Dopenly Honest

Ending Stigma to Save Mothers

Ending Stigma to Save Mothers Dopenly Honest On today’s episode, we are switching gears; instead of interviewing someone in recovery, we are sitting down with a medical expert who is also deeply woven into Zavian's personal journey. Angie Chisholm is a nurse-midwife from Shelbyville, KY, with years of experience working on the frontlines of treatment with pregnant and postpartum women in Oregon and Kentucky. In this deeply necessary conversation, Angie breaks down the heartbreaking reality of the US maternal mortality rate (which includes deaths in pregnancy or the year after pregnancy) and why the postpartum period is the most dangerous time for mothers in recovery. We tackle the massive stigma surrounding Medically Assisted Treatment/Medication for Opiate Use Disorder (MAT/MOUD) during pregnancy, and answer the burning question of whether babies are actually born "addicted." They also discuss practical tools that Angie used to help Zavian through his own detoxes.  Whether you are a mother fighting for your life, a family member trying to understand the cycle of generational trauma, or just someone looking for the truth, this episode is for you.  ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: National & Statewide Lifelines * SAMHSA’s National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) * What it is: A 24/7, free, and confidential treatment referral and information service. * Contact: Call or text 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) or visit findtreatment.gov [http://findtreatment.gov]. * FindHelpNowKY.org [http://FindHelpNowKY.org] * What it is: A real-time substance use disorder treatment availability locator specific to Kentucky. You can filter searches specifically for programs serving pregnant/postpartum women. * Contact: FindHelpNowKY.org [http://FindHelpNowKY.org] Kentucky Wrap-Around Programs (Pregnancy & Postpartum Specific) * UK HealthCare Pathways Program (Lexington, KY) * What it is: The exact program Angie mentioned. It provides comprehensive prenatal care, substance use treatment (including MOUD), case management, and peer support all under one roof, extending care through the critical first year postpartum. * Contact: Call (859) 323-2753 or visit the UK Midwifery/Pathways clinic website. * The M.O.S.T. Program (Maternal Opioid Substance Treatment) at Nortons (Louisville, KY) * What it is: A specialized program offering compassionate, non-judgmental prenatal care, high-risk OB support, medication-assisted treatment, and behavioral health therapy for pregnant and postpartum mothers facing opioid use disorder. * Contact: The MOST Program * Freedom House (Volunteers of America Mid-States - Louisville & Clay County) * What it is: A premier residential treatment program holistically designed for pregnant and postpartum women. It allows mothers to live with their young children while receiving treatment, directly combating the fear of child separation. * Contact: Call (502) 635-4530 or visit voamid.org [http://voamid.org]. * Chrysalis House (Lexington, KY) * What it is: Kentucky’s oldest and largest residential treatment program for women, specializing in pregnant and postpartum mothers. They allow newborns to stay with their mothers during recovery and offer integrated mental health and pediatric care access. * Contact: Call (859) 977-2501 or visit chrysalishouse.org [http://chrysalishouse.org]. At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dopenly-honest/id1847682570] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1tAl0uhA5OtYw2MEAuXWph?si=8a3e9e36b66f4ab7] to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest [https://instagram.com/dopenlyhonest] Facebook — Dopenly Honest [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582653003023] The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production [https://chapamusic.com/buyride-productions]

A Grateful Addict Will Never Relapse

A Grateful Addict Will Never Relapse Dopenly Honest In this episode of Dopenly Honest, Zavian sits down with Micah, a man whose journey into recovery began at an age most wouldn't believe: fifteen years old. Born to a mother struggling with addiction and given a week to live by doctors, Micah’s life began with adversity. From the complexities of adoption and the revolving door of the foster care system, Micah shares how he used violence and eventually drugs to "quiet the noise" of abandonment and trauma. This episode dives deep into the daily "spiritual maintenance" required to keep 19 years of sobriety intact. Specifically, how an attitude of gratitude is key, a reminder that having "normie" problems is a blessing, and why, if we saw everyone else’s struggles, we’d quickly grab our own back. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Steve Peyton. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dopenly-honest/id1847682570] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1tAl0uhA5OtYw2MEAuXWph?si=8a3e9e36b66f4ab7] to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest [https://instagram.com/dopenlyhonest] Facebook — Dopenly Honest [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582653003023] The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production [https://chapamusic.com/buyride-productions]

