Positive Sobriety Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nate Larkin, David Hampton
In this deeply moving episode of the Positive Sobriety Podcast, Nate Larkin and David Hampton welcome Dr. Lipi Roy, an internal medicine and addiction medicine physician and national voice for compassionate, evidence-based addiction care.
The episode opens with a heartfelt remembrance of Nancy Priya, whose quiet faithfulness and grace shaped the early recovery journeys of many. That spirit of compassion carries into a wide-ranging conversation about addiction, trauma, mental health, and spirituality.
Dr. Roy explains why addiction affects people across all backgrounds and why it so often co-occurs with mental health conditions. She challenges stigma by reframing addiction as a chronic disease rather than a moral failure, and she highlights the importance of harm reduction, individualized treatment, and evidence-based care.
A central focus of the discussion is spirituality—how faith and spiritual practices can support recovery by fostering meaning, connection, and hope, but can also hinder healing when framed through shame or rigid dogma. This episode offers a hopeful, humane vision of recovery grounded in science, compassion, and dignity.
Key Topics Covered:
• Addiction as a chronic disease, not a moral failing
• Trauma and mental health in addiction
• Dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders
• Harm reduction and individualized care
• The role of spirituality and faith in recovery
• Breaking stigma and shame
• Evidence-based treatment and emerging research
• Why connection is central to healing
Notable Quotes:
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety — it’s connection.” — Dr. Lipi Roy
“Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, not a moral failure.” — Dr. Lipi Roy
“Recovery is not linear. It’s a process that ebbs and flows.” — Dr. Lipi Roy
“I only get to keep my freedom by giving it away.” — Nate Larkin
About the Guest:
Dr. Lipi Roy is an internal medicine and addiction medicine physician, speaker, and writer. She has worked in hospitals, homeless health programs, jails, and academic medicine, and is a leading advocate for trauma-informed, compassionate addiction care.
Resources:
YouTube: Health, Humor & Harmony (search “Dr. Lipi Roy”)
Instagram / TikTok: @LipiRoyMD
Website: https://SitaMedLLC.com
In this episode of the Positive Sobriety Podcast, Nate Larkin and David Hampton explore what happens after treatment—and why long-term recovery depends on more than good intentions and a discharge binder.
They are joined by Cooper Zelnick, CEO of Groups Recover Together, a national provider of outpatient addiction treatment that combines medication-assisted treatment, group therapy, and wraparound community support. Cooper shares his own recovery story, getting sober at age 22, and reflects on why so many people succeed in treatment but struggle once they return home.
Together, the conversation examines the limits of short-term, acute care and the urgent need for accessible, community-based recovery models—especially in rural and underserved areas.
Key Topics Covered:
• Recovery as a long-term process
• The aftercare gap
• Group-based recovery and peer support
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Harm reduction vs. zero-tolerance
• Trauma-informed, evidence-based care
• Access to treatment in rural communities
• Breaking secrecy and shame
Notable Quotes:
“Recovery is a collaborative exercise. Nobody recovers alone.” — Nate Larkin
“If addiction runs in social circles, recovery can too.” — Cooper Zelnick
“You can find in recovery what you were looking for in addiction.” — Cooper Zelnick
“The first step isn’t treatment. The first step is telling somebody.” — Cooper Zelnick
Guest Bio:
Cooper Zelnick is the CEO of Groups Recover Together, a national organization providing outpatient treatment for substance use disorders through medication-assisted treatment, group therapy, and community-based support.
Resources:
Website: https://joingroups.com
Phone: 888-581-7233
In this episode of the Positive Sobriety Podcast, Nate Larkin and David Hampton reflect on how grief, health challenges, and prolonged stress can quietly reopen the door to alcohol. Drawing from their own recent experiences, they explore why alcohol feels regulating in the moment—but ultimately increases anxiety and emotional strain.
They are joined by Dr. Joseph Volpicelli, Executive Director of the Institute for Addiction Medicine, who explains the biological connection between stress, alcohol use, and the brain’s opioid system. Dr. Volpicelli shares how uncontrollable stress can increase drinking, why some people are more biologically vulnerable than others, and how medications like naltrexone can help reduce cravings by blocking alcohol’s rewarding effects.
This episode blends personal honesty with neuroscience, offering hope and clarity for anyone seeking a positive, sustainable path to sobriety.
This deeply compassionate episode features Dr. Carrie Wilkens, co-founder of the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC) and co-author of Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Wilkens offers a fresh, evidence-based approach to helping families support loved ones with substance use challenges. She debunks myths like “hitting rock bottom” and highlights the power of CRAFT and the Invitation to Change (ITC) approach, combining science with empathy to promote real, sustainable change.
