In recognition of Recovery Month, we’re revisiting one of our most powerful conversations on The Hanley Effect—a story that reminds us that recovery is possible and that its impact can extend far beyond one person.

Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben are joined by Niki T., a Hanley Center alumna, and Turner Benoit, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Hanley Foundation, for a moving conversation about addiction, motherhood, healing, and rebuilding a life in recovery.

Niki shares her deeply personal journey through substance use disorder and the experiences that ultimately led her to Hanley Center. Today, she is a devoted mother, a professional working in forensic social work, and a passionate advocate for women and families affected by substance use disorders. Her story offers a powerful example of what can happen when determination and hope are met with compassionate, comprehensive care.

Turner shares insight into Hanley Foundation’s mission and the importance of programs designed to address the unique needs of women and families, including Casa Flores, Hanley Center’s specialized program for pregnant women and mothers. Through trauma-informed treatment, parenting support, and recovery planning, Casa Flores helps women pursue recovery while strengthening the family relationships that can be so important to long-term healing.

As we recognize Recovery Month, Niki’s story is an important reminder that recovery is about more than overcoming addiction. It can mean rebuilding relationships, rediscovering purpose, creating new opportunities, and changing the trajectory of a family for generations to come.

Recovery is possible. Families can heal. And every recovery story has the potential to inspire another.

To learn more about Hanley Center visit: https://www.hanleycenter.org/

This episode was originally released on 12/26/2024.

What happens when the qualities that help someone succeed- discipline, determination, routine, and attention to detail begin working against them?

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Dr. Cali Werner, Ph.D., LCSW-S, Director of Business Development and Behavior Therapist at the OCD Institute of Texas, founder of Athlete Rising, LLC, accomplished distance runner, researcher, and author of the children’s book Anxious Annie.

The conversation begins by examining an important distinction: anxiety itself is not necessarily a problem. Anxiety is a normal part of being human. The concern arises when anxiety begins consuming significant amounts of time or interfering with a person’s ability to function. Dr. Werner challenges the cultural message that uncomfortable feelings should always be eliminated, emphasizing instead the importance of developing the ability to tolerate distress.

Dr. Werner also explores how OCD can be difficult to recognize in athletes and other high performers. Behaviors that initially look like dedication, preparation, superstition, or perfectionism may become increasingly rigid and time-consuming. Drawing from her own running career, she describes how seemingly small pre-race rituals eventually expanded into hours of compulsive behavior and contributed to burnout.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Dr. Werner’s experience with OCD and competitive running inspired her career in mental health
• When everyday anxiety may become an anxiety-related disorder
• Why trying to eliminate all anxiety can sometimes make it more powerful
• How parents can support anxious children without unintentionally reinforcing compulsive behavior
• What Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is and why it is used in OCD treatment
• How reassurance can become part of the OCD cycle
• The differences between OCD, perfectionism, routines, and athletic superstition
• Why high-performing athletes may be particularly vulnerable to unhealthy perfectionism and burnout
• How athletes can develop greater flexibility and learn to recover from mistakes
• When someone with OCD may benefit from a higher level of care
• Why family involvement can be an important part of effective OCD treatment
• How evidence-based treatment can help people reclaim freedom from behaviors that once controlled their lives

About Cali Werner, Ph.D., LCSW-S

Cali Werner, Ph.D., LCSW-S, is Director of Business Development and Behavior Therapist at the OCD Institute of Texas and founder of Athlete Rising, LLC, where she works with athletes experiencing OCD, anxiety, perfectionism, and performance-related challenges.

Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or a co-occurring mental health disorder, help is available.

Learn more about Hanley’s treatment, family support, and recovery programs at HanleyCenter.org or call 844-502-4673.

If you enjoyed this episode of The Hanley Effect, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who may need encouragement, support, or hope on their recovery journey.

What happens when love crosses the line into enabling? How can families support a loved one struggling with addiction without unintentionally making the disease worse?

