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As we bid farewell to Season 5 of The Courage to Change, join Ashley and Producer Scott as they ring in the new year. Get ready for a New Year's rap, Jamaican Merlins, The Courage to Change Awards, glimpses into 2024 dreams, and a New Year's party that doesn't require you to leave your house. Put on your finest attire and stop by our place as we close out 2023.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Hilary Phelps was an overachiever from the beginning. She was a straight “A” student and the fastest swimmer in the country for her age group, until the age of 14, when she took her first sip of alcohol. From that moment, she was hooked and spent the next 15-years drinking, and feeling empty, lost, and hopeless.
At 29, Hilary checked herself into rehab for substance use disorder. It wasn’t just about putting down the drink, but about changing people, places and things in her life that ultimately caused her to use in the first place.
Hilary kept her recovery and sobriety quiet until recently when she celebrated 15-years of continuous sobriety in June 2022. It was then she realized “we’re only as sick as our secrets” and decided to share her story. It was then she realized her mission and purpose wasn’t to stay quiet, but to help those healing in private by sharing her recovery and healing journey out loud.
Hilary is a speaker, an addiction recovery advocate, writer, and holistic wellness coach. Her mission and purpose is to help other women find their voice and heal from anything that is holding them back from finding their purpose.
Tune in to Learn About
Early Achievements: Discover Hilary's early success as a straight "A" student and the fastest swimmer in the country until the age of 14, when her life took a drastic turn after her first sip of alcohol.
15 Years of Struggle: Follow Hilary's 15-year-long battle with alcohol, during which she felt empty, lost, and hopeless. Explore the challenges she faced and the impact of substance use on her life.
15 Years of Sobriety: Hear about Hilary's decision to keep her recovery and sobriety private until she celebrated 15 years of continuous sobriety in June 2022. Understand the realization that led her to share her story and break the silence.
Mission and Purpose: Explore Hilary's mission and purpose, which evolved from staying quiet about her recovery to actively helping others healing in private by openly sharing her recovery and healing journey.
Empowering Women: Delve into Hilary's commitment to empowering women, guiding them towards healing from anything that holds them back from realizing their purpose.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Hilary
Website | hilaryphelps.com
Instagram | @hilaryphelps_
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Brendan Berry grew up feeling uncomfortable in his body. Anxiety and suicidal thoughts came early and he found himself in many situations where he felt like an outsider. He excelled in sports, but even that seemed to take him away from his peers as his skills meant he was asked to play at higher levels with older kids. When hazing in sports began, he left the group and began hanging out with the kids who drank and used. He began waking up in the night to drink vodka after his parents went to sleep.
His grades tanked at one point dropping as low as a .56 gpa. He became disheveled and wore the same clothes everyday. His relationship with his parents unraveled to the point where they told him they were sending him away to Cedar’s Academy. There he witnessed or experienced mental, physical and sexual abuse. When he finally escaped the situation he hit the bottle as hard as he possibly could.
As his drinking and using escalated, a dream remained of finding a career in music. He found a way into music school but only lasted a semester and half before he ODed and ended up in the ICU in a coma with a ventilator.
The use didn’t stop there. What followed was rehab, relapses, and finally lasting recovery. With recovery came a life he’d always dreamed of. Getting back into music school, making music for film and television and even winning a grammy.
Today Brendan works for MusicCares which works to provide Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services, Health Services, and Human Services for people in the music industry.
Tune in To Learn About
Early Struggles with Mental Health: Discover Brendan's early challenges with anxiety and suicidal thoughts, creating a sense of discomfort in his own body. Explore the situations where he felt like an outsider, exacerbating his feelings of isolation.
Traumatic Experiences at Cedar’s Academy: Learn about Brendan's traumatic experiences, including witnessing or experiencing mental, physical, and sexual abuse at Cedar’s Academy. Understand the profound impact this had on his mental health and addiction struggles.
Rehab, Relapses, and Lasting Recovery: Explore Brendan's journey through rehab, relapses, and ultimately achieving lasting recovery. Witness the challenges and triumphs along the way that shaped his path to sobriety.
