Talking Addiction & Recovery

What if self-care isn't actually enough?

In this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery, we sit down with Joan Gressel, Director of Social Work and professor at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, to explore why wellness is an ethical responsibility—not simply another item on a to-do list.

Drawing from her own experiences with grief, burnout, caregiving, and leadership, Joan explains why clinicians must move beyond occasional acts of self-care and instead develop wellness as an identity that supports a sustainable career.

We discuss reflective supervision, work-life integration, the role of supervisors in preventing compassion fatigue, and why expecting gratitude from clients can unintentionally undermine ethical practice.

Whether you're a counselor, social worker, peer specialist, supervisor, or student, this conversation offers practical strategies for building a career that is both effective and sustainable.

About the Guest

Joan Groessl, MSW, PhD, LCSW is Professor and Director of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior to her work at the university, Her doctoral dissertation focused on moral development and ethical decision making and has taught courses across bot h the BSW and MSW curriculums.  Dr. Groessl worked in community mental health practice for twenty years. In her county mental health work, Joan provided the range of outpatient and case management services, including program development and clinical supervision. Joan is active in the National Association of Social Workers-Wisconsin Chapter and has been Chair of their Continuing Education Committee for many years. Joan provides training on a range of topics to community agencies, most frequently on the topic of ethics and boundaries. She is an active volunteer in her Algoma Community and several Boards of Directors. A lifelong learner and avid reader, you will often find her with a book in her hand.

Links:

• E-mail: [email protected]
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-groessl-54a055398 

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

Bipolar disorder is often portrayed as dramatic swings between mania and depression, but the reality is far more nuanced.  Louise Barnett joins this episode to discuss her upcoming memoir, Tainted Love:  A Bipolar Memoir, releasing October 6th. Louise shares her deeply personal 15-year journey living with undiagnosed Bipolar I Disorder, the ways she attempted to quiet the storm in her mind through self-sabotage and substance use, and the long road toward diagnosis, acceptance, and healing.

This conversation explores identity, recovery, relationships, and the courage required to tell the truth about our experiences.  Whether you live with bipolar disorder, support someone who does, or work in mental health or addiction treatment, this episode offers insight, hope, and a reminder that healing often begins with honest conversation.

About the Guest

Louise Barnett, author of Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir, is a Jay Shetty–certified life coach, and host of the Unmasking Sobriety & Mental Health podcast. Living with Bipolar I and sober since 2021, she writes and speaks about the gray areas of mental illness, addiction, relationships, and identity. Her work explores the complexity of recovery and the courage it takes to live honestly, imperfectly, and out loud after years of masking and self-destruction. Based in Colorado, Louise is dedicated to her mission of “creating survival guides out of our collective stories.”

Links:

• Social Media:
  • https://www.instagram.com/louisedbarnett/?hl=en 
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisedbarnett/ 
  • https://www.facebook.com/Louisedbarnett 
  • http://tiktok.com/@louisedbarnett 
• Podcast
  • https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unmasking-sobriety-and-mental-health/id1652740406
• Website:  https://www.louisebarnett.com/ 
• E-mail: [email protected]  

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

For more than two decades, Passages Malibu has challenged conventional thinking about addiction treatment. In this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery, co-founder Pax Prentiss shares the philosophy that helped transform the treatment landscape and sparked ongoing conversations throughout the recovery field.

Drawing from his own lived experience with heroin, cocaine, and alcohol addiction, Pax discusses how his recovery journey led him to help launch Passages Malibu in 2001. He explains why Passages was built on the belief that addiction is often a symptom of underlying conditions such as trauma, anxiety, depression, or unresolved emotional pain rather than a standalone disease.

The conversation explores the center's individualized treatment model, which emphasizes extensive one-on-one therapy, holistic healing approaches, medical and psychiatric care, and personalized aftercare planning. Pax also discusses the importance of identity in recovery, challenging the notion that people should define themselves by their addiction for the rest of their lives.

Whether you agree with Pax's philosophy or not, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on recovery, treatment innovation, and the importance of creating individualized pathways to healing.

About the Guest

Pax Prentiss spent ten years addicted to heroin. Today he is the CEO and cofounder of Passages Malibu, one of the most respected addiction treatment centers in the world. When conventional treatment programs didn’t work for him, his father, Chris, asked him an important question: Why do you think you’re using heroin? Chris believed there had to be an underlying condition that was causing Pax to use. In the end, this method of discovering why someone uses alcohol or drugs became the philosophy behind the Passages Malibu program, and it became the foundation for a model that has helped more than 40,000 people get sober since 2001. Pax has been challenging the disease model of addiction since before it was a conversation worth having publicly. His approach is built on one-on-one therapy, individualized care, and treating the underlying conditions driving the addiction. The results have drawn executives, physicians, public figures, and families from across the U.S. and around the world.

