The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast

Meet Libby Cataldi, a mother, a school head in her children's school, and an author whose eldest son is a recovering addict. Jeff's addiction began while attending that school, and Libby attempted to find her feet in the "sandstorm" the disease created.

Libby wrote their story, 'Stay Close' with her son Jeff a part of every word. They still produce a weekly blog entitled 'Thursday Meditations' on her website, which you can subscribe to receive.

https://libbycataldi.com/

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Today is our final episode with Cameron, the courageous baby sister of Bryce, who tragically lost his life due to an accidental drug overdose.
Cameron shares about hitting a wall and becoming an "adult, part two." She heals by speaking her truth, including being open about Bryce's addiction and death.
A line that Cameron said was, "I neglected me, I don't want you to neglect you, so let me help you. Cameron believes part of her life is to find ways to offer siblings of people with the disease of addiction more resources no matter where they are on their journey.
I know Cameron will be a part of making the google search for help with the loss of a sibling offer way more resources!

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Today Cameron continues to share her story of loving her big brother Bryce and devastatingly losing him to his disease.
Cameron shares the progression of the disease and the struggle to balance being a sister and a social worker.
I understand hearing the story of someone losing their loved one to the disease of addiction is sorrowful. This part of the story must also be shared when we speak about addiction being a progressive, chronic, and potentially fatal disease.
Cameron's courage to tell her story shines a vital light on the lack of support for siblings in the disease and with their grief.

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Today, we have the opportunity to hear from Cameron, who offers her story of loving her older brother with the disease of addiction. You will hear Cameron's story's nuances that may sound very different from yours. And there are always similarities and qualities that overlap in every one of our stories. What is evident in this episode is the roles we all play in our families and how they get so amplified when the disease of addiction is a family member.
This episode is the beginning of the story of how Bryce's disease turned their family's world upside down, and Cameron was on crisis alert at all times as the family fixer. 

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The laughter strikes me in this episode and series with Jennifer Storm, the author of Blackout Girl!

It is fascinating that though the book's subject and conversation are heavy, serious, and taken very seriously, we can also laugh. I believe the laughter comes from a sense of connectivity and the positive impact of the hard work of recovery and healing. We have to feel pain, accept times of loneliness, and be more tolerant of our vulnerability to feel joy and happiness.

In this episode, Jennifer speaks about relapse, recovery, and healing regarding trauma, the value of being heard, and the importance of validation.

We end with some rapid-fire questions that offer fun answers and more laughter!!

Please learn more about Jennifer Storm, her books, her documentary, her resources page on her website; the link below. When I visited her website, I felt even more grateful for her willingness to be a guest on The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast!

https://jenniferstorm.com

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I love Jennifer Storm's passion and ability to teach in such a great way! In sharing her message, she's been fearless. And in this episode, I love how she used Al-Anon principles to cope with the Monkey Chatter around people sharing their pain with her. What family member can't relate?
 No matter where you are on this journey of addiction, a family member or person with an addiction, in active recovery or not started. I hope Jennifer inspires you to take that next step. 
I can be your first or next step. 
On my website, I have a Work With Margaret Page, 
fill it out, and we can set up a complimentary discovery call!
My website is:
embracefamilyrecovery.com

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What an honor it is to have Jennifer Storm, the author of Blackout Girl as a guest today! 
Jennifer shares her belief that hearing another's story helps us connect to our story and lessens our sense of isolation. When I say I read this book from a place of genuine curiosity about another woman's recovery journey, that would be true. I had no idea how impacted I would be by Jennifer's eloquence and fearlessness to write her truth on paper for the world to read. I am in awe of Jennifer's courage, tenacity, and spirit of service.
Jennifer taught me a new term, compassionate accountability, and I love this term and its meaning.

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Welcome to 2023!
The title of Congresswoman Madeleine Dean and Harry Cunnane's book 'Under Our Roof, A Son's Battle for Recovery, A mother's Battle for Her Son' says everything!
Today I have the honor of introducing you to Mad(as Congresswoman Dean invited me to call her) and her son Harry, who will share their story and the parallel aspects of the family and the addicted person's journey in this family disease. It is so powerful to hear about their journey, mutual love and respect, and that they continue learning from each other. What a powerful way to kick off a new year!
I want to shout out to their book on Audible(click the link to hear a sample!) where Harry and Mad narrate their chapters. Listening to them read adds so much to this already powerful book! I can only imagine how emotional it was to read.

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Today is another solo episode!
Spirituality has been a challenging part of my recovery journey. To say I had resistance to God being in the meeting literature and skepticism that I could choose what God meant to me was prevalent.
I created a lecture 'Who's Driving Your Bus,' many years ago because many recovering people struggle with the spirituality part of their journey.
As a person who values visual exercises, the bus analogy has been a helpful one for me.
As you will hear, the way I received this analogy was a 'God Wink.'
I hope you can become open to receiving messages from your Higher Power - when, where, who can often be a fabulous surprise!
Stay open!!

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Today is the final episode with Zoe and Heather. We speak about their recovery and how each family member has their path, challenges, and victories.
This family has a level of respect that is beautiful to hear and a willingness to accept each other and their individuality.
What a delight it was to hear Zoe share her truth so candidly and courageously. A privilege to witness a mother's love and guidance in a painful journey at times. Their story demonstrates the joy, hope, and the power of education regarding this family disease of addiction. 
Addiction will rob us of joy and playfulness if we let it. So we play the Rapid Fire Game - a way to remember to have fun. 

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Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

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