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. Rachel Docekal sits down with Matt Grace, author, speaker, recovery practitioner, and founder of Saving Grace, for an honest conversation about addiction, family dynamics, boundaries, and the transformative power of recovery.

With more than 21 years of sobriety and thousands of hours spent mentoring individuals and families, Matt shares his deeply personal story of addiction, growing up in privilege, and how well-intentioned enabling nearly cost him his life. Drawing from his own experiences and the lessons captured in his book, God Doesn't Relapse: Sex, Drugs, and the Life That Almost Killed Me, Matt explains why setting healthy boundaries is one of the greatest acts of love a family can offer.

Together, Matt and Dr. Docekal discuss the unique challenges faced by affluent families, the importance of family involvement in treatment, and why recovery is about far more than simply stopping substance use; it's about finding purpose, accountability, and connection.

Whether you're a parent, family member, clinician, or someone in recovery, this conversation offers practical insights and hope for anyone affected by substance use disorder.

In This Episode:

• Matt Grace's journey from addiction to more than 21 years of recovery
• Growing up with privilege and how enabling delayed recovery
• Why healthy boundaries can save lives
• The difference between supporting and enabling a loved one
• How family dynamics influence addiction and recovery
• Why consequences matter in the recovery process
• The role of service, purpose, and giving back in long-term sobriety
• Helping families recover together, not just the individual
• Addressing stigma surrounding addiction, especially in affluent communities
• Why mentoring and peer support remain some of the most powerful recovery tools available

About Matt Grace

Matt Grace is an author, speaker, recovery practitioner, and transformational recovery expert dedicated to helping individuals and families break free from addiction and rebuild their lives with purpose. With more than two decades of sobriety, a degree in Addiction Studies focused on Integrative Healing, and thousands of hours mentoring families across the country, Matt has become a trusted voice in the recovery community.

He is the author of God Doesn't Relapse: Sex, Drugs, and the Life That Almost Killed Me, a memoir and practical guide that explores addiction, enabling, family healing, and the life-changing power of service. Through his organization, Saving Grace, Matt works with families navigating addiction, trauma, and generational dysfunction while advocating for honest conversations, healthy boundaries, and lasting recovery.

Learn more about Matt Grace and his work at www.mattgrace.com.

Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or a co-occurring mental health disorder, help is available.

Learn more about Hanley’s treatment, family support, and recovery programs at HanleyCenter.org.

Listen, Subscribe & Share

If you enjoyed this episode of The Hanley Effect, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone who may need encouragement, support, or hope on their recovery journey.

Award-winning singer-songwriter, author, activist, and recovery advocate Judy Collins joins Dr. Rachel Docekal and special guest host Elizabeth Chance of the It's Bizzy Podcast for an inspiring conversation about addiction, recovery, grief, and hope.

With nearly five decades of sobriety, Judy reflects on her personal journey from alcoholism to long-term recovery, sharing how Alcoholics Anonymous, treatment, community, and purpose transformed her life. She speaks candidly about the challenges she faced before getting sober, including a life-threatening vocal cord condition that nearly ended her singing career, and how recovery ultimately restored not only her health, but her passion, relationships, and purpose.

Judy also opens up about the profound grief of losing her husband of 46 years and how the principles of recovery continue to guide her through life's most difficult moments. Throughout the conversation, she offers wisdom gained through decades of sobriety, emphasizing the importance of connection, service, friendship, and taking life one day at a time.

From discussing the "pink cloud" of early recovery to the role of intervention, sponsorship, and community support, Judy's message is both timeless and deeply hopeful: sobriety is not something to fear, it is the pathway to a richer, fuller life.

