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Our very exciting guest on this episode is Erin Scott.
Erin Scott is FVLC’s Executive Director. She has extensive experience as a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate, a family law attorney, and a nonprofit manager. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of UnCommon Law and previously served on the Board of Director of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and the Family Violence Appellate Project  Prior to joining FVLC, she was the Directing Attorney of Legal Advocates for Children & Youth, a program of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, and the Director of Foundation Support at the ACLU Foundation of Northern California. She has a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Swarthmore College.

If you would like to find out more about the Family Violence Law Center visit their website at  https://fvlc.org

If you are being abused, please find a safe place to call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

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Our guest for this episode is Jeff Gilman the Executive Director of Redwood Gospel Mission in Santa Rosa, California. Our topic is ministering to those experiencing homelessness and Jeff's innovative  programs and services have proven to be a success in building bridges between the faith community and those living on the streets.

His experience, over almost 40 years in ministry, brings wisdom and creativity to the  "3 hots and a cot" mentality that has for so long dominated the service community to this particular population. Join us and listen to Jeff talk about what he thinks will help heal this homeless crisis, and SPOILER, it has nothing to do with just food and shelter.

To find out more about The Redwood Gospel Mission visit www.srmission.org

Editor's note: the views and opinions expressed on Diary of an Overcomer are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Shepherd's Gate.  We are also mindful that some of the personal stories featuring the word addict and other terms that some may not identify with. We respect and understand those who choose to use certain terms to express themselves. However, we strive to use language that is health oriented, accurately reflects science, promotes evidence-based treatment and demonstrates respect and compassion. 

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Stephanie was a teen mom at 16 and a widow at 35, now she is the mother of a goat rodeo, grandma to two and the Delta Area Director of YoungLife. 

In this episode we talk with Steph about the difficulties she faced as a teen mom, she shares with us the hardships of being married to a spouse who became addicted to pain medication and the heartbreak of becoming a widow. 

Through all of the ups and downs she found one thing to be true and she shares that one thing with us, as well as sharing about Young Life and the work they do with students. Come on and meet Steph, you're gonna love her!

Young Life
INVITING YOUNG PEOPLE 
TO EXPERIENCE LIFE AS
GOD DESIGNED IT TO BE LIVED.
To find out more go to https://delta.younglife.org

Editor's note: the views and opinions expressed on Diary of an Overcomer are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Shepherd's Gate.  We are also mindful that some of the personal stories featuring the word addict and other terms that some may not identify with. We respect and understand those who choose to use certain terms to express themselves. However, we strive to use language that is health oriented, accurately reflects science, promotes evidence-based treatment and demonstrates respect and compassion. 

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John Krause is a businessman, owning a successful coffee roasting business with coffeehouses in three locations throughout the Bay Area of California. 

Talking to him today, you wouldn't know he came through major heartaches as a child and began a devastating addiction in his early teens which led him in and out of jail for over 12 years, his last time was spent within the walls of the notorious San Quentin prison.

In this episode, we get to chat with John about his childhood, through addiction and incarceration, and to where you can find him today, growing a successful company. His story of overcoming is nothing short of amazing.

To find out where you can get some of John's coffee, visit www.bighousebeans.com.  

Editor's note: the views and opinions expressed on Diary of an Overcomer are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Shepherd's Gate.  We are also mindful that some of the personal stories featuring the word addict and other terms that some may not identify with. We respect and understand those who choose to use certain terms to express themselves. However, we strive to use language that is health oriented, accurately reflects science, promotes evidence-based treatment and demonstrates respect and compassion. 

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We have our first DOCTOR on Diary of an Overcomer!!

Dr. Brooke Keels holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy with over 15 years of direct counseling, academic, and administrative experience. Dr. Keels specializes in program design and counselor training/supervision and currently serves as the Clinical Director at Lighthouse Recovery TX, providing oversight for the standard of care across the PHP, IOP, SOP, and therapeutic programs.

She is highly educated, has loads of experience working with people suffering from addictions, loves Jesus and she is feisty and funny!! This episode is one we know you will enjoy and learn a lot from. a

In this episode, we talk about mental health and addiction,  discuss some brain chemistry and even get into a discussion about Jesus and therapy, you don't want to miss it.

SHOW NOTES
Here's the podcast we mention in this episode-
https://mercymultiplied.com/mercytalk/jesus-and-counselinghow-can-i-have-both


Editor's note: the views and opinions expressed on Diary of an Overcomer are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Shepherd's Gate.  We are also mindful that some of the personal stories featuring the word addict and other terms that some may not identify with. We respect and understand those who choose to use certain terms to express themselves. However, we strive to use language that is health oriented, accurately reflects science, promotes evidence-based treatment and demonstrates respect and compassion. 