Key Takeaways* CRAFT vs. Traditional Methods
Dr. Wilkens explains how Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) empowers families to influence change through positive reinforcement and effective communication—far outperforming confrontational or 12-step-only approaches. Research shows CRAFT engages 65–75% of unmotivated loved ones in treatment . * Invitation to Change (ITC)
Developed by CMC:Foundation for Change, ITC blends CRAFT, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). It’s structured yet compassionate—and designed for both professionals and families . * Breaking Stigma with Science & Kindness
Dr. Wilkens underscores her mission at CMC: “Science plus kindness equals change,” seeking to dismantle stigma while grounding strategies in rigorous evidence .
Resources Mentioned in the Episode Invitation to Change (ITC) Training (16-hour virtual workshop)*
A structured training in ITC for professionals—offered by CMC: Foundation for Change
→ Register or Learn More * Rethinking Rock Bottom
A 6-part CMC-hosted podcast series co-led by Dr. Carrie Wilkens and Rev. Jan Brown, exploring the impact of stigma and offering empathetic support to families
→ Listen or Learn More * Center for Motivation & Change (CMC)
Dr. Wilkens’s organization offering a range of resources, including books, workbooks, trainings, and support services
→ Visit CMC * Books by Dr. Carrie Wilkens
+ *Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change*
+ *The Beyond Addiction Workbook for Family and Friends*
Quote Highlight“Families don’t have to choose between enabling or giving up. With science and compassion on your side, you can be the bridge—not the barrier—to change.” — Dr. Carrie WilkensConnect & Learn More Dr. Carrie Wilkens & CMC: motivationandchange.com * Invitation to Change Training: Register/Register Info * Rethinking Rock Bottom Podcast: Listen Here * Books by Dr. Wilkens: Beyond Addiction and Beyond Addiction Workbook*
Support the Show* Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc. * Share this episode to uplift someone navigating addiction in their life * Visit positivesobrietypodcast.com for more episodes and resources
In this soul-stirring episode of the Positive Sobriety Podcast, co-hosts welcome Dr. Samantha Blake Harte—physician, author, podcast host, and trauma survivor—whose multidisciplinary background and unflinching honesty bring a refreshing depth to the conversation about addiction and recovery.
Dr. Harte shares the inspiration behind her groundbreaking book, Breaking The Circuit: How To Rewire Your Mind for Hope, Resilience and Joy in the Face of Trauma. Drawing from her personal journey through childhood trauma, betrayal, addiction, and loss, she speaks candidly about the emotional and neurological circuits that keep us stuck—and how we can break free.
With the grace of a healer and the grit of a survivor, Dr. Harte opens up about:
- Navigating life with a mother struggling with mental illness
- The hidden patterns of addiction and how they resurface in recovery
- Her path to becoming a sober mom of two and a voice for truth in healing
- Why speaking the unspoken truths of addiction is essential for true transformation
The conversation also highlights Dr. Harte’s podcast, The Truth About Addiction, where she tackles myths, shame, and the emotional residue of trauma in a no-holds-barred format.
🔑 Key Takeaways* Addiction isn’t just about substances—it’s a wiring issue.
Dr. Harte explains how our nervous system can get stuck in loops of survival and how we can begin the hard but hopeful work of rewiring. * Telling the truth is healing.
By speaking her truth, Dr. Harte invites others to step out of secrecy and into a space of shared worthiness. * Sobriety is a whole-body, whole-life transformation.
Through her work in physical therapy, coaching, and trauma-informed practices, she emphasizes the importance of healing both physically and emotionally.
📚 Learn More About Dr. Harte Book: Breaking The Circuit * Podcast: The Truth About Addiction* * Website & Retreats: samanthaharte.com
💬 Quote from the Episode“Addiction isn’t just about using. It’s about what we’re trying not to feel. And healing means getting honest with ourselves and each other.” — Dr. Samantha Harte
An illuminating conversation with Kim Humphrey, Executive Director and CEO of PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones).
An inspiring conversation with recovering addict, prison reform advocate, and best-selling author Lara Love Hardin, whose memoir, The Many Lives of Mama Love, is a 2024 Oprah Book Club pick and a New York Times bestseller.
A candid conversation with Tom Farley, brother of the late Chris Farley and longtime advocate for mental health and addiction recovery. Tom has recently joined as one of the key leaders of Recovery.com, a network of 15,000+ treatment centers, helping others navigate their paths toward sobriety and wellness.
What happens when a physician gets treatment for addiction? In the case of Dr. Christopher Schenewerk, his practice expands as he talks about his experience and creates new opportunities for recovery.
An entertaining and inspiring conversation with Janice Johnson Dowd, author of Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery: How to Connect with Family and Friends After Active Alcoholism and Addiction.
An inspiring conversation with Brian Cuban - attorney, bestselling author, and recovery advocate (who happens to be Mark Cuban's younger brother). With 17 years of continuous sobriety from alcohol, cocaine, and bulimia, Brian offers powerful insights into addiction, recovery, and professional redemption.
