Addiction & Recovery Conversations with Brett Lovins
Brett Lovins
40 episodes
3 days ago
What if the right words could loosen shame’s grip and make change feel possible? That’s the question we chase with poet, educator, and “narrative disruptor” Joseph Green as we unpack how labels shape identity, how language can block help or build it, and why redefining recovery around health and contribution saves lives. We dig into a more generous frame: recovery as the ongoing practice of seeking health, adding value, and designing supports that fit real bodies and real lives, including me...
All content for Addiction & Recovery Conversations with Brett Lovins is the property of Brett Lovins and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
What if the right words could loosen shame’s grip and make change feel possible? That’s the question we chase with poet, educator, and “narrative disruptor” Joseph Green as we unpack how labels shape identity, how language can block help or build it, and why redefining recovery around health and contribution saves lives. We dig into a more generous frame: recovery as the ongoing practice of seeking health, adding value, and designing supports that fit real bodies and real lives, including me...
What if the right words could loosen shame’s grip and make change feel possible? That’s the question we chase with poet, educator, and “narrative disruptor” Joseph Green as we unpack how labels shape identity, how language can block help or build it, and why redefining recovery around health and contribution saves lives. We dig into a more generous frame: recovery as the ongoing practice of seeking health, adding value, and designing supports that fit real bodies and real lives, including me...
Chris Haugen's transformation from a touring guitarist juggling substance issues to a focused recording artist with nearly half a million monthly Spotify listeners stands as powerful testimony to what happens when creative energy finds proper channeling. "Taking a lot of chaotic energy and streaming it down to one solid, focused beam" is how Chris describes his current creative process three years into sobriety. The results speak volumes—his monthly listeners jumped from 3,000 to 480,000, a ...
What if everything you thought you knew about addiction treatment was rooted in outdated thinking? After 26 years in the substance use disorder field, Jon Schlenske brings a perspective that challenges conventional wisdom while offering genuine hope for those struggling with addiction. Jon is Division Chief, Substance Use Disorders and Integrated Services at Comprehensive Healthcare in Yakima, WA. This conversation traces Schlenske's journey from grassroots case management to his current role...
This eye-opening conversation with HR executive Michael Erisman discusses some barriers that can prevent meaningful support for employees in or seeking recovery. Michael shares his powerful personal journey, beginning with a sobering realization on his 25th birthday that changed everything: "If you don't make radical changes, you won't see 30." Since that moment in 1989, his path through recovery has intertwined with a distinguished HR career spanning companies like Microsoft and GE across 1...
Dr. Kevin McCauley shares his journey from Navy physician to addiction recovery advocate, offering profound insights on the neuroscience of addiction and various pathways to healing. Creator of the documentary "Pleasure Unwoven" about the brain science of addictionBecame addicted to opioids after surgery while serving in the NavyCourt-martialed and spent time in Leavenworth, where AA meetings provided crucial supportNow works as a senior fellow at Meadows Behavioral Health CareDiscusses evolv...
Join us in an enlightening conversation that delves into the power of sharing recovery stories and breaking down stigma. In this episode, Brett Lovins sits down with accomplished filmmaker Greg Williams, who shares his insights on transforming personal narratives into powerful advocacy tools. With a focus on person-first language, Brett and Greg explore how reframing the narrative around addiction can create a more compassionate understanding within society. Greg emphasizes the importance of...
Rich Jones, a remarkable speaker I met at a SAMHSA event, joins me to share his transformative journey from the world of HR to becoming a therapist and certified interventionist in the recovery space. Rich opens up about his long-term recovery from opioid and alcohol use disorders, highlighting the personal and professional hurdles he faced during this pivotal shift. Our conversation sheds light on the stigma surrounding addiction and the courage it takes to embrace openness, even when societ...
Ryan Hampton, a beacon of hope and a leading voice in recovery advocacy, takes us through his transformative journey from the depths of heroin addiction to founding Mobilize Recovery. His story is one of resilience and a relentless commitment to change, illustrating how personal battles can fuel a larger mission. Through our conversation, Ryan shares how his experiences with homelessness and near-death encounters propelled him to mobilize 70,000 advocates across the U.S., aiming to break down...
Can curiosity transform your relationship with alcohol? Join us as we explore this question with Nell Hurley, a notable figure in the addiction recovery space with over 26 years of sobriety. Together, we navigate the evolving landscape of sobriety and the "sober curious" movement, delving into the intriguing concept of "gray area drinking." Nell shares her wealth of experience in guiding individuals through recovery journeys that venture outside traditional treatment settings, emphasizing the...
