Lifeways Connections: A Way of Life Free From Addiction

A conversation about suicide and its impact with local non-profit representative from the Front Porch Coalition,  Bridget Swier. She shares her personal story of family, survival and hope. This amazing women will shock you with her resilience and ability to turn what has been given to her into a hand out to this community.  Listen and be apart of the change...

Talking with young Lifeways Board member Tabbie L. as she takes us through some of the different youth driven programs for Lifeways.  A real conversation with a young lady who has really participated in the program with all her heart. 

Join us as we follow the career and life of our Lifeways supervisor Kelsey Hansen. This amazing home grown women shares her journey from her beginnings with the company through her life as a mom and a very effective counselor and supervisor. 

Listen to the inspiring story of local business owner Therese Rowland; she battled herself and her disease only to come out the other side with rebuilt relationships and a local business to run! 

Host Kristina Benter interviews Lifeways staff member Rebecca Stucke our intensive outpatient counselor.

Join us as Rebecca shares her experiences that brought her to the helping field and the struggles and success that this job has brought her this far. Take a peek at this amazing women’s life and how she balances, being a business owner, yogi, and an effective adolescent treatment counselor.  

Host Kristina Benter talks with community member and survivor Joe Garcia about his experience and recovery.

Join the battle as we talk with this true Modern Warrior; Joe Garcia. He tells his own story of surviving addiction, his fight to not just be clean, but to live a good life. When this man finds his place and some peace in this world the disease of addiction shows him what truly loss can really be…this story will move your heart to action. 

Host Kristina Benter interviews Lifeways staff member Emily Jackson our intensive outpatient counselor.

Join us as we explore the field of addiction with an amazing professional and personal experience. Counselor Emily Jackson shares insightful observations in her career thus far and ties that to her very one day at a time childhood. Words of wisdom from a truly present being in this world working on the front lines with our teens. 

Join our host Garrett as he interviews Matt Thrash, Owner of Thrash's Living Art Tattoo and Wild Idea Tattoo.

Garrett and Matt explore his incredible life journey. Matt talks with passion and insight how he and those around him were affected by his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Matt's very intimate look at his struggles and victories over his addiction and how both contributed to who he is today was our focus. As a man, husband, father, son and successful member in our community Matt presents in a thought-provoking manner for any age listener be that parent, friend or affected substance user. Matt is a true example of the miracles that can happen in anyone's life when addiction is replaced with joyful meaningful acceptance of themselves and others. 

Join our host Garrett as he interviews Paula Long Fox, Counselor with Lifeways, Inc.

Garrett and Paula explore her strong commitment and love of youth. Her unique intellectual,emotional and spiritual approach to connecting with children discussed in-depth.
Her strong conviction and practice in traditional Lakota spiritual life and how she incorporates this in daily and professional life is also a focus of our conversation.
Paula's profound yet simple approach in reaching youth is inspirational... a lesson
that all of us can benefit from.

Welcome to our new podcast, Lifeways Connections: A Way of Life Free from Addiction. Join our host Kristina as she interviews Paula Wilkinson Smith, Founding Board Member and Executive Director of Lifeways, Inc.

Kristina and Paula explore addiction prevention, intervention, and healthy ways to connect with each other and our community. On a personal level Paula explains
how she was first introduced to her own family issues with substance use and the
people who influenced her recovery and entry into the field of addiction and
prevention. Which also inspired her and others to create the Lifeways program 17
years ago.