In This Episode:

• Judy celebrates 48 years of continuous sobriety
• How alcoholism nearly ended her legendary music career
• The vocal cord condition that threatened her ability to sing
• Why treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous changed everything
• The importance of fellowship, sponsorship, and recovery communities
• Navigating grief after the loss of her husband and partner in recovery
• The role of friendship and connection in long-term recovery
• How sobriety enhanced, not diminished, her creativity and career
• Lessons learned from decades of recovery and service
• Why intervention and speaking up can save lives
• Finding joy, purpose, and fulfillment in sobriety

About Judy Collins

Judy Collins is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, author, activist, Academy Award-nominated documentary director, and recovery advocate whose career spans over six decades. A defining voice of the 1960s folk revival, she introduced audiences to legendary songwriters including Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Stephen Sondheim. Her recording of "Both Sides Now" earned a Grammy Award and remains one of the most beloved songs of her career.

Beyond her musical accomplishments, Judy has become a powerful voice for mental health awareness and addiction recovery. Drawing from her own experiences with alcoholism, loss, and healing, she continues to inspire audiences worldwide through her music, writing, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to recovery. To learn more about Judy, visit JudyCollins.com

Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use or mental health challenges, help is available.

Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome recovery advocate, certified coach, certified recovery specialist, and podcast host Elizabeth Chance for a candid conversation about addiction, recovery, personal growth, and finding joy in everyday life.

Elizabeth shares her journey from a decades-long struggle with alcoholism that began at age 13 to nearly two decades of continuous sobriety. Growing up in a family affected by alcoholism, she learned early that addiction carried shame and stigma. Despite outward success, marriage, motherhood, and the appearance of having it all together, she found herself trapped in a cycle of drinking that left her feeling disconnected from herself and the people she loved.

At 37, exhausted and out of options, Elizabeth reached a turning point. After falling to her knees on a beach in New Jersey and asking God for help, she began the recovery journey that would transform her life.

Throughout the conversation, Elizabeth reflects on the realities of early recovery, the challenges of surrender, and the importance of taking life one day at a time. She offers a powerful perspective on what recovery really looks like, not perfection or instant transformation, but a lifelong process of growth, self-discovery, and learning to be present.

Elizabeth also discusses her podcast, It's Bizzy, which has reached hundreds of episodes over the past decade, as well as her work as a recovery, life, and wellness coach. Through storytelling, coaching, and advocacy, she continues to help people find hope, connection, and freedom from shame.

Most importantly, Elizabeth reminds listeners that recovery is not about what you lose; it's about what you gain: peace, purpose, authenticity, and the opportunity to experience life fully.

About Elizabeth Chance

Elizabeth Chance is a Certified Recovery Specialist, Certified Coach, Health and Wellness Coach, speaker, and host of the podcast It's Bizzy. Sober since August 14, 2006, she has dedicated her life to helping others find hope, healing, and lasting recovery. Through coaching, writing, speaking engagements, and her podcast, Elizabeth shares practical tools and personal insights to help individuals navigate addiction, recovery, and life's challenges with courage and authenticity.

To learn more about Elizabeth and her work, visit ElizabethChance.com or listen to the It's Bizzy podcast wherever podcasts are available.

Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

What does it look like to build a full, adventurous life in recovery?

In this inspiring episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Teresa Bergen, sober travel writer and author of Sober Travel Handbook, for a conversation about what it means to travel alcohol-free with confidence, purpose, and joy. Teresa shares her personal recovery story, how getting sober at a young age opened the door to a bigger life, and why recovery should never mean shrinking your world.

Together, they explore one of the most common fears people face in sobriety: How do I still have fun, celebrate, connect, and travel without alcohol? Teresa offers practical advice for navigating weddings, vacations, cruises, holidays, and social events while protecting recovery and staying grounded. From bringing your own mindset into the room to planning an exit strategy and finding support while away from home, this episode is full of real-world guidance for anyone wondering how to live fully without substances.

