Rise Recover Live

Send us Fan Mail #49:  At 19 years old Kaley Jones’ (she/her) life came to a crossroads: on one path, she could move down to Mexico and continue a life that was gripped by substance use disorder and incredibly dangerous circumstances; or she could begin the long and hard journey of sobriety; an existence that not only seemed impossible, but one she didn’t think she wanted.  Over 10 years later, Ka...

Send us Fan Mail #48:  When Payton Kennedy (she/her) joined the SHE RECOVERS community, she found a space of acceptance, where women feel less alone in recovery.  She found a community that accepts the differences in each person’s unique path, and recognizes the connective threads of recovery and healing.  We discuss these topics and more:  How Payton revived her love of dancing and movement- acti...

Send us Fan Mail #47  Author Sarah Levy joins us on the show today to talk about recovery and her recently published book, “ Drinking Games .”    In her early 20’s, Sarah realized that being a self-described “party girl” was actually a problem with alcohol.  We discuss the shift that happened when she finally asked for help, what it was like to get sober as a young person, and so much more:  How i...

Send us Fan Mail #46:  In a special bonus episode, we continue our celebration of National Volunteer Week with Phoenix volunteer Susannah Wingfield. The first to bring Phoenix classes to Detroit, Susannah’s path to sobriety was inextricably linked to her CrossFit journey and the non-judgmental community she found at her own gym. We discuss the influence of CrossFit on Susannah’s recovery, how she...

Send us Fan Mail #45: This week we celebrate National Volunteer Week and say an enormous “Thank You!” to the folks who generously and selflessly give back to our communities, contributing to making this a world we live in a better one for us all. In this episode we asked previous podcast guests to share the impact of their own volunteer experience:  Kelvin (Episode 22): Volunteering fosters a spac...

Send us Fan Mail #44: When Nick Wells went to prison, he had no reason to think he would see freedom again in his lifetime.  With 14 years of addiction and trouble dragging behind him and a 60-year sentence looming ahead, life seemed to be over.  You might never guess that he was the same guy we welcome to the podcast today... but he is, and he's changed more than just his own life.    Grante...

Send us Fan Mail #43:  In our most laughter-filled episode yet, we chat with Ryn Gargulinski, a.k.a. Rynski; a spiritual grief recovery coach, Reiki master, award-winning writer, and author of "How to Get Through Hell on Earth Without Drinking a Keg or Kicking a Garden Gnome."  Rynski shares her personal story and journey to “High-Vibe Living,” with a message of hope and healing through...

Send us Fan Mail #42:  In a very special episode, and our first ever LIVE recording, Liz and Bryce share their personal recovery journeys with each other and our listening community.   Hear about the carefully hidden anxiety Liz experienced from an early age, and how what she thought was finally the solution became a problem of its own.  And listen as Bryce describes his attempts to get help, and...

Send us Fan Mail #41:  After 10 years of writing and performing music in Denver, Spencer Hughes found himself at a crossroads, wondering WHY he was making music, and whether it was the right path for him.  Amid this self-defined identity crisis, he voiced his worries to a local music-scene Facebook group, and was shocked to find that he was far from alone.  Encouraged by his peers, Spencer began h...

Send us Fan Mail #40:  Today we talk to author and recovery advocate Alison Jones Webb.  Alison found her home in the recovery community through a career in public health. Her work related to prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction introduced her to people and their incredible stories, ultimately inspiring her to write “ Recovery Allies: How to Support Addiction Recovery and Build Reco...

Send us Fan Mail #39:  Ambie and Mike Handby are Sober DJ's who love music and love to party.  Realizing that spaces to party safely without intoxicants were hard to find, they co-founded Secret Dance Addiction (SDA), and committed to normalizing a healthy nightlife that rejects the belief that we must drink to have fun. Three years later, SDA has redefined what the nightlife looks and feels...

Send us Fan Mail #38:   Jackson Longan has been part of the Oxford House community for 15 of his 17 years sober.  Today, we hear Jackson’s story, and how an unconventional approach to sober living is changing lives. Jackson shares his shock of graduating from high school with honors, only to find himself struggling with substance use and sleeping on the streets at age 19, We hear about his first a...