Nate and David open the show discussing the neurology of character change, then interview journalist Hanna Seariac, who has spent 2024 investigating the fentanyl crisis in rural Utah. Drug overdose deaths in Utah involving opioids have doubled in the last five years. In the first article of her series, “The rural Utah community at the crossroads of the fentanyl epidemic (https://www.deseret.com/politics/2024/08/10/fentanyl-crisis-in-rural-utah/),” Hanna explores small towns that have seen the devastation of opioid addiction and fentanyl first hand. How did we get here? What can be done to stop this horrifying epidemic from destroying more lives and families? Hanna searched through years of data and interviewed more than 20 people connected to the crisis, including those in recovery, former fentanyl distributers, law enforcement officials and recovery specialists. With the second article in the series, Hanna speaks with five Utahns who have nearly lost everything to fentanyl (https://www.deseret.com/utah/2024/08/10/drug-addiction-recovery-in-utah/) and how they have managed to rebuild their lives and find the strength to not only overcome addiction, but to help others.
Books referenced by Nate in this episode are Renovated, by Jim Wilder and Dallas Willard, The Master and His Emissary, by Iain McGilchrist, Banana, The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World, by Dan Koeppel
Why should addiction treatment be restricted to late-stage addicts and expensive specialists? Dr. Joshua D. Lee provides an alternate vision. An associate professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the NYU Fellowship in Addiction Medicine, Dr. Lee is a clinician-researcher focused on investigating addiction pharmacotherapies in primary care and criminal justice system-involved populations. He has conducted multiple NIH clinical trials examining the use of naltrexone and buprenorphine opioid and alcohol treatments in criminal justice system-involved adults, at community re-entry, and within primary care settings.
Dually certified business and life coach, published author, trainer, and speaker Jenny Teeters models vulnerability in this remarkable conversation with David and Nate. Her new memoir, Every Day is a New Day, is available on Amazon and in fine bookstores everywhere.
Need help regulating your nervous system, facing your anxiety and practicing healthy self-care? Take a few minutes to listen to our inspiring conversation with life coach Amy Guerrero. (You can reach her at https://www.regulatewithamy.com/)
An inspiring conversation with story coach and literary consultant Amy W. Vogel, author of the personal devotional Come to Me and the fantasy novel Teleosis.
An upbeat conversation with a remarkable motivator, James Swanwick, author of The 30-Day No-Alcohol Challenge and host of the Alcohol-Free Lifestyle Podcast. James is the creator of Alcohol-Free Lifestyle, a coaching community for high achievers committed to sober living.
An entertaining and stimulating conversation with Dr. Robb Kelly, whose treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction via telehealth comes with a money-back guarantee. More information at robbkelly.com
David and Nate have an inspiring and surprisingly candid conversation with model and athlete Jonathan Niziol.
Discover more about Jonathan Niziol and his compelling story on his website: jonathanniziolofficial.com/
What if, rather than trying harder to suppress unwanted behavior, we would approach it with open curiosity? What is it trying to tell us? What need are we really trying to meet? An intriguing conversation with therapist Blake Roberts.
An insightful conversation with Ali Shapiro, MS, CHHC, nutritionist, and host of the top 1% ranked podcast Insatiable.
A delightful conversation with Nina Pick, author of The Mind-Body Guide to the Twelve Steps: Finding Joy, Sensuality, and Pleasure in Recovery—Integrative Spiritual and Somatic Practices for Healing from Trauma and Addiction. You can connect with Nina at ninapick.com.
A delightful conversation about emotional sobriety with Veronica Valli -- podcaster, recovery coach, psychotherapist, and author of Soberful: Uncover a Sustainable, Fulfilling Life Free of Alcohol, and Why You Drink and How to Stop.
David and Nate visit with Dr. Randy Malchow, Medical Director for the Tennessee Ketamine & Wellness Center, which offers compassionate and competent care for those suffering from depression, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, and opioid dependence.
Dr. Malchow served as an anesthesiologist for 25 years in the armed forces before retiring as a colonel in 2008. He then became an associate professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he was the first Vanderbilt physician to offer intensive ketamine infusion therapy in 2014. In 2015, he established one of the few ketamine infusion centers (KIC) in the Veteran Health Administration and the only KIC in the U.S. specifically targeting opioid cessation/reduction.
He is an acknowledged U.S. expert on ketamine administration, having presented his extensive experience with ketamine in the veteran population at the American Society of Ketamine Physicians in 2018 and has given multiple lectures regarding the use of ketamine to national audiences in 2021. Dr. Malchow has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and serves regularly on worldwide medical missions supporting those in need.
A refreshingly candid conversation with Brendon Watt, a worldwide speaker, best-selling author, and facilitator for Access Consciousness. Brendon specializes in helping others to overcome addiction, as he too walks the path of recovery and sobriety. His first book, Relationship: Are You Sure You Want One? co-authored with Simone Milasas is an international best-seller, available in seven languages. Find Brendon every week on his podcast "One Choice from Change" on iTunes, on Amazon, and on the Access Consciousness® website. To learn more visit, www.brendonwatt.com.
