Communication in relationships is vital; and yet, so many parents and families struggle with having important conversations that can have a significant impact on someone’s future.  In what was inspired by writing letters to his daughters, Kepler Knott, author of “Raising Tomorrow” talks about how to have conversation, healthy dialogue, and the importance of listening when it comes to his message of “connecting parents and kids to inspire the next generation.”

About the Guest:

Kepler has been a writer, teacher, soldier, entrepreneur and, most importantly, a husband and father to his two daughters. He has lived his life as a “traveler” across places, jobs, classes and cultures. He is always learning that some ways of living are better than others to make life full. Though there are often as many questions as answers, his book aims to impart some of what he’s discovered, and to invite other parents and their kids to do the same. Grab your copy of Raising Tomorrow and join the conversation.

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Tomorrow-Talks-Prepare-Ahead/dp/B0F7S1L5ZQ 

https://www.raisingtomorrow.org/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

In this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery, we are joined by Julia Brunson, Communications Manager at the National Council on Problem Gambling, about the Gift Responsibly Campaign — an annual initiative educating communities on the risks of giving lottery tickets to children.  Julia shares how the campaign has evolved over the years, expanding from a lottery-focused effort to a broader movement that now includes community organizations and the new Too Young to Bet. Together, we explore why gifting lottery tickets to minors isn’t as harmless as it seems, how early exposure increases the risk of future gambling problems, and how the campaign uses positive, accessible messaging to drive awareness and cultural change.  We also discuss this year’s updates, key deadlines, and how organizations can get involved before the November 26th registration cutoff for inclusion in the official press release.

About the Guest:

Julia Brunson joined the National Council on Problem Gambling in May 2022.  In this position, she assists in the development of multi-channel content, manages social media accounts, and helps execute communications strategy across all NCPG digital channels.  Julia is an experienced communicator with several years of marketing and development experience in a non-profit setting.  She has a BA in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has received several leadership certificates and fellowships.  She has a passion for all things digital and Gen Z.  In her spare time, Julia enjoys writing, hiking, and browsing Tik Tok.

Links:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/ 

https://www.ncpgambling.org/responsible-gambling/gift-responsibly-campaign/ 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Life at times can feel like a knot.  Whether that’s the physical tension in our bodies, the emotional turmoil, the mental confusion, or the spiritual exhaustion; many of us can relate to the connection of feeling twisted and the impact it has on several areas of our lives.  Elena Huggins, author of “Untwist Me”, guides readers through common, but often unspoken, challenges like trauma, anxiety, addiction, shame, and spiritual battles.  Listen as she offers raw, biblical grounded strategies to reframe mind, body, and soul to help us untwist and break free from feeling stuck.  

About the Guest:

Elena Huggins is a passionate communicator who desires to inspire, challenge, and empower her audience to make the changes they need to live better lives. She is a lover of Jesus, a musician, and an entrepreneur.  Over the last eighteen years, Elena has spoken across a variety of stages to different audiences using a straightforward approach, unapologetic challenges, and biblical truths. 

She is devoted to the Gospel and seeing God's people strengthened, free and more in love with Jesus.  She has had much experience in the area of mental and emotional health, with her journey to overcoming trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Her experience includes: working with trafficked victims, working at the rape crisis center, endless one-on-one coaching sessions, and pastoral care.

She resides in the mountains with her two beautiful daughters.

Links:

Get a copy of Untwist Me: https://www.amazon.com/Untwist-Uncomplicated-Life-Hacks-Emotional-Liberation/dp/B0CPCQ2VP1 

Learn more about Elena here: https://www.elenahuggins.com/ 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Unlock true freedom from addiction, trauma, and mental health struggle with Jason Shiers who is founder of The Infinite Recovery Project. Drawing from his own journey through early loss, addiction, and the limits of traditional recovery, Jason reframes the path to healing. He argues that recovery isn’t about perfect fixes or rigid treatments.  It’s about remembering who you already are and reconnecting to the wholeness beneath the pain as part of our intuition of home.

In this episode, you’ll hear about how addiction can be a meaningful, though misaligned, response to life’s challenges; what recovery looks like when it grows from insight instead of force; and how spiritual awareness, somatic healing, and compassionate truth lead not away from your story, but deeper into your freedom.

