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. OCT 24

    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

  2. OCT 10

    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

  3. SEP 26

    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

  4. SEP 12

    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

  5. AUG 29

    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

  6. 08/18/2023

    This is Great, But It Sucks

    This is the season finale and it's all about me. My husband, Jordan, interviews me about my life. I apologize in advance for all the scatterbrained convo, but welcome to my life. This was awkward at many points, but I needed it. I hope you enjoy learning more about me. email: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com TikTok: @jaclynbrown *** Here's the bio I use for things where I want to sound like a real functioning human: Jaclyn Brown (she/her) is an impacted family member and lost her younger brother, Marc Kane, to a heroin overdose on November 16, 2018. Since then, she has become very passionate about advocacy and education in the areas of stigma surrounding substance use, harm reduction, and mental health. In October 2021, she left a 12 year career in the insurance industry to pursue her passions of coaching and advocacy. She owns her own coaching and consulting business, Stay Golden Coaching & Consulting. She is the Chair for the Family Caucus, which is an initiative of Mobilize Recovery and Partnership to End Addiction. She works with family members to empower them to use their stories to effect change in their own communities and combat the stigma that is often associated with substance use. Jaclyn also hosts “Dark and Enlightened,” a podcast about where she has open and honest conversations with guests about dark and stigmatized topics, in hopes that listeners will leave a little more enlightened than they were before. In her spare time, she prioritizes self care: creating art, eating tacos, hanging out with her husband and dogs, and binge watching Netflix reality shows. Support the show

    2h 20m

  7. 08/04/2023

    Uncovering and Discovering

    This was a deep conversation and I learned a lot about my friend, Carol Cruz. We talk about everything from body image to eating disorders to her 18 months at an orphanage as a child to selling drugs to an undercover cop to some very movie-like plot twists in her life. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to learn more about her and I hope you take the time to learn more about her too. email: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com TikTok: @jaclynbrown *** Carol Cruz (she/her/ella) is a passionate and dedicated individual with a remarkable journey of long-term recovery that began in 1994. She has emerged as a true champion, bringing hope and empowerment to others on their own recovery paths. With extensive experience as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Coach, Trainer, and Developer of Peer and Supervision Training Curriculum, Carol has honed her skills to become an influential figure in the field. Carol's commitment to community organizing is unwavering, and she actively contributes to the Recovery Advocacy Project, advocating for the rights and needs of individuals navigating their recovery journeys. Her role in this organization is vital, as she utilizes her expertise and firsthand experience to drive positive change. In recognition of her exceptional leadership, Carol served as the Chair for the Inclusivity Caucus, a groundbreaking initiative launched at Mobilize Recovery 2020. Through her advocacy efforts, Carol has made a lasting impact on the recovery community. She firmly believes in the power of building strong and supportive communities, and she tirelessly works to dismantle barriers and challenge prevailing recovery norms. Her ultimate aspiration is to foster an inclusive environment where individuals and families can thrive, finding a true sense of belonging. In summary, Carol Cruz's journey of long-term recovery, combined with her extensive experience as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Trainer, and Developer of Training Curriculum, has positioned her as an influential force in the field. Her unwavering dedication, leadership, and advocacy work are driving positive change and creating a more inclusive recovery culture where everyone can flourish. Girlfriend's Guide to Recovery Journal: https://a.co/d/2Y3WUja Support the show

    1h 52m

  8. 07/21/2023

    Deprogrammed from the Program

    Today, I talk with my friend, Chauncie Beaston, about anything and everything because that's what happens when you throw a couple of ADHD baddies together. Our topics range from how she decided to leave NA for harm reduction because of her son to how she started her nonprofit because she was having a manic bipolar episode to how she found out she had a brother on MySpace to details about her ketamine treatment to her obsession with peer reviewed studies. We truly just cover it all. I hope you enjoy this episode! Email me: jaclyn@darkandenlightened.com Follow me on TikTok: @jaclynbrown *** Chauncie Beaston is a person in recovery from SUD. She spent over a decade in active addiction experiencing everything from homelessness to incarceration. Today, she is a business owner, content creator, as well as the founder and executive director of the grassroots nonprofit, Where You’re At Foundation. It is a harm reduction organization that provides evidence-based strategies and education for reducing negative consequences associated with drug use with a focus on expanding access to supplies like Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips to more rural areas outside of Richmond, VA. She is dedicated to shifting the public perception of people who use drugs and ending the stigma around drug use by advocating for sensible drug policy that will save lives and end the failed war on drugs. facebook.com/chaunciejo facebook.com/whereyoureat Tiktok: @Live.Laugh.Naloxone Support the show

    2h 3m
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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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Dark and Enlightened
  • Show Website
    Dark and Enlightened