Dark and Enlightened

This is the season finale and it's all about me. My husband, Jordan, interviews me about my life. I apologize in advance for all the scatterbrained convo, but welcome to my life. This was awkward at many points, but I needed it. I hope you enjoy learning more about me. email: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com TikTok: @jaclynbrown *** Here's the bio I use for things where I want to sound like a real functioning human: Jaclyn Brown (she/her) is an impacted family member and lost her younger brother, Marc Kane, to a heroin overdose on November 16, 2018. Since then, she has become very passionate about advocacy and education in the areas of stigma surrounding substance use, harm reduction, and mental health. In October 2021, she left a 12 year career in the insurance industry to pursue her passions of coaching and advocacy. She owns her own coaching and consulting business, Stay Golden Coaching & Consulting. She is the Chair for the Family Caucus, which is an initiative of Mobilize Recovery and Partnership to End Addiction. She works with family members to empower them to use their stories to effect change in their own communities and combat the stigma that is often associated with substance use. Jaclyn also hosts “Dark and Enlightened,” a podcast about where she has open and honest conversations with guests about dark and stigmatized topics, in hopes that listeners will leave a little more enlightened than they were before. In her spare time, she prioritizes self care: creating art, eating tacos, hanging out with her husband and dogs, and binge watching Netflix reality shows. Support the show

This was a deep conversation and I learned a lot about my friend, Carol Cruz. We talk about everything from body image to eating disorders to her 18 months at an orphanage as a child to selling drugs to an undercover cop to some very movie-like plot twists in her life. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to learn more about her and I hope you take the time to learn more about her too. email: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com TikTok: @jaclynbrown *** Carol Cruz (she/her/ella) is a passionate and dedicated individual with a remarkable journey of long-term recovery that began in 1994. She has emerged as a true champion, bringing hope and empowerment to others on their own recovery paths. With extensive experience as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Coach, Trainer, and Developer of Peer and Supervision Training Curriculum, Carol has honed her skills to become an influential figure in the field. Carol's commitment to community organizing is unwavering, and she actively contributes to the Recovery Advocacy Project, advocating for the rights and needs of individuals navigating their recovery journeys. Her role in this organization is vital, as she utilizes her expertise and firsthand experience to drive positive change. In recognition of her exceptional leadership, Carol served as the Chair for the Inclusivity Caucus, a groundbreaking initiative launched at Mobilize Recovery 2020. Through her advocacy efforts, Carol has made a lasting impact on the recovery community. She firmly believes in the power of building strong and supportive communities, and she tirelessly works to dismantle barriers and challenge prevailing recovery norms. Her ultimate aspiration is to foster an inclusive environment where individuals and families can thrive, finding a true sense of belonging. In summary, Carol Cruz's journey of long-term recovery, combined with her extensive experience as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Trainer, and Developer of Training Curriculum, has positioned her as an influential force in the field. Her unwavering dedication, leadership, and advocacy work are driving positive change and creating a more inclusive recovery culture where everyone can flourish. Girlfriend's Guide to Recovery Journal: https://a.co/d/2Y3WUja Support the show

Today, I talk with my friend, Chauncie Beaston, about anything and everything because that's what happens when you throw a couple of ADHD baddies together. Our topics range from how she decided to leave NA for harm reduction because of her son to how she started her nonprofit because she was having a manic bipolar episode to how she found out she had a brother on MySpace to details about her ketamine treatment to her obsession with peer reviewed studies. We truly just cover it all. I hope you enjoy this episode! Email me: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com Follow me on TikTok: @jaclynbrown *** Chauncie Beaston is a person in recovery from SUD. She spent over a decade in active addiction experiencing everything from homelessness to incarceration. Today, she is a business owner, content creator, as well as the founder and executive director of the grassroots nonprofit, Where You’re At Foundation. It is a harm reduction organization that provides evidence-based strategies and education for reducing negative consequences associated with drug use with a focus on expanding access to supplies like Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips to more rural areas outside of Richmond, VA. She is dedicated to shifting the public perception of people who use drugs and ending the stigma around drug use by advocating for sensible drug policy that will save lives and end the failed war on drugs. facebook.com/chaunciejo facebook.com/whereyoureat Tiktok: @Live.Laugh.Naloxone Support the show

