Recovery Is Possible

Health & Wellness Podcasts

Michael has seen first-hand the devastating effects of addiction on the public, his profession, and himself. Michael began his career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy. After eight years, he became a Corrections Officer, Washington DC Police Officer, and then FBI Agent. In 2010, Michael became an instructor at the FBI Academy. In 2013, he created a course titled “Leading At-Risk Employees” geared toward Police Executives to help them understand alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, PTSD, suicide, and domestic violence as it relates to policies and procedures for their agencies worldwide. In 2019, Michael retired from the FBI but his passion for helping others continued. He is currently working on a Master’s in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. Pulling from his personal and professional experience, Michael shares his thoughts on this sensitive, complex, and controversial subject.

Michael has seen first-hand the devastating effects of addiction on the public, his profession, and himself. Michael began his career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy. After eight years, he became a Corrections Officer, Washington DC Police Officer, and then FBI Agent. In 2010, Michael became an instructor at the FBI Academy. In 2013, he created a course titled “Leading At-Risk Employees” geared toward Police Executives to help them understand alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, PTSD, suicide, and domestic violence as it relates to policies and procedures for their agencies worldwide. In 2019, Michael retired from the FBI but his passion for helping others continued. He is currently working on a Master’s in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. Pulling from his personal and professional experience, Michael shares his thoughts on this sensitive, complex, and controversial subject.

Location:

Virginia

Genres:

Health & Wellness Podcasts

Description:

Language:

English

Contact:

8176906700

Website:

https://recoveryispossible4u2.podbean.com/

Email:

recoveryispossible4u2@gmail.com

Episodes

The Battle Against Trauma-Michael Sugrue

5/5/2022

Michael Sugrue just released his book "Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma". In this episode Michael discusses why he wrote the book and how trauma not only affects First Responders, but all of us. More importantly, Michael discusses what we can do to help overcome the scars of trauma and why it is important for all of us to understand this very important issue. Michael wrote the book with Shauna 'Doc' Springer, Ph.D. and the forward was written by Lt. Colonol...

Duration:00:52:26

Episode 101 - Find Your Why

4/15/2022

Addie Betancourt discusses the reasons for becoming sober. "Find your why" is her mantra, and she discusses how coming to this realization changed her life. You can find your why, and you will change your life forever. Addie is the co-host of the podcast "Over a Cup of Coffee" with Jamie Church, and you are going to be inspired by her infectious personality and compelling story. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com coffeechatnm.com Music-John...

Duration:00:56:59

Episode 100 - Our 100th Episode! Reflections on recovery

4/10/2022

This is an amazing milestone for us, our 100th episode discussing recovery. I am joined by Lillie, who was in our very first episode, and she reflects on the first 100 episodes and the key takeaways from all that was covered. There were so many topics discussed and guests that have their unique perspectives on recovery. I also discuss my thoughts as well as what I learned while interning for the last year at a 28 Day In-patient addiction recovery center. This is an exciting time, and I am...

Duration:00:53:55

Episode 99 - The Effects of Trauma

4/6/2022

In this episode I am being interviewed by Dr. Robb Kelly regarding the effects of trauma in Law Enforcement. The fact is, we all experience trauma, and it has an incredible impact on our well-being on so many levels. This is certainly true for First Responders, but it is also true everyone. I have never met anyone that in recovery, or anyone struggling with getting into recovery that did not experience some form of trauma. Dr. Kelly describes how trauma and addiction are related, and most...

Duration:00:39:08

Episode 98 - Lies People Tell with Frank Runles

3/25/2022

Have you ever wondered about all of the lies people tell you? Would you like to know how to detect when people are lying to you? Frank Runles just published a book called Lies People Tell: An FBI Agent's toolkit for catching liars and cheats. It is an excellent book, and I have known Frank for years beginning when we were both instructors at the FBI National Academy. This book is useful in so many ways, but in this episode, we discuss how his tools can be applied to the recovery world as we...

Duration:00:56:59

Episode 97 - Patrick Fitzgibbons: Dealing with Your Demons

3/18/2022

Dealing with the demons you face is the beginning of recovery, and Patrick Fitzgibbons knows this as well as anyone. Patrick tells his story of how he was able to get well with the help of others, and how you can do the same if you are willing and open to suggestions. Patrick was able to get the help he needed, and his story is an inspiration to everyone who thinks that life will not or cannot get better. After years of serving in the military and law enforcement, Patrick serves as a...

Duration:00:56:59

Episode 96 - Mindfulness: A Discussion with Richard Goerling

3/7/2022

Mindfulness, yoga, and breathe work are tools that can help all of us but is often overlooked. This is especially true for first responders and the military but is also true for everyone. Richard Goerling talks about these practices and how they can be used to help you improve your overall function and vitality. Richard has a long career in law enforcement and as a Health, Humanity, and Performance Coach, he teaches his concepts all over the country to include SWAT Teams, military personnel,...

Duration:00:49:58

Episode 95 - Helen Bratton Discusses Recovery and Physical Challenges

2/21/2022

Helen Bratton joins me in this episode to discuss the challenges she faces with recovery after suffering a severe stroke. Helen is passionate about helping people in recovery that face this challenge, and she is an inspiration to all of us. Helen joins us from Southwest England, and I really enjoyed and learned a lot from this conversation, and I know you will too! This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com helen@helenbrattonrecovery.coach Music-John...

