Thrive While Loving an Addict | Addiction | Sobriety | Recovery | Relapse

In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict , host KL Wells welcomes Doug Ballinger—author, advocate, podcaster, and end-of-life doula. Doug shares his deeply personal journey after losing his son Logan to a fentanyl overdose. Through candid conversation, Doug discusses how grief propelled him into advocacy with the Hope Movement Coalition, his experiences with addiction and recovery, and his...

In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict , host KL Wells welcomes David Hampton , a certified professional recovery coach, author, and speaker from Tennessee. Drawing on his extensive experience in addiction recovery and family support, David joins KL for a candid conversation about the realities families face when a loved one struggles with substance use disorder. Together, they explore t...

 In this heartfelt episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict , host KL Wells sits down with Debbie Simmons —author, founder, and resilient mother of nine adopted children from the foster care system. Debbie shares her extraordinary journey through infertility, profound loss, and the challenges of raising children with traumatic backgrounds. Together, they explore the power of resilience, faith, an...

In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells reconnects with Duane Osterlind, LMFT , founder of The Addicted Mind podcast and expert in addiction recovery and men's mental health. After four years since their last conversation, KL and Duane dive deep into their journeys—KL’s work in mental health and her TED Talk, and Duane’s transition from the film industry to psychology. Toge...

In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells welcomes Dr. Fredric Schiffer, a Harvard-affiliated expert on trauma and addiction. Dr. Schiffer shares his fascinating work on dual brain psychology and its applications in treating various mental health issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. He discusses his journey into this field, insights from his res...

In this powerful episode, host KL Wells sits down with Jim Horton, who shares his transformative experience in Utah and opens up about his deeply personal journey through grief and addiction. Jim discusses the critical role of support systems in overcoming addiction, the evolving societal perceptions of cancer versus substance use disorder, and the unique challenges faced in recovery. Together, th...

In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells interviews Natasha Davis and Haley Sample, best friends of 25 years who have both personally navigated addiction and substance use disorder. Now working on the treatment side at Her Harbor in Fresno, they focus on specialized addiction treatment for women. Natasha and Haley share their personal journeys, insights on recovery, and comp...

In this continuation of our conversation with KL Wells, host Steve Cary dives deeper into the challenges and triumphs of navigating life alongside a loved one battling addiction. Picking up from Part 1, "Thriving Amidst Chaos: KL Wells on Loving Someone with Addiction," this episode explores KL's personal journey as her son, Sam, faces the trials of addiction and recovery. KL shares her insights o...

In this powerful episode, host KL Wells sits down with Ian Morgan Cron , bestselling author, Enneagram expert, and host of the Typology Podcast, to explore the transformative power of the Twelve Steps —not just for those struggling with addiction, but for anyone seeking personal growth, healing, and a deeper spiritual awakening. Ian shares his deeply personal journey as a recovering alcoholic and...

In this podcast episode, producer and team member Steve Cary steps out from behind the scenes to host a heartfelt conversation with KL Wells , founder of Voices InCourage , about her experience as a mother navigating the complexities of loving someone struggling with addiction. KL candidly shares her deeply personal journey, highlighting her son Sam’s battle with substance use disorder, particular...

In this special episode of the Voices InCourage podcast, the tables turn as host Beverly Buncher interviews KL Wells - leadership coach, emotional fitness trainer, TEDx speaker and the mother of a young man in recovery.  Stepping into the guest seat, KL shares her deeply personal journey of resilience, courage, and the lessons learned while loving someone through addiction. This conversa...

In this episode, host KL Wells speaks with Kathy Wrenn, a former health education teacher and current coach with BALM Family Recovery. With over 20 years of experience in education, Kathy shares her personal journey of navigating her son Tucker's substance use disorder. As the executive director of ILUME Family Recovery, she discusses the importance of family education, understanding risk factors,...

In this episode, host KL Wells reflects on the new year and the challenges of multigenerational addiction and trauma. They introduce Melissa Engle, co-owner and executive vice president of Healing Springs Ranch, Texas, who has nearly 37 years of experience in addiction and mental health. Melissa discusses the importance of understanding trauma, epigenetics, and emotional suppression's impact on ch...