This was definitely one of my favorite interviews because I feel like Ryan Hampton is my twin, so I was just really talking to myself. FOR REALSIES THOUGH, we had a great, deep conversation about everything: mental health, online hate, his writing process, The Sacklers reaction to Unsettled, conspiracies about his 10 year resume gap , our shared autoimmune disease, Quincy, and so so much more. I hope you enjoyed our conversation! TikTok: @jaclynbrown Email: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com *** Ryan Hampton travels coast-to-coast to add solutions to our national addiction and drug overdose crisis. In recovery from a decade-long opioid addiction, Hampton is regarded as a forefront expert and thought leader in America’s rising addiction recovery advocacy & drug policy reform movements. An alumnus of the Clinton White House, he’s worked with multiple non-profits and addiction recovery organizing campaigns. He’s now a prominent, leading face and voice of recovery advocacy and is working to change the longstanding negative narratives about those impacted by addiction, recovery, and overdose. Through his books and media, organizing campaigns, and social content that reaches millions, Ryan breaks down cultural barriers that have kept people suffering in silence and is helping to inspire a new generation of advocates recovering out loud, pushing for common-sense policy. He was part of the core team that released the first-ever U.S. Surgeon General’s report on alcohol, drugs, and health in 2016 and was singled out by Forbes the following year as a top social entrepreneur in the recovery movement. Ryan connects a vast network of people passionate about ending the overdose crisis in America. He has been featured by—and is a contributor to—media outlets such as the Today Show, the Associated Press, USA Today, MSNBC, ABC News, Fox and Friends, the New York Times, NPR, HLN, Vice, Slate, The Hill, the Wall Street Journal, and others. Ryan has received praise from Democrats and Republicans alike for addressing addiction as a trans-political issue—crossing the political spectrum to build an inclusive coalition focused on solutions. He works closely with the White House, Senate Democrats, Republicans, U.S. House leadership, and state legislatures across the country. Notably, he helped craft binding provisions addressing substance use disorder in the historic SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, signed into federal law in October 2018. In 2016, he created the web series Addiction Across America, documenting his 30-day, 28-state, 8,000-mile cross-country trip visiting areas hit hardest by the addiction crisis. His first bestselling book, “American Fix — Inside the Opioid Addiction Crisis and How to End It,” was released by St. Martin’s Press in August 2018. His second book, “Unsettled: How the Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Failed the Victims of the American Overdose Crisis,” was released in September 2021 and chronicled his behind-the-scenes efforts representing tens of thousands of victims in the Purdue Pharma opioid settlement litigation. Ryan is currently working on his third book, scheduled to be released in 2024. In 2019, Ryan was named by Facebook as an inaugural community leadership fellow and created the national advocacy initiative, Mobilize Recovery. Since its inception, Mobilize Recovery has recruited and trained over 8,000 new advocates from all 50 states focused on community-based solutions to end the addiction and overdose crisis. In 2022, Mobilize Recovery traveled to 25 states, hosting 35 organizing and advocacy training events throughout September and October, distributing 10,000 doses of free naloxone and over 11,000 fentanyl test strips. He lives in Nevada with his husband, Sean, and their boxer puppy, Quincy. https://ryanhampton.org/ Support the show

This wasn't what I had planned, but I am giving myself grace to not beat myself up for putting my mental health first. I word vomit a bunch of things and if I actually knew how to take someone's offer for help, this is what I would vent to them about. So, if you listen to this, you are inadvertently helping me in the way I am comfortable with accepting help. Just listening helps. *** TikTok: @jaclynbrown Email: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com Support the show

