Finding New Waters

Finding New Waters

Our goal in creating Finding New Waters Podcast is to provide a resource for families to help navigate the complexities of supporting a loved one struggling with Substance Use or Mental Health.   When we find ourselves in crisis due to one of these issues, most people have no idea where to turn.   We hope to shed some light onto what is often the darkest hour for many families.   Website: https://www.findingnewwaters.com

  1. DEC 11

    Exploring the Path to Recovery with Momentum Recovery's Rick Barney | Finding New Waters

    Exploring the Path to Recovery with Momentum Recovery's Rick Barney | Finding New WatersIn this episode of Finding New Waters, host B Reeves, Director of Business Development at New Waters Recovery in Raleigh, converses with Justin McClendon, CEO, and special guest Rick Barney, co-founder and co-owner of Momentum Recovery in Wilmington. Rick, a devoted recovery advocate, shares his personal journey and the genesis of Momentum Recovery while discussing the value of long-term treatment and the essence of community in recovery. Throughout the discussion, they delve into topics such as the importance of continuity of care, family support, and the innovative approaches at Momentum Recovery that help individuals navigate life post-addiction. Tune in to learn more about the impactful work being done at Momentum Recovery and how it’s transforming lives.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:38 Rick's Flight School Adventure01:07 Life in Recovery: Embracing New Passions02:16 Challenges and Misconceptions in Recovery03:36 The Importance of Community and Support09:33 Romantic Relationships in Recovery19:06 Rick's Personal Recovery Journey23:13 Momentum Recovery: A New Approach31:09 Conclusion and Contact InformationFollow Finding New WatersInstagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecoveryFacebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecoveryLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recoveryTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc⸻Watch & ListenWebsite: www.findingnewwaters.comSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5GjwApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXwYouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn

    36 min
  2. DEC 4

    How a High Performer Lost Himself and Found Recovery

    In this powerful episode of Finding New Waters, B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Thatcher Shively, a clinical interventionist, recovery coach, and Director of Admissions at Feinberg Consulting, a nationally recognized concierge case-management and intervention firm.Thatcher shares openly about being a high-achieving kid whose emotional world collapsed in college. What started as a slow unraveling turned into full-scale addiction, isolation, and a crisis that forced him to confront the truth he’d been running from: his identity was built entirely on performance, perfectionism, and trying to stay “one step ahead” of his own pain.After entering treatment, Thatcher discovered something he never expected — the freedom of letting go. Today, years into recovery, he helps families navigate crisis, rebuild trust, and chart a path toward stability, structure, and long-term healing.This episode is rich with insight about masculinity, pressure, burnout, shame, parenting, and what happens when the life you built finally caves in. It’s a conversation that will resonate deeply with anyone who has struggled with identity, expectations, or feeling like they’re never enough.Learn more about Feinberg Consulting: www.feinbergconsulting.com⸻Timestamps00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Thatcher Shively02:00 – Thatcher’s childhood as a high achiever04:00 – When perfectionism becomes a coping mechanism06:30 – The first cracks showing during college08:30 – Emotional collapse and the spiral into addiction11:30 – Losing control and living in survival mode15:00 – Hitting the breaking point and accepting help18:00 – What treatment revealed about identity and self-worth21:00 – Why high performers struggle to admit they’re struggling24:30 – The role of shame in addiction and burnout27:00 – Rebuilding structure, trust, and emotional safety30:00 – Helping families navigate crisis at Feinberg Consulting33:00 – Masculinity, pressure, and unrealistic expectations37:00 – How to support a loved one without enabling40:00 – The importance of community and ongoing recovery43:00 – Where to find Thatcher and Feinberg Consulting⸻Powerful Quote“I built my identity on performance. Recovery forced me to build it on truth.” – Thatcher Shively⸻Guest BioThatcher ShivelyDirector of Admissions, Feinberg ConsultingThatcher Shively is a clinical interventionist, recovery coach, and the Director of Admissions at Feinberg Consulting, a national case-management and intervention firm helping families navigate mental health, addiction, and complex behavioral crises. Drawing from his own lived experience and professional training, Thatcher specializes in guiding families through chaos toward clarity, structure, and long-term stability. His work focuses on restoring trust, creating safety, and helping individuals reconnect with a healthier sense of identity and purpose.Website: www.feinbergconsulting.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/feinberg-consulting⸻Resources Mentioned• Feinberg Consulting – www.feinbergconsulting.com• Recovery Coaching and Case Management• Family Systems and Crisis Support• Emotional Regulation and Identity Work⸻Follow Finding New WatersInstagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecoveryFacebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecoveryLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recoveryTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc⸻Watch & ListenWebsite: www.findingnewwaters.comSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5GjwApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXwYouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn#ThatcherShively #FeinbergConsulting #AddictionRecovery #HighAchieversAndBurnout #IdentityAndRecovery #FindingNewWaters #MentalHealthJourney #RecoveryCoaching #FamilyHealing