Dreams Fulfilled in Recovery: With recovery came the realization of Brendan's dreams, including getting back into music school, creating music for film and television, and even winning a Grammy.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Brendan
MusicCares | musicares.org
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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In this Q and A episode of The Courage to Change, we address the overwhelming sentiment many caregivers face: "I'm So Burnt Out With My Addicted Loved One." Ashley explores practical strategies to foster hope, set healthy boundaries, and maintain resilience while supporting someone through addiction.
Tune in to learn about:
Hope Without Expectations: Discover how to cultivate hope without setting unrealistic expectations. Explore actionable steps to foster a positive outlook while respecting the unpredictable nature of addiction recovery.
Avoiding the Rollercoaster: Learn strategies to detach from the emotional rollercoaster often associated with loving someone with addiction. Gain insights into how to maintain your emotional balance and provide steadfast support without being pulled into the chaos.
Setting Strong Boundaries: Explore the importance of establishing and maintaining strong boundaries to prevent burnout. Discover practical tips for self-care and communication that help you preserve your well-being while continuing to support your loved one.
Join us as we navigate the challenging terrain of loving someone with addiction, offering practical tools and insights to help you find strength, maintain hope, and cultivate resilience in the face of burnout. Tune in and empower yourself with strategies to navigate this difficult journey with compassion and grace.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast
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Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
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Ashley Potts grew up in a household where Substance Use Disorder. Violence, incarceration and trauma were regular occurrences. She felt a deep desire to be loved but the environment meant that love was hard to come by. And eventually her addicted mother left her a note telling her that she was going to get the car fixed; Ashley didn’t see her again for 5 years.
Ashley got drunk at 9 and found Oxy at 13 then cocaine. She was expelled from school. She bounced around from living with her alcoholic father to her grandparents home where she lived an addicted uncle and another who was deep into devil worshiping.
What followed were years of violence and use. Her mother came in and out of her life and Ashley desperately wanted to save her. IV drug use started and Ashley racked up endless arrests and at one point faced 100 pending felony counts against her. She didn’t think she’d live to 21.
Then miraculously she found recovery and made attempt after attempt to go back to school and to change her life. She was discouraged at every turn by programs that told her they wouldn’t allow her to continue because there would be no work for someone with her record.
Today, in addition to being in executive leadership she also teaches some of the master’s level classes she’d been excluded from taking.
Tune in To Learn About
Childhood Ravaged by Addiction: Discover Ashley's challenging upbringing in a household plagued by Substance Use Disorder, where violence, incarceration, and trauma were regular occurrences. Understand the impact of this environment on her deep desire for love and the challenges she faced in finding it.
Years of Violence and Addiction: Follow Ashley through years marked by violence and addiction, as her mother came in and out of her life. Witness the desperation to save her mother and the onset of IV drug use, leading to numerous arrests and facing 100 pending felony counts.
Miraculous Turn to Recovery: Explore the miraculous turning point in Ashley's life when she found recovery. Learn about her relentless attempts to go back to school and change her life, facing discouragement from programs due to her record.
Executive Leadership and Teaching: Discover Ashley's remarkable achievements today, where she not only holds an executive leadership role but also teaches master's level classes—opportunities that were initially denied to her. Understand the resilience and determination that propelled her to these accomplishments.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Ashley
LinkedIn | Link
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Cait Madry found her sobriety in a slightly different way than most. Growing up she had an addicted parent and felt like they were villainized when their addiction was revealed. Later in life, that affected how she was willing to view her own addiction.
Growing up, she wanted to prove that she could be different from her addicted parent. Her hope was that she would not let her substance use affect her life. That strategy didn’t go according to plan. So often she drank she had the deep feeling that her standards were nowhere near what she wanted them to be.
Then after four years of friendship, Cait’s best friend became more than that, fueled by late nights of drinking. 6 months later, their relationship was crumbling under booze-soaked fighting and being less than their best selves. Cait began reading and learning about a new way to view her relationship with alcohol. Someone was finally presenting a new perspective on her drinking and even her need to label herself an addict. Through this learning, she attempted to curb her drinking and each time she found her way back to alcohol until finally finding sobriety in the wake of a Thanksgiving blowout with her girlfriend. In the aftermath, they both made the choice to end their relationship with alcohol.
