In this episode of the Buddhist Recovery Network podcast, host Beth Herzig speaks with Walt Opie, the board president of the Buddhist Recovery Network. Walt shares his journey through recovery, his introduction to Buddhism and meditation, and his experiences teaching in prisons. The conversation explores the intersection of Buddhist teachings and recovery, the importance of community, and the upcoming summit focused on Buddhist tools for real recovery. Walt emphasizes the significance of mindfulness, self-love, and the role of gratitude in the recovery process.

• Walt's journey into recovery began at a young age with alcohol and marijuana.
• He discovered meditation during a period of grounding in high school.
• Walt's first encounter with Buddhism was through literature and music.
• He moved to California seeking a broader experience and community.
• Walt's teaching journey began after he recognized the need for more Buddhist recovery support.
• Mindfulness is a core teaching that helps prevent relapse in recovery.
• Walt emphasizes the importance of community in recovery settings.
• Teaching in prisons provided profound insights and connections for Walt.
• The upcoming summit will explore various types of addiction and recovery.
• Walt's current practice focuses on being present and reducing self-centeredness.

Connect with Walt Opie via his website

Read more and Register for the BRN SUMMIT : Facing Our Inner Demons: Tools for Real Recovery October 18-19, 2025

Insight Recovery Sangha

Join Kevin Griffin and Claude AnShin Thomas as they delve into the profound intersections of sobriety and spirituality. In this episode, Claude shares his transformative journey from a Vietnam veteran to a Zen Buddhist monk, highlighting the essential role of spiritual practice in recovery. Discover how the teachings of the Dharma and the 12-step program intertwine to offer healing and growth, and explore the power of mindfulness in overcoming personal struggles. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about finding peace amidst life's challenges.

To Connect With Claude AnShin Thomas: https://www.zaltho.org/

Read At Hell's Gate and Claude AnShin Thomas' books.

Claude AnShin will be a keynote speaker at our Summit happening October 18-19, 2025.

Join us for a weekend of deep Dharma, honest recovery, and transformative practice—at our 2025 Buddhist Recovery Network Online Gathering.

✨ It all begins Saturday, October 18th, with a grounding morning meditation led by Dalila Bothwell, followed by a keynote that will stay with you long after the weekend ends.

Zen monk and Vietnam veteran Claude AnShin Thomas will offer “At Hell’s Gate: Meeting Mara on the Path of Recovery.” He speaks from real, lived experience—war, addiction, homelessness, and awakening. Through Buddhist insight and raw personal truth, Claude will show us how to meet our inner demons—not with fear, but with compassion and mindfulness.

We’ll continue throughout the weekend with rich panels, honest dialogue, and a closing keynote conversation on Sunday with two of the most respected names in Buddhist recovery: Kevin Griffin and Vimalasara (Dr. Valerie Mason-John).

They’ll share the tools that have carried them—and can carry you—through the hardest moments on the path of recovery.

🧘‍♀️ Whether you’re new to recovery, deep in practice, or simply seeking support, this event is for you.

Read the full schedule and register now 2025 BRN Online Summit Facing Our Inner Demons: Tools for Real Recovery

Let’s meet Mara with awareness. Let’s recover together.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Cathryn Jacob—retired doctor, meditation teacher, and co-founder of Raft to Recovery. Cathryn shares her personal recovery journey and how Buddhist practice, psychology, and neuroscience come together in her work supporting others on the path of healing. A board member of the Buddhist Recovery Network, Cathryn brings both professional insight and lived experience to her teaching. We explore the importance of wise connection, compassionate community, and the role of mindfulness in transforming addictive patterns.

Cathryn will also be leading the upcoming BRN Academy event on August 3, 2025, titled "Building a RAFT: From Addicted Doctor to Freedom"This session offers an experiential exploration of how authentic relationships can support recovery and awakening. Offered on a dana basis, registration is open now.

Learn more and register at: https://givebutter.com/AUG2025

To find our more about Raft to Freedom visit the website here: https://raft2freedom.org/

⚠️ Trigger Warning:This episode contains discussion of suicide, grief, and traumatic loss. Please listen with care.

