Giving Voice to Recovery

Ever notice how you keep searching for answers… reading, thinking, trying to “figure it out”… …and still feel stuck in the same loop? Yeah. That. It’s frustrating. And it can quietly start to feel like something’s wrong with you. But there isn’t. You’re not broken. You’re not behind. And this isn’t a lack of discipline. What’s often happening is this: You’ve been asking questions that keep you stu...

Ever catch yourself saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow”… and tomorrow keeps moving? Yeah… me too. But here’s what I’ve learned— that’s not procrastination. That’s protection. Movement without prioritizing… that’s just noise. Movement without direction… that’s avoidance. And we’ve been calling all of it procrastination like it’s some kind of character flaw. It’s not. It’s a defense mechanism. It steps in...

“If you feel responsible for everyone’s feelings… you weren’t born that way. You were trained.” And if that hits a nerve… it’s probably because you’ve been carrying a lot for a long time. Maybe you’re the one people come to. The one who fixes it. Smooths it over. Holds it together. On the surface… it looks like compassion. Like strength. But underneath? It can be self-abandonment. Because somewher...

Ever walk away from a conversation and suddenly think of the perfect thing you should have said? Yeah. That. You’re not weak. You’re not bad at boundaries. And you’re definitely not the only one. What’s actually happening is this: In moments of tension or conflict, your nervous system decides whether it’s safe to speak. And if it doesn’t feel safe? Your brain does what it was designed to do. It pr...

In 2016 I found myself standing on a stage at the base of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington D.C.. I was looking out at a large group of people who had come together to raise awareness about the opioid crisis. I'd been asked to come there to sing a song I'd written and recorded titled "Where Did Beautiful Go". I too had been affected by the opioid epidemic, but nothing had...

Elizabeth discusses the fifth of the five patterns of Codependency - Low Self Esteem. Sharing from her "lived experience" as a person in long term recovery from addiction, she takes a deep dive in to this common set of coping mechanisms. The Five patterns of codependency: Denial Compliance Avoidance Control Low Self Esteem Here is the YouTube playlist link for this mini series 👉   &nbsp...

Surrender to Win - Delusions of Control Several years ago, I wrote a song titled  Surrender to Win . This song describes the paradox that has been a deep lesson in many areas of my life. For much of my life, I unconsciously believed that I had some kind of control over others. This was a coping mechanism and a compulsion that gave me a sense of safety. What I’ve learned and now truly apprecia...

Use Your Words & Empower Your Life As a songwriter, I have an intimate understanding of the power of words. I have lived most of my life at the intersection of songwriting and recovery. It amazes me how much these two seemingly different areas of life rely on the power of language. In this five part series, I share my ideas about Codependency Recovery based on my "lived experience". I make a f...

Elizabeth discusses the second of the five patterns of Codependency - Compliance. Sharing from her "lived experience" as a person in long term recovery from addiction, she takes a deep dive in to this common set of coping mechanisms. The Five patterns of codependency: Denial Compliance Avoidance Control Low Self Esteem Here is the YouTube playlist link for this mini series 👉 https://youtube.com/p...

Jim Doyle, author and organizational leadership coach was changed by tragedy through the loss of one of his sons to substance use disorder. Elizabeth interviews Jim and discusses his book, Hope for Life, Being your Best Self When You Need it Most." They discuss the importance of resilience and hope in recovery and the importance of personal responsibility for our own emotional wellbeing. "This boo...

Elizabeth discusses the first of the five patterns of Codependency - Denial. Sharing from her "lived experience" as a person in long term recovery from addiction, she takes a deep dive in to this common set of coping mechanisms. The Five patterns of codependency: Denial Compliance Avoidance Control Low Self Esteem Here is the Youtube playlist for this mini series https://youtube.com/playlist?list=...

Adriana Marchione, an award-winning filmmaker, director, expressive arts therapist and educator joins Elizabeth to discuss Audriana's latest award winning film about nine artist in recovery. The nine stories in The Creative High reveal the transformative quality of the creative process, empowering us to wake up to our true selves. The documentary offers insight, resources, and solutions for artist...