Peace, Faith & Serenity

Peace, Faith, and Serenity Dopenly Honest In this powerful episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with Matt Walters, who has nearly 2 decades of sobriety. Matt opens up about his journey from a childhood shaped by his father's binge drinking to his own deep struggle with alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and Quaaludes. This battle led to multiple arrests and strained his most important relationships, including his marriage. Matt gets real about what recovery actually looks like. It's not just putting down the bottle, it's showing up every day and making what he calls "living amends," actively choosing to be considerate, helpful, and accountable rather than simply saying "I'm sorry." He credits a strong sponsor, a structured daily routine, and a genuine relationship with a higher power as the pillars that have made long-term sobriety possible. The conversation also gets personal, as the host shares his own experiences with an addictive personality and struggles with gambling, making this a true two-way dialogue about the messy, ongoing work of recovery. Today, Matt is a trusted and respected member of his community, and his message to anyone still suffering is simple: come in with an open mind, give recovery a real chance, and know that a better life is waiting on the other side. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dopenly-honest/id1847682570] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1tAl0uhA5OtYw2MEAuXWph?si=8a3e9e36b66f4ab7] to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest [https://instagram.com/dopenlyhonest] Facebook — Dopenly Honest [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582653003023] The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production [https://chapamusic.com/buyride-productions]

Breaking The Cycle with Micah and Kyla

Breaking The Cycle with Micah and Kyla Dopenly Honest In this soul-baring episode of Dopenly Honest, we sit down with Micah and Kyla Fitzgerald to discuss the raw reality of addiction, the role trauma plays in substance abuse, and the "God-incidences" that led them to a life of sobriety. This isn't just a conversation about putting down the bottle or the pipe; it’s a deep dive into the spiritual architecture of addiction. What We Discuss: * The Roots of Chaos: Kyla shares her journey from a traumatic childhood in Ohio to a 13-year-old silencing her mind with substances, and the "popsicle-giving saint" named Agnes who first planted the seeds of faith. * The Addictive Personality: Micah breaks down "desire out of control," explaining how an addictive spirit can jump from sports and shoes to substances. * The Money Trap: A candid, emotional moment between our host and Micah about the "noise" of worldly success and why aggressively fighting the idol of money is essential for a thriving marriage. * The Daily Bread: Why "faking the funk" doesn't work. The guests share their literal morning rituals, from 3:30 AM Bible studies to why every father needs to let his children hear him sing worship music. Whether you are in early recovery, a parent trying to break generational cycles, or someone just feeling crushed by the "noise" of the world, this episode serves as a touchstone for staying clean and finding strength through spirit, especially when things get intense. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dopenly-honest/id1847682570] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1tAl0uhA5OtYw2MEAuXWph?si=8a3e9e36b66f4ab7] to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest [https://instagram.com/dopenlyhonest] Facebook — Dopenly Honest [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582653003023] The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production [https://chapamusic.com/buyride-productions]

The High Cost of Low-Living

The High Cost of Low-Living Dopenly Honest In this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Banta sits down with his long-time friend and brother-in-recovery, ToJo Brooks, for a conversation that is as raw as it is refined. ToJo doesn’t just share a "sobriety story"—he deconstructs the psychological architecture of addiction and offers a Masterclass in Acceptance.  From the railroad tracks of Kentucky to the high-stakes world of Florida’s drug scene, ToJo reflects on the "actor’s mask" he wore for decades. He reveals the moment his world shifted: facing a Stage 3 prostate cancer diagnosis while in the grips of an even more lethal disease—active addiction. Inside the Episode: * The Prison Pivot: Why ToJo calls his time in the system one of the "best things that ever happened" to his foundation. * The Fatherhood Gap: A transparent look at the pain of missing a child’s birth and the journey to becoming the father his six children deserve. * The "Stop Sign" Analogy: A genius-level breakdown of why you can't just "slow down" when dealing with a life-threatening addiction. Connect with Tojo @ TojoBTV [https://www.facebook.com/TojoBattojobtv/about/] Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dopenly-honest/id1847682570] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1tAl0uhA5OtYw2MEAuXWph?si=8a3e9e36b66f4ab7] to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest [https://instagram.com/dopenlyhonest] Facebook — Dopenly Honest [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582653003023] The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production [https://chapamusic.com/buyride-productions]