About the Guest:

Jason Shiers is the founder of The Infinite Recovery Project, a movement born from his decades-long journey through loss, addiction, and healing. After witnessing his father’s tragic death at age five, Jason turned to food, isolation, and eventually substances as coping tools. By his early teens, that path led him into crime, homelessness, psychiatric wards, and rehab.

Though he committed for many years to traditional recovery—12-step work, therapy, endless credentials—he came to realize that peace and healing can’t be found only in external solutions. The breakthrough came when he turned inward: embracing presence, somatic healing, spiritual awakening, psychological awareness, and acknowledging that addiction is often a survival mechanism.

Today, Jason helps others rediscover their own inner wholeness, not through rigid formulas, but through deeper truth, embodied knowing, and real transformation from the inside out.

Links: 

Website:https://infiniterecoveryproject.com/ 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Recovery-Project-Intelligence-Addiction-ebook/dp/B0FD8QSYFP/ 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Join us in a profoundly inspiring episode with Dr. Samantha Harte, author of Breaking the Circuit: How to Rewire Your Mind for Hope, Resilience, and Joy in the Face of Trauma. A doctor of physical therapy, yoga-certified practitioner, and fourteen-year sober survivor, Dr. Harte weaves together her harrowing personal story marked by addiction, betrayal, loss, miscarriages, a mother’s mental illness, and a life-altering near-death experience.  She invites listeners into a modern, trauma-informed reimagining of the Twelve Steps; and not just for those in recovery, but for anyone striving to heal emotional wounds and reclaim joy. This episode explores how we can interrupt self-destructive patterns, cultivate hope, and rewire our minds toward resilience without judgment.

About the Guest:

Samantha Harte has had her share of heartbreak. Now sixteen years sober, she has suffered through her mother’s mental illness; betrayal by partners; the loss of her sister, friends, and father; multiple miscarriages; and her addiction to drugs and alcohol. Desperate for a path through the pain, she was forced to confront the hardwiring toward perfectionism that kept her sick and embrace the rewiring required to truly recover and heal. Through her medical practice, Samantha came to realize that, whether we’re addicted or not, we all suffer from some degree of soul sickness. We navigate love and loss throughout our lives with little or no guidance, often fumbling our way through with self-sabotaging behaviors. Despite her initial resistance to the well-known Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Samantha eventually reimagined them so that they worked in her own life. In the process, she discovered that the spiritual concepts in each step have universal application and can help people learn new ways of navigating adversity—not just addiction. In this book, she shows you how you, too, can change your life with the power of these steps.

Links:

https://drsamanthaharte.com

https://drsamanthaharte.com/book

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Circuit-Rewire-Resilience-Trauma/dp/B0CVC31DZS

https://www.facebook.com/samantha.harte.5/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsamanthaharte/

https://www.instagram.com/drsamanthaharte/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

September was both Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month, two observances that highlight hope, resilience, and the life-saving importance of support. In this special episode, we explore the often-overlooked connection between gambling and suicide—a link that remains hidden to many but is devastatingly real for those struggling. We’ll discuss how gambling helplines not only connect people with treatment resources, but often act as suicide prevention lifelines for those in crisis.

We’ll also address the current state of the National Problem Gambling Helpline, including the recent court decision impacting access to 1-800-GAMBLER and the transition to 1-800-522-4700 as the active national number. This episode emphasizes why helplines matter, what resources are available, and how we can continue to break stigma while ensuring people have a place to turn when they need it most.

Links:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/helpline-stakeholder-faq/ 

https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

“Every life worth living is a story worth telling.”  Born into chaos, Mike Smith, author of “The Gutter Gospel" shares his personal memoir that speaks about addiction, mental health, desperation, and redemption.  His mission has led to providing services and bringing awareness to military veterans.  Based on his own memoir, “I had a supportive wife, a new job, and a baby at home, yet the ache in my soul wouldn’t go away.”  Mike joins this episode to share about his story, talk about some of the work he is doing, and how we can build better connections.  