    40 min
  3. NOV 20

    She Sent Her Brother to Treatment...Then Built a Recovery Center With Him

    In this heartfelt episode of Finding New Waters, B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Elizabeth Fikes, co-founder of Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center in Oxford, Mississippi. Elizabeth shares her family’s deeply personal story — watching her younger brother, Brian, struggle with addiction as a teenager, the shock of realizing how serious it had become, and the heartbreak of sending him to treatment. What started as the worst day of their lives became the beginning of a new purpose. Today, Brian is more than 20 years sober, and together, the Fikes family built Stonewater: a nationally recognized residential treatment center helping adolescent boys heal through a holistic, family-based approach. Elizabeth explains the unique challenges of adolescent recovery, the importance of family involvement, and how Stonewater’s blend of clinical care, academics, structure, and purpose helps boys rebuild confidence and self-worth. She also discusses the upcoming Stonewater Summit Program, designed as a transitional space for graduates to continue growing before returning home. Learn more about Stonewater: www.stonewaterrecovery.com Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Elizabeth Fikes 03:00 – The origins of Stonewater and Brian’s story 05:00 – Sending her brother to treatment: “The worst day of my life” 07:00 – Why family healing became the foundation of Stonewater 09:00 – What it was like to be the sibling during addiction 12:00 – How fathers and mothers process addiction differently 15:00 – Building confidence and purpose through structure and dress code 18:00 – Teaching accountability and handling discomfort 20:00 – Why adolescent treatment is different from adult recovery 23:00 – The role of academics and emotional safety 26:00 – Debunking the myth that a child must “want help” 28:00 – The trauma siblings experience and how to heal it 32:00 – Family groups and peer mentorship 34:00 – The Stonewater Summit Program 37:00 – How to reach Stonewater Recovery Powerful Quote “The worst day of my life was the day my brother went to treatment. But it also became the best — because it saved his life and changed all of ours.” – Elizabeth Fikes Guest Bio Elizabeth Fikes Co-Founder, Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center Elizabeth Fikes is the co-founder of Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, a residential treatment program for boys ages 12–18 in Oxford, Mississippi. Inspired by her family’s experience helping her brother overcome addiction, Elizabeth and her brother Brian founded Stonewater to provide a comprehensive, family-centered approach to adolescent recovery. Stonewater integrates evidence-based clinical care, academics, trauma-informed therapy, and spiritual development to help young men rebuild their lives. Under Elizabeth’s leadership, Stonewater continues to expand with new initiatives like the Stonewater Summit Program, supporting families through every stage of the recovery journey. Website: www.stonewaterrecovery.com Resources Mentioned • Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center – www.stonewaterrecovery.com • Stonewater Summit Program • Family Systems in Adolescent Treatment • Wellbriety Movement – www.whitebison.org Follow Finding New Waters Instagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecovery Facebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecovery LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recovery TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc Listen & Watch Website: www.findingnewwaters.com Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5Gjw Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608 YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXw YouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn #ElizabethFikes #StonewaterRecovery #AdolescentRecovery #FamilyHealing #AddictionRecovery #FindingNewWaters #TeenSobriety #FamilySystems #Wellbriety #RecoveryJourney

