Aubree is the Director of the Every Brain Matters Community, a Developer of Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Texas, a Recovery Advocate, and an Author. She is also the mom of a student at Archway Academy and helps fight against the cannabis industry.

Both Jamie and Aubree discuss teen cannabis use, how families can find support and resources for their children addicted to marijuana, and how to respond, not react to, those struggling with addiction.

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Aubree Adams:

Every Brain Matters Community: https://everybrainmatters.orgConnect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.

**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

Dr. Matt Russell is an academic, activist, pastor, professor, and teacher. He is on staff at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston and is the Executive Director of Iconoclast Artists and projectCURATE (a non-profit educational and social enterprise incubator that seeks to build bridges across cultural, economic, religious, and racial divides in Houston).

Join Sasha and Dr. Russell as they discuss the truth about recovery and navigating through challenging life experiences and what it means to hold space for curiosity and mystery in our lives.

Topics Discussed:

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Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.

**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

One of the greatest lessons in recovery is that your past mistakes do not define you. You are not your mistakes, and you are not your past. Our guest, Keenan Williams, knows what it means to take responsibility for your actions and to decide to create a better life for yourself outside of substance use. 

In his youth, Keenan experienced trouble that led him down a path of drugs and crime, eventually landing him in prison. But that's not where his story ended. Rather than sitting in defeat, Keennan devoted himself to self-improvement through education. Despite his time in prison, Keenan took control of his life and future by focusing on his health and wellness and attending school. 

According to Dan Hunt, President of the Houston County Republican Party, "[Keenan] read more than two hundred books on etiquette, integrity, parenting, ethics, business and career success, he focused on becoming mentally, spiritually and physically strong. He began taking college classes in prison and earned a degree in air-conditioning and refrigeration." 

Now, Kennan is an entrepreneur, political activist, and motivational speaker who uses his past experiences to encourage and inspire others. In 2020, Keenan also served as the Texas Regional Director for President Trump. Talk about a redemption story!

In his words, "I could not fathom that I'd be working for Donald Trump one day when I was in prison. When I told others I would be at the White House one day, they'd laugh because I'm from the side of the tracks that your parents told you to stay away from. Trump saw who I had become and didn't care about who I was."

Be sure to listen in as Andrew, Keenan, and guest host, Archway Academy Recovery Coach Obadiah Pendeton, PRSS, RSPS, share the transformational power of finding a higher power and dedicating yourself to a life of meaning and purpose. 

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Keenan Williams: 

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

On March 29th, 2022, Lexi decided to push past her struggles and embark on a new life of hope, healing, and recovery. On the same day, she also dedicated her entire life to Christ. After throwing herself back into rehab with her daughter, she has fought blood, sweat, and tears to get sober and live a life worth living. In her words, "I quit lying, cheating, and stealing, as well as drinking and using." 

It wasn't always easy for Lexi to face years of abuse and addiction. But when asked about her biggest motivation for recovery? The ability to raise her daughter in a safe environment away from drugs, alcohol, and abuse. Lexi shares that previously, she didn't have anything worth fighting for when trying to get clean in the past. But when threatened with the possibility of losing her daughter, Lexi fought with everything in her not to give up. Now, she celebrates her long list of achievements of holding a full-time job, beating her CPS case, paying her bills, owning her car, attending AA six days a week, meeting with her sponsor and therapist, and having a routine she is proud of and has even healed her relationship with her mother. 

Lexi is a fighter, overcomer, and achiever who can look in the mirror and finally love who she sees. Now, her goal is to help the next person find the healing she has found and show that no matter how hard life is, no matter how challenging 12 years of struggling with a meth addiction, enduring abuse of every kind, and fighting suicidal depression, it is possible to turn your life around. 

With her faith in God, support from her mother, and her incredible sponsor helping guide her, Lexi will stop at nothing to pave the way for her daughter. 

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.

**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

From gang violence, serving nineteen years for a crime he didn’t commit, and struggling with addiction two years after his sentence was over to now overcoming the generational curse of addiction and helping families thrive in recovery, our guest knows what it means to persevere and stay resilient even through the toughest of challenges.   

