Sharing is CARE-ing

Sharing Is CARE-ing (Episode 7) Susan Hoemke

In this deeply personal episode of Sharing is CARE-ing, host Fritz Deichert sits down with Susan Hoemke, author of Healing Scarred Hearts: A Family’s Story of Addiction, Loss, and Finding Light. The conversation hits close to home, as Fritz grew up as a close friend of Susan’s late son, Hayden, sharing a history that predates the struggles that eventually claimed Hayden's life 11 years ago. Susan opens up about her family's journey from an "All-American" life to the chaos of addiction, detailing how Hayden’s drug use escalated from marijuana in the 9th grade to dangerous substances like bath salts and heroin. Together, Fritz and Susan discuss the early signs of substance use that parents often miss due to a lack of education, the devastating cycle of rehab and relapse, and the legal consequences that followed Hayden’s addiction. Susan also shares critical advice for parents on how to educate themselves and the importance of maintaining their own physical and spiritual health while trying to save a loved one.

Jesse McCraw (Episode 6)

In this raw and profoundly honest conversation, host Fritz Deichert sits down with his long-time friend, Jesse McCraw, a respected professional working in the addiction recovery field at Driftwood Recovery. Jesse's journey is a powerful testament to transformation and hope. He opens up about his personal path through addiction, including his consequential using years and the dramatic events that ultimately led to his sobriety. Jesse shares the incredible story of how he got sober while incarcerated in a penitentiary, an experience that completely redefined his life and perspective.

Heather Ormand (Episode 5)

Episode 5: Heather Ormand - From Personal Battles to Leading the Charge in Recovery In this powerful and deeply personal episode of "Sharing is CARE-ing," host Fritz Deichert sits down with Heather Ormand, the CEO of Nexus Recovery Center. Heather shares her incredible journey, opening up about her early struggles with alcohol beginning at age 14 while growing up as a first-generation American in Bentonville, Arkansas. She speaks with raw honesty about the pressures to fit in, her first suicide attempt at 15, and her family's decision to move to Argentina in an attempt to solve her problems. The conversation follows Heather's path through a high-functioning career in New York City to the devastating heartbreak that ultimately led her to her first experience with sobriety. She doesn't shy away from the pain of relapse or the complex family dynamics that shaped her, including the strained but loving relationship with her brother. Tune in to hear a story of resilience, the power of vulnerability, and how Heather transformed her own battles into a mission to help other women and their children find healing at Nexus.

Lauren Gillette (Episode 4)

In this moving episode of "Sharing is CARE-ing," host Fritz Deichert sits down with Lauren Gillette for a raw and honest conversation about her incredible journey to achieving nearly 23 years of sobriety. Lauren shares the winding path of her story, which began with alcohol addiction and led to a months-long stay in an inpatient treatment facility. It was in the rooms of recovery that a codependent relationship introduced her to heroin, sending her life in a new direction. She speaks candidly about the challenges of navigating multiple relapses, trying to maintain a normal life while in active addiction, and the family intervention that pushed her back toward help. The discussion dives deep into the root causes, exploring how her role as the oldest of five children created a caretaker personality from a young age. Lauren opens up about the powerful theme of codependency in her life, how relationships often became intertwined with her addiction, and the devastating "rock bottom" moment that finally led to her surrender and lasting recovery on January 28, 2003. This is a story of resilience, the hard-earned wisdom of emotional sobriety, and the profound freedom found on the other side of addiction.

Dr. Lee Spencer (Episode 3)

A Conversation on Chaos, Connection, and Authenticity with Dr. Lee Spencer. In this deeply personal and revealing episode of "Sharing is CARE-ing," host Fritz Deichert sits down with his close friend and CARE board member, Dr. Lee Spencer. An accomplished addiction psychiatrist, Dr. Spencer shares what drew him to the field despite not having a personal history with substance addiction. He opens up about his childhood, navigating the loving but chaotic world of his father, an Episcopal priest living with bipolar disorder, and the unique perspective this gave him on authenticity and mental health. Fritz and Lee also explore their own friendship, which began at an industry dinner and led to a life-changing diagnosis for Fritz. The conversation dives into the nature of chaos, the power of connection, the challenge of boredom in recovery, and the critical importance of vulnerability, especially among men. Join us for an honest discussion that goes beyond diagnoses and delves into the shared human experiences that shape us. It’s a powerful testament to why at CARE-Dallas, we believe that when we listen, we learn, and when we talk openly, lives change.