Real Recovery Podcast

RRP 72 – Tony Z’s Story: Founding Voices Series, Episode 6 Presenters: Peter and Julie Length: 1 hour, 4 minutes Summary Episode seventy-two of the Real Recovery Podcast features Tony Z sharing his journey from an idyllic childhood in Oregon through addiction, hitting bottom, and finding recovery through the 12 steps. Tony discusses his struggles with heroin, music, community, and service, and his...

RRP 71 – Don M’s Story: Founding Voices Series, Episode 5 Presenters: Peter and Julie Length: 1 hour, 49 minutes Summary Episode seventy-one of the Real Recovery Podcast features Don M, a cherished friend, mentor, and father figure in the recovery community. With over 45 years of sobriety, Don’s journey spans a turbulent childhood, coming out in a challenging era, a career as a flight attendant, a...

RRP 70 – Ben M’s Story: Founding Voices Series, Episode 4 Presenters: Peter and Julie Length: 1 hour, 34 minutes Summary Episode seventy of the Real Recovery Podcast features Ben M, the fourth voice in our Founding Voices series. Ben’s journey from chaotic adolescence in Texas to long-term recovery in Portland is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and unwavering honesty. As one of our most lis...

RRP 69 – Izzy’s Journey: From Addiction to Advocacy – Founding Voices Series Presenters: Peter and Julie Length: 1 hour, 29 minutes Summary Episode sixty-nine of the Real Recovery Podcast features Izzy, founder and executive director of Go the Distance (GTD) , as the third voice in our Founding Voices series. Izzy shares his candid journey from growing up in New Mexico, through the depths of addic...

RRP 68 – Roger’s Journey of Survival, Service, and Hope: Founding Voices Series Presenters: Peter and Julie Length: 1 hour, 29 minutes Summary Episode sixty-eight of the Real Recovery Podcast brings you the second chapter in our Founding Voices series: Roger’s remarkable journey. From a near-fatal gunshot in San Francisco to decades of substance use, Roger’s story is one of survival, transformatio...

RRP Founding Voices EP 01 – 20240322: Colette’s Story Presenters:  Julie and Peter  Length:  1 hour, 36 minutes Key Points: Colette’s childhood marked by extreme trauma, including abuse and neglect Her early exposure to substances, beginning with alcohol at age six Repeated attempts at recovery and chronic relapse cycles A pivotal turning point in a psychiatric detox unit Life-saving treatment at ...

🎧 RRP Episode 66 – Dontae Mathis: From Trauma to Triumph—A Father's Fight for Recovery Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: Part One – 1:35:49 | Part Two – 50:49 💬 Summary In this powerful two-part episode, Dontae Mathis joins Julie and Peter to share his remarkable journey of resilience, redemption, and service. In Part One, Dontae recounts being shot at sixteen—a traumatic turning point tha...

🎧 RRP Episode 66 – Dontae Mathis: From Trauma to Triumph—A Father's Fight for Recovery Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: Part One – 1:35:49 | Part Two – 50:49 💬 Summary In this powerful two-part episode, Dontae Mathis joins Julie and Peter to share his remarkable journey of resilience, redemption, and service. In Part One, Dontae recounts being shot at sixteen—a traumatic turning point tha...

🎙️ RRP Episode 65 – Tristan S.: Strength in the Scars—Seven Overdoses and the Road to Recovery Presenter: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 8 minutes Quote: "I have a chance to make a choice to make a change." – Tristan S. Key Points with Time Stamps: [00:01:34] Introduction to Tristan and his sobriety milestone of 281 days [00:05:03] Early meth addiction at age 13 and instability in childhood [00:1...

Title: RRP Episode 64: Alcohol, Anxiety, and Advocacy – Grant’s Path to Sobriety Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 10 minutes Listening Link: https://mdcr1.com/64 Blog Link: https://mdcr1.com/64b Key Points with Time Stamps: [00:02:03] Grant shares his sobriety date (June 15, 2019) and early life growing up on a ranch in rural Oregon. [00:06:03] First experiences with alcohol and observi...

RRP Episode 63 – Born Behind Bars: Tiffany’s Journey to Freedom Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 35 minutes Key Points with Time Stamps: [00:04:55] Tiffany shares the extraordinary story of being born inside a Mexican prison where both her parents were incarcerated. [00:07:32] A Christian woman from Oregon rescued Tiffany as a baby, raising her until her mother’s release and parole to t...

RRP Episode 62 – Recovery Through Purpose: Scott’s Story of Mental Health and Redemption Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes 📝 Summary: Summary: In this powerful episode, Scott Spicer shares his lived experience navigating a mood disorder, surviving a childhood traumatic brain injury, and working through the challenges of an under-resourced mental health system. Rather than ide...

RRP Episode 61 - Kimberly's Journey: Healing from Family Addiction and Foster Care Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 11 minutes Key Points with Time Stamps: [00:01:45] Introduction to Kimberly and her early childhood experiences growing up in a home marked by addiction. [00:05:20] Entering the foster care system: navigating loss, instability, and separation from family. [00:09:48] St...

