The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

In this episode of our Recovery Ready Workplace Series we spoke with HR Director Erica Williams who brings her 20+ years of experience on how to create a supportive environment for employees struggling with substance use. She also acknowledges that many employees might feel worried about the implications of getting help and lays out the groundwork for getting help in a manner that remains private. This is a vital episode for anyone attempting to navigate the often challenging experience of seeking help while working. Episode Resources lionrockrecovery.comlionrockhealth.comConnect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

Dr. Kate Balestrieri, Psy.D., CSAT-S, is a Licensed Psychologist, Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and PACT III trained couples’ therapist. Dr. Balestrieri earned her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, and completed her Post-Doctoral Fellowship through the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. Dr. Balestrieri is a passionate advocate for mental health, relational and sexual health and wellness. Throughout her work, Dr. Balestrieri focuses on helping people build resilience and recovery from what ails them to move from a position of pain or discomfort to one of thriving, holistically in their lives. As a sex positive provider and human, Dr. Balestrieri is dedicated to helping people have a more expansive and integrated relationship with sex. Dr. Balestrieri is a regular contributor for Poosh, YourTango, Psychology Today, House of Wise and has been featured in many other publications. She also has two podcasts, Modern Intimacy (focused on sex, mental health and relationships), and Without Consent (a true crime podcast deconstructing sexual violence). Both can be found on Apple podcast and Spotify. Episode Resources rainn.orgmodernintimacy.comdrkatebalestrieri.substack.commodernintimacy.com/podcast/BookBookConnect with Dr. Balestrieri @themodernintimacy@drkatebalestrieri@modernintimacy@drkatebalestrieriConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

Vanessa Hurr considered herself a high functioning sad person after the death of her brother to an overdose in April 2020. The grief and sense of loss surrounding his death was compounded with extreme isolation due to Covid. Vanessa was previously on the Courage to Change in episode 117 and at the time her grief took the form of achievement. She poured herself into projects and the non-profit she founded. She powered forward, trying to get somewhere without really dealing with all she was feeling. Then an opportunity presented itself to participate in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, a form of treatment with promising outcomes in the mental health space. The treatment would enhance the neuroplasticity of her mind and facilitate progress which would typically take years of work. In 4 sessions, Vanessa experienced a transformation that changed her experience of her brother’s death and her entire outlook on life. It even provided her the opportunity to see him one last time and give him the goodbye she’d always wanted. Episode Resources KAP ProgramConnect with Vanessa @vanessawheelerhurrConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about how to identify your triggers. This is critical step in understanding your vulnerabilities and the situations you might need to avoid. Ashley shares stories from her own recovery journey and provides strategies on how to prepare for the people, places and things that might set you on the path to relapse. Ashley Loeb Blassingame has been clean and sober for 17 years, she's a drug and alcohol counselor, interventionist, and the co-founder of a telehealth company called Lionrock Recovery that provides substance use disorder treatment. Episode Resources Book LinkBook LinkConnect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

Annie began to see the cracks in her family at 7 years old. She and her 4 siblings lived a happy life in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, but she could feel something happening. It wouldn’t be fully understood until years later when her mother revealed she was pregnant with the child of an influential man in town who was not her father. Everyone turned on her mother and she was forced to leave the family, taking Annie’s sister with her when she went. Annie was left with an immense wound. She’d done everything she was supposed to. She was the good girl and still her mother left. At 25 she began a career in the wine industry. It was the perfect place to hide what would become an all-encompassing addiction that ruined her life. The alcohol took hold of everything in her life. In the later years of her addiction, she was left with panic attacks that left her unable to even hold a teacup. Today, she’s recently celebrated her 3,000th day of sobriety and helps others on a journey of healing through her work with her organization Powerfully Sober where she helps people re-create and re-imagine their one extraordinary life. Episode Resources Connect with Annie powerfullysober.comConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

