“I’m all for tech, and all for the applications and the great things we’re doing with it. But I’m also all for a balance.” Growing up, Doctor Dustin Weissman enjoyed the internet and gaming and was known as “Mr. Tv” as a kid to his mom. Being a millennial allowed him to grow with the internet age and the virtual world as it developed over time. While working on his dissertation he researched “MMORPG” (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) and this has helped him to find his niche and ...
Oct 24, 2018•51 min•Ep. 13
I am on this mission to really bring back empathy.” Coming from a family where your only worth is what you do, Doctor Mark Goulston was feeling a whole new low when he requested to take his second leave of absence from medical school. Just as life seemed as though it couldn’t get worse, he was called into the dean’s office to be notified that he was getting kicked out of college. In that moment of worthlessness the dean was kind to him and told him that he had value, a goodness in him that they ...
Oct 17, 2018•49 min•Ep. 12
“While they are still with you, you let them know you love them. You let them know you believe that they can get well. That’s probably the only thing you can help with because we are really pretty powerless.” First, Maureen Cavanaugh, Founder and President of Magnolia New Beginnings and author, is a mother of four. When raising her children, she did everything by the book. Maureen brought her children to church, they had family meals together, her children held jobs, they knew that they were lov...
Oct 10, 2018•58 min•Ep. 11
Jesse Harless: Focusing on Strengths In this episode, Jeff and Jesse discuss: · Addiction doesn’t always start with drug and alcohol addictions. It can start in childhood with coping mechanisms and pain and trauma in childhood. · What Jesse has learned from journaling and how his style of journaling has changed over the years of recovery. · How action plays a part in recovery. · Awareness of the little things and not looking at things through one lens, but rather as a part of a larger picture. K...
Oct 03, 2018•45 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Heidi Le: Resource for Transformation In this episode, Jeff and Heidi discuss: Her experience as a family member of an individual struggling with addiction and her own journey as a recovering co-dependent individual. There is no one answer, it may be an environment change, new relationships, a learning of new skills, or something else. Finding a safe community where you can be open about your journey. How her music has helped her through her journey and her recovery. Key Takeaways: Just changing...
Sep 26, 2018•56 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Morgana Rae: Abuse is NOT Personal In this episode, Jeff and Morgana discuss: · Morgana’s story of her experience with addiction through childhood and her teenage years. · Morgana’s relationship with her parents and sister and how they have continued to affect her into adulthood. · The need for healthy relationships, even if you have to create them. · Even when it feels personal, it’s not. It’s a person with a disease and a person in pain, whenever you can, remove yourself from the line of fire....
Sep 19, 2018•49 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Donna Deluca Marston: Donna’s Journey In this episode, Jeff and Donna discuss: · Taking care of yourself, even in the midst of someone else’s struggle with addiction. · How she realized her emotional state and was able to work her way back up to a higher state of emotional wellbeing. · The importance of contracts between yourself and the individual struggling, especially if you are co-habitating. · Labels and the problems that come along with labelling a person. · Creating a love code with your ...
Sep 12, 2018•56 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Lynda Hacker Araoz: Mother’s Journey In this episode, Jeff and Lynda discuss: Lynda’s background with teenagers, as a teacher and counselor, and how addiction has affected her life. Windows of opportunity and ways to work with other inside the system to take advantage of those windows. The importance of preparing yourself for the long haul – it may not be a short term process. Timing and communication make all the difference – when to talk makes as much of a difference as what you talk about. Ke...
Sep 05, 2018•54 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Stewart Michaelson: There’s Always Hope In this episode, Jeff and Stewart discuss: · Stewart’s story and how he got involved in the addiction/recovery community · Ways in which parents/families both help and hinder individuals with addiction · Mental Health as a public policy issue · The importance of environment and of having a safe space with like minded people Key Takeaways: · You can’t help somebody who doesn’t want to be helped, they must take the first step · Addiction is a structural prob...
Aug 29, 2018•41 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode, Jeff discusses: The three stakeholders in addiction: individual, family, community The trajectory of impact and the addiction disruption The importance of changing the way we think about addiction The structure of the online community is to flip the trajectory of impact to the trajectory of healing Key Takeaways: When families are preoccupied with the tragedy and chaos are not able to contribute to their community in the same way Community impact with anonymity – allows you to d...
Aug 22, 2018•9 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Emerald Green Forest: A Soul’s Healing Journey In this episode, Jeff and Emerald discuss: · Emerald’s story and how she has gotten to where she is now – including the ongoing chapters of her life · Power as a dynamic in relationships – power over and power with (or true power) · The power of love as a tool and a strength for positive growth – as the antithesis of fear, which only fuels the negative · Seeing addiction as an invitation for individual and family transformation Key Takeaways: · Act ...
Aug 15, 2018•49 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Addiction – It’s Personal In this episode, Jeff discusses: · Why he is doing what he is doing · Stories of his grandfather’s addiction trickling down to his mother’s trauma/coping and then realizing his own · The 4 recurring themes: Positive Regard, Secrets, The Gift is the Wound/The Wound is the Gift, & Curiosity · These themes will impact the questions and conversations in the podcast Key Takeaways: · Addiction may not seem chaotic, but will always have an impact · The impact from addictio...
Aug 15, 2018•19 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to Families Navigating Addiction & Recovery Our goal with “Families Navigating Addiction & Recovery” Podcast is to introduce our audience to interesting and authentic voices in the world of recovery. “Families Navigating Addiction & Recovery” is about families. It’s about communities. It places addiction in its proper context and empowers every family member to achieve a better outcome – a transformation. Part of our work is bringing together these voices. Providing a platfor...
Aug 15, 2018•10 min•Season 1Ep. 1
