Part 1 of this discussion – https://share.transistor.fm/s/fe7c6505

In this episode of Archways' Threads, host Michelle Lennon continues her previous discussion with Marina, a participant in the Archways' Family Threads program. Marina shares her journey from addiction and homelessness to recovery and stability as a new mother. She discusses the importance of setting boundaries, seeking therapy, and having a supportive network to help prevent relapses. Marina and Michelle also talk about the resilience and growth mindset that helped Marina and her partner overcome obstacles and build a new life for their family.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 – Intro

01:33 - Speaking Your Truth: Marina emphasizes the importance of using your voice and setting boundaries to stay in recovery, even when faced with resistance, manipulation, or guilt from others.

02:35 - The Power of Therapy: Marina discusses the value of seeking professional support, like therapy, to heal from past trauma and cope with new emotions in recovery.

04:00 - Resilience in Action: Michelle highlights the family's resilience, noting their journey from homelessness and addiction to finding a stable life and a home.

04:47 - Archways' Support: Marina explains how Archways connected her family with essential services that put them up in a hotel until they secured housing, which was a huge relief during her high-risk pregnancy.

07:52 - Breaking Generational Cycles: Marina and Michelle discuss how the family has interrupted generational cycles of poverty and violence. Marina expresses her determination to ensure her son does not experience the same struggles she went through.

09:19 - Healing Past Pain: Marina shares how having her own child helped heal the pain of feeling like she didn't fit in with her adoptive family and contributed to her feeling heard.

10:25 - Recovering as a Team: Marina and her partner's recovery journey together fostered a lot of compassion, love, and growth for each other.

11:40 - Identity-Based Motivation: Michelle explains that recovery is often more successful when tied to identity-based goals, such as wanting to be an amazing parent, rather than just checking boxes or avoiding consequences.

18:58 - Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Marina's advice for others in recovery is to not be afraid to reach out for help and to give yourself a chance.

This episode offers a direct and honest look at the realities of long-term recovery. Marina's story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't just about abstaining from substances: it's about building a new life and healing from past trauma. It's about setting new goals, creating a safe family environment, and having a support system that sees you as a whole person, not just an addiction. Her journey from crisis to stability shows that with genuine support and unwavering effort, a family can change the trajectory of their lives and create a beautiful, sober future for themselves and their child.

If there's a topic you'd like to see us cover, email us at podcast@archwaysnh.org or call us at 603-960-2128. Visit our website at https://www.archwaysnh.org to learn more about the Archways family of recovery and family resource centers.

If your business or organization has been thinking about creating a podcast and you aren’t sure how to start, reach out to our producer at https://smithdouglass.com.

A Family's Journey from Crisis to Stability – Part 1

In this episode, Archway’s CEO Michelle Lennon, one of the co-authors of the Family Threads Curriculum, speaks with a family who successfully completed the program. Marina and Star share their journey from experiencing homelessness and active addiction to finding stability and hope. They discuss how peer recovery support and family support services helped them build a new life for themselves and their young son. This episode is a testament to the power of human connection, nonjudgmental support, and the unwavering resolve of families to create a better future.

Key Takeaways

00:00 - Intro

01:30 - Seeking Support The family decided to join the Family Threads program out of a desperate need for resources after a period of active addiction, despite initial reluctance to ask for help.

02:15 - Post-Treatment Challenges After leaving their treatment program, the family realized they lacked the tools needed to continue their recovery and had to find housing and a vehicle on their own to prepare for their baby's arrival.

03:21 - The Leap of Faith The family completed program assessments that felt invasive, but they realized they had to take a "leap of faith" and be vulnerable in order to move forward.

06:32 - Perseverance Pays Off They endured the stressful process of submitting over 200 housing applications and receiving 12 rejections before finally securing a place to live, highlighting the importance of perseverance.

09:38 - The Power of Peer Support Having a peer recovery support worker was critical in helping them manage stress and stay on track, as their coaches provided emotional validation and treated them with humanity.

13:11 - Recovering Together The couple chose to enter recovery as a team, strengthening their relationship by supporting each other through their individual struggles despite receiving pushback from others.

17:04 - Breaking Generational Cycles Having grown up in chaotic homes, they made a conscious decision to create a peaceful environment for their son by communicating openly instead of arguing.

21:13 - Ongoing Support Recovery support workers provide the vital, long-term help needed to cope with real-life challenges and focus on personal healing and growth.

This episode offers a powerful and honest look at the realities of long-term recovery. Marina and Star’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't just about abstaining from substances — it's about building a new life and healing from past trauma. It's about setting new goals, creating a safe family environment, and having a support system that sees you as a whole person, not just an addiction. Their journey from crisis to stability shows that with genuine support and unwavering effort, a family can change the trajectory of their lives and create a beautiful, sober future for themselves and their child.

A Conversation with Carina Raya – Part 4

In this episode of Archways' Threads, we conclude our four-part conversation with Carina Raya and Archways' CEO, Michelle Lennon. They explore the intricate process of integrating one's past self with their current identity in recovery, emphasizing that recovery is a dynamic and evolving journey rather than a static endpoint.

The discussion dives deep into the nuances of sharing personal narratives for advocacy, highlighting the importance of strategic communication and the ongoing effort to combat pervasive societal stigma. This conversation provides invaluable insights into the multifaceted nature of recovery, the critical role of peer and family support, and the necessity of fostering environments conducive to long-term well-being.

Key Takeaways

00:00 - Introduction

00:46 - The Long Journey of Integration

02:40 - Value Your Whole Self, Past and Present

06:40 - Purposeful Story Sharing for Advocacy

09:15 - Leveraging Technology for Tailored Narratives

11:27 - Mentorship Refines Advocacy Stories

14:48 - Navigating Public Gratitude as an Advocate

20:51 - Recovery-Friendly Work Policies

24:20 - Recovery Education is Essential for Medical Students

This episode offers a deeply personal and practical look at the ongoing process of recovery. Michelle and Carina’s candid conversation provides valuable insights into the continuous growth involved in recovery, the vital role of peer and family support, and the strategic approach to advocacy.

If there's a topic you'd like to see us cover, email us at podcast@archwaysnh.org or call us at 603-960-2128. Visit our website at https://www.archwaysnh.org to learn more about the Archways family of recovery and family resource centers.

If your business or organization has been thinking about creating a podcast and you aren’t sure how to start, reach out to our producer at https://smithdouglass.com.