In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore expungement in Indiana and why it can be a critical step for people working to rebuild their lives in recovery. Dean speaks with Robin Kelly, an attorney with Indiana Legal Services, about how expungement works, who may qualify, and what legal and financial requirements people need to understand before starting the process. Then, in a narrative segment led by Jodi, listeners hear the story of Charmin Gabbard, founder and executive director of Connection Cafe, whose life journey moved from childhood trauma, substance use, incarceration, and major legal barriers to long-term recovery, leadership, and hope. Together, the episode shows how expungement can affect housing, employment, transportation, and reentry across Indiana communities.


Segment 1: Professional Interview Summary
Dean’s interview with Robin Kelly offers a practical look at Indiana expungement law and the role it can play in recovery and reentry. Kelly explains that expungement is a civil legal action designed to give eligible individuals a chance at a cleaner slate. She breaks down the main requirements under Indiana law, including how long a person must wait after their most recent conviction, the need to have no pending charges, and the importance of resolving unpaid court costs, fees, fines, or restitution before filing. She also makes clear that conviction expungement in Indiana is a once-in-a-lifetime decision, which means people need to approach it carefully and strategically.


Segment 2: Personal Story Summary
In the second half of the episode, Jodi Miller shifts into the show’s narrative format, guiding listeners through the story of Charmin Gabbard with reflective narration woven together with clips from Charmin’s interview. Charmin shares a childhood marked by violence, neglect, poverty, and abuse, followed by years of substance use, repeated incarceration, and a criminal record that severely limited her future. Her story makes clear that addiction did not begin in isolation. It grew out of trauma, instability, and survival.


Key Takeaways

• Expungement in Indiana can remove major reentry barriers tied to housing, employment, and transportation.
• Eligibility depends on time, clean legal standing, and paid obligations, including no pending charges and no unpaid restitution.
• Indiana conviction expungement is generally a one-time opportunity, so people should think carefully before filing.
• Recovery is about more than stopping substance use, it also involves removing practical obstacles that can destabilize progress.
• Charmin Gabbard’s story shows how second chances can reshape identity, opportunity, and long-term hope for people in recovery.

Episode Hashtags
#BeyondSubstance #IndianaRecovery #ExpungementIndiana #IndianaExpungement #RecoveryIsPossible #AddictionRecovery #SubstanceUseRecovery #ReentrySupport #SecondChances #IndianaLegalServices #ConnectionCafe #IndianapolisRecovery #MarionCountyRecovery #CriminalRecordExpungement #RecoveryCommunity #HousingBarriers #EmploymentBarriers #JodiMiller #DeanBabcock #ShawnPNeal #AdvoCast

Podcast Information:

• Hosted by: Dean Babcock & Jodi Miller
• Executive Producer: Shawn P Neal
• Audio Engineer: Shawn P Neal
• Mixed at: AdvoCast Studio236