at autism.org.uk. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you'd like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Joined on episode 356 by firefighter/paramedic and founder of VEST First Responder LLC, the one and only Jake Hecht!!!! Tuesday, May 26th8 PM CSTFrom high school history teacher to pro MMA fighter (3× UFC veteran) and now firefighter, Jake turned a violent patient encounter into a mission, dedicating his career to protecting those who protect others.  As a former Army Combatives Instructor and former Lead Defensive Tactics Instructor for the Columbia, Missouri Police Department, Jake has now trained more than 3,000 firefighters and EMS providers across 10 states on practical, field-tested workplace violence survival. On this episode we're digging into:  How VEST was born from real calls and why there's virtually no standardized training for violent patient encounters in fire/EMS . Why most de-escalation talk is empty buzzwords and exactly where the line is before physical options kick in. Common admin objections and the culture that treats getting assaulted as “part of the job”.We will also discuss the reporting platform that Jake built to stop sweeping these incidents under the rug - www.firstresponderviolence.com Of coure, we can always count on the live audience to bring the heat with their questions. It is what continues to make the Scrap the absolute best. We go wherever the conversation takes us. Episode 356 made possible by our incredible sponsors:  SnapTite Hose & FireStation Furniture

My friend Jess of A Sober Girl's Guide is back to tell us all about her proactive sobriety support app: Bestday. Bestday shifts the question away from ‘why am I not drinking?' to ‘Why am I wanting to drink?'. The app's customized daily ‘risk score' will help you proactively prepare for the moment when a craving might hit. This kind of clarity can make all the difference in sustained long term sobriety.The benefits of the app go so much deeper than sobriety, though, and no one knows that better than Jess. Jess unexpectedly lost her mom right as the app was getting close to launch, and the daily tracker helped her immensely in navigating her grief. We'll get deep into grief in this conversation: how grief parallels early sobriety, how to support yourself (and others!) through the grief process, and even what not to do if someone you love is deep in grief. If you're in Vancouver, you'll get to experience Bestday in person! This summer Jess and Bestday will be all around Vancouver with The Bestday mocktail bar. Learn all about it here! Download the Bestday app for freeCommunity makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The next 12 weeks of The Weekend Reset will be dedicated to all things summer! Sober summer, that is. Each week we'll talk through a different summer experience so that you'll feel ready to face it without a drink. Because trust me, a sober summer might be one of the best summers you've had since childhood. Go deeper with my Sober Summer Series on my Substack, Sober for Good! I'll expand on each of these topics on my Substack each Thursday. Subscribe here! Check out my 33 Responses to “Why Aren't You Drinking?” Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discover what's possible when you connect peer to peer.  What makes a peer support group effective, and what should autistic individuals consider when looking for one? Autistic Self-Advocate Stephane Guidon shares what has worked for his peer groups at the National Autistic Society, the largest autism charity in the UK, dedicated to creating a society that works for autistic people. Originally from France, Stephane works for the National Autistic Society as a Senior Branch Engagement Officer and Project Lead.  This episode is part 1 of our conversation, which was originally released on February 24, 2023.  Among other things, we discuss: Stephane's journey of self-discovery How he relates to his autistic son Autism awareness in France Stephane's role at the National Autistic Society Key components of a successful peer group To learn more about Stephane Guidon and his work, please visit our show notes at autism.org.uk. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you'd like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Whether you've been diagnosed with schizophrenia or you're supporting someone living with the condition, connecting with others who understand schizophrenia can be a great help. Talking to those who are dealing with the same things you're experiencing can not only help you feel less alone, but also help you learn tips and coping mechanisms from each other, share resources, encourage treatment, and allow you to tell your stories in a safe and accepting environment. But how do you find other people with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia to connect with? What should you say? Where do you even go? Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard break down how to find other people with schizophrenia and give you a simple opening you can use to build new connections.  Finally, guest Amber (who lives with mental illness) joins. Amber's mental health advocacy journey began when she found out she had schizoaffective disorder and decided to share it on social media. She decided she wanted to help as many with her diagnosis as she could, so she began speaking about her diagnosis regularly on social media. Listener Takeaways Understand why peer connection is unique and how it provides a level of validation that clinical providers often cannot replicate Discover how staying connected to a community can actually improve outcomes  Learn Amber's “Three Pillars of Stability”: consistent support, therapy, and medication Our guest, Amber W, is a wife, mom, and Army veteran. Amber's mental health advocacy journey began when she found out she was schizoaffective bipolar type, and wanted to help fight against stigma. From there, she was invited to a psychiatric hospital to speak about her recovery. This ignited a fire in her; she decided she wanted to help as many with her diagnosis as she could so she began speaking about her diagnosis regularly on social media. Our host, Rachel Star Withers, (Link: www.rachelstarlive.com) is an entertainer, international speaker, video producer, and schizophrenic. She has appeared on MTV's Ridiculousness, TruTV, NBC's America's Got Talent, Marvel's Black Panther, TUBI's #shockfight, Goliath: Playing with Reality, and is the host of the HealthLine podcast “Inside Schizophrenia”. She grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself. Rachel creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage, and letting others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has created a kid's mental health comic line, The Adventures of ____. (Learn more at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS ) Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. Our cohost, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. He also hosts the twice Webby honored podcast, Inside Bipolar, with Dr. Nicole Washington. