Dark and Enlightened

Jaclyn Brown
  • 5.0 (21)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Uncomfortable and unpopular topics now have a new home in the Dark and Enlightened podcast. Jaclyn Brown embraces these "dark" topics by sharing some of her own personal experiences and the stories of others as well. Hope you join her on this journey and experience some enlightenment along the way.

  1. 18H AGO

    When You Love Someone in Recovery

    Today, I have my friend and AMAZING author, Caroline Beidler, on the show! We had a great convo about women in leadership, spirituality, handling criticism, and her new book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction. She wears so many hats and I admire her determination and dedication. I hope you enjoy the convo! *** Caroline Beidler, MSW is an author, speaker, and the Managing Editor of Recovery.com, a company that combines independent research with expert guidance on addiction and mental health treatment. Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide. She is the author of three books, Downstairs Church, You Are Not Your Trauma, and When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction with Nelson Books, coming Spring 2026. Her own lived experience in addiction, mental health, and trauma recovery inspires her to help other others find recovery in all its varying forms. In four short years, she has built a global network of recovery supporters through her storytelling platform and accompanying newsletter, Circle of Chairs which reaches thousands weekly. She is a creative and visionary, founding an annual global event on International Women’s Day with different sponsoring organizations each year that brings in thousands of supporters, along with co-leading a global research initiative on family recovery with leaders around the world. Her writing is described as funny, gritty, relatable, and insightful. When she isn’t writing, speaking, or building community, Caroline lives in Eastern Tennessee with her husband and six-year-old twins where she enjoys hiking in the mountains and building up her community’s local recovery ministry. Learn more about my books here. *** To see all the other things I do, check out: https://linktr.ee/staygoldenjaclyn Support the show

    51 min

  2. FEB 27

    Hold the Door Open

    Join me for an AMAZING conversation with my friend, Robyn Hantelman. We talk about gambling and our experiences with it. Would you guess I was talking to a former poker star? Neither would I! We talk about the connection with dopamine and competition, along with other neurodivergent tendencies. Also, if you have not heard of MARA (Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous), she explains that and the difference with other recovery paths. I had the best time chatting with her and I hope you enjoy the convo with us! *** More about my amazing, inspiring friend, Robyn Hantelman: A specialist in the "gamble" of recovery, she has traded compulsive behaviors—from slot machines to doomscrolling—for a life of science-backed healing and radical non-judgment. Late-diagnosed with ADHD and C-PTSD, she navigates the complexities of grief and the pursuit of maximum dopamine through zip lining, EMDR, high-pigment eyeshadow, and a love for all things shiny. With a graduate degree in Counseling and PRS credentials, she recently pivoted from a coveted leadership role to become the sole Peer Specialist within a metropolitan EMS system, prioritizing harm reduction and the dignity of living life safely. A devoted advocate, she finally met her hero, Jaclyn Brown, at Mobilize Recovery in 2023 after "fan-girling" from afar. Based west of Richmond, VA, her world is centered on her husband of nine years, Peter, and her 10.5-year-old tiny twin flame, Sawyer. She’s still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up, but she’s finally betting on herself to win it all.  *** To see all the other things I do, check out: https://linktr.ee/staygoldenjaclyn Support the show

    1h 59m

  3. FEB 13

    It's a Welcome Back Yappy Hour (or two)!

    I know I was gone a LOT longer than I said I would be and as someone with abandonment issues, it wasn't very cash money of me to leave y'all hanging. I apologize for my extended hiatus, but if you know anything about astrology, my Pisces ass is finally getting out of Saturn, so shit has been all over the place. My sister, Alison, and I spend a couple hours yapping, catching y'all up on random stuff. Getting back into recording has been harder than I expected, but I have a few episodes already recorded after this, so you'll be getting episodes for at least a few months on this stretch :) Hope you enjoy the yapping! *** If you want to watch the video of the convo instead, check it out 👇https://youtu.be/upNZgb8pzz0?si=QivAyIMyEfEGvMBu To see all the other things I do, check out: https://linktr.ee/staygoldenjaclyn Support the show

    2h 3m

  4. 10/24/2025

    Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

    I'm solo this week, so decided to use the time to recap how this podcast came about. I realized that this week 5 years ago, I dropped my first episode! Love a random full circle moment. Hang out until the end, where I tell you about being AWARD NOMINATED. The link to vote is below in my Linktree! I appreciate each and every one of you who take the time out to vote. If you want to watch the video of the convo instead, check it out 👇 https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/de39a2fc81e03bf11587 *** VOTE FOR MOBILIZE RECOVERY IN THE ANTHEM AWARDS!   Direct link to vote: https://celebrate.anthemawards.com/PublicVoting Link via my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/staygoldenjaclyn You can vote once a day until Thursday, October 30th! Please vote for us! Support the show

