Voices In Recovery Podcast

We were fortunate to have Dusty and Katherine Miller on for a second time discussing PTSD and the ongoing journey of recovery. They talk about accumulated stress on the family when PTSD goes unidentified and untreated. They share about how different and beautiful life looks when acceptance and treatment become a part of day to day life. There is little doubt that a family healing together can thrive together! Thank you Dusty and Katherine, we appreciate your service and your openness.

Long time friend Kenny stops by and shares his challenging journey into and through recovery. We appreciate his honesty and openness with us and all of you! He continues to work with newcomers and those struggling, as a part of his and their recoveries. Kenny works diligently on his daily path including the other aspects of his life like his son and family. He is a restaurant owner and chef, who recently went through huge changes with his work due to the last twelve months. He doesn't shy away from any challenges and is facing the newness with eyes and mind wide open. Sometimes these episodes really hit me hard and hit home. This one was no different, as he and I share parts of our journey that are often challenging to talk about. We appreciate you Kenny!

This week we have a returning guest and one of my good friends Adam Trotsky. He talks about recovery and trying to live better each day and what that looks like for him. We talk about our experiences incorporating many sources of practice into our lives and recoveries. He talks about his budding new business and about his upcoming wedding to an amazing human. I won't ruin it for you, we hope enjoy. Thank you Mr. Trotsky you're one of the good ones buddy.

This week's guest is James Bellamy. He shares his incredible story including surviving conversion therapy, Christianity, and a world that constantly projects negativity to anyone outside of the "norms" of society. Not only has he survived, but today he thrives! He is heavily involved in educating and changing systems of bigotry and exclusion. For what you have done and for your work everyday, we thank you James! It was an honor sitting with you; your vulnerability, courage and intelligence inspire us.

Our friend Charli stopped by and shared her incredible journey before and into recovery. She survived multiple instances of abuse, neglect, as well as; suicidal ideations, attempts and an attempted kidnapping by one of Robert Pickton's associates. She survived a horrible car crash, which left her with Chronic difficulties. Her recovery is full speed ahead working on herself and working with other women trying to be sober and clean! She is also a part of mentorship programs for women in trades and loves working to empower others. Today her life is content and happy, as she lives a life of service to others. Thank you Charli, keep up the incredible work!

This week Sandra stops by and shares her incredible, ongoing journey in recovery. We hear the depths of pain and injury that being bullied can cause us humans over the course of days, months and a lifetime. Listening to her story, it became evident that in nearly every stage of her life, being bullied has been her reality. As heart breaking as parts of her story really are; her heart, courage, and perseverance is a testament to the strength and resiliency of her spirit and faith. I am grateful to know her and incredibly inspired by her to be a better human to all I encounter.

Lauren stops by and shares her journey into art therapy and serving people as a pastor. She works tirelessly to help build the kind of church and practice that is inclusive and understanding for all people. Her many ideas work towards healing a fractured faith community; creating and cultivating a positive experience through her art therapy and pastoral care. On top of all of that, she works on her mental health daily with a deep understanding of how challenging stability can be - especially when other factors interfere, such as pandemics. Thank you Lauren!

Sitting down with our guests and hearing their incredible stories continues to be inspiring and incredibly enlightening. The hours spent with humans continues teaching Darcy and I in complex ways. To be better humans; better brothers, friends, partners, sons, father, and uncles. To do better work in our community, become kinder and more compassionate in all of our affairs. Each person is inspiring and motivational in their own way and there is no doubt they have an impact on others as well. Sometimes the real mirror for me happens when Darcy and I sit down together and reflect on our time hearing stories and living life. These conversations often allow me a deeper acceptance of how my defects act themselves out in my life today. This is a not so gentle, but necessary, reminder that no matter how good I feel, the work never ends. I must remain diligent in the process of my growth and life.

This week we sit down with Deb and hear her amazing journey through life and recovery. Her life was anything but linear, as she wove her way through abuse, codependency, constant instability, and regular truama at the hands of family members and others. She nearly lost her son permanently due to mental health concerns and serious depression. However, she worked diligently on her health, challenges and recovery while going through divorce. Her hard work and commitment allowed her to regain custody of her son, who she cares for to this day. Thank you Deb!

This week we have our friend Cassandra sharing her story. She talks about coming from an alcoholic family of origin in which she survived multiple abuses in and out of the home. The violence she encountered led her into a mindset of hating men for long periods of her life. Today she works diligently on her family, recovery, health, and being of use to other people on the road of recovery. She attends different fellowships to continue her work of self discovery, growth and to stay connected to solutions. I am grateful to be connected to her and I never stop learning when she speaks. Thank you Cassandra!