The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about how to identify your triggers. This is critical step in understanding your vulnerabilities and the situations you might need to avoid. Ashley shares stories from her own recovery journey and provides strategies on how to prepare for the people, places and things that might set you on the path to relapse.

Annie began to see the cracks in her family at 7 years old. She and her 4 siblings lived a happy life in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, but she could feel something happening. It wouldn’t be fully understood until years later when her mother revealed she was pregnant with the child of an influential man in town who was not her father. At 25 she began a career in the wine industry. It was the perfect place to hide what would become an all-encompassing addiction that ruined her life. The alcohol took hold of everything in her life. In the later years of her addiction, she was left with panic attacks that left her unable to even hold a teacup.

Kylene Terhune believed she had a wonderful marriage. She’d spent 8 years with a man she loved and trusted. They had their moments but for the most part, things were great. Then one day a single discovery turned into a string of discoveries that eventually unveiled a 10-year cybersex addiction that was costing $50,000 a year.

Are you constantly seeking out new relationships or always thinking about your next partner? Do you find yourself losing sleep over the state of your romantic affairs? Do you find your value is often dependent on your current partner's view of you? You may be a love addict. In this episode, we'll explore four signs that suggest you might have an unhealthy attachment to love and relationships.

Kim Muench is a Jai, Institute for Parenting Certified Conscious Parenting Coach who specializes in working with mothers of adolescents. Kim’s expertise is grounded in her own life experience of raising a son who struggled with substance abuse issues. To make matters more difficult, she was also trying to navigate the difficult world of co-parenting with her ex-husband, a man who struggled with his own alcoholism.

On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia, working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days.

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about how to explain your sobriety to your kids. Young children in particular might have a difficult time understanding a complex topic like sobriety, but Ashley is able to break it down into manageable pieces that don't require sharing every gory detail.

Adam Banks grew up in Northern Wisconsin, a place where he felt he needed to hide his sexuality. At 15 he started drinking in bars where the only requirement was a promise that your parent was in the bar with you. As he got older he felt a strong need to leave the oppressive environment of his hometown, so he looked to the closest example of someone getting out, his neighbor who was a pilot. He became extremely driven and motivated and became one of the youngest pilots in his class.

Iman Gatti was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Iman’s parents moved to Canada from Tunisia, North Africa, and she is extremely proud of her Arab heritage and the opportunity her parents gave her by emigrating to Canada to raise their Family. Just two months before her seventh birthday, she witnessed her father brutally murder her mother. From that moment, Iman effectively became an orphan as her father was sentenced to 25 years in prison and she was put into foster care. She spent the next 12 years moving from home to home, experiencing abuse and neglect as she did her best to survive her childhood, day by day.

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about 4 important things that every family should know about addiction. Learn about the 4 C's of addiction, how they might change shape based on the personality of your loved one and next steps when you think there might be a problem.

Dr. Alison Tarlow is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida, New Jersey, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. She is also a Certified Addictions Professional, Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Qualified Clinical Supervisor, and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. Dr. Tarlow’s clinical work has focused on the treatment of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. In 2014 Dr. Tarlow became Clinical Director of a substance use disorder treatment program in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Today, Dr. is the Chief Clinical Officer for Boca Recovery Center. Additionally, she uses her social media presence to educate on subjects that relate to substance use and recovery.

Judy Wilson was born in West Virginia but moved to San Francisco in the height of the Haight Ashbury, Flower Power, Free Love era. Her world opened up to things she’d never seen before. Everyone was doing drugs and having sex and she jumped into that life with both feet.

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about the 5 keys she's used to remain sober for 17 years. For someone who found it a challenge to string 2 days together, 17 years seemed impossible. Learn what Ashley had to learn the hard way and what will be most critical piece in remaining sober for the next 17 years.

Sonya began using drugs to deal with a sexual abuse she experienced at as a teen. Drugs took over her life and with then came arrests, relapses and finally losing custody of her kids. The guilt and shame over her life led to even greater drug use and she ran away to live in a world without running water, electricity or basic needs. All she was left with was dope and the next high.

We're back with Season 5! We cover Ashley's anniversary, what's new in Season 5 and what's new in rawdogging life. It's been two long months but it will be worth the wait, we swear.