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Today's guest is Jeff Breedlove, who serves as Community Outreach Manager for Commissioner Kevin Tanner at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia School of Addiction Studies and the Regional Advisory Board for the Rx Summit.
This episode has been broken into two parts. So if you missed part one make sure to check out Episode 57.
So, what did we talk about? Together, we delved into Jeff's journey to recovery from addiction and shared our experiences about the deep-rooted stigma and discrimination that individuals with addiction face. We emphasize the need for advocacy and change in how addiction is perceived and treated. We highlight the importance of understanding addiction as a disease and supporting individuals in their recovery journeys, as well as the importance of connection and community in recovery.
Jeff shares his personal story to highlight the power of sharing personal experiences to inspire and support others. He also explains the role of peers in recovery and their integration into healthcare settings. He discusses the need to build a strong behavioral health workforce and advocates for policy changes and advocacy for mental health and addiction. Jeff encourages individuals to speak up and advocate for change in their communities – the power of the voice of lived experience.
We cover the role of advocacy, making a case for addiction recovery, and the importance of participating in democracy to bring about change. We emphasize the need to pay it forward and be grateful for the support received while highlighting the possibility of recovery and the importance of self-love.
Finally, by the end of the two-part series, we share our passion for education on the existence of multiple pathways to recovery and the importance of never giving up.
More about Jeff! In the past, Jeff has served as:
Jeff was announced as a member of the 2023 Atlanta Business Chronicle Power 10: Health Care List as one of Georgia's ten most powerful healthcare leaders.
Jeff was awarded a personal proclamation from Governor Brain Kemp in September 2023 as an outstanding advocate for peer-led recovery in Georgia.
Jeff was awarded The Erick Allen Recovery Advocate of the Year for Georgia and has received numerous Recovery Leadership Awards from organizations across Georgia.
He was selected to serve as a volunteer for the G-8 Summit on Sea Island, Georgia. He has served as a staff vice-chair for The National Conference of State Legislatures on the Transportation Committee and as a member of The Council of State Governments Southern Legislative Conference Committee on Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs.
Jeff also served as the Georgia state director for The American Council of Young Political Leaders. He was the former Georgia state director of Sister Cities International and a City of Atlanta Sister City Commission member. Jeff Served as a Commissioner and Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts. Jeff served as PTA President at Imagine International Academy and Vice President of the PTA at Maynard Jackson High School.
Jeff is married to Kathryn Ballou; they reside in the Grant Park neighborhood in Atlanta. They have a son, Lawrence Foster "Jack" Breedlove, born in The People's Republic of China. He is a person in long-term recovery with a passion for sharing his story so others know Recovery is real.
Takeaways
Guest Links:
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· Email: [email protected]
Additional Resources:
· Be a Coffee & Conversation Podcast Guest: [email protected]
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· Website: www.recoveryadvocatenetwork.org
· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryadvocatenetwork
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryAdvocateNetwork
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/RAN2Wellness
This is Episode #58, where Liz Vassey will read Joshua Young's blog post, "Navigating Through Grief with Grace and Growth."
Liz is best known for her role as Wendy Simms during her 6 seasons on CSI and playing Captain Liberty on the TV show The Tick. She was also a regular on All My Children, Two and a Half Men, Tru Calling, and Brotherly Love. In addition to her acting credits, Liz is also a writer, director, and producer. Most recently, directing and producing a documentary entitled "The Human Race."
In addition to volunteering for us at RAN, Liz is passionate about her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters Los Angeles, The Stray Cat Alliance, and 261 Fearless, where they empower women through running. You can find links to these charities in the show notes.
"Between The Lines" episodes are written by guests who prefer to use their written voice instead of their interview voice to share their stories.
As a reminder, the views expressed in any blog are the views of the author, and the purpose is to provide a safe place for the author's voice to be heard.
Guest Links:
Donate Today:
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Today's guest is Jeff Breedlove, who serves as Community Outreach Manager for Commissioner Kevin Tanner at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia School of Addiction Studies and the Regional Advisory Board for the Rx Summit.
This episode has been broken into two parts. So – come back next Saturday for Episode 059 – the second part!
So, what did we talk about? Together, we delved into Jeff's journey to recovery from addiction and shared our experiences about the deep-rooted stigma and discrimination that individuals with addiction face. We emphasize the need for advocacy and change in how addiction is perceived and treated. We highlight the importance of understanding addiction as a disease and supporting individuals in their recovery journeys, as well as the importance of connection and community in recovery.
Jeff shares his personal story to highlight the power of sharing personal experiences to inspire and support others. He also explains the role of peers in recovery and their integration into healthcare settings. He discusses the need to build a strong behavioral health workforce and advocates for policy changes and advocacy for mental health and addiction. Jeff encourages individuals to speak up and advocate for change in their communities – the power of the voice of lived experience.
