Podcasts about Peer support

Carl Radke of Bravo's Summer House joins Suzanne and Katie to talk about his sobriety journey and his wonderful book Cake Eater: A Journey of Self Discovery. Carl will share his history with alcohol and cocaine, the challenges he experienced with moderation, how the heartbreaking passing of his brother ultimately led him to choosing sobriety, what it has been like to go through growth in front of reality TV cameras, the importance of community in his recovery, and how sharing his story through his book and his new podcast More Life has helped him find purpose through his story. 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 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.

Resilient Voices and Beyond Podcast, Season Three, Episode 54. Healing while curating dreams and breaking generational trauma. Guest, Julissa Grozozski Torres, YPA, NYCPS, CRPA, Founder and CEO of Triumph OVA Struggles Advocacy and Consulting LLC.This episode holds space for healing centered conversations and storytelling inside my Foster Healing Fellowship capstone work, and it honors the truth that survival skills keep people alive, and healing skills set people free. Julissa walks listeners through a life shaped by early loss, foster care, adoption, religious control, abuse, psychiatric institutionalization, chronic illness, and the long fight to reclaim identity with intention. She names what it costs to grow up inside systems that label behaviors but ignore pain, and she names what it takes to rebuild a self when other people spent years defining it for you.Julissa breaks down the moment she chose her own name at twelve, and she frames that decision as an act of self definition when life offered her few choices. She speaks with precision about how religious restriction narrowed her sense of self, and how adulthood demanded an intentional return to joy, interests, and personal agency. She also connects lived experience to leadership, and she draws a straight line from survival to service, including how peer work, advocacy, and consulting form a mission rather than a slogan.We confront the systems themselves, foster care, psychiatric institutions, and schools, and we talk plainly about what helped and what harmed. Julissa also speaks on diagnosis, misdiagnosis, neurodivergence, and the exhaustion of living inside an identity built around symptoms, then fighting for clarity that fits reality.  She names cycle breaking motherhood as active work, not a slogan, and she describes the daily labor of building a home where children experience emotional safety, support, structure, and freedom to simply exist as kids.This conversation also tells the truth about boundaries, grief, and letting go. Julissa speaks on the hard decision to release relationships that kept her trapped in old harm patterns, and she names the difference between forgiveness and access.  We close with a grounded charge for anyone who feels buried under labels, trauma, and fatigue, take ownership of your life in small steps, protect your healing, and refuse the lie that your past defines your ceiling.  Connect with Julissa Grozozski Torres. Instagram, triumph_ova_struggles. LinkedIn, Julissa Grozozski Torres. Website, triumphovastruggles.org.

When I polled my Instagram community and asked what was holding women back from committing to sobriety the biggest answer I received was FOMO - fear of missing out. Today as we cover chapter 9 of my book The Sober Shift I want to shift this fear for you and ask you to ask yourself the question: what is alcohol making me miss out on? For me and so many women, the realities of what we lost to alcohol only became clear in sobriety. Trust me, there are incredible experiences on the other side. 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 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.

At Antioch High School in Contra Costa County, 80 students serve as peer advocates, mentoring freshmen during their transition to high school, meeting with students who have been found with alcohol or drugs, and facilitating mediation between students who are having conflicts. There's been a surge in school programs like this one, where students counsel or mentor other students. And they seem to be paying off, both for students who receive the mentoring and for the advocates themselves. Guests: Cristian Topete, Peer advocate and student, Antioch High School Vani Sanganeria, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource:  Students become lifeline for peers facing suspensions, mental health struggles Estudiantes se convierten en apoyo vital para sus compañeros que enfrentan suspensiones y problemas de salud mental. Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource's Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Send a textStigma keeps too many first responders silent, and silence can cost careers, health, and lives. We sit down with a former deputy sheriff and burnout expert AK Dozanti  to map clear, practical ways leaders and peers can replace fear with trust—without waiting for a crisis to force the issue. From the first honest check-in to a policy that actually protects time for care, we unpack what real support looks like on and off shift.We talk about the gap between leadership and the line, and how to close it with routine, human conversations—quarterly coffee, or even better, side-by-side cruiser rides that make it easier to open up. You'll hear why “the opposite of depression is expression,” how to speak up safely using unions and peer support, and why building a pre-crisis network is the strongest predictor of bouncing back after critical incidents. We also get candid about therapy: EAPs help, but cultural awareness matters. When clinicians understand shift work, critical incidents, and the code of the job, responders stop giving “safe” answers and start telling the truth.We spotlight two resources built for the field. Beat the Burnout reverse-engineers burnout with stepwise guidance and constant actions you can use even when your brain is crispy. Responder Reset delivers 99 “read-this-when” tactics for moments like wired-but-tired or post-incident spikes—grounding, bilateral stimulation, breathing, and proprioceptive tools explained in plain language with tactical trade-offs. Leaders will learn why embedded clinicians accelerate trust, how annual wellness visits normalize care before it's urgent, and how to frame mental health in practical, tactical terms that earn buy-in.If you value practical tools over platitudes, this conversation is for you. Listen, share it with your shift, and tell us: what one change would make your department safer to speak up? Subscribe for more candid, field-tested strategies, and leave a review to help other first responders find this show.Visit her website at: www.akdozanti.comFreed.ai: We'll Do Your SOAP Notes!Freed AI converts conversations into SOAP note.Use code Steve50 for $50 off the 1st month!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