Title: RRP Episode 60 – From Fentanyl to Freedom: Conard’s Journey Through Methadone, Identity, and Hope Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 5 minutes Quote: “I couldn’t stop using. I couldn’t stop drinking. I hated myself... and I found people who told me that I was worth loving.” – Conard Links: Listening Link: https://mdcr1.com/60 Blog Link: https://mdcr1.com/60b Real Recovery Podcast K...

Title: RRP Episode 59 – Camille’s 8-Year Sobriety Milestone and the Power of Partnership in Recovery Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 6 minutes Key Points with Time Stamps: [00:02:00] Kicking off at the Out in Recovery Conference , Camille shares a fun moment that reflects her vibrant spirit. [00:03:00] Camille reflects on her childhood, growing up with the loss of her mother and naviga...

Title:RRP Episode 58 – From Surviving to Serving: Nicole S.’s Journey Through Trauma and Recovery Presenter: Julie and PeterLength: 59:02 Key Points: Nicole opens up about a childhood marked by violence, addiction, and instability. She shares how her first addiction wasn’t drugs, but the fast money of sex work. Her drug use escalated quickly—within months she was using meth and heroin intravenousl...

Title: RRP Episode 57 – Paul L: High Expectations, Hidden Addiction, and a Spiritual Awakening Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 29 minutes Listening Link: https://mdcr1.com/57 Blog Link: https://mdcr1.com/57b Key Points with Time Stamps: [00:01:00] Julie and Peter open the show and introduce Paul L [00:03:00] Paul and Julie reflect on early recovery connections and community [00:09:00]...

RRP Episode 56 – Doyal Smith: The Voice That Changed Everything, from a Park Bench to DDA Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 36 minutes Summary In this heartfelt and transformative episode, Julie and Peter welcome Doyal Smith, Executive Director of Dual Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon (DDA). Doyal recounts a deeply personal story of trauma, addiction, and the turning point that changed his...

RRP Episode 55: Breaking the Chains of Criminal Addiction – How Crimanon Co-Founders Bear & Zane Built a Path to Recovery Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 27 minutes Links to Websites Discussed: Crimanon Website: https://crimanon.org/ Exclusive Interview with Bear (Co-founder of Crimanon): Watch Here Harmony Academy: https://www.harmonyacademyrhs.org/ Another Chance Recovery: https:...

Title: RRP Episode 54.1: Uniting for Recovery – Reflections from Advocacy Day Presenters: Julie, Peter, and Colette Release Date: 3/19 Length: 52 minutes, 3 seconds Episode Summary In this special check-in episode, Julie, Peter, and Colette share their powerful experiences from Advocacy Day in Salem, Oregon. They reflect on what it means to stand up for recovery, the importance of engaging with le...

Title: RRP Episode 54 – Finding Strength in Recovery: Steve & Terri Harris on Love, Sobriety & Community Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes Key Points: Steve and Terri share their personal journey through addiction and recovery , highlighting the challenges and triumphs they've experienced as a couple. The couple discusses the importance of support systems , includi...

Title: RRP Episode 53 - Darrell DuBois: Pioneering LGBTQ+ AA Recovery, The Live and Let Live Club & Surviving AIDS Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 1 hour, 10 minutes Links to Websites Discussed: Live and Let Live Club (AA) – https://liveandletliveclub.org/ Portland Gay Men's Chorus – https://www.pdxgmc.org/ Our House Portland – https://www.ourhouseofportland.org/ Real Recovery Podcast...

Title : RRP Episode 52: Celebrating 1 Year of Sobriety Stories – Al H. and Larry W. Share 90 Years of Recovery Wisdom Presenters : Peter and Julie Length : 1 hour, 15 minutes Links to Websites Discussed : Real Recovery Podcast Key Points with Time Stamps : [00:01:00] – Celebrating a Year of Real Recovery Podcast : Peter and Julie reflect on the journey so far and the incredible milestone of comple...

RRP Check-in 51.1 - One Year of Real Recovery: Milestones, Lessons, and Hope Presenters: Julie and Peter Length: 40 minutes, 40 seconds Key Points with Time Stamps: [00:00:00] Introduction – Reflecting on one year of the Real Recovery Podcast [00:04:15] The emotional impact of guest stories and shared experiences [00:10:30] Growth, challenges, and lessons learned over the past year [00:15:45] The...

Title: RRP Episode 51 - Running Toward Hope: Valerie Martinez’s Story of Overcoming Addiction and Building a New Life Presenter: Peter and Julie Length: 1 hour, 13 minutes Key Points: [00:02:45] Introduction to Valerie Martinez and her journey from addiction to advocacy. [00:07:20] Valerie’s early struggles with addiction, growing up in a challenging environment. [00:13:30] Transitioning from fami...