Advertise on podcast: Thriving with Addiction with Dr. Jonathan Avery

Richard Taite is currently the founder and Executive Chairman of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, an ultra luxury addiction treatment facility, and also the Executive Chairman of 1 Method Centers, affordable substance use disorder treatment facilities. Richard graduated from UCLA with a degree in Political Science and Public Law and intended to become a lawyer, but life and fate had a different plan for him. After struggling with addiction himself, Richard learned what worked, what didn’t work, and where programs fell short and failed clients. With more than years of continuous sobriety, Richard has transformed his personal struggle with addiction into a lifelong mission to help others, providing him with unique insight into the challenges and possibilities of recovery. https://www.richardtaite.com/ Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel is a board-certified physician with nearly 30 years of clinical experience and a specialized focus on addiction medicine, metabolic health, hormonal optimization, and long-term recovery. As Senior Medical Officer at Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, he helps lead a physician-driven approach to recovery that integrates medical, psychological, and lifestyle interventions to support lasting healing. A graduate of the George Washington University School of Medicine and residency-trained at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Dr. Spielvogel is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Throughout his distinguished career, he has cared for thousands of patients in areas including women's health, hormone replacement therapy, fertility, prenatal care, minimally invasive surgery, and preventive medicine. Witnessing the devastating impact of substance use disorders on patients and families inspired Dr. Spielvogel to expand his focus into addiction medicine. He has since dedicated years of continuing education and clinical practice to the treatment of substance use disorders, integrating evidence-based addiction care into both inpatient and outpatient settings. Today, Dr. Spielvogel is particularly interested in the intersection of addiction medicine, metabolic health, and recovery. His work explores the role of GLP-1 therapies, hormonal health, exercise physiology, body composition, and biomarker-driven care in reducing cravings, improving overall health, and supporting sustainable recovery outcomes. Known for his compassionate, patient-centered approach, Dr. Spielvogel believes in building strong relationships with those he serves, helping individuals make informed decisions about their health and recovery. Fluent in Spanish, he is committed to delivering culturally competent care to diverse patient populations. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Jeremy Lipkowitz is a former Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, and ICF-certified executive coach who helps high-achieving men break free from compulsive behaviors—especially porn addiction—and build lives of integrity, discipline, and deep fulfillment. With over 13 years of meditation experience and hundreds of days spent in silent retreat, Jeremy blends ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science to guide individuals toward emotional resilience and personal freedom. A former genetic researcher who earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Genetics & Genomics and pursued a PhD at Duke University, Jeremy left academia after confronting his own struggles with addiction, shame, and self-judgment. A brief period of monastic training in Myanmar deepened his mindfulness practice and marked the start of a lifelong commitment to personal growth and service. As the founder of Unhooked Academy and host of the Unhooked Podcast, Jeremy is a leading voice in destigmatizing porn addiction and educating the public on effective, science-based recovery strategies. His work helps men overcome shame, understand the neuroscience of addiction, and create lasting transformation through mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and habit change. For over a decade, Jeremy has taught at universities, recovery centers, and global companies across the U.S. and Asia. His calm, grounded presence and ability to bridge analytical thinking with inner work make him a sought-after guide for professionals and executives looking to reclaim their lives from digital distractions and self-sabotaging patterns. https://unhookedacademy.com/ Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Pam Jenkins is Chief Executive Officer of Shatterproof and an ex officio member of the Shatterproof Board of Directors, which she joined in 2021.  Prior to joining Shatterproof, Pam was Chief Public Health Officer and Chief Public Affairs Officer for a leading global communications agency where, for the past two decades, she counseled and partnered with a range of public and private sector clients to change health behaviors and policies, engage stakeholders in critical issues, raise funds and support patient advocacy.    Pam is best known for leading award-winning health campaigns that break through the clutter of health messaging. She led the team that developed the red dress as a symbol of women and heart disease for National Institutes of Health (NIH) and American Heart Association, a landmark initiative that enlisted the fashion industry and numerous corporate partners. For nearly a decade, she worked on HIV/AIDS prevention for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);  led a tween-targeted alcohol prevention campaign for National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); and helped conceive and run a community-based pilot program to reduce alcohol-related injuries and death among college students in partnership with the University of Virginia and other stakeholders. Much of her public health work has focused on helping vulnerable populations in the U.S. and around the world.    