Podcast
Life after addiction isn't just possible - it's the norm. Studies show 3 out of 4 people who experience addiction eventually recover. The Recovery Stories Have Power podcast aims to center that hopeful message through authentic conversations that bring together people from all pathways of recovery and recovery allies.
Through these conversations, we’ll build awareness, challenge societal stigma, and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
Our Latest Episodes
Recovery Month Podcast Special #4 – Libby Jones, Program Director Overdose Prevention Initiative
September 26, 2024 | 07:00 AM EDT
On today’s episode I chat with Libby Jones, program director of the Global Health Advocacy Initiative’s Overdose Prevention Initiative. Libby leads their advocacy efforts with the goal of reducing the overdose death rate in the US. We talk about what advocacy means on a federal level, some of the Overdose Prevention Initiative’s goals, and real steps people can take to get involved at every level.
Recovery Month Podcast Special #3 – Garrett Hade, co-founder of Mobilize Recovery
September 19, 2024 | 07:00 AM EDT
During this episode I had the opportunity to chat with Mobilize Recovery co-founder, Garrett Hade. Mobilize is a giant in the advocacy space, and we chatted about the history of the organization, and how he, and his other co-founder, “cold-called” themselves into the advocacy space, all the way to hosting some of the largest entertainment and advocacy events in the recovery field.
Recovery Month Special #2 – Dr. Felecia Pullen on Community Based Care
September 12, 2024 | 08:00 AM EDT
In this episode I sit with Safe in Harlem and Pillars founder and CEO Dr. Felecia Pullen. Dr. Pullen is a recovery scientist, activist, advocate, and change maker. We chat about how her lineage has informed her perspective on change and what believing in a person-first approach to healing mean in the Substance Use Disorder field. We get deep.
Recovery Month Special – Keegan Wicks on Recovery Advocacy
September 06, 2024 | 12:00 PM EDT
Throughout the month of September we’ll be releasing video podcast episodes every week to celebrate Recovery Month with you. We have several terrific guests from all around the recovery field…
Episode 15 – Lionel Oglesby – Equity Officer, Legal Action Center
August 29, 2024 | 12:00 PM EDT
On today's episode I had the chance to interview Lionel Oglesby, Equity Officer for the Legal Action Center. Lionel has been in the advocacy field for quite some time, and we dive into how his work has evolved throughout his time at the Legal Action Center. We get into how equity practices can influence better recovery outcomes, no matter where you are, and how intersectionality can bridge sociocultural divides.
Episode 14 – Tara Moreno-Wallen, Serenity House Founder
August 15, 2024 | 01:00 PM EDT
On today's episode, Tara and Psalm dive into the story of Serenity House, creating safe space and resources for women in recovery spaces, and a boundaries approach to communication.
Episode 13 – Patrick J. Kennedy, Recovery Leadership Summit Live
July 25, 2024 | 08:00 AM EDT
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, My name is Oliver Books. This is the final episode in our series of video podcasts filmed at Faces & Voices of…
Episode 12 – Dr. Corrie Vilsaint, Recovery Leadership Summit Live
July 11, 2024 | 01:00 PM EDT
On today’s episode I had a conversation with Dr. Corrie Vilsaint. Dr Vilsaint is a recovery scientist who serves as instructor at Harvard Medical School, Associate Director of Recovery Health Equity at the Recovery Research Institute, and research scientist at the Center for Addiction Medicine. During our chat we cover the science behind recovery community centers, disparities in outcomes in traditional treatment settings, and efficacy of community-based supports.
Episode 11 – Dr. Haner Hernández, Recovery Leadership Summit Live
June 27, 2024 | 12:00 AM EDT
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories have Power, my name is Oliver Books. We are so excited to bring you four very special podcast episodes throughout the months of June…
Episode 10 – Sparkle Lindsay, Sparkle LLC
June 13, 2024 | 08:00 AM EDT
We are so excited to bring you four very special podcast episodes throughout the months of June and July. The Recovery Leadership Summit hosted nearly 500 people from all across the recovery space. We had four amazing keynote speakers, and came together as a community to learn and grow from one another.
On today’s episode, I am joined by our first keynote presenter, Sparkle Lindsay. Sparkle is an author, peer coach, and motivational speaker who has an incredible journey she was able to share with us.
Episode 9 – Thomas McCarry, CEO and Co-Founder, Zero Overdose
May 30, 2024 | 08:00 AM EDT
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today’s episode I chat with Thomas McCarry, co-founder of Zero Overdose. Zero Overdose was founded by…
Episode 8 – Ruby Takushi, Program Director and Co-Founder, Recovery Cafe
May 16, 2024 | 07:00 AM EDT
On today's episode, our host, Tyler Brandon chats with Ruby Takushi, Ph.D., the Director of Programs for Recovery Café and co-founded Recovery Café with Killian Noe.