Today Cait co-hosts the podcast “Clearheaded”: The Guide for Sober Care where she and her partner handpick the very best out there to enhance or kickstart your sober-care routine.
Tune in To Learn About:
Childhood Influence: Discover how Cait's childhood, marked by the experience of having an addicted parent, influenced her perception of addiction and the way society tends to villainize individuals with substance use disorders.
Struggling with Standards: Learn about Cait's struggle with maintaining the standards she set for herself, particularly as she found herself frequently turning to alcohol. Explore the disconnect between her aspirations and the reality of her drinking habits.
Attempts at Curbing Drinking: Explore Cait's efforts to curb her drinking, each attempt followed by a return to alcohol. Witness the turning point in her journey that led to lasting sobriety, triggered by a Thanksgiving blowout with her girlfriend.
Relationship with Alcohol Ends: Learn about the transformative decision Cait and her girlfriend made to end their relationship with alcohol in the aftermath of the Thanksgiving incident. Understand the mutual commitment to sobriety that emerged from this challenging experience.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Cait
Instagram | @caitmadry
TikTok | @caitmadry
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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In the latest episode of The Courage to Change, we unravel the intricate layers of addiction recovery by exploring a pivotal question: "What made the last time I drank different?" Join Ashley as she shares a firsthand account, backed by professional insights, shedding light on the unique dynamics that make this recovery attempt stand out from the rest.
Tune in to learn about:
Personal Journey: Gain deep insights into a firsthand account of why the last attempt to quit alcohol was distinct, exploring the mindset, circumstances, and the key factors that set this recovery journey apart.
Professional Perspective: Delve into the expert viewpoint on what happens within an addict during this critical phase. Uncover the psychological and physiological aspects that contribute to a transformative recovery experience.
Family Dynamics: Understand what families should grasp when witnessing their loved ones engage in destructive behaviors, believing it will be the catalyst for change. Explore the delicate balance between support and tough love, and how to navigate these challenging moments.
Moments of Clarity: Discover what families and friends should do when their loved ones experience a moment of clarity. Learn how to seize these opportunities to facilitate meaningful conversations and encourage positive steps towards recovery.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Marin Nelson loved drinking from the moment she began. It was an immediate connection that she’d been searching for. Early on she found herself having panic attacks and being stuck in the destructive cycles of use. She began searching for all kinds of cures for her health concerns. She became a Vegan. She tried volunteering. She tried new groups and clubs and health kicks but never considered alcohol to be the root of her problems.
She eventually found recovery that worked for her after a long road of failed attempts and as her recovery and her career grew, she began to feel the desire to share her recovery. She knew there were other people in her workplace community that were struggling with the same problems, but no organized community existed. This need was the birth of Soberforce.
In her role at Salesforce, she created an open group for people to meet and share their sobriety out loud. What started small grew to 500 members in a matter of months.
Today, she works to combat the stigma people face in the workplace and to educate companies about the need to create a more supportive environment for their employees struggling with substances.
Tune In To Learn About:
Immediate Connection with Alcohol: Discover Marin's early experiences with alcohol and how it provided an immediate connection she had been searching for. Uncover the initial allure and its impact on her life.
Unconventional Solutions: Explore Marin's journey through unconventional solutions, such as adopting a vegan lifestyle, volunteering, joining new groups and clubs, and embracing health kicks—all while overlooking alcohol as the root cause of her problems.
Birth of Soberforce: Learn about the catalyst for Marin's desire to share her recovery journey and the founding of Soberforce. Understand the gap she identified in her workplace community and how Soberforce emerged to address this need.
Combating Stigma in the Workplace: Gain insights into Marin's efforts to combat the stigma associated with substance use in the workplace. Understand her mission to educate companies about the importance of fostering a more supportive environment for employees dealing with substance-related challenges.