Kylene Terhune believed she had a wonderful marriage. She’d spent 8 years with a man she loved and trusted. They had their moments but for the most part, things were great. Then one day a single discovery turned into a string of discoveries that eventually unveiled a 10-year cybersex addiction that was costing $50,000 a year. She felt like she no longer knew the man she’d married. The loss of trust brought up so many complicated emotions and eventually panic attacks. It didn’t feel like there was any chance of saving the marriage. The only thing that made her stay was her husband’s complete admission and his true desire to change. It was that moment that started a journey of recovery for both of them that involved many difficult and uncomfortable conversations, therapy and even work with a polygraph machine. Today, their marriage is better than it’s ever been with continued hard work and honesty even when the work feels like it should be done. Episode Resources Connect with Kylene @kyleneterhune@kyleneterhuneConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

Are you constantly seeking out new relationships or always thinking about your next partner? Do you find yourself losing sleep over the state of your romantic affairs? Do you find your value is often dependent on your current partner's view of you? You may be a love addict. In this episode, we'll explore four signs that suggest you might have an unhealthy attachment to love and relationships. We'll begin by defining what love addiction is and how it differs from healthy relationships. Then, we'll discuss the four key indicators that suggest you may be a love addict. Throughout the episode, we'll share real-life stories and experiences from Ashley's own struggles with love addiction. We'll also provide actionable tips and strategies for overcoming this addiction. If you're ready to take a deep dive into your relationship patterns and gain a better understanding of yourself and your needs, tune in to this episode. Whether you're struggling with love addiction or simply looking to improve your relationships, this episode is for you. Ashley Loeb Blassingame has been clean and sober for 17 years, she's a drug and alcohol counselor, interventionist, and the co-founder of a telehealth company called Lionrock Recovery that provides substance use disorder treatment. Episode Resources slaafws.orgloveaddicts.compiamellody.comConnect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

Kim Muench is a Jai, Institute for Parenting Certified Conscious Parenting Coach who specializes in working with mothers of adolescents. Kim’s expertise is grounded in her own life experience of raising a son who struggled with substance abuse issues. To make matters more difficult, she was also trying to navigate the difficult world of co-parenting with her ex-husband, a man who struggled with his own alcoholism. Kim is passionate about educating, supporting and encouraging parents to raise their children with intention and guidance rather than fear and control. Kim’s experience raising five children and years of coaching other parents, empowers her to lead her clients with compassion into healthier, happier, and more functional relationships. Kim has a self-published Amazon #1 New Release entitled Becoming Me While Raising You – a Mother’s Journey to Her Self. Her mission is to help more people parent WITH rather than over their children. Episode Resources reallifeparentguide.comConnect with Kim @kimmuenchparentcoach@kimmuenchparentcoachConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia, working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health steadily deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012. Jessica’s ordeal is detailed in her New York Times bestselling book, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six. Jessica has been named one of the ‘150 Women Who will Shake the World’ by Newsweek, and her story was the most highly viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, to date. Today, Jessica is a highly sought-after inspirational speaker, host of the podcast We Should Talk About That, and the founder of Soul Speak Press, where she supports women who are ready to share their stories through Memoir Manifestos-books that are one part memoir, one part self-help, and one part inspiration. Jessica’s first anthology project, Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Journey to (re) Claiming Our Voice is out now. Episode Resources jessbuchanan.comConnect with Jessica @jessicabuchananConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about how to explain your sobriety to your kids. Young children in particular might have a difficult time understanding a complex topic like sobriety, but Ashley is able to break it down into manageable pieces that don't require sharing every gory detail. Ashley Loeb Blassingame has been clean and sober for 17 years, she's a drug and alcohol counselor, interventionist, and the co-founder of a telehealth company called Lionrock Recovery that provides substance use disorder treatment. Episode Resources Connect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

