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The Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is an alternative pathway to the traditional carceral system, focusing on treatment and transformation as a means to promote public safety. These are the stories of those involved and those who have been impacted.
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Life after addiction isn't just possible - it's the norm. Studies show 3 out of 4 people who experience addiction eventually recover. The Recovery Stories Have Power podcast aims to center that hopeful message through authentic conversations that bring together people from all pathways of recovery and recovery allies.Through these conversations, we’ll build awareness, challenge societal stigma, and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of individuals, families, and co ...
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Episode 15 - Lionel Oglesby - Equity Officer, Legal Action Center
49:43
49:43
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today's episode I had the chance to interview Lionel Oglesby, Equity Officer for the Legal Action Center. Lionel has been in the advocacy field for quite some time, and we dive into how his work has evolved throughout his time at the Legal Action Center. We get into how e…
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Episode 14 - Tara Moreno-Wallen, Serenity House Founder
53:56
53:56
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today’s episode, our host, Psalm Bigham interviews Tara Moreno-Wallen, executive director of Serenity House in Flint, Michigan. If you’ve attended one of our Recovery Leadership Summits you might recognize Tara from a leadership breakout, or from the opening session medit…
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Episode 13 - Patrick J. Kennedy - Former Congressman, Founder of the Kennedy Forum - Recovery Stories Have Power Live
29:22
29:22
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, My name is Oliver Books. This is the final episode in our series of video podcasts filmed at Faces & Voices of Recovery’s annual Recovery Leadership Summit in Denver, CO. On today's Episode I am joined by Patrick J. Kennedy. During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the …
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Episode 12 - Dr. Corrie Vilsaint, Recovery Leadership Summit Live
48:40
48:40
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories have Power, my name is Oliver Books. We are so excited to bring you four very special podcast episodes throughout the months of June and July. The Recovery Leadership Summit hosted nearly 500 people from all across the recovery space. We had four amazing keynote speakers, and came together as a community to lea…
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Episode 11 - Dr. Haner Hernández, Recovery Leadership Summit Live
1:00:37
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories have Power, my name is Oliver Books. We are so excited to bring you four very special podcast episodes throughout the months of June and July. The Recovery Leadership Summit hosted nearly 500 people from all across the recovery space. We had four amazing keynote speakers, and came together as a community to lea…
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Episode 10 - Sparkle Lindsay, Recovery Leadership Summit Live
54:06
54:06
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54:06
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books We are so excited to bring you four very special podcast episodes throughout the months of June and July. The Recovery Leadership Summit hosted nearly 500 people from all across the recovery space. We had four amazing keynote speakers, and came together as a community to lear…
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Episode 9 - Thomas McCarry, Zero Overdose
48:25
48:25
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today's episode I chat with Thomas McCarry, co-founder of Zero Overdose. Zero Overdose was founded by Tom McCarry, LMHC, and Virna Little, PsyD, LCSW, with a shared vision to reduce unintentional overdose deaths both locally and nationally through overdose safety planning…
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Episode 8 - Ruby Takushi, Program Director and Co-Founder, Recovery Cafe
28:24
28:24
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today's episode, our host, Tyler Brandon chats with Ruby Takushi, Ph.D., the Director of Programs for Recovery Café and co-founded Recovery Café with Killian Noe. Recovery Café Network (RCN) is comprised of Recovery Cafés committed to serving people who have experienced t…
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Episode 7 - Jonathan Westfall, Executive Director, ROCovery Fitness
1:08:00
1:08:00
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today's episode, our host, Tyler Brandon chats with Jonathan Westfall, the Executive Director of ROCovery Fitness. ROCovery Fitness in an RCO in Rochester, NY that provides free peer led fitness services for folks in recovery. Jonathan talks about the parallels of fitness…
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Episode 6 - Kevin Rumley, Program Director, Buncombe County Veteran's Treatment Court
48:17
48:17
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today's episode I had the privilege of chatting with Kevin Rumley of the Buncombe County, MC Veteran's Treatment Court. Kevin is a person in recovery and a combat wounded veteran who now works in a veteran specific treatment court in Asheville, NC. His journey is harrowin…
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Episode 5: Lori Mellinger & Amanda Cassidy-Trejo, Lioness: Justice Impacted Women's Alliance
30:23
30:23
