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Paul Smith is a person in recovery, a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, and the Program Director for Massachusetts Young People in Recovery (MyPiR). He began his recovery journey in 2020 and first connected with MyPiR as a peer, later stepping into a volunteer peer leader role before joining the staff in 2023. Paul is a strong advocate of all pathways to recovery and is deeply embedded in the local recovery community. His leadership style is grounded in servant leadership, aligning naturally with peer support and recovery coaching principles. He believes that sustainable peer support is built on trust, shared power, and true empowerment—values he carries forward in his work with young people across Massachusetts. Join Jesse and Lisa on this Recovery Month episode of Airing Addiction to hear Paul's story.

What if recovery support truly met people where they are? This week, we’re joined by Carolyn Castro, founder of Castro Consulting Group, for a powerful conversation about helping providers, organizations, and communities embrace a multiple pathways approach to recovery. Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Whether through treatment, peer support, recovery housing, medications for substance use disorder, mutual aid, faith communities, employment support, cultural healing practices, or innovative community programs, people find recovery in different ways. Carolyn shares insights on building recovery-oriented systems that honor individual choice, expand access, and create opportunities for everyone to find a pathway that works for them.  Tune in as we celebrate National Recovery Month and the belief that every pathway deserves dignity, support, and the opportunity to succeed. #NationalRecoveryMonth #AiringAddiction #RecoveryMonth #MultiplePathwaysToRecovery #RecoveryForEveryone #RecoveryOrientedCare #PeerSupport #RecoveryHousing #MATWorks #CommunityRecovery #HopeAndHealing #RecoveryIsPossible  Recovery is personal. Recovery is possible. Every pathway matters

Danielle's recovery journey began in 2013, when she was a high-performing Sales Director who made the decision to check herself into a 30-day treatment program after years of alcohol use. In 2014, Danielle founded Real You Revolution, offering professional recovery coaching, sober companionship, and intervention services to high-achieving clients and families navigating addiction. Recovery is not simply the absence of substance use — it is the active, ongoing pursuit of physical health, mental wellbeing, and emotional resilience; embracing the whole self is what makes recovery last. The fundamentals of physical health are also fundamentals of recovery. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity reduces cravings and improves mood, quality sleep supports emotional regulation and cognitive function, and balanced nutrition helps restore the body's natural systems disrupted by substance use. These are not optional add-ons to a recovery plan, they are evidence-based pillars of sustained wellness. Danielle is offering openings to a Payer and Meditation retreat in Rhode Island October 26th. See this link for signing up: https://shsystems.org/Prayer-and-Mediation-retreat Hear how Danielle has ​integrated a holistic healing approach to help those in recovery find success with Lisa and Jesse. Only on Airing Addiction!

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Christopher Penna, whose journey through recovery has led him to a new purpose, helping others find their own path forward.  Originally from western Mass, Christopher spent years working in electrical construction before entering recovery. Since getting sober in January 2023, he has dedicated himself to supporting others through his work at a co-occurring 28-day treatment center. Through AA and the recovery lifestyle, Christopher has discovered a new way of thinking and living that continues to grow each day. Listen to hear Christopher share his story, what recovery has taught him, and why helping others has become such an important part of his journey.

Curlisa Henry is the Community Resource Coordinator at Legendary Legacies, where she supports men of all ages as they navigate reentry after incarceration and work toward positive, lasting change. With a background in public health, Curlisa brings a community-centered perspective to reentry, recognizing the critical connection between access to resources, supportive relationships, and long-term success. Through community engagement, relationship-building, and resource coordination, she helps create pathways to opportunity and successful reentry. Curlisa is committed to building stronger communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Join Jesse and Lisa on this special Recovery Month episode, as we hear from one of many guests on these special episodes. Only on Airing Addiction!