David and Nate chat with Jason VanRuler, Author of Get Past Your Past(Zondervan 2023). Jason is known for his ability to relate and connect with his clients and offer hope to those who have felt hopeless. He has an engaged and rapidly growing online audience (IG, TikTok) for his insightful, short videos sharing practical tips for psychological care, self-help, and healthy relationships.
How do you spend the fresh creative energy that shows up when you are in recovery? Will Thatcher started writing thrillers. He discusses addiction fiction and his first book, Killing Hurt, with Nate and David, and recommends more reading and reviews of this exciting new genre at The Sober Curator.
An enjoyable and enlightening conversation with Ken Middleton, author of Bamboozled - How Alcohol Makes Fools of Us All and editor of a Medium Publication named AINYF, Alcohol is NOT Your Friend.
David and Nate talk with Ed Latimore, a speaker, author, and former professional boxer who has been sober for almost a decade. Ed is the author of the Amazon Bestseller "Sober Letters to My Drunken Self," well-known for his powerful TEDx talk on the link between addiction and identity.
Dr. Laura Petracek, a clinical psychologist and author of The DBT Workbook for Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Skills and Strategies for Emotional Regulation, Recovery, and Relapse Prevention [Jessica Kingsley Publishers; February 21, 2023] joins David and Nate for an enlightening (and very personal) conversation about recovery. For more about Dr. Petracek, visit laurapetracekphd.com
David and Nate discuss codependency and related issues with Sonja Meyrer, certified recovery coach and author of the bestselling book "And Then You Went Missing."
Jeremy Miller and Dallas Terrell are passionate about two things: recovery and storytelling. They are on a mission to find and film the best addiction treatment professionals in the country.
David and Nate engage functional nutritionist Lori Zabka in a delightful and enlightening conversation about addiction, nutrition, and recovery. To reach Lori and gain access to her resources go to https://lifebyloriz.com/
Luciana Passeri has been an educator for 34 years, teaching and coaching thousands of individuals how to create, manage, and maintain relationships. Her degrees are in International Leadership and Management & Social Justice. For more than 20 years she has worked with indigenous people around the globe supporting them in living their best lives through her foundation, HumanKind. She has done executive coaching for top 100 companies and hasbeen a life coach for hundreds of people. She is the founder and CEO of PASSERI Footwear, a slow fashion company based in Peru. She discovered plant medicine in the jungle of Peru in 2018, a medicine that transformed her trajectory and gave her the power to thrive.
It's the most wonderful time of the year -- and sometimes the most hazardous. In this episode, David and Nate discuss ways to stay sober during the holidays.
In this episode, Chris Smith shares his inspiring story of recovery, redemption, and service. To learn more about Fit 4 Recovery or to reach Chris directly, go here.
Can attunement with an animal actually foster emotional regulation and help abused or neglected adolescents connect with themselves and others? Check out this fascinating conversation with Liz Olszewski, the founder and Executive Director of Horses Healing Hearts.
To learn more about Liz or to find out how you can support the work of her nonprofit, visit hhhusa.org.
David and Nate enjoy a wide-ranging conversation with venture capitalist Jason Portnoy, a survivor of porn/sex addiction and author of the highly acclaimed memoir Silicon Valley Pornstar. You may learn more about Jason by visiting jasonportnoy.com, and you may reach him directly at jason@jasonportnoy.com.
Are there true advantages to spending time in a sober community after you've entered recovery? Evan Radkte of recoveryunplugged.com says Yes! -- and he shares his story with David and Nate in this inspiring (and sobering) episode.
Are there true advantages to spending time in a sober community after you've entered recovery? Evan Radkte of recoveryunplugged.com says Yes! -- and he shares his story with David and Nate in this inspiring (and sobering) episode.
Glenn Hadley, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Dreamscape Healthcare Marketing helps treatment centers gain visibility. In this episode, he helps David and Nate understand the challenges faced by any facility that wants to introduce itself honestly and effectively to people who are hunting for addiction treatment.
In a rural setting along the Atlantic shoreline in Connecticut, former Catholic priest Dr. Michael Hinckley and his team are meeting the unique needs of an often stigmatized and ostracized population. In this conversation with Nate and David, Dr. Hinckley tells the story of Wildwood Farm.
Research has rekindled interest in the therapeutic power of psychedelics in the clinical treatment of anxiety, depression, and addiction. Dr. Thomas Cabel and Chad Harman, CEO of Psycheseuticals, explore the status of the field in this revealing interview.
All of us on the road to recovery are encouraged by the stories of others. In this episode, Stuart Goffman, producer of the A&E series Addiction Unplugged, relates his discovery of the reality of addiction and the power of storytelling.
A sobering and inspiring conversation with the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and We Save Lives.
Is it possible to treat potential addicts before they take the fateful slide into severe addiction? Researcher, teacher, and therapist Patrick Moore says "yes" -- and he has the data to prove it.
What if you have a hard time connecting with the God-language in 12-step recovery? Can you still recover? Dr. Peg O'Connor, author of the upcoming book "Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering," says you can. In this entertaining and illuminating conversation, she delves into the philosophical background and historical evolution of AA to make the case for expanding our understanding of a higher power.
