Addiction & Recovery Conversations with Brett Lovins

If you’ve ever wondered whether recovery can feel more practical, more flexible, and more grounded in science, this conversation opens that door. We sit down with SMART Recovery’s executive director, Pete Rubinas, to explore a peer-led model that pairs individual agency with supportive community - without sponsors, required labels, or prescribed beliefs. Pete Rubinas shares his path from participa...

What if the right words could loosen shame’s grip and make change feel possible? That’s the question we chase with poet, educator, and “narrative disruptor” Joseph Green as we unpack how labels shape identity, how language can block help or build it, and why redefining recovery around health and contribution saves lives. We dig into a more generous frame: recovery as the ongoing practice of seekin...

Chris Haugen's transformation from a touring guitarist juggling substance issues to a focused recording artist with nearly half a million monthly Spotify listeners stands as powerful testimony to what happens when creative energy finds proper channeling. "Taking a lot of chaotic energy and streaming it down to one solid, focused beam" is how Chris describes his current creative proc...

What if everything you thought you knew about addiction treatment was rooted in outdated thinking? After 26 years in the substance use disorder field, Jon Schlenske brings a perspective that challenges conventional wisdom while offering genuine hope for those struggling with addiction. Jon is Division Chief, Substance Use Disorders and Integrated Services at Comprehensive Healthcare in Yakima, WA....

This eye-opening conversation with HR executive Michael Erisman discusses some barriers that can prevent meaningful support for employees in or seeking recovery. Michael shares his powerful personal journey, beginning with a sobering realization on his 25th birthday that changed everything: "If you don't make radical changes, you won't see 30." Since that moment in 1989, his pa...

Dr. Kevin McCauley shares his journey from Navy physician to addiction recovery advocate, offering profound insights on the neuroscience of addiction and various pathways to healing. Creator of the documentary "Pleasure Unwoven" about the brain science of addiction Became addicted to opioids after surgery while serving in the Navy Court-martialed and spent time in Leavenworth, where AA m...

Join us in an enlightening conversation that delves into the power of sharing recovery stories and breaking down stigma. In this episode, Brett Lovins sits down with accomplished filmmaker Greg Williams, who shares his insights on transforming personal narratives into powerful advocacy tools. With a focus on person-first language, Brett and Greg explore how reframing the narrative around addiction...

Rich Jones, a remarkable speaker I met at a SAMHSA event, joins me to share his transformative journey from the world of HR to becoming a therapist and certified interventionist in the recovery space. Rich opens up about his long-term recovery from opioid and alcohol use disorders, highlighting the personal and professional hurdles he faced during this pivotal shift. Our conversation sheds light o...

Ryan Hampton, a beacon of hope and a leading voice in recovery advocacy, takes us through his transformative journey from the depths of heroin addiction to founding Mobilize Recovery. His story is one of resilience and a relentless commitment to change, illustrating how personal battles can fuel a larger mission. Through our conversation, Ryan shares how his experiences with homelessness and near-...

Can curiosity transform your relationship with alcohol? Join us as we explore this question with Nell Hurley, a notable figure in the addiction recovery space with over 26 years of sobriety. Together, we navigate the evolving landscape of sobriety and the "sober curious" movement, delving into the intriguing concept of "gray area drinking." Nell shares her wealth of experience...

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Kyle Zimmer, the Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478. Kyle’s journey into peer recovery work is nothing short of extraordinary, beginning with the tragic power plant explosion in Middletown, Connecticut in 2010. Drawing from his extensive background in fire service and construction safety, Kyle shares...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Amanda Polich, a powerhouse in the recovery and leadership space. As a certified Dare to Lead facilitator and a person in long term recovery (11-years), Amanda's journey from shame and stigma to empowerment is nothing short of transformative. She candidly shares her professional roles at UKG, her impactful volunteer work as the board chair for the Co...

