Recovery Matters! Podcast

An amazing discussion featuring our host's daughter, Samantha, appearing virtually from Kenya while on a mission trip. We hear a story of faith and adventure, defined by finding ones purpose through service to others. An exploration of the benefits of being born to parents in Recovery, parental influence versus ones own natural becoming, faith versus religion, families growing together, and much m...

In this episode, our hosts Phil and Sandy dig into the subject of codependency in their relationship and in general. A meditation on human interaction, what we expect from one another, and how we see ourselves versus how others see us. ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us...

We're joined on this episode by Zachary Green, a person in recovery and staff member of the UConn Recovery Community. First prescribed ADHD medication and Xanax at the age of 13, Zach shares how a career as a chef in New Orleans carried him into a life defined by substance. From New Orleans kitchens, deep involvement in selling drugs, picking up opiates, and working in the Colorado cannabis indust...

Our guest for this show is New Haven Recovery Community Center Manager, Rita Natale. A story of becoming and how different events guide our life's trajectory. Rita gets real about some painful events early in life that led to a search for self and how that search led to substance use. Rita's story shows that when we try to fill a spiritual hole with substance, it leaves us needing something more....

Maggie Young, MSW, LADC joins us on this episode for a gut-punch of a discussion that takes us from the vicious racism of 1950's Alabama to Maggie's search for her self when her family moved to New England. We hear of the seemingly innocent descent into addiction that progressed to the street life and dealings with the criminal justice system. Ultimately, we are treated to a story of glorious rede...

Phil and Sandy's look back on Phil's thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail resumes in this episode, starting with a moment where the journey almost stalled. Discussion goes on to cover the connection to be found with others in nature, especially when galvanized by the shared challenges of a journey, and a family who supported their father by making parts of the trip their own. Part 2 brings us throug...

Phil and Sandy discuss Phil's spirit-led decision to hike the entire Appalachian Trail after overcoming a stage-four cancer diagnosis. The first in a two-part series, this episode covers the faith, family support, and preparation that led up to the journey and takes us into the first half of Phil's walk from Georgia to Maine. An inspiring discussion about family, perseverance, faith, miracles, and...

Our hosts Phil and Sandy Valentine look back on the challenging journey that ensued after Phil's stage-four tongue cancer diagnosis in 2010. Phil and Sandy get real about the day-to-day struggles and realizations they and their family experienced while navigating such uncertainty. We hear clear parallels between Addiction Recovery and recovery from any kind of disease and how Phil's personal recov...

Our hosts are joined in the episode by professional storyteller, storytelling teacher, and recovery coach, Meghann Perry. Meghann pursued her love for acting and drama in her younger years but found her way into addiction as well. Discussion covers the desire for expressing creativity in ones life, struggles with addiction, becoming a recovery coach, the importance of well-crafted and well-present...

CCAR Young Adult and Family Services Manager, TJ Aitken, is our guest on this episode. After serving as an Emergency Department Recovery Coach for three years, TJ recently came into this new role. Episode discussion explores how some young people find their way into a life of substance use, the cycle of treatment and incarceration, harm reduction, spirituality, finding Recovery as young adult, TJ'...

Brian Robbins, CCAR's Senior Program Manager, joins our guests Sandy and Phil. In recovery since 2000, Brian and our hosts discuss growing up trying to please exacting parents and the long-term effects of rarely, if ever, receiving praise from family as a young person. Brian shares how he slowly became "unemployable" as his substance use became problematic, working various jobs, living the street...

Our hosts, Phil and Sandy Valentine, are the guests on this episode. Together, they reflect on 27 years of marriage and 62 years of combined Recovery. Their discussion covers the challenges of finding and sustaining Recovery, long-term involvement in 12-step fellowships, building careers and family, and so much more. This episode is a moving account of a marriage built on a foundation of Recovery...

0:40 - Guest hosts Don Smith and Tom Russo introduce themselves and their guest, Stacy Charpentier. 2:00- Stacy talks about the scope of CCAR Training. 4:08 - Stacy explains what the  Recovery Coach Academy (RCA) is and how it came to be. 6:08 - Don and Stacy discuss welcoming Recovery Allies into the Recovery Movement and Stacy shares her personal experiences that made her a Recovery Ally.   11:1...

0:25 - Sandy and Phil introduce themselves. 1:54 - Michael Askew introduces himself, discussing multiple incarcerations, that ultimately led to his finding Recovery.   5:56 - Michael tells us the story of his last bid and how he found hope that Recovery was possible for him.  7:19 - Michael discusses experiencing a cycle of homelessness in his active years.  10:27 - Michael explains his thought-pr...

3:25 - Kevin introduces himself and describes how he first found Spirituality in nature on short outings to the Appalachian Trail.  4:58 - Kevin explains how he found surfing, the deep connection it brings to his life, and how he now uses surfing and time in the water as a pathway of Recovery.  9:00 - Kevin discusses exactly what he feels, from a spiritual standpoint, when he is surfing.  13:50 -...

Executive Director, Phil Valentine, revisits a well-known blog post of his entitled, "12-Step Recovery, Multiple Pathways, and Recovery Coaching" and takes questions from Communications Manager, Tom Russo, and IT Specialist, Don Smith. ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us...

In this inaugural episode of "Recovery Matters" CCAR staff members Don Smith and Tom Russo interview Executive Director, Phil Valentine, giving a window into who we are as an organization, what we do, and how CCAR became one of the nation's leading Recovery Community Organizations. ----Across the Web---- 🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us ✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/ 🎙Recovery Matters Podca...

Michael shares his inspiring journey from navigating gang influences and addiction in Hartford, Connecticut, to becoming a dedicated recovery coach and volunteer manager at the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). Through personal stories, Michael illustrates the challenges and triumphs of his recovery journey, the influential role of his family and faith, and how he has turned his...