Links:

• Contact:
  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • Website: https://passagesmalibu.com/ 
• Social Media:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paxprentiss/ 
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passagesmalibu 
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passagesmalibu/ 
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RehabCenter 

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

What if one of the most powerful tools in addiction recovery isn't medication or therapy alone—but purpose?

In this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Nasir, an osteopathic physician specializing in family medicine and addiction medicine, to explore how whole-person care can transform recovery. Dr. Nasir shares her journey into addiction medicine, beginning with witnessing neonatal abstinence syndrome during medical training and later realizing that addiction is a chronic brain disease—not a moral failing.

Together we discuss the stigma that still exists throughout healthcare, why addiction must be viewed across the lifespan, and how purpose can help redirect the brain's reward system toward lasting recovery. Dr. Nasir also explains her coaching model, which helps patients identify meaningful goals across six dimensions of life, creating motivation that extends far beyond simply stopping substance use.

Whether you're a clinician, person in recovery, family member, or healthcare leader, this conversation offers practical insights into reducing stigma and helping people build lives they no longer want to escape from.

About the Guest

Dr. Sarah Nasir, DO, FASAM is a force of purpose who inspires through action, empowers through education, and drives others to live their mission.

She is a dual board certified Osteopathic Family and Addiction Recovery Doctor, multipreneur, international speaker, and founder building at the intersection of medicine, identity, purpose, and impact. She masterfully balances multiple worlds as a modern Muslim woman and a mother, bridging unlikely opposites: science and spirituality, being a mom and a business maven, and making Total Recovery achievable.

She is the founder of Transcendent You, a coaching and consulting platform for high performers seeking alignment and deeper calling, and Zenara Care, a compassionate addiction telemedicine clinic. She is also the creator of the Masala Muslima podcast, a platform for faith flavored living of modern Muslim women, and co-founder of the Bullying in Medicine movement championing doctors experiencing workplace bullying.

Dr. Nasir is a graduate of West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, completed her residency with the LECOM program in Elmira, New York, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Systems Engineering from UC Davis. Her conviction is simple: human beings are not broken. They are operating within misaligned systems. And she has dedicated her life to building the ones that bring them back to wholeness.

Links:

• Website:
  • https://sarahnasir.com/
  • https://transcendantyou.com/
  • https://zenaracare.com/
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahnasirdo
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-nasir-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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

Paul Schulte, EMDR specialist and former finance executive, explores the growing role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in treating trauma, PTSD, addiction, and other mental health concerns. Drawing from his experience working with clients across multiple countries and languages, Paul explains how EMDR seeks to help individuals process traumatic memories that may remain emotionally unresolved. He discusses why he believes EMDR offers advantages over traditional talk therapy for many trauma-related conditions and predicts that its use will continue to expand significantly in the coming years.

The conversation explores the neuroscience behind trauma, including the relationship between emotional and cognitive processing, and how EMDR aims to help individuals integrate difficult experiences into a coherent personal narrative. Paul describes recurring themes he has observed among clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, noting similarities in emotional healing processes across languages and countries. The discussion also examines the role of grief, self-forgiveness, acceptance, and recovery from shame in trauma treatment.

Paul shares his work supporting mental health professionals in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, including training psychologists to address the anticipated wave of trauma-related disorders among soldiers and civilians. These experiences contributed to the development of the iMover app, a digital platform designed to increase access to EMDR-based interventions. Available in multiple languages, the app includes programs addressing PTSD, addiction, burnout, sexual trauma, and recovery from narcissistic relationships.  The episode concludes with a broader conversation about hope, resilience, and the belief that healing remains possible even after profound trauma.

About the Guest

Paul Schulte is a certified EMDR therapist and addiction counselor based in Barcelona, Spain. He spent 22 years as an international banker across Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore before retraining through UCLA's School of Family Medicine. Over the past two decades he has helped hundreds of people recover from trauma, PTSD, addiction, sexual abuse, narcissistic abuse, and burnout. He has written five books on mental health, taught at eleven universities across four continents, and last year spent two months in Kyiv training fifty Ukrainian Army psychologists in EMDR while working directly with soldiers and refugees. He recently developed imover, an app offering self-guided EMDR audio sessions for people who cannot easily access a therapist. He has been sober for 21 years.