In this powerful and unflinchingly honest episode, Buddhist teacher and punk rocker Mikey Livid shares his journey from bar fights and blackout nights to Buddhist practice, pastoral counseling, and teaching on death row. Mikey speaks with raw compassion about grief, addiction, and the punk scene that first gave him permission to scream about suffering—and the Dharma that taught him how to sit with it.

He and host Beth Herzig explore the transformative potential of loving-kindness meditation, the value of authentic service in recovery, and Mikey’s upcoming book Blood, Guts and Buddhism. From horror movies to heartbreak, this conversation covers the full spectrum of what it means to be human—and to meet it all with love.

More about Mikey:

Mikey Livid (he/him) is a Buddhist teacher, author, and counselor. Mikey is the guiding teacher at Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville, TN. He regularly brings Buddhist meditation classes into addiction treatment centers, prisons, and a variety of settings. Mikey is the author of his upcoming book Blood, Guts, & Buddhism: The Dharma of Horror Movies, Heartbreak, and The Nature of Suffering. Mikey is the co-host of the punk rock, mental health podcast Punks On Hope and is the singer for the punk band The Rip Taylors.

LINKS:

https://linktr.ee/MikeyLivid

https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org

Join Us for the BRN JULY ACADEMY WITH MIKEY LIVID

https://givebutter.com/JULY25

📝 Episode Description:

In this deeply personal and illuminating conversation, we welcome Pawo Dorje, a recovery coach, dharma practitioner, and the founder of the Middle Path Recovery Project (MPRP). With nearly 15 years of lived recovery experience and decades of spiritual and personal growth, Pawo brings a grounded and compassionate voice to the world of Buddhist recovery.

From his early days navigating addiction to studying Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, and now living and serving at Tara Mandala Retreat Center, Pawo’s story is one of courage, balance, and transformation.

Together, we explore:

• His path into recovery and the spiritual turning points that shaped his healing
• The origins and vision behind Middle Path Recovery Project Part 1 (coming August 2025)
• How Buddhist teachings and modern wellness practices can co-exist in recovery work
• The power of community, service, and the Middle Way
  

Whether you're on your own path of recovery, seeking fresh insights into Buddhist-inspired healing, or simply curious about how spirituality and neuroscience can meet—you’ll find something meaningful here.

🧑‍🎓 About Pawo Dorje:

Pawo Dorje is the founder and author of the Middle Path Recovery Project, a unique and integrative approach to healing that blends Buddhist philosophy, evidence-based recovery practices, harm reduction, neuroscience, and holistic wellness.

He has spent nearly 15 years walking the path of recovery and has studied with teachers such as Lama Tsultrim Allione and Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche. His journey has taken him through solo retreats, time in Nepal studying at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, and deep work in community mental health and crisis response. He currently lives at Tara Mandala in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where he produces the weekly livestream “Lama Live!” and supports the retreat center’s online offerings and Dakini Store.

Pawo’s upcoming book, Middle Path Recovery Project Part 1, is scheduled for release in August 2025.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 🌐 Website: middlepathrecoveryproject.com
• 📚 Excerpts from the book: MPRP Book Chapter
• 🧘 Tara Mandala Retreat Center: taramandala.org
• 📺 Lama Live! Sundays with Lama Tsultrim: YouTube/TaraMandala
  

📢 Stay Connected:

• Follow Pawo on social media: @middlepathrecovery (Instagram)
• Sign up for updates about the book and offerings via his website.

Freddie Lara is a Latinx Actor and Acting Coachbased in the LA area and is involved with Recovery Dharma. Growing up in an environment of instability, violence, and shame, he shares about his early struggles and what recovery is like now. 
• instagram.com/freddielaraactorsstudio

Podcast Notes:

Vince Cullen shares his journey into recovery and Buddhism, which led him to develop programs, host retreats, and help others find a new way of life.