Today's episode includes topics I have never talked about before! I interview my friend, Michelle Kavouras, about her role as a peer doula. She primarily works with a population of pregnant people with substance use disorder and she talks about the issues these people face. Additionally, she tells a bit about her story and having to give up one of her children for adoption due to her SUD. I hope you can listen to this episode with an open mind and heart. Additionally, the release date of this is Michelle's 7th year anniversary of her recovery. We didn't plan it that way, but it just fell into place like that :) Happy anniversary, my sweet friend. I am so incredibly proud of you and all you do. Hope you enjoy this episode! Follow me on TikTok @jaclynbrown or email at jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com *** Michelle's bio is short and sweet: she is an advocate, peer doula, teacher, harm reductionist, and survivor of this beautifully traumatic life. https://harmreduction.org/issues/pregnancy-and-substance-use-a-harm-reduction-toolkit/ Support the show

I have a convo today with one of my favorite people in the world, Chekesha Lakenya Ellis. She is a fellow advocate and someone who is in recovery. Her story is incredibly unique with a lot of layers to it. Her addiction to prescription opioids actually resulted in her losing her hearing and she became deaf for years until she was able to get cochlear implants. She is an inspiration to me, her charisma is contagious, and I really hope you enjoy listening to her story. Follow me on TikTok! @jaclynbrown *** Chekesha Kay Ellis is the Founder of Chase No More, an organization that provides direct support and community outreach to individuals suffering with substance use disorder. Her own personal recovery journey began 12 years ago after a nine-year addiction to prescription opioids. She has a passion for helping others suffering with addiction and has made it her life's work to help others. She is the Author of “A Life Of Kayos- My Opioid Journey through Hell Hope and Healing." She is a Peer Recovery Specialist and Certified Family Recovery Specialist. Chekesha has been featured in both print and broadcast media outlets around the world, including Google, YouTube, KYW News radio "Flashpoint," Recovery Today Magazine, Jerseys Best magazine, The New Jersey Star Ledger, Bucks County Courier times, Burlington County Times, and the Intelligencer. She has been on The Numinous Podcast, Sober Curious Podcast, Sober As A Mother Podcast, Barbershop Conversations Podcast, and featured in Penn State University ‘The Story Powered Initiative’ documentary about addiction and recovery. Chekesha has spoken at many high schools and colleges she recently spoke at Rowan College of Burlington County. Chekesha will be featured in a 2 part 6 ABC and PBS documentary titled "LISTEN TO THE SILENCE: Women Trapped in the Opioid Epidemic." It will begin airing on some of the 200 6ABCs nationwide and their subsidiaries on Sunday June 4, 2023 and in select other states. Chekesha has a partnership with Browns Shoprites supermarket stores in 2021-2022 for meet and greet events . She has distributed over 100 boxes of Naloxone in 16 Pennsylvania Supermarkets. Chekesha was honored in 2022 as a local "Shero" for her community service by iHeartRadio and Philadelphia WDAS radio. https://m.facebook.com/chekesha.ellis https://divacommunications.com/documentaries/listen-to-the-silence/ TikTok: @kayslay71 Support the show

I have a great convo with my friend, Alex, who is a plus size model and content creator. We talk about body image, quitting her corporate job for full time content creation, and she provides guidance if you are curious about taking on content creation. She is the reason I am finally embracing myself at my size, so having this time with her was special for me. I hope you enjoy our convo! Follow me on TikTok to see more random content @jaclynbrown *** Alexandria Aspasia is a content creator, entrepreneur, and plus size model. She creates lifestyle content and empowers other plus size women to embrace body positivity. Check out her TikTok to learn more about her under the handle @alexaspasia. Support the show

