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.

With the expansion of sports betting and prediction markets - the question we often get asked is, “What about young men?” Christina Cook, founder of the Broke Girl Society podcast, talks about the critical gaps in how gambling harm is recognized, treated, and represented—especially for women.

Christina shares her lived experience of problem gambling and the barriers she faced in finding recovery spaces that reflected her reality. The conversation explores why women are often missing from gambling harm narratives, how caregiving roles and stigma create unique access barriers, and why traditional treatment and mutual aid spaces often fail to meet women where they are.

Together, we unpack systemic issues in prevention messaging, the lack of gender-responsive treatment options, and the urgent need for lived experience leadership in shaping recovery systems. Christina also highlights the rapid expansion of gambling in Oklahoma, the disconnect between revenue and treatment funding, and the rise of her peer-driven recovery community supporting thousands of women globally.

This episode challenges how we think about gambling harm—and who we imagine when we talk about recovery.

About the Guest:

Christina Cook, IGRS, is a lived-experience advocate dedicated to supporting individuals affected by gambling harm. Drawing from her own recovery journey, she uses her story to help reduce shame, build connection, and remind others that healing is possible. Through her podcast and the safe, empowering spaces she creates for women, Christina offers a platform for storytelling, community, and honest conversations about recovery and resilience. She currently serves on the board of the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Board (IPGGC) as Executive Secretary.

Links:

• Links to the BGS: https://thebrokegirlsociety.com/
• E-mail: Christina@thebrokegirlsociety.com

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 happens when healing steps outside the clinic and into ceremony? Paije and Fletcher from ETEREO join to discuss their psychedelic retreat work, which focuses on ceremonial healing using traditional medicines like Iboga and combining clinical approaches. They explained their philosophy of meeting individuals where they are in their healing journey, serving people dealing with addiction, mental health issues, and trauma through comprehensive screening and integration processes. The conversation covered the evolution of psychedelic medicine from indigenous practices to modern applications, their upcoming Baja California retreat center, and how they acquire new clients primarily through word-of-mouth referrals.

This episode does not advocate for or against psychedelic use, but instead opens a conversation about emerging pathways in healing and recovery — and the questions professionals should be asking. As psychedelic-assisted approaches continue to gain attention, how do we responsibly discuss risk, readiness, culture, and integration?

About the Guests:

Paije West brings a unique blend of personal transformation and professional leadership to ETÉREO Baja. After her own iboga journey catalyzed a profound healing process, she became an advocate for safety, “spiritual safety,” and professional standards in psychedelic practice. At ETÉREO Baja, she oversees guest preparation, integration protocols, ceremonial offerings, and safety governance, ensuring every experience is trauma-informed, clinically supported, and spiritually attuned. Her leadership centers on transparency, integrity, and compassionate rigor, hallmarks of ETÉREO Baja’s reputation.

Fletcher Burdick brings grounded, hands-on leadership to ETÉREO Baja, informed by years of collaboration with ibogaine clinics and deep ceremonial study in Peru. Drawing on his background founding and operating a construction company, he integrates practical execution with a deep respect for structure, process, and integrity in the development of ETÉREO’s regenerative healing center. With over a decade of experience in the psychedelic space, he applies ceremonial depth and cultural alignment to clinical and business contexts, guiding operations and strategy through thoughtful, values-driven collaboration. Fletcher’s approach to psychedelics remains rooted in humility, never claiming origination, always honoring the lineages and traditions that came before.

Links:

• https://www.etereobaja.mx/

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 happens when outreach stops being passive and starts becoming relational? In this episode, we sit down with Megan Poliquin, Gambling Treatment and Prevention Program Manager at the ZEPF Center, to explore how her team transformed their community engagement strategy in Ohio. Megan shares how what began as a grant-funded obligation evolved into a passionate mission—one that has reached more than 2,300 individuals through brief gambling screens. Instead of simply “sitting at a table,” her team created interactive, engaging, data-driven outreach events that build relationships and demonstrate measurable impact.

We discuss: the difference between marketing and true outreach, why human connection matters more than information alone, how to approach community partnerships with clarity and confidence, creative strategies for engaging college students, and how small, consistent steps can build large-scale impact.