Need help finding the right treatment center for someone you love? Nate and David talk with Andrew, a veteran of the system, about a service that researches, rates, and provides referrals to treatment centers in all 50 states.
Thomas White, founder of Exact Nature, shares his recovery story and the hope and help he found with CBD.
Jason Carter, author of the entertaining new memoir To Hell I Ride: When an Examined Life Became Worth Living, shares his story with David and Nate.
The nonstop stimuli in our rapidly-changing world can overwhelm the human brain, sometimes with devastating consequences. In this episode, guest Marcus Spaur suggests strategies for dealing with the new reality.
Do unexpressed feelings block our creative energy and prevent us from expressing our true self? Veteran Broadway-star-turned-bioenergetic-therapist Ron Baker describes his own journey and practice in this conversation with David and Nate.
How do you act when you are in a leadership position? Do you sometimes find yourself playing a role? In this episode, Karen Hardwick, author of The Connected Leader: 7 Strategies to Empower Your True Self and Inspire Others, explains the power of living and leading with your true self.
When it comes to creating positive sobriety, all of us can use a little coaching. In this episode, Nate and David talk with Amanda White, author "Not Drinking Tonight: a Guide to Creating a Sober Life You Love."
Is it possible to calm the feelings that drive addiction by activating your own parasympathetic nervous system? Can disciplines of body awareness amplify the effectiveness of other modes of recovery, such as 12-step work? These two veterans of addiction treatment explain their pioneering practice focused on emotional sobriety. For more information, check out embodiedrecovery.co.
For many women who are trying to rebuild a life ravaged by addiction, finding a safe place to live is a huge challenge. This week's guest, Tracey Levine of Healing Housing, has found purpose in her own recovery by serving women who have no other realistic options.
Would the use of a polygraph help a couple reestablish trust after an intimate betrayal? Nate and David talks with John Sternfels, LPC, NCC, CSAT, the founder of Northpoint Counseling and author of “A Partners Guide to Truth and Healing.”
For more information check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da6jyex_VYY
Contact: john@northpoint-counseling.com
If recovery is a journey, doesn't it make sense to hire a guide? In this week's episode, Nate and David talk with Jake LeClair, a recovery navigator and founder of the Emerge Center for Addiction Recovery.
David talks with Eric Peyton and Carey Crist of In Vivo, a professional practice that provides everything from treatment planning and interventions to sober transport, aftercare sober companionship, and recovery coaching.
David and Nate chat with Serge Prengel, the author of The Proactive Twelve Steps for Mindful Recovery.
Issues around money are always about self-love, says Martin Cowart, a prosperity mindset coach for GBTQ men. In this conversation with David Hampton, Martin describes his own recovery journey and explains the 12-step basis of his financial coaching practice.
For more information about Dr. Cowart and his practice, go to https://www.financialheartspace.com
How have people living at other times or in other places understood compulsive behavior? How does our modern, western understanding of addiction shape our treatment or mistreatment of addicts. Carl Erik Fisher, M.D., author of the groundbreaking new book The Urge: Our History of Addiction, addresses these and other questions a fascinating conversation with David and Nate.
Dr. Fisher is an addiction physician and bioethicist. He is an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University’s Division of Law, Ethics, and Psychiatry. He also maintains a private psychiatry practice focused on addiction. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nautilus, Slate, and Scientific American MIND. He also is the host of the Flourishing After Addiction podcast, a deep-dive interview series exploring addiction and recovery. He lives between Brooklyn, New York, and Lisbon, Portugal, with his partner and son.
The best link is to my website: www.carlerikfisher.com/book my own podcast is: https://www.carlerikfisher.com/flourishing And here is an updated bio: Carl Erik Fisher is an addiction physician and bioethicist. He is an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University’s Division of Law, Ethics, and Psychiatry. He also maintains a private psychiatry practice focused on addiction. He is the author of the nonfiction book The Urge: Our History of Addiction, published by Penguin Press in January 2022. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nautilus, Slate, and Scientific American MIND. He also is the host of the Flourishing After Addiction podcast, a deep-dive interview series exploring addiction and recovery. He lives between Brooklyn, New York, and Lisbon, Portugal, with his partner and son.
https://www.carlerikfisher.com
A conversation with Dr. Carol Cherich, PhD, a therapist specializing in the treatment of stress-related disorders in active military members, veterans, and their families.
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An inspiring conversation with Shireen Janti, Sr. Director of Health & Human Services for MusicCares, a benevolent arm of the Grammys.
In this episode, Stephen Haynes, Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Liberal Arts in Prison Program at Rhodes College in Memphis and Theologian-in-Residence at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, talks about the enrichment and challenges that recovery can bring to the Christian church.
Suicide ideation is no laughing matter, but you'll be glad you listened in on this conversation with survivor Jeff Romig, author of "Don't F*#king Kill Yourself."