Lateef Glivens, PRSS, is the Lead Recovery Coach at Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP). PDAP is a youth-driven program for adolescents and young adults who are looking to overcome substance abuse and mental health concerns. PDAP not only provides guidance on how to live a healthy, fun, and sober lifestyle, but it also creates an alternative peer group for PDAP members, thus giving them a safe & secure environment to implement change & build lifelong friendships. 

For Lateef, one of the most essential tools for recovering from anything is self-acceptance. When we’re honest with ourselves and take responsibility for our actions, we’re able to recognize areas for improvement. We may not be able to change the past, but we have the ability to rewrite our future. Despite the many challenges faced growing up on the streets with friends and family in the throes of addiction, one thing that remained constant was his father’s love and support. 

By providing a safe space without judgment and instilling morals and values, Lateef now shares with his own family, Lateef shares that his father was his greatest support system. One of the best ways his father showed him love? By allowing him to be emotionally present and letting him share what he needs to in that moment. With this, Lateef also shares that one of the most important things a parent should do is find their own support system. While addiction thrives in isolation, recovery thrives in community. 

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Lateef Glivens:

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.

**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

Are you a parent looking to foster a healthy relationship with your teen? Is your teen struggling with substance abuse and engaging in risky behaviors? Or do you want to learn more about positively reinforcing healthy habits for you and your family? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you're in the right place. This week's guest, Crystal Collier, is a wealth of knowledge as she shares practical advice for helping families heal and grow. 

Crystal Collier, Ph.D., herself a person in long-term recovery, is a therapist and educator who has been working with adolescents and adults suffering from mental illness, behavioral problems, and substance use disorders since 1991. Her area of expertise includes adolescent brain development, prevention programming, parent coaching, addiction, family-of-origin work, and training new clinicians.

Dr. Collier’s comprehensive prevention model, which teaches the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to children, teens, teachers, and parents, was selected for the 2015 Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. In 2018, she received the Torch Bearer Award for her work in the field of addiction the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.

In the same year, The Hope and Healing Center and Institute in Houston, TX, granted Dr. Collier a research fellowship to support the completion of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide. In 2019, she received the Outstanding Research Award from the Association of Alternative Peer Groups and was acknowledged as Counselor of the Year by the Houston Counseling Association.

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Crystal Collier:

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

As humans, we all want to feel a real sense of connection. This is especially true among adolescents. Teenagers want to feel known and supported, which is why creating communities for them to thrive is essential for their development. According to our guest this week, when teenagers are connected with a strong community full of healthy relationships, they can succeed not only in their recovery journey but in life as they venture on into adulthood.

Andy Finch is a Professor of Practice at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College and is a core faculty member in the Human Development Counseling program. Dr. Finch co-founded the Association of Recovery Schools, and he has been a lead researcher on two national studies of recovery high schools and helped write their standards for accreditation. Dr. Finch helped start Community High School in Nashville, one of the early recovery high schools, where he worked as a counselor and administrator for nine years. Dr. Finch also helped found Vanderbilt's collegiate recovery program. Dr. Finch's most recent project includes a recovery high school history to be published by Oxford University Press.

Be sure to tune in as Jamie, Andrew, and Andy discuss the importance of creating communities of support for teens (especially in recovery) and the overwhelmingly positive data found in sober high schools vs. traditional high schools. They also chat about how adults can model positive behavior and why teens may benefit from attending a smaller high school that’s focused on their overall health and well-being. 

Topics Discussed:

Resources: 

Connect with Dr. Andy Finch:

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.

**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

Community is everything. Whether you're going through a challenging time or celebrating your wins, having a strong support system that rallies around you, cheers you on, and holds you accountable, can make all the difference. This is particularly true when it comes to addiction recovery. Our guests this week, Austin and Zaino, share the power of what happens when you link arms with others who understand your struggle.

