Experience the magic of music and its profound role in the addiction recovery process, as we embrace a heartfelt conversation with gifted musician and songwriter Mike Miz Mizwinski. His soul-stirring melodies have not only mesmerized fans but have played a pivotal role in his own recovery journey. Tune in to hear how Miz's sensitivity, shaped by hi…

How often do you come across a story where business, addiction recovery, and personal growth intertwine so seamlessly? Our guest, Tony Mattioli, president and owner of Trademark Industrial, is a living testament to overcoming adversity and transforming life struggles into a thriving business. Tony's story is not just about overcoming addiction; it'…

What if you could recapture the essence of a bygone era, feel the pulse of its music, and relive its cultural significance, all while seated comfortably in your present? Tune into a riot of colors as our good friend Leo takes us on a voyage into his exhilarating experiences from the psychedelic age. From the rush of hallucinogens to the rhythms of …

What does it truly mean to overcome personal trials and advocate for those who are struggling? Join us for an exploration of resilience, recovery, and advocacy, as we share conversations that shed light on these significant aspects of life. Our guest, Senator John Kane, reveals his life journey from his humble beginnings as a plumber and labor lead…

Get ready to discover the hidden struggles and triumphs of our first responders and veterans as they face the challenge of addiction. Welcoming our guest, Pat DeSarno, Shields Service Specialist at Brookdale Premier Addiction Recovery Center and former fire chief, we delve into a candid and enlightening discussion. Unraveling decades of civil servi…

Join us for an exclusive conversation with our esteemed partner, Larry Moran, as we delve into the heart of Fellowship House PHP/IOP/OP. Larry and I have been passionately crafting a program that resonates with authenticity and proves effective for individuals battling addiction and their families. Our journey together has been both fulfilling and …

How often do childhood influences shape the trajectory of our lives? For our guest, Weggy, those early years steeped in a culture where alcohol consumption was normalized, became the precursor to his lifelong struggle with alcoholism. We walk with him down memory lane, from his high school days working at a bar under his father's influence, through…

Have you ever wondered how the cultural chaos of the 60s and 70s molded the society we live in today? Join me and my enigmatic guest, Elaine Donly, as we journey through her personal history and explore the deep-seated impact of a time when political assassinations were frequent, and violence was a part of everyday life. Elaine's gripping narrative…

Imagine being drawn into the world of labor, addiction, and recovery through the eyes of Brian Eddis, a political ward leader in Northeast Philadelphia. With an intriguing background that spans construction work, politics, and union organizing, Brian opens up about his personal journey and the challenges faced by the labor movement. We delve deep i…

What if your understanding of spirituality and recovery could be drastically transformed? Join us as we delve deep with our guest, Jordan Harris, a primary counselor at Fellowship House, who shares his enlightening journey of personal transformation. Jordan, raised in a conservative Protestant family, takes us through his journey from addiction to …

Join us on a remarkable journey with Lia, as she courageously shares her battles with addiction and her transformative transition journey. We traverse the landscapes of Lia's life, exploring the interplay of identity, sexuality, and the struggle to stay sober. Lia's candid account paints a vivid picture of her life in Scranton, built on the foundat…

Imagine uprooting your life, battling with the demons of addiction, and then going on to build a thriving business. This is exactly what my friend Evan Glass did, and he shares his inspiring journey with us. Evan candidly recounts his youth in Pleasantville, NY, his struggles with substance abuse, and his ultimate commitment to sobriety that led hi…

Buckle up for a transformative journey into the world of trauma-informed education with Nathan Barrett, the Superintendent of Hanover Area School District. Growing up in the tough neighborhood of Bellevue, Scranton, Nathan and I share more than just a childhood community - we share a commitment to supporting students dealing with trauma. Diving dee…

What happens when a musical business owner wins the lottery twice, wades through the throes of addiction, and then finds his way back to sobriety? How does one navigate the intricate relationship between early patterns of insecurity, substance use, and gambling addiction? Join us as we unravel the extraordinary journey of Zach Cole, who now works i…

Ever wondered how one navigates the tumultuous sea of addiction recovery? Join us in an enlightening conversation with Stephanie Fox, the Marketing Director at Mountains Edge Recovery. Get the inside scoop on the partial hospitalization program, the significance of self-care in this field, and how insurance can aid in prolonged recovery periods. Ma…

Our guest for this episode is Ryan Barba, a former professional golfer whose journey to recovery from addiction is nothing short of extraordinary. Ryan takes us down memory lane with tales from his childhood in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well as his passion for golf and skateboarding. He unflinchingly delves into his personal struggles wit…

Join us as we journey into the extraordinary life of Duncan Maxwell. Hailing from the Netherlands, Duncan's path, which led him all the way to Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of recovery. We peel back the layers of his past, traversing the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam, the Dutch countryside, the…

