Archways' Threads

Michelle Lennon
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Archways' Threads

Are you someone who cares about people? Do you seek information to support people you care about who have families? Do you care about people affected by addiction, substance use disorders, or work in the field of family support or peer recovery support? Spend about twenty minutes each month with the President and CEO of Archways Recovery Community Organization and Family Resource Centers who shares hope, strength and stories from the field and practice of Peer Recovery Support Services and Family Support & Strengthening.

Episodes

  1. NOV 1

    The Evolution of Family Support – Part 1

    A Conversation with Karen Welford – Part 1    Welcome to this episode of Archways’ Threads, where host Michelle Lennon speaks with Karen Welford, a pioneer in family support and strengthening practices. With over 40 years in the field, Karen has seen family support evolve from intuitive acts of kindness to a well-defined practice rooted in evidence and the science of human development. Join us as we explore the principles that have shaped family support, the importance of community resources, and the ongoing impact of respect, equality, and collaboration in working with families.   00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background  01:56 - The Start of Family Support  04:31 - Impact of Early Intervention Programs 07:32 - Family Support as a Formal Practice 13:01 - Supporting Families Holistically 17:45 - Building Family Connections and Community 20:45 - Empowering Families Through Community Involvement 23:57 - Adapting to Challenges: COVID Play Group Initiative   This episode highlights that family support doesn’t just serve individuals in isolation but sees the family as a whole. By addressing broader needs—such as housing, job placement, and mental health support—the field acknowledges the interconnectedness of family members and their environments. This holistic view goes beyond the boundaries of clinical work, allowing family support providers to facilitate impactful changes that resonate throughout every family member’s life.   Michelle and Karen explore how family support encourages community participation and leadership, empowering families to take on roles beyond their households. By giving families tools for involvement, such as joining parent advisory boards or advocating for community resources, family support practices help individuals connect and contribute to the systems that shape their daily lives, from schools to local governments. In empowering families this way, family support fosters a community of resilient families that build strength from each other’s successes and shared experiences.   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 aren’t sure how to start, reach out to our producer at https://smithdouglass.com.

    25 min

  2. OCT 1

    Peer Support and the RCOS of New Hampshire – Part 3

    Conversations with Cheryle Pacapelli - Part 3   Link to Part 1 of the conversation - https://share.transistor.fm/s/df5940a4 Link to Part 2 of the conversation - https://share.transistor.fm/s/eba97cd7   Welcome to the latest episode of Archways Threads! Today, we conclude our powerful 3-part conversation with Cheryle Pacapelli, Project Director for New Hampshire’s recovery centers. In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of abstinence-based recovery, harm reduction, and the continuous journey of healing from addiction.   00:00 - Introduction and Recap 00:55 – Abstinence and Harm Reduction 02:52 – Navigating Addiction in the Family 04:18 – The Brain's Resilience in Recovery 08:01 – The Need for Long-Term Recovery Support 13:33 – Coping with Loss in the Recovery Community   Michelle and Cheryle discuss the balance between abstinence-only recovery and harm reduction models. Cheryle shares her concerns, based on personal experience, about the potential challenges of transitioning between these approaches.    Michelle also shares her husband’s experience with opiates and how his recovery journey has influenced difficult decisions about pain management, reflecting the impact addiction has on families.   Cheryle then reflects on the brain’s remarkable ability to heal and the ongoing cravings she faced after using opiates for a short time despite 21 years of sobriety. This highlights the vulnerability in long-term recovery. Michelle and Cheryle emphasize the importance of sustained recovery support beyond the initial crisis phase, discussing how critical it is for individuals to stay engaged with resources even after stabilization.   Both Michelle and Cheryle reflect on the emotional toll of losing friends in recovery and share their personal strategies for coping while continuing to advocate for those still battling addiction.   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 aren’t sure how to start, reach out to our producer at https://smithdouglass.com.

    20 min

  3. SEP 1

    Peer Support and the RCOS of New Hampshire – Part 2

    Conversations with Cheryle Pacapelli - Part 2   Link to Part 1 of the conversation - https://share.transistor.fm/s/df5940a4   Welcome to the latest episode of Archways Threads! In part 2 of this 3-part interview, Michelle Lennon continues her insightful conversation with Cheryle Pacapelli, Project Director of the Recovery Centers in New Hampshire. They dive deep into the complexities and successes of the peer recovery support movement, sharing personal stories, discussing the challenges of supervision, and exploring the vital role of harm reduction in recovery.   00:00 - Introduction and Recap 01:20 - The Role of Education in Peer Recovery 06:03 - Challenges of Licensing and Supervision 13:12 - Harm Reduction and Peer Recovery 16:47 - Supporting Multiple Pathways to Recovery   Michelle and Cheryle discuss the importance of education for peer recovery support workers, debunking the myth that peers lack educational qualifications and sharing inspiring stories of peers advancing their education and careers. The conversation then shifts to the complexities of licensing requirements for peer support workers, exploring the tension between medical models and peer support practices, and the need for better training for supervisors.   Michelle and Cheryle also delve into the controversial topic of harm reduction, discussing its importance in keeping people safe and alive, and the different approaches taken by recovery centers across New Hampshire.   The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of recognizing and supporting multiple pathways to recovery, from harm reduction to abstinence, and the ongoing need for education and conversation within the recovery community.   Part 3 of this conversation will be posted on October 1, 2024. Please subscribe so you’ll be notified when it’s posted.   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 aren’t sure how to start, reach out to our producer at https://smithdouglass.com.