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today's episode our host, Psalm Bingham, chats with Lori Mellinger and Amanda Cassidy-Trejo. Lori and Amanda are staff here at Faves & Voices of Recovery, but they are also part of the Texas-Based Advocacy Initiative, Lioness: Justice Impacted Women's Alliance. Lioness is…
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Episode 4 - Bill Sweeney, Livability Initiative
45:11
45:11
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. Today's episode features Bill Sweeney, founder of The Livability Initiative. Bill is a person in recovery, a T4 paraplegic, and a fierce advocate for accessibility. In our conversation, Bill and I chat about Bill's outlook on life and how that informs his work. Visit The Liv…
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today’s episode, our host, Tyler Brandon chats with Yo' Sis. Yo' Sis is a prolific spoken word artist whose works have been heard around the country, and whose video reading of her poem, Gwendolyn (https://youtu.be/-f1w25sjHwU) was featured at our Recovery Month Luncheon …
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Bonus Episode 3 - John Shinholser, Co-Founder, McShin Foundation
1:22:02
1:22:02
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Hello and welcome to a special bonus episode recovery stories have power. On today's episode, our marking manager, Nicole Woodward speaks with the Co-Founder, Senior Peer, and Board and President Emeritus of the McShin Foundation, John Shinholser. John began the McShin Foundation with Carol McDaid in 2004, and entered into recovery in 1982. In toda…
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Episode 2 - Mark Sanders, Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery
49:38
49:38
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Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today’s episode, our host, Psalm Bingham converses with Mark Sanders. In addition to being a LCSW, and CADC, Mark Sanders is the founder of The Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery. The museum website (https://www.museumofafricanamericanad…
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Episode 1 - Introduction to Season 2, Meet the Hosts
23:51
23:51
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Host(s): Oliver Books, Psalm Bingham, Tyler Brandon Welcome to Season 2 of Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast. This season, we explore diverse stories in recovery, the role community plays, and shed light on positive recovery experiences. To set the table for the upcoming season 2 conversations, pod producer Oliver Bo…
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We speak with Marine Corps veteran and VTC graduate Dillon Watts about his journey toward healing and wholeness and the difficulties of 'changing everything' for recovery. Listen in and hear this powerful story. VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery ~ VTC https://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/ Support https://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/ Music from the VTC …
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We speak with Todd Williams, District Attorney of Buncombe County, and learn more about his work with the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). Todd Williams is a North Carolina native, the elected District Attorney for Buncombe County, and a Board-Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he received a Bachelor’s in Englis…
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Bonus Episode 2: Philip Rutherford - Former COO of Faces & Voices of Recovery
22:58
22:58
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On this bonus episode of Recovery Stories Have Power, we’re joined by Phil Rutherford, outgoing Chief Operating Officer at Faces & Voices of Recovery, and newly-appointed Strategy Lead for Substance Abuse at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing He reflects on his time with our organization and what lies ahead in both his career and the recover…
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Breaking It Down: A Conversation with Dr. Vaske
18:45
18:45
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We are excited to speak with Dr. Jamie Vaske, VTC researcher, statistician, and resident 'VTC Best-Practices Expert.' We dive deeper into the elements that make up the VTC, including procedural justice, equity, and collaboration. Dr. Vaske's research interests include quantitative methods, biosocial criminology, evidence-based diversion methods, an…
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Marching Towards Healing: Conversation with a Veteran Change-Agent
24:40
24:40
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We are thrilled to speak to Brandon Cowan, CPSS and Army veteran, about his transformational journey in the VTC. An essential part of Brandon's story is the utilization of Suboxone and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), which provided a platform for sustained recovery. Brandon now serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the VA Medical Cente…
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Today, we speak with Robin Merrell, Managing Attorney at Pisgah Legal Services, about her role in supporting VTC veterans. Pisgah Legal Services seeks to pursue justice by providing legal assistance and advocacy to help low-income people in Western North Carolina meet their basic needs and improve their lives. Robin states, "I serve the most vulner…
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We are thrilled to speak with Robert O. Wirt Jr., Captain, USN (Ret), the Buncombe County VTC Mentor Coordinator, and Chairman of the VTC Foundation. Learn about the critical role that Mentors play in supporting VTC veterans and how more veterans can get involved to truly 'Leave No Veteran Behind.' VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery ~ Become a Mentor:…