An ex-alcoholic, Vince has been involved in Buddhist-oriented drug and alcohol recovery since 1998 and has a long association withWat Thamkrabok monastery in Thailand, where he has twice taken temporary ordination. He founded and facilitatesFifth Precept Sangha meditation-for-awakeningSit-and-Share meetings across multiple countries as part of his ongoingHungry Ghost Retreats.

Vince has served as aBuddhist Prison Chaplain in both male and female prisons in the UK and sat on the board of the Buddhist Recovery Network for nearly three years. He has completed the Committed Dharma Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner programs atGaia House in England and the Mindfulness Teachers Development Programme throughBodhi College in Switzerland and the UK.

Books mentioned: 

“A Path with Heart: A Guide Through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life” by Jack Kornfield

“Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits” by Martine Batchelor

More Links:

Vince's travel blog — Experience his recorded teachings:https://hungryghostretreats.org/

ELSA Recovery

__________________________________________________

🪑Need a meeting? 👉 buddhistrecovery.org/meetings⁠

Check out BRN’s huge compendium of various Buddhist recovery meetings. In-Person & Online!

📺Thirsting for more Dharma? 👉 buddhistrecovery.org/academy⁠

The BRN Academy Teacher videos are available. Dharma teachers offering Dharma talks focused — specifically on your recovery.

🤲Share the love + karma! Pay it forward 👉 buddhistrecovery.org/donate⁠

Enjoyed the podcast? Consider supporting BRN as we keep reaching out to those who have yet to discover Buddhist Recovery. Pay it forward just as others paid it forward for you.

__________________________________________________

❖ Recovery Meetings: [ ⁠Meetings List⁠ | ⁠List of Programs⁠ | ⁠⁠Newcomers Welcome!⁠⁠⁠ ] 

❖ BRN Academy: [ ⁠Next Event | Videos⁠ | ⁠Podcast⁠ | Donate⁠ ]

•SoulsCenter.com/weekly-offerings.html 👉 join Recovery Dharma & other online offerings

•SoulsCenter.com/SatiSeva 👉 join SatiSeva online: Support for Families, Friends, Professionals, Addicts (All are Truly Welcome)

__________________________________________________

Julia Hayes is an ember keeper. She lights small fires wherever she goes as way of illuminating the wonder and joy of life. 

Her focus is spiritual empowerment through practices of mindfulness, creativity, and community. As a Buddhist practitioner for more than 30 years as well as a celebrant of her heritage stemming from ancient Celtic mysticism, Julia’s interactive style is both playful and poetic by design. Her mastery is her ability to bring a sense of peaceful stillness to any environment, which allows her participants access to a simple and profound inner calm. 

Julia is a story-teller and scholar able to convey complex spiritual teachings extracted from ancient myth, parable and personal experiences. She has been part of Buddhist-inspired recovery for nearly a decade serving the local community and participants worldwide. She facilitates well-attended meetings emphasizing warm welcome, belonging, and compassionate listening. 

Julia is the creator and author of SatiSeva©, a mindfulness program designed to reimagine recovery and support. This work was inspired by her first Buddhist teacher, Thích Ñhất Hạnh and his lifelong devotion to Mindfulness. She embodies and teaches carefully curated mindfulness practices to address the complex issues associated with supporting recovery, addiction, and habit energy of any kind. Her devotion is mindfulness as a way to encourage people to shift their relationship to habit energy and awaken to the sacredness of life.

__________________________________________________

🪑Need a meeting? 👉  buddhistrecovery.org/meetings⁠

Check out BRN’s huge compendium of various Buddhist recovery meetings. In-Person & Online!

📺Thirsting for more Dharma? 👉  buddhistrecovery.org/academy⁠

The BRN Academy Teacher videos are available. Dharma teachers offering Dharma talks focused — specifically on your recovery.

🤲Share the love + karma! Pay it forward 👉 buddhistrecovery.org/donate⁠

Enjoyed the podcast? Consider supporting BRN as we keep reaching out to those who have yet to discover Buddhist Recovery. Pay it forward just as others paid it forward for you.

