Good things happen when young people are informed and empowered. The students at Oregon High School in Wisconsin discuss their initiative to educate the community about the health and environmental risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Gavin Smith and Tim Grice are high school seniors and are joined in the discussion by Amy Miller, Community Education Director & Advanced Learning Coordinator, and Cynthia DiCamelli, Family Resource Coordinator, both at the Oregon School District. Additi...
Jul 16, 2025•32 min
Success requires a sound foundation. When the foundation of a child’s life is built of bricks of shame and insults, it seems inevitable that the child feels unimportant and unwanted. Libby Wipperfurth grew up in a home of conflicting boundaries and messages. The turmoil led to deep depression, anxiety, and years of alcoholism. After several attempts to stay sober failed, she found herself at a tipping point. She talks about how she put her life back together brick by brick. Libby is a mother, a ...
Jul 09, 2025•31 min
Being the best we can be takes work, but we often look for shortcuts. Sean Casey discusses the pitfalls of looking for quick fixes from supplements that are not regulated. There is a safe and correct way to meet your goals. Sean Casey is a registered dietitian and physical preparation coach who works with everyone from weekend warriors looking to live healthier to middle/high school athletes and elite professionals including an Olympic Gold Medalist. Additional information and Sean’s contact inf...
Jul 02, 2025•32 min
The road to success is not lined with empty liquor bottles. Ian Fee shares his story of addiction and redemption. Ian is a successful author and entrepreneur and the creator of Make It Great (MIG). Proudly sober since 2017, he has dedicated himself to personal growth, family, and living a life of purpose and clarity. Ian is the author of a new book, “Wild Ride to Sobriety: A Transformation From Drunken Oblivion to Profound Clarity.” He can be reached at https://makeitgreat.me The views and opini...
Jun 25, 2025•29 min
Working with people with substance use disorders means working with the person’s whole self, body, mind, spirit, and environment. Dr. Sarah Nasir talks about her holistic approach to addiction medicine and the challenges that underserved populations face in getting the help they need to discover their whole selves. Dr. Nasir is a dual board-certified family medicine physician with a sub-specialty in addiction medicine. An alumna of UC Davis, she majored in Biological Systems Engineering and late...
Jun 18, 2025•31 min
Mimi Tallo grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a northeastern, blue-collar town. She was surrounded by dysfunction, abuse, and addiction. She was also surrounded by relatives she didn’t find out were relatives until she dove into her genealogy. Mimi talks about her upbringing and her father’s life-long belief that he was Sicilian and how it shaped him and their family. He was, at it turns out, Irish. Mimi is a speaker, author, and podcast maven. Access to her books and story are at https://www.am...
Jun 11, 2025•25 min
What we feed our bodies has a tremendous effect on our physical and mental health. Lis Schmelzer discusses the importance of being aware of how what we consume affects all our bodies’ systems. She also discusses the role of functional medicine in bringing our bodies and minds into a state of well being. Lis is a Clinical Nutritionist, Nutrition Sales Executive, and wellness advocate. Additional information and Lis’s contact information can be found at https://nourishwisconsin.com/ The views and ...
Jun 04, 2025•31 min
Mental health needs are at an all time high. Mental Health America Wisconsin is an organization that helps people in desperate need of immediate help. Funding for their Uplift Wisconsin Statewide Warmline, which took 24,000 calls in 2024, was abruptly cut by the federal government recently. Martina Gollin-Graves, the Executive Director and CEO of Mental Health America Wisconsin, discusses their work, their services, and the challenges they face to continue serving people in need. Martina and Men...
May 28, 2025•24 min
“Keep it to yourself” is not a great tag line when it comes to your mental health. It’s even less healthy when you’re a police officer and deal with trauma daily. Adam Meyers discusses his work and the crisis that led him to addressing his and others’ mental health. Adam has been a Police Officer in Wisconsin for 23 years. He is also a Certified Peer Specialist in Wisconsin and founder of “Stop the Threat - Stop the Stigma.” Adam and “Stop the Threat - Stop the Stigma” can be reached at https://...
May 21, 2025•29 min
K.J. Aiello is a Canadian who describes herself as a mentally ill writer. It is, she says, who she is. K.J. discusses her fabulous new book, "The Monster and The Mirror." It's a unique blend of memoir, research, and cultural criticism in which K.J. tries to understand her own mental illness using "The Lord of the Rings," "Game of Thrones," and other stories as guides to heroism and agency as well as cautionary tales of how mental illness is easily stereotyped as bad and violent. K.J. and her wor...
