Best Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Podcasts (2024)

1
Hope Takes Center Stage 18:49

9M ago18:49

18:49

Writer Maggie Moe and composer Joshua Vranas are telling a new story about addiction and recovery that does away with shame and stigma. Instead of normalizing old stereotypes and outdated archetypes, Moe and Vranas wrote and scored a musical, My Pet Dragon, that tells a different story–one that’s centered in hope, trust and courage and, when taking…

1
A Fountain of Hope for At-Risk Students 19:48

9M ago19:48

19:48

Susie Brooks, PhD, founder of Veritas Academy, felt powerless when students came into the classroom with substance use issues, or knew someone struggling. She recognized addiction as a disease—one that injures every community—but she didn't know how to help. So she attended the Graduate School of Addiction Studies to gain the tools and skills she n…

1
Bullying Prevention and Community Solutions 18:20

9M ago18:20

18:20

Bullying causes long-term damage on students' mental health, often resulting in anxiety, depression or PTSD during a critical developmental stage. But evidence-based approaches provide healthy solutions to complex situations—involving parents, teachers, administrators and other community members at every stage of the process. Jan Urbanski, Ed.D., D…

1
All-Star Willie Burton – In a League of His Own 18:15

10M ago18:15

18:15

When Willie Burton was taken ninth in the 1990 NBA draft, he lost his defenses against addiction—a sensational talent through high school and college, his teammates and coaches looked out for him. But then the coping mechanisms he learned as a child in Detroit came back to haunt him when he hit the League. Tune in to hear his story, his message to …

1
Native Dads: Recovery through Reconnection Part 2 17:01

10M ago17:01

17:01

Intergenerational trauma. Unresolved grief. Stigma and isolation. Such complex and compound stressors can make recovery from substance use and other mental health conditions all the more challenging. But there are successful paths forward. Listen in to learn about the life-changing work of the Native Dads Network. The nonprofit organization helps i…

1
Story of Hope 23:27

10M ago23:27

23:27

On set, Dedee Pfeiffer hears from other actors, crewmates and directors who are inspired by her forwardness—fearless in her pursuit of love and light and publicly accepting her disease of addiction. Tune in as she shares everything she’s learned about loving recovery, why she’s so vocal about her story, what keeps her heart open and full, and how s…

1
Flipping the Script on Addiction 25:38

10M ago25:38

25:38

Addiction is often surrounded by shame and stigma—and both have dominated the different arenas of public discourse for much of human history. No more. Join experts Jeremiah Gardner, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, and Emily Piper, Chief Legal, Advocacy and Compliance Officer, as they debunk popular myths about addiction and recovery …

1
The Next Workplace Revolution 22:54

12M ago22:54

22:54

The next workplace revolution will likely hinge on employers' efforts to empower recovery. Post-covid, 20 percent of employees reported drinking during work. Last year, more people died from alcohol than ever before while the opioid epidemic waged on. What are top employers doing? How do they create a business culture where it's safe to seek lifesa…

1
Walking the Red Road of Wellness 23:36

1y ago23:36

23:36

Honesty. Compassion. Respect. Humility. Many of the guiding values of the Red Road way of life—a Native American path of wellness, balance and spirituality—parallel Twelve Step recovery principles and practices. “The Red Road is a path of human wellness, and everyone is invited,” says clinical innovator and addiction counselor Albert Titman, Sr. Li…

1
A Life Spent Helping and Healing 30:18

1y ago30:18

30:18

Serving as Chair of the American Indian Advisory Council and spending the past twenty years as an addiction counselor for his Native brothers and sisters, Donald Richard Wright, Elder of the Leech Lake band of Ojibwe, is still finding ways to lift people up and bring them home. Now he joins host Andrew Williams to talk about his journey and how we …