An entertaining and informative conversation with Justin B. Long, author of Adventures of the Horse Doctor's Husband and The Righteous Rage of a Ten-Year-Old Boy.
Getting yourself or someone you love into addiction treatment can be a daunting task. After losing a friend to addiction, Greg Silva dedicated himself to helping people into treatment. Today, he is the Director of Operations for the Gravity Treatment Center in Encino, California, and he shares his experience and wisdom with our listeners.
Why are so many of us depressed? Dr. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University, discusses the ground-breaking findings and recommendations contained in her bestselling book "Dopamine Nation."
Internationally renowned therapist and bestselling author Jenna Riemersma shares her simplified introduction to Internal Family Systems, a leading-edge approach to addiction treatment.
Dr. Sam MacMaster, Corporate Director of Clinical Operations at Promises Behavioral Health, shares the wisdom of his long experience and research in treating addictions and co-occurring mental disorders.
Ever feel like you are blundering your way through life, making it up as you go along, rather than moving purposefully in a meaningful direction? Career coach Becca Ribbing, author of The Clarity Journal, helps people find their way out of the fog and into clarity. Listen to her enlightening conversation with David and Nate.
Addiction is a painful experience for plenty of people -- not just addicts. Parents, siblings, partners, and colleagues of addicts are affected by the disease as well. In this inspiring conversation with KL Wells, founder of Voices InCourage, we talk about the growth that loved ones can experience when they share experience, strength, and hope in a safe community.
Wouldn't it be great if you could find new sober friends anywhere you happen to be? And even if you didn't want to meet them face-to-face, how nice would it be nice to chat by phone with other sober people whenever you needed a little support or encouragement? In this episode we interview Beau Mann, whose dream of a mobile sober community led to the creation of Sober Grid, a free app that helps recovering people find connection.
Delightful guests Laura and Tom Boldt share the family adventure detailed in their best-selling book; Unraveled: A Mother and Son Story of Addiction and Recovery.
How do you get sober (or stay sober) in an atmosphere where everyone else is partying? David and Nate talk with Rob Shearon, the Program Manager for CU Collegiate Recovery Center (CUCRC) at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Internationally renowned Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor offers unique evidence-based insight into how anyone battling an addiction makes choices -- and how we can make better ones. (Dr. Jill is the author of the perennial bestseller My Stroke of Insight: a Brain Scientist's Personal Journey, and the groundbreaking book Whole Brain Living; The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life.)
In this inspiring conversation, life coach and entrepreneur Amy Guerrero describes her trauma-based approach to recovery. For more Amy, go to
- https://www.thriveinrecoverywithamy.com/
Our behavior is driven by our needs, says author and life coach Michael Oden. Uncovering our needs and learning a healthy way to meet them is key to long-term sobriety. For more about Michael's needs-based approach, go to http://theneedsbasedmethod.com/.
The expression goes, “Sometimes you gotta fight fire with fire.” In the realm of the opioid crisis in America, that can be a suggestion to start an inferno. A pill for a pill? Does it even make sense? We commonly make the association with illegal drugs such as heroin when the topic is brought up, but many opioids are regulated by the FDA for the use in treatment for pain and derived naturally from the opium poppy plant. Statistics show that 95% of opioid addicts have a co-occuring mental disorder. The world is dealing with a disease that can be treated with drugs such as buprenorphine. It was this exact drug that helped David Poses kick a heroin addiction that overtook nearly two decades of his life and kept him successfully sober for more than ten years.
David gives a very detailed and poignant account of his battle in the highly anticipated memoir, “The Weight Of Air,” from Sandra Jonas Publishing available to sign up for pre-order and debuting July 6, 2021. He's also shared his knowledge in speaking engagements and bylines in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, NY Daily News, The Doctors and more.
The Weight of Air details how Poses led a double life, fueled by addiction and mental illness. The memoir pulls back the curtain of highly publicized and popular treatment facilities (including AA, Celebrate Recovery, and rehab) to show why the relapse rate is so high. The book highlights the need to address mental health early on, and the connectivity of science to cure- not cause more pain.
The Weight Of Air is a raw and darkly comedic first person account of addiction, probing into the disregard for science and evidence in treatment, prevention and drug policy, racist catalysts behind US drug laws, and reasons that -despite its proven efficacy- Buprenorphine is inaccessible to the vast majority of 20 million addicts. Nobody wants to be labeled as a junkie. Our system is designed to punish, not save. David Poses is on a mission to change this.
Recovery coach Will Black proves that there is no minimum age requirement for recovering from addiction and becoming a valuable helper to others.
David and Nate talk with writer, actor, entrepreneur and comic Christine Fekete about embracing change, taking risks, overcoming adversity and finding joy.
A conversation about restorative meditation -- including a guided session -- with writer and coach Laura Roe Stevens.
An inspiring story and practical wisdom from recovery and transition coach David Sinclair. Find out more about David at davesinclair.ca.
