Voices In Recovery Podcast

This week our friend, Heather L. stops by to share her story of discovery, recovery and healing. She is a strong indigenous woman, a single mother of 4 children, she's studying addiction, and recently created and began facilitating her own recovery program, "Planting Seeds of Change". It is an honour for us to sit with her. I don't know how single parents do it, unless they're super heroes! Thank you Heather, keep up the good fight! Check out Thrive and support indigenous! It's where she got her kick ass shirt 🤘https://www.facebook.com/thriveunltd/

*Explicit content and language warning***If you are under the age of 18 please consult with your parent or guardian prior to listening or viewing**This week our guest, John Hugger stops by and shares his incredible journey. He talks with us via Zoom from Washington state. I cannot do his story justice, as I cannot imagine surviving what he went through. The depths of his pain equalls the depths he travelled to forget such horrific memories. I caution everyone this week due to the extreme nature of the content and some of our language. His story must be told regardless of how hard it might be to listen to. We must pay attention to our fellow humans in order to better help break cycles of family violence, sexual abuse, pedophilia, rap culture, etc. Thank you John, I look forward to one day getting that hug from you man. Unbelievable! *Explicit content and language warning***If you are under the age of 18 please consult with your parent or guardian prior to listening or viewing**

This week Darcy and I talk about bringing compassion to public services, focussing energies on rehabilitation VS. Prison, and the impact government funding could have on the lives of people struggling before prison is necessary. We also talk about a complete restructuring of our justice system to accommodate the shift in focus. We are encouraged by the movement towards decriminalization even as we recognize this transition carries potential, possibly inherent challenges.

This week our guest is a long time friend from my California life, Rob. He comes to us via Zoom from Indianapolis! He shares his story of addiction and the winding road he undertook to enter sobriety. He reminded me of many things from when we were young and some of them are not fond memories at all. It is a reminder that no matter where I might find myself today, I have no right to judge anyone and that I must be diligent in changing despite myself sometimes. There are always more miles to go. Thank you for sharing yourself with us and for giving me another chance, Rob.

This week's guest is Jerad. His story involves developing complex PTSD early due to an incredibly stressful environment. He talks about the ten years spent in active addiction and the damage, which looks like PTSD today, which he now lives with and is learning to treat. He shares how reconnecting with his culture more and more every day helps him find purpose and direction in his daily life. If he didn't tell us all about it, I might never have guessed the amount of pain in his heart, mind and spirit and how he expressed that to the world around him. Jerad reminds me of so much, but mostly to keep judgment and assumption to myself. He has made terrible choices and for those, he will answer. My hope is that we strive to understand more and more why humans do some of the terrible things we do. Instead of forever pointing our swords at punitive punishments.Thank you so much for your courage, strength and hope Jerad.Check out his...instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jaycreesaboriginalcrafts/Etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Indigenousmadegoods

This week's guest is Cheryl. It was over a year ago when she lost her son Jacob due to a drug overdose. Jacob was a kind, compassionate, and caring man, who found himself fighting an incredible fight for the last few years of his life. Within Jacob's story is a young man, whom was bullied in school, confused by mental health difficulties, and tortured by a deep pain. Cheryl talked about compassion being such a vital necessity and the lack of it within the medical community at times when dealing with mental illness/addiction. Cheryl watched, as the system repeatedly let her son down until his death. Where Cheryl began her outspoken mission to end stigma and mistreatment by speaking with all of the wonderful staff, who had helped Jacob in his final days. She is hoping to help and encourage creating compassionate environments for healing our fellows with unseen wounds. Those with wounds running much deeper than our eyes can see. Thank you Cheryl.

Darcy and I sit down to say goodbye to 2021. A huge thank you to our listeners, viewers, and supporters of all kinds. We are excited to begin another year of incredible stories. To our guests we can't thank you enough for having the courage to be on the show and share yourselves with everyone. You are the reason that we love doing this show so much.

Our guest this week is a friend of ours, Vicki! She shares her incredible life story from a total lack of security and safety as a child she weathered the storms of racism, bullying, and violence against some incredible odds. She now finds herself, due to hard work and constant effort, sober and building a life of serenity through service and step work. Thank you so much Vicki, you're story is amazing just as you are!

This week, one of our favourite humans, Vanisha Breault drops by. She talks about her brand new book, "Ordinary Courage", The Terminator Foundation's second annual recovery summit in February 2022, and the excitement over the work on the second book! Vanisha talks about her family and the struggle for recovery her sons are experiencing. Our thoughts go out to her children, as we know the road is difficult and dark at times. She is a blessing in the world, full of compassion, understanding, and acceptance. Thank you Vanisha.

This week's guest is Mary. She tells us her incredible story of sobriety and we follow her  twists and turns, as she makes her way through life. Gratefully she is able to articulate the effects of intergenerational trauma and racism in present day Canada. She talks about how much racism is faced by people of color and immigrants specifically coming to Canada. We learn about the racism and bigotry, which effected her parents when they first arrived here amny years ago. She talks about how the impact plays out in her life today. Thank you Mary, we appreciate you!