The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast

Today we conclude our conversation with Alexandra Nyman, the founder of The Break Free Foundation. In sharing her story, Alexandra tells us the main strategies that have aided her and her family on their journey and what she wishes she had known earlier along her path. Listen for Alexandra's description of the beautiful and meaningful logo of The Break Free Foundation. Let's get back to...

Today we meet Alexandra Nyman, the founder of The Break Free Foundation.  Alex shares without how The Break Free Foundation and its Bi-Annual New York Fashion Week Fundraiser came to be. September is National Recovery Month and National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month.  Alexandra's life has been impacted by chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal illnesses and it in combination wit...

As I close season three of The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast, I look forward to some fun this summer for us all, and the podcast will return after Labor Day with some fantastic guests and topics. Language matters so much, how we speak to ourselves and speak with each other. This family disease of addiction is brutal and often gets away with far too much, mainly when we blame ourselves and each o...

Today Al Richards, the host of The Other Side of Addiction Podcast , concludes his story and shares how impactful surrender has been concerning his and his wife's recovery and improved their marriage.  People who love someone with the disease of addiction struggle to let go, set boundaries, and resist getting off the hamster wheel of "fix, manage, and control." In this episode of th...

Today we meet Al Richards, the podcast host of The Other Side of Addiction , and a man who self-described "as a weekend warrior, liar, and manipulator." Al has been sober since 2009; however, in the past year began to identify as someone with the disease of addiction. Al offers the perspective of not having clarity for himself yet being very aware of his wife's disease. In today&apo...

Today we conclude the episodes with Doctors Dustin and Kerry Brockberg, the co-authors of the book ' End Your Covert Mission: A Veteran's Guide to Fighting Pain and  Addiction.' Kerry and Dustin share some of the most common themes they heard from veterans when writing their book.  They also share how crucial it is to be a part of a supportive community of choice when recovering fro...

Dustin and Kerry Brockberg, psychologists and co-authors of 'End Your Covert Mission,': A Veteran's Guide to Fighting Pain & Addiction' return.  Today we continue our conversation with Dustin and Kerry as they discuss vulnerability and reciprocity in building trust between veterans and their loved ones. We continue to unravel the seemingly parallel journeys of addiction rec...

I am excited to introduce you to a former colleague, Dustin Brockberg, and his wife, Kerry, who are the authors of a phenomenal book called ' End Your Covert Mission: A Veteran's Guide to Fighting Pain & Addiction.' On today's episode, Dustin, a veteran, psychologist and, adjunct professor at Hazelden Betty Ford, shares why writing a book that combines the psychology and th...

In this final installment of his story, Harry Levant brings us up to date on the current fight for education and reform regarding the gambling industry's rapid ingestion and prolific supply. He uses a well-known understanding of nicotine addiction and the effectiveness of its second-hand smoke campaign to illustrate how pervasive gambling marketing is and how we must address the multiple elep...

Join us as Harry Levant continues the story of his gambling addiction from last week. In today's episode, Harry shares his lowest moment (which comes with a suicide trigger warning), his moment of clarity, and three critical conversations that helped him progress toward recovery.  Harry also shares with us his recovery journey and how his story has become the least interesting thing about him...

Today's episode was enlightening for me, and you will find this also. I am privileged to interview Harry Levant, a recovering gambling addict, Doctoral Student at Northeastern University, Primary Therapist at Ethos Treatment Center, Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor, and Founder of Ethical Gambling Reform Group. Harry is very knowledgeable about gambling addiction and a fabulous te...

Happy 100th Episode of the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast!  Today is a solo episode.  In this episode, I share The Three C's of Recovery for both sides of the disease coin.  The Three C 's: I did not CAUSE.   I can not CONTRO L.  I can not CURE .  It is undeniable to observe the parallel process of the disease and recovery for both the person with the disease of addiction and their love...

Today Dr. Sarah Bridges, the author of Hotdogs Annonymous , is back! We speak more about the realities of the impact of this generational disease and how knowledge is empowering.  Learning will not prevent a person from having the disease of addiction; however, it can lessen the risks and harm of being naive, which Sarah's story demonstrates.  Sarah's experience fueled her desire to teac...

