From Darkness to Life Podcast: Stories of Recovery & Resilience

One of the newest members of OCJ, Derrick, sits down with Poncho, Ryan and Amber to share his lived experience. Derrick discusses growing up with undiagnosed anxiety, depression, ADHD and what it felt like as a child to not understand what was causing the chaos inside. We discuss how Derrick was able to find the strength and faith to battle the darkness in unconventional ways. The group discusses...

This weeks episode is a conversation that was 16 years in the making. Jill Nielsen and Nathan Davis sit down with Damyan to continue their journey of healing while they discuss how being a survivor of suicide still affects them to this day. Their willingness to open up about their loss, the pain they still feel and how they are choosing to honor those they have lost to suicide is an inspiring look...

This weeks episode is uncharted water for the "From Darkness to Life" podcast as Damyan sits down with 15 year old Ryder Moorhead and his mom Tanya Renard to discuss the dynamic relationship between a mom and son. They dive into a multitude of topics including loneliness, anger, acceptance and how strained communication can be between a parent and a son. With the support of Melisha, from K...

As National Addictions Awareness Week wraps up today, OCJ releases the 3rd installment in this Recovery Series. We are joined today by two solid members of the 12 Step community. These members openly share about what worked for them to get into recovery and the gifts that they have received since doing so. Following the language of the Big Book, the men share their experience in the program and th...

National Addictions Awareness Week continues and here is the next installment of the week's Recovery Series from OCJ. Josh joins us this week from Hattiesburg, Mississippi to share his amazing story of RECOVERY. Zooming in from the deep south, Josh openly talks about what it was like in active addiction, what he did when he realized he needed help, and what life in recovery is like nowadays! T...

As part of National Addictions Awareness Week, OCJ has put together a 3 Part Recovery Series: Rick and Ryan sit with Bill in part one of this series. Bill, a relative of Rick and resident of Toronto, openly shares about his battle with addiction and his journey into recovery. A mix of humor, vulnerability, and openness fill this episode as the guys illustrate the importance of connection. Recovery...

Special Release Episode: National Addictions Awareness Week November 21-27, 2021 Medicine Hat is home to the World’s largest teepee and we have turned the teepee lights OCJ blue and green to help shed light on the important week ahead! National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) provides an opportunity for people in Canada to learn more about prevention, to talk about treatment and recovery, and to...

Three open, honest, courageous women joined us for this episode of "From Darkness to Life." Gen, Allysa and Julie shed light on surviving abusive relationships, how they identified programs that were not serving them and how becoming empowered to be leaders-of-self allowed them to see their own worthiness and grow into the women they are today. Their ability to be vulnerable and open is an...

OCJ's newest team member talks about her story, her struggles, and how she overcame her addiction without the help of 12-step programs. Amber is now a proud member of the OCJ Team and can't wait to add her life experience to the strength of the 'collective'.

Rick, Ryan and Damyan are excited to introduce Amber and Derrick to the OCJ team. Amber and Derrick discuss what brought them to Our Collective Journey and how hearing others experiences of resiliency, inspired them to take action and use their stories to help those who may be struggling. In an unexpected turn the Conversation turned to what being parents looks like and how each of us wants to be...

Rick, Ryan and Damyan are back for season two of the OCJ podcast series “From Darkness to Life”. The Team discuss the first year of this organizations existence and the direction that OCJ is going in year two. Inclusion and diversity being the focus as the power of shared experience can benefit all people. We look forward to supporting our community while empowering those who are ready to take tha...

Today the guys put the OCJ train in reverse to recap what’s unfolded since their first coffee conversation just over eight months ago.  Highlights, lessons learned, what’s been done, and what’s next are all touched on. It’s very evident that gratitude, humility, and their passion for helping others are the fuel that power the OCJ train.  Stay tuned for Season 2 coming this fall! OCJ has some very...