An enlightening and informative conversation with psychotherapist and Kundalini yoga teacher Madhur-Nain Webster, author of The Stressless Brain. For resources mentioned in this episode visit https://www.madhurnain.com.
David and Nate visit with bestselling author and life coach Dennis Berry, host of the Funky Brain Podcast.
A visit with recovery veteran, Vanderbilt instructor and nurse practitioner Chance Allen.
A conversation with Jeff Finlin, author of "The Secret of Recovery: An Enlightened Guide to Transcending the Pitfalls of Trauma, Addiction, Codependency and Life in General."
Nate and David talk with Justin Barton, creator of the weekly Reco 12 Virtual Speaker Meeting (https://www.reco12.com)
One man's inspiring story of personal recovery, caring community, and a commitment to encouraging others.
The story of a Scottish couple and their successful search for a solution to her devastating eating disorder.
An enlightening conversation with therapist Dr. Teri Murphy, who helps individuals and couples form deep emotional connections and abandon competing attachments.
A heartwarming, encouraging conversation with author, speaker, entrepreneur, and leadership facilitator AdaPia d'Errico.
An inspiring conversation with Randy Haveson, TEDx speaker, five-star author, and founder of The Rise Organization.
David discusses spiritual awakening and spiritual connection in recovery with Ester Nicholson.
Can music help an addict make progress in recovery? David discusses the healing power of popular music in this stimulating conversation with Paul Pellinger, Chief Strategy Officer for Recovery Unplugged Treatment Centers.
David and Nate talk with Dr. Hal Bradley, author and community champion and chaplain, about his journey from drug trafficking to ministry
Former hotshot firefighter Brendan McDonough, lone survivor of the Yarnell Hill fire tragedy of 2013 and subject of the film "Only the Brave," talks with David about addiction, recovery, and finding purpose in life.
A conversation with Robin Clare, recovery coach and author of the bestselling book "Feast and Famine."
Marnie Ferree, co-founder and executive director of Bethesda Workshops shares her story of addiction, recovery, growth, and service.
Have you ever felt awkward or sidelined at a social event just because you weren't drinking? Do you sometimes miss the taste of your favorite beer, wine, or cocktail? Ever heard of nonalcoholic wine? Or nonalcoholic whiskey? How about virgin cocktails that taste as good as the high-test classics -- or better? Marcos Salazar, founder of For All Drinks, believes that consumers who are avoiding alcohol should be extended the same courtesy as those avoiding gluten, peanuts, or meat, and he delivers exciting news about the latest innovations in nonalcoholic beverages.
Trina Frierson, Co-Founder and CEO of Mending Hearts, shares her inspiring journey from addiction and incarceration to cultural leadership and community service.
An instructive and inspiring conversation about addiction and recovery with author and therapist Stephen James.
Therapist Michael Barta of the Integrative Life Center explains his insights into the far-reaching effects of adverse experiences in early childhood.
Nate and David talk about recent books that have been most helpful and read letters from listeners.
Nate's Recommended Books:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Practicing Mind by Thomas M. Sterner
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
David's Recommended Books:
The Way of Gratitude by Galen Guengerich
Recovery—The Sacred Art by Rami Shapiro
Is addiction necessarily a lifetime condition? Bob Gardner believes it isn't, and in this episode he shares stories and insights to support his message that freedom can be closer than you imagined.
Filmmaker Stuart "Skip" Stokes believes we need to have a conversation. Could it be that our society's long-established pattern of stigmatizing addicts is actually promoting addiction, preventing recovery, and isolating anyone who loves an addict?
The Kickstarter address for the Stigma film is http://kck.st/3dTlidi To partner with the Second Chance Sober Living Community via a taxable donation to the film project, go to https://ten28film.com/stigma
Do recovering addicts make better leaders? Author, speaker and coach Michael Brody-Waite makes a compelling case for mask-free leadership.
This inspiring conversation with educator Bruce Matson highlights parallels in the recovery journeys of addicts and cancer victims.
Nate and David discuss the motivations of compulsive sexual behavior with therapist and researcher Jay Stringer, author of "Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing."
Is it possible to recover without quitting first? A stimulating conversation with Dr. Adi Jaffe, author of "The Abstinence Myth: A New Approach for Overcoming Addiction Without Shame, Judgment or Rules."
What if you are not as broken as you believe? Nate and David discuss this proposition and others with TJ Woodward, the founder of Conscious Recovery.
A remarkable mother and son describe a recovery-based Christian community in Richmond, Virginia.
Robert Imbeault, entrepreneur and author of the new memoir "Before I Leave You," shares the story of his recovery from addiction and suicidal despair.
An inspiring conversation about recovery coaching with educator Jean Lacour, PhD, President/CEO of NET Institute Center for Addiction and Recovery Education and the International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches.
Eminent sex addiction expert Dr. Robert Weiss, author of several highly regarded books, including Sex Addiction 101: A Basic Guide to Healing from Sex, Love, and Porn Addiction and Out of the Doghouse: A Step-by-Step Relationship Saving Guide for Men Caught Cheating, describes the world-changing concept of Prodependence: a fully new paradigm for helping those who love and care for addicts.
