The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Season 3: It's a Wrap Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

It's so hard to believe that we are already at the end of Season 3! This season we produced 52 episodes, introduced our Ask the Expert, and met so many amazing people. Tune in to hear Ashley Loeb Blassingame and Ashley Jo recollect the exciting moments from Season 3, review the top 10 episodes of Season 3, review the top 10 episodes of all-time, and share some exciting announcements about what's happening between now and Season 4. Let's do this!

Additional Information

Episode Resources

Enter to Win a Free 1-Year Subscription & Apply for Season 4 | lionrock.life/podcastcontact

Connect with Ashley & Ashley

Ashley Loeb Blassingame's Instagram | @ashleyloebblassingame
Ashley Jo's Instagram | @ashleyjobrewer

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

134: The Woman Who Could Feel No Pain - Online Treatment Saved My Life Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

Born at only 3lbs 6oz in 1962, Lesa Thomas was sent home to die but the universe had a different plan. Unfortunately, this plan didn’t mean that Lisa’s life would be easy as she experienced severe childhood neglect and trauma. As a result, Lisa feels almost no pain. She eventually turned to alcohol to cope, but found Lionrock Recovery in early 2020.

Today she lives in Texas with her spouse whom she has been with for more than 33 years. She has three children - two deaf, two the same age, and two adopted. Lisa says that nature is her religion and the one thing that makes her happy. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, taking care of plants, and trying to eliminate paper in her life. She works from home and loves the fact that her commute is across the yard and the traffic is merely a multitude of squirrels and birds that cross her path.

Additional Information

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

133: An Addicted Family: Your Upbringing Isn’t Your Destiny Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Leanette was born into an addicted family. Her father was a severe alcoholic and her mother struggled with drug use. When her parents' lives became overrun with drugs and alcohol, Leanette decided to leave. She was only 13 years old.

She dropped out of school in the eight grade and began couch surfing to make ends meet. She spent much of her life just trying to figure out how to live a normal life.

Eventually, she joined the Job Corps, got her GED, and got married (a few times).

At the age of 39, Leanette enrolled in community college with no intention of getting a degree. After many years in community college, Leanette went on to get a bachelor's degree. Today, Leanette is a SUD Counselor and with a Masters degree in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University.

Additional Information

Episode Resources

Jewel’s Interview with Joe Rogan | Spotify
Family Matters Program | www.lionrockrecovery.com/programs/family-matters-program
Al-Anon | al-anon.org
Families Anonymous | www.familiesanonymous.orgmous.org
Co-Dependents Anonymous | coda.org
Adult Children of Alcoholics | adultchildren.org
She Recovers | https://sherecovers.org
Celebrate Recovery | www.celebraterecovery.com

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

132: I'm Not Sober, But the Treatment Industry Helped Me Heal Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

In early 2019, Christiana was tapped to co-create The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast. With a background not only as a marketer and project manager, but as a professional dancer and songwriter, she knew she would cut recordings and set up processes, so that’s where she started.

Over the last two (almost three) years Christiana and I have developed the show you know and love today. It has been an incredible journey. In a bonus episode during Season 3, Christiana shared about Haven Dance Company choreographing their video, “The Story of the Struggle” on addiction.

Christiana and her husband Roger recently welcomed their beautiful baby girl Jordyn Cash and enjoy spending time with their beloved pup Noel Hope.

Additional Information

Episode Resources

Atomic Habits by James Clear | jamesclear.com
Jewel’s Interview with Joe Rogan | Spotify

Connect with CK

Instagram | @cre8tivechrissy

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

131: Parenting & Wilderness Therapy with Dr. Brad Reedy Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

Wilderness Therapy with Evoke’s Executive Clinical Director

Dr. Brad Reedy is the Owner & Executive Clinical Director of Evoke Therapy Programs where wilderness therapy is provided. He has a BS in Family Science and an MS and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Reedy’s research and clinical experience includes parenting issues, family trauma, treatment with sexual abuse victims, domestically violent offenders, adults/adolescents with substance abuse issues, eating disordered patients, sexual perpetrators, attachment issues, developmental psychology, and children suffering with grief and loss.

He has authored two books - The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child's Struggle and the Road Home and The Audacity to Be You: Learning to Love Your Horrible, Rotten Self.

Born and raised in Orange County, California, the middle of three boys, Dr. Reedy was raised by his mother. He grew up surfing, listening to Bob Dylan, and causing his mom a great deal of grief. Today, Dr. Reedy is married and has four children. He is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Angels and can be easily engaged in a debate on any sports-related topic.