Picture this: A world where AI can create immersive stories faster than any human can. That's the fascinating reality Jonathan Edwards, the award-winning cinematographer and founder of Diamond City Studios, invites us to contemplate in our captivating conversation. We journey together through his trailblazing exploits in the realm of video content …

Title: "Not Dying" with Tim Calpin In this episode of Season 3, Episode 58, Joe Van Wie interviews Tim Calpin, a man who went missing for eight months and was at times presumed dead. Tim shares his harrowing experience of living in Kensington, Pennsylvania, a town often associated with opioid-use-disorder, where people are sadly viewed as zombies. …

Chris is a columnist, blogger, editor, writing coach and old-school muckraker for The Times-Tribune. He received a degree in journalism and creative writing from Keystone College in LaPlume in 1997 and began his career with the Times-Tribune the same year. He has been a clerk, regional correspondent, police reporter, feature writer, general assignm…

Author Spotlight Thirty years ago, I used alcohol, romance, and professional accomplishments to soothe my frayed nerves. After I quit drinking, I found I had a serious thinking problem! Over time, I discovered effective tools from therapy, recovery pro­grams, scientific research, and a variety of philosophical and spiritual teachings to find peace,…

Warrior Spotlight: Meet Kate Favata, Community Relations Liaison I grew up in a middle-class family about 10 minutes from CleanSlate’s Wilkes-Barre center. Growing up, my neighborhood seemed like the perfect suburban community. My parents didn’t lock their doors and loved their country and neighbors. The only reference to drug education we had was …

For Mary Beth, childhood abuse and other traumas led to substance use disorder (addiction). Beginning with alcohol at age 12, she spent several years abusing various drugs. She found methamphetamine at 16 and started shooting up at 17. Mary Beth struggled with meth until she was 32 years old. By incorporating ideas from multiple sources to build a …

Senator Marty Flynn was born and raised in Scranton, PA, and is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School, class of 1994, where he excelled in baseball, football, and wrestling. He then attended Marywood University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies. While at Marywood, he began boxing, and eventually embarked upon a decad…

Dylan was born in San Diego, CA, where he spent the majority of his first 30 years; moving to the NEPA region in 2018. A person in long-term recovery, and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Dylan understands the importance of social connectedness and community. Initially getting sober in 2011, Dylan had difficulty finding work and took a volunteer…

Meet Kirk Larkin, His mission is to help people suffering from substance use disorder. He is able to do this with a decade of experience working directly with families to help loved ones find the treatment centers that work best for them. We discuss the many topics that are very concerning in the field of Drug and alcohol treatment, especially "Bod…

Aileen Van Wie is a licensed psychologist in the state of Florida and is currently employed at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Aileen graduated with a doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD) in May 2021 and, after completing a year-long postdoctoral residency, she also became licensed in August 2022. She has worked at a community mental health c…

Joseph F. Reichmann, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist currently residing in Southeast Pennsylvania. He earned his doctorate in psychology from Marywood University. He was commissioned into the Navy in 2014 in order to complete his predoctoral internship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He completed his postdoctoral training and ser…

S.A. Blair is a woman in long term-recovery since September 9th, 2016, rebuilding her life after over a decade of self-destruction. With her passion for writing in one hand and her passion for helping people in the other, she wrote her first book, The Difference: a memoir. This book details the heart-wrenching downward spiral into her heroin addict…

Meet Lori Chaffers, M.S.W., is the new Executive Director for Outreach – Center for Community Resources. Previously, Lori served as the Program Director of the Office of Social Service Research & Development at Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services. Lori was one of the founding co-chairs for the Lackawanna County System of Care, and…

Adam Zbegner (PART 2) is a father, husband, and intellectual in recovery. We became friends over twenty years ago from our involvement in a recovery community. We have spent many hours chatting, reviewing books, music, and playing Risk (The Game of Global Domination). Today we meet to discuss a book we decided to read and review this winter titled …

Adam Zbegner is a father, husband, and intellectual in recovery. We became friends over twenty years ago from our involvement in a recovery community. We have spent many hours chatting, reviewing books, music, and playing Risk (The Game of Global Domination). Today we meet to discuss a book we decided to read and review this winter titled "The Case…

Meet Kati Mckendry Clinical Director, MS, LPC, CCS Katie’s primary role is to oversee the clinical programming and staff at Little Creek Lodge and Little Creek Outpatient Services. Katie works to constantly improve the treatment offered at LCL and LCOPS, in order to meet with individual and community needs of the clients we serve. She works closely…

Patrick Sandone (Founder and CEO) of Guide App – Patrick is a successful entrepreneur who built and sold his SaaS startup, Net Driven, after building a 100-person team. Prior to Net Driven, he ran his family business, Sandone Tire, for three years and nearly doubled revenues adding more than $10 million by implementing new technology solutions. He …