May 14, 2025•32 min
The field of addiction medicine and mental health has seen incredible innovation over the past two decades. Dr. Mark Hrymoc discusses those innovations and where they may lead. Dr. Hrymoc is the Founder of the Mental Health Center in Los Angeles, California. He has extensive expertise in the psychopharmacology of addiction and other mental health disorders. He is double board-certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and was previously board-certified in Addiction Medicine. Dr. Hr...
May 07, 2025•32 min
Drugs don’t care where you grew up, went to school, or what you majored in. When you develop destructive habits, though, you have an opportunity to turn your life around by developing new, healthier habits. Dr. Jason Giles discusses the road to recovery from substance use disorders. Dr. Giles is a graduate of University of California Berkeley. He earned a degree in molecular biology and then earned his medical degree from UC Davis. Dr. Giles completed an internship in General Surgery, residency ...
Apr 30, 2025•38 min
It is not trite to say that some people see challenges as obstacles and others see them as opportunities. Katy Arvidson was ten years old when she was diagnosed with Pompe disease. In spite of that diagnosis, she kept going and eventually obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Katy is currently Ms. Wheelchair Alaska, embracing a platform of not just surviving but thriving. She talks about her life, work, and dedication to helping people. Katy can be supported and reached through The Dane F...
Apr 23, 2025•29 min
Desilynn Smith lost her husband to drugs in 2021. Her husband, a Black man, belonged to one of the highest demographic groups in our country losing their lives to drugs: older Black men. Desilynn talks about her work with that community and her dedication to doing that work in her husband’s memory. Desilynn is the Executive Director of Uniting Garden Homes, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Special Education and a Master's Degree in Mental Health ...
Apr 16, 2025•26 min
Jessica Guerrieri is a writer and novelist who lives in Northern California with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education, Jessica left the field to pursue a career in writing and raise her children. With over a decade of sobriety, she is a fierce advocate for addiction recovery. She discusses her recovery and her award-winning debut book club fiction novel Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Jessica’s book, other works, and contact information can be accessed...
Apr 09, 2025•35 min
Some people seem to be born to help others. Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings is one of them. She has dedicated her life to being of service to others. Drawing on her experience as a college basketball player, Army Officer, Peace Corps Volunteer, parish and community minister, university faculty member, yoga and meditation instructor, and substance abuse counselor, Rev. Dr. Cummings supports those she works with with an inclusive, non-judgmental, compassionate, and relational approach to the healing p...
Apr 02, 2025•30 min
If you ask almost anyone about the time of year that people feel the most down, the time people are most at risk for depression, suicide, and increased substance use, they will answer winter. Surprisingly, perhaps, the research shows that it’s actually when spring moves into summer. Joshua Arvidson discusses that research and what can be done to help individuals improve their mental health during challenging times of the year. Joshua is Chief Operations Officer for Alaska Behavioral Health. He i...
Mar 26, 2025•27 min
Like a lot of young people, Bradie Ewing dreamed of playing college and professional football. He became one of the few to achieve that dream, but all too soon, the dream ended. Bradie discusses how to reset your life, your goals, and your dreams. Bradie Ewing is a National Account Coordinator for Kelley Supply, Inc. He is also a motivational speaker, sales professional, and former college and professional football player who played with the University of Wisconsin before moving into the NFL wit...
Mar 19, 2025•34 min
Getting help for mental health and substance use issues is not easy. It’s made more difficult when access to the appropriate care is denied. Kandyce Walker discusses her work with people experiencing mental health crises, and her advocacy to get them the help they need. Kandyce was the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Nursing at Trauma Recovery Institute in Cedar Park, Texas. That center, unfortunately, closed due, in part, to lack of reimbursement. Kandyce began working in trauma and rec...
Mar 12, 2025•26 min
It’s not unusual that those who have experienced substance use disorders or severe mental illnesses have had interruptions and difficulties in their employment. Re-entering the workforce in recovery presents obstacles. Abbie Timmerman talks about the challenges and opportunities people new to recovery with issues in their employment history face when seeking employment. Abbie is a Talent Acquisition Leader & Business Partner with the Panaro Group, a 100% woman-owned recruitment firm with ove...