1
Radical Love and a Place to Belong 24:45

1y ago24:45

24:45

Philip Robert won't stay silent about the exploitation of his Native brothers and sisters: in Arizona, unregulated sober houses are taking advantage of vulnerable people. But Blue Sage Healing, where Philip works, is providing a safer home for recovery, a place of belonging, with a rich cultural connectedness that reunites Native folks with themsel…

1
Signs of Teen Fentanyl Use 20:26

1y ago20:26

20:26

Parents are rightly terrified of fentanyl. But what behaviors should set off alarm bells? And how can parents keep the conversation pointed in the right direction when panic and big emotions start arriving? Clinician Sarah Polley, MD, joins host William C. Moyers to explain what teenagers are thinking about fentanyl, the signs they're using, and ho…

1
How Kathryn Burgum is Reinventing Recovery 23:16

1y ago23:16

23:16

Shame and stigma kept Kathryn Burgum silent about her recovery for fifteen years. After she became First Lady of North Dakota, she learned from host William Moyers himself after an event where they both spoke: "The solution is so simple—we end stigma by talking about it." Now she's leading head and heart first, putting her own story front and cente…

1
In Harm's Way: Health Risks of Teen Vaping 18:30

1y ago18:30

18:30

Marketed as safe and cool with fun flavors and clever devices, vapes are hooking a new generation on nicotine. Health experts warn that it's not only water vapor and nicotine surging into the lungs: All kinds of other chemicals are ingested too. Psychiatrist Sara Polley, MD, talks with host William C. Moyers about the prevalence, known health risks…

1
John Solomon Gives Voice to Healing and Hope 19:54

1y ago19:54

19:54

Out on tour after getting sober, indie-rocker John Solomon made a point of hosting conversations about addiction, mental health and recovery wherever he went. The experience inspired his next career move: Going to graduate school and becoming an addiction and mental health counselor. Today he serves as CEO of the Alaska Behavioral Health Associatio…

1
Finding Hope When Addiction Takes Your Son 23:15

1y ago23:15

23:15

His birthday. His death day. Holidays. Family celebrations. That's when Linda Morrison feels the loss of her youngest son, Mike, most profoundly. But with time, she is finding more space in her heart for gratitude and hope—for the happy life Mike wanted for her. Morrison's achingly honest mother-son love story, Dear Heroin: A Memoir of Goodbyes, he…

1
Practicing Recovery from "All the Things" 18:08

1y ago18:08

18:08

As author and advocate Dawn Nickel likes to say, "we're all recovering from something." For her, those somethings include alcohol, cocaine, anxiety, marijuana and workaholism. Tune in as the co-founder of the global SHE RECOVERS movement talks with host William C. Moyers about the inspiration behind her daily meditation book for "like-minded, like-…

1
How'd You Do It, Steve? A Personal Story of Hope and Recovery 19:21

1+ y ago19:21

19:21

Steve thought the world would come crashing when he packed his bags for treatment. A savvy businessman and CEO, he considered himself too successful, or perhaps too important, to go to treatment: after all, three families relied on him for financial support. Now he admits that was only an excuse, and everything that comes after—hope, healing and co…

1
How to Help Someone Who's Addicted (Spanish) 10:51

1+ y ago10:51

10:51

Cómo ayudar a alguien que tiene una adicción Nuestro primer impulso es ayudar y proteger a nuestros seres queridos. Pero cuando tienen una adicción, ese impulso no es el correcto: puede que nos lleve a hacer cosas con las que no estamos cómodos, y cuando protegemos a nuestros seres queridos de las consecuencias de sus acciones, es menos probable qu…

1
Protecting Our Families and Communities from Addiction (Spanish) 15:29

1+ y ago15:29

15:29

Proteger a nuestras familias y comunidades de la adicción Aunque disponemos de más recursos para hispanohablantes que en años anteriores, la cantidad de muertes por adicción en nuestra comunidad latina sigue siendo mucho más alta que en las comunidades de raza blanca. ¿Cómo podemos protegernos? ¿Qué deberíamos saber sobre la adicción, en especial c…

