Addiction & Recovery Conversations with Brett Lovins
Real stories. Honest conversations. No judgment. This podcast dives into the raw, personal journeys of people navigating substance use, recovery, and everything in between. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just looking to understand the human side of addiction and healing, these stories offer insight, hope, and a reminder that no one is alone in this. Guests include advocates, Recovery Friendly Workplace experts, HR professionals, healthcare providers, musicians, family members, and friends—each bringing their unique perspective. We also explore how businesses can create Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW), breaking stigma and building real support for employees and their families. Since most people spend two-thirds of their waking lives at work, we talk about the critical role workplaces play in recovery, well-being, and changing the conversation around substance use.
Episodes
40 episodes
From Stigma To Story: Joseph Green On Language, Art, And Healing
What if the right words could loosen shame’s grip and make change feel possible? That’s the question we chase with poet, educator, and “narrative disruptor” Joseph Green as we unpack how labels shape identity, how language can block help or bui...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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47:05
Chris Haugen - Three Years Sober and Playing Better Than Ever
Chris Haugen's transformation from a touring guitarist juggling substance issues to a focused recording artist with nearly half a million monthly Spotify listeners stands as powerful testimony to what happens when creative energy finds proper c...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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47:16
Comprehensive Healthcare - SUD Division Chief in Yakima - Jon Schlenske
What if everything you thought you knew about addiction treatment was rooted in outdated thinking? After 26 years in the substance use disorder field, Jon Schlenske brings a perspective that challenges conventional wisdom while offering genuine...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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56:44
HR's Role in Supporting Recovery Friendly Workplaces: A Conversation with Michael Erisman
This eye-opening conversation with HR executive Michael Erisman discusses some barriers that can prevent meaningful support for employees in or seeking recovery.Michael shares his powerful personal journey, beginning with a sobering rea...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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58:01
Dr. Kevin McCauley - Understanding Addiction as Both a Brain Disease and Human Experience
Dr. Kevin McCauley shares his journey from Navy physician to addiction recovery advocate, offering profound insights on the neuroscience of addiction and various pathways to healing.Creator of the documentary "Pleasure Unwoven" abou...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:03:30
Greg Williams - Filmmaker & Producer of the Documentary "The Anonymous People"
Join us in an enlightening conversation that delves into the power of sharing recovery stories and breaking down stigma. In this episode, Brett Lovins sits down with accomplished filmmaker Greg Williams, who shares his insights on transforming ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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47:34
Richard Jones - Our Evolving Understanding & Treatment of Addiction
Rich Jones, a remarkable speaker I met at a SAMHSA event, joins me to share his transformative journey from the world of HR to becoming a therapist and certified interventionist in the recovery space. Rich opens up about his long-term recovery ...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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59:05
Ryan Hampton's Mission to Revolutionize Recovery Support & Advocacy
Ryan Hampton, a beacon of hope and a leading voice in recovery advocacy, takes us through his transformative journey from the depths of heroin addiction to founding Mobilize Recovery. His story is one of resilience and a relentless commitment t...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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33:22
Invitation to Dry January 2025 with Nell Hurley & Brett Lovins
Can curiosity transform your relationship with alcohol? Join us as we explore this question with Nell Hurley, a notable figure in the addiction recovery space with over 26 years of sobriety. Together, we navigate the evolving landscape of sobri...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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28:06
Kyle Zimmer - Health & Safety Director - International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 on Recovery Friendly Workplaces
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Kyle Zimmer, the Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478. Kyle’s journey into peer recovery work is nothing short of extraordinary, beginning with the...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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53:43
Amanda Polich - Creating Recovery Friendly Workplaces and Embracing Authentic Leadership
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Amanda Polich, a powerhouse in the recovery and leadership space. As a certified Dare to Lead facilitator and a person in long term recovery (11-years), Amanda's journey from shame and stigma to empowe...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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41:01
International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug 31st) - A Conversation with Megan Tweedy