Today I have the absolute joy of introducing you to Dr. Sarah Bridges, the author of possibly my all-time favorite children's book about this family disease of addiction. It is a pleasure to talk with Sarah about how hank came to be the star of her story, Hotdogs Anonymous. If you want to learn more about Dr. Sarah Bridges, the founder, and leader of Bridges Consulting ,  please email her at...

Today Felisha Hunter continues to be the fearless warrior of her recovery and shares the rest of her ongoing journey. Family Recovery is a critical part of Felisha's story. We dive into codependency and cross-addiction. Felisha shares an excerpt from her third book entitled 'I'm a Quitter,' which will be available June 2023. To register for The Embrace family Recovery Coaching...

We rejoin Felisha Hunter, an author,  Recovery&Wellness Coach ,  a Podcaster , a woman in recovery and adult child of an alcoholic, as she eloquently shares her story of healing and weaves in experiences with her family. We begin this episode with Felisha reading an excerpt from her first book 'Exit Wounds' where she used short poetic story writing to capture the emotional experience...

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Felisha Hunter. Felisha consistently leans into authenticity and healing as she journeys through her recovery from substance use, trauma, and codependency. Felisha is the founder and recovery & wellness coach for Recover My Soul. She is the author of ' Exit Wounds' and 'Internal Bleeding,' with the release of her third book co...

This episode of the Embrace Family Resource Podcast features the return of Jessica Garrison, supervisor of the Hazelden Betty Ford Virtual Family Program, and Lindsey Chadwick, Manager of the Hazelden Betty Ford Children's Program. They have recently created and rolled out a much-needed Virtual Family Program for Adolescents . This episode is jam-packed with resources and takeaways for anyone...

Today I am thrilled to introduce families to a new resource offered by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Family Program. Jessica Garrison and Lindsey Chadwick are with us to share more about the new Virtual Family Program for Adolescents! Families, I know it can be hard to decide when, how much, and in what ways to teach our adolescents about this family disease of addiction. This episode will of...

It seems strange to use the word freedom when discussing the disease of addiction and its collateral damage. How can one find peace when there is no cure? Kathryn has experienced the unimaginable death of two children to illnesses and witnessed a third child be held hostage by addiction, a progressive, chronic, and potentially fatal disease.  In this episode, Kathryn shares how education, counseli...

Today Kathryn continues her inspiring recovery story, and we dive into many subjects, including grief, self-pity, trauma, and triggers. In Kathryn's story, there is an undercurrent of hope and the healing power of family recovery that speaks volumes. To register for The Embrace family Recovery Coaching Group starting February 8 at 8:00 pm EST, click this link: https://sites.google.com/view/ef...

In today's episode, meet Kathryn, a mother of a son with the disease of addiction. As Kathryn will share, her story is atypical and profound due to her commitment to her recovery despite the unimaginable losses she has experienced. Against all odds, Kathryn has implemented six specific tools to support her in her goal of "not living a bitter life" and figuring "out some way to...

One of the most common questions I have heard through my decades of working with people impacted by the disease of addiction is, "why is my love not enough?"  I have heard this from parents, partners, children, and siblings. The person with the disease asks, "Why is my love for ------- not enough to keep me clean?" Today Madeleine Dean and Harry Cunnane, the authors of ' U...

Today Congresswoman Madeleine Dean and Harry Cunnane are back! This mother and son duo who wrote 'Under Our Roof' share more about their recovery journey. They answer the questions and offer so much more through their story.  Harry introduced me to a powerful quote I had never heard 'while in addiction, trust is lost in buckets, and in recovery gained in drops!'  It is so helpf...

Welcome to 2023! The title of Congresswoman Madeleine Dean and Harry Cunnane's book 'Under Our Roof, A Son's Battle for Recovery, A mother's Battle for Her Son' says everything!  Today I have the honor of introducing you to Mad(as Congresswoman Dean invited me to call her) and her son Harry, who will share their story and the parallel aspects of the family and the addicted...