
Ashes to Awesome Podcast - Rising in Recovery
Our podcast provides light, hope, and understanding about addiction and mental health to those living within that life and the people who love them. After spending 25 years in and out of active addiction, I was able to rise out of those ashes and found my way to recovery. I'm passionate about giving back to society and started my podcast to raise awareness of some of the issues surrounding addiction. People we lose to addiction and mental health, including those in the opioid crisis, are so much more than a statistic or how they passed. They were loved. We focus on addiction from many perspectives, including professionals in the healthcare and recovery industries; people who have risen from the ashes of addiction into the awesomeness of recovery; and those who may still be active in an addiction, and we include the families and loved ones that are conscripted soldiers in a war no one wanted. Every day of the week is different and unique. Memorial Monday is dedicated to the people lost to overdose and/or addiction. We allow a family member or friend to share the story of who they were in better times. Tuesdays are typically dedicated to the people who have risen from the ashes of addiction into the awesomeness of recovery and/or who are trying to still fight to find their way back. Wednesdays is named kaleidoscope Wednesday, and features Ryan Bathgate, a gifted therapist who possesses a master’s degree, and helps us to understand the science and psychology around addiction, and how to come back from the chaos and maintain a fulfilled life from any trauma. His wisdom, charisma, and passion are evident as he answers questions from our listeners. He unpacks his answers in a way that is uniquely valuable to all who listen. By Thursday, we are ready for some light n laughter and take a break from the seriousness of our usual topics with "Just the Tip(s)" Thursday, we have some fun with how to navigate society with sobriety. Family Fridays are dedicated to the families and loved ones of addicts, and sharing their stories as they are too often not told, but their battles are just as fierce and heart wrenching of those who are struggling on a daily basis. On the Weekend Ramble I am joined my cohost, Karl the Atheist; Lisa, a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, and often a fourth panelist that changes week to week so as to continue offering a different perspective. As a panel, we look back at the week and discuss some of the highlights and takeaways.
Latest episodes

Feb 21, 2023 • 35min
36-TOPIC TUESDAY: NATURE VS NURTURE ..........true crime, fentanyl, coke, cocaine, meth, addiction, recovery, podcast, dopey, canuck, love, trauma
My journey down the rabbit hole that is the Nature vs Nurture debate, and how they apply to addiction to drugs and alcohol Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolutioon Recovdery -WEBSITETatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITESupport 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

Feb 17, 2023 • 25min
34 - *NEW WEEKLY FEATURE* FRIDAYS FINAL THOUGHTS AND MY FIRST HATE MAIL ... addiction, recovery, overdose, relapse, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
A look back at the week, after time to consider memorial monday, the tips unpacked, and this week my first hate mail! 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

Feb 15, 2023 • 34min
32-10 TIPS TO DATING IN EARLY RECOVERY
I unpack tips from another random site. This time on how to date in early recovery 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

Feb 14, 2023 • 47min
31 - A CONVO WITH "CASPER"; A PHEONIX RISES FROM THE ASHES ... addiction, recovery, overdose, relapse, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
A frank and honest conversation with "Casper", Carmels daughter from Episode 30 - Memorial Monday- Carmel #STOPTHESTIGMANate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolutioon Recovdery -WEBSITETatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITESupport 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

Feb 14, 2023 • 18min
30 - MEMORIAL MONDAYS; CARMEL ... addiction, recovery, overdose, relapse, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
Casper pays tribute to a loved one lost to the disease of adddciton. Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolutioon Recovdery -WEBSITETatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITESupport 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

Feb 11, 2023 • 49min
29 - A COVERSATION WITH THE CLEANER ... addiction, recovery, overdose, relapse, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
Chatting about changing your reality, and paying penance willingly ...with some laughs tooNate 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

Feb 10, 2023 • 33min
28 - USING KEGALS TO TREAT TRAUMA?? ... addiction, recovery, overdose, relapse, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
Unpacking a random list of tips for dealing with PTSDNate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolutioon Recovdery -WEBSITETatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITESupport 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

Feb 8, 2023 • 26min
26 - TAKING A LOOK AT TIPS TO DEALING WITH CRAVINGS IN RECOVERY ... addiction, recovery, overdose, relapse, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
Unpacking 10 tips to dealing wiht cravings in recovery, and how they apply to me Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolutioon Recovdery -WEBSITETatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITESupport 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

Feb 6, 2023 • 22min
24 - MEMORIAL MONDAY; ZACHARIAS .... ... addiction, recovery, overdose, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
An emotional tribute to another soul lost to the disease of addciton Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolutioon Recovdery -WEBSITETatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITESupport 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

Feb 5, 2023 • 25min
23 - SITTING DOWN WITH THE ONE AND ONLY DONERIGHT ... addiction, recovery, overdose, #stopthestigma, true crime, funny
A short conversation with the reoccuring character, Doneright. A few laughs,a mnd just getting know and intergral person in my recovery.Nate D Memorial SloPitch Tournament Facebook PageTogether We Can Recovery Society WEBSITERevolutioon Recovdery -WEBSITETatra Trauma Therapy Center -WEBSITENate D Foundation =WEBSITESupport 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