Ashes to Awesome Podcast - Rising in Recovery

Melinda is a member of the LGBQTIA+ community, and spent years battling her demons. Her story is terrifying to the mugals of the world, and at times funny too. Now she is enjoying her sobriety and is quite possibly the funniest and loudest guest I have ever had on. Chuck LaFlange has a new podcast. The episodes are only 5 mins long, and a kind way to start your day. - Morning Cup of Kindness Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the ⁠Spotify platform⁠, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm and really helps us to spread the message. Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously. Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠⁠here .⁠⁠ Ours sponsors, that make spreading the message possible: Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =

More than 100 episodes ago, for episode 18, my mother Norma, and I unbeknownst to us started what was to be the signature weekly feature of the Ashes to Awesome Podcast. She had written a post on Facebook in honor of my cousin, her niece who had been taken from us by fentanyl overdose during a relapse, after 11 months of hard work in recovery. The post went viral. She had written it in a way that highlighted who Jessie was, and it really drove home the point that she was so much more than a statistic or how she passed. She loved and was loved. Back then every episode was spaghetti being thrown at the wall to see what worked and what didn’t. I thought that I would read the post, but it turns out I couldn’t get through even the first couple sentences without completely breaking down. Losing Jessie hit our family very hard. Being unable to do read it myself, I asked my mom if she could, and she agreed, it happened to be a Monday. Keeping in mind at this point I Knew almost nothing about podcasting, and even less about including somebody else on the show. We recorded it via phone and the sound quality highlighted my lack of experience. These days I am a little better at my job with close to 100k downloads and 133 episodes under my belt, so I thought I would remaster Mom’s submission and format the episode the way Memorial Mondays have evolved into now. It is still far from perfect, but it’s better, and it kicked off a campaign that I am very proud of. Now very week starts with a Memorial Monday, and as we celebrate the person who passed, we are reminded of the realities of today, where fentanyl poisoning has made recreational drug use akin to gambling with your life, and how what used to be a really hard way to live; addiction, is now all too often a literal death sentence. The intent is not bringing sadness to your day, but to get the attention of the masses, to let the people know who haven’t been affected by addiction, that the people dying are not junkies, they are sons, sisters, cousins, mothers, brothers, daughters, fathers, and friends who again, love and are loved. We believe firmly here at Ashes to Awesome that this is how we can effect real change in policies at all levels of government. The format is different on a Monday than other days of the week, as it has been my intention from the second Memorial Monday on, that once the submission starts, that is all you hear until the end when the song picked by the loved one finishes the episode. Mom’s contributions to the show didn’t stop there, as it is her that is directly responsible for daily gratitude’s, and the powerful “you are loved” monologue at the end of every single episode. Please share these episodes with the very people you think aren’t interested. If we can get them interested, we are doing our job. Thank you, Chuck LaFlange Chuck LaFlange has a new podcast. The episodes are only 5 mins long, and a kind way to start your day. - Morning Cup of Kindness Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the ⁠Spotify platform⁠, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm and really helps us to spread the message. Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously. Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠⁠here .⁠⁠ Ours sponsors, that make spreading the message possible: Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =⁠WEBSITE ⁠

Episode 132 is a weekend Ramble. Joseph Fourre from episode 94, in which he shared the memory of his son Harland who was taken by fentanyl poisoning months ago, and in episode 95 when he came on to share His own story of rising from the ashes of addiction into the awesomeness of recovery, is back. Along with Lisa101 And I we discuss our takeaways from the past week, but also Joe's campaign of "No Thanks I'm Good", some more thoughts on the love model, and more. Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the ⁠Spotify platform⁠, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm and really helps us to spread the message. Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously. Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠⁠here .⁠⁠ Ours sponsors, that make spreading the message possible: Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =⁠WEBSITE ⁠ The Diamond Life Academy - WEBSITE Thank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED

For our 131st episode, we switched up the Family Friday a little bit. Rich Johnston an interventionist from Florida, and Michelle Weidenbenner, a mother who fought alongside her daughter for years, and now passionately advocates for and with mothers who are conscripted soldiers, also from Florida join me to discuss how to navigate the tricky waters of loving someone who is suffering in active addiction.  You can contact or learn more about Rich Johnston at www.rosecrestrecoveryservices.comhttps://www.facebook.com/richtheinterventionistRich@rosecrestrecoveryservices.com615-484-8792To learn more about Michelle you here are her links Here are the links: Social MediaTwitter: mweidenbenner1https://www.facebook.com/groups/momslettinggo/  (private FB group)https://www.pinterest.com/mweidenbenner/https://anchor.fm/michelle515 (Podcast)https://www.linkedin.com/in/momslettinggo/https://www.youtube.com/@MomsLettingGohttps://www.instagram.com/michelleweidenbenner/Free Book Download: Moms Letting Go Without Giving Up, 7 Steps to Self-RecoveryMomsLettingGo.comAuthor Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michelle-Weidenbenner/author/B00E21RMNGYouTube TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-FBPjseJPM Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the ⁠Spotify platform⁠, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm and really helps us to spread the message. Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously. Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠⁠here .⁠⁠ Ours sponsors, that make spreading the message possible: Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =⁠WEBSITE ⁠ The Diamond Life Academy - WEBSITE Thank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED

For the 130th episode, Scott is out of town. Melinda came back to fill in. We talk about how to get out of funk when sober, and not having the old standby to deal with feelings of doom and gloom, we touch on Melinda 's interesting dating life, and we decide to see whose story is funnier. This is the best two out of three series so tune in the next couple weeks to see who wins. You can vote in the comments and please do. Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the ⁠Spotify platform⁠, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm and really helps us to spread the message. Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously. Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠⁠here .⁠⁠ Ours sponsors, that make spreading the message possible: Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =⁠WEBSITE ⁠ The Diamond Life Academy - WEBSITE Thank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED

Mike powers is a member of the LGBQTIA+ community, and and addictions therapist who specializes in chem sex treatment. He joins us all the way from London England (more on Mike below). He joins Ryan Bathgate and I in an exchange of ideas and experience, that left me not only compelled to listen to this meeting of the minds, but to invite Mike back in the near future. Mike Power has worked with in counselling industry for over 9 years. During this time he has focused himself and has had significant involvement with clients experiencing substance misuse and sex addiction. Michael works with several community-based and residential drug - alcohol treatment services. He has come to specialise in dealing with ChemSex related issues as well as working and becoming very involved with the LGBT community.Throughout his years as working as an addiction counsellor he has spent time working In Harley Street, London as an invited specialist in sex addiction and has volunteered at Antidote, London Friend and RAPT (The Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust) where he has gained significant experience.Mike sees each case individually and applies various methods of counselling to suit each client and aid their recovery covering, motivational interviewing, psycho-educational groups, group and cognitive behavioural /motivational therapy, assessments and treatment planning, dual diagnosis and a 12 - step program and facilitation. Michael himself has experienced his own issues with addiction and has been in recovery for 9 years, so he knows what it's like to be in the very same boat as his clients and can relate to them on a first hand basis. As a result you can be confident in receiving treatment from a reliable, caring and compassionate therapist who will offer a completely non-judgemental environment for you in which to share your thoughts and feelings. Some of Mike's writings HERE If you would like to contact Mike: mikepowercounsselling@gmail.com More about Mike on his private practice website: Mike Power Addiction Counselling Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the ⁠Spotify platform⁠, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm and really helps us to spread the message. Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously. Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠⁠here .⁠⁠ Ours sponsors, that make spreading the message possible: Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =⁠WEBSITE ⁠ Thank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED

In our 128th episode, Justin Brien shares a story that takes us from the deepest depths of personal despair to being a successful author and family man. Ours sponsors, that make spreading the message possible: Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =⁠WEBSITE ⁠ Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the Spotify platform, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm and really helps us to spread the message. Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠here⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously. Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠here .⁠ Thank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED

Episode 127 is another Memorial Monday. Monica shares with us the memory of her sister Melissa who was taken too early as a result of fentanyl overdose. Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament ⁠Facebook Page⁠ Together We Can Recovery Society ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Revolution Recovery - ⁠WEBSITE⁠ Yatra Trauma Therapy Center -⁠WEBSITE⁠ Nate D Foundation =⁠WEBSITE ⁠ Thank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the Spotify platform, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm an really helps us to spread the message.Also please visit our Facebook page ⁠here⁠, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously.Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group ⁠here .⁠ Thank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED

Episode 125 is a Just The Tip(s) Thursday. We are joined by Melinda in honor of pride month. We cover some pretty serious stuff about the struggle in the community, but also some got laughter when Melinda shares one of her many crazy stories with us.Wherever you are in the world, drop a vote for a Scott as he tries to wrangle his way to the top of the Best Local Podcast, and Best Local Radio Voice categories. VOTE HERE Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolution Recovery - WEBSITEYatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITSupport the showThank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the Spotify platform, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm an really helps us to spread the message.Also please visit our Facebook page here, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously.Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group herethank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED

The 124th episode is a Kaleidoscope Wednesday. With Ryan going to do his first gig on another show, Hard Knox Talks  we pull back the curtain and discuss our concerns and excitement’s. The mail bag has some great questions, and I (Chuck) get pretty fired up about ignorance after a perfectly timed question from a listener.Spotify mobile listeners can answer the same question in the interactive feature.  Ryan will be on Hard Knox Talks, for a live video feed interview with Daniel Unmanageable, June 18th at 6:45pm MST (5:45pm PST). Click here for the YouTube ChannelCheck out Ryans new FB page here The 124th episode is a Kaleidoscope Wednesday. With Ryan going to do his first gig on another show, we pull back the curtain and discuss our concerns and excitement’s. The mail bag has some great questions, and I (Chuck) get pretty fired up about ignorance after a perfectly timed question from a listener. Ryan will be on Hard Knox Talks, for a live video feed interview with Daniel Unmanageable, June 18th at 6:45pm MST (5:45pm PST). Click here for the YouTube ChannelCheck out Ryans new FB page here Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolution Recovery - WEBSITEYatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITSupport the showThank you so much for listening. If you are listening on the Spotify platform, you are able to share your thoughts about an individual episode in the interactive element that Spotify offers. Doing this tickles the fancy of the algorithm an really helps us to spread the message.Also please visit our Facebook page here, and like, share, or comment on any of the posts. Your feedback there is sincerely appreciated, and taken quite seriously.Lastly, most of our alumni guests from the podcast are members of our Facebook group. If you would like to get to know any of them, or have questions, or perhaps would like to invite them onto another show, this is a great place to interact. You can join that group herethank you for listening and remember, YOU ARE LOVED