Health and wellness coach Erin Treloar is here to help you regulate your nervous system so that you can find more calm, joy, and clarity in your life. Erin shares the science behind nervous system regulation, why alcohol can wreak havoc on your nervous system, and what you can do today (right now!) to help your body find inner calm. Plus, Erin will share a bit about her own sobriety journey, and how much more difficult it was for her to quit the second time around. Learn more about Erin's work at www.erintreloar.comCommunity 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 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 a textIn this conversation with Matt Domyancic, we discuss the critical aspects of law enforcement and the role of chaplaincy in supporting officers' mental health and wellness. We explore the importance of self-care, the challenges faced by first responders, and the need for a proactive approach to mental health. Matt shares his experiences and insights on building trust within the law enforcement community, the significance of spirituality, and the necessity of addressing mental health before crises occur. The discussion emphasizes the importance of investing in oneself and the role of chaplains in providing support and understanding to officers. Takeaways:Self-care is essential for first responders.Mental health awareness should be proactive, not reactive.Building trust takes time and consistent effort.Spirituality can play a significant role in resilience.Pain that is not transformed is transmitted to others.Investing in oneself is crucial for long-term wellness.Creating rapport is key to effective chaplaincy.Tactical Chaplain Matt Domyancicwww.tacticalchaplain.comIG: @thetacticalchaplainin: @Matt DomyancicSupport the showCritical Aspects Website IG: @critical_aspectsIG: @pastorvernin: @Dr. Vernon Phillips

Support the show via PatreonWelcome to season 5! In this fun chat with Mark Brown, we immediately get sidetracked with Star Trek, a topic we have been discussing for over 30 years. We explore the podcasts we hosted long before it was cool. Mark speaks about peer support and how it plays a crucial role in mental health recovery. And most important, we tackle the ethics of AI and imagine what the future might look like with AI in our lives. My discussions with Mark have always been deep and complex. I hope you enjoy. Mark Brown is a Senior Research Fellow at Summer Foundation Ltd and member of PauseAI Australia.Here is the video we referenced Bobby Flynn from Australian Idol interviewed on Idol SparksPlease come join us on our socials where we are very much present. We very much want you to share your stories and opinions. Join our public and private pages to start the discussion.Public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/latetothepartypodcastPrivate Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168470233702726Email us at latetothepartyasd@gmail.comInstagram page - https://www.instagram.com/latetothepartyasd/Website at https://latetotheparty.buzzsprout.comSupport the show

Our society is stuck on the idea that sobriety should be rooted in shame. In today's episode and in chapter 8 of my book The Sober Shift, I push back on that and argue that your sobriety should not feel like something that you need to hide! I'll share how I shifted from my sobriety being something I did quietly to something that I proclaim proudly, and how you can make the shift too, in whatever way feels right for you. 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 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.

For people experiencing addiction or mental illness, taking the first steps toward care can seem impossible. So, it can help to talk to a peer–someone who has been through something similar.

Drew & Garden System share powerful healing stories from Jade Miller, a peer support specialist.  Jade Miller is a multiple, writer, and peer support worker who helps others living with dissociative experiences find community, language, and grounding. Through her coaching at Peer Support for Multiples and her upcoming Safe Harbor Peer Respite Center, she's building spaces where complexity and healing can coexist. Her teaching and writing emphasize belonging, integrity, and the quiet power of survivors leading their own recovery.Safe Harbor Peer Respite CenterThank you to our sponsors!Alix Amar with Dissociative Creative ExplorationsHealing My PartsFollow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops! And most importantly: remember that every system is different. What works for one may not work for another—and that's okay. Your journey is valid, your healing is real, and we're so glad you're hanging out with A Couple of Multiples. Articles cited in Seasons 4 & 5: Brand, B. L., Sar, V., Stavropoulos, P., Krüger, C., Korzekwa, M., Martínez-Taboas, A., & Middleton, W. (2016). Separating Fact from Fiction: An Empirical Examination of Six Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder. Harvard review of psychiatry, 24(4), 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000100