Links:

• Website: https://emdrbypaul.com
• imover app: https://apps.apple.com/app/imover-emdr/id6763722061
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_schulte_emdr
• Psychreg article: https://www.psychreg.org/wall-street-war-zones-therapist-bringing-emdr-your-smartphone/
• Contact: [email protected]

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

What happens when we finally ask the questions we've been carrying for decades?  Jason Prokowiew joins us to discuss his powerful memoir, War Boys: A Father and Son Memoir. The book explores Jason's journey of interviewing his father about surviving childhood under Nazi occupation during World War II and the lasting impact those experiences had on generations that followed.

Jason shares how a series of recorded conversations with his father evolved into a unique "braided memoir" that intertwines wartime survival with present-day reflections on family, identity, and healing. Together, we explore the complexities of generational trauma, the difference between surviving and thriving, and why understanding our family histories can help us better understand ourselves.

The conversation also examines the challenges of having difficult conversations with loved ones, the importance of patience and support when exploring family stories, and how narratives continue to evolve long after they are first told.

Whether you work in behavioral health, are interested in trauma and resilience, or have ever wondered about the untold stories within your own family, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of listening and connection.

About the Guest

Jason Prokowiew received the PEN America/Jean Stein Grant for Literary Oral History and a Fulbright Scholar Award for  War Boys. His writing has appeared in The North American Review, The Guardian, Salon, Roxane Gay's "The Audacity," and on WORLD Channel's Stories from the Stage, where his piece "Sing" is the most watched in the show's history. He's received support from Bread Loaf, Tin House, Ragdale, and the Mass Cultural Council. He lives on a lake in Massachusetts with his husband Dave and their greyhound Champ.

Links:

• https://www.jasonwprokowiew.com/
• www.warboysbook.com
• https://www.instagram.com/jasonprokowiew/
• https://bsky.app/profile/jasonprokowiew.bsky.social
• https://www.amazon.com/War-Boys-Father-Son-Memoir/dp/1949487709

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

What does courage really mean? Many people think courage means being fearless, but Ann White offers a different perspective: courage is taking a necessary risk and trusting God with the outcome.

In this episode of the Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Ann White, founder and CEO of Courage for Life, to discuss her personal journey from fear-based decision-making to a life grounded in faith, confidence, and hope. Ann shares how her own healing process led to the development of the Seven Steps to Courage and the creation of a ministry that now serves individuals in prisons, addiction treatment settings, churches, and communities around the world.

The conversation explores the relationship between courage, vulnerability, and healing. We discuss how courage is required not only to face our own struggles but also to show up for others with compassion, acceptance, and understanding. Ann also shares her Four Foundations of Health framework, highlighting the interconnected roles of emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical well-being.

Whether you're navigating recovery, supporting a loved one, working in a helping profession, or seeking greater confidence in your own life, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement for taking the next step forward.  Join us for an inspiring conversation about hope, healing, and the courage to move forward one step at a time.

About the Guest

Ann White is an internationally known author, speaker, and passionate Bible teacher. She founded her global ministry, Courage For Life, out of a calling to share with others how God and His Word brought restoration to her life and marriage. Having personally experienced God’s grace, salvation, and the life-changing power of the Bible, Ann’s desire is to extend this same love, mercy, and encouragement to others, so they too may be reconciled to God. Ann is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her family reside in Belleair Shores, FL.

Links:

• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: https://courageforlife.org/ann-white/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodGivesCourage/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annwhitecfl/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CourageForLife

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

What does recovery look like beyond simply stopping a behavior?  Sal Guarino, recovery coach, community engagement specialist with eVive, and longtime advocate for gambling recovery explores that question with us. Sal shares his personal journey from cocaine and gambling addiction to a career dedicated to helping others find hope, purpose, and lasting recovery.

The conversation explores the often-overlooked connection between stimulant use and gambling addiction, Sal's evolution from a traditional 12-step approach to a more forward-looking recovery coaching model, and the importance of helping people reconnect with their strengths, goals, and dreams.

We also discuss how technology can play a positive role in recovery through platforms like eVive, which provides daily support, peer connection, accountability, and encouragement for individuals looking to stop or manage their gambling.

Whether you're a clinician, person in recovery, family member, or someone interested in behavioral health, this episode offers practical insights into how recovery approaches can work together to help people not only survive—but thrive.