Singer Songwriter Elizabeth Edwards and Jeremiah Gardner, the Director of Communications & Public Affairs at the nonprofit Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation have a conversation about recovery from addiction; music before; during and after recovery; and their mutual admiration of former First Lady and recovery advocate Betty Ford. Jeremiah is a licensed addiction counselor, media and government re...

Interventionist Kristina Wandzilak and Singer Songwriter Elizabeth Edwards share their tips on rebuilding self esteem in early recovery and the importance of continuing to build self esteem to sustain long term sobriety. For more about the work of Interventionist Kristina Wandzilak and her story told through her book The Lost Years, visit the links below: Website https://www.fullcirclerecoverycent...

In this episode, Elizabeth and Kristina discuss The Lost Years, the critically acclaimed addiction memoir Kristina wrote with her mother Candice Curry. The Lost Years surviving a mother and daughter's worst nightmare is a story about a mother and daughter who survive addiction, codependency and each other. Told from two points of view, The Lost Years maps out in detail how both Kristina and her mo...

In this episode: Mark and Elizabeth share their definitions and experience with their own codependency and addiction recovery. They discuss codependent relationships, the relationship between codependency and addiction. They have a good laugh at themselves about their struggles with their own boundary problems. Join us! Mark Lundholm has performed in all 50 states and 10 foreign countries. From wo...

In this episode, Elizabeth and Kristina explore three important questions to ask yourself when you love someone who has an active addiction. These questions help so that you can find and live in the solution not the problem. Kristina is the author of the critically acclaimed addiction memoir The Lost Years surviving a mother and daughter's worst nightmare. Her work on TLCs groundbreaking show Addi...

Elizabeth and Kristina discuss the importance of working on your emotional sobriety and how it affects our relationships in recovery. Kristina is the author of the critically acclaimed addiction memoir The Lost Years surviving a mother and daughter's worst nightmare. Her work on TLCs groundbreaking show Addicted went on to win the prestigious Prism award for the most accurate depiction of drug add...

Elizabeth and Kristina discuss the difference between abstinence and recovery from addiction. There is more to addiction recovery than just stopping the substance abuse. Kristina is the author of the critically acclaimed addiction memoir The Lost Years surviving a mother and daughter's worst nightmare. Her work on TLCs groundbreaking show Addicted went on to win the prestigious Prism award for the...

Staying sober during the holidays - Interventionist Kristina Wandzilak and Singer Songwriter Elizabeth Edwards discuss how to stay sober during the holidays. They offer practical suggestions especially for those new to recovery. Kristina is the author of the critically acclaimed addiction memoir The Lost Years surviving a mother and daughter's worst nightmare. Her work on TLCs groundbreaking show...

Introducing "A Moment With Mark", a podcast series featuring conversations with Comedian Mark Lundholm and Singer Songwriter and Host of Giving Voice to Recovery, Elizabeth Edwards. In this episode: Staying sober and coping with covid, humor and mental health and focusing on "What's good about it?" are just a few of the topics in this moment with Mark. Enjoy! Mark Lundholm has performed in all 50...

Kristina Wandzilak & Elizabeth Edwards discuss the many resources for recovery from addiction, barriers to treatment and what you can do to start the process of recovery now. They share their ideas and name the many places that individuals and families can reach out to find help for addiction. They emphasize that different people have different needs and the importance of meeting people where...

Kristina Wandzilak & Elizabeth Edwards discuss codependency, boundaries and communication. They share their ideas on the importance of having difficult conversations as an act of love and self care. And they discuss the power of gratitude year round as a tool for staying sober. Elizabeth and Kristina share a passion for behavioral health awareness, sobriety and recovery from addiction. They di...

Staying sober during Covid, the gifts and challenges. Reflecting on the tools of early sobriety, relapse prevention and more. Interventionist Kristina Wandzilak and Singer Songwriter Elizabeth Edwards talk addiction, intervention, sobriety, codependency, substance abuse, 12 step programs, hope recovery and healing. This is the first in a new series - Coffee with Kristina. Join Us! For more about t...