This episode is a beauty! Lethbridge resident, Shehton Gallamore, drops in to openly share about his life in addiction and recovery. Sheh also discusses his “Leave a Light On Project”that’s unfolding in that city. Sheh is filling gaps in the Windy City, with a similar grass roots approach. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an individual more passionate about recovery and helping others find their way...

Stephen puts on the headset this week to share a glimpse into the life of being a paramedic. He talks about the impact the occupation has had on his own mental health and how the consequences were brought to light. Seeking professional therapy, coping tools, and self recognition are also discussed amongst the crew in this episode. Reaching out to Our Collective Journey could be an important step i...

This week Ryan and Damyan talk with Mark Davidson, superintendent of MHPSD 76. Mark gets vulnerable as he rewinds the tape and takes us through growing up in his shoes. Mark not only opens up about addictions and mental health struggles surrounding him throughout is childhood and youth, but the importance of forgiveness is also explored along the way. This episode touches the heart strings.  We ar...

This week our guest joins us from Ontario. Troy Colmer shares his powerful story involving his relationship to alcohol over the years while still functioning in society. Troy also speaks about his passion, Sober Athletic Wear. We can’t say enough good things about this brand, but more importantly, the concept behind it.  Sober Athletic Wear is a social enterprise that gives back to their local com...

This week we are joined by professional speaker, coach, entertainer, PGA of Canada golf professional and mental health advocate, Trevor Moore. Trevor and the guys have a candid conversation involving mental health, today’s society, and finding your passion and purpose. Trevor shares a method he calls the “3 A’s” for meeting a challenge head on. Tune in this week for a very insightful conversation....

This episode is a special one. For the first time, a pastor joins the guys to navigate various subjects including the very important topics of spirituality and God. As Pastor Dave Maneschyn (Bridge Church - Medicine Hat), Rick, and Ryan explore pieces of their personal journeys, they traverse areas of connection, open mindedness, honesty, spirituality, and God. Dave and the team at the Bridge Chur...

Jeremy Alcorn takes a chair this week to share some of his story along with valuable messages from his professional role as a clinical social worker/therapist. Jeremy weighs in on the importance of knowing that although depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders are real, they happen in the context of a person's life. Jeremy’s philosophy is "treat the person, not the diagnosis”...

Rick and Nathan put the headsets on this week to share more about their journeys. Honest, open sharing about the positive and negative lessons learned throughout their time in recovery. Amends, honesty, control, and hard truths are just a few of the topics explored in this conversation. Reaching out to Our Collective Journey could be an important step if you don't know where else to turn to he...

This week‘s episode was recorded awhile ago with two of the bravest men to have come through the doors of the studio. Rick and Julie host as Derrick and Jeremy open their hearts to share their stories of how losing very close friends to suicide have impacted them both. They also share what they’ve been doing to navigate the grief associated to such loss. This episode is raw and very emotional as t...

This week Mark Codlin joins OCJ to share his experience, strength and hope. Mark discusses pieces of his personal journey into recovery and what he has been able to accomplish since taking the crucial steps to work on himself. Mark, being a registered social worker, talks about his connection to community and what his life looks like now. Reaching out to Our Collective Journey could be an importan...

In this episode OCJ talks with Robin Innes about how she was able to eventually discover her relationship with alcohol was causing many of her own obstacles. She shares a glimpse into her life and her path into recovery. Reaching out to Our Collective Journey could be an important step if you don't know where else to turn to help a loved one in crisis. Reach out on Facebook: https://www.facebo...

In this episode, Ryan sits down with his recovery friend, Christa Kernohan, to discuss their journeys into long term recovery. They tell tales from “Road 2 Recovery”, their 2015 Cross-Canada Bike-packing adventure that raised awareness for addiction recovery and also share valuable takeaways from such a physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually challenging endeavour. This episode ends wit...

Ana Schlosser, a Registered Provisional Psychologist, pours light on many important pieces around therapy, listening, and creating safe spaces. Ana also discusses the importance of seeking help without having to retell your story again and again. Reaching out to Our Collective Journey could be an important step if you don't know where else to turn to help a loved one in crisis. Reach out on Fa...