Earl Murphy is a former Enterprise Account Executive at Salesforce and served as the Global President of Soberforce, Salesforce’s employee resource group dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery, allies, and those exploring a sober lifestyle. During his leadership, Earl championed the expansion of recovery-friendly workplace culture, fostering peer support networks, reducing stigma in the corporate environment, and advocating for inclusive corporate wellness initiatives. An experienced revenue leader and educator, Earl currently works as an Account Executive at Cribl and serves as an instructor at the University of New Hampshire’s Paul College of Business and Economics. He is passionate about helping organizations build workplace environments where individuals in recovery can thrive both personally and professionally. With 8+ years of continuous sobriety, Earl is an exemplar and practitioner of the power of recovery.  Earl resides in New Hampshire with his wife, Audra, of 15 years, along with their two young kids. Join Jesse and Lisa to hear how Earl and Soberforce are transforming recovery in the workplace. Only on Airing Addiction!

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Laurel Chaison shares her firsthand experience of loving someone through addiction, and the impact it has on families. She hopes her story and experience can help reduce stigma, encourage honest conversations, and remind other families that healing and hope are possible. Join Jesse and Lisa to hear Laurel's inspiring story, only on Airing Addiction!

Jordan Hansen is CEO and co-founder of YourPath. A substance-use treatment organization that developed a revolutionary new concept of allowing the patient to take control of their recovery process. Jordan is an experienced leader focused on delivering value to healthcare systems through implementation of effective, integrated care for people with substance use disorders. He was previously the Vice President of Strategy and Growth for a recovery technology company, and before that, was the Clinical Director of Hazelden Betty Ford’s Professional Education Solutions team. In that role, he built a team that provided innovative solutions at the federal, state, local, and program level. Join Jesse and Lisa, to hear how Jordan has led lead a whole new way to approach the recovery process, only on Airing Addiction!

On this episode of Airing Addiction, Mathew Roosa, LCSW-R is a consultant who provides training, coaching, technical assistance and planning support to universities, research studies, governments, and health and human service provider organizations.  Mathew was a founding member of NIATx, and works for the University of Wisconsin, Madison Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies (CHESS) providing an array of training and technical assistance to the SAMHSA funded Technology Transfer Centers, Opioid Response Network (ORN) and for the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS).  Focusing on quality improvement and implementation of evidence-based practices, Mr. Roosa’s experience includes psychotherapy for mental health and substance use in agencies and private practice, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Human Services and Social Work, agency administration, and governmental planning. Join Jesse and Lisa to hear how Matt's work is benefiting the recovery community. Only on Airing Addiction!

On this episode of Airing Addiction, Malika is a woman in long term recovery with many years of sustained healing and lived experience, bringing over 24 years of professional experience in the substance use and recovery field. She is currently a Recovery Coach at Spectrum Health Systems’ Southbridge Outpatient Program, serving as a critical bridge between outpatient clinical services and peer-based recovery support.  She has specialized training and brings experience in co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, homelessness, and work with marginalized populations to her career in addiction treatment.  Malika is Founder and CEO of Trauma Healing Empowerment, Inc., a trauma informed 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to provide survivors with safe, empowering spaces to heal, grow, and break cycles rooted in unresolved trauma, often the key factor behind repeated relapse and instability. She also facilitates the trauma informed women’s support group “Little Girl Grows Up,” and serves as a dedicated mentor and advocate who believes recovery thrives through self-love, self-care, self-strength, and grace. Guided by the belief that “someone was there for me, how could I not be there for someone else,” she continues to be a driving force for healing, empowerment, and lasting recovery within the community. Join Jesse and Lisa on this empowering episode of Airing Addiction to hear Malika's story, and how she dedicates herself to helping lead others through recovery.