    38 min
  4. NOV 13

    From Duke Medicine to Private Practice: Jeff Georgi’s Mission

    In this powerful episode of Finding New Waters, hosts B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Jeff Georgi, one of the most respected voices in addiction treatment and co-author of Beyond Shame: Healing the Pain Beneath the Surface of Addiction.With over 40 years of clinical experience, including serving as the former Clinical Director of the Duke Addictions Program, Jeff shares his deep understanding of the emotional and spiritual roots of addiction — particularly the role shame plays in keeping people trapped. He opens up about his own journey into recovery, the programs he and his wife Becky have built to help families heal, and how their approach to modified interpersonal group psychotherapy helps patients find hope beyond their pain.Jeff discusses the origins of Bluefield, a program he and Becky developed for college students returning to school after treatment, and the incredible success stories that came from it. He also reflects on the closure of Duke’s addiction program, what it says about the stigma that still surrounds substance use, and why true recovery must address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of addiction.This is a deeply thoughtful, emotional, and inspiring conversation about healing, purpose, and rediscovering the power of hope.⸻Timestamps00:00 – Welcome and introduction01:00 – The origins of Bluefield and helping college students in recovery05:00 – Stories of hope: Bluefield’s first student success07:00 – What inspired the book Beyond Shame09:00 – Training clinicians across South Carolina12:00 – Jeff’s 40-year career in addiction medicine13:00 – Getting started in recovery work after personal sobriety15:00 – Founding the Duke Addictions Program17:00 – How stigma still shapes addiction treatment today20:00 – The myth of “choice” in addiction22:00 – Understanding the biology of addiction24:00 – How trauma and shame fuel substance use30:00 – Breaking the cycle: how families get caught in shame too33:00 – Jeff and Becky’s therapeutic approach to healing families36:00 – Why hope is stronger than shame39:00 – The spiritual side of recovery40:00 – How to contact Jeff and Becky GeorgiGuest BioJeff Georgi, M.Div., MAH, LCMHC, LCAS, CCS, CGPAuthor, Clinician, and EducatorWith more than 40 years in the field of addiction and mental health, Jeff Georgi has helped thousands of individuals and families find healing. He is the former Clinical Director of the Duke Addictions Program and has served in multiple departments at Duke University Medical Center, including Surgery, Obstetrics, and Psychiatry.Alongside his wife Becky, Jeff runs Georgi Educational and Counseling Services, where they offer therapy, training, and consultation to clinicians and families. His latest book, Beyond Shame, provides a framework for understanding addiction as a biopsychosocial-spiritual disease and helps clinicians and families address the pain beneath addictive behavior.Website: www.georgieducationalandcounseling.comBook: Beyond Shame: Healing the Pain Beneath the Surface of AddictionResources Mentioned• Beyond Shame – available on Amazon• Bluefield Program (for college students in recovery)• Modified Interpersonal Group Psychotherapy• Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences• Georgi Educational and Counseling Services – www.georgieducationalandcounseling.comFollow Finding New WatersInstagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecoveryFacebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecoveryLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recoveryTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_ncListen & WatchWebsite: www.findingnewwaters.comSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5GjwApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXwYouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn

    43 min
  5. NOV 6

    Getting Sober at 20: Dan Gilmer’s Story of Redemption

    In this episode of Finding New Waters, hosts B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Dan Gilmer, Director of Clinical Outreach for TNR Recovery Group, which operates programs including Cypress Lake Recovery and Origins in Texas. Dan shares his powerful story of getting sober at just 20 years old after years of addiction that began when he was 13. He opens up about discovering Oxycontin as a teenager, chasing that first feeling for years, and finally finding peace through treatment, faith, and service. From relapsing to rebuilding, Dan’s honesty and humility shine through as he reflects on what it means to truly trust God, maintain a daily reprieve, and find joy in helping others. He also shares how his journey led him to a meaningful career in recovery outreach and how accountability, family, and faith continue to shape his life today. Learn more about Dan’s work and TNR Recovery Group: www.tnrrecoverygroup.com Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Dan Gilmer 01:00 – Dan’s role at TNR Recovery Group 03:00 – Discovering Oxycontin at age 13 05:00 – Getting sober at 20 after multiple treatment attempts 06:00 – Starting sober living homes in Baton Rouge 08:00 – What it’s like to get sober young in Louisiana 10:00 – Learning to trust God and rely on faith 13:00 – The difference between believing in God and trusting God 15:00 – Learning when to “end the day and go to sleep” 17:00 – Daily reprieve and spiritual maintenance 20:00 – Life in early sobriety and the power of community 23:00 – Family, honesty, and doing a fearless inventory 25:00 – Marriage, fatherhood, and trusting God’s plan 28:00 – The gift of helping others in recovery 31:00 – The power of accountability and service 34:00 – Overview of TNR Recovery Group programs 37:00 – What is the Wellbriety track? 39:00 – How to connect with TNR Recovery and Dan Gilmer Powerful Quote “The best things in my life are the ones I never planned. God’s plan is always better than mine.” – Dan Gilmer Guest Bio Dan Gilmer Director of Clinical Outreach, TNR Recovery Group Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dan Gilmer serves as the Director of Clinical Outreach for TNR Recovery Group’s Texas programs, including Cypress Lake Recovery and Origins. He oversees outreach, alumni, and aftercare operations, connecting individuals with life-changing recovery services. Having found sobriety at 20, Dan uses his personal experience to inspire others—especially young people struggling with addiction—to seek help and find purpose through recovery. A husband, father, and devoted member of his recovery community, Dan believes in living a life rooted in faith, service, and accountability. Website: www.tnrrecoverygroup.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gilmer Resources Mentioned • TNR Recovery Group – www.tnrrecoverygroup.com • Cypress Lake Recovery – www.cypresslakerecovery.com • Origins Behavioral HealthCare – www.originsrecovery.com • Sabino Recovery – www.sabinorecovery.com • Wellbriety Movement – www.whitebison.org Follow Finding New Waters Instagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecovery Facebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecovery LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recovery TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc Listen & Watch Website: www.findingnewwaters.com Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5Gjw Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608 YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXw YouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn #DanGilmer #TNRRecoveryGroup #CypressLakeRecovery #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #FindingNewWaters #FaithInRecovery #YoungSobriety #Wellbriety #RecoveryCommunity

    40 min
  6. OCT 30

    Turning Tragedy into Purpose: The Story Behind Live Like Braun

    In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode of Finding New Waters, B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Jennifer Levi, founder of the Live Like Braun Foundation, to share the story of unimaginable loss, love, and legacy. Jennifer opens up about losing her 18-year-old son, Braun, to a drunk driver — just months after their family lost their home in the California wildfires. Rather than let grief consume her, she and her family chose action. The Live Like Braun Foundation was born to honor Braun’s life — one defined by kindness, compassion, inclusivity, and a magnetic spirit that inspired everyone he met. Jennifer discusses her mission to raise awareness about DUI reform, launch scholarships for students pursuing higher education or trade programs, and spread Braun’s message of living boldly and leading with love. She also shares her advocacy work with MADD and efforts to implement AI-powered car technology that could prevent impaired driving. This episode is both heartbreaking and hopeful — a reminder that even in the darkest moments, one person’s story can spark a nationwide movement for change. Learn more and support: www.livelikebraunfoundation.org Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/livelikebraunfoundation Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Jennifer Levi 01:30 – The California wildfires and family displacement 03:00 – Losing Braun to a drunk driver 05:00 – Choosing action over isolation 06:30 – “The worst day of my life became my life’s work” 08:00 – How the Live Like Braun Foundation began 10:00 – Scholarships, awareness, and impact 12:00 – The problem with lenient DUI laws in California 15:00 – AI and technology to prevent drunk driving 18:00 – Education and defensive awareness for teens 21:00 – Partnering with MADD and law enforcement 23:00 – How Live Like Braun is inspiring kids nationwide 25:00 – Scholarships for trade schools and college students 27:00 – Healing through service and purpose 30:00 – Where to follow and get involved Powerful Quote “The worst day of my life has now become my life’s work.” – Jennifer Levi Guest Bio Jennifer Levi Founder, Live Like Braun Foundation Jennifer Levi is the founder of the Live Like Braun Foundation, an organization created to honor her late son, Braun, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver at 18 years old. The foundation promotes kindness, inclusivity, and courage — values Braun embodied — while also raising awareness around impaired driving and providing scholarships for students pursuing higher education, trade, or vocational programs. Jennifer’s advocacy includes working with MADD and state leaders to strengthen DUI laws, introduce AI-powered prevention technology in vehicles, and provide educational programs in high schools. Through her work, she continues to turn unimaginable pain into a movement of hope and purpose. Website: www.livelikebraunfoundation.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/livelikebraunfoundation Resources Mentioned • Live Like Braun Foundation – www.livelikebraunfoundation.org • MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) – www.madd.org • HALT Act & AI Vehicle Technology • “Defensive Living” Education Programs for Teens Follow Finding New Waters Instagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecovery Facebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecovery LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recovery TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc Listen & Watch Website: www.findingnewwaters.com Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5Gjw Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608 YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXw YouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn #JenniferLevi #LiveLikeBraun #DUIAwareness #AddictionRecovery #FindingNewWaters #GriefToPurpose #ScholarshipFoundation #ImpairedDrivingPrevention #BraunLeviLegacy #MADD

