ALIGNED VOICES: Mental Health And Personal Growth

Bryan Mwaka: From Uganda to Canada's Streets — A Survival Story Bryan Mwaka arrived in Canada on January 24th, 2020. It was -30°C. He had nowhere to stand. What followed was a raw, unfiltered journey through homelessness on Canadian streets — during a global pandemic, alone, far from everything he knew. Growing up in Uganda with structure, boarding school discipline, and natural leadership, Br...

What does it take to lose everything to alcohol — and actually get it back? Kat Rhadans spent years hiding her drinking behind the image of a good mom. Then she lost custody of her children. In this episode, Kat shares the raw, unfiltered truth about her sobriety journey — the relapses, the shame, the moment she hit rock bottom, and what finally made recovery stick. She's also the author of No...

What happens when the wine that once helped you cope becomes the thing you can’t live without? In this powerful episode of Aligned Voices, Cheryl Young, Certified Sobriety Coach and founder of Golden Girls Gone Sober, shares her honest sobriety journey and recovery story from alcohol addiction. Once a successful corporate professional and devoted mother, Cheryl found herself struggling with alcoho...

What happens when a successful wellness entrepreneur realizes that the very habits she once relied on are no longer serving her? In this deeply honest episode of Healthy Aligned Living , wellness strategist, author, and entrepreneur Megan Swan shares her transformative journey from high-functioning alcoholism to creating a life rooted in intentional wellness, nervous system regulation, and authent...

After battling addiction, anxiety, and depression for over 15 years, Jennifer Richardson never imagined the life she lives today. In this deeply honest conversation, Jennifer shares the hidden realities of addiction, the shame that often keeps people silent, and the courage it took to choose recovery, even after setbacks. She opens up about losing herself, rebuilding her identity through sobriety,...

He stands for growth and enlightenment, but four or five years ago, his life was taking a downward turn. Substance use and alcohol had become a constant part of his life, and he began to feel as though he was slowly losing himself. He was unhappy with what he had become—eating unhealthy food, drinking frequently, and watching his health decline. It was a moment of realization when he understood th...

Phat Homie stands for family, royalty, and honesty. Once involved in gang life, he made the powerful decision to leave that world behind and begin guiding his community toward a better path. Today, living a sober life, it deeply affects him to see others still struggling with addiction and hardship. Throughout his life, Phat Homie witnessed homelessness and the devastating effects of alcohol and s...

In this powerful episode of the Healthy Aligned Living podcast, founder Dre shares the personal story behind the mission. After the tragic loss of his sister, Dre struggled with deep grief and turned to alcohol in an attempt to cope. But while his mind tried to escape the pain, his body began to tell a different story. Through experiences in rehabilitation, detox, and prison programs, he encounter...

Dre Richards is a SMART Facilitator in Edmonton, Canada. He also is the Executive Director and Founder of  Healthy Aligined Living,  a community agency serving youth who are facing mental health and substance use issues.  In this podcast, Dre shares his personal journey to recovery, how he decided to address the negative behaviors that were impacting his life, and what he believes are the best way...