Life is hard, but Anne Taydus is an example of someone who persevered through difficult times and drug court and achieved long-term sobriety. Drug court helped save her life, and Anne describes her road to recovery. Today, through sobriety Anne is able to accomplish incredible things that benefit the community and improve the lives of children. Anne is also a person that works hard to remove the stigma associated with addiction so others feel safe and can pursue their own path to recovery. This ...
Apr 01, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 131
In this episode I discuss questions I received from people who are in treatment. There is a lot of work people must do early in recovery, but people need to be patient as well. Progress rather than perfection is this week's concept. This episode is sponsored by Retreat Behavioral Health. You can find out more information at: https://www.retreatbehavioralhealth.com/ Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Planets III, Mercury, The Winged Messenger...
Mar 31, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 130
Many people just do not have the willingness to listen to others and learn how they achieved sobriety. Ego, our perceived intellect, and stubbornness get in the way. In this episode we discuss this topic, as well as the importance of getting active and committed to meetings. This episode is sponsored by Retreat Behavioral Health. You can find out more information at: https://www.retreatbehavioralhealth.com/
Mar 20, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 129
For a lot of people in recovery Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a controversial subject. But does it need to be? I have seen many people struggle to achieve sobriety, and I have to say that MAT is a tool that may help many who struggle early on. In this episode, I discuss this subject and give you some insight from my experiences that you may not have considered. This episode is sponsored by Retreat Behavioral Health. You can find out more information at: https://www.retreatbehavioralhealt...
Mar 01, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 128
Many people just do not have the willingness to listen to others and learn how they achieved sobriety. Ego, our perceived intellect, and stubbornness get in the way. In this episode we discuss this topic, as well as the importance of getting active and committed to meetings. This episode is sponsored by Retreat Behavioral Health. You can find out more information at: https://www.retreatbehavioralhealth.com/
Mar 01, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 127
I interviewed retired Ohio State Trooper Steve Click about how the Ohio ASSIST Program helps First Responders deal with Critical Incidents. This episode is sponsored by Retreat Behavioral Health. You can find out more information at: https://www.retreatbehavioralhealth.com/
Feb 28, 2023•59 min•Ep. 126
Resiliency is critical to wellness and dealing with all that life throws at us. In this episode I interview Suzanna Hasnay who taught with me at the FBI National Academy. Suzanna discusses how and why resiliency is important for our life, career, and recovery. This episode is sponsored by Retreat Behavioral Health. You can find out more information at: https://www.retreatbehavioralhealth.com/
Feb 27, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 125
Ashley Addiction Treatment Center is a special place for many people in recovery. The founding influence was Father Joseph Martin who famously produced the "Chalk Talk" series in the 1970's and is still used extensively today. In the present-day, Ashley has evolved into a center that prides itself on utilizing the recent advancements in recovery research to help patients navigate the difficult path towards recovery. In this episode I interview the Co-CEO's, Alex Dentsman and Dr. Gregory Hobelman...
Jan 28, 2023•59 min•Season 4Ep. 124
Ray Houk is a recently retired Chaplain from the United States Navy. Ray has extensive experience working with service members who have suffered trauma as well as addiction. In this episode, Ray shares with us some of those experiences as well as the role that spirituality plays in helping those who are suffering navigate these experiences. Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Planets III, Mercury, The Winged Messenger
Jan 22, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 123
Today's episode takes a little different direction where Sue Gilroy and I discuss the trauma and conditioning of women regarding their self-worth, shame, and trauma. Sue is from Australia and is a professional Life Coach, Registered Nurse, and has worked with management of Medical Centers in Singleton and Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Australia. This is an important topic that relates to recovery and women struggling in so many ways. Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra....
