The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

246. Surviving Strokes, Suicide Loss, and Finding Purpose: A Mental Health Conversation with Cory Suggs

Cory Suggs grew up in a tiny Oklahoma town where life looked perfect—until it wasn’t. After his parents’ divorce at sixteen, he spiraled into a decade of reckless living, validation-seeking, and self-destruction. At twenty-five, multiple unexplained strokes left him unable to walk, battling depression, and convinced his life was over. A year later, Cory went into the woods to end his life. What happened next changed everything. In a single blink, he saw two versions of his future—one dark and empty, one bright and full of life—and chose to live. That moment sparked a lifelong practice of gratitude that became his anchor for healing. In this powerful conversation, Cory shares: * The hidden cost of seeking approval through recklessness and addiction * What it’s like to lose your body, your identity, and your will to live—and rebuild from zero * The vision that stopped his suicide attempt and started his recovery * How daily gratitude, faith, and movement transformed his mind and body * Losing his mother to suicide and finding peace through forgiveness and purpose * The role of personal development, proximity, and mentors like Tony Robbins in reshaping his life * What true masculinity and emotional strength look like for men today Cory’s story is raw, redemptive, and deeply human—a reminder that life doesn’t happen to us, it happens for us. If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode is a lifeline of hope and practical wisdom. Connect with Cory: CorySuggs.com Follow Ashley: @ashleyloebblassingame [https://www.instagram.com/ashleylbco] www.couragetochangepodcast.com www.ashleyloebblassingame.com Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicide and depression. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. for support.

245. From Infertility to Postpartum Depression: Therapist Neha Kumar on Motherhood’s Hardest Moments and Finding Strength

Therapist Neha Kumar opens up about infertility, IVF, endometriosis, and postpartum depression. We talk about cultural expectations in South Asian families, the reality of new motherhood, what “natural” doesn’t mean, and practical ways to support women through fertility treatment and postpartum mental health. It is honest, grounded, and full of hard-won perspective. This episode is sponsored by Reconstruction Unlimited [www.reconstructionunlimited.com], a recovery-focused organization that provides coaching, interventions, and holistic support to help people and families thrive in long-term recovery. Guest Neha Kumar, LMFT Private practice therapist focusing on women’s mental health, postpartum, and culturally informed care. Website: https://prosandpsyche.com * Growing up as the youngest of three girls in a South Asian immigrant family and the “son preference” context * Film school to therapy (why service work in India changed her path) * Undiagnosed inattentive ADHD, chronic fatigue, and how symptoms were missed * Endometriosis finally diagnosed after years of severe cycles * IVF at 28, grief around repeated negatives, cost, and stigma * Postpartum depression after baby one, spinal headache after baby two, and what “hopeless” actually feels like * Why “it is natural” does not mean “it is easy” for conception, birth, or breastfeeding * Practical support for friends in fertility treatment (what helps, what hurts) * Advocating for yourself in healthcare and pushing for answers * Building resilience, redefining “enough,” and finding a new normal * Validation matters. Delayed diagnoses of ADHD and endometriosis can fuel years of self-blame. * Support should be operational. Rides to monitoring, meal trains, childcare, and help with logistics beat platitudes every time. * Language counts. Avoid “just relax,” “have you tried…,” or fast fixes. Try “I am so sorry. I am here. What do you need today?” * Postpartum depression often feels like hopelessness more than sadness. Sleep loss and medical complications can intensify risk. * Community reduces harm. Modern parenting often lacks the “village” that many cultures build by design. Resources: * Neha’s practice: https://proseandpsyche.com * Postpartum Support International (find local help, warmline): https://www.postpartum.net * ADHD information and screening overview (inattentive type): https://chadd.org * Endometriosis basics and patient guides: https://www.endofound.org * If you are in crisis, contact your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department. * Postpartum Support International helpline (US): 1-800-944-4773 (call or text “HELP”) If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who might need to hear it. Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find these conversations. For speaking, collaborations, or sponsor inquiries, contact us through the podcast website. #infertility #ivfjourney #ivfsupport #endometriosis #postpartumdepression #postpartumsupport #motherhood #womenshealth #mentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #southasianwomen #culturalexpectations #newmomlife #postpartumjourney #ivfcommunity #endowarrior #adhdawareness #healingjourney #fertilitysupport #womensupportingwomen #griefandloss #hope #strength #resilience #parentingjourney #mommentalhealth #breakingthestigma #motherhoodunplugged #itsokaynottobeokay #thecouragetochangepodcast

244. Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace: Ashley Jo on Sobriety, Loss, and Building a Life After Trauma

Welcome to the first episode of Season 7! This episode of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast is brought to you by our sponsor Reconstruction Unlimited. As our sponsor, Reconstruction brings their mission to life by supporting individuals through personalized coaching, case management, and aftercare programs that foster meaningful transformation and sustained well-being. Learn more at www.reconstructionunlimited.com [www.reconstructionunlimited.com]. Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace: Ashley Jo on Sobriety, Loss, and Building a Life After Trauma In this powerful episode of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, host Ashley Loeb Blassingame welcomes back Ashley Jo — former podcast producer, recovery advocate, and now author of the forthcoming memoir Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace. Ashley Jo shares the unfiltered truth about her journey through addiction recovery, grief, and healing after unimaginable loss. From losing her infant son to a rare genetic disease at just 22, to navigating divorce, adoption, and the challenges of raising five children, Ashley Jo’s life has been anything but ordinary. She opens up about surviving a public paternity scandal, her ex-husband’s struggle with substance use disorder and death from a fentanyl overdose, and how sobriety gave her the tools to lead her family through crisis without turning back to alcohol. In this candid conversation, Ashley and Ashley explore: * How sobriety prepared Ashley Jo to face back-to-back tragedies without relapsing * Parenting through grief, addiction, and family trauma * The roller-coaster pace of life in recovery and learning to accept your unique wiring (hello, ADHD superpowers) * How writing her memoir became a therapeutic tool for processing decades of unprocessed grief * Why honesty with children about addiction and loss can be a bridge to healing * The concept of “two things can be true” — embracing both joy and sorrow Ashley Jo’s story is one of resilience, radical honesty, and finding grace in the middle of chaos. If you’re navigating sobriety, parenting challenges, or life after loss, this episode offers hope, hard-earned wisdom, and a reminder that the waves that threaten to drown us can also be the ones we learn to ride. Order Ashley Jo’s memoir: thisisashleyjo.com [https://thisisashleyjo.com] Listen now for an inspiring, real-life example of recovery, redemption, and rebuilding after life’s most brutal storms. Topics: sobriety journey, grief recovery, fentanyl overdose, addiction recovery, memoir, parenting through grief, ADHD and recovery, healing after loss, substance use disorder, family therapy, resilience, emotional healing, The Courage to Change Podcast

End of Season 6, Amends, and Season 7

I dropped the ball in Season 6. My guests were great but my cadence was not. Season 7 is coming back stronger than ever — Scott is back, we’ve got a sponsor, and I can’t wait to share what’s next.

From the Archives: 137. Mother Battles Alcoholism After the Death of Her Young Son

Sarah Campos was born in Arizona and raised in Southern California. She graduated from ASU with a BS in Business. A hairdresser by trade, she now runs a full time e-commerce business online that supports clean living and wellness. She is the mother to Jaxon, Alesa and Ford. When tragedy struck her family in the form of the death of her 8 year old son, it sent her drinking into a destructive spiral. Numbing the pain of the loss she eventually ended up in detox and finally found help in AA and Al Anon.  She is new to the sober community but in 2 short years her sobriety has been completely life changing even in the worst circumstances. Today she gets to live imperfectly but free from addiction. She honors her son’s memory in the love she gives to his siblings. Episode Resources Connect with Sarah Campos * Instagram |  @campos_mama [https://www.instagram.com/campos_mama/?hl=en] Connect with The Courage to Change * Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast [https://www.lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast] * Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/couragetochange_podcast/] * Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast [https://www.facebook.com/thecouragetochangepodcast] * Podcast Email | podcast@lionrock.life [podcast@lionrock.life] * YouTube | The Courage to Change Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGEWdVRItVLcrJGhtTebi1lYavgrEPSQZ] Lionrock Resources * Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app [https://www.lionrock.life/mobile-app] * Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings [https://www.lionrock.life/meetings]