The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

By Ashley Loeb Blassingame

What's The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast about?

Welcome to The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast. We are a community of recovering people who have overcome the odds and made monumental life changes. We don't shy away from the nitty gritty - we like to laugh give inspiration and remind you there is hope. Come join us no matter where you are on your recovery journey. Together, we have the courage to change!

Subscribe and join our podcast community to hear amazing stories of courage and transformation!

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast episodes:

06.12.2024
Breaking the Stigma: Preston Moore on Emotional Fitness, Family Dysfunction, and Proactive Mental Health Strategies
In this episode, Preston Moore joins the podcast to discuss his journey and insights on mental health, addiction, and emotional dysfunction. Preston, who recently delivered a powerful TEDx Talk, shares his perspective on the root causes of mental health issues,...
06.05.2024
Battling Suicidality and Addiction: Kayli’s Journey from CPS Worker to Sobriety (4 Months Sober)
In this episode, we sit down with Kayli, who opens up about her childhood in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and the complex family dynamics that shaped her early years. Kayli shares her experiences growing up with a single mother, navigating life...
05.29.2024
Interview with Arlina Allen: Dynamic Host of The Self Help Junkie Podcast, Renowned Certified Recovery Coach, and Visionary Founder of Sober Life School
Join me for an exclusive interview with Arlina Allen, the dynamic host of The Self Help Junkie, a podcast that delves deep into personal growth, self-improvement, and recovery. Arlina is not only a renowned certified recovery coach but also the...
05.22.2024
221. Grammy Winner Brendan Berry on Overcoming Addiction Through Music Therapy
In this captivating episode of "The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast," host Ashley Loeb Blassingame interviews Grammy-winning composer and board-certified music therapist Brendan Berry. Brendan recounts his incredible transformation from a punk rock bassist to a leading figure in...
05.15.2024
From Addiction to Advocacy: Samantha Lander's Raw Tale of Prison, Recovery, and Triumph Against Emotional Trauma
In the podcast interview, Samantha Lander shares her journey through substance abuse, recovery, and personal growth, revealing her early struggles with addiction that began in her youth in St. Louis, Missouri. Despite an outwardly ideal childhood, her life was fraught...
05.08.2024
219. Beating Obesity with Bright Lines: Susan Peirce Thompson’s Inspiring Journey from Sobriety to Success
In this enlightening episode, join our host as they delve into the revolutionary world of Bright Line Eating with Susan Peirce Thompson. Discover why traditional weight loss strategies often fail and how thousands have found lasting success beyond mere willpower....
05.01.2024
Fresh Start: Inside Ashley's Return and Transition to Solo Production
Welcome Back to The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast! Season 6 Begins In this special mini episode, I’m excited to share some major updates and the new direction for The Courage to Change podcast as we launch into Season 6....
12.31.2023
Season 5 Wrap - New Year's Extravaganza
As we bid farewell to Season 5 of The Courage to Change, join Ashley and Producer Scott as they ring in the new year. Get ready for a New Year's rap, Jamaican Merlins, The Courage to Change Awards, glimpses into...
12.27.2023
216. Going Public After 15 Years Of Sobriety With Hilary Phelps
Hilary Phelps was an overachiever from the beginning. She was a straight “A” student and the fastest swimmer in the country for her age group, until the age of 14, when she took her first sip of alcohol. From that...
12.19.2023
215. Grammy Winner On Recovery and Helping Musicians With Brendan Berry
Brendan Berry grew up feeling uncomfortable in his body. Anxiety and suicidal thoughts came early and he found himself in many situations where he felt like an outsider. He excelled in sports, but even that seemed to take him away...
12.15.2023
Q+A I’m So Burnt Out With My Addicted Loved One
