Let The Journey Begin

Hilary and Alex sit down this week with close friend of Hilary's, Susie Clothier, to discuss her journey in sobriety. Susie's drinking career began at a very early age and continued all throughout her teenage years. She grew up in a household in which her parents would argue and she would self-medicate with alcohol to relieve her own tension. Susie also lived with a feeling of "less-than" for most of her childhood as her older sister was an extremely talented athlete. Mostly chalking it up to "just having fun", she began to realize she had a problem upon completing college. She tells the story of a long-term relationship coming to an end which resulted in her receiving her first DUI. She had a .34 BAC at the time of her arrest but still was coming to her trial under the influence. Due to all these circumstances, she finally entered treatment and began the long road to recovery. Susie explains how just one drink is all it takes for her to go completely off the wagon and believes not fully embracing that is what kept her going in and out for years. Everything changed for her, however, when her young son began taking notice of her drinking and the effects it would have on her. She also talks about how the passing of her mother took quite a tremendous toll on her emotionally and credits the tools in which she learned to maintain her sobriety as ultimately helping her stay on course in a period of harsh grieving. Today, she is thankful for all the gifts sobriety has given her including her friendship and bond with Hilary as well as her love and pursuit of photography.

Instagram: @susieclothier

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

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This week, Hilary and Jason bring on founder and director of Coordinating & Assisting Recovery Environments (C.A.R.E), Anthony Brown. From an early age, Anthony experienced nothing but chaos and dysfunction, which led to him running away from home at 14 years old. Needing work and a place to go, he joined a traveling carnival that took him all over the states but also started what would become 23 years of homelessness. Instability and homelessness then spiraled into years and years of drug and alcohol addiction, but finally he reached a point in which he was desperate to get sober and turn his life around. He had been arrested by the same officer several times in the past but on one particular incident the officer asked, "Do you need help?". This is when his life would change forever. Anthony was then introduced to treatment and experienced his own spiritual awakening that would eventually lead to him being sober almost as long as he was homeless. Today, it is Anthony's mission to help those struggling with addiction and homelessness as so much of his own life was affected by it. He believes people can become homeless due to a variety of things and by properly diagnosing these specific reasons, you can then administer appropriate help rather than lumping all homeless into one category. Anthony's true passion is taking his own experiences and his faith in God and utilizing them to provide specialized treatment for individuals who suffer from mental illness combined with a substance abuse disorder. In this episode, you will discover why Anthony considers himself a complete statistical anomaly!

You can connect with Anthony, find his book, and learn more about Brown Manor at:

- anthonyhowardbrown.com

- caredd.com

- Book: From Park Bench to Park Avenue: One Man's Journey Out of Homelessness

- Facebook: @Brown Manor

- Instagram: @brown.manor

- Twitter: @brown_manor

- YouTube: Anthony Howard Brown

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week, Owner/CEO of JDS Consulting, Inc, James Sewell, joins Hilary and Jason. Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, James never felt like he could truly be himself; however, during his time in college he finally felt comfortable letting loose and being who he was. He talks about having generalized anxiety and feeling different than his peers, but alcohol was the solution able to bring down the barriers. For him, letting loose meant going out to the bars six days a week and what was once an opportunity to have fun, quickly escalated into a problem. Eventually, his drinking career resulted in several DUIs over a span of a few years and his court-ordered treatment from one particular counselor is what changed his life. He began looking at all the reasons why he drank and by working on those deep-seated problems, he has been able to stay sober for over 10 years. One of James's main messages in sobriety is to be kinder to oneself and how it is important to accept the reality of sobriety. During addiction, the substance is what makes the world around us and our situation feel great; however, the world is not like that. There are good days and there are bad days and James stresses the important part for him was to arrive at a place in which he can accept this reality and live in it without needing a substance, a reality in which James refers to as "The Gray Area." Today, James works in the recovery and mental health field in hopes of improving some of the shortcomings addiction treatment can have.

