Beyond Hope

I’ve been waiting for you. It seems like years. Take a moment and breathe. Feel your feet on the ground. The earth can hold you now. Your work is done. Let your eyelids rest. And just breathe. Did you notice? You’re still here. You’re still breathing. Your heart still beats. Open your eyes now. Look around you. Do things seem different? That’s because you are different. The sun seems to shine brighter. The butterflies come out to greet you and birds fly by to say hello. Did...

Manny Mendez from FOREEL Recovery joins me today to talk about how they are connecting art and recovery. FOREEL’s goal is to not only help individuals achieve long term recovery and fulfill their dream, but to also find purpose in life. They have found that their approach to help overcome addiction has been successful by utilizing the creative mind through art in all of its many aspects. FOREEL believes addiction to be a disease of the mind, body and spirit. Those who have participated in...

Today I’m talking to my friend, Aundre Washington. He shares his personal experience of darkness and what it means to not give up. I hope his story brings you encouragement, wherever you are in your journey today. First, Aundre and I share the story of how we met. It’s a unique story, but I’m grateful that he reached out to me, so that I could get to know him and develop our friendship. Aundre is passionate about faith, family and seeing others make progress in their life. He believes...

Today I bring you a wonderful conversation I had with the amazing Stacy Fisher, who is an incredible self-care “guru.” A certified dietician, hilarious, compassionate, fun, but such a beautiful light. We talk about some of the bigger things in life, things that bring joy, the “deep” stuff. Stacy feels these are what leads us to what we can do to contribute and to support ourselves first so that we can support others. That’s why we’re here, to support one another. But we must understand the...

Hey everyone, I wanted to take just a moment to reach out to you and let you know that we are still here, fighting the fight, living our lives. And I wanted to thank you for all the love and support that you’ve given me. The emails and the text messages, it means so much to me. I wanted to let you know that if you are struggling with anything, whatever it is that you’re going through, if you’re struggling right now, just know that you’re not alone. And I too have been struggling over the...

It’s not a ride I want to be on, and I’ve been on it enough times already. But I find myself back and feeling all the emotions that come when you discover your loved one has relapsed. Unfortunately, it’s a real piece of recovery. And during this honest and open episode, I let you in on what’s been happening in my world and what I have been doing to try and take care of myself. In order to move forward when our loved one has moved back towards their addiction and away from recovery, we must...

What’s been happening? During this episode, I chat with you a little bit about what’s been going on in my world. I know my last episode kind of left things in just a state of flux. I had recorded kind of what I was going through at that moment and I try hard to be as transparent as I can with this podcast while also respecting my daughter. I feel really, really blessed because my daughter is so supportive of what I’m doing Throughout the last six years or so, throughout my daughter’s...

Tonight, I’m recording this episode from an old familiar place. I recently learned that my daughter, who had been doing so well. Left rehab after 15 months. She just walked away from it. All the hard work. The relationships that she’d built. Right now, this second, I am sickened with worry, fear, and feelings of guilt ... wondering what went wrong? What did I miss? And why? We've been here before, but this time I feel the separation. Separated by the deep blue ocean, people, time, and...

Hey everyone, welcome to Beyond Hope Radio! I am so happy to be talking to you today and I just want to wish you a happy, happy new year. Some of you reached out to me over the last couple of months and I just want to thank you so much for thinking of me. You may have been wondering where I've been and I've gotten some nudges from you to record and I just want to say thank you and I've never forgotten about you and I'm not bailing on this podcast, but I really struggled with the timing of it...

Hi everyone, it has been a little while since I've recorded an episode but I have been thinking about you and I want to thank everyone for the encouragement and support. I was reminded why I started this journey and who I am here for...maybe that's you if you feel stuck and confused. It wasn't long ago that I was feeling a little stuck and the circle around me kept getting smaller and smaller. I think being vulnerable, sharing my voice and my story, while scary, is less painful than it...

Hi everyone, it has been a little while since I've recorded an episode but this will be worth the wait. I'm sharing with you an interview that I did with James Healy. I am lucky to call him a friend, but also we work together. He produces my podcast and every time I talk to him, I'm laughing and learning something new about him. Just prepare to be inspired. Before I dive into that interview I want to just let you know how much you mean to me. Thank you for listening and thank you for...