1
How to Choose the Right Outpatient Treatment Program 16:44

1+ y ago16:44

16:44

The search for addiction treatment is exhausting. How do you differentiate one program from the next? What factors are most important? This is uncharted territory, meaning it’s okay to feel lost or overwhelmed. To provide some much-needed clarity and guidance, a panel of experts joined host William C. Moyers to explain what you should look for, inc…

1
Why New Mexico Leads the Country in Alcohol-Related Deaths 14:01

1+ y ago14:01

14:01

What did journalist Ted Alcorn learn during his seven-part investigation into drinking trends in New Mexico? From uncovering why the state leads the U.S. in alcohol-related deaths, to discovering laws and policies that ignore and even encourage alcohol use, Alcorn spotted gaps in the system that allowed one man to spend 40 years in active addiction…

1
Most Common Obstacles to Recovery 26:53

1+ y ago26:53

26:53

Some obstacles to addiction recovery for the Native community are obvious and well documented, like underfunded health systems. But other, less obvious challenges are just as sticky and prevent just as many people from seeking help. These obstacles, in turn, lengthen "the journey from the head to the heart"—when a person understands that they need …

1
How to Relieve Stress and Anxiety without Substances 16:58

1+ y ago16:58

16:58

Millions of Americans are trying to medicate their anxiety with alcohol, marijuana and other drugs. This might work for a short time, but it opens the door for addiction and produces even more anxiety in the long run. Having seen this same sequence of events over and over again, clinician Sarah Wicks, PhD, LP, joins host William C. Moyers to talk a…

1
The Story of a Healing Spirit 22:10

1+ y ago22:10

22:10

This is the recovery story of Daisy Vanslyke, a gentle spirit who spends most of her time healing other people. In her every word and wisdom, she speaks from the heart: she has endured some of life's greatest adversities and hardships, but she still finds beauty and purpose in herself, her children and her recovery. And she's brave enough to see th…

1
Coordinating the Care My Community Deserves 17:04

1+ y ago17:04

17:04

Chandell Boyd, LADC, joins host Andrew Williams to discuss her work with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, where she's an associate director for the Substance Use Disorders Department. Boyd is also an alumnus of the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. And although she dreams of the day when addiction no longer affects her communi…

1
What Happens in Outpatient Treatment? Am I a Good Fit? 16:18

1+ y ago16:18

16:18

Much has changed in the world of addiction treatment. The standard model of care used to revolve around a 28-day stint inside a treatment center. But residential care isn't optimal for everyone, and with kids, careers and other responsibilities, sometimes it's not even an option. Enter outpatient and virtual treatment options—where the earliest sta…

1
Dispelling the Myths Native Communities Recovery Equity 21:04

1+ y ago21:04

21:04

In this episode of Let's Talk Recovery Equity, journalist Ted Alcorn talks about his investigation into alcohol use in New Mexico, which has the worst rate of alcohol-related deaths in the country. He focused on the small town of Gallup in McKinley County, which is sandwiched between Navajo, Hopi and Zuni reservations and has long served as the loc…

1
The Veteran's Guide to Fighting Pain and Addiction 20:34

1+ y ago20:34

20:34

In this episode of Let's Talk, licensed psychologist and military veteran Dustin Brockberg, PhD, and his wife, Kerry Brockberg, PhD, also a psychologist, talk about their new book, End Your Covert Mission, with host William C. Moyers. They share some tangible advice with other veterans who want to find peace from chronic pain—in all its forms—and l…

1
How to Heal and Recover from Shame 14:26

1+ y ago14:26

14:26

Shame and addiction go hand-in-hand. Because of that, some of the most important work in recovery deals with the transformation of shame into something lighter and more actionable—guilt. Then a person can understand, "I did bad things, but I am not a bad person." And they can forgive themselves and work to make things right. Senior clinician Sarah …

