What does it mean to grow up loving a parent whose mind is at war with reality?

In this powerful episode, Pamela Waggoner shares the deeply personal story behind her book, He Never Let Go: Overcoming the Trauma of Mental Illness with God's Love. Pamela opens up about her childhood with a mother living with paranoid schizophrenia and a father overwhelmed by exhaustion and responsibility.

She reflects on the survival strategies she developed — perfectionism, achievement, relentless activity — and how those coping mechanisms eventually led to emotional collapse. What looked like strength on the outside was masking unaddressed trauma and deep self-blame.

This conversation explores:

• The hidden impact of parental mental illness on children
• What happens when treatment separates families
• Perfectionism and productivity as trauma responses
• The unexpected people who become lifelines
• Writing as a path toward sibling healing
• Releasing blame and embracing compassion
• Faith, surrender, and discovering that you were never alone

Pamela’s message is clear: you do not have to carry burdens that were never yours. Freedom is possible. Healing is possible. And love — even in the darkest seasons — never lets go.

About the Guest:

In this gripping and heartfelt memoir, "He Never Let Go", Pamela, always trying to survive and had no time to dream takes you on an emotional journey through the depths of childhood trauma and the healing power of faith. From a young age, Pamela faced unimaginable challenges, enduring a childhood marked by neglect, rejection and emotional pain. Yet, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged - a relationship with Jesus Christ. As Pamela shares her story of resilience and redemption, she vividly recounts the harrowing moments that shaped her early years, painting a raw and honest portrait of the impact of emotional trauma.

Links:

• Website: https://www.pamelawaggonergood.com/
• Book:
  • https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=Bs2zQkmAhxcHn7xi9o7pnOninhM7VjSRYc2y7Zl9rV7
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQ9N19Z8?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_ZCWFXJWMHGCHPPJHKGNM&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_ZCWFXJWMHGCHPPJHKGNM&s

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Leah Shepherd, Executive Director of Victoria's Voice Foundation, to explore how one family’s tragedy became a national movement for drug prevention education and naloxone awareness.

Founded by David and Jackie Siegel after the loss of their daughter Victoria Siegel in 2015, Victoria’s Voice works to equip youth, parents, and communities with tools to prevent substance use and overdose from happening.

We also discuss the evolution of drug prevention in today’s world — including the influence of social media, changing perceptions, and the importance of creating safe spaces for honest conversations between parents and teens. This episode is about prevention, compassion, and action. Because awareness saves lives.

About the Guest:

Leah Shepherd serves as Executive Director of Victoria’s Voice Foundation, the national nonprofit dedicated to drug-prevention education, overdose awareness, and substance-use disorder prevention for families, youth, and communities. In this role, Leah leads the Foundation’s strategic efforts to expand and deepen its impact across programs including youth education (Save Our Kids), parent/caregiver/educator support (VITAL SIGNS), naloxone- access and awareness initiatives (Get. Give. Save.), and outreach to parents, schools, correctional institutions, and community networks. Under her leadership, Victoria’s Voice has helped positively impact the lives of more than one million students, parents, educators and community members nationwide through its evidence-based prevention and education efforts. Leah spearheaded the creation of National Naloxone Awareness Day, along with public-policy and advocacy efforts that support expanded access to lifesaving overdose-reversal medication. As a key public representative of Victoria’s Voice, she frequently engages in media interviews, public-speaking events, and high-visibility partnerships that amplify the Foundation’s mission. In her leadership capacity, Leah implements impactful events that drive the mission across partner channels and oversees all operational and financial controls in collaboration with the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Her leadership fosters passionate teamwork, strategic growth, and a steadfast commitment to protecting youth, empowering families, and strengthening communities nationwide.

Links:

• Website: https://victoriasvoice.foundation/
• Social Handles:
  • Instagram--@VictoriasVoiceFoundation
  • Facebook--@VictoriasVoice Foundation

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

What does responsible gambling actually mean—and who is responsible for it?

Suzanne Trainor, Communications Manager and Public Information Officer for the Arizona Department of Gaming, joins this episode to explore the intersection of regulation, responsibility, and real-world impact. Suzanne shares her journey from working at DraftKings to now overseeing communications and public information for a state agency responsible for regulating casino gaming, sports betting, fantasy sports, and more. Together, we unpack the complexity of gambling regulation—from public concerns before legalization to the ongoing challenge of balancing access, consumer protection, and prevention.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level definitions. Suzanne challenges the idea that responsible gambling and problem gambling are separate conversations—highlighting instead how deeply connected they are. Whether you work in behavioral health, policy, gaming, or simply want to better understand the systems shaping gambling in the U.S., this episode offers a grounded and thoughtful look behind the curtain.

About the Guest:

Suzanne Trainor is the Communications Manager and Public Information Officer for the Arizona Department of Gaming, where she leads communications for the agency and its Division of Problem Gambling. Her work focuses on raising awareness around responsible gambling and connecting individuals and families with prevention and treatment resources.

In her role, Suzanne helps communicate important information about Arizona’s gaming landscape, which includes tribal casinos, event wagering, fantasy sports, unarmed combat sports, and horse racing. Before joining the Department, she worked in corporate communications at DraftKings, giving her a unique perspective on both the industry and responsible gaming.

Originally from Massachusetts, Suzanne now lives in Phoenix with her husband, Scott. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University.

Links:

• Email: strainor@azgaming.gov
• Free, online, and self-paced responsible gaming training offered by the Arizona Department of Gaming: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arizona-responsible-gaming-training-webinar-tickets-1985855803165?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Visit gaming.az.gov/responsiblegaming to learn about RG.
• Follow Arizona Division of Problem Gambling's new social media accounts including on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arizona-division-of-problem-gambling/

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.