For this episode of The HeArt of Recovery, NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern sits down with Lynda McDonald, Certified Coach with The Invitation to Change. Tonia and Lynda, both family advocates and trainers, share their lived experiences navigating the intersection of substance use, family trauma, and the criminal justice system. They reflect on the flaws of punitive recovery models and share how mandated approaches often fail to heal—and instead, leave lasting damage. Through personal storytelling, they highlight the power of compassion, connection, and communication in transforming the systems surrounding recovery. 

In this episode, Tonia sits down with Vinayak Menon, founder of the Princeton Overdose Prevention Project (POP), Princeton University's first student-led advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness about the opioid crisis through education.

"The frequency of love is much higher than the frequency of fear." 

In this episode, Tonia sits down with Shamanic Healer, Owl Grey Fire aka Stephen Kavalkovich (he/him) from Ancient healing Pathways in Marlton, New Jersey. Stephen utilizes Shamanism, Reiki, and a combination of modalities to connect the source of pain in others to their healing and transformation.

Please join us while Stephen discusses his journey from substance use, through recovery, and into his soul's passion for healing. You can visit Stephen online at ancienthealingpathways.com where you can find information about his services, and access his Podcast, Rescue the Rescuer.  Stephen can also be found on Facebook, and Instagram @ancienthealingpathways.

Trigger Warning: sexual abuse, September 11th, IV substance use, suicide. 

Divad Sanders of Newark Community Street Team (NCST) discusses the crucial role of understanding and addressing the root causes of trauma in individuals and communities. Divad also emphasizes the importance of relationships in navigating these issues by understanding not only the what and where but also the "why?".

Divad and Tonia discuss the vital role of community outreach in addressing the opioid epidemic.  The fear of trauma and inhumane treatment within the criminal justice system and how it can deter individuals from seeking help, even when faced with life-threatening situations. 

Divad’s dream is to have overdose response teams in every county in New Jersey and eventually every county in every stat. He also highlighted the need for cultural competency and understanding the politics of the communities they serve. 

In celebration of International Overdose Awareness Day, listen to a tremendous advocate, clinician, and mother, Abby Boxman. She shares her story by celebrating her son, Justin, who suffered from a fatal overdose 12 years ago.  Abby harnesses the power of her grief experience to "move mountains" in the addiction field. 

Abby's journey through grief compelled her to find resources that are vital to healing, such as GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing)  http://grasphelp.org/ . Her inconceivable loss also led her to go back to school for her MSW, LCSW so she can help other families work through their loss and the grief process.  

Do you have a story that you would like to share with us? Email [email protected]

Nikki Tierney is a "Wonder Woman" who shares her inspirational story in this episode.  Nikki  touches on her lived experience and how she fell into advocacy work due to her own recovery obstacles.  Nikki and Tonia discuss Recovery Court, Decriminalization, Record Expungement, and so much more in this compelling episode where Policy and Advocacy work in tandem as the tapestry of systemic change. 

Today we welcome guests Kay Ellis, author of My Opioid Journey through Hell, Hope, and Healing and Recovery Advocate Sheilah Powell CPRS, NCPRESS, RCP-F. Kay and Sheilah sit down with Tonia and Heather to discuss what surprises may await us in our journey through recovery.

In 2010,  Aaron Kucharski began the recovery advocacy movement in NJ. Learn how he turned 30 volunteers into a thousand, leading a statewide program. Aaron cultivated his very own advocates, Heather Ogden and Tonia Ahern, who would later succeed him