Veterans 4 Recovery

In this episode of Veterans for Recovery, host Major John Donovan sits down with Chad Weisser to discuss his deeply personal journey from the depths of alcohol addiction to a fulfilling career as an addiction counselor. Chad shares the realities of his spiral into alcoholism in his 40s, the life-changing intervention that led him to treatment, and how he eventually discovered the profound difference between simply being sober and living a life in recovery.

In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery, host retired U.S. Army Major John Donovan sits down with Vietnam veteran Larry Berg to discuss the journey of recovery, the impact of service, and the healing power of storytelling. Larry, who served in Vietnam in 1969, shares his background as a farm kid from Minnesota, his unique experience working with the Army Security Agency, and the life path that led him to teaching and coaching.

Together, they explore the concept of "opening the box"—the psychological process of releasing long-held combat memories and experiences to find peace and catharsis. The conversation highlights how the arts, music, and connecting with fellow veterans serve as vital "backdoor entries" to healing, helping veterans move beyond the silence that often follows military service.

John Donovan (retired U.S. Army Major) sits down with Pam Lanhart, Founder & Executive Director of Thrive Family Recovery Resources to shift the focus from the individual struggling with substance use to the family members standing beside them.

Pam shares her profound personal journey as a daughter, sister, mother, and aunt to those who have navigated addiction. As the founder of the only certified, family-centered recovery community organization in Minnesota, she provides a roadmap for healing generational trauma. Together, John and Pam discuss how families can move from a place of crisis to a "legacy of recovery," emphasizing that when one person heals, the entire system begins to change.

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In this episode of the Veterans for Recovery podcast, Major John Donovan sits down with U.S. Army veteran Jen Tregarthen to discuss the healing power of community and the "singular focus" of golf. From her experience as a Mental Health Specialist during the 2003 Iraq invasion to her current work with Tee It Up for the Troops, Jen shares how sports rehabilitation is saving lives.

Inside This Episode:

• Combat Mental Health: Jen reflects on providing grassroots stress debriefs at the front lines and the importance of processing trauma early.
• The Power of the GI Bill: A look at how education benefits serve as a bridge to civilian success for veterans and their families.
• Why Golf? How the mindfulness and social connection of the fairway provide a mental reset for those struggling with PTSD and transition.
• Tee It Up for the Troops: An overview of their six pillars of support, including suicide prevention, housing, and employment.
• The Reunion Weekend: A spotlight on the annual Orlando event where combat veterans and caregivers reconnect, heal, and even write songs with Creative Vets.

Connect with the Mission:

• Learn More/Apply: teeitupforthetroops.org
• Get Involved: Explore sponsorship opportunities or find a local fundraising event to support veterans in your community.

"Golf mirrors mindfulness. It requires a singular focus that helps quiet the noise of trauma."

In this episode of the Veterans for Recovery podcast, Major John Donovan sits down with U.S. Army veteran Jen Tregarthen to discuss the healing power of community and the "singular focus" of golf. From her experience as a Mental Health Specialist during the 2003 Iraq invasion to her current work with Tee It Up for the Troops, Jen shares how sports rehabilitation is saving lives.

Inside This Episode:

• Combat Mental Health: Jen reflects on providing grassroots stress debriefs at the front lines and the importance of processing trauma early.
• The Power of the GI Bill: A look at how education benefits serve as a bridge to civilian success for veterans and their families.
• Why Golf? How the mindfulness and social connection of the fairway provide a mental reset for those struggling with PTSD and transition.
• Tee It Up for the Troops: An overview of their six pillars of support, including suicide prevention, housing, and employment.
• The Reunion Weekend: A spotlight on the annual Orlando event where combat veterans and caregivers reconnect, heal, and even write songs with Creative Vets.

Connect with the Mission:

• Learn More/Apply: teeitupforthetroops.org
• Get Involved: Explore sponsorship opportunities or find a local fundraising event to support veterans in your community.

"Golf mirrors mindfulness. It requires a singular focus that helps quiet the noise of trauma."

What if the key to long-term recovery isn't just clinical treatment, but a deep, immersive dive into the 12-step model? In this episode, Major John Donovan (Ret.) sits down with Alex Curtis from The Retreat in Minnesota to discuss their unique, non-clinical approach that has helped over 34,000 people reclaim their lives.

We pull back the curtain on how a peer-led model focused on education, community, and the Big Book, is achieving a 76% sobriety rate one year post-program. Whether you are in recovery yourself, supporting a loved one, or a professional in the field, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on how to move from just "getting clean" to building a lifelong foundation of recovery.

The Retreat | Improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities affected by alcohol and drug dependency

In this episode, host John Donovan sits down with Pastor Ed Treat to explore the profound intersection of faith and addiction. Pastor Ed opens up about his journey from a chaotic childhood in a high-intensity military family to intravenous drug use, and eventually, his transformative 40-year path of recovery and 25 years in the ministry.

Together, they discuss the "geographical cures" that never work, the moment Pastor Ed realized he had to "fire" his version of God, and how the Center of Addiction and Faith is now bridging the gap between the pulpit and the 12-step meeting.

Resources & Links

• Center of Addiction and Faith: addictionandfaith.com
• Contact Pastor Ed: [email protected]
• Mobile App: Search "Center of Addiction and Faith" in your app store for webinars, courses, and recovery tools.
• The Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy: Supporting pastors in recovery since 1990.

Major John Donovan (Ret.) welcomes clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Zhang to discuss digital behavioral addictions, including gambling, pornography, and gaming and their growing impact on veterans, service members, and families. Dr. Zhang breaks down the psychology behind these addictions, why they’re so hard to escape, and how technology has accelerated the crisis.

The conversation explores the rise of online gambling, cross-addiction patterns, and the lack of real-time recovery support. Dr. Zhang also shares practical tools, resources, and hope for recovery, reminding listeners they are not alone and change is possible.

Guest: Dr. Michael Zang, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Incumental

Resources: incumental.com | Gamblers Anonymous | Sex Addicts Anonymous

Recovery is possible. Support is available. You don’t have to fight this alone.

Major John Donovan sits down with Major General (Ret.) Maureen Banavige for a heartfelt conversation on military service, leadership, loss, and recovery. Together, they explore what “recovery” means in the context of veterans’ lives—from substance use and mental health challenges to finding purpose after trauma.

This episode is a testament to the power of empathy, resilience, and connection. Whether through leadership, recovery, or healing from loss, Banavige reminds us that service extends far beyond the uniform—it’s about caring for one another as humans.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Bravo Zulu House: https://bravozuluhouse.org
• Supporting veterans in recovery and mental wellness.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then press 1 for 24/7 support.

In this episode of Veterans 4 Recovery, host Retired Major John Donovan sits down with Cara, a flight attendant and person in long-term recovery. Together, they explore Cara’s courageous journey of overcoming addiction and navigating sobriety while working in the demanding airline industry.

Through open conversation, Cara reflects on her early recovery experiences, the influence of family and loss, and the support systems that have sustained her along the way. She shares insights on how peer mentorship, recovery capital, and programs like the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) have been instrumental in her success.

Listeners will find parallels between recovery in the military and civilian worlds—especially when it comes to resilience, structure, and mutual support.

Resources Mentioned

• Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP)
• 12-Step meetings and online recovery resources

Connect with Us

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🌐 Learn more at the Coming Home Well Network.

🙏 Thank you to all veterans, service members, and their families for your service and support.