On this episode of Airing Addiction, Jesse and Lisa sit down with Dr. Amanda Lowell and Dr. Lili Peacock‑Chambers to explore how evidence‑based, relationship‑centered approaches support parents in recovery. Together, they discuss what the latest research tells us about breaking intergenerational cycles, strengthening caregiver–child relationships, and building systems that truly meet families affected by substance use where they are. Dr. Amanda Lowell is a licensed clinical psychologist, Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate, and Assistant Professor Adjunct at the Yale Child Study Center. As a clinician, Dr. Lowell provides psychotherapy and parenting support to caregivers who have experienced complex trauma, those who are in recovery from addiction, and any caregiver working to break harmful intergenerational cycles. Elizabeth (Lili) Peacock-Chambers MD, MS is the Chief of the Division of Health and Behavior in the Department of Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences, a board-certified pediatrician, and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences at UMass Chan-Baystate. As a pediatrician, her clinical and research interests pertain to the promotion of optimal early childhood health and development among families facing adversity and marginalization, particularly among families affected by substance use disorders. Join Jesse and Lisa for an insightful conversation with Dr. Lowell and Dr. Peacock‑Chambers, only on Airing Addiction!

Airing Addiction is honored to welcome Dr. Eric Garland, one of the world’s foremost researchers in mindfulness-based interventions for addiction, pain, and stress. Dr. Garland is a clinical researcher and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience providing mindfulness-based therapy. He is the Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the University of California San Diego, where he also directs the Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development. Dr. Garland is best known as the developer of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) — an innovative, evidence‑based clinical intervention that integrates mindfulness training, cognitive‑behavioral therapy, and principles of positive psychology to support individuals struggling with addiction, emotional distress, chronic pain, and opioid use disorder. MORE has been tested in multiple NIH‑funded clinical trials and has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing addictive behaviors, improving emotional well‑being, and increasing positive emotions and meaning in life. Dr. Garland will explore how mindfulness, reappraisal, and savoring techniques can transform treatment for opioid use disorder Insights from decades of clinical research on pain, stress, and addiction This conversation is especially timely as Spectrum Health Systems launches its participation in IMPOWER, a groundbreaking statewide research initiative in our Opioid Treatment Programs. IMPOWER will help advance the field’s understanding of how evidence-based, mindfulness‑integrated interventions like MORE can improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals in recovery. Join us for an inspiring and deeply informative episode with one of the leading voices shaping the future of addiction treatment and integrative mental health. https://drericgarland.com/about/ MORE Mindfulness

In this episode of Airing Addiction, we’re joined by Stephen Murray, executive leader at SafeSpot—the nation’s first and only professionalized, 24/7 peer-led overdose detection and prevention hotline.  Formerly known as the Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline, SafeSpot has quietly saved lives by doing something radically simple: staying with people while they use drugs and activating help if an emergency arises. Stephen shares the story behind SafeSpot’s evolution from a volunteer-run “Never Use Alone” line to a nationally funded, paid peer workforce operating across multiple states. We dive into what it means to professionalize lived experience, why dignity and compensation matter in harm reduction, and how a model where only 1 in 400 calls becomes an overdose can still be the difference between life and death. From workforce development to policy wins to the future of overdose prevention, this conversation explores how SafeSpot is building a scalable, human-centered response to the overdose crisis—one call at a time. Join Jesse and Lisa to hear how Stephen was inspired to start SafeSpot, only on Airing Addiction!” https://www.safe-spot.me

On this episode of Airing Addiction: Jeremy’s story is one of transformation and resilience. Growing up in a small country town, his life spiraled from drug dealing and addiction. After confronting his life of substance use, Jeremy completely turned his life around, embraced recovery, and discovered the joy of fatherhood.  Jeremy's story reminds us that regardless of circumstances, hope and healing are always possible, and the transformation can often be total and life changing. Join Jesse and Lisa to hear this incredible story of recovery, only on Airing Addiction.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Airing Addiction: Hosts Lisa Blanchard, Jesse Chaison, and producer James Gangemi explore the power of gratitude in recovery and community. They reflect on the incredible stories shared on the podcast, the courage of their guests, and the unwavering support of listeners who continue to inspire the mission of this show. Lisa and Jesse also explore what the holiday season can mean for individuals and families impacted by addiction—a time filled with warmth and connection, but also unique emotional challenges. They offer practical guidance on finding support, staying grounded, and extending compassion to yourself and to others during this often-complicated time of year. Join us as we celebrate thankfulness, acknowledge difficulty, and highlight the resilience produced from genuine heartfelt gratitude. We are thankful for YOU! -James, Jesse, and Lisa.