When Ariel was young she saw alcohol as her closest friend. But slowly the ways in which alcohol was not a close friend, but a toxic relationship, began to surface - through a DUI at 18, or the mom shame she began to feel for her drinking once she became a mother at 22. Alcohol was completely normalized in her family, though, and she could not even conceive that she would need to quit. As a social worker, Ariel had seen the worst cases of addiction and she did not relate to those at all. After Ariel's mother passed away her drinking ticked up and she fell into a deep depression. Two psychiatrists (one quite rudely!) alerted her to the fact that alcohol might be making her depression worse. On the day after her birthday last year she realized she was just ‘tired' of it, so she committed to 30 days of sobriety. And at the end of those 30 days? She just didn't see the point of drinking anymore. It had taken too much from her life. It was time to break up and leave her toxic relationship with alcohol for good. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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 welcome my childhood friend Dr. Mike Meaney back on the show where we discuss how pain changes how a life moves. It sharpens every edge, tests every bond, and forces you to decide what you believe when there are no easy choices left. That's where our conversation begins: a candid account of failed orthopedic surgeries, a system that too often rewards the cut over the cure, and the daily reality of living inside a body that won't stop hurting. We examine how fee-for-service medicine, device royalties, and surgical center ownership can bend decisions, why second and third opinions matter, and what patients can do to avoid becoming a statistic in a volume-driven industry.From there, we turn toward the inner struggle—resentment, justice, and the long road to healing. We talk openly about opioids as a seductive solution to the human problem of physical pain, and the devastation they leave behind. We sit with the hardest question: when harm is done under anesthesia, what does forgiveness mean? Faith enters not as a slogan but as a practice. We return to the simple Catholic teachings we learned as kids—tell the truth, avoid violence, treat others as you wish to be treated, care for the marginal—and measure them against adult complexity. We explore the mystical claims of Christianity with clear eyes, and why daily sobriety can feel like proof enough for belief.Then we build forward. Our guest shares One Small Step, a platform delivering certified peer support on nights and weekends for people on Medicaid—exactly when the rest of the system is closed or the ER is the only option. We walk through how human-in-the-loop AI can safely triage, detect pre-crisis signals, and route people to real peers with lived experience, reducing avoidable ER visits and giving support that actually meets people where they are. It's a practical blueprint for reform: dignified care, data-informed decisions, and a focus on outcomes that matter.If this conversation resonates—about pain, faith, accountability, or access to real help—share it with someone who needs it. And if you appreciate these deep, unfiltered talks, tap follow, leave a quick review, and tell us: where do you draw the line between justice and mercy?To learn more about One Small Step head over to https://onesmallstep.io/Support the showWarmly,Nico Barraza@FeedTheSoulNBwww.nicobarraza.com

Text a Message to the ShowWe can't control everything in police culture and we certainly can't control how outsiders talk about police, but we can control our attitudes and our end of the relationships within the department.  Today's guest is Eric Tung, a police commander and the host of the podcast Blue Grit Radio.  Eric wants to talk about the empathy or lack thereof that exists between officers and between the officers and commanders.  How they communicate better and how each member of the team work to make the team better, regardless of outside influences.Eric's website: bluegritwellness.com and find Eric Tung on LinkedInMusic is by Wes HutchinsonHey Chaplain Podcast Episode 134Tags:Police, Communication, Culture, Empathy, K9, Leadership, Loss, Nihilism, Peer Support, Podcast, Teamwork, Wellness, Seattle, WashingtonSupport the showThanks for Listening! And, as always, pray for peace in our city.Subscribe/Follow here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-chaplain/id1570155168 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2CGK9A3BmbFEUEnx3fYZOY Email us at: heychaplain44@gmail.comYou can help keep the show ad-free by buying me a virtual coffee!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/heychaplain