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From domestic violence to designer, Deja shares her story of overcoming with a refreshing frankness. 

In this episode, you will hear from our special guest Deja Slaughter about her journey from domestic violence, addiction and homelessness to Shepherd's Gate, a women and children's program located in the Bay Area of California.

She will talk about her healing, and the importance of therapy and Jesus to rebuild your life. Deja graduated from Shepherd's Gate's program and now owns her own business designing and creating wigs. 

Join us for this inspiring discussion and find out all the positive things Deja is doing now to help other survivors of domestic violence and addiction.

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In this episode we got to hang out with a woman who is a legend at Shepherd's Gate, Diane Johansen, volunteer extraordinaire and AA sponsor/leader.

Diane shares with us her story of hitting her rock bottom and overcoming addiction and how God and the steps of AA helped her get back on her feet and stay sober for over 23 years!!  We talk with her about the importance of finding and keeping a sponsor throughout your journey in  sobriety.

We hope this episode is encouraging and  educational about addiction recovery and the  essentials to getting sober and staying sober.

In this episode Diane offers to help anyone with their sobriety so we  are including her email if anyone needs to reach out-  [email protected].

As always  we appreciate your feedback or questions.
Thank you  for listening!

Editor's note: the views and opinions expressed on Diary of an Overcomer are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Shepherd's Gate.  We are also mindful that some of the personal stories featuring the word addict and other terms that some may not identify with. We respect and understand those who choose to use certain terms to express themselves. However, we strive to use language that is health oriented, accurately reflects science, promotes evidence-based treatment and demonstrates respect and compassion. 

Send us a text

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and since Shepherd's Gate has helped victims of human trafficking we wanted to talk about what human trafficking is, some of the misconceptions about it and how to keep your kids safe on the internet from it. Yep, human trafficking happens here in the US and one of the targets is vulnerable kids on social media. Our guest today is Andrew Dawson and we are so excited to welcome him to the podcast!

Andrew works with F.R.E.E. International leading street outreach and operations in Las Vegas NV. F.RE.E. International is a collaborative network of organizations working to end trafficking in the U.S. 

Andrew is also a presenter with Say Something School Assemblies. SSA is a non-profit organization that educates and inspires thousands of students each year to identify trafficking and sexual exploitation in their schools. Andrew and the amazing SSA team has seen hundreds of students get help. 

Andrew is also the CEO/Founder of Operation For Freedom. A non-profit focused on investigation, intervention, and advocacy for those who are the most vulnerable and at-risk of being trafficked. 

​His work has carried him around the U.S. and Mexico working on rescue operations, missing kid searches, investigations, speaking in schools, and training those who want to find their place in the fight against this horrendous crime.   

Resources
Bark- keep your kids safe online
https://www.bark.us

Human Trafficking Hotline-Call 1-888-373-7888 ( TTY: 711)|*Text 233733
https://humantraffickinghotline.org



Editors note: the views and opinions expressed on Diary of an Overcomer are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Shepherd's Gate.  We are also mindful that some of the personal stories featuring the word addict and other terms that some may not identify with. We respect and understand those who choose to use certain terms to express themselves. However, we strive to use language that is health oriented, accurately reflects science, promotes evidence-based treatment and demonstrates respect and compassion. 

Send us a text

Welcome to the 2nd episode in a 2-part series today we are talking about Overcoming despair by intentionally spreading joy.

 The first episode we discussed how to experience the peace and joy of Jesus internally, this episode we will be talking about taking that peace and joy and intentionally spreading joy to others, basically taking the commandments Jesus talked about- loving God and loving others and living that out no matter what you are going through right now.

Our purpose in these 2 episodes is to help those who are struggling with their circumstances, to OVERCOME. We have chosen 2 ways we have personally overcome grief and hardship, the first is by experiencing the peace and joy of Jesus internally and then intentionally choosing joy, despite what we are going through or how we feel, and spreading it to others. 

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This podcast episode is the first of a 2-part series and is very different from our usual topics. We chose these topics to address the melancholy and grief many experience this time of year during the Holidays.

Our purpose is to help those who are struggling with their circumstances, to OVERCOME. We have chosen 2 ways we have personally overcome grief and hardship, the first is by experiencing the peace and joy of Jesus internally and then intentionally choosing joy, despite what we are going through or how we feel, and spreading it to others.  Join us and let us know how you overcome your storms.