About the Guest:

Megan Poliquin (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with her Gambling Endorsement. Megan has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of gambling disorder since 2018. She is well-versed in the areas of substance use, anxiety, depression, and relationship and financial stressors. Her counseling style is supportive, interactive, and empathetic. She encourages sessions to be client-led, with her role being to help guide you to your own path of gambling recovery. Megan’s clients would describe her as authentic, humorous, relatable, and encouraging. Megan believes a trusting therapeutic relationship is the most powerful tool to create lasting change. Gambling addiction carries burdens of shame and guilt that lead to isolation, but we all need human connections to thrive. Megan’s own personal experience in therapy has shown her that it can be life-changing. Megan believes that no matter what is going on in your life, you are worthy and deserving of healing, happiness, and recovery. 

Links:

• E-mail: mpoliquin@zepfcenter.org
• https://www.zepfcenter.org/gambling-treatment-program/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-poliquin-567a2185?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BVjelCD72S86%2BMr4ITY%2FlHA%3D%3D

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.

Psychoeducation is often treated as secondary to “real” clinical work—but what if it’s actually foundational? In this episode of the Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast, we are joined by Tom Karl, Founder and CEO of R1 Learning, to explore the critical (and frequently undervalued) role psychoeducation plays in addiction treatment and recovery. Drawing from Tom’s background in corporate learning and development—and his personal recovery journey—the conversation challenges how treatment programs think about education, engagement, and fundamentals.

Together, we unpack the gap between counseling and teaching skills, the importance of shared language and basic vocabulary in early recovery, and why engagement between sessions matters just as much as what happens in the therapy room. We also explore gamification, learning styles, stages of change, and how tools like micro-content and feedback loops can support both clients and clinicians. This episode is a reminder that effective treatment doesn’t always mean more complexity—it often means returning to the basics and doing them well.

About the Guest:

Tom Karl founded R1 as the result of his own personal experiences in addiction, and recovery. The idea and vision for the R1 Learning System, the Discovery Cards, and R1 Discover App was inspired following Tom’s last substance use and hospitalization when he noted a lack of practical tools in addiction treatment settings. He has used the creation of the tools to help better understand himself, make a living amends to those he impacted, and build a positive path for others on a similar journey. Through R1, Tom’s goal is to put impactful self-discovery tools into the hands of individuals in recovery and empower them to reach their full potential. In addition, R1’s mission is to address the workforce shortage in the Behavioral Healthcare industry by equipping practitioners at all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience with evidence-based interactive support resources in both hands-on and online formats and in multi-languages. Tom has 25+ years of experience in workforce and leadership development, learning and development, employee engagement, and talent retention, working with global companies, government agencies, and education institutions.

Links:

• Website: https://r1learning.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/r1learning/posts/?feedView=all

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.

Sports betting is everywhere. But what has the rapid expansion of legalized gambling actually cost us?

In this episode, journalist Danny Funt joins to discuss his book Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. Together, we explore how America’s sports betting boom has reshaped sports culture, media coverage, public health, and consumer protections. Danny shares insights from interviews with people who struggle with gambling, industry executives, researchers, and regulators. The conversation goes beyond financial losses and examines:

• The erosion of sports integrity
• VIP betting programs and emotional entanglement strategies
• Misleading “risk-free” advertising
• Weak consumer protections
• Conflicts of interest between leagues and betting monitors
• The normalization of gambling in sports media
• Why meaningful regulation may require crisis-level consequences

We discuss how gambling problems affect high-functioning, disciplined individuals — challenging common stereotypes and humanizing the issue. This episode asks a hard question: If sports betting continues to expand without stronger safeguards… who really wins?

About the Guest:

Danny Funt is the author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. His reporting has appeared in The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, and the Columbia Journalism Review. He previously worked as an editor at The Week magazine. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Columbia Journalism School, he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Sally, their son, Louis, and their tuxedo cat, Wynnie.

Links:

• Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Everybody-Loses/Danny-Funt/9781668062029
• E-mail: dannyfunt1@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-funt-2695b4a3/

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.