• S06E07 - Breaking Free: Hannah's Journey from Addiction to Hope
    Feb 19 2026

    In this emotional and candid episode of 'From Darkness to Life,' Hannah, the newest member and recovery coach of Our Collective Journey (OCJ), shares her deeply personal story of battling addiction. Starting with her introduction to alcohol at the age of 12, Hannah recounts her turbulent journey through substance abuse, multiple DUIs, and her turning point moments that led her to seek help. Hannah discusses her experiences with treatment, the importance of community support, and how her past struggles have fueled her passion for helping others as a recovery coach. For more episodes, visit https://ourcollectivejourney.ca/podcast. If you or a loved one need help, please reach out at ourcollectivejourney.ca or on Facebook at Our Collective Journey.

    #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #SubstanceAbuse #OurCollectiveJourney #RecoveryCoach #FromDarknessToLife #HannahsJourney #OCJ #FDTL

    • 00:00 A Relapse and a Moment of Realization
    • 00:54 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
    • 01:33 Becoming a Recovery Coach
    • 04:07 Hannah's Early Struggles with Addiction
    • 04:45 High School Years and Substance Abuse
    • 05:13 Transition to Hard Drugs
    • 16:04 First DUI and Legal Consequences
    • 25:24 Family Support and Financial Struggles
    • 28:21 Continued Substance Abuse and Attempts to Help a Friend
    • 30:06 Reflecting on a Pivotal Concert Experience
    • 31:20 The Struggle with Alcohol and Interlock Device
    • 32:15 A Moment of Clarity and Seeking Help
    • 33:08 The Journey to Sobriety and Relapse
    • 36:43 Entering Treatment and Facing Fears
    • 39:22 Life After Treatment and Building a Support Network
    • 47:15 Becoming a Recovery Coach and Helping Others
    • 54:32 Moving Forward and Embracing Change
    • 57:05 The Importance of Community in Recovery
    • 58:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    1 hr
  • S06E06 - The Fire Within: Karen Worrell's Story of Grief, Healing, and Legacy
    Feb 5 2026

    In this emotionally supercharged and heartfelt episode of 'From Darkness to Life,' Poncho sits down with Karen Worrell, a member of the Fire Keeper's Women's Society, to discuss her journey of healing after the devastating loss of her grandson Denver and mother in 2024. Karen delves into the cultural significance of the Fire Keeper's Women's Society, her family's role in her healing process, and the collective impact of Denver's memory, which continues to inspire many through various initiatives including Denver's Destinations on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573938644262). The episode underscores the importance of community, family, and cultural connections in the process of grieving and healing.

    Listeners are encouraged to reach out for support through ourcollectivejourney.ca or on Facebook at Our Collective Journey.

    #Grief #HealingJourney #CommunitySupport #FromDarknessToLife. #IndigenousResilience #MentalHealth #FamilyStrength #FireKeepers #Resilience #Podcast #OCJ #FDTL #FromDarknessToLife #OurCollectiveJourney

    • 00:00 Heartfelt Goodbye and Healing Tears
    • 00:37 Intro
    • 01:22 Meet Karen Worrell: A Fire Keeper's Story
    • 02:04 The Role and Formation of the Fire Keeper's Women's Society
    • 03:34 Craft Circles and Community Support
    • 05:34 Personal Loss and the Struggle to Heal
    • 06:45 The Impact of Grief on Daily Life
    • 16:04 Cultural Resilience and Family Support
    • 24:49 Reflecting on Family and Teen Motherhood
    • 27:09 The Joy and Challenges of Grandparenting
    • 27:55 The Story of 'Wear the Dress'
    • 28:59 Embracing a New Generation's Freedom
    • 30:12 Denver's Legacy and the Rise Up Festival
    • 34:08 The Healing Journey and Community Support
    • 37:30 The Importance of Emotional Expression
    • 42:52 Connecting and Supporting Each Other
    • 44:10 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
    • 45:50 Extro
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    47 mins
  • S06E05 - Guided by Knowings: Jill Drader’s Quest for Self-Recovery
    Jan 22 2026

    In this episode of From Darkness to Life, Poncho talks to transformation strategist and keynote speaker Jill Drader to discuss the importance of embracing change, intuition, and community in personal recovery. She shares her own journey through trauma, addiction, and her development of the 'Knowings' methodology. Jill emphasizes the value of mental health support, forgiving oneself, and tuning into one's intuition. She critiques the notion of a single recovery path, advocating for a personalized, multifaceted approach. Episode highlights include insights on the necessity of change, the influence of supportive communities, and the significance of nature and spirituality in healing.

    Visit the OCJ podcast website at https://ourcollectivejourney.ca/podcast and Jill Drader's website at https://www.jilldrader.com/.

