Mental Health Journeys Unfiltered: Our Stories

Recovered & Redeemed: Caleb’s Story

In this episode of Unlikely Voices, we sit down with Caleb Mills to explore his raw and honest journey through addiction, recovery, and rebuilding his life from the ground up. Caleb shares the defining moments that brought him to the edge, the people who showed up when he needed them most, and how he found hope through both faith and community. Whether you connect through spirituality, personal experience, or the simple belief that no one is beyond redemption, this conversation invites all of us to reflect on what it means to heal, grow, and live with purpose.

Mental Health Journeys Unfiltered: Our Stories

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we're opening up like never before. In this deeply personal episode, your hosts Annmarie and Angela share their own mental health journeys — the raw, the real, and the resilient. From navigating PTSD and surviving domestic violence, to battling substance use and the often complicated road to finding the right medication, we hold nothing back. This conversation isn’t polished, but it’s powerful — a testament to healing, growth, and the strength it takes to keep going. Whether you’re on your own path or walking beside someone on theirs, we hope our stories remind you: you're not alone, and there is hope. As mentioned in the episode: SIRAC's B.R.I.C.K. Program: siresources.org Referral for service providers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d7sagdLUogMQKXtg3UTwuNizS9uIpHge/view?usp=drive_link Parents/Caregivers: 223-244-2597 (Shawneetown) 618-518-5330 (Harrisburg) 618-534-3345 (Carbondale) Egyptian Health Department: https://egyptian.org/ The Stress & Trauma Treatment Center: https://stressandtrauma.org/ Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

Child Abuse Prevention & Cycle Breaking

In this powerful episode of Unlikely Voices, hosts Annmarie and Angela open up about their own childhoods, sharing raw and honest stories that shaped their paths as advocates, mothers, and cycle-breakers. Through the lens of personal experience, they explore how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, and reporting intersect with child abuse prevention—and why breaking generational cycles isn’t just possible, it’s necessary. This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a call to action. Whether you’re a survivor, a parent, or a professional, join us as we talk about the messy, courageous work of healing and creating something better for the next generation.  Unlikely Voices is brought to you by Southern Illinois Resource And Advocacy Center.

The ex-teacher & the ex-drug addict: who are we?

In this kickoff episode of Unlikely Voices, Annmarie Murray and Angela Colby-Jackson open up about their personal journeys and the winding roads that led them to the Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy Center (SIRAC). Angela, a former educator who spent years navigating both public and private school systems, shares how her passion for supporting families eventually pulled her out of the classroom and into advocacy work. Annmarie, a woman in recovery with a background as complex as it is inspiring, brings raw honesty as she talks about how her lived experiences with addiction and system involvement now fuel her mission to uplift others. Together, they break the mold of what “professional” looks like and challenge the stigma around who gets to lead change. Tune in to hear how two very different paths collided to create a powerful voice for families, youth, and communities across Southern Illinois. The Community Action Place (tCAP): https://tcapinc.org/ [https://tcapinc.org/] Egyptian Health Department: https://www.egyptian.org [https://www.egyptian.org/]

Welcome!

Welcome to Unlikely Voices! We are so excited to announce that Unlikely Voices with Angela & Annmarie will be coming to all major podcast platforms! Our first full length podcast will air on 4.11.2025. Unlikely Voices is a raw, honest, and empowering podcast that amplifies conversations too often left in the shadows. Hosted by Annmarie Murray and Angela Colby-Jackson, this podcast dives into stigmatized and rarely discussed topics. Let’s create a space for real talk, real experiences, and real change. Tune in, challenge the stigma, and join the conversation.Unlikely Voices is presented by Southern Illinois Resource & Advocacy Center. SUBSCRIBE by searching “Unlikely Voices” on all major podcast platforms.