Voices In Recovery Podcast David Lewry

This week's guest, Wendy, is a wonderful musician and long time indigenous activist. They share their often difficult journey through life - emphasizing both their gritty, protest-folk-rock music (I made that up) and their continued activism for human rights.

This week's guest, Kat, stops by and shares their story. Kat comes to Calgary via California and the beautiful San Jose area.   Although they also grew up in  twelve step rooms from the time they can remember. Through the years, they began to experience and witness the violence and shame based approaches within the justice and recovery communities in both the United States and in Canada. They came here for graduate studies and stayed to fall in love. They are tirelessly working in the harm reduction community to save lives. Thank you Kat!

This week's guest, Dawn, stopped by and shared her journey from a life where alcohol became medicine to cope with deep pain, anxiety, and depression. She is now trying her best to face, cope with and heal from the deep pain she carries. Like all of us, the process of healing is beautiful and messy. Painful and joyous. Like life.. Thank you Dawn!

This week's guest comes from a police department in Canada. I will give a pre-warning, warning that this episode might be incredibly triggering for anyone. We talk openly and frankly about the experiences we have had in our different capacities. I had no idea the depths of sexism/misogyny, Islamophobia, and homophobia in law enforcement culture until I was clear of it for a few months. Able to process the damage properly. With the executive branches of law enforcement failing to protect their officers so dramatically, specifically, and systematically. They do this with blatant disregard for the public, for the member, and for the members families. How could any of us know...thank you for having the courage to stand up and say something. I'm disgusted that the title of this episode is incredibly suitable for this conversation.

This week's guest, Danielle, drops in to talk about accessing mental health and addiction services in Calgary, Alberta. She is incredibly open and honest about her recent journey within the system. We talk openly about our mental illnesses and share some soothing strategies/ideas for when mental health is pushed to the limits. This is one of those episodes that may be deeply triggering for people. This is an added warning, children should not necessarily listen. Thank you for your openness, courage and vulnerability Danielle. We are lucky to have you in our world.

This week's guest, Beau stops by and shares their incredible journey through this life. The path was wrought with suffering through the hate of others in many ways. He brings a deep passion for justice and human rights with him wherever he goes. I heard them speak at an end Genocide/Free Palestine rally in Calgary. I am going to let the episode speak for itself as I could not do it justice... Thank you Beau!