Voices In Recovery Podcast

We are joined by Logan, an aspiring local, Calgarian musician and university student. We have a great conversation about his music, inspirations, university life during covid and the challenges it presents. I hope you all will look for his music and check him out. I think his music is awesome and his message is a damn good one.

Vanisha joins us to talk about youth addiction, the Terminator Foundation and how things went through the Covid lock down. How the organization is recovering from the pandemic. She also now hosts her own podcast called Ordinary Courage. Listen to the podcast here and to find the registration or for more information about the Terminator Run go here.

We are happy to have Nicque join us to talk about the joy she finds and the things she does to create joy in her life. Struggling early on with substances fed her depression, self harm, and disordered eating. She talks about how she built a life that she thought was expected of her and how it all looked wonderful from the outside, but on the inside it wasn't her and it wasn't the life she really wanted. After trying new activities she was able to find some peace and connection. She has since completely changed her life, travelled, and is still trying as many new things as possible. Her mood and spirit is contagious and infectious, thank you Nicque!

Taylor sits down with us and talks about her experiences and how she feels being in recovery. Taylor faced racism and bullying in school; she quickly found out she fit in with older kids where she had access to substances and people who understood her. After a very personal and painful loss, Taylor began to increase her substance use. Despite moving across the country her addiction got worse until she attempted to overdose. She has been on the path of recovery ever since her overdose attempt. We want to thank Taylor for being open and sharing her courage, strength and hope with us.

We were honoured to sit down with Renee and hear her amazing story. Renee remembers her first abusers and from there we are taken to a life of masking pain at a very young age. She was in several abusive relationships sending her deeper into addiction. Today, in recovery, Renee is enjoying life as much as possible with her children and focuses daily on choosing to do the right next thing. Thank you Renee for sharing your story.

We are joined by Jin today. He takes us through the last few years of his life where he has had to find a way to cope with and live with the loss of his brother and his fiancé to suicide. This enormous loss has not only shaped his outlook on family, health and wellness, career, and his life. It has forever altered how he interacts and can empathize with people. It is an incredible story that we are honoured to share with you all. As he spoke, the love he has for his brother, family and anyone who might be suffering is so very evident. Thank you Jin, you are one special human.

We are joined by the amazing and talented Amy Lee Owens. She joins us to talk about her journey into recovery, as well as her musical journey. She and friend, musician Marvin Kee honour us with a few of her beautiful songs.  To find out more about Amy or to listen to more of her music head to https://www.amyleeowens.comOn guitar was Marvin Kee which you can find on instagram @theflymuse

We are happy to have Tony join us to talk about how he came to recovery and how he has changed in some ways dramatically through the process. Tony's story starts with divorced parents, bullying, and the discovery of substances to numb out feelings at an early age. Tony kept things together, as best as he could, but with the loss of custody of his child he went back to a life he didn't want. With some setbacks along the way, he was able to rebuild some relationships, and is still working on rebuilding others. He spends a lot of time today giving back to other humans in many different ways. Thank you Tony, for your story and for all you do.

This week we are joined by Derek who talks in great detail about his frame of mind regarding recovery during his early attempts. From thinking he could simply will himself into sobriety and his belief that he can do it all on his own to understanding that he needs to be honest and seek peer support. He talks about how he has been able to build up his self esteem while also pushing himself to work through his own fears during recovery. He continually strives to get better; sharing his experience, strength and hope as an outstretched hand. Thank you Derek!

Jon takes us through a quick body scan meditation and into a meditation with the focus being acceptance.  Acceptance dissolves our resistance and allows us to get honest with ourselves about what is working and what isn't.