In this Q and A episode of The Courage to Change, we address the overwhelming sentiment many caregivers face: "I'm So Burnt Out With My Addicted Loved One." Ashley explores practical strategies to foster hope, set healthy boundaries, and maintain...
12.12.2023
214. Criminal Convictions To College Professor With Ashley Potts
Ashley Potts grew up in a household where Substance Use Disorder. Violence, incarceration and trauma were regular occurrences. She felt a deep desire to be loved but the environment meant that love was hard to come by. And eventually her...
12.05.2023
213. LA Based Actor On Getting Sober Without 12 Step With Cait Madry
Cait Madry found her sobriety in a slightly different way than most. Growing up she had an addicted parent and felt like they were villainized when their addiction was revealed. Later in life, that affected how she was willing to...
12.01.2023
Q+A What Made The Last Time I Drank Different?
In the latest episode of The Courage to Change, we unravel the intricate layers of addiction recovery by exploring a pivotal question: "What made the last time I drank different?" Join Ashley as she shares a firsthand account, backed by...
11.28.2023
212. Recovering Out Loud In Corporate America With Marin Nelson
Marin Nelson loved drinking from the moment she began. It was an immediate connection that she’d been searching for. Early on she found herself having panic attacks and being stuck in the destructive cycles of use. She began searching for...
11.21.2023
211. Hospice Nurse Julie On Sobriety After 20 Years Of Drinking and Using
Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden grew up in a normal 80s childhood, but obsessive thoughts plagued her from a young age. The people around her constantly asked “why can’t you relax?” And she immediately internalized the idea that there was something...
11.17.2023
Q+A What If I Don't Want To Go To AA?
In this Q+A episode of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, we delve into the question many individuals ask themselves on their recovery journey: "What if I don't want to go to AA?". Host Ashley Loeb Blassingame shares insights...
11.14.2023
210. Prosecuting A Predatory Teacher And Heroin Recovery With Rebecca Britt
Rebecca Britt was a bright light when she was a child. That light slowly faded in a home life that constantly told her to shut up and sit down. She learned to be silent. She was silent when her brother...
11.07.2023
209. Mafia Boss' Daughter On Healing After A Life Of Secrets and Lies With Rita Gigante
Rita Gigante grew up in a world swirling with secrets, lies, and multiple sins. Her father, notorious Mafia boss Vincent "the Chin" Gigante, was the leader of the Genovese crime clan and the head of all five New York crime...
11.03.2023
Nurses Series: How The 4 Stages Of Addiction Show Up At Work
Welcome to next episode in The Courage to Change Nurses Series. In this compelling episode, we explore the often hidden world of addiction within the nursing profession. Join us as we shed light on how the four stages of addiction...
10.31.2023
208: Finding Sobriety Through Online Treatment After Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses with Edwin Young
Edwin Young grew up in the Jehovah’s Witness community. He was well spoken and knew the community inside and out by age 20 he was an Elder. In the new role he was exposed to corruption happening behind the scenes....
10.24.2023
207: Raising A Child With Special Needs With Heather Hutchison
Heather’s life changed drastically when her son began struggling with mental illness issues as a very young child. When he was three, she found herself sitting across from his doctor, as he recommended psychiatric hospitalization. This was the first but...
10.17.2023
206: Ask The Expert: How Parasites Affect Your Physical And Mental Health With Kim Rogers
Kim worked in western medicine for 18+ years holding an Associates in Medical Specialties & Bachelors in Healthcare. During her time in medicine she worked in the field, academics, authored multiple medical books, wrote national allied health certification tests and...
10.10.2023
205: Nurses Series: Sober Nurse On The Challenges of Finding Recovery In Healthcare With Stephanie
Stephanie was always a high achiever. She felt that if she kept things together, then people would leave her alone. When her father died when she was 16, she doubled down on that strategy, keeping her external appearance spotless when...