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the child of a parent in recovery, today's Real Sober Mom Meagan was always aware of the dangers of alcohol. It served to keep Meagan away from drinking… until college, of course, when suddenly everyone was doing it. In college and grad school, Meagan kept drinking to a weekend activity. Slowly but surely, though, it found its way into the role of her daily ‘best friend' during a heavy period of loneliness and heartbreak. After a difficult conversation with her current husband, and his recommendation of Quit Like a Woman, Meagan got sober for three years! Motherhood came rushing into Meagan's life when, through foster and natural birth, she became a mom of three… all in one year. Challenges with one of her children wore her down, and she found herself reaching for that old ‘best friend' alcohol to cope. After three years of sobriety, moderation felt possible. Yet, moderation showed itself to be a lie, and addiction took hold. After a terrible experience when she almost lost it all, Meagan knew: alcohol must leave for good. Meagan now attends AA and The Sober Mom Life Cafe! She's crafted the sobriety support that she needs. She wants you to know - don't ever be afraid of starting again… and again… and again. Sobriety will click, and each step you take on the journey is so worth it. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Officer wellness shows up in every call for service, every tough conversation, and every split-second decision. In this episode of the Cape CopCast, we're joined by Officer Shawn Frazin, a longtime patrol officer who's stepping into a major new role as our Peer Support Team Leader, to explain what real support looks like inside a police department and why trust is the foundation of everything.We talk through how peer support actually works day to day: a trained team, confidential conversations, and practical help when someone feels stuck and doesn't even know where to start. We also discuss critical incidents and why a simple follow-up weeks later can matter just as much as the initial debrief.Officer Frazin also shares how crisis intervention training (CIT) and NAMI resources change outcomes on mental health calls by giving officers tools to de-escalate, treat people with dignity, and connect them to services beyond a quick fix. Along the way, we touch on the department's evolving wellness culture, leadership support, and why asking for help should be seen as strength, not risk.

We are smack dab in the middle of what I call ‘Maycember', and the tidal wave of end of school year events feels unrelenting. Are you feeling the pre-summer pressure, too? You're not alone! I really lean on my parenting motto throughout May: Half Ass, Whole Heart. By choosing sobriety, you've gone a long way to showing up with your whole heart for your kids. The other stuff? ‘Half ass' it wherever you need to (store bought cookies are great!). Check in with yourself: What can you say no to this week? How can you take care of yourself when you're just trying to survive the month? What thing that doesn't really matter can you gently set aside so that a glass of wine doesn't sound like the solution at the end of the day? It might feel like you're treading water this month - but trust me - you've got this. My 12- week Sober Summer Series is starting next Friday right here on The Weekend Reset! I'll be going into more depth each week on my Substack, Sober for Good. Subscribe here! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailIn this heartfelt episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Terry McGuire, a certified peer specialist and the founder of the nonprofit organization Giving Voice to Mental Illness, Inc. With over eight years of experience hosting the podcast *Giving Voice to Depression*, Terry shares her powerful journey through mental health challenges and her mission to foster understanding and connection among those affected by depression.Terry opens up about her own battles with depression, reflecting on the misconceptions surrounding mental illness and the importance of recognizing it as a medical condition rather than a personal failing. She discusses her extensive work in the mental health space, including her volunteer experience at a crisis hotline and the invaluable lessons learned from the individuals she has interviewed over the years.Listeners will gain insights into the often-unspoken symptoms of depression, the significance of community support, and the vital role of open conversations in combating stigma. Terry emphasizes the healing power of storytelling and connection, urging those who are struggling to seek help and reminding them that they are not alone.This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand mental health more deeply, whether for themselves or to support loved ones. Join us for an enlightening discussion that sheds light on the complexities of depression and the importance of compassion and empathy in our shared human experience.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The impact of storytelling on mental health awareness- Common misconceptions about depression and its symptoms- The importance of community support and connection- How to recognize signs of someone struggling with mental health- Resources available for those in need of supportFor more information on Terry McGuire and her work, visit recovery.com and check out the *Giving Voice to Depression* podcast for more insights.Support the show

In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosts Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton talk about something many first responders already know from experience but rarely say out loud: sometimes the only support that actually lands is coming from someone who has been exactly where you are (Amazon Affiliate). Therapy helps. Chaplains help. Family helps. But there is a specific kind of relief that only happens when you are sitting across from someone who has worn the same uniform, worked the same shifts, and carried the same weight. This episode explores why peer support works when other resources fall short — and why investing in it may be one of the most important things a department and an individual officer can do.

