The TPAS Drop: Alumni Insights On the Go

Building a Movement: How She Recovers is Changing the Recovery Landscape for Women

How does a personal blog become a global movement of 300,000 people? In this episode, Gina sits down with Dawn Nickel, CEO and Co-Founder of She Recovers, to explore how an accidental idea born out of one woman's struggle with workaholism grew into one of the most expansive recovery communities in the world. She Recovers [https://sherecovers.org/] supports women and non-binary individuals recovering from substances, mental health challenges, trauma, and the full range of life experiences that require healing. And for alumni professionals, it may be one of the most powerful resources you're not yet using. The conversation covers: * The origin story behind She Recovers and why Dawn calls it an accidental movement * How She Recovers approaches multiple pathways — and why they always recommend 12-step first * The trusted resources program and what it means for treatment centers serving women * Retreat partnerships, in-person sharing circles, and other ways She Recovers can support your alumni program * The secret sauce behind long-term engagement and what alumni professionals can learn from it * What Dawn would tell any treatment center looking to keep alumni connected beyond year one Connect with She Recovers: * Website: sherecovers.org * Email Dawn directly: dawn.nickel@sherecovers.org [dawn.nickel@sherecovers.org] * Certifications & training: sherecovers.org/courses * Online gatherings, retreats, and sharing circles listed at sherecovers.org Connect with TPAS: tpassociation.org

Live from the TPAS Collaborative

There's something that happens at the TPAS Collaborative that's hard to describe until you've been in the room. This episode is the closest thing to being there. In this episode, we're bringing you directly onto the Collaborative floor — where alumni professionals from across the country gather not just to learn, but to challenge each other, tell the truth, and leave with something real. You'll hear Whitney Silivia, Director of Alumni Services at AMFM and Florida Chapter Co-Chair of TPAS and Board Member, Mickenzie Vought of Onsite, lead the room through a conversation on ownership that will make you rethink how you show up in your work and your life. Then Mickenzie Vought makes the case that the most powerful thing you can do for your alumni community is create a space where people actually feel free to disagree. And then you'll hear from the attendees themselves — their biggest breakthroughs, their barriers, and what they're taking back to their programs. This is what the Collaborative feels like. If you've been on the fence about joining us — consider this your sign to join us this fall in Malibu!

“The Five A’s: A Simple Framework for Powerful Alumni Groups”

Today on the TPAS Drop, we're bringing you another powerful excerpt from one of our monthly workshops. Join Lori Obenauer, co-founder of TPAS, alumni professional and coach, as she walks us through the 5A's framework for facilitation. It's a simple, repeatable method for planning any group from choosing your anchor to creating follow-up actions that stick. Whether you've been running groups for years or you're just starting out, this episode will give you a practical roadmap to make your sessions more impactful without crossing into the therapist's territory. To celebrate this milestone year, we’re offering 15% off your first year of TPAS membership for all new members and first-time Collaborative attendees now through April 30, 2026. For 15 years, TPAS has championed ethical, innovative alumni programming—and we’d love for you to be part of what’s next. If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your moment. Email gina@tpasrecovery.org or visit our site to learn more.

Multiple Pathways: Meeting Every Alumni Where They Are

The language we use in recovery matters — but does it work for everyone? In this episode, SMART Recovery [https://smartrecovery.org/]Executive Director Pete Rubinas challenges alumni professionals to examine the dominant narratives in our field and consider how offering multiple pathways of support can transform outcomes for the alumni we serve. The conversation covers: * How recovery language and labels can empower some and alienate others — and what the research says about it * An honest peer discussion with alumni professionals on what multiple pathways looks like in practice * Real stories from organizations that have made the transition — including one program that's been doing it for over a decade * An overview of SMART Recovery, why it pairs well with other approaches, and how to bring it to your program

Ethics in the Real World: Boundaries, Brokering, and the Gray Areas of Alumni Work

Ethics is the foundation of everything we do in alumni work — but how often do we actually stop to examine it? In this episode, TPAS Board Co-Chair Nikki Soda leads a candid, practical conversation on what ethical alumni engagement really looks like in practice. The conversation covers: The difference between ethics, morals, and values — and why it matters Patient brokering — what it is, who's doing it, and what alumni coordinators need to know The five most common ethical challenges in alumni work, including boundary management, confidentiality, and self-disclosure Real stories from alumni professionals on where the lines can blur