Pam has a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Colorado, where she serves on the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board; and also studied at Harvard University. She lives outside of Washington, D.C., with her husband and two chocolate labradors.    Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Hilary Phelps is a recovery advocate, speaker, coach, and founder of The Right Room, a community dedicated to helping women navigate recovery, personal growth, and life's biggest transitions. A former competitive swimmer and the sister of Olympic legend Michael Phelps, Hilary has become a powerful voice on addiction, mental health, self-compassion, and resilience. Through her speaking, coaching, and podcasting, she helps people move beyond shame and rediscover purpose, connection, and authenticity. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Eric Garland, PhD, LCSW, is an Endowed Professor in Health Sciences at the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, where he directs UCSD ONEMIND. A leading figure in mindfulness science and addiction treatment, he developed Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), an innovative intervention grounded in cognitive, affective, and neurobiological research. Dr. Garland has led or co-led more than $90 million in federally funded research, including major trials supported by the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense, focused on addiction, chronic pain, and integrative health. Previously a Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Utah, he has also advised national policy through the NIH HEAL Initiative and briefed both the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and Congress on evidence-based approaches to the opioid crisis. With over 280 scientific publications, he has been identified as one of the most prolific mindfulness researchers globally, and his work has been widely featured in major media outlets. A licensed psychotherapist with more than two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Garland integrates mindfulness-based therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and clinical hypnosis in treating addiction, trauma, and chronic pain, and is widely regarded as a leading expert on mind-body interventions for opioid misuse. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Ben Mushlin is the founder of Searchlight Therapy, a practice dedicated to providing individualized care for adolescents, young adults, and families navigating substance use and mental health challenges. A psychotherapist whose work is informed by his own lived experience with substance use and trauma, he began his career in New York City’s recovery community in sober living residences before moving into roles as a Recovery Coach, Case Manager, and leader of a NYC Department of Health opioid overdose response team. He earned his Master of Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and has held positions as an outpatient psychotherapist, director of a transitional living program for adults with co-occurring disorders, and Clinical Director at a leading adolescent and young adult outpatient program in New York City.  In 2026, he authored Lighting the Way: A Parent’s Guide to Walking With Teens and Young Adults Through Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Stephanie Hazard is a highly sought-after recovery coach and companion. In recovery for 26 years, her experiential knowledge, expertise, and professional training, empower her ability to help others achieve and sustain recovery and wellness. She is a certified peer recovery specialist (CPRS) as well as a certified Carolyn Costin Institute eating disorder recovery coach (CCIEDC). She has been a Keynote speaker and leads recovery and wellness workshops. She is a member of the International Association of Recovery Coach Professionals (IARCP), and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Stephanie also volunteers her time at Silver Hill Hospital, CCAR, and serves on the Advisory Board of Inservice Foundation. Stephanie launched her private coaching practice in 2020 and continues to work with premier recovery support services agencies in the U.S. and internationally.  Her book, Making Sobriety Stick: A Recovery Coach’s Guide to Sustainable Change is being published by Diversion Books on September 22, 20-26 during National Recovery Month, and will be distributed by Simon and Schuster. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Dr. Beth McGinty is the Livingston Farrand Professor and Chief of the Division of Health Policy and Economics at Weill Cornell Medical College. She is also the Co-Founding Director of the Cornell Health Policy Center, a cross-campus center serving as the locus of health policy research, training, and impact at Cornell. Dr. McGinty conducts research focused on how health policies impact populations with complex health needs, including people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorder, chronic pain, and others. Dr. McGinty’s work is characterized by integrating approaches from the fields of public policy, health economics, and implementation science to understand how policies affect population health. Prior to joining WCM in 2022, Dr. McGinty was a Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She received a PhD in health and public policy from Johns Hopkins in 2013. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Gary Hartman is a periodontist with over 18 years of experience in implant and periodontal surgery, specializing in complex surgical cases, full-arch restorations, and regenerative procedures. Behind that professional success, Gary experienced chronic stress, burnout, and ultimately addiction. Following a shoulder injury, he developed a dependence on opioids that led to significant personal and professional consequences, including incarceration and the loss of his clinical career. Today, Gary is in sustained recovery and uses his experience to help others understand the intersection of stress, identity, and addiction in high-achieving professions like dentistry and medicine. Through his story, Gary offers a message of accountability, resilience, and hope. https://www.garyhartmanspeaks.com/ Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Dr. Carl Hart is the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University and the Mamie Phipps Clark Professor of Psychology (in Psychiatry). An internationally recognized neuroscientist and psychologist, Dr. Hart’s research focuses on the complex interactions between psychoactive drugs, human behavior, neurobiology, and environmental factors. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines psychology and neuropharmacology, his work examines how drugs affect the brain and behavior in humans, while also evaluating potential treatment strategies for substance use disorders. His research has helped bridge the gap between preclinical neuroscience and the lived human experience of addiction, informing both public policy and scientific understanding of drug use. Dr. Hart is also the author of the acclaimed books High Price and Drug Use for Grown-Ups, which challenge conventional narratives about drugs, addiction, and public health. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Rivkah Reyes is a performer and creator whose career spans film, music, comedy, and writing. After rising to prominence in School of Rock, they went on to perform with The Second City and appear in projects like Easy, while developing a distinctive voice through storytelling and stand-up. In this episode, we talk about identity, creativity, recovery, and the long arc of building a meaningful life beyond early success. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

In this episode of Thriving with Addiction, Dr. Carrie Wilkens—psychologist, co-founder of the Center for Motivation and Change, and co-author of Beyond Addiction—discusses why compassion and evidence-based strategies are more effective than tough love, and how families can support meaningful change while strengthening their relationships. Carrie Wilkens, PhD, is a psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the practice and dissemination of evidence-based treatments for substance use and Post-Traumatic Stress. Dr. Wilkens is the Co-President and CEO of the CMC:Foundation for Change, a not-for-profit with the mission of improving the dissemination of evidence-based ideas and strategies to professionals and loved ones of persons struggling with substance use. The CMC:FFC team’s Invitation to Change approach is an accessible set of understandings and practices that empower families to remain engaged and be effective in helping their struggling loved one make positive changes. The approach has been widely used across the country and is utilized in trainings with laypeople and professionals. She is co-author of the award-winning book Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change, a practical guide for families dealing with addiction and substance problems in a loved one based on principles of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), and co-author of The Beyond Addiction Workbook for Family and Friends: Evidence-Based Skills to Help a Loved-One Make Positive Change. Dr. Wilkens is also the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of the Center for Motivation and Change, a group of clinicians serving all ages in NYC, Long Island, Washington, DC, San Diego, CA, and CMC: Berkshires, a private, inpatient/residential program for adults. Dr. Wilkens has been a Project Director on a large federally-funded Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant addressing the problems associated with binge drinking among college students. She is regularly sought out by the media to discuss issues related to substance use disorders and has been on the CBS Morning Show, Katie Couric Show, frequent NPR segments, and podcasts, including Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris. She is also in the HBO documentary Risky Drinking. Dr. Wilkens is a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the American Association of Addiction Psychiatrists. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Chris Herren is a former NBA player, author, and nationally recognized recovery advocate who has become one of the leading voices on addiction, mental wellness, and prevention. Sober since 2008, Herren has shared his story with more than two million students, athletes, and community members through Herren Talks, encouraging honest conversations about substance use, self-esteem, and emotional health. His journey was featured in the memoir Basketball Junkie, the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Unguarded, and the prevention-focused film The First Day. Herren is also the founder of Herren Project, a nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by addiction, and Herren Wellness, a residential recovery and wellness program based in Seekonk. Instagram: @c_herren_ X/Twitter: @c_herren Facebook: Chris Herren Facebook Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md

Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His research examines the effects of psychedelics in humans, with a focus on psilocybin as an aid in the treatment of addiction. He earned his doctorate in psychology in 2012 from Sofia University in Palo Alto, CA where he studied self-transcendence, spiritual experiences, and their relationship to mental health. Dr. Garcia-Romeu has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and commentaries on psychopharmacology and mental health, and has been interviewed widely in popular media. He is Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. Follow Thriving with Addiction: www.thrivingwithaddiction.com www.instagram.com/jonathanaverymd x.com/jonathanaverymd www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-avery-md