I sit down for a chat today with my friend and fellow advocate, Tom Cotter. We discuss his later in life diagnosis of ADHD (at the age of 60) and the unknowing impact that had on his alcohol consumption. We also talk more about how much untreated and unmonitored mental or behavioral health issues can impact someone despite abstaining from substances. We also discovered that we are apparently the same person. Haha. Hope you enjoy this episode. For more info on me, check out my linktree: https://linktr.ee/staygoldenjaclyn *** Tom Cotter is a person in long term recovery who spent way too much time overthinking this bio... Tom was born and raised in Pittsburgh and is a proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He still bleeds Black and Gold, despite relocating to Bethlehem, PA over 30 years ago. Tom retired after a 40 year career in the food industry (hint....your favorite cookie). Tom’s recovery journey began in earnest over 7 years ago after making a complete fool of himself in front of his friends, co- workers, and family. He quit drinking that next day....BUT that wasn’t the answer; something was still not right. It wasn’t until Tom let loose of the shame that was eating at him that things got better. A late life diagnosis of Adult ADHD started to connect the dots. Two plus years of intensive therapy and SMART recovery meetings have helped Tom accept his true self and others AND let him to realize that being that authentic true self is GOOD ENOUGH. Tom has found his passion in Recovery Advocacy. He is a SMART Recovery Facilitator, a member of the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network (PAHRN), a board member of the Oasis Community Center, and an active participant in Mobilize Recovery. Tom is happily married for 45+ years to his beloved wife, Candy,who has stood by him as they walked though the fire. He has a wonderful family that includes 3 crazy awesome grandkids who are the light of his life. He has embraced the Recovery community and found his place among the peers he considers brothers and sisters in arms. He continues to look for ways to help “just one person.” Links: pahrn.org oasisbethlehem.org mobilizerecovery.org Support the show

The last time my husband and I recorded together was August 2022, right after we lost Gus. That was ROUGH. This time, we talk about what life has been like since then, mental health and body image issues, boundaries, and how our new pups, Pierre and Teddy, have changed us and how we've been approaching life. Hope you enjoy this episode! Links to all my things: https://linktr.ee/staygoldenjaclyn *** Jordan Brown is Jaclyn's husband, best friend, PIC, and everything. He is Jaclyn's Scorpio King (not to be confused with the 2002 movie "The Scorpion King" starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). Like a true Scorpio, he is quiet and mysterious, but once you get to know him, he is very deep and such a romantic, kind soul. He eats gross amounts of ketchup, sings some song from Hamilton every single day, and recently started trying to perfect his own dark chocolate chip cookie recipe. He is the most protective dog father and the most selfless person. He loves all Philly sports, he likes his cheesesteak with white American and onions, and he can't pass up a Wawa hoagie and iced tea. His favorite movie is "The Shawshank Redemption." He is the best thing that ever happened to Jaclyn. Support the show

I had such an amazing and insightful conversation with my friend, Sabre Sarnataro, about narcissistic personality disorder, the spectrum of narcissism, and growing up with a father with NPD. Then we jump into all sorts of other reflection and things we have learned through therapy and our own healing. It's a really great episode and I hope you enjoy this one! *** Sabre is a digital marketer in the crazy age of Google and Facebook and insists that the internet will one day lull us into a pleasurable ruin. She works for a university and cares deeply about all kinds of education, including and especially the kind that furthers personal growth. She is grateful for people like Jackie who create outlets for us like this podcast. Sabre resides in Tucson, Arizona, but grew up in upstate New York. Consequently, she is open-minded like any good west coast native and loud and opinionated like any north-easterner. One thing she won’t ever shut up about is personal responsibility. We need more. Sabre started advocacy work when she was in college — she worked in the dorms and saw the need for inclusive programming for the queer community and did something about it. It’s often something she says a lot — DO SOMETHING. Her experience with Narcissistic Personality Disorder is completely personal and not professional, but like any good educated advocate, she’s read a ton about it and talked to a boatload of people. However, she encourages you to take her words as advice that should be guided by a mental-health professional. Her very loud opinion is that everyone should have one! Support the show