Episode 7 – Jonathan Westfall, Executive Director, ROCovery Fitness
April 25, 2024 | 08:00 AM EDT
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power. On today's episode, our host, Tyler Brandon chats with Jonathan Westfall, the Executive Director of ROCovery Fitness. ROCovery Fitness in an RCO in Rochester, NY that provides free peer led fitness services for folks in recovery.
Episode 6 – Kevin Rumley, Veteran’s Treatment Court Buncombe County, NC
April 11, 2024 | 07:00 AM EDT
On today's episode I had the privilege of chatting with Kevin Rumley of the Buncombe County, MC Veteran's Treatment Court. His journey is harrowing and inspirational, and has guided him into his work assisting and supporting veterans through a 5-phase, 16 month intensive treatment court program.
Episode 5Lori Mellinger & Amanda Cassidy-Trejo, Lioness
March 28, 2024 | 08:00 AM EDT
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power. On today's episode our host, Psalm Bingham, chats with Lori Mellinger and Amanda Cassidy-Trejo of Texas-Based Advocacy Initiative, Lioness: Justice Impacted Women's Alliance. Lioness is an organization led by currently and formerly incarcerated girls and women in Texas with the purpose of ending the incarceration and systematic devaluing experienced within the Texas criminal legal system.
Episode 4 – Bill Sweeney, Founder, The Livability Initiative
March 14, 2024 | 08:00 AM EDT
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. Today’s episode features Bill Sweeney, founder of The Livability Initiative. Bill is a person in recovery, a…
Bonus Episode 3 – John Shinholser, Co-Founder, McShin Foundation
March 05, 2024 | 08:00 AM EST
Hello and welcome to a special bonus episode recovery stories have power. On today's episode, our marking manager, Nicole Woodward speaks with the Co-Founder, Senior Peer, and Board and President Emeritus of the McShin Foundation, John Shinholser. John began the McShin Foundation with Carol McDaid in 2004, and entered into recovery in 1982.
Episode 3 – Yo’ Sis, Spoken Word Artist
February 29, 2024 | 12:00 AM EST
Hello and welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, my name is Oliver Books. On today’s episode, our host, Tyler Brandon chats with Yo’ Sis. Yo’ Sis is a prolific spoken…
Episode 2 – Mark Sanders, Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery
February 15, 2024 | 08:00 AM EST
On today’s episode, our host, Psalm Bingham, converses with Mark Sanders, founder of The Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery. The museum (https://www.museumofafricanamericanaddictionsrecovery.org/) curates articles and accolades at the storied intersection of Black History and recovery.
Episode 1 – Introduction to Season 2, Meet the Hosts
January 25, 2024 | 08:00 AM EST
Welcome to Season 2 of Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast. This season, we explore diverse stories in recovery, the role community plays, and shed…
Bonus Episode 2 – Philip Rutherford, Former COO of Faces & Voices of Recovery
January 18, 2024 | 08:00 AM EST
On this bonus episode of Recovery Stories Have Power, we’re joined by Phil Rutherford, outgoing Chief Operating Officer at Faces & Voices of Recovery, and newly-appointed Strategy Lead for Substance…
Bonus Episode 1 – Chris Tait, Passenger Recovery & Electric Six
November 09, 2023 | 08:00 AM EST
Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery Podcast. My name is Oliver Books. Throughout the rest of 2023, we’ll be releasing bonus episodes of our…
Episode 6 – Emanuel Sferios, Founder of DanceSafe
October 26, 2023 | 08:00 AM EDT
Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Oliver Books. In the final episode of season 1, I am joined by Emanuel…
Episode 5 – Sarah Laurel, Savage Sisters
October 12, 2023 | 08:00 AM EDT
Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. For episode 5, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Laurel, founder…
Episode 4 – Amanda Muller & Laura Pegram, NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors)
September 28, 2023 | 08:00 AM EDT
Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. In episode 4, my friend & guest host Krissi Jacob had the…
Episode 3 – Colin Askey & Amy Evans, Love in the Time of Fentanyl
September 21, 2023 | 09:00 AM EDT
Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. Oliver and I had the great pleasure of talking with Colin Askey…
Episode 2 – Maia Szalavitz
September 14, 2023 | 09:00 AM EDT
Guest(s): Maia Szalavitz, Author of Undoing Drugs Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. This season we’re focusing on…
Introduction to Season 1 – Harm Reduction
September 07, 2023 | 09:00 AM EDT
Host(s): Oliver Books & Chelsey Cusimano Guest(s): Phil Rutherford Description: Welcome to Recovery Stories Have Power, a Faces & Voices of Recovery podcast, my name is Chelsey Cusimano. In season…
Trailer – Recovery Stories Have Power
September 03, 2023 | 09:00 AM EDT
Life after addiction isn’t just possible – it’s the norm. Studies show 3 out of 4 people who experience addiction eventually recover. The Recovery Stories Have Power podcast aims to center…