Dec 04, 2022•57 min•Ep. 122
More First Responders die from their own hand than from conflict from a suspect. This is a real problem, and Bev Perez, CEO and founder of ShieldUs helps First Responders deal with trauma, especially suicide. If you are in the First Responder profession, or have a loved one that is, this episode is a must listen. Bev spent ten years in the Prince George's County, Maryland Police Department and experienced a traumatic incident herself. After healing herself, Bev created ShieldUs which utilizes ho...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 121
Ken Harvey was an Outside Linebacker for both the Phoenix Cardinals and the Washington Redskins. He was the First Round, Twelfth Overall Pick in the 1988 NFL Draft, four-time Pro Bowler, played 164 NFL games and had 89 sacks. He played professionally from 1988-1998 and he has had an incredible journey. Ken's story is special in that he never thought he would make it to where he did, but through perseverance, determination, and above all setting goals for himself he was able to accomplish things ...
Nov 08, 2022•59 min•Season 3Ep. 120
Tom Farley is comedian Chris Farley's brother, who tragically died from his addiction in 1997. I met Tom at a fundraising event for a recovery center and was deeply touched by his story of recovery and the work he is doing not only for his own sobriety, but for the community. Tom discusses his own struggles with addiction, and describes what life was like growing up in an environment where people were so focused on Chris' addiction, that they failed to address their own. Tom has a powerful messa...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Our material is now being broadcast weekly on 96.7 FM WERA here in Arlington, Virginia. This episode is titled "Can You Be Too Smart for Recovery" and explores the reasons why people discount recovery programs to their own detriment. I also discuss why it is important to trust those that have experience, and more importantly have had success with recovery. This is a very important message for people looking to improve their lives through recovery and is also helpful for those who have loved ones...
Oct 10, 2022•30 min•Ep. 118
Sean MacMillen has a powerful story of resilience and is an example of someone who kept persisting until the miracle of sobriety happened. Sean went through five inpatient treatment facilities, and nine or ten detox stays, but he never gave up. Sean says, "your life is on the line" and you can't give up. Today, Sean spends his time helping others and is an accomplished ultra-runner. Sean lives his life of service because "there are a lot of people out there hiding that could be helping others." ...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 117
Buddy C. has a powerful story of recovery and loss. Buddy discovered his faith was lacking something, then he began a study of Tao Te Ching that has helped him live a life free from alcohol. Buddy has suffered serious loss in recovery yet has remained sober through it all. He even wrote a book called "Powerless but Not Helpless" which is a meditation book of 81 verses from Tao Te Ching that can help live an alcohol-free life and have freedom from any addictive behavior. You will certainly not wa...
Sep 15, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 116
It has been said "you don't need to ride the elevator to the bottom, you can get off on any floor." Susanne Navas had this experience, finding sobriety before her drinking created the damage in her life that many people experience. You do not have to wait until it is too late. If you think your drinking is a problem, then it probably is. Susanne shares with us her experience, strength, and hope with her powerful story. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com ...
Sep 04, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 115
Pete Sousa describes his battle with addiction and how it took everything, then allowed him to rise to become the Morning Anchor at KWTX in Waco, TX, a CBS affiliate. Pete is also a Play-by-Play Anchor with ESPN, and hosts his own podcast called "The Payoff with Pete." While in active addiction he could have never guessed that life could be this good. Pete shares his experience, strength, and hope with us and says, "all we have is our experiences." This is so true, and this is how we help one an...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 114
Just keep going, get through what is in front of you. This sums up recovery! Recovery is tough, but you get through it one day at a time, one hour at a time, sometimes even one minute at a time...but you never give up, just keep going. In this episode Kelly shares with us his experience, strength, and hope, and discusses how he was able to overcome the shame and guilt of how his drinking caused significant health issues. This is a powerful story, and Kelly demonstrates the amazing things you can...
Aug 24, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 113
In this episode we discuss the effects of addiction on the family and the resources that are available. My guest is Dana Golden the author of Addiction Rescue; The NO-BS Guide of Recovery. Dana is also a blogger for Psychology Today, a Recovery Coach, Family Addiction Coach, and an Interventionist. Her focus and passion is working with families struggling with a loved one's Substance Use Disorder. This episode is a wealth of information for family members as well as those that know someone strug...