You can connect with James and find his work at:

- JDS Consulting, Inc (Insurance Billing and Consulting for Behavioral Health Facilities): https://www.jdsconsultinginc.com/

- TRUST SoCal (Detox and Residential for Primary Mental Health): https://trustsocal.com/

- Training Institute for Addiction Counselors: https://www.traininginstitute.org/w/

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Lakewood Recovery (Dallas, TX) Owner, Bobby Ludeman, joins Hilary and Jason this week to ring in the New Year! Growing up, Bobby always had this feeling he didn't necessarily belong, he was an encumbrance, and that he was on the precipice of being cast out. He found drugs and alcohol in his early teenage years and knew from the very beginning that they were going to be a problem for him. His sickness progressed and only got worse to the point of getting addicted to heroin. In this time, he talks about how his father was always willing to do anything to help him with his problem, but he simply wasn't open or wanting to accept the help. Bobby's life and perspective changed, however, after he had a son of his own. He talks about his moment of clarity being one in which his son was only a few years old, and he was going to seek help one last time for his addiction or he would end his own life, thinking it was better for his son to not have to grow up with an addict for a father. Thankfully, things began to click and his recovery journey began. Today, Bobby works in recovery as the Owner of Lakewood Recovery sober living and credits being an extreme creature of habit to maintain his sobriety. While working in the recovery sphere, he explains why it is so important for him to connect with the younger individuals just beginning as this was the time in his own life where he had the most difficult time relating to those already in sobriety. Finally, Bobby details how he felt dirty and unworthy the day his son was born but can realize now that he no longer needs to feel this way with how far he has come in his own sobriety.

You can connect with Bobby and find Lakewood Recovery at:

lakewoodrecovery.com

Instagram: @bobbyludeman

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Last week, we left off with Hilary finally getting to a place in which she was able to move on from her past and leave some of her former life behind. This week, Hilary talks about the steps she began taking with her mentor and the difficulties that still came along even after all the abuse. She talks about how her past left her with a feeling of unworthiness, emptiness, and an unsettling feeling that her legacy would be nothing more than what she endured. However, through the aid and encouragement of dear friends and mentors, Hilary began to believe in herself and that her life could still be anything she wanted it to be. She also talks about overcoming open heart surgery and how this experience was the catalyst to her dedicating all that she does toward helping others who have endured similar circumstances. Hilary's story is a true testament to the idea that no matter what you go through in life, you can always make it out on the other side by doing the work and believing that it's never too late.

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week, we jump into Part 2 of Red Songbird Founder, Hilary Roberts, story of sobriety. All the childhood trauma and abuse caused her to be vulnerable, desperate for love, and seeking a way to escape. She details quite possibly her worst experience with abuse as an adolescent which resulted in an even more diminished view of herself. Her self-esteem in the toilet, she took jobs she never thought she would take, only adding to this cycle of unworthiness that would result in her using drugs and alcohol to numb the feelings. One thing Hilary did have though, was the desire to change. She talks about how the right mentor came along and changed her life. This mentor treated her with dignity and respect, and by following her recommendations and advice, Hilary began to realize she did not have to be defined by her dark past. However, she later discovered another addiction that she believes was even more difficult to overcome than the substances. Along the way, her lost singing voice came back through prayer, her self-worth began to regenerate, and she was eventually able to quit the job she hated most. With a past like Hilary and seeing where she is today, it is a true miracle and testament to the power of recovery.

We conclude next week with Part 3!

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week, we dive into the story of singer, songwriter, and founder of the Red Songbird Foundation, Hilary Roberts. Hilary experienced trauma and abuse from a very early age which continued all throughout her adolescence. She talks about how there was very little healthy adult supervision growing up and how an ultimate lack of protection resulted in her being subjected to so many abusive people and situations. To make matters worse, nothing was ever done to help her, and things were not taken as seriously as they should have. As the years went by and the abuse continued to happen, Hilary quickly grew more resentful and began to take the burden on herself, thinking about what it was she had done to deserve this abuse and how it must be her fault. Hilary talks about how her self-esteem ultimately reached a point in which she felt like she was "a piece of garbage" and "not worthy of love." Then, as she grew into her teenage years, she found alcohol, which helped her forget about some of the trauma she had continually experienced as well as helping turn down the constant thoughts of unworthiness she had spinning in her head. All this neglected abuse and trauma was building up into a launchpad that would end up being Hilary's addictions and negative treatment of herself in the years to come.

Jason and Hilary discuss why childhood trauma can be so damaging to a person's future psyche and how it is possible for an individual to be placed into so many vulnerable places. Jason also marvels at the fact that people were so willing to find Hilary help with her alcoholism in her teenage years but not at all willing to help her with the sexual abuse she had experienced growing up. In a story involving so much adversity and so many levels, we had to make it a multiple part episode.

Tune in next week for Part 2!