1
Aida's Recovery Story - Trapped in the Eye of the Storm 17:24

1+ y ago17:24

17:24

Aida was addicted to crystal meth and too sick to evacuate when hurricane Katrina battered the coast. Her daughter and family had sheltered in Dallas, but she had to wait out the destruction alone in Baton Rouge, praying for help from helicopters flying overhead. Unbeknown to Aida, a twist of fate was soon to reveal itself. Now Aida and her brother…

1
How Trauma and Migration Affect the Treatment Process 16:49

1+ y ago16:49

16:49

Immigrants and refugees are often forced to flee from unimaginable crisis—their lives torn apart by war and other humanitarian disasters. Unfortunately, that trauma doesn't disappear when they arrive in the States. Plus, with no experience, they have difficulty navigating our health systems. To shed light on the subject, and to explain culturally-r…

1
Great Work: the Cook Inlet Tribal Council 25:29

1+ y ago25:29

25:29

Daisy VanSlyke from the Cook Inlet Tribal Council shares how they're promoting recovery among Native Alaskan communities. Using culturally-sensitive care and native models of wellness, their organization is able to spread the messages of recovery that really stick and resonate with local communities. The key, according to VanSlyke, is to listen.…

1
A Family’s Multigenerational Story of Hope and Recovery 17:57

1+ y ago17:57

17:57

Addiction passes from one generation to the next. But so too does the hope of recovery. This was the case for Judy and her family: Her mother was the fourth patient to ever receive treatment at the Betty Ford Center. Then Judy, her brother and her son later followed in those healing footsteps, sharing a multigenerational story of hope and recovery.…

1
Breaking the Cycle of Trauma and Addiction 27:11

1+ y ago27:11

27:11

Indigenous children were stolen from their homes, sent to boarding schools and forced to assimilate. Thus began the cycle of trauma and addiction. Today, the Wellbreity movement responds—providing a cultural framework for healing from those injustices and breaking the cycle.By Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

1
The Role of Historical Trauma 26:06

1+ y ago26:06

26:06

Host Andrew Williams speaks with his colleagues Cecelia Jayme, Director of Clinical Services, and Sarita McGowan, PhD. As two proud Native women in long-term recovery, Jayme and McGowan, PhD, share their personal and professional insights into addiction within Indigenous communities. And they discuss how it's being addressed, and how allies and com…

1
The Medicine of Community: Native Strong Men Project 31:50

1+ y ago31:50

31:50

Food. Touch. Connection. Music and Laughter. These are medicines, and when a person is healthy and whole, they become good medicine to others. That’s how Celina Mahinalani Garza is bridging the health equity gap for Native communities. Tune in to hear her fascinating outlook on healing.By Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

1
Teaching the Language of Recovery 17:14

1+ y ago17:14

17:14

Emi and Lina didn’t have the tools to process and make sense of their loved one’s addiction. They’re just kids, after all. But once they attended the Children’s Program, they started to speak the language of recovery—and they understood that they will never, ever be alone on this journey.By Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

1
Do I Have an Alcohol Use Disorder? 16:27

1+ y ago16:27

16:27

Has your drinking become problematic? You're not alone: the headlines have focused on opioids and fentanyl, but alcohol remains the most used and abused substance in the country. And the pandemic made things worse. So if you're wondering whether you might have an alcohol use disorder, learn these warning signs and signals—and the healthiest solutio…

1
A Message of Hope for Parents with Addicted Children 24:03

2y ago24:03

24:03

A beautiful and fun-loving boy transformed when he began to experiment with substances. His father, Stephen, could hardly recognize him: he became "nasty and combative," and their home life was marred by conflict. Willing to do anything, Stephen retired from Wall Street to learn everything he could about parenting an addicted child. Now he joins ho…

1
Gridiron to Guardian: Student Athlete Inspires Change at His Alma Mater 17:59

2y ago17:59

17:59

Mike Heuerman's football career at the University of Notre Dame took a heavy toll on his body. He needed surgery to repair the labrum in his hip and the torn muscles in his lower abdomen. But, as is often the case, the prescription opioids introduced him to addiction. Now Mike is five years sober (and counting), and spreading the hope of recovery t…

1
Can We End the Epidemic? The History of Opioids and New Clinical Developments 17:21

2y ago17:21

17:21

How did prescription opioids become a gateway to heroin and fentanyl? When did opioids become the gold standard for pain management, and why did regulation take so long? Chief Medical Officer, Alta DeRoo, joins host William C. Moyers to discuss the opioid epidemic in its entirety, including its origins and escalation, the latest treatment solutions…

1
How Do We Contain the Fentanyl Crisis? A Panel of Experts Weighs In 22:06

2y ago22:06

22:06

Host William C. Moyers speaks with four of his brilliant colleagues about the state of the fentanyl epidemic. Now linked to 70 percent of overdose deaths, the drug is appearing in non-opioids like benzodiazepines, MDMA and marijuana. How did we get here? How can parents and communities limit the deadliness? And how is the medical community respondi…

1
The Battle against Burnout: How to Rediscover Your Joy and Passion 17:20

2y ago17:20

17:20

Burnout and compassion fatigue reached a fever pitch during the pandemic, but these problems have existed forever: caregivers and service providers get exhausted, then the beauty of their work—caring for and helping other people—is eclipsed by apathy. To help people return to self and rediscover their passion, author and educator Elizabeth Bishop w…

1
Where Is the Justice in the System? Helping Incarcerated Women Who Face Addiction 18:49

2y ago18:49

18:49

Do we want to help incarcerated women, many of whom are locked up for non-violent crimes, or should we let them fend for themselves? Dr. Stephanie Covington has spent decades trying to help these women, providing them the tools and community resources they need to recover and reintegrate into society, but she believes the whole justice system needs…

1
Addiction in the Workplace: Creating a Culture Where Employees Feel Safe 17:08

2y ago17:08

17:08

Addiction doesn't discriminate based on income or employment. Employees in any work setting can be affected by the disease, and the culture of the workplace will either encourage treatment and recovery or passively endorse the disease of addiction—with very real effects to the business and, more importantly, to people's lives. Make the shift in cul…

1
An Inside Look: Training the Next Generation of Addiction Counselors 18:32

2y ago18:32

18:32

Dr. Kevin Doyle, the President and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, joins host William C. Moyers to talk about the evolution of academia and the changing landscape for addiction counselors. They also discuss the urgent and increasing demand for counselors, and how the Grad School is preparing its graduates to bec…

1
The Journey Back to Self: How to Feel Okay Despite a Loved One's Addiction 17:22

2y ago17:22

17:22

Is it possible to find peace and happiness when a loved one is addicted? Twenty years ago, prized author Beverly Conyers would have said "no." She thought acceptance meant giving up, and she would have sacrificed everything to keep her daughter safe. Now after two decades of learning and living, Conyers has changed her tune: "I have my own life and…

1
Pregnancy and Substance Use: What to Know and How to Find Help 17:12

2y ago17:12

17:12

Can pregnant women safely consume a small amount of alcohol or marijuana? How will prescription medicine affect the baby? Chief Medical Officer and board-certified OB/GYN Alta DeRoo, MD, sits down with host William C. Moyers to answer those questions and more, offering some really simple and thoughtful advice to moms and families who are curious ab…

1
What to Make of Ketamine: Dangerous Drug or Miracle Medicine? 17:05

2y ago17:05

17:05

Ketamine is the source of some controversy: it works wonders for depression, and fast. But it's also addictive and potentially triggering for people in recovery. It's proven to effectively treat severe depression that won't respond to other medications. But because it affects so many receptor sites in the brain, and because it causes hallucinations…

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