Welcome to this show. I am here in Long Beach, Washington, which is about three hours from my home and I came here for a couple of nights over the memorial day weekend, just kind of packed up my dog and he and I hit the road and we've been staying here for a couple of nights. We leave tomorrow, but it's been really good. I have been doing a lot of walking on the beach and a lot of reflecting. The last time I was here I was visiting my daughter. She attended treatment out here a couple of...

Listen to this episode as I reveal a Special Announcement! Yes, I have been absent for a bit as I have been doing some processing lately. I had to take a step back and finally make a big decision. I felt like I was up against a bit of a wall, a little stuck. And now I am moving forward with an exciting new project... I am writing a book! It has been something I have been contemplating for some time and now that I have made the decision and started the process, I am so excited! Listen to...

I am joined by Laura Worley, who is a Transformational and Educational Coach. Laura has helped hundreds of people overcome their past and begin to live the life of their dreams. It is her core belief that we can overcome anything. When we change our patterns and beliefs that keep us stuck; there are truly infinite possibilities that come into our awareness. Laura works with me to show how Tapping and EFT can help free us from being stuck in past trauma or experiences. Trauma has been...

I am joined by Jeff who shares his journey from addict to working with drug abusers on the streets, letting them know that there is hope. Jeff's story begins in his early teens when, having been raised by missionary parents in a poor family environment, he rebelled against his religious upbringing. He began dealing drugs, rejecting his family, turning to gangs and inevitably got caught in a vicious circle. Jeff faced major spiritual and emotional questions during this period in his life and he shares his dark and heavy journey when he believed that gangs, drugs, and prison would always be his life. Looking back now he honestly claims, “I didn't give a sh*t! I just cared about getting high.” Choices: The statistics are terrifying, and that's just the reported figures, in this episode Jeff explains how drug addiction can affect anyone, from all walks of life, it is not planned, “nobody wants to be a drug addict when they grow up,” however it is those initial choices that you make that impact your life. “It was a choice for me to use when I first used, but it became a disease when I couldn't choose not to use it anymore,” explains Jeff who now works on the streets with people that have been caught in this desperate cycle like he once was. It is his passion, he understands their stories because he has lived it too. Giving Back: As an ex-addict, Jeff provides parents with clear recovery options and for the past 4 years has followed his clients through their recovery. He points out the growing drug-user population in the States that need help to become sober again but it takes such a massive amount of work, time and sacrifice. Jeff sees his work as giving back. Helping others through addiction is his passion and his way of making up for his past while living on a humble income. He wants to help people that are lost and out on the streets saying “the desperation is so much more impactful.” The Bigger Picture: This episode deals with questions about how to educate the kids that are being drawn into this life, teaching parents how to cope but also asks how the State can help more, how can America not be able to take care of its people? We discuss the benefits and pitfalls of rehab centers, prison and the approach of the court system to releasing addicts back onto the streets to continue their downward spiral with no support. Helping Hand: One of the things Jeff is very clear on is, “never give money”, this will only be spent on drugs. He points us to some really useful information on free resources and tells us all about an organization close to his heart Operation Healthy Hearts who give food, hygiene, clothes etc. to people in exchange for tasks. “This is not a handout...it's a hand up!” If you would like to connect with Jeff and his team see the details below. There is hope, you just need to take the first step. Tel: 714-733-0222 Website: http://foundationsforrecovery.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/596522190736544/ -- Find out more at http://beyondhoperadio.com -- Show sponsor: Hassle-Free Books - You have a message to share, it shouldn't be so difficult to get it out to the world. Become an author in a little as 45 days: http://hasslefreebooks.com

I am joined by Jeff who shares his journey from addict to working with drug abusers on the streets, letting them know that there is hope. Jeff's story begins in his early teens when, having been raised by missionary parents in a poor family environment, he rebelled against his religious upbringing. He began dealing drugs, rejecting his family, turning to gangs and inevitably got caught in a vicious circle. Jeff faced major spiritual and emotional questions during this period in his life...

