From Darkness to Life Podcast: Stories of Recovery & Resilience

In this episode, we welcome Graham, a radio personality from Edmonton, who shares his journey through life, radio, and alcoholism with Ryan. Graham opens up about how alcohol affected his personal and professional life, how he realized he had a problem, and how he decided to change his habits and lifestyle. He also talks about the challenges and rewards of sobriety, the support he received from hi...

Welcome back to 'From Darkness to Life,' the podcast of real-life stories of hope, inspiration, and resilience! Your host, Ryan, has Amber as his co-pilot for this episode, as they embark on an exciting Season 4. First, a huge shout out to you, our incredible FDTL supporters – you are the heart and soul of this show. Please continue to share the show and help these powerful messages get ou...

Kevin joins Ryan in the studio this week to share is inspirational story! Kevin takes us on a journey through his youth and shares how substance use took over his life. Once a star athlete, Kevin describes how substances and addiction slowly made everything else obsolete. As his goals and dreams were vanishing in smoke and liquid, Kevin shares how he didn’t realize the consequences of using until...

In this episode, a founder of Last Door Recovery Centre sits down with Rick and Ryan to talk recovery. Decades of experience in both personal recovery and working in the recovery field sets the backdrop for this in-depth, entertaining conversation. Tune in to hear David share: about his recovery journey with addiction and cancer, his purpose and passion, a glimpse at what makes the Last Door a spe...

Our guest this week is Sonja Riddle, founder of Legacy West Healing, a non-profit organization providing programs and services designed exclusively for those who have ever witnessed someone they care about engaged in active addiction, whether they remain active, are currently in treatment, have found recovery, or did not survive. Sonja takes time to share her personal experience with a family memb...

This three-part special podcast series introduces an exciting collaboration between Our Collective Journey and Medicine Hat School Division.  Associate Superintendent Tracey Hensel and Director of Psychology Services Claire Petersen discuss how they came to see OCJ as a unique partner to collaborate with within Medicine Hat and surrounding area.  Tracey and Claire outline their vision of bringing...

Part three of this special podcast series introduces the remaining team members. Todd is a Red Seal chef who has traveled the world creating culinary art until coming to Medicine Hat where he began his recovery journey. Todd is the father of five daughters who has created the life of his dreams in the last ten years in recovery and decided to join the OCJ team where he can use his life experience...

Part two of this special podcast series introduces two dynamic recovery coaches who will be working with students and staff within School District 76. Nathan moved to Medicine Hat at the age of 14 to play AAA hockey within the MHMHA and has called the city home ever since. He has been in recovery from substance use disorder for the last 18 years and left a prosperous career in the energy sector to...

This episode was recorded live on-location. Who says recovery isn’t fun!? Sure isn’t Grant Denton! This week’s guest takes the usual FDTL conversations to another level and we are so thankful to have him in our lives. Come along for a wild ride as Grant shares his story from the streets of Las Vegas, NV to eventual incarceration. The concrete cell is where Grant decided it was time to start really...

In the this episode, Colin Campbell shares his parts of his walk with addiction. Colin talks with Rick and Ryan as to what his life looked like prior to teaching his darkest days and what turned his life towards recovery through the Last Door. First a client and now an employee at the Door, Colin discusses what he believes makes the New Westminster recovery community different than the other facil...

In the second part of Dustin’s story he walks the listener through how dark his life had gotten before he hit bottom.  He highlights how even in his darkest moments he did not give up and deep down knew that there was something worth fighting for.  By the grace of a higher power Dustin was able to move to Medicine Hat, Alberta where the journey of recovery began and how at approximately 100 days s...

In this two part journey Dustin takes us on an unbelievable ride through his life growing up in small town Alberta where he felt like an intruder in his own body until he found relief from alcohol.  This temporary relief allowed him to push past his slight stature and shyness into the life of the party where everything and anything was acceptable.  Dustin experienced lose of loved ones that pushed...

This week Ryan chats with Dr. Victoria Burns about how she uses her lived experience to create a safe, inclusive space for students, faculty and staff in addictions recovery. One of only three currently in Canada. Dr. Burns has founded the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC), a peer-driven, inclusive space supporting addiction recovery, building community, and reducing addiction stigma on campus. T...