Educating Companies: Discover Marin's advocacy for creating awareness and understanding within companies about the unique needs of employees in recovery. Learn about the positive impact of supportive workplace environments on individuals struggling with substances.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Marin
LinkedIn | @marinenelson
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden grew up in a normal 80s childhood, but obsessive thoughts plagued her from a young age. The people around her constantly asked “why can’t you relax?” And she immediately internalized the idea that there was something wrong with her.
At 13, she found alcohol and the thoughts would go away. It became her first tool to manage her obsessive compulsive anxiety. Now she knew how to keep things together, but she needed alcohol.
In college she kept the facade going even when she’d evolved to a daily heroin user. As things got darker and darker she told herself she wasn’t any worse off than anyone else. But in the back of her mind she knew there was something wrong.
She was able to get off heroin and told herself getting off that single substance would solve her problems. Her problems continued as she drank and used drugs through nursing school and as she began her career. Even with all the partying she could always keep the wheels on.
Then things became more and more problematic and she felt like she needed to change. She moved to California with a vow to change her life. But attempt after attempt failed until she finally found lasting recovery.
Today, Julie works in Hospice care and has a successful TikTok channel with over a million followers.Tune In To Learn About:
Early Struggles with Obsessive Thoughts: Discover how Julie's childhood was overshadowed by obsessive thoughts, leading those around her to question why she couldn't relax. Understand the impact of these thoughts on her self-perception.
Nursing Career Amidst Addiction: Explore the challenges Julie faced as she pursued a nursing career while continuing to grapple with addiction. Understand how she managed to keep the appearance of stability, even as her life became increasingly problematic.
The Failed Attempts at Change: Hear about Julie's attempts to change her life, including a move to California with a vow to transform. Discover the struggles she faced and the repeated failures before finding the path to lasting recovery.
From Struggle to Success: Explore Julie's present-day success, as she not only thrives in her career but also boasts a TikTok channel with over a million followers. Uncover the empowering messages she shares with her audience and the impact of her story on others.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Nurse Julie
TikTok | @hospicenursejulie
Instagram | @hospicenursejulie
Youtube | @hospicenursejulie
Facebook | @hospicenursejulie
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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In this Q+A episode of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, we delve into the question many individuals ask themselves on their recovery journey: "What if I don't want to go to AA?". Host Ashley Loeb Blassingame shares insights on how to help you navigate alternative paths to recovery.
Tune in to learn about:
Understanding Resistance: Uncover the main reasons why some individuals may hesitate to embrace a 12-step program and explore common misconceptions surrounding it.
Beyond Religion: Discover how to find and maintain recovery without relying on religious aspects, providing inclusive options for individuals seeking a secular approach.
Exploring Alternatives: Learn about the myriad of recovery options available outside of AA, from evidence-based therapies to community-based support groups, and gain insights into how these alternatives can be just as effective.
Personalized Recovery: Understand the importance of identifying the right program for you. Explore how tailoring your recovery journey to fit your unique needs and preferences can lead to long-lasting success.
Join us as we navigate the diverse landscape of recovery, offering valuable insights, debunking myths, and empowering you to make the choices that resonate with your personal journey. Tune in and take the first step toward a recovery path that aligns with your values and aspirations.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Rebecca Britt was a bright light when she was a child. That light slowly faded in a home life that constantly told her to shut up and sit down. She learned to be silent. She was silent when her brother introduced her to pot at 10 and she was also silent when her older brother’s friend began leaving her notes at age 12. She felt special that someone would want to have a relationship with her. What she didn’t realize that he was grooming her. At 12 she was raped. It was only discovered when she told her classmates about what felt like a “grown up love affair”.
The experience was jarring and confusing but also prepared her for the next year when a teacher began grooming her. When she finally came forward about his predatory behavior she spent the next 3 years in a deposition and after all the long process, he was found not guilty.
Her painful experience had been for nothing. People whispered around school that she’d slept with a teacher. Her self esteem was nothing and that’s when she began using heroin, sleeping with older men and beginning an incredibly dark period of her life.
Through all of it she had a strange desire for justice. She became a social worker in an attempt to help others who felt as powerless as her. All the while heroin had found its way into her daily life and she found herself nodding out during meetings. She was eventually arrested for possession of Heroin. It scared her enough to stop her heroin use, but her trauma remained.