Send us Fan Mail #37:   When Dallas Miller and Jeremy Terrell met at a treatment center for substance use disorder, Dallas was starting treatment, and could not comprehend the cheerfulness that radiated from a smiling, tattooed, recovering-out-loud counselor who turned out to be Jeremy.   Through treatment, community, and their eventual deep friendship, Jeremy found recovery, became a counselor hi...

Send us Fan Mail #36:  For the first time in Rise Recover Live Podcast history we’re dropping two episodes in one week… and Brittany and Becky are the perfect duo to break the mold!   In our conversation, Brittany shares her experience of substance use and recovery, alongside her mom, Becky (also known as “Mom” by much of the Tampa Phoenix community), who reflects on years of feeling afraid for he...

Send us Fan Mail #35:  The first time Dana Smith walked into a Phoenix class, the simple question “how are you doing?” brought unexpected tears.  After a long road to recovery that included addiction, incarceration, & living on the streets of Chicago, being able to answer that question with honesty and vulnerability was a brand new experience.  With that same honesty and vulnerability, Dana sh...

Send us Fan Mail #34:   Andy Short joins us today to break down the many stories that make up his life and recovery.  With humor and wisdom, he shares the journey that led to his recovery... and the wild ride that came next.  Content Warning: Discussion of suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide) We discuss our individual, ever changing narratives, and how they shape our reality, How comparison was...

Send us Fan Mail #33:   As the first month of 2023 comes to an end, Liz & Bryce sit down to talk about how the start of a new year felt for them this year in comparison to those that came before it.   Liz shares the vision setting practices she found fun & inspiring this month, Bryce reflects on how far he's come, and the importance of self compassion as we move through the challengin...

Send us Fan Mail #32:  Caleb Ferguson didn’t touch alcohol until he was 21 years old.  Once he started, however, it quickly emerged as a problem, and his world shrunk from one rich with social and professional relationships to a life of isolation.   A dear friend to both Liz and Bryce, Caleb shares his personal journey of addiction, recovery, love and loss.  Hug your loved ones today, and join us...

Send us Fan Mail #31:  In this episode, we talk to Tiffany Foster, who shares her beautifully raw, honest and awe-inspiring story.  Wisely advised in the infancy of her recovery to “speak even if your voice shakes,” Tiffany describes some of the darkest moments of her addiction, and how, against all odds, she built a life that she never expected to live.  Content Warning: Mention of Suicidal ideat...

Send us Fan Mail #30:  Today we talk to Sophie Lyons; a yoga teacher, a queer person in recovery, and a passionate advocate for her community.  *Content Warning: In this episode there is mention of specific aspects of eating disorders.  If this type of conversation feels unsafe for you, it is always ok to skip a week, or have a trusted friend pre-listen before you dive in.  We touch on topics clos...

Send us Fan Mail #29:  If gratitude and giving back are part of your New Year’s Intentions (or your any-time-of-the-year intentions), you’ll love this conversation with Erik.  After years of addiction to crystal meth and ultimately incarceration, Erik wasn’t sure he had anything to give.  Seeing the pain in his family’s eyes was a catalyst to working toward a different way of living, diving into f...

Send us Fan Mail #28:  Growing up in a rural area, Chelsea battled substance use disorder amidst immense stigma and a severe lack of treatment resources.  Today she shares her story of resilience and recovery.  This episode is packed with inspiration, messages of hope, and real tools for the recovery journey: As a self-described people pleaser, how Chelsea finally feels like a person that people r...

Send us Fan Mail #27:  After many years in recovery, Stephen's partner asked, "are you suffering?"  and the answer was yes; a constant feeling of not being enough was taking its toll.  Today we talk about lies the mind can tell us, and the work that happens in active recovery to see that our thoughts aren't always truth. In this vulnerable conversation, Stephen opens up about l...

Send us Fan Mail #26:  There is a lot of laughter in today's conversation, and we're overjoyed to share the lighthearted energy Keithy brings to the show.  But make no mistake, Keithy worked hard for this life that she loves, and she continues to work every day to keep it, and to share what she's learned. In this episode, we dive into Keithy's story, including the following top...

Send us Fan Mail #25:  Ryan Hampton was miserable in early recovery, and certain that he had destroyed any chance for a happy, successful life.  At a crossroads, he sought wisdom from a friend, who suggested he make the bed each morning.  This simple task set the foundation for self-respect and discipline; qualities that now define the man who is a leading voice of recovery advocacy, and founder o...