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
May 7, 2024 • 1h 23min
239 DEVIN McGUIRE RIP re-release
This is a re-release of the last episode Devin McGuire appeared on with us on the Weekend Ramble. It is a small attempt at honoring Devin’s memory as someone who not only impacted my life personally, but who’s actions, both direct and indirect have steered the very course of the Ashes to Awesome Podcast. Rest in peace my friend. #YOUARELOVED For links to watch/listen everywhere, visit www.a2apodcast.com/239
Title Sponsor:
Yatra Trauma Centre
www.yatracentrre.com
Special Sponsor:
FAR Canada (Families for Addiction Recovery)
www.farcanada.org
#devinmcguire #sober #family #recoverycommunity #youareloved
May 5, 2024 • 1h 19min
238-JENN ZINGEL
Jenn has not only embraced recovery after spending a huge portion of her life attempting to solve her problems with various substances, but now dedicates a ton of her time sponsoring people in her chosen 12 step fellowship. She is one of the most vocal, well spoken and knowledgeable people I have ever met when it comes to 12 step programs. She is also a friend from more than 20 years ago, when we were both in active addiction, the host of her own recovery podcast, I Don’t Know Yet, and she took time out of her busy life to have a conversation that spans three continents on this episode of the Weekend Ramble with Dr. Lisa and I. For links to watch listen on all platforms, visit www.a2apodcast.com/238
Title Sponsor: FAR Canada
www.farcanada.org
Special Sponsor: Yatra Trauma Centre www.yatracentre.com
Apr 28, 2024 • 1h 5min
237 - SYDNEY GRAHAM
Sydney is a passionate advocate for families and for changing a system that is still stigmatizing addiction and mental health, through her work at FAR Canada.
Title Sponsor: FAr Canada (Families for Addiction Recoverywww.farcanada.com
Special Mention Sponsor: Yatra www.yatracentre.com For links to watch on all platforms, visit:www.a2apodcast.com/237
Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 3min
236-JOEL ILIFFE
Joel lives in Australia and is a perfect example of coming from the ashes of addiction, into the awesomeness of recovery
For links to watch/listen on all platforms, and for more about Joel: www.a2apodcast.com/236
Title Sponsor
FAR Canada (Families for Addiction Recovery)
www.farcanada.org
Special Mention Sponsor
Yatra Trauma Centre www.yatracentre.com
Apr 21, 2024 • 50min
235-SONYA JOHNSON & ADRINA from DEAR RECOVERY
With Dr. Lisa on a much deserved vacation, Sonya Johnson jumps on the Weekend Ramble with her very good friend and fellow recovery advocate, Adrian K from Dear Recovery.
For links to watch listen on all platforms, and for more about Sonya and Adriana, visit
www.a2apodcast.com/235
Title Sponsor: Yatra Trauma Centre
www.yatracentre.com
Special Mention Sponsor; FAR Canada (Families for Addiction Recovery
www.farcanada.org #youareloved #recoverycommunity #recovery #stopthestigma #12steps #advocacy #mentalhealth #fyp
Apr 13, 2024 • 1h 13min
234 - DR. LISA - LOVING SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS IN ADDICTION
Dr. Lisa shares some of her experience, and what it's like to have a loved one who suffers in addiction.
For links to view on all platforms, visit:
www.a2apodcast.com/234
Title Sponsor:
FAR Canada
www.farcanada.org
Special Mention Sponsor:
Yatra Trauma Centre
www.yatracentre.com
Apr 11, 2024 • 24min
233-WHERE HAS CASEY JORDAN BEEN?
Casey Jordan from F Around & Recover, has been MIA for a while now. Many people, including myself have been worried about him, and in this conversation Casey catches us up.
For more about Casey, including his other episodes on the Ashes to Awesome Podcast, and links to watch/listen on all platforms, visit www.a2apodcast.com/233
Title Sponsor Yatra Trauma Centre
www.yatracentre.com
Apr 6, 2024 • 1h 8min
232-HOW TO HANDLE STRESS IN RECOVERY
Dr. Lisa and I talk about the last 16 months, and some of the reasons that I have been able to stay the course of recovery.
For links to watch and listen on all platforms, as well more from Dr. Lisa, visit:
www.a2apodcast.com/232
Title Sponsor
FAR Canada (Families for Addiction Recovery
www.farcanada.org
Apr 5, 2024 • 56min
231-DATING SOMEONE WITH TRAUMA
Mike Miller is a certified trauma therapist, and cofounded the Yatra Trauma Centre. In this rereleased episode, we discuss some of the nuances involved in navigating what can be stormy waters when your partner has unaddressed trauma.
Visit www.a2apodcast.com/231 for links to watch or listen on all platforms, as well as for more about Mike and the Yatra Centre.
Mar 30, 2024 • 56min
230-TESSA HART
Tessa and I are old friends. The loss of her mother to overdose a few tears back was too much for Tessa to bear. She ended up turning to the very thing that ended up taking her mother’s life as a way to cope with the loss. In an almost romantic twist of fate, it was becoming a mother that spurred her into embracing her recovery just over a year ago.
Learn more about Tessa, and get links to watch or listen on all the platforms at
www.a2apodcast.com/230
Title sponsor:
Yatra Trauma Centre
www.yatracentre.com
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