Recovery Corner

In this episode, hosts Brian and Karly speak with Matt Ward about his powerful recovery story. Matt gives listeners an intimate look into his substance use, his difficult journey to recovery, the joys of his life in recovery. He discusses the things that helped motivate him to move forward in his recovery journey, including creating connections with other people, being honest with himself, and giving 100% to his recovery.

Follow Matt:

Instagram: @aliferecovered

Follow YPR:

Instagram: @yngpplrecovery

Facebook: Young People in Recovery

Twitter: @YngPplRecover

In this episode, Young People in Recovery's Director of Strategic Equity and Inclusion, Saraiha Sampson, interviews Evelyn Neal, the artist behind the beautiful drawing featured on YPR's special edition Black History Month t-shirt. As a person in recovery, Evelyn has used her art to process trauma, express her emotions, and find a positive creative outlet. Together, Saraiha and Evelyn discuss the therapeutic qualities of art and the benefits creative expression can have for people in recovery.

Find Evelyn Neal

Facebook: Evelyn Neal

Instagram: @its.evelynneal

Twitter: @itsEvelynNeal

In this episode, YPR’s Director of Strategic Equity, Saraiha Sampson, interviews poet, entrepreneur, and activist, Joseph Green. Green, a longtime recovery advocate and artist, discusses the powerful connection between art and the modern recovery movement. Through spoken word and creative writing workshops, Green focuses on uplifting youth in recovery by empowering them to channel their experiences directly into innovation. In this episode, Green also speaks about his involvement in the recent documentary, Tipping the Pain Scale, and how dynamic and powerful storytelling holds the potential to influence massive, systemic change.

In episode 24, Mike Largent shares his story of finding recovery by accident. While on a path towards self-improvement and bringing more optimism into his life, Mike discovered a TedTalk titled, "The Happy Secret to Better Work" which encouraged making subtle shifts in one's life based on positive psychology. These small shifts resulted in a lifestyle change for Mike which now includes an alcohol-free life, running up "fourteeners," rock-climbing, and a life of authenticity, vulnerability, and the development of ego-strength. Candice Rose (host) and Mike discuss the effect of dopamine on the brain and how addiction  can shift Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. They speak to how being sober doesn't always mean being present and that learning to experience the fullness of life is a daily practice.

The LatinX community is at high risk for substance use disorder (SUD) due to the lack of mental health resources available. In the United States, LatinX folks will use substances to numb some of the trauma associated with the process of immigration, family separation, their legal status, and the process of assimilating to a new country and language. Accessing mental health services and SUD treatment is stigmatized in the LatinX culture and treatment services are limited due to language barriers. Jessica Lazo, YPR Chapter Lead, joins us in this episode of Recovery Corner as a recovery ally serving the Los Angeles community. She’s been creating recovery events that are closely connected to the LatinX culture. Jessica has a B.A. in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies with a minor in Psychology and is currently in her last semester of her master's program to receive an M.A. in Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies. She was a Civic Action Fellow which supported her research in the Latinx community, focusing on women and migration. Some of her research interests are centered around women in Latin America, education equity, mother scholars, and testimonies as a form of healing. YPR aims to be inclusive of all populations and through this mission we work towards understanding the unique barriers that may present themselves within diverse cultures in recovery.

Episode 25 brings us to the season finale of Recovery Corner and the transition of our host, Candice Rose, towards another growth opportunity. We wish Candice the best on her new journey and go on summer break to reinvent the Recovery Corner experience moving forward. We close out Season 2, with Amanda Lambert and Kathryn Sherman, co-facilitators of Rainbow Recovery, our monthly LGBTQ+ recovery meeting which takes place on the last Monday of each month. Both members of the LGBTQ+ community, they find purpose in creating this inclusive space for people in recovery who can freely express their gender and sexual identity in this meeting. In this podcast, we discuss the barriers and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in recovery and how substances can create a false sense of intimacy and connection in all communities, but especially in one that has been historically marginalized. Tune in to understand why creating more safe spaces for the LGTQ+ community in recovery is so important.

Guest: Alex Vick, Creative Director; The Hive Collective

Show Notes:

Navigating adolescence and early adulthood is a difficult time. We are trying to learn who we are and how we want to show up in the world while being influenced by our peers as well as the adults in our life. We are learning about individual identity and exploring our own creativity.

But where do young people go to be themselves while they learn who they are becoming? Aex and his business partners have experienced and recognize how a lack of healthy youth/adult partnerships can drive a young person to engage in activities and behaviors that don’t lead to the best outcomes. Alex has made it his mission to create a community for young people where they have the freedom to explore the outermost edges of their personalities in a substance free, judgment free environment.

When our community validates us for being 100% our unique selves, we learn how to be our authentic selves and do not find the need to alter the way we show up in the world.

https://www.thehivedgo.org/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheHiveDGO

IG: @thehivedgo

Guest: Chris Marshall, Founder; Sans Bar

Show Notes:

We live in a social culture that has historically been dominated by and saturated in alcohol. Recently, more people are challenging the status quo and evaluating their relationships with alcohol. Whether curiosity is spiked as a result of alcohol use disorder, or folks starting to recognize the benefits associated with reducing or removing alcohol from the equation, there is a movement on the rise.

Chris Marshall joins us to talk about how he is creating space for more people to find genuine, authentic connections, sans alcohol. Chris is a person living in recovery and through his journey and experience as a counselor, he recognized there was a missing piece for people choosing to explore life without alcohol, who were not interested in more traditional programs: Community.

In 2017, Chris opened Sans Bar in Austin, TX. A place where people can come for the connection and zero-proof cocktails, but stay for the community. Here, his patrons can enjoy a wide selection of zero-proof beverages and engage in a nightlife experience with live music, dancing, karaoke and more.

https://www.thesansbar.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/thesansbar

IG: @sans_bar

Guest: Maggie Seldeen. High Rockies Harm Reduction;  Executive Director

People can not recover if they can not survive. So why is there such a debate about life saving harm reduction services? It is critical for our communities to recognize abstinence is not realistic for everyone and nobody should suffer or die as a result of their addictions. Harm reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that aim to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts associated with drug use, drug policies and drug laws. Consequently, harm reduction helps empower people who are suffering to improve their quality of life. These services help people move in the right direction – towards a better life.

https://highrockiesharmreduction.com/

IG:@highrockiesharmreduction @chemical.world.kdnk

FB:https://www.facebook.com/highrockiesharmreduction

Guest: Tonya Wheeler, Executive Director; Advocates For Recovery Colorado

The words we use matter. How we speak about substance use disorder has the power to shape the perceptions our communities have about people experiencing addiction. Tonya has been working as an advocate of recovery in Colorado for over 20 years and has seen the difference it makes when we empower people to take ownership of their recovery rather than living under the label of addiction.

https://advocatesforrecovery.org/

IG: @advocatesforrecoverycolorado

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Advocates.For.Recovery.Colorado