In this episode of "Thrive While Loving an Addict," host KL Wells and guest Cathie Coe Sipe, Founder/CEO of New Each Morning, discuss the challenges and triumphs of supporting loved ones in recovery. Cathie shares her personal journey, including her first husband's battle with alcoholism and her transition from hairdresser to nonprofit leader. Emphasizing the importance of community and post-recov...

In this episode of "Thrive While Loving an Addict," the host KL Wells welcomes Dr. Rais Vohra, an emergency room physician and medical toxicology expert, to discuss addiction and emergency preparedness during the holiday season. They emphasize the importance of having Narcan (naloxone) available to reverse opioid overdoses and provide practical tips for navigating emergency room visits. Dr. Vohra...

In this episode, the host KL Wells engages with Beverly Buncher, founder of BALM Family Recovery , to discuss the emotional challenges families face during the holiday season when a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder. Beverly Buncher, with over 15 years of experience, shares strategies for managing emotions, setting boundaries, and providing support. Key topics include understandi...

In this episode of "Thrive While Loving an Addict," host KL Wells welcomes Melissa Engle, co-owner and executive vice president of Healing Springs Ranch. Melissa, with nearly 40 years of experience in addiction and mental health, discusses the complexities of addiction, defining it as a "pervasive pattern of avoiding emotional pain." She emphasizes the link between trauma and addiction, advocating...

In this episode of "Thriving While Loving an Addict," host KL Wells speaks with Waylon Hirst, spouse of sobriety coach Jen Hirst. Waylon shares his journey of supporting Jen through her struggle with alcoholism and recovery. He discusses the early signs of her addiction, the emotional challenges he faced, and the importance of setting boundaries. Waylon reflects on the personal growth he experienc...

In this episode, the host KL Wells welcomes Beverly Buncher, founder of BALM Family Recovery, and discusses the challenges families face when dealing with addiction. Beverly shares her personal journey with her husband's addiction and emphasizes the importance of family recovery and support systems. She introduces her mindfulness-based recovery program, BALM Recovery, used at Healing Springs Ranch...

In this podcast episode, the host KL Wells and guest Meredith Eicher discuss the themes of shame, guilt, judgment, and stigma surrounding substance use disorder. Meredith Eicher shares her personal journey of sobriety, detailing her early relationship with alcohol, the accumulation of shame, and the pivotal moments that led her to seek help. She emphasizes the importance of community, honesty, and...

In this episode, the host KL Wells and guest, Nicole Schueppert, a probation officer with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, discuss the challenges families face when a loved one is arrested. Nicole shares insights from her ten years of experience, highlighting the evolving, compassionate approaches within the correctional system to support individuals with substance use disorders. They emph...

In this episode, the host welcomes back Rachel Graham, founder and CEO of Healing Springs, to discuss addiction and its impact on families. Rachel shares her personal journey and introduces her "ARCH" framework, which stands for Awareness, Root Cause, Change, and Heal. This model helps families support loved ones dealing with addiction by addressing underlying issues and fostering collective heali...

In this insightful podcast episode, KL Wells welcomes William Moyers, a New York Times bestselling author and recovery advocate. They discuss addiction, recovery, and the vital role of family support. William shares his personal journey with addiction, emphasizing the importance of hope, setting boundaries, and understanding insurance coverage for treatment. He highlights the toxic nature of shame...

In this episode, your host, KL Wells, shares a personal story about witnessing her son's arrest, highlighting the emotional challenges families face when a loved one is incarcerated. She introduces Kelly Misfeldt, a social worker and clinical substance abuse counselor from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Kelly discusses her role in overseeing treatment programs for adults in correctional...

In this episode, KL Wells and Dr. Rais Vohra discuss their personal experiences and perspectives on addiction, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate and aggressive approach to treatment. They also explored the challenges and stigma surrounding substance use disorders, the importance of harm reduction, and the potential of non-pharmaceutical interventions like contingency management. Lastly...