The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast

In this episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, I talk openly about what it looked like when I was actually willing to go to rehab—and why that willingness did not make things neat, calm, or straightforward. My second time in treatment was very different from my first. The first time, I was more cornered than committed. The second time, I was desperate and broken enough to try again. I did...

In this Pocket Guide episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, I walk you through what to expect when your loved one goes to rehab and doesn’t really want to be there. I talk about how terrified and raw they often feel without drugs, and how their mindset going in—whether they asked for help or felt backed into a corner—shapes what happens next. I explain the common tactics you might see: pic...

I want to speak directly to you as someone who may be walking alongside a loved one who is struggling with substance use. In a recent podcast conversation, I interviewed therapist Karen Perlmutter, who specializes in substance abuse and mental illness and has over a decade of experience working with families. Our discussion focused on her evidence-based curriculum designed specifically for familie...

In this Pocket Guide episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, host Jennifer Maneely walks families through a practical but often overlooked question: how do you pack when your loved one is heading into treatment? Jennifer starts with the basics: always use the treatment center’s official packing list as your primary guide. Space is limited, so bring a reasonable amount of clothing with layer...

In this Pocket Guide episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast, host Jennifer Maneely walks parents and caregivers through the crucial step of having a loved one personally call rehab centers. Building on the previous episode about narrowing options down to three facilities, Jennifer explains why it’s essential that the person seeking treatment—not their family—makes the actual calls. She brea...

In this “pocket guide” episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, host Jennifer Maneely shares how she quickly evaluates rehab centers when all she has is a website to go on. Speaking to families who are overwhelmed by endless Google results, she explains the simple criteria she uses to narrow options down to three solid choices.

Choosing a treatment center can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re scared, exhausted, and trying to do the “right” thing for someone you love. In this episode of The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast, we break down how to navigate this decision with clarity, confidence, and compassion. We start by unpacking what “the right fit” really means. It’s not just about a glossy website or a quick admi...

In this podcast, Jen announces the rebranding of her podcast from Maneely Consulting to The Recovering Family, focusing on helping families with substance abuse issues. She outlines five principles for creating unbreakable boundaries: the Exchange Principle, emphasizing equal exchanges in financial, time, and energy; the Action Principle, stressing the importance of actions over words; the Present...

In this episode of the podcast, host Jen Maneely welcomes Katie Kocher and her mother, Barb Kocher, to share their heartfelt journey through addiction and recovery. Katie opens up about her feelings of isolation and misunderstanding during her youth, despite excelling academically and athletically. Barb reflects on her unawareness of the signs of Katie's struggles and acknowledges the effects...

Another Reddit Story/Question. What was dating in recovery like for you?

Another Reddit Story for you. This one is AITA for refusing to forgive my drug addict BIL. 

I share my perspective on how to cope with a loved one's addiction, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries.

What happens when mothers and daughters have to “adult” together? In this episode, My mom, Lynn Carnes and myself, along with another mother Christine Dickson and her daughter Lauren Martinson got together and talked about the challenges, the experiences, the memories, and some hard conversations we've experienced and how we navigated them, as well as the healing journey we've taken to m...

Are you willing to dive into some of the things that are coming up for you in order to be the support person that your loved one needs?

Caroline Holke works with Type A, high performing women who drink more than they intend to sometimes. It wouldn't be classified as a drinking problem, but they have a problem with using it as a crutch and want to get their control back.  They hire her to get rid of the shitty parts of drinking (and this doesn't necessarily mean all drinking) and this enables them to build a life that the...

Chelsea is a Narcotics Unit Paralegal Specialist with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and a member of Silent No More. Addiction has rattled just about every one of her family members, ultimately claiming the lives of her two oldest brothers Steven and Scott. Steven passed away from a heroin overdose in 2009 and Scott passed away from an overdose attributed to...

Michel has lived through absolute hell and can smile on the other side of the abyss. Her life's work is to facilitate healing and to guide people back to the knowingness of their own inner strength and to not just survive, but to live their lives fully. Outline: What does it mean to live in absolute hell? At the time that you are experiencing this, what were some of the beliefs that you had a...

Tanya D. is a Certified meditation instructor (C.MI™), Usui/Holy Fire® III Karuna Reiki® Master, Sound Vibrational Reiki Healing Practitioner, Animal Reiki practitioner, Certified spiritual life coach, and Yoga4Sobriety Teacher Ambassador / Student Liason. She uses her experience, strength, hope, intuition, and teacher trainings to help people find peace and serenity in recovery from addiction.  I...

In this episode, Tracy and I get into a great conversation about what do kids need and how that translates later in life. Safety, Security, and Love are three important things and in that, creating a safe place to be heard and how important connection is.  Tracy Redfearn is a Licensed Psychoeducational Specialist who is certified by the SC Board of Education as a School Psychologist II, the Nation...

Know Hope North Carolina's mission is to remember those we have lost, support those in recovery and give hope to those still struggling.  Create memorial banner and billboards with faces of those lost to addiction in NC.  Refer clients to detox and treatment centers.  Facilitate grief groups. Outline of Podcast Topics ·      The power of creating a space to honor your feelings in a safe way....

It can be a really confusing time when your loved one gets out of rehab. It can be confusing for you as well as them. It's emotional, it's a little chaotic and not at all what you would expect it to look like. In this next podcast, I share a little bit about what you can expect. This is generalization, so if you have questions about your own loved one, please reach out to me. jennifermco...

In this episode, Michele Rogers shares with us her journey of losing her son. This was a powerful conversation about what happens next as well as her experience. The biggest take away from this conversation is, this is not a parenting problem. Here is just a little of Michele's story and what she has to say: I grew up in Tidewater Virginia and later attended Saint Leo College in Florida. I ha...

Lisa grew up having a great family life with 3 brothers. She moved from Ohio to NC when she was twelve 12. She has two sons from first marriage and divorced after 9 years of marriage. Lisa raised her boys as a single mom and home schooled them until they entered high school. Their high school years were full of struggles, some normal, some not. Both boys started using drugs in their mid-teens. Sam...

My next episode includes a guest that made a new year's resolution to get sober and 4 years later, she is still sober. She talks with us about her journey into sobriety and how she did it. It wasn't the typical path, and it has shown to be successful for her. She writes openly about it in her blog titled " Wishes from the Bottom" This was her first time speaking about and I am...

You hear it all the time with people who have loved ones with substance abuse issues. The "Letting go". But what does that really mean. Sometimes we have a misconception on what "Letting Go" really means. It's more about letting go of our ideas of what should be or shouldn't be. This is what this podcast explores.