Adam Banks grew up in Northern Wisconsin, a place where he felt he needed to hide his sexuality. At 15 he started drinking in bars where the only requirement was a promise that your parent was in the bar with you. As he got older he felt a strong need to leave the oppressive environment of his hometown, so he looked to the closest example of someone getting out, his neighbor who was a pilot. He became extremely driven and motivated and became one of the youngest pilots in his class. He quickly realized the life of a pilot wasn’t how it was portrayed in movies. The life was a lonely one. Often his days involved sitting in a cockpit with one other person, then sitting alone in hotel rooms all around the country. The isolation was the perfect catalyst for his growing alcoholism. He found himself getting closer and closer to the legal lines of being a pilot. While caught up in his addiction he found himself drinking up to the minute he was required to stop. On September 11th he was flying a plane and upon discovering the tragedy his mind spun on how easily it could have been him in one of those planes. The trauma of the day stayed with him, adding more power to the strength to his addiction. In the months after, there wasn’t much flying happening and they moved his homebase to New York City. In New York, he found the acceptance he’d been looking for in the bars and clubs of the city. Cocaine, steroids and other drugs entered his life and his addiction hit new heights. Eventually, his using and his life as a pilot could no longer co-exist and he finally found lasting sobriety 16 years ago. Today Adam runs an addiction clinic where he helps families find help for their loved ones. Episode Resources Navigating RecoveryConnect with Adam adambanksrecovery.comConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

Iman Gatti was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Iman’s parents moved to Canada from Tunisia, North Africa, and she is extremely proud of her Arab heritage and the opportunity her parents gave her by emigrating to Canada to raise their Family. Just two months before her seventh birthday, she witnessed her father brutally murder her mother. From that moment, Iman effectively became an orphan as her father was sentenced to 25 years in prison and she was put into foster care. She spent the next 12 years moving from home to home, experiencing abuse and neglect as she did her best to survive her childhood, day by day. Today, Iman is a certified grief recovery specialist, transformational speaker and bestselling author. She works with people to help them recover from grief and trauma, elevate their self-esteem, deepen their authenticity and step fully into the greatness they were born for. Episode Resources imangatti.comConnect with Iman @imangatti@imangattiConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about 4 important things that every family should know about addiction. Learn about the 4 C's of addiction, how they might change shape based on the personality of your loved one and next steps when you think there might be a problem. Ashley Loeb Blassingame has been clean and sober for 17 years, she's a drug and alcohol counselor, interventionist, and the co-founder of a telehealth company called Lionrock Recovery that provides substance use disorder treatment. Episode Resources Connect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

Dr. Alison Tarlow is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida, New Jersey, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. She is also a Certified Addictions Professional, Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Qualified Clinical Supervisor, and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. Dr. Tarlow’s clinical work has focused on the treatment of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. In 2014 Dr. Tarlow became Clinical Director of a substance use disorder treatment program in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Today, Dr. is the Chief Clinical Officer for Boca Recovery Center. Additionally, she uses her social media presence to educate on subjects that relate to substance use and recovery. Episode Resources Connect with Dr. Tarlow @bocarecovery@bocarecoverycenterConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

Judy Wilson was born in West Virginia but moved to San Francisco in the height of the Haight Ashbury, Flower Power, Free Love era. Her world opened up to things she’d never seen before. Everyone was doing drugs and having sex and she jumped into that life with both feet. Her parents saw what was happening and moved the family back to West Virginia, but it couldn’t reverse her trajectory. In the first 6 months back she had 6 car accidents and she was picked up by the police six times and drove her car off a cliff. Her drinking and using only increased. She eventually went to college where she met a man who ended up serving time in a minimum security prison. On a visit to his family’s home, the house caught fire and she stood in the yard where she watched him die. What followed was a rape, an abortion, a suicide attempt and a move to New York where she got a job in Wall Street. There she partied at Studio 54, got mixed up with the Mafia and eventually married a man who hit her so hard that it caused brain damage. She found herself in the worst place imaginable. It was then that she went to get help for the first time. The years that followed brought ups and downs in her healing journey before finally finding a career where she can help people find recovery. Judy’s story is enormous in scope and importance. Believe it or not I’m only scratching the surface of all she’s been through and experienced. And she’s been able to use all of it for immense good. Episode Resources Connect with Judy @JudywilsonConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