The first time Austin was introduced to AA, he was only 14. After being in and out of nine different facilities, the court had ordered him to the Texas House at age 21. When Zaino was 19, he was on court-ordered probation and was first introduced to AA. After years of being in and out of the throes of addiction, Zaino finally got the grasp of recovery at age 31 when he found The Texas House. Once there, both Austin and Zaino's lives radically changed for the better. Finding life in recovery and a best friend who understood the journey, they knew they had found their community. 

Previously plagued with guilt, shame, and grief, both men felt the grip of addiction in their early teens. But their lives radically changed when they surrounded themselves with people who had once walked in their shoes and overcame some of the toughest challenges. That's when they realized that no matter the obstacle or setback, they could get the help they needed and thrive in recovery. 

With Austin having 19 years of sobriety and Zaino having 11, through their dedication, they are able to have a second chance at life. Both alumni from the Texas House Therapeutic Community, both Austin and Zaino, take pride in their recovery. Their true passion is to uplift people and never forget the roads it took to get to where they are. Another passion of theirs is entertainment, which is why they joined forces to create G.U.T.S. podcast/horror show.

Topics Discussed:

Resources: 

Connect with Austin & Zaino:

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help. 

* Website: https://www.archwayacademy.org 

About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery." 

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.
**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

One of the most beautiful things we learn through shared experiences is that we’re not alone in our struggles. No matter how challenging life may be, simply hearing someone say, “I know what that feels like, and you’re not alone.” Having someone share their “Me Too” moment can help us find hope and healing.

This is especially true for teens and young adults navigating the challenges of growing up and families who are struggling with their internal battles. Our guest this week knows the power of shared experiences and how we can find comfort, support, and a sense of community through being there for others.

Kristin Wilson is the Chief Experience Officer of Newport Health Care. Newport Healthcare is the country’s leading treatment provider, focused on delivering the highest quality care and specializing in the treatment of teens, young adults, and their families who are struggling with depression, eating disorders, traumas, substance use, and many other mood disorders in addiction.

Kristin is passionate about the integration of holistic care in adolescents to address the stressors that teens face. She believes emotional resilience allows teens to adapt to stressful situations and crises. Holding a master’s degree in psychology and creative arts therapy, Kristin’s belief in holistic healthcare is further demonstrated by her certification as a yoga teacher.

When we’re open, honest, and willing to share our experiences, we can create a culture of compassion, understanding, and resilience that can help us overcome even the most difficult challenges. If you’re a parent of a young adult struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, or a variety of other mood disorders, know that you are not alone. Together, we can find hope and healing.

Topics Discussed:

Resources:

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help.

**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests is their opinion and is not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

Welcome to A Way Through, a podcast brought to you by Archway Academy! The purpose of this podcast is to remind you that though you may not see it now, something different is possible; Recovery is possible!

**The views and opinions expressed by our guests are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of Archway Academy. Any content provided by our student co-host(s) or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to reflect the philosophy and policies of Archway Academy itself. Nor is it intended to malign any recovery method, religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

In this encore presentation, we are highlighting our conversation with Erin Goodhart, LPC, CAADC, CMAT, CSAT, ACRPS, CCS, CPT. Erin is the Executive Director of Core Programming at Caron in Pennsylvania.

Beginning her career at Caron in 2004 working with teens, Erin has since served in clinical positions with every group served in Caron's core programs. With that experience, she has been instrumental in developing and improving Caron's core programs. Erin is passionate about helping people with substance use disorder and families to overcome the stigma, shame, and barriers that keep them from seeking treatment and engaging in an active recovery program.

A Way Through invites you to join in on the conversation and hear stories of triumph, self-discovery, and healing. Be sure to subscribe to A Way Through to stay updated on each new episode and leave a review of the show!

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Caron Treatment:

Connect with Archway Academy:

Contact Archway Academy:

If you or a student you know needs help, visit the website, or call the number below to schedule a tour. We are here to help.

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About Archway Academy:

"Where Education Meets Recovery."

Archway is the largest recovery high school in the nation, located in the sunny heart of Houston, Texas. We meet the individual educational needs of teens recovering from Substance Use Disorder with care, compassion, respect, and rigor.