    1h 3m

  5. 10/10/2025

    We Can't Win in Silos

    I am back with another amazing guest, Lisa Peterson! We talk ALLLLLL things drug war, substance use, harm reduction, and my favorite: all the deets on the journey to opening the first overdose prevention center in Rhode Island this year. I hope you enjoy our convo! If you want to watch the video of the convo instead, check it out 👇 https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/cb8a68a5f5a38a3448be *** Lisa Peterson, LMHC/LCDP/LCDS/MAC is the Chief Operating Officer at VICTA, an organization providing integrated substance use, mental health, and ambulatory medical services in Providence, RI. For the last 28 years, Ms. Peterson has provided direct clinical services and leadership in a variety of treatment settings, with a long-term focus on integrating all aspects of care to support whole-person wellness. She is the Northeast Regional Vice President of NAADAC and the Immediate Past President of the RI Association for Addiction Professionals, a state Affiliate of NAADAC. Ms. Peterson is also a lobbyist with extensive experience working for and speaking about state-level policy and legislation that aligns with current knowledge and best practices in addressing substance use and substance use disorders. VICTA: www.victalife.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-peterson-lmhc/ Substack: @lpetersonlmhc  Email for VICTA related connections: lpeterson@victalife.com Email for non-VICTA related connections: lpeterson.lmhc@gmail.com Support the show

    1h 56m

  6. 09/26/2025

    We're Professional Skill Builders

    This week, I have Monika Avalos on the podcast! We explore the complexities of coaching, working through our own trauma, and how the patriarchy unknowingly shaped a lot of false beliefs. I really appreciated the truth bombs Monika dropped on me and I'm still processing the idea of being a Professional Skill Builder. Hope you enjoy the episode! If you want to watch the video of the convo instead, check it out 👇 https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/80864bd6432a37549dd3 *** Monika Avalos is a Master Certified Coach, mentor, artist, and dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in the performance industry. She has coached clients ranging from new entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 CEOs, guiding them to break through limitations and rise into their fullest potential. Within just two years of launching her practice, Monika built a thriving six-figure business, a true testament to her expertise of both strategy and mindset. A passionate advocate for women, human rights, and dismantling the patriarchy, Monika weaves her diverse background into transformational coaching that empowers women to own their brilliance, reclaim their energy, and lead powerfully in every area of life. You can connect with Monika at MonikaAvalos.com or on all socials under @monikamavalos. Support the show

    2h 10m

  7. 09/12/2025

    Breaking the Cycle

    On today's episode, I have the amazing Tiffany Kuhwede with me to talk about all things healing! Tiffany shares her story and discusses her experience with intimate partner violence. We really get into how the trauma impacts you in ways you can't fully recognize in the moment, but can have long lasting effects. Throw in random discussions about potato and pickle soup, along with some Supernatural talk, to break up the heaviness and the time will honestly fly by as you are listening to this. If you want to watch the video of the convo instead, check it out 👇 https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/97ecc72ff955cfbeedf6 *** Tiffany Kuhwede is the Chief Operations Officer and Creator of the Unbroken Program at HardBeauty, a trauma-informed recovery organization dedicated to supporting survivors of trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges. With over six years of experience in advocacy, she has worked extensively with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and exploitation. A nationally certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NAADAC) and Certified Peer and Family Supporter (COPA), Tiffany has grown from peer coach to program developer, facilitator, and leader in the recovery community. Beyond her professional life, Tiffany embraces her most cherished roles as a wife, mother, and grandmother—identities that fuel her compassion, resilience, and commitment to community healing. She is also an author, speaker, and Reiki Master, blending holistic approaches with lived experience to guide others on their paths to recovery. Her book, Nuggets of Healing: Words From My Recovery Journey, offers a moving collection of poems and short stories drawn from her own long-term recovery journey. On this podcast, Tiffany brings wisdom, authenticity, and heart—sharing stories of resilience, the power of recovery, and the importance of family and community in healing. Links below: Nuggets of Healing HardBeauty Unbroken Group Coach Education Support the show

    2h 34m

  8. 08/29/2025

    Better Late Than Never

    Well, I took a little hiatus that turned into a big hiatus and now I'm back! Except I also decided to upgrade my software, so there's now a video version of this! I will say though - I decided to do this episode with no sound/video edits because the AI version of this convo cut out like 25 minutes or riffing. It's clearly a talent the robots don't have and they're jealous 💅 Either way, this is just a big update and honestly doesn't even cover a fraction, but whatever. Just getting back into it. And if you forgot, my husband still exists and he's my special guest :) If you want to watch the video of the convo instead, check it out 👇  https://riverside.fm/shared/exported-clip/8296a7a54885b8285e47 Support the show

    1h 43m
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Uncomfortable and unpopular topics now have a new home in the Dark and Enlightened podcast. Jaclyn Brown embraces these "dark" topics by sharing some of her own personal experiences and the stories of others as well. Hope you join her on this journey and experience some enlightenment along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Jaclyn Brown
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dark and Enlightened
  • Show Website
    Dark and Enlightened