Additional Information

Episode Resources

The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller | Available on Amazon
Al-Anon | al-anon.org
Families Anonymous | www.familiesanonymous.orgmous.org
Co-Dependents Anonymous | coda.org
Adult Children of Alcoholics | adultchildren.org
Finding You: An Evoke Therapy Podcast | Apple Podcasts

Connect with Dr. Brad Reedy

Dr. Brad’s Website | drbradreedy.com
Evoke’s Website | evoketherapy.com

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

130: Hillary Clayson Loeb: A Mother's Perspective on Addiction Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

In this special episode, Ashley Loeb Blassingame sits down with her mother, Hillary Clayson Loeb, to understand a mother’s perspective on addiction. They discuss everything from how Hillary felt when Ashley would disappear, to what it was like attending family therapy sessions, and why people are so uncomfortable talking about addiction, to how individuals can support family members of those who struggle with SUD.

Hillary’s recollection of Ashley's battle against SUD is intimate, heartbreaking, and honest yet filled with inspiration. This episode beautifully captures the love of a mother for her daughter.

Connect with Hillary Clayson Loeb

Instagram | @hillarydillary8

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

129: From Junkie to Judge: Atheist Discusses Secular Recovery Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

Mary Beth O’Connor is a retired Administrative Law Judge who has been clean and sober for 27 years. Substance use disorder is only part of her story as she is also in recovery from abuse and trauma. Mary Beth currently serves as the Director and Secretary for She Recovers Foundation and is a Director for LifeRing Secular Recovery.

In August 2020, Mary Beth had an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, I Beat Addiction without God. And in November 2020 she had an op-ed published in the Philadelphia Inquirer in support of a safe injection site, I was a federal judge, and I support Safehouse. Here’s why.

Mary Beth’s memoir writings have been published in Memoir Magazine, Awakenings, The Noyo River Review, The Fault Zone, Carry the Light, and Ravens Perch. She is working on a full-length memoir with the working title From Junkie to Judge: Recovery without God.

Mary Beth can be reached at marybeth@junkietojudge.com and her website is junkietojudge.com.

Episode Resources

She Recovers Foundation | sherecovers.org
Life Ring Secular Recovery | lifering.org
Secular Organizations for Sobriety | www.sossobriety.org
I Beat Addiction Without God | www.wsj.com/articles/i-beat-addiction-without-god-11597360535?mod=article_inline
I Was a Federal Judge and I Support Safehouse, Here's Why | www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/safehouse-safe-injection-site-philadelphia-opioids-overdose-20201127.html

Connect with Mary Beth O'Connor

Junkie to Judge Website | junkietojudge.com

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

128: How One Woman Found Her Voice & Power After Abuse & Anorexia Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Reema Zaman is an award-winning writer and speaker. She is the author of the memoir, I Am Yours, and the forthcoming dystopian novel, Paramita. She is the creator and lead writer of the TV show Snap. Born in Bangladesh and raised in Thailand, she now lives in Portland, Oregon with her rescue chihuahua, Fia the Fierce. You can find her @reemazaman and www.reemazaman.com.

Episode Resources

S1 E2 of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast |Bahan McDermott

Connect with Reema Zaman

Instagram | @reemazaman
Reema's Website | www.reemazaman.com
I Am Yours | Available on Amazon, Reema's Website, & Your Favorite Bookseller

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

127: Ask the Expert Arlina Allen: Hypnosis & the Subconscious Mind Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Arlina Allen is a speaker, life coach, and host of Sobriety: The One Day at a Time Recovery Podcast. She has been free from drugs and alcohol for more than 27 years and originally shared her story in Season 2, Episode 71 of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast.

She’s joining us again today for an Ask the Expert where we discuss the power of the mind. In 2020 Arlina began learning about hypnotherapy. Today she dives into the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind.

Episode Resources

Arlina's Original Courage to Change Episode | Season 2, Episode 71
One Day at a Time Podcast | Ashley's latest episode on ODAAT
Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey | greenlights.com
The Social Dilemma Film | www.thesocialdilemma.com
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. | Available on Amazon

Connect with Arlina Allen

Website | www.soberlifeschool.com
Instagram | @arlinaallen

Connect The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life
YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

126: Tom Farley Gets Sober After The Chris Farley Foundation Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Tom Farley is a marketing and communications consultant, non-profit executive, and recovery advocate. He was the Founder and President of The Chris Farley Foundation, named for his younger brother, the late actor and comedian who died in 1997 as a result of substance abuse. In 2008 he co-authored the New York Times bestselling book, The Chris Farley Show, a biography which received national media attention and wide critical acclaim.

Tom Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in marketing. He has been featured in People Magazine and USA Today, and interviewed on Today, Good Morning America, The View, Fox News, Larry King Live, and featured in two CNN special reports on substance abuse.

Today, Tom lives in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin where he works for Rosecrance, a leading provider of behavioral health services with nationally recognized addiction treatment programs.

Episode Resources