Navigating Fear With Hope, With Chalese Olsen

12 Journeys of Recovery, A Roadmap From Healing To Purpose With Richard Darone

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com 12 Journeys of Recovery: A Roadmap From Healing to Purpose What if recovery wasn't simply about quitting a substance—but about discovering who you were created to become? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with recovery advocate, author, and behavioral specialist Richard Darone to explore a revolutionary approach to healing through his 12 Journeys of Recovery. Rather than focusing solely on abstinence or survival, Richard challenges us to think bigger. Recovery is about rediscovering our identity, uncovering our purpose, and creating a life worth living. Together, we discuss why there is no single path to recovery. Every person carries a different story, different wounds, and different strengths. What works for one individual may not work for another—and that's okay. True healing begins when we stop judging someone else's journey and start supporting them wherever they are on their own. Richard shares his philosophy of Passion, Purpose, and Personal Power, explaining that lasting recovery isn't simply about removing addiction from our lives—it's about replacing it with meaning, authenticity, connection, and purpose. We also talk about why we believe 2026 has the potential to become a revolutionary year for addiction recovery. Science, lived experience, trauma-informed care, faith, peer support, holistic practices, and multiple evidence-based pathways are finally coming together in ways we've never seen before. The conversation is shifting from asking, "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" and ultimately to "Who do you want to become?" Recovery should never be about proving whose method is best. When we believe there is only one way to heal, we close ourselves off to the countless lives that could be saved through different pathways. Healing isn't found in rigid rules—it's found in compassion, understanding, and meeting people where they are. This conversation is a reminder that recovery is not a destination. It is a lifelong journey of growth, authenticity, resilience, and purpose. No matter where you are today, your story isn't over. Your next chapter may become your greatest one yet. Because recovery isn't about becoming someone else... it's about becoming the person you were always meant to be.

Navigating Fear With Hope, With Chalese Olsen

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com Navigating Fear With Hope What would you do if life handed you every parent's worst nightmare—not once, but twice? On this episode of The Other Side of Addiction, I sat down with Chalese Olsen, a woman whose story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the power of faith, and the resilience we discover when we have no choice but to keep moving forward. In 2004, Chalese lost her four-year-old son in a tragic drowning accident. The unimaginable grief sent her spiraling into a dark place as she struggled to make sense of a loss no parent should ever have to endure. Like so many who experience trauma, she searched for ways to ease the pain, only to realize that the path she was on wasn't healing her—it was deepening the hurt. Through time, faith, and courage, Chalese began the difficult work of healing. She eventually shared her journey through writing, becoming an author, speaker, and mentor to others navigating loss and grief. Then life tested her again. Years later, her son DeeJ suffered a traumatic brain injury after being accidentally shot in the head. In an instant, Chalese found herself back in a hospital facing uncertainty, fear, and the terrifying thought: "Not again." For 25 days she lived between hope and heartbreak, unsure if her son would survive. She describes the experience as an emotional hangover—a constant state of exhaustion, fear, prayer, and waiting. Yet through it all, she leaned into her faith, choosing hope even when the outcome was unknown. Against overwhelming odds, DeeJ survived. Doctors called it a miracle. Our conversation explores what it means to survive trauma, not just endure it. We discuss giving ourselves grace during life's hardest moments, trusting God when answers don't come easily, and finding the strength to keep moving forward when fear threatens to consume us. Chalese reminds us that healing isn't a destination. It's a journey. Some wounds leave scars, but scars are proof that we've survived. If you've experienced loss, trauma, grief, or life's unexpected challenges, this episode will remind you that you are not alone. There is hope on the other side of fear, and even in our darkest moments, healing is possible. Sometimes courage isn't the absence of fear. Sometimes courage is simply choosing hope anyway.

Wild Serenity, Reclaim Your Style, Power, and Peace From The Inside Out With Maren

This Episode Was Sponsored By EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com LADIES, This is a show you'll definitely want to watch... What if the way you show up in the world is simply a reflection of how you feel about yourself on the inside? In this episode, I sit down with Maren Swenson, founder of Wild Serenity, to explore the connection between self-worth, self-expression, and personal freedom. While many people see fashion as clothing, Maren sees it as something much deeper—an outward reflection of the truth we have reclaimed within ourselves. We discuss why so many women spend their lives seeking approval, validation, and permission to be who they truly are. We talk about the wounds that leave people feeling unseen, unheard, and unworthy, and how those wounds often lead to hiding our voice, stuffing our emotions, and living according to someone else's expectations. Maren shares how powerful it becomes when a woman reconnects with her inner voice, trusts herself again, and begins expressing who she is without apology. As confidence grows from within, everything begins to change—from the way she speaks, to the boundaries she sets, to the way she presents herself to the world. This conversation is about more than style. It's about authenticity. It's about healing. It's about finding the courage to stop asking for approval and start honoring the person you were created to be. Because true beauty isn't found in what you wear. It's found in finally giving yourself permission to be seen. www.marenswenson.com #WildSerenity #TheOtherSideOfAddiction #HealingJourney #SelfWorth #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #FindingYourVoice #InnerPeace #SelfExpression #WomenEmpowerment #Transformation

"Growth is Absolutely Possible" with Michelle Peacock

This Episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com “Friday’s conversation reminded me of something we don’t talk about enough… Growth doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to be perfect. And it sure doesn’t have to look like what anyone else says it should. I sat down with Michelle Peacock—founder of Michelle Cares Inc.—and what stood out most wasn’t just what she’s built… it’s how she lives it. We talked about something simple, but powerful… giving back. Volunteering. Showing up. Not because you have it all figured out—but because you’re willing to take one step forward. For so many in recovery, confidence gets lost along the way. And Michelle shared how something as small as helping someone else… can be the very thing that helps you start believing in yourself again. This episode is real. It’s human. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t fancy—it’s connection, it’s laughter, it’s showing up… even when you feel like you’re held together with coffee and determination. Growth is absolutely possible… and this conversation proves it.” michellecares.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551563316118

The Stoic Alcoholic: It's not Only About Counting Days With Benton Savage.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com What if recovery wasn’t just about counting days… but about rebuilding your entire way of thinking? In this raw and unfiltered episode, I sit down with Benton Savage—author, entrepreneur, and a man who has lived through the chaos of addiction, relapse, and self-destruction. After 30 years of addiction, burned bridges, and countless setbacks, Benton reached a turning point—and what came next wasn’t just sobriety… it was transformation. From his powerful memoir WRONG SIDE OUT: MADNESS MISDIAGNOSED to his latest release The Stoic Alcoholic: It’s Not Only About Counting Days, Benton shares how Stoic principles, discipline, and radical self-responsibility became the foundation for rebuilding his life. This conversation goes deep. We talk about: The reality of multiple relapses and why they don’t define you The damage addiction leaves behind—and how to face it head-on Why counting days isn’t enough in recovery Applying Stoicism to real-life pain, struggle, and growth What it truly means to take control, find purpose, and choose a better path This episode isn’t polished. It’s not sugar-coated. It’s real. It’s honest. And it’s exactly what people need to hear. As Benton said himself: “It’s not just about quitting alcohol… it’s about taking control of your life.” If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you keep starting over—this one is for you.