Today, she hasn’t used heroin in 10 years and uses her non-profit to help children with complex trauma needs.
Tune in to Learn About:
From Silence to Empowerment: Explore Rebecca Britt's journey from a silenced childhood to finding her voice amidst trauma and adversity.
Overcoming Injustice: Delve into the heartbreaking experience of reporting abuse, facing a lengthy legal battle, and the emotional toll of seeing justice slip away.
Dark Days and Addiction: Uncover the depths of Rebecca's struggles, from battling drug addiction to the lowest point in her life, marked by a painful arrest for heroin possession.
From Desperation to Purpose: Follow Rebecca's path as she transforms desperation into purpose, founding Stable Moments to provide healing and support for children with complex trauma needs.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Rebecca
Stable Moments | stablemoments.com
Transcend91 | transcend91.com
For Purpose Live | forpurposelive.com
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
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Rita Gigante grew up in a world swirling with secrets, lies, and multiple sins. Her father, notorious Mafia boss Vincent "the Chin" Gigante, was the leader of the Genovese crime clan and the head of all five New York crime families for decades. But until she was 16, she was kept in the dark about his underworld activities.
She unknowingly hung out at mob headquarters and witnessed her dad's whispered meetings around the dinner table, but only knew what she was told by her mother and siblings about his odd behavior: Dad's sick. Keep your mouth shut. Don't talk about the family. Living with the family secret--and other shocking betrayals she was to uncover, then instructed to conceal--plunged Rita into emotional and physical turmoil for years.
Then there was the blockbuster secret she herself kept hidden away: As the youngest girl in an old-fashioned, devout Catholic family, how could she confess to the unforgiving Godfather that she was a lesbian? They were all going to hell, she figured unless she could find a way to embrace the truth and find redemption.
Today Rita Gigante is a gifted and sought-after Intuitive Psychic, Medium, and Healer. She uses the knowledge acquired through life experiences and studying with renowned teachers such as Eamonn Downey and Jinny Johnson, Rita also uses her skills to be a prolific Author, Speaker & Teacher.
Tune in to learn about:
A Mafia Princess's Secrets: Tune in to learn about Rita Gigante's extraordinary upbringing in a world filled with Mafia secrets and her father's notorious criminal activities as the head of the Genovese crime clan.
The Weight of the Family Secret: Discover how Rita's life was shrouded in secrecy, and how her family's Mafia ties had a profound impact on her emotional and physical well-being, keeping her in turmoil for years.
A Personal Struggle for Acceptance: Explore the inner conflict and hidden truth Rita carried as the youngest member of a devout Catholic family, as she grappled with her identity as a lesbian and the fear of condemnation.
Embracing the Truth: Follow Rita's journey as she sought redemption by confronting her true self, finding acceptance, and breaking free from the constraints of secrecy and societal expectations.
From Secrecy to Healing: Learn about Rita's transformation into a gifted Intuitive Psychic, Medium, and Healer. Discover how her life experiences and teachings have shaped her into a prolific Author, Speaker, and Teacher, helping others on their own journeys.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Rita
Book | The Godfather's Daughter
Instagram | @ritagigantepsychic
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Welcome to next episode in The Courage to Change Nurses Series. In this compelling episode, we explore the often hidden world of addiction within the nursing profession. Join us as we shed light on how the four stages of addiction manifest in the workplace, drawing a powerful comparison to the stages of cancer. Understanding this analogy can be a game-changer, leading to earlier and more effective intervention for nurses grappling with substance use issues.
Tune in to learn about:
Cancer vs. Addiction: Discover how the four stages of addiction bear a striking resemblance to the progression of cancer. Unveil the parallels and explore why this comparison is crucial for early intervention in the nursing community.
Empowering Nurses: Learn how understanding addiction within the context of these stages can empower nurses to seek help sooner, potentially saving careers and lives. We share insights on how identifying these stages is the first step towards a brighter, healthier future.
Early Intervention: Gain valuable knowledge about how recognizing the signs of addiction in its early stages can make a world of difference. Nurses will find practical guidance on reaching out for help and engaging in the recovery process.