About the Guest:

Mike Smith is the gritty, no-frills voice behind The Gutter Gospel, a raw and powerful memoir that dives headfirst into the trenches of addiction, redemption, and self-discovery. With unflinching honesty and a poet’s soul, Mike captures the reality of life on the edge, offering readers both a cautionary tale and a story of hope. Mike Smith's story is one that truly resonates. As a former homeless veteran, he has faced unimaginable struggles, battling both mental illness and addiction. His memoir, The Gutter Gospel, is not just a recount of his life; it is a testament to resilience and the power of hope. Mike shares the raw truth of his experiences, giving voice to those who often go unheard. 

Links:

Website: https://theguttergospel.com 

Book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gutter-gospel-mike-smith/1138119074 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Family members and loved ones who have been impacted by someone’s substance use have often tried several different approaches, solutions, and efforts to “fix the problem.”  The efforts and attempts were not short in supply; and yet often family members and loved ones identify feeling frustrated when things haven’t changed.  Sometimes we have to look at what’s in our hands and reflecting on what we thought may have been a solution is only digging us further down into the problem.  Amber Hollingsworth joins this episode to talk about how she has spent 20 years helping families navigate the paths of addiction and highlights the platform she uses to help educate and provide resources.  Her YouTube channel, “Put the Shovel Down” offers a catalogue of videos for family members and loved ones to help do just that, and navigate some of the messy parts of addiction.  

About the Guest:

Amber has spent the past 20 years helping families navigate the messiest parts of addiction, and through her Hope For Families Recovery Center and her YouTube channel Put The Shovel Down, she’s become a steady guide for over 700,000 followers dealing with this struggle every day.

Amber believes families don’t have to sit on the sidelines and wait for someone to “hit bottom.” Her approach is practical and compassionate, centered on early, strategic intervention. She provides families with real tools to communicate, set boundaries without ultimatums, and move from conflict and enabling to genuine support. Whether it’s about reaching someone in denial, handling functional alcoholism, or knowing when to step back for your own well-being, Amber’s insights are drawn straight from decades on the front lines.

She also knows how addiction fractures family dynamics, and teaches families how to rally together as a team instead of being pitted against each other. Her "Invisible Intervention" approach offers an alternative for those burned out by confrontational models, showing how subtle shifts and empathy can prompt lasting change.

https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/Amber 

Put The Shovel Down - YouTube 

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Would riding hundreds of miles on a bicycle lead to sobriety from alcohol use?  In Sherry Hoppen’s “Sober Cycle: Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time” she describes her journey through alcoholism and recovery.  As she pedalled her way through, she dealt with vulnerability, shame, and isolation of hiding her secret of alcohol use.  Listen as she talks about the family perspective, what her journey on the bike taught her, whether or not she still rides today, and the passion she shares in helping others.

About the Guest:

Sherry Hoppen has lived in West Michigan her entire life, and has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Internationally, she has never lived more than five miles from her childhood home. She worked in various areas of a pregnancy care ministry for over ten years, first as a volunteer then as an employee. She and her husband have three adult children and four grandchildren and love being active in whatever they do. As empty nesters, they enjoy cycling and finding new trails to explore together. Sherry is an avid reader who loves writing, decorating, and time spent on Michigan’s beautiful beaches.

Sherry launched She Surrenders in 2016, a ministry designed to encourage freedom from addiction with Biblical truths, a deepening relationship with the Lord, and the fellowship found in a healing community.

Website: www.SheSurrenders.com 

https://www.selahhouserecovery.org/ 

Sober Cycle: Amazon.com: Sober Cycle (Second Edition): Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time: 9781951310899: Sherry Hoppen: Books

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

The overdose crisis has left few untouched. Many of us know someone (whether a client, colleague, friend, or family member) who has died from an overdose. For helping professionals, repeated exposure to loss can quietly build a kind of emotional armor.  What happens when that armor turns into desensitization? In this episode, we talk about the hidden grief that comes with working in the midst of the overdose epidemic, how professionals can become numb to repeated losses, and the toll it takes on our well-being. We’ll explore coping strategies, ways to process grief in a profession that often pushes it aside, and why acknowledging these emotions is critical for sustaining ourselves and the work we do.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected]

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.