    34 min
  7. OCT 23

    From Prison to Purpose: Brian Hughes on Addiction, Redemption, and Working at Caron

    In this powerful episode, B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Brian Hughes, Regional Resource Director at Caron Treatment Centers. Brian shares his jaw-dropping story—rising through the beer industry at Sam Adams, spiraling into addiction, landing in federal prison, and ultimately finding purpose through recovery. Today, Brian helps others find their way out of the darkness. He walks us through Caron’s legacy, his work across the Northeast and Southeast, and how addiction doesn’t discriminate—whether you’re homeless or a CEO. This is a raw, redemptive conversation about second chances, humility, and the power of recovery. Follow Caron & Contact Brian Hughes Website: https://www.caron.org Email: bhughes@caron.org Follow Finding New Waters & New Waters Recovery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newwatersrecovery Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newwatersrecovery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recovery TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc Podcast Website: https://www.findingnewwaters.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5Gjw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXw YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Brian Hughes from Caron Treatment Centers 01:15 – Caron’s legacy and history in addiction treatment 03:00 – Brian’s background: Sam Adams, alcohol industry, and addiction 05:00 – His rock bottom: FBI arrest and federal prison 07:00 – First nudge from a judge: 40 days in prison 08:30 – Starting an AA group while incarcerated 09:30 – Why humility was the key to getting free 11:30 – Re-entering the world and recovery work post-prison 13:00 – Landing his first recovery job—while pleading guilty 14:00 – Why his record is now his greatest asset 16:30 – Sitting with people in crisis and offering hope 18:00 – Getting hired by Caron and learning from leaders 19:30 – Why lived experience matters in this field 21:00 – The importance of dignity and respect in recovery 23:00 – What Brian’s job looks like today: family navigation & advocacy 25:00 – How collaboration beats competition in addiction treatment 26:30 – Overview of Caron’s programs and campuses 28:30 – Signature programs: Grandview, Monarch, and Ocean Drive 30:00 – Caron’s neurocognitive treatment approach 31:00 – Admitting younger clients (as young as 17) 32:00 – Final thoughts on humility, service, and second chances 33:00 – How to connect with Brian and learn more about Caron Hashtags #BrianHughes #CaronTreatmentCenters #AddictionRecovery #FindingNewWatersPodcast #RecoveryStory #SecondChances #FromPrisonToPurpose #NeurocognitiveTherapy #SubstanceUseHelp #ReentrySupport #SoberLeadership #MentalHealthAwareness #AlcoholRecovery #12StepRecovery #RedemptionThroughService

    31 min
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Our goal in creating Finding New Waters Podcast is to provide a resource for families to help navigate the complexities of supporting a loved one struggling with Substance Use or Mental Health.   When we find ourselves in crisis due to one of these issues, most people have no idea where to turn.   We hope to shed some light onto what is often the darkest hour for many families.   Website: https://www.findingnewwaters.com

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