This conversation is especially meaningful for people in early recovery, those preparing for sober travel for the first time, and families looking to better understand how to support a loved one in recovery. Teresa’s message is clear and hopeful: you did not get sober to have a small life.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• Why addiction can make your world feel smaller — and how recovery helps you rebuild it
• The emotional fear many people have about having fun, traveling, or celebrating without alcohol
• Why early recovery is a time to rebuild your foundation before jumping into high-risk situations
• How to prepare for weddings, cruises, reunions, and other alcohol-centered environments
• Simple ways to participate in celebrations without drinking
• The importance of accountability, support people, and sober connection while traveling
• What “Friends of Bill W.” means on cruises and why those meetings can matter
• Why having an exit strategy can be a powerful recovery tool
• Teresa’s encouragement for people in recovery who want a better, bigger life

About Teresa Bergen

Teresa Bergen is a sober travel writer and author who writes and speaks about traveling alcohol-free. In her book, Sober Travel Handbook (Microcosm Publishing, February 2026), she shares practical strategies for navigating common travel situations without alcohol, including airport bars, business networking, social pressure, and travel planning in recovery. Through her work, Teresa helps nondrinkers build confidence, reduce relapse risk, and explore the world without compromising their sobriety. To learn more about Teresa visit: https://teresabergen.com/

Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with acclaimed broadcast journalist, speaker, and recovery advocate Laurie Dhue for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, stigma, and hope.

Known for her years as an anchor on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, Laurie shares the deeply personal story behind her recovery journey, from childhood trauma and high-pressure broadcasting to surviving an overdose and ultimately finding sobriety nearly 19 years ago.

Laurie speaks candidly about the role of shame and stigma in addiction, the importance of connection and community in recovery, and how going public with her story transformed both her life and the lives of countless others. She also opens up about the heartbreaking experience of losing her father to addiction and the difficult reality families face when a loved one is unwilling or unable to seek help.

Throughout the conversation, Laurie emphasizes a message of compassion: addiction is not a moral failing, but a disease deserving of dignity, treatment, and support. Her vulnerability, insight, and advocacy shine through as she reminds listeners that recovery is possible and that no one has to struggle alone.

In This Episode:

• Laurie Dhue’s journey from national news anchor to recovery advocate
• The connection between trauma, addiction, and mental health
• Navigating sobriety in the high-pressure world of broadcast journalism
• Why shame and stigma continue to harm people seeking help
• The impact addiction has on families and relationships
• The importance of recovery communities and support systems
• Why addiction must be treated like any other chronic illness
• Hope, healing, and the power of sharing your story

About Laurie Dhue

Laurie Dhue is a former CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC anchor and current Managing Director of Family Health and Wellness for Family Office Growth Partners. She works closely with families navigating mental health and substance use challenges and has partnered with organizations including the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), SAMHSA, FAVOR, and NCADD. Laurie has spoken at the White House on behalf of ONDCP and remains a passionate advocate for recovery awareness and reducing stigma surrounding addiction.

Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

What if the way we talk about addiction recovery is actually pushing people away from getting help?

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben sits down with Amber Hollingsworth, LPC, MAC, LPS, founder of Hope for Families Recovery Consultants, and creator of the popular YouTube channel Put the Shovel Down.

With more than two decades of experience working with individuals and families affected by substance use disorder, Amber shares a refreshingly hopeful and practical perspective on addiction, recovery, and family dynamics. Together, she and Dr. Dyben explore why “waiting for rock bottom” can be dangerous, how families can positively influence a loved one toward change, and why compassion and humility are essential in recovery conversations.

Amber also opens up about growing up in a family impacted by addiction, her unconventional path into the field, and the lessons she learned working in inpatient treatment, detox, and private practice. Most importantly, she offers families actionable guidance on how to approach difficult conversations without shame, blame, or confrontation.

This episode is a powerful reminder that addiction is not the whole story of a person and that recovery is possible for everyone involved.

In This Episode:

• Why Amber rejects the “they have to want help first” mindset
  • How families can influence motivation for recovery
  • The importance of “raising the bottom” before devastating consequences occur
  • Common mistakes families make when talking to loved ones about addiction
  • Why humility works better than confrontation
  • How addiction treatment and counseling have evolved over the years
  • The problem with negative recovery statistics and fear-based messaging
  • Why addiction is something a person has not who they are

About Amber Hollingsworth

Amber Hollingsworth is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Master Addictions Counselor (MAC), and Licensed Professional Supervisor (LPS) with more than 20 years of experience in addiction treatment and family recovery support. She is the founder of Hope for Families Recovery Consultants and the creator of the YouTube channel Put the Shovel Down, where she provides education and practical tools for families navigating addiction and recovery.