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

1,000 Hours Dry host, Kristin Candelore joins Hilary and Jason this week on Let The Journey Begin. Kristin always knew she drank differently than everyone else around her. When it came to getting the party started or doing anything involving drinking, Kristin was the one to call. However, as she grew into her 20's, Kristin started to become suspicious something was wrong and that she had a problem. This suspicion grew into more concern after a cross-country bachelorette party turned into what she describes as, "one of the first times she had completely lost control." Things finally came to a head when she became pregnant. For Kristin, postpartum depression is a big part of her story and her sobriety journey. She talks about how she had always struggled with depression leading up to her pregnancy, but things were completely different in the nine months leading up to the birth of her daughter. She describes feeling euphoric and in a constant good mood while pregnant only to have that turned completely on its heels postpartum and her mental health going back to what it was, if not worse. Kristin was using alcohol as a coping mechanism to help with her postpartum depression, in addition to her overall mental health, and after a particular instance in which she could not stay sober for her daughter's first birthday, she finally knew it was time to make a change. However, even though she wanted to get help, she had no idea where to begin. So, she decided to search #sober on Instagram and a whole world of recovery opened to her. She found all kinds of podcasts, our very own Jason, the Red Songbird Foundation, and an overall community of people with the same mission to help. Kristin, Hilary, and Jason discuss how intimidating the initial steps of recovery can be for someone just starting but emphasize the importance of connection with other individuals in the program and how the process of obtaining sobriety can be very different for everyone. Now, with almost 10 months of sobriety, Kristin talks about how medication, therapy, and the sober community have helped her stay on the right track. In the end, one of Kristin's toughest moments in dealing with postpartum depression ended up being the catalyst that ultimately helped her make the change she had been wanting for a long time.

You can connect with Kristin and 1,000 Hours Dry on Instagram:

@candelore_kristin

@1000hoursdryparents

@1000hoursdry

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week, Hilary and Jason are joined by the second half of The Chris and Sandy Show, Chris Benton. Growing up, Chris described himself as the shiest kid you could ever meet. He explained how he's not entirely sure where this came from but being molested as a young teenager may have played a major factor. He talks about how he used freestyle biking to get him out of his shell and keep his mind off the abuse but eventually this means of escape transformed into alcohol abuse and an addiction. From forgetting a whole night's worth of events while under the influence to going in and out of jail multiple times while in the midst of his addiction, it wasn't until his second marriage began to fail that he realized he needed to make a change. Chris explains how he pleaded with God to either take away his desire for alcohol or he was going to take his own life. He believes that reestablishing and focusing on his faith is what truly healed him of his addiction and has kept him sober for nearly 14 years. He also talks about how he and his wife Sandy met and why he believes she was truly a gift from God and an essential piece in obtaining sobriety. The whole reason we do this show is to show our audience there are all kinds of ways to obtain sobriety. Like us as individuals, we are all different and one person's journey may be entirely different than another's. What works for one person, may not work for the other. In Chris's case, spirituality was what helped him get sober and today he is forever grateful for the gifts he's been given in sobriety.

You can connect with Chris or find The Chris and Sandy Show at:

chrissandyshow.com

YouTube: The Chris & Sandy Show

Instagram: @chrissandyshow

Twitter: @ChrisSandyShow

Facebook: @ChrisSandyShow

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sandy Benton, co-host of The Chris and Sandy Show, joins Hilary and Jason on a special Thanksgiving episode of Let The Journey Begin. Sandy experienced a lot of trying times early on in her life. Not only was she bullied as a teenager leading to feelings of low self-esteem and severe anxiety, but she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19 and underwent eight months of chemotherapy. Things started to look up for her when she finally met her husband at 25 years old, but unfortunately discovered he had a hidden alcohol addiction shortly into the marriage. Sandy explains what it was like being married to an alcoholic and how helpless it made her feel. However, through all these difficult experiences, she talks about how she never gave up hope and always kept faith in God to turn things around. Eventually, through this faith, she is still in remission and her husband has been able to obtain nearly 14 years of sobriety through his own belief in the church and his own self-discovery.

Additionally, the holidays can be a stressful time for some, especially those struggling with addiction. Hilary and Jason provide a few tips and tricks which have proven helpful to them over the years when faced with challenging or triggering family situations. Also, it wouldn't be a Thanksgiving episode without Hilary and Jason talking about what they are truly thankful for and what food they are most looking forward to this Turkey Day!

You can connect with Sandy or find The Chris and Sandy Show at:

chrissandyshow.com

YouTube: The Chris & Sandy Show

Instagram: @chrissandyshow

Twitter: @ChrisSandyShow

Facebook: @ChrisSandyShow

For more information on the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org

If you are interested in donating to the Red Songbird Foundation, please visit:

redsongbird.org/donate

Follow us on Instagram at: @redsongbirdfoundation

New episode every Thursday!

Check us out on YouTube every Friday! Let The Journey Begin Podcast

Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.