I know this is my first 3 hour episode in a while (or maybe ever?), but I promise you that every minute is worth the listen. I interviewed my friend, Amanda, about her life and the multitude of traumas and life experiences she has had. We touch on probably the biggest variety of topics ever: military life, gangs, addiction, death, pregnancy, abuse (all forms of it), incarceration, reentry, etc etc etc. Big trigger warning for everyone as there is discussion of sexual assault, domestic violence, drug use, and a lot of other traumatizing experiences. I promise you though--there is a happy ending and no one deserves it more than Amanda. Hope you enjoy the episode. *** Amanda Cassidy-Trejo is a strong woman in recovery. She began her recovery pathway on October 15, 2018 from substance use disorder. As you will find out in this podcast, she is also in recovery from a long standing relationship with handcuffs. She has been handcuff free since July 23, 2019. You will hear a lot in this episode about Amanda, but the most important take away (no matter how corny) is hope. To follow Amanda's work, you can find her on Facebook. To support the girls and women who are currently incarcerated in the Texas Criminal Legal system, please check out Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance on social media and their website: https://www.lionessjiwa.org/ Support the show

I have one of my favorite regular guests back on the show: my sister, Alison Kane. We catch up on how her 2022 went and her recent diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and the one I would have NEVER expected: ADHD. Alison also lost her sweet cat, Marble, last year shortly after we lost Gus and we talk about what that was like and pet grief overall. Per the usual, we sound the same, so just remember that she has cats and I have dogs. Hope you enjoy our conversation and hanging out with us. *** Alison said I could make up a bio for her, so here I go: Alison Kane is the youngest and smartest of the Kane siblings. She's also the only sibling who has never been arrested. She used to eat mayo out of the jar as a child, would never share her fries, and had an imaginary friend named Monty the Crocodile because she was obsessed with Steve Irwin. She loved to sing Whitney Houston songs offkey with her friends when she was a kid on our karaoke machine. She used to read me Twilight books when she got home from school because I love being read to. She grew up to be LITERALLY the best at everything academically, went to University of Arizona on a full scholarship, and she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She manages people now in the corporate world with her millennial manager style. She is the most thoughtful gift giver ever and a Virgo queen. Even though she is 8.5 years younger than me, she is my twin and the best sister I could have ever asked for. She is loved by many and she is a gift to this world. Support the show

On today's episode, I have a great conversation with my friend, Tom. We kinda go all over the place--everywhere from politics, substance use, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, WRAP, personal medicine, harm reduction, mental health issues--we do it all! I hope you enjoy our conversation and get something out of it. *** Tom Jackson's "day job" is as a Registered Peer Specialist at Western State Hospital in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and his "night job" is as an Organizer with the Virginia Recovery Advocacy Project. He is also an Authorized Peer Trainer, training the next generation of Hope Brokers for people in recovery from Substance Use and/or Mental Health challenges. His upbringing through the Civil Rights movement of the 50s and 60s, the Anti-War movement of the 60s and 70s, the HIV/AIDS/LGBTQIA+ movements of the 70s, 80s and 90s, and his personal recovery since 1991 have all come together in his grassroots leadership to support and train new advocates to use a tool called Personal Narrative to engage and call others to action to fix our broken mental health and substance use treatment systems that allow hundreds of thousands of people to die from preventable overdose or suicide every year. He finds hope in the dedication and recovery of the clients he works with at Western, in the recovery programs he attends, and in watching others challenge the status quo that has to change to end the War on Drugs and start a War for Recovery. Support the show

