Deep Dive with Dr D

Grief puts you in the middle of a town’s true story. That’s where Henry lives every day—caring for families at their worst moments, then turning that closeness into steady, practical generosity the whole community can feel. We sit down to trace his path from a small Idaho upbringing to owning two local funeral homes in Ellensburg, why he rejects corporate death-care shortcuts, and how “it’s only m...

Grief rarely arrives with warning, and it never follows your schedule. When Rebeka lost her partner Ryan to COVID in two weeks, the world didn’t pause—her son started school days later, bills still came due, and a house full of everyday artifacts turned into a living museum of memory. What followed wasn’t a dramatic “comeback” but a series of small, honest choices: spiral-notebook task lists, a fr...

Ever wonder what leadership looks like when compassion isn’t a buzzword but the operating system? I sit down with Brandi Amundsen, who went from LA’s intensity to the Ellensburg community and now leads Peers Rising, a recovery nonprofit built on connection, clarity, and real accountability. Her story moves from culture shock in grocery lines to the quiet confidence of a team that shows up for peop...

The glossy highlight reel hides a harder truth: most of us are fighting battles no one can see. This solo deep dive gets honest about adversity—what it feels like to lose your footing, how shame isolates, and why the way back is built from small, stubborn choices. I share the moments that reshaped my life, from a failing sub shop and a beloved dog’s diagnosis to standing in the same courtroom year...

Some stories don’t just turn corners; they redraw the map. Zaire joins us to share how she rebuilt a life from the ground up: eight years sober, a single mom of two, and a graduate student on the path to becoming a school psychologist. What began with survival—sleeping outside, losing custody for a time, clawing back trust—grew into a steady life shaped by boundaries, spiritual surrender, and an o...

Some stories turn on a single dramatic moment. Ours turns on tacos, a phone call from law enforcement, and a walk to buy shoes that fit. From there, Justin’s path moves from a street nickname and 90-day ceilings to three years sober, a full keyring of trust, and a new role leading Peers Rising’s Yakima office. We talk about the early days when treatment almost didn’t stick, the two-week click that...

Standing at the intersection of farming and recovery, Andy Rosbach embodies quiet resilience. As a fourth-generation hay farmer tending the same Ellensburg land his Danish great-grandfather claimed in 1894, Andy's roots run deeper than most. But beneath this rich agricultural heritage lies a powerful recovery story that transformed not just his life, but his relationship with the land itself....

What happens when a driven business owner finally confronts the question: "Why am I drinking a fifth of vodka every day when I have a great business, a great wife, and a great kid?" In this candid conversation, third-generation business owner Kori Winegar takes us through his remarkable journey from dairy farm to coffee shop empire to sobriety. Kori shares the fascinating evolution of hi...

What happens when an artist decides to cancel his "Blacking Out Downtown Show" for good? In this deeply authentic conversation, local Ellensburg artist Jason Clifton marks six months of sobriety by sharing the unexpected freedom he's discovered in living alcohol-free. From his roots as a California skateboarder who found his way to the Pacific Northwest in 1990, Jason takes us throu...

Radical responsibility involves accepting your current life situation without judgment and taking ownership of your power to make changes. This transformative approach helps you break free from shame and victim mentality while recognizing your capacity for growth and resilience. • Understanding radical acceptance means acknowledging your current situation without judgment • Taking ownership withou...

Rejection and setbacks are inevitable parts of any meaningful journey, but they don't have to derail your progress. Drawing from personal experience as a former felon who overcame addiction and depression to become a respected professor, I share how embracing rejection transformed my life and can change yours too. The core message is refreshingly simple yet powerful: "I've heard &ap...

What legacy are we leaving for our children? In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my chaotic childhood marked by neglect, abuse, and a revolving door of father figures – sharing the picture of myself as a small boy that now sits in my empty guest chair. Drawing from my experiences as both a victim of generational trauma and someone who's worked to break those cycles, I explore how...