We cover the role of advocacy, making a case for addiction recovery, and the importance of participating in democracy to bring about change. We emphasize the need to pay it forward and be grateful for the support received while highlighting the possibility of recovery and the importance of self-love.
Finally, by the end of the two-part series, we share our passion for education on the existence of multiple pathways to recovery and the importance of never giving up.
More about Jeff! In the past, Jeff has served as:
· Chief of Staff for DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester.
· Senior staff member to Congressman Bob Barr in the historic 104th Congress and again in the 105th Congress.
· Deputy Director for the Governor's Office of Workforce Development for Governor Nathan Deal
· Policy analyst for the Georgia State Senate
Jeff was announced as a member of the 2023 Atlanta Business Chronicle Power 10: Health Care List as one of Georgia's ten most powerful healthcare leaders.
Jeff was awarded a personal proclamation from Governor Brain Kemp in September 2023 as an outstanding advocate for peer-led recovery in Georgia.
Jeff was awarded The Erick Allen Recovery Advocate of the Year for Georgia and has received numerous Recovery Leadership Awards from organizations across Georgia.
He was selected to serve as a volunteer for the G-8 Summit on Sea Island, Georgia. He has served as a staff vice-chair for The National Conference of State Legislatures on the Transportation Committee and as a member of The Council of State Governments Southern Legislative Conference Committee on Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs.
Jeff also served as the Georgia state director for The American Council of Young Political Leaders. He was the former Georgia state director of Sister Cities International and a City of Atlanta Sister City Commission member. Jeff Served as a Commissioner and Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts. Jeff served as PTA President at Imagine International Academy and Vice President of the PTA at Maynard Jackson High School.
Jeff is married to Kathryn Ballou; they reside in the Grant Park neighborhood in Atlanta. They have a son, Lawrence Foster "Jack" Breedlove, born in The People's Republic of China. He is a person in long-term recovery with a passion for sharing his story so others know Recovery is real.
Takeaways
Recovery is real and should be celebrated and supported like other diseases.
Advocacy is crucial in changing the perception and treatment of addiction.
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In episode #56, Spencer Garrett will read Joshua Young's blog post, "My Journey Beyond Toxic Masculinity to Emotional Liberation." Spencer has had a long career in acting, appearing in over 200 projects over his career. He is known for his work in the movies Air Force One, Yes Man, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as well as his recurring roles on For All Mankind and Bosch to name a few. Spencer can currently be seen on HBO's 'Winning Time' as legendary Lakers announcer Chick Hearn. He is currently filming 'The Residence' for Shonda Rhimes on Netflix, streaming this summer.
In addition to volunteering for us at RAN, Spencer is passionate about his work with Project A.L.S., Broadway Care Equity Fights Aids, SAY (the Stuttering Association for the Young), and the Motion Picture and Television Fund. The show notes include links to these charities.
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Welcome back to Coffee and Conversation with Recovery Advocate Network. I am your host, Ange, and I welcome you to Episode number 55.
Today's guest is Mary Beth O'Connor the author of the book "From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction."
In this episode, Marybeth O'Connor shares her journey from childhood trauma and addiction to recovery. She discusses the link between childhood trauma and addiction, the coping mechanisms individuals develop, and the challenges of setting boundaries. Marybeth also highlights the importance of understanding the impact of trauma on the body and the role of various forms of self-harm as a coping mechanism (drugs, alcohol, sex, and physical self-harm). She emphasizes that recovery is possible for everyone and that there are multiple paths to recovery.
Marybeth's story sheds light on the complexities of relationships with parents who have caused trauma and the process of emotional disengagement. She also addresses the challenges of accessing affordable treatment for substance use disorder.
She discusses the challenges of accessing treatment, the limitations of traditional programs, and the importance of personalized paths to recovery.
She emphasizes the importance of peer support and the long-term healing process.
Mary Beth encourages individuals to repair themselves and seek assistance, reminding them that it is never too late to find a way forward and overcome stigma.
More about Mary Beth:
For Mary Beth, childhood abuse and other traumas led to substance use disorder (addiction). Beginning with alcohol at age 12, she spent several years abusing various drugs. She found methamphetamine at 16 and started shooting up at 17. Mary Beth struggled with meth until she was 32 years old.
By incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a secular (not 12-step or faith-based) recovery plan that works for her, Mary Beth has been sober since 1994. She used similar techniques to address the trauma and related anxiety as well.
Mary Beth is a board member of LifeRing Secular Recovery and She Recovers Foundation. She speaks on behalf of these organizations about multiple paths to recovery and all topics related to substance use disorder and recovery. She also speaks about sexual abuse and rape, child abuse, domestic violence, PTSD, anxiety, and recovering from these as well.
Mary Beth's award-winning memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indie Bound, and other sites, as well as at your local bookstore. She also has placed essays in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Recovery Today.
