Veterans 4 Recovery

As a Marine, you quickly learn that the line between chaos and discipline is razor-thin. That's a truth for my friend and fellow Vietnam War Veteran, Samuel Verdeja. Samuel lays bare the road from civilian to combat Marine, revealing the raw transformation under the weight of military service and the trials of Vietnam.  Our exchange takes you through the trenches of fear, through the baptism of co...

When Alan Swanson speaks about his battle with alcohol addiction, it's not just a story—it's a roadmap for transformation and hope. Alan joins us to recount his journey to sobriety through SMART Recovery. His candid sharing on how he moved from the grip of addiction to a place of empowerment is not just inspiring; it's a testament to the power of self-help and the strength of community support. Th...

What does it take to truly overcome addiction, to find a purpose, and create a meaningful life after military service? Join me, retired Major John Donovan, as I host a deep and enlightening conversation with Timothy Murray, a stalwart in long-term recovery advocacy. Timothy takes us through his personal journey, from the darkness of addiction to the newfound purpose that has transformed his life....

Meet Peter Hubbard, the man who is using his personal journey of addiction and recovery to lead philanthropic initiatives for mental health and addiction at the University of Minnesota. His roller coaster ride from his teenage years of experimenting with substances, to his transformative work in the recovery community is an inspiring tale of resilience and triumph over adversity. We engage in a de...

Transitioning from the personal to the professional, Jay Donavan recounts his life-altering move to Honolulu, Hawaii in 2000, and how it marked the beginning of his career in substance use counseling in the military. As a part of the Department of the Army Civilian in Addiction Medicine Intensive Outpatient Program, Jay speaks about how the army provides immediate access to treatment and resources...

Recovery isn't a solitary journey but something that's deeply entwined with the power of connection and empathy. Join John and his guest, Navy Veteran Dave Wehlage, as he explores his military experience and the unique challenges he faced in his recovery journey. Listen closely as Dave bravely exposes the wound of his military sexual trauma (MST), and how it played a significant role in his substa...

A heartwarming journey as John welcomes Katie Blue, an inspiring woman who has tirelessly battled substance use disorder, on Veterans 4 Recovery. Her unbelievable transformation to a recovery champion, coupled with fascinating tales from her Army career and an invigorating passion for skydiving, is sure to inspire every listener. Katie unravels how her military career has acted as a strong backbon...

In this monthly podcast, Major John Donovan is chatting with SGM Andy Miller, U.S. Army, Ret. Andy is a person in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder. Andy shares freely and candidly his insights, thoughts and suggestions on how service-members can find recovery and bring others into the rooms of recovery.  Website:  recoverycommunitynetwork.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rcn...