In this Q and A episode Ashley talks about the 5 keys she's used to remain sober for 17 years. For someone who found it a challenge to string 2 days together, 17 years seemed impossible. Learn what Ashley had to learn the hard way and what will be most critical piece in remaining sober for the next 17 years. Ashley Loeb Blassingame has been clean and sober for 16 years, she's a drug and alcohol counselor, interventionist, and the co-founder of a telehealth company called Lionrock Recovery that provides substance use disorder treatment. Episode Resources Connect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

Sonya Johnson’s parents divorced at 8. Sonya wanted a relationship with a father figure and ended up with someone she thought she could count on. The man her mother was dating was warm and he listened to her. He introduced her to things that she wasn’t allowed to do. Cigarettes, then weed, then ecstasy. And when he’d earned her trust, the sexual assault began. Sonya left her home to get away from him and began a cycle of drugs and abuse. Each new partner represented safety and then that safety went away. She eventually fled the state to get away from one such partner with the man that would eventually be her husband. They hoped to start over somewhere new and kick the drugs that had become a huge part of their lives. The drugs changed in their new state and they maintained some semblance of control, then came marriage and children, but her drug of choice lured her back home. Her use then went into secret from even her husband. Eventually the drugs took over both of their lives once again. With it came arrests, relapses and finally losing custody of her kids. The guilt and shame over her life led to even greater drug use and she ran away to live in a world without running water, electricity or basic needs. All she was left with was dope and the next high. It wasn’t until she finally arrived at a decisive moment, staring at the prospect of prison and looking at the clear picture of her life for the first time, that things finally changed. Episode Resources Connect with Sonya @sonyajohnson0719@sonyandsteven@sonyajohnson@hopeshotrecoveryConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings

We're back with Season 5! We cover Ashley's anniversary, what's new in Season 5 and what's new in rawdogging life. It's been two long months but it will be worth the wait, we swear. Episode Resources Connect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame @ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

We made it to the end of Season 4! Thanks for all who listened. In this episode Ashley and Scott host The Courage to Change New Year's Extravaganza. We've got highlights from Season 4. We've got games. We've got music. Put on your finest attire and stop by our place to ring in the new year. Episode Resources Connect with Ashley Loeb Blassingame @ashleyloebblassingameashleyloebblassingameConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcast@thecouragetochangepodcastpodcast@lionrock.lifeThe Courage to Change Playlist

Desiree Moore grew up with addicted parents. She wanted desperately to live a different life and when she met someone at 18 who seemed like he came from a white-picket-fence family she couldn’t believe her luck. The two got married and began having kids right away. Her husband moved from job to job, trying to advance his career but eventually ran out of luck and was forced to return from the first job he’d left. Things changed drastically with him. His attitude and outlook turned dark. He began using pornography obsessively and that’s when the violence began. Desiree did everything she could to stand up for herself and her kids. She kicked him out. She tried to battle against the violence she experienced, but finally the violence turned to her children. In 2008 her then husband murdered her daughter. Desiree could not function. The guilt and sadness were crushing. She felt as if she could never be whole again. Her other daughter was put into foster care. She worked 3 jobs to try to survive but was homeless. The years passed without any hope on the horizon. Then on the encouragement of a friend, she moved to a new town and her life changed completely. Things she never thought possible became true. While her daughter’s death would never leave her, but for the first time in a long time, life felt like it might be ok. Today Desiree has a master’s degree and has been able to escape the generational poverty that seemed insurmountable. Her grief is cyclical, but she uses her story to help others have hope even in the darkest moments. Episode Resources desireemoorebooks.comConnect with Desiree @meet_desireeConnect with The Courage to Change lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast@couragetochange_podcastThe Courage to Change Podcast@ashleyloebblassingamepodcast@lionrock.life@thecouragetochangepodcastLionrock Resources lionrock.life/mobile-applionrock.life/meetings