10.03.2023
204: Getting Sober After Hiding Alcoholism In Sales Career With Dean Anderson
Dean Anderson was born and raised just outside of Boston. He grew up in a family with very little drinking, but at 13 found alcohol and loved it immediately. His drinking was always intense, but the town and the friends...
09.29.2023
Nurses Series: How Do I Get Sober As A Nurse?
Welcome to a special series dedicated to the unsung heroes of our healthcare system: nurses. Through my journey, I've encountered numerous nurses, each grappling with their own set of unique challenges when it comes to seeking sobriety. From demanding schedules...
09.26.2023
203: Twisted Sister Guitarist on Being A Sober Rockstar With Jay Jay French
Jay Jay French is an American guitarist, manager and producer. French is most famous for his role as the founding member and one of the guitarists of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. As a guitar player, manager, producer and...
09.19.2023
202: Rebuilding Her Life After Leaving The Amish With Nora Bontragrer
Nora Bontrager was born in an Amish community in Indiana where her life revolved around hard work. Each day she would bookend school with 2 hours of chores in the morning and evening. Her life was closed off from a...
09.15.2023
Q+A Not Everything That Hurts Is Harmful
In this Q and A episode, we dive deep into the intricate world of recovery, focusing on a crucial distinction: not everything that hurts is harmful. Join us as we explore the delicate balance between facing discomfort and avoiding lasting...
09.12.2023
201: 20 Years Of Evolving Sobriety With Joann Kenyon
Joann Kenyon grew up an Army brat to a family she thought gave her everything she ever wanted. It wasn’t until later that she realized that wasn’t true. She started drinking at 12 and found Meth at 14. That first...
09.05.2023
200: Kimberly Shannon Murphy: Hollywood Stuntwoman On Surviving Familial Sexual Abuse
As an award-winning stuntwoman, Kimberly Shannon Murphy was intimate with pain. For years, she propelled her body through dangerous spaces—medicating the trauma of her childhood sexual abuse with the adrenaline rush that came from pushing herself to the absolute limit....
09.01.2023
Q+A How to Handle An Addict Who Tries to Normalize Their Addiction
In this compelling episode, we dive deep into the intricate and often challenging world of dealing with addicts who attempt to normalize their addiction. Whether it's a family member, friend, or colleague, understanding how to approach these situations with empathy...
08.29.2023
199: Lessons From The Mother Of An Addicted Son With Lynn Rothenberg
Lynn Rothenberg is a former social worker, writer and photographer whose son struggled with addiction from a young age. Lynn and her husband split up when her son was only 3 years old and she noticed the effects of the...
08.22.2023
198: Ask The Expert: Genetic Testing For Addiction With Dr. Evelyn Higgins
Dr. Evelyn Higgins is the founder of Wired For Addiction®, which specializes in the biological component of mental health and addiction recovery. Dr. Higgins is a recognized international expert in the science of addiction recovery. As a Certified Addictionologist, Diplomate...
08.18.2023
Q+A How Addiction Sneaks Up On You
Join us for an insightful Q&A; episode as we delve into the intriguing topic of how addiction creeps into our lives unnoticed and the crucial steps to overcome its grip. In this episode, we'll shed light on the cunning ways...
08.15.2023
197: Recovering Professor On His Journey From Homeless to PhD With Dr. Alexander Elswick
Dr. Alexander Elswick grew up with privilege and seemingly all the protective factors that might keep him out of the way of addiction. It was then that anxiety disorders began showing up for him. He began getting in trouble in...
08.08.2023
196: How DoYogaWithMe Founder Used Yoga To Heal His Anxiety and Depression with David Procyshyn
David Procyshyn grew up in the suburbs of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In his late teens he started feeling chronically tired. He experienced near constant pain in his gut and chronic tension around his head. He eventually came to realize they were...
08.04.2023
