In this inspiring episode of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, host Ashley Loeb Blassingame sits down with Randy Hall, a recovery advocate and facilitator based in Birmingham, Alabama. Randy shares his powerful journey from addiction to recovery, exploring how he found healing through multiple recovery programs, including Recovery Dharma, SMART Recovery, and the 12 Steps.

Randy opens up about his struggles with addiction, his near-fatal battle with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and the pivotal moments that led him to transform his life. He discusses the importance of cultivating self-compassion, embracing diverse recovery paths, and creating space for self-acceptance over perfection.

Listeners will gain insight into the complementary nature of various recovery methods and the crucial role of community support. Randy's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of growth, even after life-altering experiences.

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Subscribe to The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast for more stories of resilience and transformation. Leave a review and share this episode with anyone who might find hope and inspiration in Randy’s journey.

In this episode, Ashley Loeb Blassingame welcomes Arlina Allen, author and longtime recovery advocate, to discuss her latest book, The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics. Arlina shares her deeply personal journey from skepticism to embracing the transformative power of the 12-step process. Together, they explore common misconceptions about 12-step programs, the challenges of facing childhood trauma, and the nuances of navigating recovery as a skeptic. Arlina offers insights into the true purpose behind each step, reframing them as a path to self-discovery, healing, and authentic personal power.

They also dive into why so many struggle with terms like “powerlessness” and “higher power” and how recovery can be tailored to individual beliefs and needs. For anyone questioning the 12-step path, or looking for a fresh perspective on transformation, eye-opening perspective. Listeners will gain valuable tools for self-reflection, understand the role of compassion and forgiveness in healing, and discover how to approach the 12 steps in a way that feels empowering rather than intimidating.

Whether you're familiar with recovery or new to the concept, Arlina’s honest and relatable approach offers a refreshing take on the 12 steps, making this episode a must-listen for those seeking transformation, personal growth, and a path forward.

Intro Announcement: Our next Courageous Book Club book is going to be The Addiction Spectrum by Paul Thomas, MD and Jennifer Margulis, PhD

In this conversation, Ashley Loeb Blassingame and Sarah Allen Benton delve into the complexities of high functioning alcoholism, recovery, and the challenges of parenting while sober. They explore the nuances of addiction, the struggles of self-correction, and the importance of creating a sustainable recovery lifestyle. Through personal anecdotes and insights from interviews with other parents in recovery, they highlight the unique challenges faced by those navigating sobriety while raising children, emphasizing the need for community support and understanding. In this conversation, Ashley and Sarah discuss the multifaceted challenges and insights of parenting in recovery. They explore the importance of self-care, community, and connection, as well as the unique dynamics of raising children while navigating sobriety. The discussion highlights the significance of early intervention, recognizing addictive behaviors in children, and the ripple effect of recovery on family life. They also touch on the importance of open conversations about sobriety with children and the lessons learned from other parents in recovery.

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Sarah Allen Benton Links

Business: https://www.bentonbhc.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Parents-Recovery-Navigating-Family-Lifestyle/dp/1538181894

She Recovers: https://sherecovers.org/

AA: https://www.aa.org/

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Hi everyone, thank you for your patience. I wasn’t able to release an episode the past two weeks, but I’m excited about the upcoming episodes! Tune in to my update on the new bi-weekly release schedule, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with you.

Brendan was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when he, for the sake of his young daughter, decided to turn his life around. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of elite hotshot firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. Their superintendent, Eric Marsh, was in a desperate crunch after four hotshots left the crew, and seeing a glimmer of promise in the skinny would-be recruit, he took a chance on the unlikely McDonough, and the chance paid off. Despite the crew’s skepticism, and thanks in large part to Marsh’s firm but loving encouragement, McDonough unlocked a latent drive and dedication, going on to successfully battles a number of blazes and he eventually wins the confidence of the men he came to call his brothers. 

Then, on June 30, 2013, while McDonough–“Donut” as he’d been dubbed by his crew–served as lookout, they confronted a freak, 3,000-degree inferno in nearby Yarnell, Arizona. The relentless firestorm ultimately trapped his hotshot brothers, tragically killing all 19 of them within minutes. Nationwide, it was the greatest loss of firefighter lives since the 9/11 attacks. 