Michael Arcangeletti, Executive Director of Clearbrook and Banyan Philadelphia has been working in the field of addiction treatment since 2010. He is a licensed social worker that completed his graduate degree at Marywood University, an undergraduate drgree in Philosophy from Miserordia University and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor throu…

Meet Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters Joe Peters rose from street cop to serving two presidents as a leader in the efforts to combat drug trafficking and battle international terrorism. As a Federal Prosecutor, Joe’s accomplishments include the convictions of Philadelphia Mob Boss “Little Nicky” Scarfo, his underboss, and 16 mob soldiers…

Danelle Marushock is a Certified Recovery Specialist Supervisor with six years of experience working in the drug and alcohol field. Danelle is committed to connecting with individuals by meeting them where they are at in their own journey by offering support, compassion and understanding Sober since December 26 2015, Danelle is active in her recove…

About 14 years ago, I found myself in car with my friend Mark Loughney. I picked him up randomly as he was completing a hike through Dunmore, PA, and we decided to hit a meeting. He had a backpack & supplies, but the pack wasn't filled with granola. It was unexpectedly filled with many insects, and foraged beatles collected with great care, and aff…

Sean Egan is the Outreach Coordinator at Excel Treatment Centers in New Jersey Sean recently became Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). Being an Excel alumni, Sean brings a level of understanding and compassion to each person he works with by utilizing his own experience of the challenges a person seeking recovery can face. He is passionate …

Jonathan Blake is currently a Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania. Jonathan obtained both Bachelor’s (BSW) and Master’s (MSW) degrees in Social work from Marywood University, graduating with his MSW ins 2014. Jonathan has worked in the substance use field, as a primary counselor in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and currently works as a…

Kristin Macintyre grew up in New York before moving to Pennsylvania to get sober in 2010. After twelve years of sobriety, Kristin has moved to the foothills of the Rockies, earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Colorado State University, and started her own business as a copywriters for online business owners. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.…

PART II :Today's guest is my friend Joe Kane. Joe Kane is the Clinical Director of Mountain's Edge, partial hospitalization program, near elk mountain, Pennsylvania, Joe holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Penn State University. He also has a Master of Social Work from Marywood University. Joe started in this field in 2006, as a behavioral…

Today's guest is my friend Joe Kane. Joe Kane is the Clinical Director of Mountain's Edge, partial hospitalization program, near elk mountain, Pennsylvania, Joe holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Penn State University. He also has a Master of Social Work from Marywood University. Joe started in this field in 2006, as a behavioral worker a…

Kelly Brown has been sober since 2008 after a 30 year drinking career. Her journey towards recovery was not easy. In and out of the rooms for 4 years, she struggled to let go of the perceived comfort of alcohol and the idea she would never be happy without it. Multiple rehabs, detoxes, IOPs and counselors were not piercing through the wall of fear …

September is coming to end, a month to recognize Awareness & Recovery. My friend "Stretch" is here today to discuss the unlikeliness of life putting him on the cover of this closing months "Happenings Magazine". “If You Want To See A Miracle, See Someone Who Truly Recovered From A Drug Addiction” James “Stretch” Johnson has been in recovery for ove…

State Representative Bridget M. Kosierowski was elected to serve the people of the 114th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives following a special election in March 2019, becoming the first woman to represent Lackawanna County in the General Assembly in more than 50 years. Kosierowski has spent her professional life in t…

Do you want to live a happy and productive life? Are you struggling to overcome addiction, anger, hopelessness? Have you searched for someone to blame for your problems? Inspiration with Explanation is a brilliant new synthesis of the best of cognitive therapy, twelve-step programs, and Jeff Brown’s unique message. Written in a frank and engaging s…

Rich Vos is an American stand-up comedian, writer and actor. Since 2011, he has been the co-host of the podcast My Wife Hates Me with his wife, comedian Bonnie McFarlane. Vos began his stand-up career in 1984, choosing to pursue it full-time as he "failed at everything else", and developed his act in local clubs. After struggling with crack cocaine…

Dr. Peter Amato is revolutionizing today’s Holistic Healthcare Model and is also a world renouned leader in Addiction Recovery A revolution is quietly taking hold as patients and recovering addicts become more and more dissatisfied with the mainstream healthcare system that fails them time and again. This dissatisfaction fuels a search for answers …

Meet Dr. Nick Colangelo, Nick has spent decades in the in the Field of Substance Use Disorder in many roles. In 1975 Dr. Colangelo began his this career as the Aftercare Coordinator at Runnell's Hospital in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. Nick was also on the Somerset Council on Alcoholism. There he was a Crisis Counselor, and he was the Director of …