    21 min

  4. AUG 1

    Peer Support and the RCOS of New Hampshire – Part 1

    Conversations with Cheryle Pacapelli - Part 1   Archways' Threads is a show designed for people interested in the practices of supporting families and individuals affected by problematic substance use. Each episode, Michelle Lennon (President and CEO of Archways Recovery Community Organization and Family Resource Centers) and guests speak about topics of hope, strength, frustrations, and successes. Sometimes intuitive and insightful, and other times a bit fresh and cheeky, join us our as we share stories from peers and participants in the field and practice of Peer Recovery Support and Family Support & Strengthening.   0:00 - Introduction to Archways' Threads 7:09 - Role Clarity in Peer Support 11:11 - The Gradual Process of Recovery 14:44 - Building Trust through Peer Support 16:44 - Inserting Peers into the Recovery System 19:25 - Impact of Recovery Community Generosity   In part 1 of this 3-part interview, Michelle is joined by Cheryle Pacapelli, a prominent figure in New Hampshire's recovery community. They delve into the vital role of peer recovery support specialists in the recovery process, highlighting their unique contribution to helping individuals rebuild their lives beyond traditional treatment settings.    Cheryle, with her extensive experience and long-term recovery, discusses how peer supporters provide practical assistance and community resources that extend far beyond what is offered by 12-step sponsorship or clinical treatment. The conversation explores the evolution of recovery support services, the importance of integrating peer support within recovery community centers, and the impact of a recovery-oriented system of care.    Michelle and Cheryle also reflect on the historical context of recovery advocacy and the significant strides made in reducing stigma and enhancing support. The episode underscores the value of continuous support in recovery, the generosity and kindness of individuals in recovery, and the critical role of community resources in sustaining long-term recovery. Through Michelle and Cheryle's insights and experiences, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the essential functions of peer support and its transformative effect on individuals and communities.   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.    Thank you again to our sponsor, Health Market Connect, providing unbiased health insurance assistance for New Hampshire residents. Find more information at https://www.hmcnh.com   If your business or organization has been thinking about creating a podcast and aren’t sure how to start, reach out to our producer at https://smithdouglass.com.

    21 min

  5. APR 2

    Coming Soon – Archways’ Threads Podcast

    Welcome to Archways’ Threads, a show focusing on the threads of family and recovery support services that help make up the tapestry of life in recovery. Join us as we share stories from peers and participants in the field and practice of peer recovery support and family support and strengthening. This podcast is sponsored by Health Market Connect, providing unbiased health insurance assistance for New Hampshire residents.    My name is Michelle Lennon. I'm the President and CEO of Archways family of family resource centers and recovery community centers. And I'm happy to be with you today to share a little bit about our upcoming launch of our podcast: Archways’ Threads. We believe that there are many threads that make up the tapestry of life and for individuals in recovery, and those receiving family support services. That is just so true. Life is complicated. Addiction is complicated. Recovery is complicated. And for the workers that support people, life can be hard. It can be joyful. It can be so purpose filled at times, but there's so much to learn. And we know that basic training just doesn't cover the gamut of what we go through in this job. In a conversation with staff, they had shared they would like to have something that was just for them. What we really wanted to address is having a place to go to ask questions, to get questions answered, to have special guests about different aspects of peer recovery support services, and family support services, that may not be covered in the training. We find the boots on the ground sometimes come up with the most innovative solutions to issues that we face. And sometimes that information isn't shared it out widely. And we want to change that. I know for me, I've been to so many self care trainings, but some of the things that have really made a difference in my life, I didn't hear from trainings. I've heard from a mom that had seven kids and ran a business and figured out a way to kind of take care of herself on the fly. Things like that. And the peer support networks, werre just so innovative, and we would like to have a venue to share out information. So our hope is that this podcast will be hosted by us, but that nationally, we have so many friends in the peer support world, in the family support world, that we share and support each other. Our hope is that for every podcast we provide, there is some actionable item that's going to make life easier or better for those of you doing this work. Thank you so much for joining us in this effort. Take care.   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 archwaysnh.org to learn more about the Archways family of recovery and family resource centers. And thank you again to our sponsor, Health Market Connect, providing unbiased health insurance assistance for New Hampshire residents. Find more information at hmcnh.com.   Theme music: Back Roads, by Taylor Hughes - https://open.spotify.com/track/5LuKxn1d04u7kCHqVFbGIN?si=cd9baa6688174a3c Used with permission   Produced by Smith Douglass Associates – smithdouglass.com

    3 min

Trailer

About

Are you someone who cares about people? Do you seek information to support people you care about who have families? Do you care about people affected by addiction, substance use disorders, or work in the field of family support or peer recovery support? Spend about twenty minutes each month with the President and CEO of Archways Recovery Community Organization and Family Resource Centers who shares hope, strength and stories from the field and practice of Peer Recovery Support Services and Family Support & Strengthening.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Lennon
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Archways

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