Michael shares his inspiring journey from navigating gang influences and addiction in Hartford, Connecticut, to becoming a dedicated recovery coach and volunteer manager at the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). Through personal stories, Michael illustrates the challenges and triumphs of his recovery journey, the influential role of his family and faith, and how he has turned his life's experiences into a mission to help others. 

00:00 Introduction to Recovery Matters Podcast

00:34 Meet Your Hosts: Phil and Sandy Valentine

01:22 Celebrating Milestones in Recovery

01:46 Introducing Michael Serrano: The Peacemaker

02:03 Michael's Journey: From Volunteer to Manager

02:56 The Story Behind 'The Peacemaker'

03:05 Michael's Early Life and Struggles

05:25 The Turning Point: Starting Recovery

06:28 Challenges and Support in Recovery

12:22 Finding a New Path with CCAR

17:36 Michael's First Steps into Recovery

18:06 A Memorable Women's Meeting

19:29 Understanding the Meaning of Recovery

21:23 Volunteering and Training Experiences

23:28 The Art of Recovery Coaching

24:45 Impactful Moments in the Emergency Department

30:52 Personal Pathways to Recovery

33:26 Michael's Creative Expression

34:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

----Across the Web----

🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us

✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...

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