Q+A 5 Indicators That I Should Re-evaluate My Recovery
Join us in the latest Q and A episode of The Courage to Change as we delve into the crucial topic of recognizing the signs that it might be time to re-evaluate your addiction recovery journey. Navigating the path to...
08.01.2023
195: How To Get Sober Young With Quinn Harlow
Quinn felt her addictive personality early. As a child growing up in New York, her first addictions were sports and dance. Anxiety and depression came along early as well and when she first started drinking and smoking weed, she could...
07.25.2023
194: Ask the Expert: What A Pediatrician With 40 Years Experience Wants You To Know With Dr. Nancy Zimble
Nancy Zimble is a pediatrician in Los Angeles California with over 40 years of clinical experience. Over the course of her career during routine check ups she has helped thousands of families navigate the typical developmental challenges of childhood. She...
07.18.2023
193: Travis Bornstein: Battling Addiction After His Son's Fentanyl Overdose
Travis Bornstein is the father of Tyler who died at age 23 of a Fentanyl overdose. Tyler had been successful in school and sports, but injury and the subsequent surgeries brought on an addiction to opioids which eventually moved to...
07.11.2023
192: Dr. Heidi Brocke: Surviving A Toxic Marriage and Helping Others Escape
Dr. Heidi Brocke spent 14 years in an extremely emotionally and narcissistically abusive relationship. Her ex-husband had his fingers in so many aspects of her life. They owned a chiropractic center together. They owned a ranch. They had two children...
07.04.2023
191: Jeannine Coulter: Living In A Doghouse To Owning Her Own Fitness Studio
Jeannine Coulter's story is a powerful and inspiring journey of transformation and redemption. For fifteen years, Jeannine battled with addiction, leading to multiple arrests, homelessness, finally spending her last days of shooting meth and heroin in a literal doghouse before...
06.30.2023
Why Is Black And White Thinking Important And How to Deal With The Gray Areas?
In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about the importance of black and white thinking especially in early recovery. But then talks about what experiences and conversations that she's had that have shaped her belief system around grey area...
06.27.2023
190: Ask The Expert: Understanding and Treating OCD with Stacy Quick
Stacy Quick grew up with intrusive thoughts starting at age 5. As a teenager it progressed to an attempt to throw away her whole bedroom. She’d begun to find that the thoughts could attach themselves to things. So if she...
06.20.2023
189: Anneke Lucas: Sold Into A Pedophile Network By Her Mother
Anneke Lucas’s story is nearly impossible to comprehend. Anneke was sold by her mentally-ill mother into a murderous, pedophile network at age 6. There she endured endless hours of rape and torture at the hands of powerful men from around...
06.16.2023
Recovery Ready Workplace Series: How Do I Create A Recovery Ready Workplace?
In this installment of the Recovery Ready Workplace Series, we delve into the critical topic of creating a recovery-ready workplace that supports individuals in their journey of substance use recovery. Substance use issues can significantly impact employees and their ability...
06.13.2023
188: Alcoholic Attorney Regains Custody And Becomes Sober CEO With Marsha Stone
Marsha Stone grew up in Southern Georgia to a family that struggled with generational alcoholism. She eventually married her best drinking buddy and quickly had three kids, then just as quickly she was alone. The responsibility of raising them fell...
06.06.2023
187: Tait Fletcher: Life Lessons And Recovering From A Traumatic Brain Injury
Tait Fletcher is an actor, stuntman and former MMA Fighter, known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Westworld, John Wick, and The Mandalorian. Tait grew up in Michigan where he dealt with childhood trauma by engaging in whatever thrill seeking...
06.02.2023
Recovery Ready Workplace Series: Getting Help With Your Substance Use Without Affecting Your Work Life
In this episode of our Recovery Ready Workplace Series we spoke with HR Director Erica Williams who brings her 20+ years of experience on how to create a supportive environment for employees struggling with substance use. She also acknowledges that...