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Today, we speak with Katherine Houghton, LCSW, the VJO at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, to learn more about her role on the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court. The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program is an outreach initiative designed to provide legally involved veterans with linkages to VA and community resources…
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Marine Veteran Finds Peace Through Service
15:43
15:43
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Today, we speak to Daniel Conway, CADC and Coordinator for the Henderson County Recovery Court. This is an incredible story of transformation and healing. Tune in and listen to this inspirational story of a Marine Corps veteran's journey with addiction, PTSD, and unaddressed suffering. Just as Daniel found healing through the services and support o…
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Today, we hear the story of a VTC graduate who found himself struggling for years after his time in the Army. From struggling with substance misuse, mental health challenges, and PTSD to becoming a leader in the recovery community, this veteran showcases the very best of what a VTC can offer. VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery…
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Judge Marvin Pope (Founder of the Buncombe County VTC)
25:22
25:22
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25:22
Today, we speak to Judge Marvin Pope, the founder of the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in Asheville, NC. Learning about his motivations for starting a treatment-based program for justice-involved veterans and his hopes for the future of the criminal justice system. This is the VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery…
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Kevin Rumley, LCSW, Purple Heart Veteran, and VTC Program Director, talks to a VTC graduate about his journey of transformation and healing. While every VTC veteran's story is unique, certain factors are universal: honor, courage, and commitment. This is a commitment to remain open, and vulnerable, and grow from the experience of the VTC. This is t…
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Bonus Episode 1: Christopher Tait - Passenger Recovery & Electric Six
47:30
47:30
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Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery Podcast. My name is Oliver Books. Throughout the rest of 2023, we’ll be releasing bonus episodes of our podcast. In today’s episode I had the opportunity to speak with Chris Tait, a rock musician with the band Electric Six, and Director of a musician-focused RCO in Detroit, MI cal…
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Episode 6: Emanuel Sferios, Founder of DanceSafe
53:16
53:16
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Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. In the final episode of season 1, Oliver is joined by Emanuel Sferios, Founder of DanceSafe. Founded on social justice principles, DanceSafe is a party servicing nonprofit that started the only publicly accessible drug checking laboratory in N…
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Guest: Sarah Laurel, Savage Sisters Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. For episode 5, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Laurel, founder and executive director of Savage Sisters Recovery. Based in Philadelphia, Savage Sisters provides housing and street-based outreach for…
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Episode 4: Amanda Muller & Laura Pegram, NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors)
54:52
54:52
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Host(s): Krissi Jacob Guest(s): Amanda Muller & Laura Pegram, NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors) Description: Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. In episode 4, my friend & guest host Krissi Jacob had the opportunity to connect with Amanda Muller a…
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Episode 3: Colin Askey & Amy Evans, Love in the Time of Fentanyl
49:16
49:16
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Host(s): Oliver Books & Chelsey Cusimano Guest(s): Colin Askey & Amy Evans, Love in the Time of Fentanyl Description: Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. Oliver and I had the great pleasure of talking with Colin Askey and Amy Evans this week. Colin directed Love in the Time of F…
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Episode 2: Maia Szalavitz, Author of Undoing Drugs
51:42
51:42
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Host(s): Chelsey Cusimano Guest(s): Maia Szalavitz, Author of Undoing Drugs Description: Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. This season we’re focusing on Harm Reduction, and in episode 2 I had the chance to interview New York Times bestselling author Maia Szalavitz. Her book Un…
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Host(s): Oliver Books & Chelsey Cusimano Guest(s): Phil Rutherford Description: Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. In season one, we’re exploring the topic of Harm Reduction. We’ve interviewed several guests and experts from key areas of the Harm Reduction community to discuss …
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Life after addiction isn't just possible - it's the norm. Studies show 3 out of 4 people who experience addiction eventually recover. The Recovery Stories Have Power podcast aims to center that hopeful message through authentic conversations that bring together people from all pathways of recovery and recovery allies. Join co-hosts Chelsey Cusimano…
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