Recovery Matters! Podcast

CCAR Hartford Volunteer Manager, and person in long term recovery Geraldo Rivera aka “The Real Geraldo Rivera” joins us on this weeks show. He has a very interesting backstory you don’t want to miss! You'll hear Geraldo talk about growing up in Puerto Rico where he experienced his first taste of alcohol at the age of 9, moving to Hartford, Connecticut where he got involved with both using and dist...

Oxycontin is addictive and has been responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths throughout the US. If you’ve seen Hulu’s limited series Dopesick, you will notice that Jennifer’s story mirrors that of Betsy Mallum, one of the characters featured within the series. Just like Betsy, Jennifer suffered an injury on the job which caused her excruciating pain. Having been clean and on a road of recov...

Are you considering gastric bypass surgery? Preparing for gastric bypass surgery is not an easy journey. Gastric bypass surgery is a life-changing procedure that requires early and careful planning. It can help you lose weight without the feeling of hunger, and regain your health. On this week's Recovery Matters audio podcast, guest Stacy Charpentier talks about her gastric bypass surgery journey,...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 65 | Hosts Phil and Sandy Valentine introduce their son, Matthew, who shares his story of overcoming addiction to alcohol and marijuana. Matthew recounts his early life experiences, his struggles with body image and addiction, and the influence of his family and friends on his recovery journey. Offering insights into his battle with social anxiety and discovering h...

Phil and Sandy discuss faith and spirituality during their recovery journey ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatte...

Bill Stauffer, Executive Director of The Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance joins us on this week's all new Recovery Matters Podcast! ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO... 🗣R...

This week we are joined by Jason Sirois, a CCAR Recovery Coach. He talks to us about his battles with alcohol which, at the time, impacted his relationships with those close to him. Alcohol was a huge part of his everyday routine until he decided to turn his life around and get the help he needed. ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recove...

Now available on Youtube is this week's all new episode of the Recovery Matters Podcast featuring Dubliner Ruth Riddick, CCAR Recovery Coach professional and founder of Sobriety Together. ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify):...

CCAR Department of Corrections Program Recovery Coach Rich Walsh takes the seat this week as he talks about the following topics: 👶 his upbringing 💵 his many hustles to make a living 💰 🔫🚗🌴 the time he was involved in a drug deal gone bad that almost cost him his life 🚨🚔👮‍♂️ prison time 🏨 his road to recovery …and so much more! ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 59 | Jaime McDonald shares his battle with alcoholism that started after dealing with his daughter's issues, leading him into a downward spiral of depression, excessive drinking, and suicidal thoughts. With the help of his German Shepherd Bernie, Jaime comes to the realization of needing help and seeks treatment in Bali. While emphasizing the importance of therapy,...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 58 | Jamie McDonald, owner of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, recounts his discovery of barbecue, his career in various engineering roles, his struggle with bulimia, and his unexpected success in competitive eating. Jamie's story highlights his entrepreneurial spirit, opening Bear's Smokehouse Barbecue despite numerous challenges. His tale is a testament to resilience, tran...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 57 | Robert Ashford, the Executive Director of Unity Recovery based in Philadelphia, discusses his personal recovery journey, the challenges he faced, and the impact of creating recovery community organizations. He emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health and substance use recovery support, building sustainable recovery communities, and the potential...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 56 | This episode of the 'Recovery Matters' podcast from CCAR features hosts Phil and Sandy Valentine engaging with Dimitri and Robin Bakes, a couple who navigated the tumultuous waters of addiction and recovery together. Dimitri shares his experiences with alcoholism, drug addiction, and multiple incarcerations while illustrating the pivotal role that Robin played...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 55 | Phil and Sandy Valentine engage in a deep and revealing conversation with Daryl McGraw, a person in long-term recovery. Daryl recounts his journey from growing up in an impoverished, violent neighborhood and getting involved in drug dealing to being incarcerated multiple times. He shares how education and recovery transformed his life, enabling him to become a...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 54 | Rabbi Ilan Glazer, founder of Our Jewish Recovery shares his poignant story of growing up with significant family challenges and multiple relocations enforced by his father's rabbinical duties. He discusses his struggles with multiple addictions, the internal conflict with traditional recovery models in predominantly Christian contexts, and his path toward hea...

Trey Laird is in the studio this week sharing his story and the mission of The Lighthouse and their recovery services. His choice to recover out loud and be an inspirational voice in the recovery movement comes through in this discussion. He touches on his drive to fill in gaps that exist in recovery support services and talks about the journey to a new life living happily in sobriety. ----Across...

Recovery Matters Podacst Episode 53 | Phil and Sandy Valentine welcome their guest, Leigh, who discusses her transformative experiences, from overcoming addiction and working as a fitness trainer, to discovering the importance of community and multiple pathways to recovery. The hosts explore various topics with Leigh, including her engagement, family dynamics, and her current role with The Phoenix...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 52 | Michael shares his powerful and emotional story of recovery, detailing his traumatic experience of being shot while working at a gas station, his struggles with addiction and PTSD, and his journey towards healing and transformation. Michael also discusses his work with CCAR, including his role as a volunteer manager and his ambition to be a Master Recovery Coa...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 51 | Maysha recounts her journey from a challenging childhood in Brooklyn under her grandmother's care, dealing with her parents' absence, to battling alcoholism and navigating through a cancer diagnosis. She shares insights into her career transitions, personal growth, struggles with self-worth, and her eventual path to sobriety and service in the recovery communi...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 49 | Amanda shares her journey from struggling with addiction, depression, and trauma to embracing recovery. She opens up about her experiences with early prescription medication, homelessness, multiple rehab stays, a life-altering overdose incident at a McDonald's, and the pivotal moments that led to her recovery. Through the support of her family, recovery progra...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 48 | Robin Clare shares her powerful story of overcoming a lifelong struggle with food addiction and bulimia. Starting from childhood humiliation, she details her transformative path through spiritual healing and professional development. An author and recovery coach, Robyn discusses her work at CCAR, her books, and how she's using writing as a therapeutic tool in...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 47 | Hosts Phil and Sandy Valentine share deeply personal stories about their college experiences and the challenges they faced with addiction. They explore the impact of alcohol and substance use on their academic and personal lives, addressing issues like anxiety, guilt, and shame. The discussion highlights the importance of creating recovery-friendly environment...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 46 | Dominic opens up about his early struggles with authority, his experiences growing up with a father and brother who both faced severe health issues, and his own descent into addiction, which left him homeless for five years. He recalls his transformative moment of clarity, leading him to Teen Challenge and eventually the Salvation Army in Hartford, CT where he...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 45 | Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 45 | Herb Boyd’s story is a powerful testament to overcoming addiction, incarceration, and adversity. A member of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, Herb was given the tribal name "Half Crow" after surviving severe medical challenges at birth. Raised in New York City, he navigated the struggles of a broken home, a military career f...

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 44 | Greg Williams, a dedicated recovery advocate and filmmaker, shares his personal journey from early substance use, battles with addiction, and the pivotal moments that led him to recovery. He discusses the challenges of being a young person in recovery, his advocacy for better healthcare systems, and his work on influential films like 'The Anonymous People' and...