This week Ryan Gilfillan connects to share his hope-inspiring story of recovery. He talks about coming from a “normal” home and what lead to his negative relationship with substances. Ryan shares how his unchecked addiction took him to places he never thought he’d end up. Ryan then shares the moments and circumstances that changed his direction and helped him find his path to recovery. Since he st...

Part two of this two part series is on deck! If you missed episode one last week, we highly suggest taking a listen to that before continuing with this week’s episode. Thanks for your time and the work you do in the province, Trevor! Visit us now at: https://ourcollectivejourney.ca If you or someone you know needs support with their recovery, contact OCJ today. #ourcollectivejourney #ocj #fromdark...

Rick and Ryan welcome Trevor Pelletier from Siksika Nation to the studio for this 2 part series. Trevor’s Blackfoot name is Siipis’tokoos and has been a member of the Horn Society for 15 years, currently taking care of two holy bundles. He is a key piece to the creation of the Iiniikokan Recovery Center. Trevor’s empathy and passion to help others are just two of his many amazing qualities. In the...

In this episode, Priya Reynaud joins the show to share her story with the world of addiction. Priya openly discusses the way addiction impacts her family unit and the rollercoaster that goes along with that experience. She also shares some about the recovery agency she works within to help others deal with addiction. Priya is the CAO of the Simon House in Calgary, Alberta. As per their website, “S...

We are so grateful to have Kari join the show to share here powerful experience and perspective. Kari lost her partner to active addiction in 2016 and as she shares her experience with this unfortunate event, the ripple effect of addiction is very clear and present. Not only does Kari bravely share what the entire process was like for her as a spouse, she also shares what she may have done differe...

In this episode, Joanne joins Rick and Ryan to share her powerful story of addiction to recovery. It’s not often the guys are left speechless, but Joanne’s story left the studio silent on more than one occasion. If you are looking for a moving story that covers grief, loss and forgiveness while continuing to provide hope… this is the one for you. If you’re interested in learning more about “On A D...

Kimberly joins the team to openly share her experience through active addiction and into recovery. As the hour ticks by, you’ll hear how Kimberly’s life was one-way glass by her own design. The things that transpired behind the glass were for Kimberly to know and nobody else. She shares about the people, places, and things that crossed her path during her days in addiction and what her life-alteri...

Earl Thiessen is the Executive director of the Oxford House Foundation. He sits with Rick and shares his journey from being homeless in the full throws of addiction, the loss of his partner, his journey to recovery and ultimately his role and purpose as Executive Director. If you’re interested in learning more about “The Oxford House Foundation”, visit https://www.oxfordhouse.ca 🎧 Listen now on o...

Welcome back listeners and thanks for the continued support! From Darkness to Life returns with a candid conversation around where the founders are at, what’s taken place since the last episode of season 2 aired, and everything else OCJ! Let us know what you think about the show or what you’re hoping to hear this season! Thanks again and enjoy Season 3! If you or someone you know needs support wit...

The end of Season 2 is here. Ryan, Rick. and Brian McGrath recap this season along with all things OCJ from the last year. The three of them touch on topics including: 🔹 the current state of OCJ 🔹 recovery coaching 🔹 the recovery conference (SARRCon) that OCJ is hosting in November 2022 🔹 what a community connector is 🔹 Recover Capital in the individual and the community OCJ is so grateful fo...

Rick flies solo today as he welcomes the ladies from “The Other Side” to the show. Lauren and Jamie have very interesting stories involving addiction. One is an alcoholic in recovery and the other is a wife of an alcoholic. Together these ladies have turned their experiences into tools to help others in need. The three of them touch on topics including: 🔹 women in recovery 🔹 impact of alcoholism...

Amber and Ryan welcome Brian to the show again. Brian is one of the founders of Optimal Recovery Coaching Associates (ORCA) located in White Rock, BC and is also in long term recovery. With years of experience in the area of recovery, Brian brings a wealth of information to the show. The three of them touch on topics including: 🔹recovery coaching 🔹spirituality 🔹putting YOURSELF in a box If you’...