My first sober vacation was a challenge, but when I was done I was in awe of myself. I did that! It was then that I started to think about the concept of ‘sober firsts'. Focusing on these challenging ‘first' experiences with sobriety - the sober summer, the sober wedding, the sober holiday - helped me stay in touch with how sobriety was impacting my life. And let me tell you: the self-confidence that you build when you dedicate yourself really experiencing these sober firsts, even when they're hard, is a self-confidence that you can rely on in every moment that comes after. Because you learn that you've got your back no matter what. That knowledge is invaluable. Are you gearing up to take your first sober vacation? Let me support you with this 5-day email series!What's on your list of upcoming sober firsts? Tell me on IG or comment on the Spotify feed or leave it in a review on Apple! Today I'm highlighting chapter 7 of my book The Sober Shift. Get your copy here! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. 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 incredible Margaret Josephs of Real Housewives of New Jersey is with us today!! Margaret has always stood out as someone who was refreshingly authentic in the Bravo world, and a part of that is rooted in her lifelong alcohol-free lifestyle! Margaret's sobriety has never stood in the way of her love of being the life of the party. This self proclaimed ‘professional non-drinking party girl' is here today to share her truth that the party only gets better once alcohol is out of the picture. Today Margaret shares how her childhood experiences led her to an adulthood of sobriety, how her mental clarity has allowed her to feel confident in her true authentic self, her experiences in the Bravo world, the Bravo shows that she personally loves to watch and so much more. Margaret has an incredible line of mocktails - Soiree! Soiree features four layered intricate alcohol-free flavors. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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 stereotype of ‘rock bottom' kept me drinking. I believed the lie that if my drinking didn't look like a dire stereotype then I did not qualify for sobriety. This lie stopped me from seeing what alcohol had already taken from my life. Today we'll talk through chapter six of my book The Sober Shift, where I'll help you reframe the concept of ‘rock bottom' so that you can find a softer place to land. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

This episode is an interview with Mike Meaney, CEO and founder of One Small Step that provides peer support to people with mental health and addiction crises. He discusses his own personal recovery journey that inspired him to become a certified peer.Most of us underestimate how critical peer support can be in mental health and addiction recovery- until we hear stories like Mike's, who turned his personal struggles into a groundbreaking platform that saves lives during nights and weekends when traditional help is scarce.In this powerful episode, Mike Meaney shares his deeply personal journey from blackout drinking at 16 to building a platform for certified peer support that's transforming mental health care. Dr. Kibby and Mike discuss how lived experience combined with innovative technology is closing gaps in access, especially when emergency services aren't the right answer. Failing to recognize the power of peer support leaves millions vulnerable in their darkest hours, missing out on an accessible, stigma-reducing lifeline. For anyone battling addiction, mental health challenges, or supporting someone who is, this episode reveals a hopeful path forward, grounded in authenticity and innovation.If you're tired of the same old approaches and want to see how empathy combined with tech can revolutionize mental health care, this conversation is essential listening. Mike Meaney is CEO of One Small Step, a platform dedicated to on-demand peer support supported by clinical supervision, revolutionizing how people access help in their most vulnerable moments.Resources:One Small Step website

When communities lead, care works: culturally grounded support, early intervention, and multiple doors to emotional wellness. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Cara McNulty, CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health, the national organization behind the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, serving more than five million people each year. A population health scientist and nationally recognized leader, Cara is committed to breaking down stigma and democratizing access to mental health care across the country. Before joining Vibrant, she served as President of Behavioral Health and Mental Well-being at CVS Health, where she launched bold, data-driven initiatives, including a strategy to reduce suicide attempts by 20% among Aetna members, and helped spearhead Minnesota's transformational population health legislation. With a doctorate in public administration and decades of experience translating evidence-based science into scalable solutions, Cara is passionate about building a society where emotional wellness is accessible to all. Together, Sharlee and Cara explore how community-driven peer support, led by people with lived experience, is reshaping youth mental health. They discuss how families can better navigate complex systems, access culturally competent care, recognize early warning signs, and create identity-affirming spaces where teens feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. The conversation also looks at the systemic changes needed to ensure emotional wellness isn't a privilege, but a possibility for every young person.   For more information about Vibrant Emotional Health, please visit: https://www.vibrant.org/ For more information about Vibrant Emotional Health's Community Programs, please visit: https://www.vibrant.org/what-we-do/community-programs/ For more information about 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, please visit: https://988lifeline.org If you're interested in supporting Vibrant Emotional Health through donation, please visit: https://www.vibrant.org/donate/ Connect with Vibrant Emotional Health on social media: on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vibrantforall/ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibrantforall/ on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vibrantforall on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/VibrantForAll on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vibrantforall on X: https://x.com/vibrantforall