Expert Insights: Ashley Loeb Blassingame offers expert advice and strategies to help nurses navigate the complex terrain of substance use and addiction within the healthcare profession.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
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Edwin Young grew up in the Jehovah’s Witness community. He was well spoken and knew the community inside and out by age 20 he was an Elder. In the new role he was exposed to corruption happening behind the scenes. He felt conflicted about what he saw, but the final straw was the death of a friend associated with the church. He initially attempted to take a step away, but was eventually left with no choice but to leave the community entirely.
Leaving the church meant losing all of his friends and family. He was suddenly exiled from everyone he loved and began drinking heavily to deal with it. What followed was 20 years of struggling. Deeper and deeper into addiction he went until finally finding help.
Today Edwin has found sobriety through Lionrock Recovery. He’s found a community of people who support him and connect in ways he’d always craved. He’s currently working on a book that tells his story and works hard to help others find healing.
Tune in To Learn About:
Inside the Jehovah's Witness Community: Tune in to learn about Edwin Young's upbringing in the Jehovah's Witness community, where he became an Elder at a young age.
A Crisis of Faith: Discover how Edwin was exposed to corruption within the community and the inner conflict that arose from witnessing troubling events.
The Breaking Point: Explore the events that led to Edwin's decision to step away from the community, and how the tragic death of a friend associated with the church became the final straw.
Leaving It All Behind: Learn about Edwin's challenging journey of eventually leaving the Jehovah's Witness community entirely, the personal and emotional struggles he faced, and his path to recovery and healing.
A Journey of Transformation: Delve into Edwin's story of breaking free from a restrictive environment and finding a new sober path in life, and how he has used his experiences to inspire and support others.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
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Heather’s life changed drastically when her son began struggling with mental illness issues as a very young child. When he was three, she found herself sitting across from his doctor, as he recommended psychiatric hospitalization. This was the first but not the last time she’d had to do something similar as a result of the extreme behavior and violence that she attempted to manage everyday.
All along the way her own guilt around the situation was compounded by other people trying to suggest what was happening was in some way her fault. What followed were 13 hospitalizations, each promising that life would move towards something more “normal”, but the problems remained upon each return.
Eventually after some particularly explosive incidents, her son was admitted to a residential treatment program at age 15. She felt such complicated emotions. She didn’t want him in that setting, and she also felt immense guilt because she felt a sense of relief. She prayed that maybe someone there would be able to help.
What followed was deep depression and a grief process that was incredibly complex all while trying to do what was right for her son and her other children.
Today, she and her son have a great relationship and Heather uses her story to help other families not feel so alone in a situation that can feel as lonely as anything. She also shares her story with teachers, clinicians and parents in order to help them understand the unique limitations of families going through something similar.
Tune In To Learn About:
A Mother's Journey: Tune in to learn about Heather's profound journey as a mother, whose life was turned upside down when her young son began struggling with mental health issues.
The Search for Help: Discover Heather's experiences as she sought help for her son's extreme behavior and violence at a very young age, and how this was just the beginning of a long and challenging path.
Navigating Guilt and Judgment: Explore the complex emotions Heather faced, compounded by guilt and external judgments that made her situation even more difficult.
The Healing Journey: Today, Heather and her son have a strong relationship, and she uses her experience to support other families facing similar situations. Discover how her story helps combat the isolation that often accompanies such struggles.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Heather
TikTok | @heatherhutchison4
Instagram | @hhutchgirl
Email | Email Heather
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Kim worked in western medicine for 18+ years holding an Associates in Medical Specialties & Bachelors in Healthcare. During her time in medicine she worked in the field, academics, authored multiple medical books, wrote national allied health certification tests and served on medical advisory boards.
While her own personal health took her away from this amazing path, it led her to an even better opportunity, helping others realize how important it is to understand their own bodies and health and to dive deeply into the world of parasites and their role in our physical and emotional health.
Today, she works to help others find healing from the parasites that detract from our body’s ecosystem.
Medical Career Expertise: Tune in to learn about Kim's impressive 18+ years in Western medicine, where she earned advanced degrees, authored medical books, and contributed to the healthcare field in various capacities.