Juliet Warner's road to sobriety began at age 20 with her first stint in rehab for opiate addiction. For 8 years, she was in and out of rehab and treatment facilities as she struggled with the push and pull of addiction. At 28, her sobriety solidified when she committed to the steps in AA. Yet, she always wondered - would she be able to drink ‘normally' someday? Alcohol hadn't been central to her addiction, after all. Alcohol slowly but surely found its way into Juliet's life eight years later through mommy wine culture. After 9 months, a major mental health slide, and more blackouts than she felt comfortable with, Juliet realized that alcohol was a drug just like all the rest… and one that was no longer welcome in her life. Juliet now shares her story of motherhood and sobriety and is dedicated to helping others on their sober journeys. Check her out @thejulietsocial. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, hosts Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton talk about something that is affecting nearly every department across the country right now: the law enforcement (Amazon Affiliate) staffing crisis — and the very real toll it is taking on the officers who remain. Fewer officers means more calls, longer shifts, less recovery time, and an increasing pressure to do more with less. But beyond the logistics, this episode looks at what the staffing crisis is doing to officers emotionally, physically, and relationally — and why those impacts are not being talked about enough.

As moms, we give of ourselves from the moment we get up until the moment we put our heads on the pillow. In the midst of all that chaos, your needs are in there, too! Yet, if you're anything like me, your needs are probably the first to get set aside. That's how alcohol found its way into motherhood: In the gap between our needs and the lack of resources we had to meet them. You deserve so much more than that. This is your motherhood experience. You deserve to enjoy it. So I want you to ask yourself - what do you need this Mother's Day? Answering that question and communicating it to your loved ones could go a long way to rebalancing the scales that are so often balanced away from our needs as moms. Happy Mother's Day! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Get my Free 5-Day Sober Vacation email series direct to your inbox Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the construction industry, the most dangerous threat isn't always a falling object or a site accident—it's the silent crisis of mental health. In this powerful episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council. Timed with Mental Health Awareness Month, LaBarbera discusses the launch of a first-of-its-kind, vertically integrated peer support network. Developed in partnership with Cornell University, this program is designed to confront a stark reality: while 1,000 workers die annually from job-site injuries, over 5,000 are lost to suicide. What We Discuss: The 5:1 Crisis: Why death by suicide has become a genuine epidemic in the trades and the unique stressors—from physical pain to "stoic" culture—that drive the risk. The Cornell Framework: How a curriculum designed by labor educators and clinicians is training union members to identify and respond to crises in real-time. Vertical Integration: Why this program is different—allowing a peer supporter from any trade to assist any worker on a job site, regardless of their union affiliation. Industry Solidarity: How the program secured funding from the New York Building Congress Foundation and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure no cost to the workers. "It's Not Weak to Speak": The human stories behind the initiative, including the tradesman who saved a life on-site by simply being present. "No one ever died by suicide because someone asked if they were okay. People die because no one asked." Resources & Links: NYC Building Trades: nycbuildingtrades.org Get Help Now: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. More AWF: Subscribe for more stories from the front lines of the labor movement at awfpodcast.com.

