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Back from Broken — Society & Culture
Back from Broken

Back From Broken is an interview series about what it takes to recover from the biggest challenge of your life — and what others can learn from your adversity. Colorado Public Radio’s Vic Vela, an award-winning journalist who’s also a recovering drug addict, hosts the podcast.

Vic talks with guests about challenges like substance abuse, mental illness, gambling addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each story describes the highest highs, the darkest moments and what it takes to make a comeback. It’s a raw, empathetic show that’s ultimately about hope — and how recovery is possible.

Copyright: © Colorado Public Radio

Latest Episodes:

Tracie Lechman Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

Tracie Lechman's recovery story starts with a troubled relationship: Her high school boyfriend committed a horrific crime in which four innocent people lost their lives. The fallout left Tracie entangled in the criminal justice system, struggling with addiction and haunted by trauma. Her story is about how recovery can be a long journey, but illustrates that life does get better once you seek help.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.
Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Jo Erickson
Editor: Dennis Funk
Producers: Luis Antonio Perez, Rebekah Romberg
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

Matthew Jarvis Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

Matthew Jarvis grew up in a home where his parents fought a lot, sometimes violently. That situation set the stage for years of difficult relationships and a crack cocaine addiction. But then a realization led Matthew to change his outlook on life -- and ultimately help others with similar challenges.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.
Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Luis Antonio Perez
Editor: Dennis Funk
Producers: Jo Erickson, Rebekah Romberg
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner, Blue Dot Sessions
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

Elena Joy Thurston Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

Elena Joy Thurston was a devout Mormon, and took her faith seriously. Then she fell in love with another woman, and found herself in punishing sessions of what's often called conversion therapy -- a process meant to turn gay people straight. Elena shares the story of how she handled that trauma, learned to accept herself and ultimately find love.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.
Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Jo Erickson
Editor: Dennis Funk
Producers: Luis Antonio Perez, Rebekah Romberg
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

Jessica Dueñas Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

As both a student and a teacher, Jessica Dueñas found a sanctuary in the classroom. She was confident, capable and passionate about learning and helping students. But her struggle with alcoholism made her reevaluate her priorities — and the career she loved. Yet somehow, she's more hopeful than before.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.

Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Matthew Simonson
Editor: Rachel Estabrook
Producers: Luis Antonio Perez, Jo Erickson, Rebekah Romberg, Dennis Funk
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

John Evans Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

John Evans was a directionless young man who felt a calling to join the military after 9/11. What he witnessed in Iraq rattled him, and he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction for years. But he found help, and now he spends his life helping other veterans who are struggling. This episode was adapted from "Soldiering On," a Back From Broken virtual live event presented by Colorado Public Radio and the American Homefront Project, a nationwide public radio collaboration exploring veterans' stories.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.
Hear more music from John Evans on his YouTube channel.
Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Luis Antonio Perez
Editor: Dennis Funk
Producers: Jo Erickson and Rebekah Romberg
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

Catherine Cho Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Author Catherine Cho recounts how one of the happiest moments of her life turned ugly when she developed postpartum psychosis shortly after the birth of her first child. This is the story of how she and her family made it through.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.

Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Jo Erickson
Editor: Dennis Funk
Producers: Luis Antonio Perez, Rebekah Romberg
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

Sara Benincasa Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

Writer and comedian Sara Benincasa travels the world speaking about her struggle with agoraphobia -- which is funny, since her condition often gives her an intense fear of traveling. Her story also touches on family, addiction and why having a terrible day doesn't mean life will always be terrible.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.

Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Luis Antonio Perez
Editor: Dennis Funk
Producers: Rebekah Romberg, Jo Erickson
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

Andrew Zimmern Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

Before he became host of the shows Bizarre Foods and What’s Eating America, Andrew Zimmern struggled for years with alcoholism. He was broke and desperate before he got help. Now, he's a found a way forward and he uses his work in restaurants to help others struggling with addiction.
Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org.

Host: Vic Vela
Lead producer: Rebekah Romberg
Editor: Dennis Funk
Producers: Luis Antonio Perez, Jo Erickson
Music: Daniel Mescher, Brad Turner
Executive producers: Brad Turner, Rachel Estabrook

Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Francie Swidler.
BackFromBroken.org
On Twitter: @VicVela1

Trailer: Season 2 Starts Soon! Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Last season we told stories of life's challenges. Of recovery and hope. And you listened! So we're coming back.

It’s a hard time in our world. There’s a lot to cope with right now. And we want to be here for you -- whatever you're dealing with.

We return on Feb. 26, so please subscribe. And if you're already subscribed, please do us a favor: Share Back from Broken with a couple of friends who could use a little hope in their lives.

Presenting: The Long Lonely Lake Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

In this special episode, Colorado Public Radio reporter Dan Boyce uses interviews with friends and family, plus a fishing trip, to piece together lost memories from his own mental breakdown.
A quick warning: This story is brutal at times, and raw. It contains content that may not be suitable for all listeners, including strong language and frank discussion of suicide.
By the time Dan was 30, when most of this episode takes place, he was doing well for himself. He was moving from local reporting in his native Montana, to covering national stories from his new home in Denver.

Dan had previously suffered from bouts of depression through most of his life, but nothing he couldn’t overcome. During this time though, Dan really slipped — descending into a depression so severe that it led to a complete mental breakdown.

On today’s episode, how Dan bounced back from the edge of insanity.

Here’s a story Dan calls “The Long Lonely Lake.”

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