The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast

Today is the final of Nancy's three beautiful episodes. Nancy Espuche is a mother, author, and speaker who courageously shared her and her son Lucas's story in her book 'Kardboard House.' Nancy shares the decision to publish, the fears and hopes of writing the book, and her journey in her grief.  What is crystal clear in Nancy's story is that addiction is most definitely a...

Today Nancy Espuche, the author of ' Kardboard House ,' shares more of her and her son Lucas's story. Nancy and Lucas not only navigated the disease of addiction. Lucas, as an infant, developed pancreatitis and suffered from no diagnosis for a long time. These two no-fault diseases impacted how they lived, yet you will hear many examples of the typical family questions and struggles...

Today I am privileged to introduce you to Nancy Espuche, a mother, an author, a speaker, and an advocate. Nancy has beautifully written Lucas' story in her book. Nancy's book is entitled 'Kardboard House.'  In Nancy's dedication, she references the music of Hamilton, and the line "who lives, who dies, who tells your story?" Nancy promised to tell their story, and...

In her book Stay Close, Libby Cataldi eloquently shared the family's journey surrounding her eldest son's addiction.  Today you are in for a treat when Libby shares a quote from her journal! You will learn more about her outlet and healing through writing. Writing for personal use and then deciding to publish is a frightening journey.  Libby shares some beautiful 'God Winks' al...

Today, Libby Cataldi, the author of Stay Close, returns and shares more about her journey with her son and his disease of addiction. She also offers a unique window into the role of Jeff's younger brother Jeremy in this family disease. Libby not only writes magnificently, but she also speaks Italian!  Today you will learn the beautiful story of how her book got its title. For more information...

Meet Libby Cataldi, a mother, a school head in her children's school, and an author whose eldest son is a recovering addict. Jeff's addiction began while attending that school, and Libby attempted to find her feet in the "sandstorm" the disease created. Libby wrote their story, 'Stay Close' with her son Jeff a part of every word. They still produce a weekly blog entit...

Today is our final episode with Cameron, the courageous baby sister of Bryce, who tragically lost his life due to an accidental drug overdose. Cameron shares about hitting a wall and becoming an "adult, part two." She heals by speaking her truth, including being open about Bryce's addiction and death. A line that Cameron said was, "I neglected me, I don't want you to negle...

Today Cameron continues to share her story of loving her big brother Bryce and devastatingly losing him to his disease. Cameron shares the progression of the disease and the struggle to balance being a sister and a social worker. I understand hearing the story of someone losing their loved one to the disease of addiction is sorrowful. This part of the story must also be shared when we speak about...

Today, we have the opportunity to hear from Cameron, who offers her story of loving her older brother with the disease of addiction. You will hear Cameron's story's nuances that may sound very different from yours. And there are always similarities and qualities that overlap in every one of our stories. What is evident in this episode is the roles we all play in our families and how they...

The laughter strikes me in this episode and series with Jennifer Storm, the author of Blackout Girl ! It is fascinating that though the book's subject and conversation are heavy, serious, and taken very seriously, we can also laugh. I believe the laughter comes from a sense of connectivity and the positive impact of the hard work of recovery and healing. We have to feel pain, accept times of...

I love Jennifer Storm's passion and ability to teach in such a great way! In sharing her message, she's been fearless. And in this episode, I love how she used Al-Anon principles to cope with the Monkey Chatter around people sharing their pain with her. What family member can't relate?  No matter where you are on this journey of addiction, a family member or person with an addiction...

What an honor it is to have Jennifer Storm, the author of Blackout Girl as a guest today!  Jennifer shares her belief that hearing another's story helps us connect to our story and lessens our sense of isolation. When I say I read this book from a place of genuine curiosity about another woman's recovery journey, that would be true. I had no idea how impacted I would be by Jennifer'...

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...

Today is another solo episode! Spirituality has been a challenging part of my recovery journey. To say I had resistance to God being in the meeting literature and skepticism that I could choose what God meant to me was prevalent. I created a lecture 'Who's Driving Your Bus,' many years ago because many recovering people struggle with the spirituality part of their journey. As a pers...

Today is the final episode with Zoe and Heather. We speak about their recovery and how each family member has their path, challenges, and victories. This family has a level of respect that is beautiful to hear and a willingness to accept each other and their individuality. What a delight it was to hear Zoe share her truth so candidly and courageously. A privilege to witness a mother's love an...

Zoe and her mom Heather return today and share more about how the Hazelden Betty Ford Children's Program has assisted the whole family in healing from the disease of addiction.  Empowerment means the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life. I hope you hear Zoe's confidence in her education and the permission for her to set boundaries and...

I am so excited to introduce you to Heather and Zoe. Since I had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in the Hazelden Betty Ford Children's Program in October 2017, I have dreamed about giving voice to a program graduate. Today is that day!! Zoe, her brother, and her parents participated in the program when Zoe was 7 1/2 years old. Today begins a three-part conversation with Heather a...

In today's episode, William Cope Moyers, the author of Broken , shares further about his ongoing recovery journey and the power of community in that recovery.  Willam and I talk about how a connection with our fellows is vital in all recovery programs. And we also explore triggers for family members and strategies Willam uses to communicate and stay out of being a Higher Power for anyone. Sup...

William's book Broken was the window into a family, where the disease of addiction was a central character.  William shares today that in the years since writing Broken, he has faced many growth opportunities. Surrendering to the reality of the challenges of codependency, especially with the people he loves most. Living in his active recovery from a substance use disorder has paled in William...

Today I am thrilled to introduce you to William Cope Moyers, a man in long-term recovery who wrote his Memoir, 'Broken' in 2006. William was a trailblazer of sorts, willing to write his book and his truth about his journey with his Substance Use Disorder and recovery. The inclusion of letters from his father, Bill Moyers, introduced a poignant vital perspective - the impact of the family...

Today I am back with a solo episode. Holidays can be magical and stressful. They can be warmly familiar or stressfully familiar.  Expectations bread resentments, so today, I am providing you with some strategies to implement during your holiday season, which will offer you the ability to be more peaceful and self-caring rather than reactive and other focused. Be kind with yourselves, which will al...

Not only does Danni expose her soul in her writing, but she also lets others into the journey of being a family member of loved ones with the disease of addiction. After this disease took her son Travis, Danni sadly had to embark on a grief journey that she generously shares in her book 'Shoot My Ashes From A Cannon. ' Today Danni shares more about her spiritual pilgrimage with her frien...

Yesterday would have been Travis's 40th Birthday. My heart has been with Danni and her family, thinking of the many emotions they might be experiencing. I am sending them all hugs. In today's episode, Danni shares more of her grief journey. A journey it has been in all senses of the word. The definition of journey is: an act or instance of traveling from one place to another. Danni'...

Who hasn't wanted to write one of those Christmas letters with unfiltered truth? Well, today's guest did precisely that. Danni courageously wrote her unbridled truth in her annual Christmas letters.  You see, Danni and Pete were parenting three sons, all with the disease of addiction. As Danni says: "By writing these letters, I could spill my guts and figure out what was going on wi...

We all know the saying life is short; it really is! Today I honor my friend and first podcast guest, Janet. Janet was very anxious about being a guest on the podcast, and in true Janet's style, she was so humble, authentic, and full of grace and hope. At the end of the recording, she said, "that was kind of fun"!! Whenever I spoke with Janet and shared that someone had mentioned how...