Sure, you can do sobriety alone, but it's so much more fun to do it with a community. Cafe leaders Jen and Amanda join me on the pod to give you a sneak peek into what you can expect to find in a sober community. Whether you're interested in joining The Cafe or joining another incredible sobriety community, let this be your sign to give it a go! These connections are unlike any others that you will find in your life - a community of women who get it, and who can walk with you no matter what stage of sobriety you are in. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Sign up for our next ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Work Conferences are a big sober first for a lot of the women in The Cafe, and I have to admit I didn't fully understand… until now. I just got back from my husband's work conference in Texas and wow. There was So. Much. Drinking. If a sober work conference or work event feels daunting for you, then this episode is for you. We'll talk about why these events are so alcohol-drenched, and approaches you can take to get the best out of a work conference without feeling overwhelmed by the pervasive drinking culture that surrounds them. Sign up is now open for our May ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Get my Free 5-Day Sober Vacation email series direct to your inbox Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelley Kitley grew up in a world where alcohol wasn't only normalized… it was the family business. As a kid, she lived above her family's bar and she could not wait until she was old enough to experience what this drinking thing was all about. Now a licensed clinical social worker with 13 years of sobriety under her belt, Kelley helps women navigate their own relationships with sobriety, and she gets it. We talk about the ways in which alcohol was central to Kelley's family life growing up, her attempts to ‘dodge the bullet' of addiction by studying psychology, the mental strain of moderation, her experiences in and opinions of AA, her excellent memoir MY Self, and what it was like to go public with her personal story as a psychologist. Follow Kelley on Instagram @kelleykitleyCommunity makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've been sold the idea that moderation is the goal, and that moderation is the ‘right way' to drink. …But what if moderation isn't the goal? What if you allowed yourself to see past all of the guardrails and rules that you've set for yourself in an attempt to control this addictive substance? What could be on the other side in a world where you leave all of this behind? In this episode I've got a few questions for you that will help you better understand your relationship with moderation and alcohol. Because you deserve better than moderation. Sign up is now open for our May ‘Fresh 30' and ‘Beyond 30' cohorts. Learn more here! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're back from the spring Sober Mom Life retreat in Mexico, and I don't even have words for how wonderful it was. Seriously, these retreats just keep getting better and better. The women were absolutely incredible and the sense of community we created together is going to last way beyond that weekend. If you've been curious about what actually happens on our sober retreats, then listen in! Courtney, my mom and I will talk about what to expect on a sober retreat and what might surprise you about the experience. Check out our next retreat here. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Something happened last Saturday that absolutely rocked me - I was verbally assaulted by a stranger, all while I was with my daughter. (You guys, it was 8:30am. How could someone even have the energy to be so angry that early in the morning?)It really shook me up, and I feel so immensely grateful that alcohol had no part in my weekend. Due to my sobriety, I was able to show up for my daughter, and show up for myself as I recovered from the experience over the next few days. There was no masking my sense of fight or flight with a drink, and there was no hangover clouding my judgment as I navigated the situation. My gratitude for sobriety never ends, and it shows up in the most unexpected experiences. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My amazing Bravo obsessed friend Courtney joins me for this very important installment of Sobritea to discuss the shock heard round the Bravosphere: Amanda and West's relationship announcement. We have so many questions. What about Kyle and Ciara? What is West's appeal?! What in the ChatGPT word salad was that announcement? Is this as bad as #Scandoval? Plus - The unexpected let down of Beverly Hills and the unexpectedly strong start to The Valley. Our opinions on how kids are handled on Bravo. And, our final thoughts on Southern Charm now that the season is complete. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Learn more about The Sober Mom Life fall retreat! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I just got back from our family's annual Spring Break trip to Florida, and honestly? We just played. Nonstop. The whole time. It was amazing, and it got me thinking: would a vacation filled with this much fun and play have been possible if alcohol was in the mix? I really don't think so. One of the biggest lies we're sold is that we need alcohol to have fun. That is not true at all. In fact, alcohol steals fun. I'm so grateful that sobriety has given me the ability to experience the kind of fun and play that makes me feel like a kid again. I wrote more about our Spring Break over on my Substack. Check it out here! Learn more about the fall retreat! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 6+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Learn more about The Sober Mom Life fall retreat! Get Your Copy of my book! The Sober Shift Join me on Substack: https://suzannewarye.substack.com/Follow on Instagram @thesobermomlifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.