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Listen for more information! This episode is part of a mini-series with Chad, a deep dive into some of the core questions and challenges surrounding addiction in some families. During this episode, we continue the conversation about enabling, what it is, and how we may play a role in our loved one's addiction as a possible enabler. We also provide tips which may help family members to stop enabling the addict. If you are doing things for your adult son or daughter that is interrupting the natural flow of consequences, then you may be enabling. Take an honest evaluation and assessment of how you are contributing to their behavior... But, before you feel bad if you think you may be enabling, it's not just you. There are likely a lot of other people and organizations that are helping this addict get high. If you have questions or topics you’d like Chad and I to discuss on future episodes, please send your suggestions to Shar@BeyondHopeRadio.com. About Chad: Chad works in Admissions and Outreach at Habilitat, Inc. - a long-term (2-year) residential addiction treatment and vocational training program in Hawaii. He's been in Hawaii for the past 7 years, where he initially moved to the islands to treat his heroin addiction through Habilitat's program. Habilitat gave Chad a life worth living. He enjoys outdoor activities, is an active member of a local Rotary Club, serves on the board of Aloha United Ways - Society of Young Leaders, and enjoys the occasional trip to California to visit family and friends. Web - https://www.habilitat.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Habilitat/ Phone: 1-800-872-2525 -- Find out more at http://beyondhoperadio.com -- Show sponsors: The Addictions Academy - The Nation’s Leading Accredited Addiction Treatment Services, Recovery/Sober Coaching & Intervention Training Academy: https://theaddictionsacademy.com/ Hassle-Free Books - You have a message to share, it shouldn't be so difficult to get it out to the world. Become an author in a little as 45 days: http://hasslefreebooks.com

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Listen for more information! This episode is part of a mini-series with Chad, a deep dive into some of the core questions and challenges surrounding addiction in some families. During this episode, we continue the conversation about enabling, what it is, and how we may play a role in our loved one's addiction as a possible enabler. We also provide tips which may help family members to stop enabling the addict. If you are doing things for your adult son or daughter...

This is the first episode of a 6 part mini-series with Chad, a deep dive into some of the core questions and challenges surrounding addiction in some families. Be sure to tune into Part 2 for an exciting announcement you won’t want to miss!! So, what is enabling? As parents, we always want to do what's best for our children. It's always been that way. But, are we helping or are we enabling? Are we making it easy for them to make poor or good choices? Ask yourself, "How can I enable my child to do the right thing?" First, it's important to recognize the signs and beware of the "land mines." Try not to get caught up in the addict's timeline and if needed, take a "time out" for yourself so you can get some support. It can be helpful to prepare in advance for the difficult conversations and go into them with some "go to" phrases. Watch for the manipulation, and remember saying "No" is okay, it doesn't mean you are being a bad parent. If you have questions or topics you’d like Chad and I to discuss on future episodes, please send your suggestions to Shar@BeyondHopeRadio.com. About Chad: Chad works in Admissions and Outreach at Habilitat, Inc. - a long-term (2-year) residential addiction treatment and vocational training program in Hawaii. He's been in Hawaii for the past 7 years, where he initially moved to the islands to treat his heroin addiction through Habilitat's program. Habilitat gave Chad a life worth living. He enjoys outdoor activities, is an active member of a local Rotary Club, serves on the board of Aloha United Ways - Society of Young Leaders, and enjoys the occasional trip to California to visit family and friends. Web - https://www.habilitat.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Habilitat/ Phone: 1-800-872-2525 -- Find out more at http://beyondhoperadio.com -- Show sponsors: The Addictions Academy - The Nation’s Leading Accredited Addiction Treatment Services, Recovery/Sober Coaching & Intervention Training Academy: https://theaddictionsacademy.com/ Hassle-Free Books - You have a message to share, it shouldn't be so difficult to get it out to the world. Become an author in a little as 45 days: http://hasslefreebooks.com

This is the first episode of a 6 part mini-series with Chad, a deep dive into some of the core questions and challenges surrounding addiction in some families. Be sure to tune into Part 2 for an exciting announcement you won’t want to miss!! So, what is enabling? As parents, we always want to do what's best for our children. It's always been that way. But, are we helping or are we enabling? Are we making it easy for them to make poor or good choices? Ask yourself, "How can I enable my...