In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. David Douglas interviews his wife Katrina Douglas about their journey together, her passion for preschool education, and the wisdom she's gained through 26 years of recovery. • David and Katrina met in 2001 and were friends for nearly a decade before becoming life partners • Their relationship is built on teamwork, fun, and happiness • Katrina owns and oper...

"Just keep going." These three simple words carry profound weight in Sarah Cannon's world, whether she's pushing through mile 34 of a 50-mile ultramarathon or reflecting on her journey from substance abuse to recovery. In this raw and hopeful conversation, Dr. D sits down with his longtime friend Sarah to explore the remarkable transformation they've both undergone since t...

Dr. D welcomes his son Tyler as the podcast's first-ever guest, discussing their parallel journeys through addiction and recovery, the transformative power of family support, and the mindsets that helped them navigate life's darkest moments. • Tyler works as a prevention specialist in schools, providing substance use support for youth • Recovery mindsets: "just keep fucking going&qu...

What if your dreams aren't too big, but your habits just need to catch up? Dr. David Douglas challenges the false choice between having ambitious dreams and being realistic. Drawing from his remarkable journey from high school dropout and addiction to earning his doctorate and building a life of recovery, he shares a powerful framework for turning visions into reality. Dreams serve as fuel, b...

What happens when the dominant approach to addiction treatment hasn't fundamentally changed since the 1950s? Drawing from personal experience both as a patient and professional in the field, I take you behind the curtain of America's addiction treatment system to reveal why our current approaches often fail those who need help most. The standard 28-day treatment model represents just the...

Ever notice how we celebrate the triumphant comeback moments but rarely acknowledge the silent struggles that made them possible? This raw, powerful exploration reveals the hidden truth behind every transformation story - the comeback is built in the dark. When you're halfway through the marathon with no cheering crowd, when you're studying alone while others socialize, when you're...

Every transformational journey begins with a single moment of clarity. For Dr. D, that clarity came in the most unexpected way – lying on the floor of a Tacoma dope house as bullets riddled the walls above. Growing up on the streets of Tacoma with a single mother raising four children wasn't easy. After dropping out of high school, accidentally joining the military, and years of substance abu...

"I didn't always get fatherhood right. In fact, for a time I wasn't even in the game, but I'm still here and that counts for something." The journey through fatherhood rarely comes with clear directions, especially for those of us who grew up without strong paternal role models. In this raw, heartfelt Father's Day episode, I share my own winding path from determined y...

"The scars I carry aren't shameful. They're someone else's survival guide." This powerful philosophy has guided my journey from high school dropout to university professor, from jail cells to a life of purpose and meaning. But why do I share these painful chapters so openly? Authentic vulnerability creates bridges where isolation once stood. For those who've experienc...

Setting boundaries and learning to say "no" is a crucial skill that enables personal growth and protects mental well-being. This transformative practice allows us to reclaim our time and energy while still maintaining healthy relationships with others. • Saying "no" doesn't mean you're unhelpful or a bad person—it means you value your time and energy • Using your cale...

Ever wondered what happens when a life-threatening moment forces you to see your reality through new eyes? That's exactly what happened one December night in the mid-90s when bullets ripped through a Tacoma dope house where I was staying. Had we been upstairs in our usual spot, I wouldn't be here to share this story with you today. My journey from the streets of Tacoma to where I am now...

The Douglas Method proposes a revolutionary approach to substance use disorder treatment that respects individual paths to recovery, challenging the outdated one-way Minnesota Model that has dominated for 75 years. • The traditional Minnesota Model of treatment created in the 1950s still forms the foundation of most substance use treatment programs today • Many people are shamed when the standard...

What if the ability to handle life's toughest challenges isn't reserved for extraordinary people? Dr. D tackles this question head-on, dismantling the myth that mental toughness belongs exclusively to elite athletes or those we place on pedestals. Drawing from his remarkable journey from addiction and incarceration to earning his doctorate, Dr. D shares the practical habits and mindset s...