Voices In Recovery Podcast

This week we share Vee's story. He talks about being indigenous in Canada and how important it is to stand up and get our citizens and government to listen to the people. He is deeply passionate about his life and the course he's chosen. Despite challenges within and without the indigenous community, he remains steadfast in his purpose. It is amazing seeing the incredible passion at work in his life! Thank you Vee, I appreciate you taking the time to chat with me. Keep your eyes peeled for his rallies coming up in August!

Maddy Joins us and tells her journey through addiction, violence in her family and early experiences with alcohol. Enduring a great deal of bullying during her school years led her to move on to other substances and eventually dropping out of school and becoming homeless by grade 8. During homelessness, she experienced exploitation, violence, a number of attempts to get sober with no support, and thoughts of self harm. Finding herself in her first meeting at 17 years old she began to make a new life in recovery. Now she is happy in recovery and continuing her education in post secondary as a social worker. Her life has been pretty incredible.

A soothing loving-kindness meditation with a focus on breath, centering, and sending loving-kindness to people in your life for your benefit.  Redirect yourself towards sending positive, loving kindness to everyone.  A wonderful meditation when you're feeling agitated

This week I met with Kemoh Mansaray. He is the Lloydminster Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator, a board member and community engagement chair of the Africa Centre, past president of the Sierra Leone Association of Alberta and founding board chair of the Clareview Multicultural Centre. He is presently a member of the Black Coalition Against Racism Black-CAR recently formed due to the out cry of Black Lives Matter.  

We are joined by Tara, an active volunteer for Calgary Beyond the Blue.  Beyond the Blue is a peer-led, non-profit organization with Chapters across the country.  They are dedicated to strengthening and supporting families of law enforcement officers in Canada. We strive to promote an awareness of our officer's worth as well as an understanding of the joys and struggles that are uniquely experienced in life in law enforcement. To find out more about Calgary Beyond the Blue head to https://www.calgarybeyondtheblue.com

Long time friend, Nicole joins us to talk about her life in recovery, which has not been an easy path, but the healthiest for Nicole. She found herself in meetings at 24 where she discovered the people there were talking about things she was feeling, but could not articulate. Throughout all of the challenges, she now finds purpose in her life and devotes as much time as she can to helping others. Thank you my friend, it was a lovely time sitting and talking with you.

This special episode is with Dom Yellow Sun. We talk about his connection to Black Lives Matter and his deep, ever strengthening roots with the constant struggle in Canada for Indigenous rights. If we get lost in the mire, I may forget that in some cases the indigenous rights he and others fight for are the basic rights I take for granted each day. A deep seeded fear of the government, police etc through that definite and powerful lense of intergenerational trauma. Clean water and livable conditions. And so much more.... Take a listen. Find him on instagram @killuminati_990

We are fortunate to have Chelsea sit down with us and take us through her story.  Starting with her parents divorce when she was younger, Chelsea increased her partying and consumption.  Chelsea eventually found herself in training for the RCMP helped to escalated her drinking which continued until she moved, changed employers and found her life falling apart around her.  When she first sought help she wasn't convinced she really needed to change but it didn't take long for her to realize she had to commit to the process.  Now she is living life to the fullest in recovery.

I am joined by a current Canadian police officer, who provides us a unique and open perspective on the current climate of policing. She speaks openly about some of the areas that have room for improvement, the impacts of the changes being suggested and her thoughts on how recent events are affecting officers.

This was such a great conversation with John about workaholism and its effect on a person's life. Growing up with a constant reminder that he was never good enough managed helping John down a path of focus into complete obsession with work. Work became where he was able to feel that he had value. It was during his second marriage and recovery from an injury that he was given a copy of the book, Chained to the Desk by Bryan E. Robinson. This was where he started realizing and recognizing that his workaholic behaviour was unhealthy. When it threatened his marriage John took action and reached out for help. John went on to eventually organize the first workaholics anonymous meeting in Calgary. He continues involvement with recovery because it has brought his amazing daughters closer than ever before. He tries diligently to help others struggling with workaholism as a corner stone of that recovery. Thank you my friend.