    #MentalHealth #Recovery #CommunitySupport #Intuition #HealingJourney #Transformation #OCJ #OurCollectiveJourney #FDTL

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    32 mins
  • S06E04 - Beyond the Darkness: Kim Long's Journey of Resilience and Hope
    Jan 8 2026

    In this episode of 'From Darkness to Life,' host Poncho talks with Kim Long, a military kid turned teacher turned psychologist, about her personal journey through mental health, addiction, and recovery. Kim shares intimate stories about her father's struggle with addiction and how it shaped her professional path. They discuss the importance of authenticity in therapy, the value of community, and the challenges of vulnerability and acceptance. The conversation covers the impact of generational trauma, the pivotal role of trust, and practical strategies for fostering genuine connections. This episode highlights the power of shared stories and collective support in the journey of overcoming personal struggles.

    For more information, visit https://ourcollectivejourney.ca/podcast.

    #mentalhealth #addictionrecovery #communitysupport #authenticity #vulnerability #OurCollectiveJourney #FDTL

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    1 hr
  • S06E03 - Rising from Relapse: Brandi's Tale of Fearless Recovery and Freedom
    Dec 11 2025

    In this episode of 'From Darkness to Life,' Brandi returns from Season 4 Episode 29 to share her ongoing journey of recovery from addiction to relapse and back. She opens up about her relapse, the lessons learned, and how she rekindled her commitment to recovery. Brandi discusses the importance of humility, vulnerability, and building supportive relationships. She also highlights the lack of recovery resources in Fort McMurray and her efforts in advocating for better support systems in remote northern communities. Her story underscores the complexity and resilience required in the recovery process, illustrating that with patience and support, profound personal transformation is possible. For more on this episode and others, visit the OCJ podcast website at https://ourcollectivejourney.ca/podcast.


    #Relapse #Recovery #Addiction #MentalHealth #Support #OCJ #FDTL #FromDarknessToLife

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    50 mins
  • S06E02 - From Rock Bottom to Rocket Fuel: Kori Leigh's Story of Recovery and Triumph
    Nov 14 2025

    In this episode of 'From Darkness to Life,' guest Kori Lee shares her inspirational story of overcoming addiction and rebuilding her life. Kori, a globally ranked podcast host, business coach, spiritual mentor, and sobriety warrior, discusses her journey from hitting rock bottom in 2016 to finding sobriety, faith, and helping millions around the world. Kori emphasizes the importance of habit stacking, daily spiritual practices, and fitness in maintaining sobriety. She shares her top non-negotiables for a powerful life and how she has given her daughter a gift by raising her in a sober environment. The episode highlights the importance of faith, self-care, and prioritizing recovery in creating a fulfilling life. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Kori through her website, Korileigh.com, and Instagram, @KoriLeigh. For more resources on mental health and addiction recovery, visit ourcollectivejourney.ca

    NOTE: Guest's audio has been digitally enhanced for clarity.

    #RecoveryJourney #Inspiration #Sobriety #MentalHealthAwareness #FaithInRecovery #Transformation #FromDarknessToLife

    #FDTL #OurCollectiveJourney #OCJ

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    48 mins
  • S06E01 - Beyond the Brink: Ryan Oscar's Journey of Resilience and Recovery - Part 2
    Oct 30 2025

    In part 2 of this moving series (and the kickoff to Season 6) of From Darkness to Life, new host Poncho Parker continues the conversation with Ryan Oscar. Ryan shares his harrowing experience of reaching rock bottom, struggling with substance abuse, and a failed suicide. A pivotal intervention from his uncle and a dedicated counselor helped him find the path to recovery. Ryan reflects on his time in treatment, the importance of honesty, open-mindedness, and accountability, and how these principles have transformed his life. Now a coordinator of an addictions counseling program at Medicine Hat College, Ryan is committed to helping others overcome their struggles and find hope.


    #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #Inspiration #RecoveryJourney #FromDarknessToLife #OCJ #Podcast

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    36 mins
  • S05E12 - Breaking Chains: Ryan's Journey from Addiction to Awareness (Part 1)
    Oct 16 2025

    In this 2-part gripping episode of #FromDarknessToLife, After 5 and a half seasons, Ryan takes the hot seat to finally share his harrowing journey from the depths of addiction and a near-fatal suicide attempt to his inspiring recovery and new mission in life. He recounts the pivotal moments that led him to substance abuse, the devastating loss of his father, and the intense struggle for control. This raw and powerful story illustrates the catastrophic impact of addiction and the redemptive power of honesty, intervention, and professional help. This episode marks the return of From Darkness to Life after a hiatus and the hand-off of the show from former host Ryan to our new podcast host, Poncho Parker.

    #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #Inspiration #OurCollectiveJourney #FromDarknessToLifePodcast #ComebackStory

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    1 hr and 1 min