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Kyle Zimmer, the Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478. Kyle’s journey into peer recovery work is nothing short of extraordinary, beginning with the tragic power plant explosion in Middletown, Connecticut in 2010. Drawing from his extensive background in fire service and construction safety, Kyle shares the critical lessons learned and parallels between these fields, especially when it comes to add...
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Amanda Polich, a powerhouse in the recovery and leadership space. As a certified Dare to Lead facilitator and a person in long term recovery (11-years), Amanda's journey from shame and stigma to empowerment is nothing short of transformative. She candidly shares her professional roles at UKG, her impactful volunteer work as the board chair for the Council on Recovery in Houston, and how embracing authenticity has shaped her leadership style. Through ...
When Megan Tweedy lost her brother Jeff Meyer to a fentanyl overdose, her world was turned upside down. Join us as Megan opens up about her journey from grief to advocacy, sharing her deeply personal story and the powerful message of International Overdose Awareness Day. She candidly discusses the emotional toll of losing a loved one to substance use disorder and the vital role that this day plays in honoring those who have been affected. In this episode, we tackle the pervasive stigma surro...
My childhood friend, Keri Clark, takes us through his tumultuous yet inspiring journey of grappling with substance use disorder. We reminisce about our wild teenage years and the different paths we took post-high school, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the intersection of mental health and addiction. In a revelation that's both sobering and enlightening, Keri candidly discusses the clever tactics he used to disguise his drinking problem at work, from meticulous wardrobe choices to stra...
Karen Duggan, a friend and former co-worker from Cisco Systems, joins me to share some of her journey of achieving and maintaining sobriety. Together, we explore the impact of finding solidarity with another sober colleague in a large corporation, and how important this connection has been for Brett. In Recovery Friendly Workplaces, this will become commonplace. Creating Recovery Friendly Workplace environments is no easy task, especially when considering diverse cultural contexts and ...
Ever wondered how celebrating sobriety birthdays can transform a recovery journey? Join us as we mark 11 years of sobriety, sharing heartfelt reflections and personal milestones. From the unwavering support of my first sponsor, Todd Edwards, to the compassionate guidance of Steve Dunn, you'll hear stories that underscore the power of community and resilience. Listen in as we discuss the traditions that have kept me grounded and the broader life lessons learned along the way. Recovery is not ...
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and addiction is a family disease. It doesn't just affect the person with the condition, it affects everyone around them. My nephew Dakota was 15 when I got sober. He shares his thoughts on my disease and our family dynamics around it since I got sober 10 years ago. If you or a loved one are curious (which is key), consider checking out the links below: Shatterproof.org SAMHSA Other useful links from Brett: Sober Curious Consulting - Brett's Recovery Friendly ...
I've been a fan and student of Michael Palmisano for about a year. He's a wonderful guitar teacher for all levels and has an amazing online portal for guitar education called Guitargate.com of which I am a member. Additionally, he's got a wonderful YouTube channel to check out whether you are a guitar player or not. Links below. A few months ago, Michael shared a heartfelt video about some challenges in his life. Near the end of the video, he talked about the need to stop drinking. The video...
In this podcast, meet family medicine doctor, Dr. Gillian Zuckerman who treats addiction in Yakima, WA... the town where I grew up. We talk about harm reduction, addiction misconceptions, the disease model and more. Really grateful for this conversation. From our chat, here is the Never Use Alone Hotline information: https://neverusealone.com/ Here's a link to the Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit, released by the White House in Nov 2023: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/RRW-hub/Toolkit If ...
In this episode, I talk to Janet Hadley about The Alcohol Safe Workplace®. This is a program that she built from the ground up. What is it (from her website)? "An Alcohol Safe Workplace® has a culture that includes everybody, whether they are a drinker or not. People who work in an Alcohol Safe Workplace® feel safe to ask for help if they need it, and receive appropriate support.” The program is multifaceted and includes an accreditation for companies who participate and meet the 12 standards...
Meet Marin Nelson, sober advocate and co-founder of Soberforce at Salesforce. She's a speaker and a consultant on helping end shame and stigma, particularly in the workplace. Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiatives and programs are underway in many enterprise businesses. Grateful to know Marin, she's a force for positive change and an influencer. Please consider sharing this episode with others that make decisions in the enterprise workplace. Link to Marin Nelson on LinkedIn: https://ww...
Addiction & Recovery Conversations with Brett Lovins
What if the right words could loosen shame’s grip and make change feel possible? That’s the question we chase with poet, educator, and “narrative disruptor” Joseph Green as we unpack how labels shape identity, how language can block help or build it, and why redefining recovery around health and contribution saves lives. We dig into a more generous frame: recovery as the ongoing practice of seeking health, adding value, and designing supports that fit real bodies and real lives, including me...
