INTERSECTIONS Exchange Podcast

In this episode of INTERSECTIONS Policy, Program, and Practice Exchange, neuroscience lecturer Brian Pennie joins the team all the way from Ireland to discuss the role of mindfulness in recovery.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Clint Crawford, the Executive Director of Journey Pure, to discuss the connections between mental health and addiction. Crawford shares his personal journey into the recovery field and his innovative approaches to mental health and addiction therapy.

Dr. Charles Flores (PhD, LPCC, LAADC-S, MAC, CCMHC, NCC, NCTTP, Q-SAP) joins the INTERSECTIONS Exchange team to share his expertise in the addiction and psychology fields and discuss recovery strategies. Dr. Flores discusses the barriers to effective recovery in modern life as well as promising novel interventions for addiction using psychedelic medications.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by author and consultant Suzanne Thistle (MA, MLADC) to hear her perspectives on natural recovery. Thistle shares her personal experiences in the recovery world as well as her journey interviewing 101 individuals in New Hampshire about their recovery for her book. In tandem with the INTERSECTIONS philosophy of interdisciplinary treatment, Thistle’s work illustrates the power of holistic recovery and peer support.

Kerrie Atherton joins the INTERSECTIONS Exchange team all the way from Queensland, Australia to share her thoughts on honesty in addiction and the importance of sharing recovery stories. Atherton also discusses her Stories of Hope program and how she has found both success and support from sharing her recovery journey with others.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Wendy Keller (LCSW) to discuss recovery from the perspective of clinical practitioners. Along with Andrew O’Grady and Dr. Larry Force, Keller shares her thoughts on changes in recovery treatment throughout the pandemic and the necessity of peer and family support for successful recovery.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Rebecca Russo, yoga instructor and Vice president of Marketing and Outreach at Journeys Outpatient Therapy Services. Russo and Andrew O’Grady discuss the similarities between their respective mental health agencies and Elisa Gwilliam joins the discussion to emphasize the importance of movement in recovery. At 30:30, Russo shares some words of wisdom for individuals struggling with early sobriety during the pandemic.

In this episode of INTERSECTIONS Policy, Program, and Practice Exchange, Andrew O’Grady and Dr. Larry Force discusses the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and suggestions to ease the re-entry process using technology.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Judy, who has dealt with personal mental illness and addiction experiences as well as lead an Alcoholics Anonymous group for more than thirty years. On the podcast, Judy shares her inspirational life story and pathway to the recovery field and discusses the complicated interactions of mental health and addiction.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Breezy Nowlan, the founder and CEO of Taste Recovery, a nationwide sober living directory platform. Nowlan shares her personal experience in recovery, rehabilitation and sober living and describes how this experience inspired her to create a free and easily accessible network of high-quality sober living facilities. At 23:00, Nowlan and Andrew O’Grady discuss the importance of treating addiction and trauma simultaneously instead of separately.

Dr. Larry Force is joined by life coach Vance Larson and Executive Director of Recovery Resource Center Curtis Paul to discuss changes in the recovery community. Additionally, the panel discusses the importance of honesty and celebration in recovery and the power of hope transmitted through the sharing of recovery stories. 

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Doug Hovey, CEO of Independent Living in Newburgh, New York to discuss the importance of peer support and the need to merge addiction and mental health infrastructures. Around 25:00, Dr. Force, O’Grady, and Hovey discuss the exciting potential for new technology to revolutionize mental healthcare and increase access to people in need.

In this episode of INTERSECTIONS Policy, Program and Practice Exchange the team is joined by Linda Ferdico who serves as Regional Director of Peer Services at Independent Living in Newburgh, New York. Along with her personal journey to the recovery field, Federico shares her passion for peer support networks and important tools for recovery and harm reduction during the pandemic and beyond.

Kerrie Atherton joins the INTERSECTIONS Exchange team all the way from Queensland, Australia for a second time! Atherton discusses changes in the mental health field in light of COVID-19 and the incredible power of honesty and understanding to give people hope in recovery.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Vance Larson, Shibu Kizhakevilayil, John Joseph, Noel Mancini, and Dave Brinkerhoff to discuss the app Pacifyr and the integration of technology in mental health treatment. Dr. Larry Force and Andrew O’Grady lead a fascinating and inclusive discussion about the tremendous potential for digital mental health tools like Pacifyr to positively impact people worldwide.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined again by case manager and life coach Vance Larson to discuss the current opioid epidemic in the United States. Each member of the panel shares their personal stories of bearing witness to the effects of the opioid crisis and the holistic approaches to healing and recovery that have the potential to make a positive impact. 

Jim Ball and Dave Brinkerhoff join the INTERSECTIONS Exchange team to discuss INTERSECTIONS: A Program Without Boundaries and the National Organization of Adult Addictions and Recovery (NOAAR). In addition to providing an overview of these organizations, the guest speakers share the importance of peer support in recovery and exciting ne directions in the addiction and mental health fields.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Wendy Noe, CEO of Dove Recovery House for Women in Indianapolis, Indiana. Noe gives an overview of the holistic philosophy and services provided by Dove Recovery House and joins Dr. Force and Andrew O’Grady in discussing the importance of trauma-informed recovery care.

The INTERSECTIONS Exchange team is joined by Jean-Marie Niebuhr (LCSW-R), the Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health in Dutchess County, New York. Niebuhr discusses increasing accessibility of mental and behavioral health resources and shares her unique policymaking perspective on barriers to effective treatment and possible solutions to break down those barriers.