Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up

Connection Is the Opposite of Addiction: Caleb’s Recovery Story In the premiere episode of this special mini-series, host Lynn sits down for an intimate, deeply candid conversation with her husband, Caleb, to explore the raw realities of addiction, relapse, and the grueling journey toward a purposeful life. Caleb opens up about more than a decade of substance abuse—tracing its escalation from mari...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Heather to explore her deeply moving journey through addiction, a life-saving mental health crisis, and the beautiful reality of long-term recovery. In a beautiful twist of fate, Heather and our host discover they share the exact same sobriety date—January 13th—exactly one year apart. Together, they reflect on what it truly means to surrender, rebuild, an...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kalei as she reflects on a major milestone: celebrating 13 years of recovery alongside her son’s 13th birthday. Kalay opens up about her journey from a turbulent youth—which included running away and experiencing homelessness on the streets of Seattle at just 12 years old—to finding her true calling in community advocacy. She shares how her relationship w...

In this episode of Unfiltered, guest Mike Wassemiller joins host Lynn for a deeply candid conversation about resilience, leadership, and the reality of addiction recovery. Mike shares his journey from navigating early fatherhood and racing motorcycles to managing a career at Boeing, explaining how his recovery tools shaped his management style. He later transitioned into coaching and human service...

What happens when you trade the chaos of active addiction for the clarity of recovery at age 45? You don't lose yourself—you finally find yourself. In this beautifully candid and unfiltered episode, host Lynn sits down with her close friend Kim for an intimate, deep-dive interview into the profound transformations that sobriety has brought to her life, leadership, and relationships. Together, Kim...

In this powerful episode, hosts April and Lynn explore how the journey of recovery can transform deep shame, survival, and loss into a life of purpose, service, and systemic advocacy. April candidly shares her personal trajectory from a stable, "white-picket-fence" life to severe substance use, homelessness, and operating in constant crisis while living in a tent. Together, they dive into the raw...

In this episode of Unfiltered and Dare to Level Up, host Lynn sits down with E. V. to discuss his journey through a decade of heroin addiction, incarceration, and his path to over ten years of sustained recovery. Moving from Wisconsin to Washington for a fresh start, E. V. shares how he progressed from entry-level employment to working as a counselor, recovery technician, and drug court coordinato...

What does it actually take to rebuild a life after addiction, incarceration, or homelessness? In this episode, host Lynn, founder of Kennedy's Place, sits down with podcast coach Laurie Hardie to discuss why true recovery housing requires structure and accountability, not just a roof over someone's head. Drawing from her own sobriety journey and real estate background, Lynn breaks down why "housin...

When a young Jeremy mistook a plate of powder for mashed potatoes, his life flipped into a 20-year spiral of meth, violence, and survival on the streets. This episode traces those dark years—robberies, kidnappings, and a near-fatal escape—then follows the tiny cracks of hope that finally let light in. Listener by listener, Jeremy recounts the moment he slept on a curb and chose treatment, the hard...

Tiffany Fry’s story unfolds like two lives in one—wild, desperate survival in the ‘jungle’ and a hard-earned, daily resurrection after a near-fatal hospital stay. This episode opens with the chaos of her past and the single choice that began everything changing. Through surgery, detox, and relentless meetings, Tiffany rebuilds—losing weight, reclaiming motherhood, and learning to trust again. Her...

Lynn interviews Jeremy Williams about his path from addiction, prison, and homelessness to recovery through drug court, sobriety routines, and entrepreneurship. Jeremy shares how meditation, community, and accountability helped him rebuild his life and start multiple businesses. This candid episode explores second chances, resilience, and practical lessons for anyone facing addiction, trauma, or t...

Episode 1 is an unfiltered conversation with Lynn Zielasko and guests Art, Max and Corey about recovery, street life, and the work Battlefield Addiction does in Washington state. Guests share personal journeys—from homelessness and addiction to finding purpose through work, community and accountability—and explain the program’s focus on families, housing, and real-world interventions. The episode...

In this episode of Unfiltered, Lynn talks about her frustrations with  a recent meeting that opened their eyes to a major disconnect in the recovery housing world. She shares why lived experience matters in addiction recovery programs, sober living homes, and housing support systems—and why understanding trauma, relapse, accountability, and healing firsthand can completely change the way people ar...

Recovery changes more than your habits—it changes your relationships, your self-worth, and the way you see yourself. In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko shares honest conversations about what happens when people in addiction recovery begin discovering who they truly are beneath the pain, trauma, people-pleasing, and survival mode. As sobriety brings clarity, many people...

What happens after the apology? After rehab? After sobriety begins? In this raw and honest first episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, host Lynn Zielasko opens up about one of the hardest parts of addiction recovery—rebuilding trust after it’s been broken. From fractured family relationships to lost friendships and the guilt that lingers long after substance abuse ends, this conversation explor...

What do you do when someone you love is struggling with a habit or addiction they can’t seem to let go of? In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko talks about the emotional challenge of loving someone who is battling addiction, unhealthy coping habits, or destructive behaviors like vaping, smoking, marijuana use, alcohol abuse, or other compulsive patterns. As partners, frie...

What really makes recovery housing successful? In this episode of Unfiltered, Lynn breaks down the truth about recovery housing, sober living homes, and addiction recovery support programs. She shares why recovery housing is about far more than simply buying a house and filling beds—it’s about creating structure, accountability, community, and real support for people rebuilding their lives after a...

Healing in recovery often starts with the simple things. In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko talks about the importance of pride of ownership in addiction recovery—learning to take responsibility for your environment, contribute to your household, and rebuild self-respect through everyday actions. From doing dishes and vacuuming to mowing the lawn and showing up for shar...

What if one investment could change lives, strengthen communities, and help people stay sober? In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko dives into the growing need for recovery housing and why investing in sober living homes is about far more than real estate—it’s about recovery, stability, accountability, and second chances. Lynn shares raw and honest insight into how safe r...

Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko talks about why accountability, recovery community, and safe recovery housing are often the difference between relapse and long-term sobriety. Addiction thrives in secrecy and isolation—but healing happens when people are seen, supported, and held accountable by others who understand the journey. L...

What does real recovery housing actually look like—and why does it save lives? In this episode of Unfiltered, host Laurie Hardie sits down with Lynn to talk about her personal recovery journey from addiction and the deeper purpose behind her recovery housing program. Together they discuss sobriety, sober living homes, addiction recovery, accountability, structure, community support, and why succes...

In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko explores the deeper definition of addiction and why addictive behaviors often go far beyond substance abuse. From alcohol and drugs to gambling, shopping, food, social media, toxic relationships, and even work, addiction can take many forms—all connected to the brain’s craving for dopamine, escape, relief, and temporary comfort. Lynn s...