Duration:00:49:38

Episode 94 - John Kelly: Sometimes Heroes Need Help

2/15/2022

John Kelly has a long and honorable career with the Broward County Sheriff's Office in Florida. This kind of career is not without its risks, and the risks are not always the physical danger. A career as a First Responder takes a cumulative toll on a person that has devastating effects on every aspect of your being, and it has to be dealt with for a long career and healthy life. John shares his powerful story with us, and his pain is being used to help others through a difficult...

Duration:01:01:05

Episode 93 - Dr. Robb Kelly: You are Born with a Million Dollar Mind

2/4/2022

Dr. Robb Kelly, PhD, also known as "The Recovery Expert," was born in Manchester, England, and during his early twenties worked at the elite and influential Abbey Roads Studio as a session musician with the likes of Queen, David Bowie, and Elton John. Dr. Kelly shares with us his own story of addiction, and how he found sobriety. Most importantly, Dr. Kelly discusses how we should treat the problem, not the symptoms. He has worked for many years helping addicts and alcoholics to recover...

Duration:00:48:59

Episode 92 - Disease of the Mind and Body

1/31/2022

Many people question the statement that addiction is a disease. However, addiction is a disease of both the mind and the body. Alcohol is not processed the same way in the body of the alcoholic as it is for the non-alcoholic. In this episode I explain the difference, and how the genetic mis-wiring of the alcoholic is at the root of this difference. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The...

Duration:00:17:45

Episode 91 - A Conversation About Suicide with Paul Bertrand

1/18/2022

Paul Bertrand is a retired FBI Agent and former instructor at the FBI National Academy. Paul currently works as a trainer for LivingWorks working to provide suicide training prevention solutions. This is a fascinating discussion centered around how to have a conversation with someone who is struggling, the stigma associated with mental health issues, and what we can do to help everyone around us. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com Website:...

Duration:00:46:14

Episode 90 - Substance Abuse, PTSD, Suicide, and What We Can Do About It

1/14/2022

Chaplain Ron Perkins is someone who is in the front lines of confronting the issues of substance abuse, PTSD and suicide in the First Responder Community. Ron is a Senior Chaplain for Public Safety Chaplaincy, Inc. and describes what he is seeing in the First Responder Community at large and the resources available to help those that are committed to helping others. This is a conversation you will not want to miss and may be life changing for someone struggling through a profession that can...

Duration:00:57:31

Episode 89 - Michael Sugrue: Post Traumatic Stress Injury

1/3/2022

Michael Sugrue is a national speaker, veteran, and retired sergeant from the Walnut Creek Police Department in California. He is a peer volunteer at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat and is an ambassador for Save a Warrior. Michael is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, and training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury and First Responder Suicide Prevention. Michael continues to speak at Law Enforcement agencies all over the United States and you will not want to miss his...

Duration:00:52:32

Episode 88 - Condemnation Prior to Thorough Investigation

12/27/2021

The concept of a Higher Power is something many people struggle with. As a result, many people will not pursue a path of recovery because they think they will be asked to believe in something they do not want. In this episode, I discuss this issue and give you the perspective I have developed over the years. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at fhehealth.com Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Planets III, Mercury, The Winged Messenger

Duration:00:17:51

Episode 87 - Sharpening Your Ax

12/26/2021

It is believed that Abraham Lincoln once said, "If I had an hour to chop down a tree, then I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my ax." Recovery is the same way; we spend a lot of time getting ready for the day when our sobriety is tested. It is the preparation leading into that day that is going to count. We need to "sharpen our ax" and today's discussion reminds us of the importance of preparing ourselves. This episode is brought to you by FHE Health. Find out more at...

Duration:00:17:11

Episode 86 - Charlie Engle: Running Man

12/22/2021

Join me for this fascinating discussion with Charlie Engle, Ultramarathon runner and author of Running Man: A Memoir. Charlie was also highlighted in the 2007 documentary "Running the Sahara" which was narrated by Matt Damon, where he, Ray Zahab, and Kevin Lin attempted to run across the entire Sahara Desert. In this episode we cover topics that include Charlie's recovery from drugs and alcohol, as well as the importance of fitness in recovery, and some of Charlie's upcoming...

Duration:00:51:58

Episode 85 - Powerlessness and Unmanageability: Part II of an FBI National Academy Retrainer

12/11/2021

In this episode we discuss powerlessness, unmanageability, and how we want to "fix our back problem" by getting others off of our back. We also discuss how addiction is isolation, and how recovery is community. This is Part II of a presentation I conducted on 9/30/2021 titled "Addiction, Prevention, and Treatment" for the New Mexico Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. I want to thank Mark Pfetzer and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office for all of their support in making this...

Duration:00:28:19

Episode 84 - Getting Through the Holidays Sober

11/30/2021

One of the biggest challenges of early recovery is getting through the Holiday Season and staying sober. The good news is it can be done! In this podcast I discuss some simple concepts to think about as we enter this season. This episode is brought to you by fhehealth.com Music-John Williams and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Planets III, Mercury, The Winged Messenger

Duration:00:16:48

Episode 83 - Life Balance: Interview with Heidi Ramsey

11/14/2021

In this episode we discuss life balance, pushing yourself to the point of injury, process addictions, and more. Heidi previously appeared in Episode 20 of this podcast, and she wanted to let us know what has happened since then. Heidi has married and gained a whole new perspective on life and balance. Please check out this tremendous interview, and don't forget to listen to Heidi's previous interview to hear the transformation yourself! Heidi Ramsey's e-mail: hamarshall222@yahoo.com This...

Duration:00:54:01