WE ARE BACK, BABY! Thank you for being patient with me while I took care of my life. I am super excited about this episode with my friend, Lela Graham. Please check out her bio below to learn a little more about her. She is an AMAZING woman who ran for office in the state of Montana and she was completely open about her recovery (a politician being open and honest? WEIRD, I KNOW). We talk about PTSD, bipolar disorder (BPD), substance use, and so much more. Hope you enjoy our conversation. *** Lela Graham was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana, although her family served in the military and traveled overseas she has always considered Great Falls her hometown. Lela attended public schools in Great Falls and DODDS schools overseas. After graduating high school, Lela joined the US Army and served in the Military Intelligence Corps. After serving in the military, she moved to Virginia to attend the University of Virginia. Lela graduated the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. During Lela’s time at UVA, she met the first political candidate whom she would work with. Lela worked as a political consultant for 14 years before she decided to move back home to Montana to help her family while they dealt with her Dad ’s Alzheimer’s. Since moving back to Montana, along with helping her family, Lela has been focusing on her own health and wellness. For the last 3 years, Lela has been the Montana State Lead for the Recovery Advocacy Project. Lela is a person in long-term recovery and is dedicated to bringing awareness and decrease the stigma for those in recovery from substance use disorder. Lela ran for the Montana Legislature in 2022 making recovery from substance use disorder the foundation of her campaign. After the campaign Lela is spearheading her nonprofit, Independence Rock Coalition: Center for Ethics, Recovery and Social Justice. https://independencerock.wordpress.com/ https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceRockCoalition/ Support the show

Just a little hi and to let you know officially that I am coming back. I even have episodes already recorded and everything--like a real podcast host. I missed y'all and I hope you continue to listen! BRB next Friday. Support the show

Hi. I know it's been a while, but I was away for good reason. My husband joins me for this one as we recount the last 7 months that I've been away from recording. This episode truly revolves around our dogs, Gus and Tuco. We discuss pet grief and I give the case for why losing a dog (or pet) should carry the same weight as the loss of a person. We cry. We ramble. I didn't edit this episode to make it nice and neat because I don't have the energy and grief isn't nice and neat. So, apologies for all the filler words and silences. Hope you enjoy our rambling. *** I would love to hear your feedback on the podcast so far! If you love it, please e-mail me at jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com or follow me on Instagram at @darkandenlightened. If you hate it, well....take it easy on me. Or please just stop hating it and start loving it. Either or. Support the show

Today's episode is a little different in the order I talk about things, so lemme know what you think of the different format. I talk with my friend, Nikki Fordey, about her career in social work. We discuss her specific area of social work and talk about what exactly does social work encapsulate. We then pivot the discussion to growing up, being somewhat of a medical mystery, due to issues she was experiencing and her eventual diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. We talk about a lot of other stuff in between, but this is such a great conversation and I learned a lot. Hope you do too! *** I would love to hear your feedback on the podcast so far! If you love it, please e-mail me at jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com or follow me on Instagram at @darkandenlightened. If you hate it, well....take it easy on me. Or please just stop hating it and start loving it. Either or. Support the show

Buckle up for a Bingo card full of trauma (LOLZ for my dark humor people). I have a really great conversation with my friend, Clarissa O'Neill, about the various things that she has gone through in her life. Here is a big trigger warning: there is discussion of child abuse, self harm, suicide, sexual assault, rape, and substance use. Clarissa also talks about her time in the Army Reserve and how substance use impacted everything in her life. I hope you enjoy our conversation and you get something out of it. *** I would love to hear your feedback on the podcast so far! If you love it, please e-mail me at jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com or follow me on Instagram at @darkandenlightened. If you hate it, well....take it easy on me. Or please just stop hating it and start loving it. Either or. Support the show

It's an end of the year reflection episode with my baby sissy, Alison Kane! There's been a lot of dark topics lately, so wanted to lighten it up and have a chat with Alison about all sorts of stuff: how work impacts how we live our lives (and view our worth), our never-ending quest for perfection, how random shit in our childhood affects how we view things today, and more. No super heavy stuff today cause it's the start of the year and we should start with SOME light stuff :) Hope you enjoy our convo! *** I would love to hear your feedback on the podcast so far! If you love it, please e-mail me at jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com or follow me on Instagram at @darkandenlightened. If you hate it, well....take it easy on me. Or please just stop hating it and start loving it. Either or. Support the show