Voices In Recovery Podcast

This week I sit down and share my coming out story with Darcy. Well, and now all of you. I have never gone into what it means for me to be queer, however this year when the day came around to share our coming out stories - it felt like it was time to put it together. Sitting down with my friend Darcy and his young human Sam, I felt safe as I had their permission to open up. They also encouraged and reassured me quite often. I am grateful for them. It means a lot that we have a platform to share; letting you get to know me, as we get to learn from so many. Thank you for being such a huge part of my life and recovery journey.

This week, my friend Mitch comes back on for an in person chat with Darcy and I. His story is an amazing journey from the darkness in addiction into the beautiful light he basks in today. Living a life he never dreamt of... Mitch, you're an inspiration and being around you is a gift for everyone! I appreciate you and your family my friend; keep up the great work you're doing in your life and all around Alberta sir! Thank you for your experience, strength and hope!

This week our guest, Odessa stops by and shares her journey of recovery. Her childhood found her growing up in a family riddled with potential alcoholism. It took some very tough years of active addiction to bring her into the twelve step fellowships. She finds that doing the work has changed her way of thinking in so many ways. Thank you Odessa, you're doing it!

This week we are sharing a special short episode on Jayme Minor. He shares his story of addiction and being sober for 3 years. He wants to share his music and energy as his way of remaining sober. We wanted to let anyone interested know about Jayme Minor's upcoming show, OktSOBERfest! Tickets are 30.00 and details can be found here https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/octsoberfest-tickets-421088195127This event is not affiliated with Freedom's Path Recovery Society.Check out his instagram here https://www.instagram.com/jayme_minz/?hl=en

Our guest this week, Cade, shares his story of addiction and recovery. Cade survived an abusive childhood to find himself deep into addiction. So deep that he lost his home and family. A couple of years ago he entered treatment and has been sober since. He now works in a treatment centre, helping others get and remain sober.

This week's guest is David M. He stops by to share his story including 42 years of sobriety. Not only has his life done a 180 since sobering up four decades ago, he's done several 180's finding healing in places he never imagined he would or could. Today David works with many humans in sobriety and has created a program for dads in recovery. It was fun getting to know a fellow we had never really spoken with. Thank you Dave, good luck and God speed sir.

This week my friend, Chris stops by to share his story with us. Fear was a regular part of Chris's life growing up. From a difficult home life, Chris endured bigotry at the hands of the church for being gay. As life in active addiction progressed, Chris found himself falling deeper and deeper into the darkness. Chris was raped and when he reported the offense he was demonized by the police. This intense trauma coupled by being retraumatized at the hands of law enforcement added fuel to Chris's spiral down. Chris became homeless, showed violent tenancies in connection with his intravenous drug use, and found himself in the sex trade.Chris has now been sober for 9 months and focuses on giving back in many different ways! He spends a lot of time helping 2SLGBTQ humans adjust to a life in recovery and is a part of opening Calgary's first 2SLGBTQ treatment center in Calgary. We are extremely grateful you are out there Chris, thank you for your courage strength and hope my friend.

This week Priya stops by and shares her pathway into recovery. She talks about the journey with her family through addiction and into recovery. We learn how she came to be the Chief Administrative Officer of Simon House Recovery Centre. She is a part of some incredible existing programs and those that are on the horizon for the centre.  Thank you Priya, we appreciate you!

This week, I get riled up by my besties and we celebrate not only our 200th podcast, but we start our 5th season of Voices in Recovery as well! Thank you to all of our guests and every listener who's tuned in for our very human stories through these last four years. We appreciate you! A huge thank you to Darcy for his continued work and support as we navigate the waters of podcasting. Another thank you to Dom and Jon for always agreeing to come on and poke this bear in the interest of a good time. This episode is no different than any other of course, as we talk about things, which can be incredibly triggering for humans. Having said that, we really hope you enjoy the three of them poking me with sticks, as though I'd already passed on. There's little doubt in my mind that laughter is really good medicine for what ails us.

This week's guest, Samantha Ann stopped by and wow; she shared a story of compassion, love, strength, and acceptance of the human wherever they are at. Sadly, she lost her soul mate to drug poisoning over a year ago and her life was forever changed. Today, she is driven and her mission has become one of love, advocacy, and tolerance. Thank you Samantha Ann; your courage, intelligence, and compassion are changing the world.