When Megan Tweedy lost her brother Jeff Meyer to a fentanyl overdose, her world was turned upside down. Join us as Megan opens up about her journey from grief to advocacy, sharing her deeply personal story and the powerful message of Internatio...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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53:16
Keri Clark - Professional Psychologist & Childhood Friend Discussing Our Recovery Journeys
My childhood friend, Keri Clark, takes us through his tumultuous yet inspiring journey of grappling with substance use disorder. We reminisce about our wild teenage years and the different paths we took post-high school, offering a raw and unfi...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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51:16
Karen Duggan - Former Colleague at Cisco - Two People in Recovery Talking About Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW)
Karen Duggan, a friend and former co-worker from Cisco Systems, joins me to share some of her journey of achieving and maintaining sobriety. Together, we explore the impact of finding solidarity with another sober colleague in a large corporati...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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54:00
Reflections on 11 Years of Sobriety - Conversation with My Wife Molly
Ever wondered how celebrating sobriety birthdays can transform a recovery journey? Join us as we mark 11 years of sobriety, sharing heartfelt reflections and personal milestones. From the unwavering support of my first sponsor, Todd Edwards, to...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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39:52
Dakota Lovins - My Nephew and I Discuss Substance Use Disorder and Sobriety
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and addiction is a family disease. It doesn't just affect the person with the condition, it affects everyone around them. My nephew Dakota was 15 when I got sober. He shares his thoughts on my disease and our family...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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44:54
Michael Palmisano - Guitar Teacher, Musician and YouTube Creator - Discussion on Alcohol After Stopping Drinking
I've been a fan and student of Michael Palmisano for about a year. He's a wonderful guitar teacher for all levels and has an amazing online portal for guitar education called Guitargate.com of which I am a member. Additionally, he's got a wonde...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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56:14
Family Medicine Doctor and Addiction Specialist - Dr. Gillian Zuckerman
In this podcast, meet family medicine doctor, Dr. Gillian Zuckerman who treats addiction in Yakima, WA... the town where I grew up. We talk about harm reduction, addiction misconceptions, the disease model and more. Really grateful for this con...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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49:45
Janet Hadley - The Alcohol Safe Workplace® Creator
In this episode, I talk to Janet Hadley about The Alcohol Safe Workplace®. This is a program that she built from the ground up. What is it (from her website)? "An Alcohol Safe Workplace® has a culture that includes everybody, whether they are a...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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48:41
Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFW) with Soberforce Co-Founder Marin Nelson
Meet Marin Nelson, sober advocate and co-founder of Soberforce at Salesforce. She's a speaker and a consultant on helping end shame and stigma, particularly in the workplace. Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiatives and programs are underw...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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45:28
The Importance of Connecting with Others in Recovery - Chat with Todd Edwards
Happy to bring back Todd Edwards, my first sponsor, to the podcast where we talk about connecting with others as part of a recovery program. In AA lingo, it is often referred to as "the fellowship". For years I tried very, very, very hard to de...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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58:16
Mary P. Ozanic Describes Being a Gutter Drunk and Discussions of The Bottom
Mary has described herself as a "gutter drunk" on many occasions in the meeting that we attend together. I asked her if she'd be willing to explore what that means and how bad it got for her during her active addiction. Along the way we also di...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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52:47
Sebastien LeTellier, Music & Artist Manager - Sober 2 1/2 Years
I've had the pleasure of attending a weekly meeting with Sebastien for the past 2 and a half years. He joined that meeting with 9 days of sobriety and I've had the opportunity to attend many meetings with him since. He's an artist manager, so h...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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54:42
John Shipe, Professional Musician Based in Eugene, Oregon
John Shipe is a talented singer songwriter based in Eugene, OR. We knew each other years ago in band circles in the early 1990s. I found out through a mutual musician friend that John is also sober and he was willing to have a conversation. To ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:01:45
Time and Recovery - Reflections on 10 Years of Being Sober and My First AA Meeting
Taking some time to talk about time. Time in sobriety and recovery and my musings at my 10 year milestone (May 28, 2023). I also share some stories from early recovery around the concept of time, including a recounting of my first AA meeting, w...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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53:49