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, host Robin Bailey and Al McDonald sit down with Stephanie Hollingshead, CEO of TAP Network, for a candid conversation about leadership, burnout, and the power of collaboration in Canada's tech sector. Stephanie shares how TAP Network has evolved from a small group of competing tech companies into a national community and infrastructure for people and culture leaders. What began as a conversation about competing for scarce talent has become a model for how collaboration, trust, and shared learning can strengthen an entire industry. The conversation dives into the often-unspoken reality of leadership roles, particularly for people and culture professionals who sit in the uncomfortable middle of organizations. Stephanie speaks openly about burnout, isolation, and the emotional weight of roles that require balancing advocacy, execution, and trust from all sides. Robin, Al, and Stephanie explore why collaboration works even among direct competitors, how trust is built over time, and why peer communities provide critical support when leaders are navigating layoffs, uncertainty, and rapid change. Stephanie also reflects on stepping into the CEO role, what surprised her about the broader leadership ecosystem, and why support and mentorship are far more available than many leaders realize. The episode closes with a reflection on long-term impact, leadership responsibility, and the importance of building systems and communities that future leaders can rely on when navigating pressure, change, and complexity. You'll hear about: Why TAP Network is more than a professional network, it's industry infrastructure Collaboration versus competition in the tech sector How trust is built among peers and direct competitors Burnout and isolation in people and culture leadership roles Sitting in the uncomfortable middle of organizations Why peer community matters during layoffs and organizational change What surprised Stephanie most after becoming a CEO Leadership support systems many people overlook Where Canadian tech does people and culture well Where equity, diversity, and inclusion still need bold change Why small efforts aren't moving the needle Building leadership systems that outlast individuals We talk about: 00:00 Introduction and welcome 01:00 Stephanie's background and leadership journey 03:00 What TAP Network is and why it exists 05:00 Collaboration as the foundation of the community 07:00 Choosing leaders and facilitators who energize the sector 09:00 Collaboration versus competition in tech 11:00 Building trust among peers and competitors 13:00 Burnout and the emotional weight of people and culture roles 15:00 Sitting in the uncomfortable middle of leadership 18:00 Community as protection against isolation and disengagement 20:00 Stepping into the CEO role and seeing the ecosystem differently 23:00 Mentorship, generosity, and leadership support 25:00 What tech companies get right about people and culture 27:00 Where equity, diversity, and inclusion still fall short 30:00 Why bold change is required to move the needle 33:00 Staying anchored through listening and connection 35:00 The signature question, planting trees for the future 37:00 How to connect with Stephanie and TAP Network Connect with Stephanie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniehollingshead Website: https://tapnetwork.ca/ Connect with Us LinkedIn: Robin Bailey and Al McDonald Website: Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Ericka Andersen devoured every quit lit book she could find in early sobriety, but time and again something was missing for her: faith. Faith and religion is deeply central to Ericka's life, and so she set out to write the book that she needed when she got sober. Today Ericka tells us all about her book - Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith. Ericka wrote this book to serve as a support for anyone who is seeking to find faith-based or spiritual meaning in their sober journey. Learn more about Ericka and her work at https://erickaandersen.com/Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

Special Guest: Scott Jennie | Firefighter Cancer Support NetworkIn this powerful and timely episode, the crew sits down with retired Captain Scott Jennie, National Training Program Manager and California State Director for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN). This conversation dives deep into the realities of occupational cancer in the fire service, the cultural shifts needed to protect firefighters, and the life-saving resources available when the unthinkable happens.

Dr. Karen Moss joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about peer support for family caregivers of people living with Dementia on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

Alcohol is sold as a form of self care - a way for us to unwind and ‘come back to ourselves'. This is an absolute lie, one created by big alcohol in order to boost sales and to get us addicted. Today I'll walk you through chapter 5 of my book The Sober Shift where we dispel the myth that alcohol and wellness should go hand in hand, and I'll help you figure out what true wellness in sobriety looks like for you. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

Real Sober Mom Sarah grew up in Germany on a US military base where alcohol was such a way of life that her first drink was at thirteen years old at a restaurant with her family. As a mom, alcohol came in and out of her life but it wasn't until her kids were a bit older that it began to have a hold on her. Once she realized she was drinking every day, she began to worry - had her drinking gone too far? She began to take sobriety one day at a time. With community support in Fresh 30 and The Sober Mom Life Cafe, she has now been sober since late 2024! 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 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.

Today I'll walk you through chapter 4 of my book The Sober Shift where we'll step back from romanticizing alcohol so that we can take a clear look at the real role that drinking plays in your life. I call this facing ‘the mold in the basement'. In order to be honest about alcohol, we have to face our stories about alcohol that we've avoided facing for so long. This part is challenging, but you can do this, and community can make 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 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.

