The Shield

Addiction Prevention Coalition
  • 3.7 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

The opposite of addiction is connection.We are creating connections one conversation at a time and facing addiction face to face. No topic is off limits, because there are no limits when it comes to substance abuse.For even more content, make sure you subscribe to our channel on YouTube.

  1. S2E11: Building the Recovery Den and Changing the Statistics with Paige Britton

    4d ago

    S2E11: Building the Recovery Den and Changing the Statistics with Paige Britton

    What does it take to change the statistics in a county that ranked #1 in the nation for opioid overdoses? In this episode of The Shield, Executive Director Nichole sits down with Paige Britton, the founder and Executive Director of the Recovery Den in Walker County, Alabama. Paige shares her raw, first-hand experience of surviving active addiction in a rural community with virtually no resources, and how that fueled her mission to become the change she wanted to see. From patching a leaky roof she learned how to fix on YouTube, to building a 100% peer-run recovery board, Paige’s story is a masterclass in grassroots community building. We also discuss how the Recovery Den is breaking down stigmas, providing everything from business clothes to Narcan, and even bringing the first Recovery Cafe into the local sheriff's office. In this episode, we cover: The Walker County Crisis: The reality of living in a county deeply impacted by the opioid epidemic.The Recovery Den: How a free building and a lot of YouTube tutorials led to a life-saving central hub for recovery.Peer-Led Support: Why it is so critical that people seeking help are met by those with real lived experience.Upcoming Events: Details on the Overdose Awareness Walk (Aug 31) and the "Recovery Roundup" Sober Fest.Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Connect with the Recovery Den and learn more about their resources.For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    32 min
  2. S2E10: Parenting Teens, Early Intervention, and the LIFT Program with Dannette Bivins

    Jun 11

    S2E10: Parenting Teens, Early Intervention, and the LIFT Program with Dannette Bivins

    Raising a teenager is the hardest job in the world, and there is no playbook for it. In this episode of The Shield, Executive Director Nichole sits down with Dannette Bivins, a licensed mental health therapist and the owner of Intentional Healing. Dannette specializes in family therapy and working with adolescents in the juvenile court system, particularly those dealing with problematic sexual behaviors like sexting. We dive deep into the reality of parenting teenagers today. Dannette breaks down why traditional discipline (like grounding) can sometimes backfire, how to separate typical teen angst from actual mental health red flags, and why you need to let go of your parenting guilt. In this episode, we cover: Family Therapy: Why treating the individual isn't enough if you don't treat the whole family system.Juvenile Court & Sexting: How education and early intervention change behavior better than punitive measures.Parenting Guilt: Why your teenager's mistakes are not a reflection of your failure as a caregiver.The LIFT Program: Everything you need to know about the Learning and Interventions for Families with Teens program (Sponsored by the Children's Trust Fund).Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Connect with Dannette Bivins at Intentional Healing.For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    40 min
  3. S2E9: The Gift of Desperation and Finding Your Purpose with Misty Gomel

    May 28

    S2E9: The Gift of Desperation and Finding Your Purpose with Misty Gomel

    What does it take to finally surrender after 22 years of addiction? In this episode of The Shield, Nichole sits down with the fierce and inspiring Misty Gomel. Misty is a Career and Life Coach at Hope Inspired Ministries (partnering with The Foundry) and the host of "The Fixed Fight" podcast. Misty shares her incredible journey from spending over two decades in active addiction to now helping others discover their hidden talents, build sparkling resumes, and step into their true purpose. We also tackle some of the hardest conversations in the recovery space: the reality of "hitting bottom," breaking codependency, and why we should focus on "choosing yourself today" rather than just counting the years. In this episode, we cover: Work Ready: How Hope Inspired Ministries helps people in recovery dream big again.The Turning Point: The two words a life coach said that changed Misty's life forever.Family Dynamics: Why you cannot force your loved one to hit rock bottom.The 3 F's of Recovery: Faith, Focus, and Fellowship.The Fixed Fight: Why we need to stop fighting and start surrendering.Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Listen to Misty on The Fixed Fight podcast (Live Thursdays at 5:30 PM on TV Studios).Learn more about Hope Inspired Ministries & The Foundry: https://hopeinspiredministries.org/For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    30 min
  4. S2E8: Emotional Sobriety, Creative Compass, and Life After Addiction with Heidi Moos

    May 14

    S2E8: Emotional Sobriety, Creative Compass, and Life After Addiction with Heidi Moos

    What happens after you get sober? Quitting the substance is just the beginning; building a life you actually want to live is the next step. Welcome back to Season 2 of The Shield! Today, Nichole sits down with Heidi Moos, the founder of Creative Compass and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. Heidi shares her incredible journey from being a middle school teacher for the "quiet kids" to helping adults navigate life after addiction. We dive deep into the concept of "emotional sobriety," how to regulate your nervous system through creative play, and why Heidi launched "Art Lab"—a wildly popular, free community art class for people in recovery and their friends. (Spoiler: You don't have to be "good at art" to attend! ) In this episode, we cover: Emotional Sobriety: How to self-soothe and level up once the substance is gone.The "Whole Student": Why good teachers change lives, and why Heidi created a "Fan Club" for the middle school misfits.The Evolution of Recovery: Moving away from "fixing losers" to treating the whole human.Art Lab: Why process matters more than the finished product, and how to join.A Hack for Anger: Heidi’s personal art technique for clearing the mind. Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    39 min
  5. S2E7: Harm Reduction, Heavy Bass, and Safe Spaces with Slinger Entertainment