Patrick Custer, Director of Alumni for Promises Behavioral Health, shares his personal story of addiction and recovery, and describes his mission of providing support for recovering people through online meetings. You can find these meetings here: www.promisesbehavioralhealth.com/addiction-treatment-center-programs/alumni-program/
Brian Wind M.D., a sleep specialist and Chief of Clinical Operations for JourneyPure, shares fascinating information about sleep and sleep disorders, an issue that directly affects more than 50% of American adults.
An inspiring conversation with Mark Queppet, founder of Universal Man, NoFap Academy, and the Sacred Sexuality Project.
Dr. Jessie Hawkins, Founder and Director of the Franklin Institute of Integrative Health Sciences, joins us to discuss some of the issues raised in an article that appeared recently on Quartz, titled 'The Worried Well: The Wellness Industry Thrives on the Fear of Death."
Everybody's favorite trauma therapy expert, Kaka Ray, is back to help us understand principles and strategies for self-regulation.
David and Nate discuss two recent mainstream articles critiquing Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-step approach to recovery.
Martial arts master Mara Giovanni shares her story of recovery from addiction and grief.
Innovative therapist and recovery coach Sonnee Weedn shares a fresh approach to cognitive restoration.
Former opioid addict and life coach Matt Finch shares his multifaceted approach to recovery.
Therapist and theorist Cece Sykes explains how internalized voices from childhood influence in the daily dramas of addiction and recovery.
Musician and songwriter Marc Byrd describes his recovery journey and its impact on his spiritual and artistic growth.
Certified sex addiction therapist and coach Jill Vermeire, star of Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew, shares her recovery insights in a wide-ranging conversation with David and Nate.
Brian Hughes, the founder/owner of Second Chance Sober Living in Nashville, shares his story and lessons he has learned in recovery.
Eli Nash, founder of Mic Drop and a recovering porn/sex addict, shares his story with Nate and David.
Dr. Ellie Henkind Katz, author of "When Sane People Do Insane Things" and "Love and Kisses from My Padded Cell," shares her own personal journey of recovery from food addiction and her insights into the essentials of recovery. An internationally known lecturer, Dr. Ellie has been practicing holistic psychotherapy for 40 years. She lives on a farm in Israel with her husband, sculptor Michael Katz.
In this lighthearted and enlightening conversation, licensed drug and alcohol counselor Karen Moran offers personal insights into the dynamics of codependency and the family systems that can foster addictive behavior.
Dave Des Rocher, former NFL player, nightclub owner and banker, describes his journey through alcoholism and drug addiction and into recovery. Listeners interested in learning the career path best suited to their aptitudes and interests receive a $150 discount at www.path2happisuccess.com by using the following discount codes:
Student program - PSP150s Career transition program - PSP150c
Nate and David reminisce about the podcast's first year and discuss what they have been reading.
David's stimulating conversation with Chris Scott, the founder of Fit Recovery and cohost of the Elevation Recovery Podcast. Topics include the body, fitness, diet, supplements for those recovering from detox, and a lifestyle change that benefits the brain as well as our physical well-being.
An honest, personal conversation with author, recovery coach, licensed psychotherapist and TV personality Sherry Gaba.
David and Nate learn about another dangerous white powder from Michael Collins, founder of sugaraddiction.com.
Rob Hannley, Editor-In-Chief and Executive Producer of Recovery Today Magazine, shares his own story and the inspiration he has gained from the stories of others in recovery.
A resident physician at a premier research hospital describes enlightened forms of care for those suffering from substance use disorders.
An entertaining conversation with Phil Herndon, Executive Director of the professionals program at JourneyPure and co-author of The Voice of the Heart Bible Study.
Therapist Josh Treece talks with Nate and David about recovery, including the fact that we all suffer from a "bad case of being human."
An inspiring conversation with Dan and Cindy Blom about how their family's tragic confrontation with addiction has brought new answers to old questions.
Certified neurotherapist Kaka Ray, one of our most popular guests, rejoins the podcast for a fun-filled conversation about dysfunctional relationships.
Nathan Lee and Al Andrews talk with David about a recent history-making, heartbreaking prison concert.
This episode features a stimulating conversation with TN State Director of Faith-Based Initiatives Dr. Monty Burks PLUS a taste of ILLUMINATION, our producer Rex Schnelle's brand-new musical collaboration with CCM legend Phil Keaggy.
The new owner of Integrative Life Center talks about his own recovery story and his reasons for entering the field.
Constance Scharff, PhD, Science and Research Chair for Rock to Recovery, covers a wide range of recovery-related topics with Nate and David.
A conversation with first-time author Kristin Russell about life, writing, and her novel "A Sky for Us Alone."
A former professional baseball player talks about the perils of performance-based living and the rewards of recovery.
An enlightening conversation with Constance Rhodes about a very common modern coping mechanism —obsession with food and body image.