A Personal Journey: Discover how Kim's own health challenges redirected her path, leading to a deeper understanding of the significance of understanding one's health and the role parasites play in our physical and emotional well-being.
The Parasitic Connection: Dive into the intriguing world of parasites and their impact on our bodies. Learn from Kim's expertise as she explores how these microorganisms affect our physical and emotional health.
Healing and Wellness: Join us as we explore Kim's mission to help others find healing and restore their body's ecosystem by addressing the presence of parasites. Discover the tools and insights she offers for a healthier life.
Empowering Health Knowledge: Explore how Kim empowers individuals to take control of their health by understanding their bodies and addressing the often-overlooked aspect of parasitic infections.
A Path to Holistic Health: Learn about the holistic approach Kim takes to promote overall well-being by addressing the role of parasites in our physical and emotional health.
Unlocking the Secrets of Health: This episode delves into the valuable information and insights Kim provides to help you unlock the secrets of your own health and well-being through parasite awareness and management.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Kim
TikTok | @mrsrogershood
Instagram | @mrsrogers.hood
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Stephanie was always a high achiever. She felt that if she kept things together, then people would leave her alone. When her father died when she was 16, she doubled down on that strategy, keeping her external appearance spotless when internally she was a mess.
She began drinking heavily then and felt like she didn’t belong anywhere. She sought out other broken people and found them quickly and her drinking jumped to new levels.
She was unwavering in hiding her internal world. She made it into a great college, she completed her nursing program on time and immediately started working as a nurse. Heavy drinking was under the surface, but it never affected her work. It was just her way of coping with the tragedy and pain she faced everyday. Her patients got 100%, always. She never wavered in the quality of care they received.
Then the pandemic hit which poured gasoline on the fire. Each day she would finish and immediately start drinking. Even then it still felt normal, but cracks started to form until she finally realized she truly needed help.
Today she’s found a community and the coping skills she needs to continue to do the challenging work of nursing but this time without alcohol. She shares her story in hopes of helping other nurses going through something similar and thinking that it’s not possible to get help without affecting their job.
Tune in to Learn About:
The Facade of Perfection: Join us as we explore Stephanie's journey of maintaining a flawless exterior while battling inner turmoil. Discover how the loss of her father at a young age shaped her coping mechanisms.
Escalation of Drinking: Dive into Stephanie's experience of turning to alcohol as a means of finding belonging and numbing her pain. Learn how her search for like-minded individuals escalated her drinking habits.
Nursing with a Hidden Struggle: Learn about Stephanie's remarkable ability to excel in her nursing career while battling heavy drinking in secret. Explore how she managed to provide top-notch patient care while grappling with her own demons.
The Pandemic's Impact: Discover how the pandemic exacerbated Stephanie's drinking problem, pushing her to confront the cracks in her facade. Understand the tipping point that led her to seek help.
Finding Hope and Community: Explore Stephanie's journey to recovery and her discovery of a supportive community. Learn how she developed new coping skills to continue her nursing career without relying on alcohol.
Inspiring Other Nurses: Stephanie shares her story in the hope of inspiring fellow nurses facing similar struggles. Gain insights into how it's possible to seek help without jeopardizing one's career in healthcare.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
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Dean Anderson was born and raised just outside of Boston. He grew up in a family with very little drinking, but at 13 found alcohol and loved it immediately. His drinking was always intense, but the town and the friends he grew up with normalized the behavior. It wasn’t until he got to college that he realized not everyone drank the way he and his friends did.
Dean’s drinking really spiraled out of control as he moved away from home. By his mid 30s he was drinking all day and blacking out several times a day. The consequences began catching up to him. He gave up custody of his children and his house. His job was in peril and his doctor told him he would be dead in 9 months if he continued down the road he was on.
But it wasn’t until his daughter needed to leave her living situation and needed him to regain custody that things finally changed. Even if it was 3 months at a time, he would do what he had to do for her.
Today his life is dedicated to serving others. Since getting sober, Dean’s life has completely turned around and things have transpired in his life beyond his imagination.