Aug 05, 2022•46 min•Season 3Ep. 112
I recently appeared on "The Payoff with Pete" podcast hosted by Pete Sousa. In this episode you learn a little bit about my story and background as well as how the disease of addiction progresses. This is an interview full of all kinds of useful information that will equip you with information you can use to not only help yourself, but others as well. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at FHE Health Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Planets I...
Jul 27, 2022•2 hr 48 min•Season 3Ep. 111
Melissa Hinton started Loudon Serenity House after the death of her sister in 2019. In an effort to help those that are suffering from addiction, Melissa made sure that that Loudoun Serenity House followed the mission of providing supportive and affordable residential services to women and men striving for their best life, a sober life, free from dependency on alcohol, opioids, and other narcotics. Melissa and I discuss the need for follow-on care after treatment, and how facilities like this in...
Jul 18, 2022•45 min•Season 3Ep. 110
Our guest today is Hilary Phelps, and she shares her experience, strength, and hope. Hilary is an amazing woman originally from Baltimore, Maryland, who was the first of the Phelps' children to jump into the water and become a competitive swimmer. Hilary attended the University of Richmond where she studied Criminal Justice and Sociology, while competing on a swimming scholarship. Today, Hilary is involved in numerous endeavors including fashion to food to fitness to geo-cultural issues. She is ...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 109
Charlie Engle is a fascinating individual who is celebrating 30 years of continuous sobriety in July. As part of his celebration, Charlie will be running for 30 continuous hours to honor sobriety and to raise funds for scholarships and research in an event called "The Penguin." This event will be taking place at Ashley Addiction Treatment Center in Havre De Grace, Maryland on July 23-24, 2022, and you can participate and contribute to the cause if you wish. Charlie discusses this event as well a...
Jun 20, 2022•53 min•Ep. 108
Irish Angel is a support network for Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire Fighters, and military. They provide education, awareness, and resources about addictions, PTSD, PTSI, TBI, depression and anxiety. They offer opportunities to inform, heal and promote a healthy lifestyle for First Responders. In this episode I speak with Amanda Coleman, Executive Director and Founder of "Irish Angel", who provides a wealth of information on what we need to do to care for those that care for us. I caught up with Ama...
Jun 16, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 107
Turning it around no matter what. Brian and I met as students at the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School for Addiction Studies, and we connected through our shared background as Police Officers. Brian discusses the progression of the disease of addiction, how it controls your life, and how you are ultimately forced to make a decision. Brian's story demonstrates how you can overcome addiction despite enormous pressure to continue using...no matter what. Brian's story is an inspiration for others ...
Jun 06, 2022•56 min•Season 3Ep. 106
We are all a work in progress and need to adapt to whatever life throws at us. This is especially true for First Responders, but everyone can benefit from this idea. Jeff Thompson joins me today to talk about how you can be "the hammer, not the nail" as well as the need for self-compassion. Jeff is a New York Police Department Detective serving as the Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator. In today's episode he is speaking as a Research Scientist with Columbia Medical Center, Department of Psyc...
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 105
The era of COVID brought us online video Recovery Meetings. This was something new, and in-person meeting have never been shut down before. Was this a good thing? It was certainly a great departure from how meetings were conducted before. In this episode I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both, and you can decide. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Planets III, Mercury, The Winged ...
May 29, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 104
I spent the last year working at an Inpatient Treatment Center as part of an internship. What a learning experience! In this episode I share some of my experiences with you and discuss some of the trends I noticed with the patients and the recovery world. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Planets III, Mercury, The Winged Messenger
May 24, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 103
Michael Sugrue just released his book "Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma". In this episode Michael discusses why he wrote the book and how trauma not only affects First Responders, but all of us. More importantly, Michael discusses what we can do to help overcome the scars of trauma and why it is important for all of us to understand this very important issue. Michael wrote the book with Shauna 'Doc' Springer, Ph.D. and the forward was written by Lt. Colonol Dave Gr...
May 05, 2022•53 min•Season 3Ep. 102