About the Guest

Sal Guarino is the Co-founder of The Recovery Partners and a Community Engagement Specialist with the Evive Community, where he helps individuals and families affected by gambling addiction through recovery coaching, family support, and long-term recovery planning. After overcoming his own struggles with gambling addiction, Sal turned his lived experience into a mission to help others build meaningful, connected, gambling-free lives rooted in honesty, accountability, and personal growth. Known for his direct yet compassionate approach, he speaks openly about the hidden emotional and financial toll of gambling addiction and the possibility of lasting recovery.

Links:

Website:

• https://www.therecoverypartners.com/
• https://www.salguarino.com/

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salguarino/
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@therecoverypartners
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therecoverypartners

Contact

• [email protected]

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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 the Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Kim Freudenberg, founder of Parents Standing Together, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by youth gambling addiction.

Kim shares her family's personal journey after discovering her son's gambling addiction, which began at just 11 years old through video game skins and online gambling opportunities hidden within gaming environments. What started as a seemingly harmless gaming activity eventually evolved into a serious gambling problem, highlighting how accessible gambling has become for today's youth.

Together, we explore how gambling is increasingly woven into video games, sports culture, online platforms, and social media, often exposing young people to gambling-related behaviors years before they encounter alcohol or other substances. Kim discusses the warning signs parents should watch for, the stigma families experience, and the critical need for earlier conversations about gambling risks.

The conversation also examines the impact gambling addiction has on parents, siblings, and entire families, while highlighting the importance of support groups, education, and compassionate intervention. Kim explains how Parents Standing Together is working to provide resources, advocacy, and community support for families navigating these challenges.

Whether you're a parent, educator, coach, clinician, or someone interested in youth behavioral health, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing and least-discussed public health concerns affecting young people today.

About the Guest

Bio: Kim Freudenberg is President of Parents Standing Together. After discovering that her 19 year-old son was struggling with gambling, Kim committed to learning about gambling disorder and its impact on families. In early 2025, she organized a peer support group for parents, which grew into Parents Standing Together, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about youth gambling and supporting families affected by gambling harm. Kim holds the International Gambling Recovery Specialist certification and is deeply committed to education, connection, and prevention to protect young people and support parents.

Links:

• parentsstandingtogether.org
• [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-freudenberg-igrs-a7a43326b/

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.

What happens when the questions never get answered?

In this powerful episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery, author, mental health advocate, and suicide loss survivor Lisa Sugarman sits down to discuss her book, Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss.

Lisa shares the deeply personal story behind the book, including the unique and meaningful role her mother played in helping bring the project to life. Together, they explore the complexities of grief after suicide, the search for answers that may never come, and the reality that healing is not about "moving on" but learning how to move forward while carrying loss with us.

The conversation examines the unique challenges faced by those grieving a suicide, including guilt, shame, unanswered questions, and the ongoing struggle to find meaning after tragedy. Lisa discusses why she intentionally integrated practical tools, resources, and coping strategies throughout her book, providing readers with support alongside her personal story.

Lisa challenges the common notion that time alone heals grief. Instead, she explores the value of community, connection, support groups, therapy, mindfulness, journaling, and other tools that can help individuals navigate loss and build resilience.

The episode concludes with a discussion of Lisa's Help Hub, a free online resource directory designed to connect individuals, families, clinicians, and communities with trusted mental health, crisis, and grief-support resources.

Whether you have experienced suicide loss personally, support someone who has, or work in the helping professions, this conversation offers compassion, practical guidance, and a reminder that hope can exist alongside grief.  Healing from suicide loss is not about finding all the answers. It is about learning to live alongside grief, building support, accessing helpful tools, and discovering that hope can remain present even in the midst of profound loss. 

About the Guest

Lisa Sugarman is a three-time suicide loss survivor, author, and leading mental health advocate. She’s a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project and a storyteller with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), using her lived experience to help others heal through connection and community.

She’s also the Founder of The HelpHUB™, a free online platform offering inclusive mental health resources, crisis support, and treatment options for every community. Lisa cohosts The Survivors Podcast and is the author of Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss (2026) and three previous books on parenting and embracing our perfect imperfectness.

A Safe Place facilitator and board member with Samaritans Southcoast, Lisa’s work has been featured on the Mental Health Television Network and on platforms like Calmerry, Recovery.com, Healthline Parenthood, Grown & Flown, TODAY Parents, The Washington Post, and Psychology Today. She lives and writes just north of Boston. 

Links:

• Facebook: facebook.com/thelisasugarman
• Youtube: youtube.com/@thehelphubonyoutube
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@thehelphubontiktok
• Instagram: instagram.com/thehelphub.co
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/lisa-sugarman-she-her-hers-16925b69/
• My book Surviving: https://a.co/d/0298h9gy 

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]

The podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-education

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.