Mar 05, 2025•27 min
Getting help for a substance use disorder is not a one-stop proposition. There are obstacles, doubts, backslides, and often frustrating delays, waiting lists, and an absence of resources. Nanci Schiman talks about the challenges an individual encounters when finally making the decision to stop using substances and get help. Nanci is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience in the mental health field working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Getting hel...
Feb 26, 2025•28 min
Mimi Tallo grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a northeastern, blue-collar town if there ever was one. Surrounded by dysfunction, abuse, and addiction, Mimi talks about her struggle to make something of her life while battling the demons that seemed to pop up around every corner. Mimi is a speaker, author, and podcast maven. Access to her books and story are here , and her podcast can be found here: Be Heard: Empower Yourself The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and the...
Feb 19, 2025•29 min
Tom LaGrave is a former Navy SEAL. His military career ended due to drug use. After a recovery program, he set out on a new journey. It began with his working with adolescents, then a return to higher education, and finally licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is the author of a new book, called “Special Welfare . Social Warfare,” which pulls together all of his many years of experience, giving a roadmap of hope, especially to younger people. Tom and his socials can be found at: ht...
Feb 12, 2025•30 min
Eddie Jones is an attorney who found himself in trouble with drugs and with the law. A federal prison sentence allowed him the opportunity to get help and turn his life around. Now, twenty-three years into recovery, Mr. Jones is an attorney in the Paducah, Kentucky, office of Boehl, Stopher & Graves and is also the McCracken County Commissioner. After years of helping others through his volunteer work, Eddie recently received a pardon from President Joe Biden. He discusses his troubles and h...
Feb 05, 2025•32 min
There isn’t a script to follow that turns growing up in a chaotic family into living a life of peace and serenity. In fact, it seems like a miracle when someone does turn that life around. Melissa Huray is a former radio and television broadcaster, an addiction counselor, and an author whose memoir "Blackout to Blessing” chronicles her path towards sobriety and salvation. Melissa is currently the Executive Director of the Lindell Recovery Network and the host of "The Hope Report,” a daily intern...
Jan 29, 2025•32 min
For many, spending time with family during the holidays is joyful and fulfilling. For others, spending time with family is emotionally challenging as they navigate varying degrees of disease, disinformation and dysfunction. Guida Brown talks about how we can take care of ourselves, set healthy boundaries, and handle relationship dysfunction with honesty and respect. Guida is the Principal for Guided by Guida and serves as the Community Relations Consultant for the US Drug Testing Laboratories in...
Jan 22, 2025•34 min
Jordan Davis found himself at a crossroads between his passion and his addiction. He discusses the decision he made to get his life back on the road to success. Jordan is the director of operations of The Chocolate Moose, a restaurant and creamery in Bloomington, Indiana. He is also the host of the podcast “No Dishes,” a discussion dedicated to finding Bloomington’s culinary gems. He can be reached at The Chocolate Moose | Best Dessert in IN , and his podcast can be found at No Dishes Podcast | ...
Jan 15, 2025•26 min
DJ Quam is in recovery from a substance use disorder but experienced ongoing depression and occasional anxiety. After discussing options with his partner and sponsor, he decided to try ketamine therapy. He discusses his experience and results. The FDA has warned that ketamine and compounded ketamine products aren’t approved to treat any psychiatric disorders, although a ketamine-derived drug called esketamine is approved for some people as part of treatment-resistant depression in a certified cl...
Jan 08, 2025•25 min
There are many roads to long-term recovery. Janice Claps discusses the road she took and her belief that predicaments are wholly self imposed through our own thoughts, actions, and behaviors. Janice is an Expressive Therapist at Lake Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois. She is also a yoga instructor, CrossFit coach, meditation teacher, and recovery mentor. She is an Active member of The Phoenix Sober-Active Community and describes herself in her bio as “a sober health and wellness professi...
Jan 01, 2025•29 min
The holidays are often a time of reflection and gratitude. Troy Schaefer shares a story about a moment with his father and how each of them viewed that moment moving forward. Troy is the Principal of Sevastopol, Wisconsin, Middle and High School. He was also a college pitcher and professional bowler, but, for this story, he was a son with a deep love and appreciation for the gift his father gave him. Watch the Bowling With The Champs video clips: Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz6eHuj3...
Dec 25, 2024•24 min