    Apr 30

    S2E7: Harm Reduction, Heavy Bass, and Safe Spaces with Slinger Entertainment

    Electronic music, heavy bass, and... Narcan? In this episode of The Shield, Nichole sits down with Anthony Phillips, Sam, and Parker—the team behind Birmingham’s own Slinger Entertainment. Slinger isn't just throwing immersive EDM and bass music events; they are actively working to keep their community alive and safe. We discuss how Slinger partnered with APC to distribute over 600 Narcan cases to concertgoers. The guys also open up about navigating the entertainment industry's party culture, Parker's inspiring 6-year sobriety journey, and why harm reduction is the ultimate form of community building. In this episode, we cover: Why Slinger views Narcan like a "fire extinguisher".How Parker navigates the EDM scene while being 6 years sober.The genius behind "Fat Stack" events for local DJs.The secret to mixing a live band versus electronic music.Finding your community in Birmingham's Avondale and Woodlawn scenes.Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Follow Slinger Entertainment on Instagram for upcoming shows (like May 30th at Saturn!).For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    42 min
  6. S2E6: Aging, Caregiver Burnout, and Grandparents Raising Grandkids with Morgan Rhodes

    Apr 16

    S2E6: Aging, Caregiver Burnout, and Grandparents Raising Grandkids with Morgan Rhodes

    How does the addiction crisis affect our oldest generations? You might be surprised. Welcome back to Season 2 of The Shield! In this episode, Nicole sits down with Morgan Rhodes, a program coordinator at the Area Agency on Aging (based out of the United Way of Central Alabama). Morgan pulls back the curtain on the unique mental health challenges older adults face and the incredible, free resources available to them and their families. We dive deep into the emotional toll of caregiving, the rising trend of grandparents raising grandchildren due to the opioid crisis, and how a new influx of opioid settlement dollars is providing a lifeline to these families. Plus, Morgan shares expert advice on how to protect seniors from rampant Medicare fraud and modern digital scams. In this episode, we cover: The transition from being a full-time caregiver to finding a new identity.How to have the difficult "giving up the car keys" conversation.The Older Relative Caregiver Program for those impacted by substance use.Why seniors are heavily targeted by Medicare and phishing scams.The upcoming free Fraud Summit on May 12th in Hoover.Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    42 min
  7. S2E5: The Final Walk: Celebrating 10 Years of Impact with Alabama

    Apr 2

    S2E5: The Final Walk: Celebrating 10 Years of Impact with Alabama

    10 years ago, the End Addiction Walk was born out of a desperate need to take to the streets and let Birmingham know that help was available. Today, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are preparing for our most impactful event yet—and our final one. Nicole and board member Alabama Cole (The Q 103.7) discuss the evolution of the walk, the new resources available this year (including HIV/Hep C screenings and peer support rows), and why it’s time for APC to graduate into a new chapter. Register now to join us for this historic event on April 25th, 2026. https://secure.swell.gives/ENDADDICTIONBHAM/tickets/#/ticket For more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    35 min
  8. S2E4: Street Medicine, Housing First, and Reaching the Unhoused | Cat Cruz & Dr. Craig Borne

    Mar 19

    S2E4: Street Medicine, Housing First, and Reaching the Unhoused | Cat Cruz & Dr. Craig Borne

    What happens when you take healthcare out of the clinic and bring it directly to the streets? Welcome back to Season 2 of The Shield Podcast!  In this episode, Nicole sits down with Cat Cruz (One Roof) and Dr. Craig Bourne (Cahaba Medical Care) to discuss a groundbreaking new initiative in Birmingham: Care for Our Journey. This interdisciplinary street medicine coalition combines housing navigation, addiction resources, and holistic medical care to meet the unhoused population exactly where they are. From administering joint injections out of a "soccer mom van" to navigating the complexities of the "savior complex" in social work, Cat and Craig pull back the curtain on what street outreach truly looks like. We discuss the realities of Housing First initiatives, the importance of building trust, and why true success might just mean helping someone get their state ID. In this episode, we cover: What is "Street Medicine" and why is it essential for Birmingham? Breaking the stereotype: Why some individuals choose to sleep rough while working full-time.How One Roof, Cahaba Medical Care, and Recovery Resource Center collaborate to reduce barriers to care.How to support the Care for Our Journey initiative.Thank you to our Season 2 sponsor: The Children's Trust Fund of Alabama. Resources: Learn more & view the Amazon Wishlist at One Roof: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1BSQCXXQCWBEB?ref_=wl_shareFor more content, make sure to check us out on Instagram and YouTube! https://www.instagram.com/addictionpreventioncoalition/ https://www.youtube.com/@AddictionCoalition

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The opposite of addiction is connection.We are creating connections one conversation at a time and facing addiction face to face. No topic is off limits, because there are no limits when it comes to substance abuse.For even more content, make sure you subscribe to our channel on YouTube.

Information

  • Creator
    Addiction Prevention Coalition
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Shield
  • Show Website
    The Shield