The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

Latest Episodes:

78: ATE for #'s 76 & 77 | After the Episode Combo: Covering Compulsive Shopping & Insight for Family Members with Loved Ones Fighting Addiction Oct 29, 2020

Show notes

ATE for Episode #'s 76 & 77:

Ashley and Christiana sit down to recap two guest episodes this week (see links to their episodes below in the 'Resources' section of the show notes), along with deep diving into the important topics covered.

Tune in to hear more about compulsive behaviors (including compulsive shopping - a newer topic highlighted recently on our podcast), and some in-depth insight for family members with loved ones fighting all forms of addiction.

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Resourced Mentioned:

Episodes we are reviewing:
- Ep #76 - Betsy Ames
- Ep #77 - Chris Paulson

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

77: Chris Paulson: From Addict to Therapist - Chris's Story of Overcoming Adversity and Helping Others Along the Way Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

Chris Paulson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over fifteen years of experience working within the field of behavioral health. He holds a masters degree in clinical psychology and has a wealth of clinical experience and expertise, having previously served as a clinical director, clinical supervisor, director of admissions, program director, etc at a number of behavioral health organizations ranging from the non profit to the private sector. Chris has been sober for over sixteen years, and much of his personal experience has helped shape his belief systems surrounding the effective treatment of substance use disorders.

In 2018 Chris helped start and co-found a detoxification and residential treatment program in Washington state called Discover Recovery. To a large extent, this recent endeavor has been the culmination of collective experience borrowed from his previous work experiences. His life has not been idyllic, as he has had to overcome a significant amount of personal adversity, however, his ability to weather these proverbial storms has reinforced his belief in the process of healing and the ability to persevere.

Chris has appeared on national television as an expert on addictive disorders, was previously a keynote speaker for the University of California's Collegiate Recovery Conference, and continues to strive to be a voice of compassion and humanism within the world of addiction.

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

76: Betsy Ames: Compulsive Shopping, Codependency and Hidden Drinking - How One Mother Almost Lost It All But Found Her Recovery Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Betsy Ames is the owner of Mindful Style. She's a Closet Curator turned Social Worker and is currently working toward earning her clinical license to become an addiction focused therapist. She's also a recovering compulsive shopper and alcoholic. She currently teaches others sustainable and mindful shopping practices and decluttering tips. She walks her talk and practices what she teaches.

You can find out more about her by going to mindfulstyle.com/meet-betsy.

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Resourced Mentioned:

More Info About Compulsive Shopping
About ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families)
Join an ACA Meeting
Mindful Style - Betsy's business
Contact Betsy on social media

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

75: ATE for #'s 71, 72, 73 & 74 | After the Episode Combo: Sobriety At All Stages, MAT & The Beauty and Unity of Recovery Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

ATE for Episode #'s 71, 72, 73 & 74:

Tune in to hear more about adoption and it's connection to trauma and substance abuse, and how to reach and relate to someone who is struggling.

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Episodes we are reviewing:

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Lionrock.Life Facebook | Lionrock.Life Instagram
Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

74: Russian Danny: From the Ukraine to the Streets of LA - How He Found Recovery After Burning It All Down Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Daniil Khorunzhiy AKA, Russian Danny, was born in Kiev, Ukraine and immigrated to Los Angeles, CA when he was a wee young lad. He hit the ground running and found himself immersed in the LA culture of crime, graffiti and drugs. After several close calls with death and bouts in the notorious LA County Jail—Russian Danny turned the page and started a new chapter in his life. He now produces and hosts a successful podcast called It’s All Bad, and is pursuing a career in acting and film making. He also volunteers with several organizations that focus on giving back to the streets he grew up in.

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Resourced Mentioned:

Danny's Podcast: It's All Bad

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

70: ATE for #'s 68 & 69 | After the Episode Combo: Adoption & Substance Use, and Advice on How to Relate with Someone Who Is Struggling Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

ATE for Episode #'s 68 & 69:

Tune in to hear more about adoption and it's connection to trauma and substance abuse, and how to reach and relate to someone who is struggling.

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Resourced Mentioned:

Episodes we are reviewing:
- Ep #68 - Brandon Crockett
- Ep #69 - Whitney Horne

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

73: Chuck O: Heroin, Homelessness, and Harm Reduction - How MAT Saved His Life Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

Born and raised in Mesa, AZ, Chuck O couldn’t explain why he kept getting into trouble as a young kid. After his 70th separate felony, he became a ward of the state at the young age of 13.

After living in a home with other convicted felons until 18, Chuck went on tour with the Grateful Dead where his drinking and substance use picked up significantly. After an arduous journey with substance use that left him hopelessly addicted to heroin, Chuck turned to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help him transition off heroin through the use of methadone.

Chuck found the 12-step program while on medication-assisted treatment. In this episode, he talks about breaking the stigma of being sober on MAT, and openly shares his story of relapse after years of recovery and how he and his family dealt with it and helped him find recovery again and ultimately do a blind detox off Suboxone.

This episode is gut-wrenching to hear, but the story of love and redemption ring so clear in Chuck's story.

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

72: Preston Moore: The High Cost of Anonymity Host Shares His Vision For Therapy to Be the Norm Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

As far as addiction is concerned, Preston found it difficult to accept the fact that he was a drug addict and alcoholic. He would think, “What do you mean you think I might have a problem? I’m just doing what everyone else is doing. I show up to work everyday, I pay my own bills, and I’m never sloppy or the one causing trouble. I really think I’m just unlucky.”

If it wasn’t for four arrests in three years, Preston might still be fighting a battle today. His sobriety date is September 10, 2001, just one month after his 21st birthday. Today, Preston’s entire life revolves around being an advocate for counseling, therapy and support groups like AA, NA, Alanon, ACA and NAMI. He does outreach for a mental health and addiction hospital, and he hosts a podcast called The High Cost of Anonymity, along with being a regular speaker, trainer and a coach. Preston believes the solution to normalizing mental health and addiction is by making coaching, counseling and other mental health and addiction supports as common as going to the gym, hiring a personal trainer or going to a group fitness class.

Preston is one amazing dude, and we had such a blast getting to know him! We hope you enjoy this awesome and informative episode!

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

71: Arlina Allen: ODAAT Chat Podcast Host & Recovery Life Coach Shares Her Inspiring Story of Finding Recovery and Recovering Outloud Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Arlina Allen is a Certified Life and Recovery Coach, Teacher, and Host of the award winning recovery podcast, The ODAAT Chat Podcast. She has been free of addiction from drugs and alcohol for more than 26 years and has dedicated her life to helping others do the same.

She has been married for 20 years and is a mother of two. Arlina is a lifelong seeker of truth and she shares lessons learned in her writings and podcast.

Ashley and Arlina became besties through the course of this interview, and we really hope you enjoy their connection, along with Arlina's incredible story!

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Questions, comments or feedback?Email us at podcast@lionrock.life

69: Whitney Horne: Opening the Dialogue About Adoption and It’s Connection to Addiction, and Tragically Losing Her Sister, Hayden Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Whitney grew up outside of Atlanta, GA and was adopted at birth along with her younger sister Hayden. Her struggle with an eating disorder surfaced in middle school, around the same time her sister's struggle with substance use began. Whitney shares her sister's painful and tumultuous path through addiction, which ultimately led to her unfair and untimely death at the young age of 19.

She shares amazing insight into taking steps forward after incredible loss and grief, and shares the truth about adoption and how families can navigate that journey successfully. Whitney is a single mom to her amazing son, and they both share a deep love for animals.

You can contact Whitney on Instagram at @the.boho.homestead

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