This week Suzanne and Katie break apart what Suzanne considers a ‘masterpiece': the latest episode of Real Housewives of Salt Lake city, Sisters of Salt. We'll get into how the cast's ability (or inability) to have challenging conversations majorly shapes the narratives of the show. Then, we'll explore the nature of flaunting wealth within these women's lives, and how for some it serves as a major veneer for their insecurities. Finally - is Meredith okay, and does substance abuse play a role in her challenges? Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

If you're stuck in what I call ‘moderation hell' then this episode is for you. We have all been sold the myth that moderation is the ‘normal' way to drink. If you can't achieve it? Then you have a problem. This is a myth! It could not be further from the truth. Today I'll walk you through chapter 3 of my book The Sober Shift where we dispel the myth of moderation in pursuit of getting you to where you really want to be - freedom. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

Shaun from I'VE GOT YOUR BACK introduces us to Carl from Mental Health Technologies with Sarah from The Self-Care Path, LLC to discuss the simplicity of a peer support app that provides the effective and genuine connections first responders need when mental health is on the line.

Learn how to build a peer support team in a small department, with practical tips for rural first responders, fire, EMS, and police. Discover right-sized peer support looks like.What do you say when you hear, “We're too small for peer support”?Many small departments struggle with the same question: “How can we start peer support when we're already short on people and time?”In this episode, we dive into how to build a peer support team in a small department, making it realistic and practical for rural first responders, fire, EMS, and police.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN:What “right-sized” peer support looks like in a 20–50 person departmentHow to pick the first 2–3 people for your teamSimple policies you actually need for a small departmentHow to partner with nearby agencies, chaplains, or EAP to extend your reachWhat to do in the first 90 days to ensure team effectiveness and longevityUse this episode with your peer support team, leadership, or at your next shift meeting to start or improve peer support in your small department. Share it with other small agencies struggling with the same question.Share this episodehttps://www.survivingyourshift.com/53Connect with BartEmail: bart@survivingyourshift.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bartlegerFacebook Page: facebook.com/survivingyourshiftWebsite: www.survivingyourshift.comWant to find out how I can help you build a peer support program in your organization or provide training? Schedule a no-obligation call or Zoom meeting with me here.

An enlightening, uplifting, honest conversation about the power of community, peer support, and compassion. Linda, Jack, and Ellen discuss how they got here, what they've learned, what is working, what is helpful, and the things that need to change to help those struggling with mental health issues, and help those who are supporting a loved one on their healing journey.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Pittsford, NY. Learn more at https://rocvox.com.#mentalhealth, #eatingdisorders, #depression, #anxiety, #substanceusedisorder, #alcoholusedisorder, #peersupport, #theemileeconnection, #grassrootsnonprofitsRecorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production Studios, Rochester, NY  rocvox.com

Certified parenting coach and the co-founder of Guardian Recovery Keesha Scott joins me today to share how her 23 years of sobriety have impacted her life, both personally and as a parent. For Keesha, sobriety opened up a path for her to finally feel her feelings. After over two decades of sobriety, she could never imagine wanting to hide from her feelings again. This ability to stare directly at the fear and insecurities that naturally arise in life has allowed her to show up in immense ways for both her family, her clients, and a wide community of people in the midst of their own recovery through Guardian Recovery. Check out my episode on Keesha's podcast, Cake for Dinner! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

Mommy Wine Culture is a trend manufactured in boardrooms by Big Alcohol. I explore this deeply in the second chapter of my book, The Sober Shift, and today on The Weekend Reset I'll give you an overview of what I found in my research so that you can clearly see how we as moms have been manipulated to believe that alcohol could ‘help' us with motherhood. Alcohol was never here to help us. It was here to get us addicted in order to grow Big Alcohol's profits. Once you see this, it is so much easier to say goodbye to alcohol for good. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

On this episode of The cityCURRENT Show, Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Keith Windsor, whose journey is a powerful testament to redemption, resilience, and purpose.After nearly 20 years of addiction, incarceration across multiple states, and repeated attempts at recovery, Keith reached a turning point that would change everything. What followed was not just sobriety—but a calling. Keith became the first certified forensic peer support specialist in the state of Mississippi, helping to shape and train peer recovery programs that now serve justice-involved individuals across Mississippi and Tennessee.Today, Keith manages multiple outpatient clinics treating gambling addiction, works with families impacted by addiction, trains peers with lived experience, and is pursuing a Master of Social Work—all while advocating for stigma-free recovery. In this candid and deeply human conversation, Keith shares why lived experience is often the missing link in recovery, how gambling addiction hides in plain sight, and why recovery works best when people know they are not alone.This episode is a reminder that a past does not define a person—and that sometimes, the very thing we're ashamed of becomes our greatest asset in helping others heal.Learn more: https://thegamblingclinic.com/ 