When Megan Tweedy lost her brother Jeff Meyer to a fentanyl overdose, her world was turned upside down. Join us as Megan opens up about her journey from grief to advocacy, sharing her deeply personal story and the powerful message of International Overdose Awareness Day. She candidly discusses the emotional toll of losing a loved one to substance use disorder and the vital role that this day plays...

My childhood friend, Keri Clark, takes us through his tumultuous yet inspiring journey of grappling with substance use disorder. We reminisce about our wild teenage years and the different paths we took post-high school, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the intersection of mental health and addiction. In a revelation that's both sobering and enlightening, Keri candidly discusses the clev...

Karen Duggan, a friend and former co-worker from Cisco Systems, joins me to share some of her journey of achieving and maintaining sobriety. Together, we explore the impact of finding solidarity with another sober colleague in a large corporation, and how important this connection has been for Brett.  In Recovery Friendly Workplaces, this will become commonplace. Creating Recovery Friendly Workpla...

Ever wondered how celebrating sobriety birthdays can transform a recovery journey? Join us as we mark 11 years of sobriety, sharing heartfelt reflections and personal milestones. From the unwavering support of my first sponsor, Todd Edwards, to the compassionate guidance of Steve Dunn, you'll hear stories that underscore the power of community and resilience. Listen in as we discuss the tradi...

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and addiction is a family disease. It doesn't just affect the person with the condition, it affects everyone around them. My nephew Dakota was 15 when I got sober. He shares his thoughts on my disease and our family dynamics around it since I got sober 10 years ago. If you or a loved one are curious (which is key), consider checking out the links below: Shatterpro...

I've been a fan and student of Michael Palmisano for about a year. He's a wonderful guitar teacher for all levels and has an amazing online portal for guitar education called Guitargate.com of which I am a member. Additionally, he's got a wonderful YouTube channel to check out whether you are a guitar player or not. Links below. A few months ago, Michael shared a heartfelt video abo...

In this podcast, meet family medicine doctor, Dr. Gillian Zuckerman who treats addiction in Yakima, WA... the town where I grew up. We talk about harm reduction, addiction misconceptions, the disease model and more. Really grateful for this conversation. From our chat, here is the Never Use Alone Hotline information: https://neverusealone.com/ Here's a link to the Recovery-Ready Workplace Too...

Happy to bring back Todd Edwards, my first sponsor, to the podcast where we talk about connecting with others as part of a recovery program. In AA lingo, it is often referred to as "the fellowship". For years I tried very, very, very hard to deal with my disease on my own, all alone and with daily, demoralizing failures. I've come to believe that connection is an important ingredien...

Mary has described herself as a "gutter drunk" on many occasions in the meeting that we attend together. I asked her if she'd be willing to explore what that means and how bad it got for her during her active addiction. Along the way we also discuss "the bottom" as a concept as well several other things. Please also be aware that the topic of suicide does come up in this c...

I've had the pleasure of attending a weekly meeting with Sebastien for the past 2 and a half years. He joined that meeting with 9 days of sobriety and I've had the opportunity to attend many meetings with him since. He's an artist manager, so his work puts him up close to the vices that he used for many years. We get into a variety of topics, including one that I hear often: "h...

John Shipe is a talented singer songwriter based in Eugene, OR. We knew each other years ago in band circles in the early 1990s. I found out through a mutual musician friend that John is also sober and he was willing to have a conversation. To hear more music and find out where to catch John live, visit John Shipe Music At the end of the podcast is a full length song by John: The Rest of Me Some a...

Taking some time to talk about time. Time in sobriety and recovery and my musings at my 10 year milestone (May 28, 2023). I also share some stories from early recovery around the concept of time, including a recounting of my first AA meeting, where a woman shared something that might have saved my life by keeping me there. 10 years sober... I couldn't go 5 days sober... I was passed out drunk...

Being around sober circles has made my life so much richer as opposed to going it alone in my new life as a sober man. I've seen and heard the question/story many times: "well what about weed?" Here are three men that I admire  who will share their stories on being alcohol and elicit drug free, while continuing to use marijuana... and then quitting too. Thank you to my friends Rob S...