Resources & Links

• Amber Hollingsworth’s YouTube Channel: Put the Shovel Down
• Amber's Website: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/

Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Dr. Michael F. Barnes, Ph.D., LAC, LPC, a nationally recognized expert in addiction, trauma, and family systems.

Dr. Barnes is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and consultant, and the founder of the Michael Barnes Family Institute. With more than 40 years of experience in addiction treatment and family therapy, he brings deep insight into how substance use disorder affects not only the individual but the entire family system.

This conversation explores why family recovery is essential in addiction treatment, how trauma shapes family dynamics, and why loved ones often need healing alongside the person receiving care. Dr. Barnes also discusses secondary trauma, chronic disease management, enabling as a trauma response, and the importance of trauma-integrated addiction treatment.

About This Episode

Addiction is often described as a family disease, but what does that really mean in treatment and recovery? Dr. Barnes explains how families can become deeply impacted by a loved one’s addiction, especially when trauma, fear, and survival patterns influence how they respond. Rather than viewing families only as support systems, this episode reframes recovery as something the entire family may need to participate in. Listeners will gain a better understanding of how family members can move from crisis management into healing, why old patterns can continue after treatment, and how trauma-informed support can improve long-term recovery outcomes.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• How addiction impacts the entire family system
• What secondary trauma means for loved ones
• Why family involvement matters in addiction treatment
• How trauma can influence enabling behaviors
• Why recovery is more than abstinence from substances
• How chronic illness models can help families understand addiction
• The difference between rehabilitation and habilitation
• Why family members also deserve support, education, and healing
• What families can ask treatment providers when seeking care

Resources Mentioned

• When the Solution Becomes the Problem: Helping Families Who Struggle with Addiction and Trauma by Dr. Michael Barnes - https://www.drmikebarnes.com/book
• Michael Barnes Family Institute - https://www.drmikebarnes.com/

Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

What if one of the most powerful tools for healing, emotional regulation, and recovery was something you already do every moment of your life?

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, we sit down with breathwork expert Jon Paul Crimi, who shares how intentional breathing can transform mental health, release stored trauma, and reconnect us to ourselves.

With over 26 years in recovery, Jon Paul’s journey, from actor and personal trainer to sober coach and breathwork facilitator, reveals the profound impact of learning how to regulate emotions in healthy, sustainable ways. After discovering breathwork 15 years ago, he experienced a shift so powerful that others immediately noticed—and began seeking the same transformation.

Together, we explore:

• How breathwork calms the nervous system in real time
• The connection between breathing patterns and emotional states
• Why trauma lives in the body, and how breath can help release it
• The role of discomfort in growth and healing
• How simple breathing techniques can improve relationships, reduce stress, and support recovery

This episode is both practical and deeply inspiring, offering tools you can use immediately and a new perspective on healing that starts with something as simple as your next breath.

Key Takeaways

• Breathwork is an accessible, powerful tool for regulating emotions and reducing stress
• Changing your breathing pattern can directly shift your emotional state
• Trauma is often stored in the body and breathwork helps release and integrate it
• Emotional discomfort is often a necessary part of growth and healing
• Self-compassion is essential: “Work hard on yourself, but don’t be hard on yourself”

About Our Guest

Jon Paul Crimi is a breathwork facilitator, recovery advocate, and former sober coach with over 26 years of sobriety. After discovering breathwork 15 years ago, he experienced a profound personal transformation that led him to teach others around the world. Known for his energetic and accessible approach, Jon Paul blends science, lived experience, and practical tools to help people regulate emotions, release trauma, and reconnect with themselves. Learn more about Jon Paul’s work at https://breathewithjp.com/.

Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.