When a suicide, overdose, or traumatic death happens in the workplace, the response in the first 48 hours can either stabilize the organization or unintentionally increase harm.Yet most workplaces have no clear postvention plan.In this Headspace for the Workplace conversation, Dr. John Gaal brings together lived experience, labor leadership, and research to explain why postvention is the missing leg of the three-legged stool of workplace mental health: prevention, intervention, and postvention.Drawing from decades of workforce development, construction industry data, and peer-reviewed research, this episode explores:What actually helps people in shockWhy EAPs are often underutilized in crisisHow trained peer supporters serve as “mental health first responders.”Why partnerships — not silos — save livesWe talk about what leaders must do when the unthinkable happens.For more informationm on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/84

Happy 2026! As we begin the new year, I'm joined by my amazing friends Casey Davidson of The Hello Someday Podcast and Gill Tietz of Sober Powered to bring you a fresh and empowering perspective on Dry January. If you're ready to reset your relationship with alcohol, let this episode be your support. We'll talk about how to navigate those first two alcohol-free weeks, perspective shifts that will deeply support you on your journey, why community and accountability make all the difference, and what to do if your sense of motivation begins to fade. Connect with Casey: https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/Connect with Gill: https://www.soberpowered.com/Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

Happy New Year! For the next ten weeks on The Weekend Reset I'll be walking you through my new book The Sober Shift chapter by chapter. Take a listen to the intro to get you up to speed! Today, in Chapter One, I want to invite you to shift how you're viewing the concept of sobriety. Society sells us on the idea that sobriety is all about deprivation. But what if you flipped that? What if you focused on all that you can gain through choosing a sober life? How would that change the experience for you? Join me at the Sober Mom Life treat in Mexico this February! Hurry - spots are going fast: https://thesobermomlife.com/thesobermomliferetreatCommunity makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.

Sixth Annual Community-A-Thon - Hour 7, Spiritual and Peer Support

As we finish up wellness month, today's conversation is about substance use disorder, recovery, and how people think about intentional living around this time of the year. Hosts Nickie Damico and Louisa Martin are joined by Bridget Petrillo, MS, CRNA and Rodrigo Garcia, CEO of Parkdale Center of Professionals, for an honest, deeply personal conversation about SUD, recovery, stigma, and hope within the anesthesia community. Drawing from their own lived experiences, our guests explain why anesthesia providers face unique occupational risks, how shame and fear often delay getting help, and why recovery is not only possible but life-giving. The discussion also highlights the importance of peer support, education, and institutional resources, including the AANA Helpline, Wellness Ambassador Network, and Anesthetists in Recovery (AIR) meetings. As the year comes to a close, we turn our focus to intentional living, gratitude, and wellness, especially during the holidays, when stress and isolation can intensify. The 24/7 confidential, AANA Helpline (800-654-5167) answered by addiction professionals to improve access to help for SUD. Here's some of what you'll hear in this episode:

In these final days of 2025 my mom and I are here to take stock of the year. We'll talk about big shifts we've experienced in our lives (A book release! Retirement!), what we're deciding to leave behind as we exit the year, how sobriety can serve as an endless springboard for growth, and our intentions for 2026. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

It's the last Friday of 2025, so today I want to invite you to take a look back. No matter where you are on your sobriety journey, the fact that you're here tells me that in 2025 you showed up for yourself. It is so beneficial to reflect that fact. Maybe you have some sobriety under your belt now, or maybe you began to drink with the blinders off. Wherever you are on this path, you deserve self compassion and grace for all of the ways in which you grew and changed in your relationship with alcohol. Happy New Year. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

I love taking a look back at the end of each year, so today I've compiled some of my favorite moments from this year's episodes to share with you! Get ready to hear some standout moments from all of our fantastic guests in 2025.If you'd like to go deeper into any of these conversations, be sure to visit the full episodes! In this episode you'll hear highlights from:Celebrating Five Years of Sobriety (Episode 227) Gillian Tietz (Episode 232) Liza Feilner (Episode 238) Jyoti Chand (Episode 244)Amanda E. White (Episode 247) Luc Zoratto (Episode 251)Mocksticated (Episode 252)Jessica Guerrieri (Episode 259) Katy Olson (Episode 260)Therapy 101 with my Mom! (Episode 263)Jessica Stewart (Episode 267)Heather Lowe (Episode 269) The Weekend Reset: Am I That Bad? (Episode 272) Kate Vitela (Episode 273)Kristin McGee (Episode 275)The Weekend Reset: Gratitude in Sobriety (Episode 276) Mary Alice Stevens (Episode 277)The Weekend Reset: Navigating Cravings (Episode 278) Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

