Rewired Radio

New research from Recovery Brands, a company providing helpful addiction-related information online through sites such as Recovery.org, finds that 70% of people who go into rehab are in a romantic relationship, and that 80% of those people continue their relationship after their partner completes treatment. Addiction and recovery can be taxing on a relationship, as both parties work to balance caring for themselves and supporting each other. Candace Plattor specializes in working with...

Many people think that someone suffering from addiction must hit rock bottom to be truly ready to get better. Stephen Pfleiderer believes that this notion is flat-out false and is an unfortunate myth that keeps many people stuck in a negative and potentially life-threatening situation. Stephen is a certified interventionist, addiction specialist, recovery coach, and founder of San Francisco Intervention, which integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) concepts into its treatment...

We spend a lot of time underestimating our own power... our power to bring about change or our power to create. Chris Edgar is the composer of The Breakout, a musical that follows a group of young adults who come to realize their true potential and power to change their own destiny. Drawing from his own experiences in high school, and exploring topics such as teen suicide and mental illness, The Breakout is an inspiration to everyone who wants to take control of their own destiny.

Whether it’s quitting your job, leaving your partner, or committing to confront your addiction, taking a risk is not easy. But, taking that scary leap of faith can change your life in profound ways. Shelby Stanger is an inspiration to all of us who are looking for the courage to go after our dreams. Shelby left a successful career in international marketing to pursue her passion of writing and traveling internationally. She is the host of Wild Ideas Worth Living, a podcast that aims to be...

When you’re on the road to recovery, it can be nice to have a guide who understands your unique needs. Sam Epstein understands this better than most people. Sam works as a case manager who coordinates care for his client’s specific needs. He has also been in recovery since December 2013. He used his expertise, experience, and wisdom to find SoberCompass.org, which helps people find the best method and place for their own personal recovery. Sam shares his own journey and the ways that...

Offers for low interest, high limit credit cards seem to show up in mailboxes every day. A new credit card can be a good idea, but it also often gives you the false sense that you can make that big ticket purchase or take that dream vacation. But, what happens when you bite off more than you can chew with your credit? How can you keep yourself from spending more than you can afford? Crystal Oculee is a personal finance expert and the author of Money Confidence. She shares tips on how to...

Therapists are typically trained to leave their personal lives outside of sessions with their clients, so that they can maintain proper treatment boundaries. John Kim takes a completely different approach to treating people. He practices complete authenticity and transparency with his client. John prefers the language of "me too" as opposed to "you should." He conducts sessions while walking around lakes or in coffee shops, and he makes it a point to talk about his own shortcomings,...

Have you ever wondered why we believe drinking a powerful poison is both "normal" and "pleasurable"? It took Lee Davy 35 years to ask himself that question, and once he found the answer, he learned to quit smoking, alcohol, gambling and pornography. He also quit his job and created a new one, survived a terrible divorce and losing everything he owned (including the right to father his son), and learned to piece it all back together again. Lee is the host of the Alcohol & Addiction Podcast,...

How much do you incorporate your spiritual self into your professional life? Many of us may consider those two parts of ourselves separate, but in truth, the more integrated we can be in how we present ourselves, the more successful and fulfilled we will be. Matt Gottesman is a forward-thinking internet and media entrepreneur who has carved out a professional niche for himself built on core values and a personal passion to have a positive impact on the world. He shares how we can foster a...

Millions of adults experience some form of chronic pain, which can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting and isolating. Sarah Anne Shockley joined the ranks of chronic pain sufferers after a work-related injury in 2007. She joins host Erica Spiegelman to share her story and explain what inspired her to write her book, The Pain Companion, which she hopes can serve as a guide to others who are on a journey of learning how to live with chronic pain.

It’s been said that well-behaved women rarely make history. But, it can also be challenging for women to shake the stereotype that being assertive makes them difficult. Award-winning author Karen Karbo celebrates women who may be seen as difficult but are in fact spirited rule breakers who charted their way with little regard for social or cultural expectations. Karen’s book, In Praise of Difficult Women, can serve as an inspiration for all of us who seek to live an authentic life on our...

When you decide to get sober, you may assume that every aspect of your life will begin to get better. You’ll be more committed to your job, your health will improve, and your relationships will get stronger. But, what happens if you decide to get sober and your partner still drinks? Even if your partner does not have an addiction problem, this dynamic can be challenging. Lee Davey knows this from firsthand experience. In 2009, Lee Davy gave up alcohol to save his marriage... and was soon...

There’s no denying that it’s hard to have conversations with people who hold different views from ours. Social media only seems to escalate the tension and isn’t a great forum for meaningful dialogue. But what are we teaching our children if we don’t know how to disagree? Dr. Michael Wetter is the author of the recently released book, What To Do When Your Kid Needs an Entitlement Intervention. He explains why teaching kids to disagree helps them develop skills they need and provides tips...

We all strive to be empowered in our own lives, but most of the time, empowerment is talked about as a solitary pursuit; something you need to achieve on your own. What if we could all work together to create empowered communities? Cheree Davila is working with me to present The Empowerment Conference in 2018. This event will bring together powerful speakers such as professional athletes, celebrities, authors and business icons to share their experiences and provide valuable information...

Becoming a doctor takes years of dedication and focus. But, what happens when a doctor finds herself in the patient’s chair? Dr. Vanessa Grubbs was one of two African American women in her class at Duke University Medical School. After meeting and falling in love with a man who had a kidney disease, Dr. Grubbs decided to donate her kidney to him. Dr. Grubbs shares her experience as a patient and why she made the decision to donate a kidney as well as switch her specialty from family...

Playing a sport professionally requires discipline and hard work, but it can also take a tremendous toll on your body. For some athletes, using painkillers is the norm, but it can get out of control... and quickly. Randy Grimes is a former professional football player whose career spanned 10 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Randy spent over 20 years battling an addiction to pain pills that he developed while in the NFL. Randy shares his story and discusses the work he does helping...

Sexual trauma is one of the most difficult traumas to work through. People may feel afraid to speak about their experience or ashamed of what has happened. But, healing can save lives and bring people true emotional, physical, and spiritual peace. Dr. Joanne Mednick transitions clients with the identification of living as "victims" or "survivors" all the way to that of living as "thrivers." Dr. Mednick discusses her methods for moving clients through the trauma cycle: out of the trauma...

Recovery journeys are just beginning once you leave an in-patient treatment center. To fully achieve recovery, most of us need a holistic aftercare plan. But, what does successful aftercare look like and how can you make sure you’re taking care of your physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs? Ken Seeley, a globally known Interventionist, shares his vision for what successful aftercare looks like, and discusses the ways he works with clients and other recovery professionals...

Many people’s recovery journeys begin at an in-patient treatment center. But, what happens after you leave that controlled environment? Marsha Stone is a visionary in the field of addiction recovery. She and host Erica Spiegelman collaborated on the Rewired Workbook, which uses readings and introspective exercises to provide a long-lasting framework for people during the many phases of recovery. Marsha discusses why providing a continuum of care is the key to recovery programs and how she...

An intervention is a powerful tool that can save the life of someone battling an addiction. However, interventions can also be emotionally draining and taxing for the people involved. Family and friends are confronting not only a loved one, but also the painful realities of how addiction has affected their own lives. Ken Seeley, an internationally known intervention expert, discusses what interventions can achieve and how they affect everyone involved. Ken shares stories from his...