What's The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast episodes:

Breaking the Stigma: Preston Moore on Emotional Fitness, Family Dysfunction, and Proactive Mental Health Strategies

Battling Suicidality and Addiction: Kayli’s Journey from CPS Worker to Sobriety (4 Months Sober)

Interview with Arlina Allen: Dynamic Host of The Self Help Junkie Podcast, Renowned Certified Recovery Coach, and Visionary Founder of Sober Life School

221. Grammy Winner Brendan Berry on Overcoming Addiction Through Music Therapy

From Addiction to Advocacy: Samantha Lander's Raw Tale of Prison, Recovery, and Triumph Against Emotional Trauma

219. Beating Obesity with Bright Lines: Susan Peirce Thompson’s Inspiring Journey from Sobriety to Success

Fresh Start: Inside Ashley's Return and Transition to Solo Production

Season 5 Wrap - New Year's Extravaganza

216. Going Public After 15 Years Of Sobriety With Hilary Phelps

215. Grammy Winner On Recovery and Helping Musicians With Brendan Berry

Q+A I’m So Burnt Out With My Addicted Loved One

214. Criminal Convictions To College Professor With Ashley Potts

213. LA Based Actor On Getting Sober Without 12 Step With Cait Madry

Q+A What Made The Last Time I Drank Different?

212. Recovering Out Loud In Corporate America With Marin Nelson

211. Hospice Nurse Julie On Sobriety After 20 Years Of Drinking and Using

Q+A What If I Don't Want To Go To AA?

210. Prosecuting A Predatory Teacher And Heroin Recovery With Rebecca Britt

209. Mafia Boss' Daughter On Healing After A Life Of Secrets and Lies With Rita Gigante

Nurses Series: How The 4 Stages Of Addiction Show Up At Work

208: Finding Sobriety Through Online Treatment After Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses with Edwin Young

207: Raising A Child With Special Needs With Heather Hutchison

206: Ask The Expert: How Parasites Affect Your Physical And Mental Health With Kim Rogers

205: Nurses Series: Sober Nurse On The Challenges of Finding Recovery In Healthcare With Stephanie

204: Getting Sober After Hiding Alcoholism In Sales Career With Dean Anderson

Nurses Series: How Do I Get Sober As A Nurse?

203: Twisted Sister Guitarist on Being A Sober Rockstar With Jay Jay French

202: Rebuilding Her Life After Leaving The Amish With Nora Bontragrer

Q+A Not Everything That Hurts Is Harmful

201: 20 Years Of Evolving Sobriety With Joann Kenyon

200: Kimberly Shannon Murphy: Hollywood Stuntwoman On Surviving Familial Sexual Abuse

Q+A How to Handle An Addict Who Tries to Normalize Their Addiction

199: Lessons From The Mother Of An Addicted Son With Lynn Rothenberg

198: Ask The Expert: Genetic Testing For Addiction With Dr. Evelyn Higgins

Q+A How Addiction Sneaks Up On You

197: Recovering Professor On His Journey From Homeless to PhD With Dr. Alexander Elswick

196: How DoYogaWithMe Founder Used Yoga To Heal His Anxiety and Depression with David Procyshyn

Q+A 5 Indicators That I Should Re-evaluate My Recovery

195: How To Get Sober Young With Quinn Harlow

194: Ask the Expert: What A Pediatrician With 40 Years Experience Wants You To Know With Dr. Nancy Zimble

193: Travis Bornstein: Battling Addiction After His Son's Fentanyl Overdose

192: Dr. Heidi Brocke: Surviving A Toxic Marriage and Helping Others Escape

191: Jeannine Coulter: Living In A Doghouse To Owning Her Own Fitness Studio

Why Is Black And White Thinking Important And How to Deal With The Gray Areas?

190: Ask The Expert: Understanding and Treating OCD with Stacy Quick

189: Anneke Lucas: Sold Into A Pedophile Network By Her Mother

Recovery Ready Workplace Series: How Do I Create A Recovery Ready Workplace?

188: Alcoholic Attorney Regains Custody And Becomes Sober CEO With Marsha Stone

187: Tait Fletcher: Life Lessons And Recovering From A Traumatic Brain Injury

Recovery Ready Workplace Series: Getting Help With Your Substance Use Without Affecting Your Work Life

Other shows like The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast: