Recovery Talks

Jim and Amanda reflect on their experiences as youth with behavioral health concerns and discuss the importance of having youth and young adults supporting each other in recovery. If you are between the ages of 18 and 24 and would like to join the youth in recovery movement in Montana, contact jim@mtpeernetwork.org.

Jim talks to MPN Board President, Greg Arciello, about how nutrition and exercise fit into their recoveries and the things they discovered after becoming comfortable with the basics of being in recovery.

Bill and Ana Deavel discuss the challenges and opportunities of having loving relationships while in recovery.

Bill and Ashley talk about the role of fear in their recovery journeys. Fear can be difficult to manage but can also be healthy.

Bill and Brent talk about the role of balance in their recoveries. Balance changes as we move through recovery and as our circumstances change. Ensuring you are living a balanced life will help you maintain your recovery.

Jim and Andi review MPNs accomplishments over the last year. 2020 was a challenging year for most people and MPN had to adjust to a new way of doing things. PS 101 is now offered virtually and we have been able to train many new Peer Support Specialists. Our membership is growing fast and we are excited for what 2021 will bring to MPN and our members!

MPN is introducing a new Peer Coaching training series. This series is designed for people who are not ready or who are not interested in becoming a Certified Behavioral Heath Peer Support Specialist but want to learn the basics of providing support to peers. The Peer Coaching Series consists of 4 trainings: What is Peer Coaching, Healthy Boundaries, Trauma Informed Support, and Debriefing and Sel...

Bill and Jim talk about making changes in the behavioral health system. Get tips on how you can get involved and why advocacy is an important part of recovery!

The podcasts in This series are a dramatization of debates concerning subjects that may be controversial. The views expressed are not necessarily those of MPN or the staff. We hope to provide both sides of the controversy and to model ways that others can respectfully disagree and discuss difficult topics. Amanda and Ashley discuss the Purdue Pharma settlement that required the Sackler to be perso...

Jim and Andi talk about advocacy and the upcoming Montana Legislative Session. The Peer Advocacy and Leadership (PAL) Project can help you learn skills to be an effective advocate. You can find legislative information discussed int his podcast at https://leg.mt.gov/session/.

Bill, Brent, and Jim talk about how COVID has impacted their winter activities and offer suggestions about how to maintain your recovery through recreation.

This is a recording of our Facebook Live event from November 19, 2020. Bill and Ashley share their thoughts on how to deal with the holidays during COVID when you may need to change your traditions. We can still express our gratitude and connect with others even if we can't be together.

Lauren Spiro, co-founder of Emotional CPR, and Amanda Walton, MPN Peer Services Coordinator, discuss Emotional CPR (e-CPR) training and how it can be useful in supporting people in and out of the behavioral health system. You can find more information about e-CPR at https://www.emotional-cpr.org/. Guest bios: Lauren Spiro has come a long way from being a very insecure and shy young woman who was g...

MPN Board member, Ginny Carnes, talks about her experience in quarantine after a COVID-19 exposure. Ginny is awaiting her test results and joined us on her third day of quarantine to discuss her feelings, frustrations, and coping strategies.

Bill Deavel, Ashley McLean, and Erica Durham discuss how Peer Support Specialists can support each other in their recoveries and in the work that they do. It is helpful to get support from those who are doing the same work you are. MPN holds PSS2PSS support groups every three weeks for people working in the field. Learn more at mtpeernetwork.org. Erica is the founder of Extraordinary Distances in...

In this podcast Jim and Andi share updates about the Peer Advocacy and Leadership (PAL) Project that is just starting into the second year. They discuss the successes over the last year and let you know what is coming up. mtpeernetwork.org/pal The app mentioned in this podcast, My mental Health Crisis Plan (MyMHCP) can be found at https://smiadviser.org/mymhcp.

Bill, Ashley, and Jim talk about another one of the 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery - respect. They discuss how their understanding of respect has evolved throughout their recoveries.

Demetrius Fassas joins us to discuss the soon to open Butte SPIRIT Center, a transitional living house in Butte for men in recovery. Demetrius shares his recovery story and the journey that has led to the development of the Butte-Silver Bow Persons Invested in Recovery and Inner Transformation center. http://buttespirit.org/

Darla Tyler-McSherry, founder of Ask in Earnest talks about her experience with her father's suicide on the family farm in Northcentral Montana and how it led to her advocacy. You can find out more at https://www.askinearnest.org/. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text MT t...

MPN's Recovery Coach Bill Deavel is joined by MPN members Greg Arciello, Todd Tecca, and Lawrence Rhone for a discussion about the challenges that men face in recovery and how they have overcome some of them. This is part of our Recovery Month 2020 series and you can get the prize code at the end of this podcast. For more information, visit mtpeernetwork.org/rm2020.

Jim, Ashley, and Bill continue their series on the 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery. It is important to address all areas of your life in order to maintain your recovery.

Jim and Andi preview the rest of the events for Recovery Month 2020. Due to COVID, we were unable to hold our regular Recovery Conference so we are holding at least one virtual event every month. For every event you attend, you can enter to win some great prizes. Listen or watch for the entry code. mtpeernetwork.org/rm2020

Jim, Ashley, and Bill talk about how their recoveries rely on relationships. This is part of our series on the 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery and is highlighted in our Recovery Month 2020 campaign. We are giving away great prizes during the month of September and you can enter by listening for the code in this podcast and entering at https://mtpeernetwork.org/rm2020.

MPN members Laurie, Stacey, and Jennifer join Andi to discuss perspectives in recovery from a woman's point of view. How they have been shaped by women in their lives, how recovery has affected their relationships, and how they interact with peers of different genders.

Jim and Bill talk about how they use their recovery timelines to inform their continued recovery. Making your own timeline can help you see patterns and adjust your journey.