__________________________________________________

❖ Recovery Meetings: [ ⁠Meetings List⁠ | ⁠List of Programs⁠ | ⁠⁠Newcomers Welcome!⁠⁠⁠ ] 

❖ BRN Academy: [ ⁠Next Event | Videos⁠ | ⁠Podcast⁠ | Donate⁠ 

Whether you’re struggling with addiction, grief, or finding your path forward, Chris Beaudry’s story is a beacon of hope: proof that from the depths of despair can emerge profound growth and purpose.

Chris Beaudry is a renowned public speaker and mental health advocate with a deeply personal and transformative story. Drawing from his background in mental health, grief, addiction recovery, and psychology, Chris brings an authentic and compassionate voice to topics that resonate universally. From growing up on a fourth-generation farm to navigating the shadows of childhood trauma and addiction, Chris’s journey is one of resilience and hope.

As a farmer, Chris discovered the profound parallels between healing the soil and healing oneself, weaving this philosophy into his teachings. Through his work, he bridges practical wisdom, Buddhist-inspired mindfulness, and a message of transformation, inspiring audiences to confront life’s challenges with courage and grace.

Find out more atCRBWellness.ca or through theSpeakers Bureau of Canada.

_________________________

🪑Need a meeting? 👉  ⁠buddhistrecovery.org/meetings⁠⁠

Check out BRN’s huge compendium of various Buddhist recovery meetings. In-Person & Online!

📺Thirsting for more Dharma? 👉  ⁠buddhistrecovery.org/academy⁠⁠

The BRN Academy Teacher videos are available. Dharma teachers offering Dharma talks focused — specifically on your recovery.

🤲Share the love + karma! Pay it forward 👉 ⁠buddhistrecovery.org/donate⁠⁠

Enjoyed the podcast? Consider supporting BRN as we keep reaching out to those who have yet to discover Buddhist Recovery. Pay it forward just as others paid it forward for you.

_________________________

❖ Recovery Meetings: [ ⁠⁠Meetings List⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠List of Programs⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Newcomers Welcome!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ] 

❖ BRN Academy: [ ⁠⁠Next Event⁠ | ⁠Videos⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠ | ⁠Donate⁠⁠ 

Today's Guest:Susanna Ahvalo

Susanna Ahvalo is an addiction expert and mindfulness instructor from Helsinki, Finland. She combines Positive Psychology, trauma-informed methods, and mindfulness to explore the roots of suffering behind addictive behaviors and the path to living a values-driven, authentic life. Susanna is training for ordination at the Triratna Buddhist Center.

Check out abeautiful video from Susanna with students about Teaching Mindfulness at Schools

• https://youtu.be/VYVkdwe3dVY

Connect with Susanna:

• Onnellisuuspaja.fi
• [email protected]
• https://onnellisuuspaja.fi/

Facebook |Instagram |LinkedIN |TikTok

_____________________________________

🗺️⁠Need a Meeting?⁠ 👉⁠buddhistrecovery.org/meetings⁠

Thelargest, up-to-date, comprehensiveBuddhist recovery meeting list.Hundreds of meetings across various Buddhist programs. (Both Online & In-Person meetings.)

📺⁠Looking for a good Dharmatalk (on Recovery?) 👉buddhistrecovery.org/academy⁠

Though Dharmatalks are aplenty, it's rare to find ones that speak directly to our addictions. Fortunately, ourAcademy Teachersvideos are available, anytime. Respected teachers share great tools and practices you can apply to your recovery.

🤲⁠Share the love + karma! Pay it forward 👉buddhistrecovery.org/donate⁠

Enjoyed the podcast?Consider supporting the BRN Podcast to help reach suffering addicts who might not be able to afford it yet — just as others paid it forward for you.

❖Meetings: [⁠Meetings List⁠ (various) |⁠Recovery Programs⁠ (list) |⁠⁠Welcome Newcomers!⁠⁠⁠ (info) ]

❖BRN Academy: [⁠Next Event⁠ |⁠Videos⁠ (dharmatalks) |⁠Podcast⁠ ] ❖Resources: [⁠Books⁠ |⁠Safety⁠ |⁠Donate⁠ ]