We are officially deep in the holiday season, and if you're navigating early sobriety this can be a challenging time. So today, I'm here with some perspective on how you can protect your peace - even if it means saying no. I'll share scripts for how you can say no in a way that respects your own needs, whether that be saying no to an event, to friends, or to a drink that someone is trying to place in your hand. You've got this. Keep going. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

Today's real sober mom, Glory, credits her kids as the reason why she quit drinking. For her, the mom shame she experienced after a night of drinking became so overwhelming that she knew she couldn't continue. Still, the challenge of quitting was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. She'd done hard things before - she'd quit smoking, she'd reached her fitness and nutrition goals - why was alcohol so hard to quit? Education and community turned out to be the key. Between quit lit, sober podcasts, and The Fresh 30 and Beyond 30 groups in the Sober Mom Life Cafe, Glory has now been sober for 86 days! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

We are smack dab in the middle of December and I don't know about you, but during this season I often feel like I am the only mom coming up short in a world full of moms who have everything together. It's times like these that I am so grateful for my sobriety. My sobriety is deeply rooted in motherhood, so today I'm going to share a bit about my parenting philosophy - Half Ass. Whole Heart. The goal of parenting isn't to strive for Pinterest perfection. It's to be a safe, steady place for our kids. And for me, sobriety is the key. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

Nelly Gal is a Cuban-born Physician Assistant, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate who grew a seven-figure aesthetic and functional medicine empire. As the founder of Live Vibrant Medspa, she now empowers ambitious women in their 30s and 40s to step boldly into their power and reclaim their energy.In this episode, we dive into:|

Katie and I are back with another installment of SobrieTEA, where we spill the tea about our favorite escape: Bravo and Reality TV! Today we're digging into RHOSLC and Southern Charm. We'll talk about the weird in-flight drama that Meredith created. Then, we'll discuss why the men of Southern Charm get a constant pass on their behavior and choices. Plus - Katie shares the upcoming releases, Katie's childhood growing up in Potomac, and that one time Suzanne unexpectedly found herself in a bar fight. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

In early sobriety, you will get cravings. It's going to happen. They might pop up in the daily pattern of your life or within the rituals of the holiday season. But you don't have to panic. In today's Weekend Reset we'll prepare you to face those cravings when they arise. Here's the truth - wanting a drink and having a drink are two very different things. Having a concrete plan in place to navigate yourself through that short moment of craving will help you achieve what you truly want - freedom in sobriety. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

Giving up alcohol originally felt to Mary Alice Stephens like leaving so many things behind - ‘Fun Mary', date nights with her husband, friendships that centered around wine, and a father who expressed his love through alcohol. Now fourteen years sober, Mary Alice can look back and confidently say that the leap was so worth facing her fears. Mary is the author of the new book Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over. In the book and in our conversation she shares the wisdom she has gleaned from almost a decade and a half of sobriety, the things she still reaches for in her sobriety toolkit to stay confidently sober in her current life, and wonderful advice on how to navigate your first sober holiday season.The biggest lightbulb moment for Mary was the realization that her behavior wasn't ‘her'. It was the alcohol. Placing the blame squarely where it deserved to be gave Mary the freedom to make a different choice, and she is not looking back! Connect with Mary Alice and get a copy of her new book Uncorked at www.maryalicestephens.comMy Cyber week picks! Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ Peer Support meetings each week and a private Facebook group to connect with sober and sober-curious women. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up 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.

So much of my sobriety is rooted in gratitude. Not inauthentic gratitude that feels forced, but the true deeply rooted gratitude I feel as I'm present for each beautiful everyday moment of life. With each passing year I find that my well of gratitude deepens. And the women I've interviewed who've been sober for 10, 15, 20 years? They've confirmed it - your gratitude in sobriety will only continue to grow. It does not max out. So if you're in early sobriety and you're not feeling the gratitude yet? Keep going. You have taken a brave leap of faith, and it is going to get better, and better, and better. Does sobriety during the upcoming holiday season feel overwhelming? Sign up for my 10-Day Holiday Series! Each day you will receive an email message that I crafted to support you through your first sober holiday season. Sign up here. Community makes all the difference. Join The Sober Mom Life Cafe for 5+ 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 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.