After the unfathomable loss of that day, McDonough suffered from seemingly insurmountable bouts of depression, Post-Traumatic Stress, and issues with alcohol. But the light of hope that inspired him to keep living in one of his darkest moments—his family who needed him—inspired the firefighter to fight on against depression, addiction and to inspire others to find their best selves, even if that means often looking beyond the self. Building a sense of brotherhood within communities gives McDonough great joy – because it helps this fighter honor the legacy of his 19 lost, but not forgotten, brothers. 

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In this special Q&A episode, we dive deep into the science behind **compulsive behaviors** and explore what’s really happening in the brain of someone with a compulsive disorder. Whether it’s compulsive gambling, overeating, or obsessive cleaning, you’ll learn how the brain’s reward system, emotional regulation, and impulse control are impacted. We break down the key differences between physical dependence and addiction, and explain why people feel driven to repeat these behaviors even when they know the consequences. Tune in for a fascinating discussion that sheds light on the complex world of compulsions and how they affect everyday life!

In this episode of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, Ashley sits down with Sarah Moore, wife of previous guest Preston Moore, to explore her unique life journey. Born in Florida but raised in the UK, Sarah shares her experience of moving back to the United States with dual citizenship and building a life of resilience, creativity, and recovery.

Sarah dives into her early life in England, the complexities of growing up in an alcoholic home, and how it shaped her emotional landscape. She discusses the challenges of being in a relationship with someone in recovery, the process of learning about alcoholism, and how these experiences led her to her own path of self-improvement and coaching.

Throughout the episode, Sarah offers a raw and insightful look into her struggles with control, self-righteousness, and the journey toward acceptance and self-love. She shares how Al-Anon played a crucial role in her recovery, helping her navigate the emotional turmoil of living with an alcoholic and providing her with the tools to grow as an individual.

Sarah also opens up about the intersection of her recovery and parenting, discussing the fears and hopes she has for her son and how she and Preston are working to create a healthy and open environment for him.

Finally, Sarah talks about her book, Full of Herself, the process of writing it, and the impact it has had on her life and career. She reflects on the importance of mindset in both personal and professional growth and shares her thoughts on the future, including her goals for financial freedom and family travel.

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Tune in for an inspiring conversation about recovery, resilience, and the journey of self-discovery with Sarah Moore.

In this poignant episode, I sat down with Brenda Daly, a licensed clinician with nearly 40 years of experience, who opened up about her deeply personal journey of loss, resilience, and love. Brenda shared the harrowing story of her son Kevin’s traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the 11 years of challenges that followed, culminating in his tragic death due to an accidental drug interaction involving fentanyl. We delved into the complexities of living with a TBI, the impact of chronic pain, and the often misunderstood relationship between addiction and traumatic injuries. Brenda also discussed her transformation after Kevin’s death, finding meaning through grief, and the power of resilience. This episode sheds light on the hidden struggles of TBI survivors and their families, and the importance of grief literacy in navigating profound loss.

The Courageous Book Club is a space where we’re going to explore some of the most important books related to mental health, trauma, recovery, and personal growth. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or someone who prefers to listen in and learn from discussions, this series is for you.

Here’s how it’s going to work: I’ll be reading a book—annotating it, pulling out the key insights, and presenting them to you in a series of episodes. I’ll let you know ahead of time what book we’ll be covering so you can choose to read along with me. But if reading isn’t your thing, don’t worry—you can just tune in for the cliff notes and still gain all the valuable information.

Each book will be divided into parts, depending on its length, and I’ll release an episode for each part . These episodes will be packed with quotes, references, and even cross-references to other books and resources for a deeper dive. And of course, I’ll link back to relevant interviews from our past six seasons that resonate with the topics we’re covering.

My goal with The Courageous Book Club is to create a space where we can not only listen to powerful stories but also learn from them—really dig into the underlying issues and expand our understanding. Whether you choose to read the book or just listen to the episodes, my hope is that you’ll walk away with a deeper perspective and maybe even a new set of glasses through which to view the world.