He also authored and published two books, one on relationships and the other on recovery titled “Finding Myself Sober”.
Tune in To Learn About:
From Normalcy to Chaos: Tune in to learn about Dean Anderson's journey from a childhood with little exposure to drinking to a life consumed by alcohol, all while his surroundings normalized his behavior.
A Life in Descent: Discover how Dean's drinking escalated to the point of daily blackouts, leading to the loss of custody of his children, his home, and the threat of losing his job, as well as a dire health warning from his doctor.
A Father's Redemption: Hear the powerful story of how Dean's daughter became the catalyst for change in his life. Find out how her need for him to regain custody motivated Dean to confront his addiction head-on.
Sobriety's Transformation: Explore how Dean's life took a complete turn for the better after getting sober. Learn about the remarkable transformations and opportunities that arose in his life.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Dean
Book | Finding Myself Sober
Instagram | @deananderson1973
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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Welcome to a special series dedicated to the unsung heroes of our healthcare system: nurses. Through my journey, I've encountered numerous nurses, each grappling with their own set of unique challenges when it comes to seeking sobriety. From demanding schedules to the weight of societal stigma, the path to recovery for nurses is often filled with hurdles. And yet, their significance in the healthcare landscape is undeniable. They are the backbone, often stretched thin due to an overwhelming demand that far exceeds the supply.
Recognizing these unique challenges, we are proud to unveil a series tailor-made for our friends in the nursing and broader healthcare community. At Lionrock, we've crafted specific treatment tracks, drawing from real-life experiences of nurse clients who've bravely shared their stories. In this safe haven, they've found a space free from judgment or shame, empowering them to transform their lives.
Dive into our inaugural episode, whether you're a nurse in the midst of your own recovery journey or someone looking to support a nurse you cherish. We're here to listen, to share, and most importantly, to help. Let's embark on this journey together.Tune in To Learn About:
Nurses in Recovery: Join us for a special series dedicated to the unsung heroes of healthcare – nurses. Discover the unique challenges they face on their path to sobriety and the importance of their role in our healthcare system.
Hurdles on the Road to Recovery: Explore the demanding schedules, societal stigma, and other obstacles that nurses often encounter in their journey towards recovery.
Recognizing the Signs: In this episode, we'll also discuss the crucial topic of recognizing signs that a nurse may be struggling with alcohol-related issues. Learn how to identify these signs and gain insights into providing support and assistance to those in need within the nursing community.
A Safe Haven for Nurses: Delve deep into the experiences of nurses in recovery. Whether you're a nurse on your own journey or someone wanting to support a nurse you care about, this episode is for you.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
Already in recovery, find an online support community.
Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast
TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Lionrock ResourcesLionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings
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Jay Jay French is an American guitarist, manager and producer. French is most famous for his role as the founding member and one of the guitarists of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. As a guitar player, manager, producer and executive producer, French has sold over 20 million albums, performed in 34 countries and performed live over 9,000 times.
His life was incredibly large and glamorous, but for years he struggled with drugs and watched as he and his friends waded through the minefield that was the music industry and drug use.
After years of watching the drastic devastation of drugs on his life and the lives of the people he cared about, he finally made a lasting change.
Today he devotes his career to writing and motivational speaking, while also overseeing licensing and intellectual property rights for the Twisted Sister brand.
Jay Jay French Recovery Journey: Explore the transformative journey of Jay Jay French, Twisted Sister's founding member, and his battle with addiction in the music industry.
Resilience & Redemption: Discover how resilience and redemption play a pivotal role in Jay Jay French's life story, inspiring positive change and recovery.
Twisted Sister's Legacy: Uncover the enduring legacy of Twisted Sister and how Jay Jay French continues to shape it while advocating for recovery and motivational speaking.
Motivational Insights: Gain valuable motivational insights from Jay Jay French's experiences, offering hope and guidance for individuals seeking their own paths to recovery and personal growth.
To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.
Connect with Jay Jay
Book | amazon.com/Twisted-Business
Podcast | Jay Jay French Connection
Email | email Jay Jay
Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.
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Connect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
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