Professionally, 6 years into recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm in Silicon Valley and then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, Mary Beth was appointed a federal Administrative Law Judge, a position from which she retired in 2020.
She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her beloved Doc whom she will celebrate 40 years with in April of this year.
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Welcome back to Coffee and Conversation's "Between the Lines" Blog Club Series. This is episode #54, where actress Sherilyn Fenn will read Joshua Young's blog post entitled "Destigmatizing Mental Illness."
Sherilyn has been acting since the mid 1980's but her rise to fame came in 1990 when she was cast to play the role of Audrey Horne, the high-school femme fatale in the critically acclaimed TV series Twin Peaks. In that same year she was also chosen by Us Magazine as one of the "10 Most Beautiful Women in the World." After her memorable role on Twin Peaks, Sherilyn then made her mark on the big screen starring in several high-profile movies such as "Of Mice and Men" and "Boxing Helena" to name a few. And of course, her outstanding performance playing Elizabeth Taylor in the NBC miniseries, Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story.
Since then, Sherilyn has appeared in over 100 projects. She was a series regular on the shows Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls, Ray Donovan, Shameless, SWAT, and most recently on the TV series Shining Vale. Sherilyn has also had countless guest starting roles on shows such as House, CSI, and Friends.
"Between The Lines" episodes are written by guests who prefer to use their written voice instead of their interview voice to share their stories.
As a reminder, the views expressed in any blog are the views of the author, and the purpose is to provide a safe place for the author's voice to be heard.
So, what are we waiting for? Fill up your coffee, sit back and let's get started.
Read Blog Post: https://www.recoveryadvocatenetwork.org/post/destigmatizing-mental-illness
Watch on YouTube:
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More about Monica:
Monica currently resides near Tulsa, OK, with her husband, 3 dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and a horse. You can find Monica on Facebook inside of her group Five-0 Fierce and Fit Group, or on Instagram and TikTok @five0.fierce.and.fit
What is Five-0 Fierce and Fit?
A customized online program for female first responders including nutrition coaching, fitness programming, mindset coaching, and accountability with weekly check ins. I take the time to learn about your specific goals, needs, and challenges and create a program to help fill in the missing pieces, so you can reach your fat loss and strength gain goals, and always be fit for duty.
Monica coach you through simple lifestyle habit changes to make sure your results are sustainable, you never need another fat loss program again, you have the education you need to maintain your results, and be able to set and reach new goals. This program is designed to help you prioritize yourself, take back your control, and help you to thrive in your life and career.
Social links:
Email: [email protected]
Five-0 Fierce and Fit Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/459660468965567
Five-0 Fierce and Fit Shift Work Nutrition Guide (email list opt in) https://www.five0fierceandfit.com/shiftworknutritionguide
Five-0 Fierce and Fit Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/five-0-fierce-and-fit-podcast/id1652103152
https://open.spotify.com/show/4nlNa273NyhmfD9RM4ewzn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monica.eaton.75
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@five0.fierce.and.fit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/five0.fierce.and.fit/
This is episode #52, where Joshua Young will read his blog post entitled "The Power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Our Workplaces and Beyond."
Read Blog Post: https://www.recoveryadvocatenetwork.org/post/the-power-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-de-i-in-our-workplaces-and-beyond
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryadvocatenetwork
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Today's guest is Dr. Corey Latta, a therapist, writer, and college professor. Dr. Latta has over 20 years of experience teaching both in person and online and serving in leadership and administrative roles. He is also the author of five books and numerous articles.
In this conversation, he shares his personal journey from academia to therapy and his passion for helping families and individuals struggling with addiction. He discusses the importance of deep connections and highlights the power of literature in therapy and the role of storytelling in healing.
During this conversation, we discuss topics such as choosing reactions and decisions, the challenges of transitioning from treatment to home, identifying feelings and needs, psychodrama as a therapeutic technique, dealing with defensiveness in psychodrama, and navigating tense moments during the experience.
We delve into healing the inner child, passion for family, couples, and story work, and using books and imagination for healing. Corey emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, vulnerability, and exploring one's emotions and needs for personal growth and healing.
Together, we also explore the concept of two adulthoods and the importance of making healthy choices in the second adulthood. I hope we piqued your interest.
Takeaways:
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This is episode #50, where Sasha Young will read her husband Joshua Young's adapted blog post entitled "My Child's ADHD: A Parent's Journey."
"Between The Lines" episodes are written by guests who prefer to use their written voice instead of their interview voice to share their stories. Each author has submitted a blog, and then either I, Ange, Joshua, our resident author, an actor or actress, or in this instance, Joshua's wife, will read and record it for them.
As a reminder, the views expressed in any blog are the views of the author, and the purpose is to provide a safe place for the author's voice to be heard.
So, what are we waiting for? Fill up your coffee, sit back and let's get started.
Guest Links:
https://www.ocskinvibes.com/
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Additional Resources:
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