"Honoring Veterans by Providing Help" with Jeff Smith
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Release Date: 11/12/2025
"Unlocking Your Inner Superhero" with Hannah Bookbinder
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Being a kid today has its challenges, and being a kid who has learning disabilities, ADHD, NLD (), ASD (), or anxiety related to academic performance certainly adds an element of complexity to navigating one’s academic career and life. Hannah Bookbinder discusses her work with neurodivergent clients, the challenges and the successes. Hannah is a licensed social worker and owner of AcademicAlly, LLC. She is also the author of “Unlock Your Inner Superhero: Conquering the Challenges of ADHD” and developer of the My TOAD App which focuses on executive functioning skills. Hannah’s work and...
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"Honoring Veterans by Providing Help" with Jeff Smith
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
The mental health and substance use disorders that challenge veterans are not unusual, and they occasionally lead to homelessness. Recently in Wisconsin, funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) was removed from the two-year state budget, and, as a result, two transitional homes for veterans were closed. Wisconsin State Senator Jeff Smith has introduced legislation to reopen — and keep open — those homes. He discusses those efforts, political obstacles, and other issues around mental health and substance use disorders that veterans are facing. Senator Jeff Smith...
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"The Way Forward" with Kelli O’Rourke Wall
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Stress, anxiety, and depression are seemingly everywhere and ever-present. Kelli O’Rourke Wall started her mental health journey as a patient and is now a therapist. She talks about the journey from client to helper and discusses her approach to the challenges all of us face in getting the help we need for our mental health. Kelli is a California-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with individuals, couples, and families, empowering and supporting them through actionable healing strategies. Kelli’s work and links can be found at . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of...
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"After the Trident" with Dr. Tony Dice
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Tony Dice’s road to a doctorate was anything but straight. He discusses his addiction, recovery, and memoir, "After the Trident." Dr. Dice’s Holistic Change Model is designed to heal the invisible wounds of those who serve. Dr. Dice and his many services can be reached at . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at . More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at . The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting. We're...
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"Kind Habits" with Trevor Shick
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Trevor Shick was experiencing declining mental health and increasing problems with substance use. Seeking help, he and his family encountered numerous obstacles. Trevor talks about his recovery and his new venture, Kind Habit Labs, a software system designed to help facilities that help people with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Trevor is the Founder & CEO of . Trevor’s mom Lisa Gennosa was previously on this podcast. . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at . More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found...
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"Mental Health First Aid" with Deacon Eric Paige
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
When more people are equipped with the tools to start a dialogue about mental health and substance use disorders, more people can get the help they need. Deacon Eric Paige discusses the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Mental Health First Aid, a training that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental health or substance use challenge. Deacon Paige is the Director of Formation and Deacon Services for the Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington, and a trained mental health first aider. Mental Health First Aid’s resources can be accessed at . The...
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"We Get One Body" with Andrew Lokuta
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
While most folks are aware of the sought-after effects of substances like alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and THC, they are less knowledgeable about what these substances really do to the body as a whole. Andrew Lokuta, an instructor in Human Physiology, discusses how the most commonly abused substances affect the body’s systems. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at . More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at . The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent...
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"The Partnership to End Addiction" with Pat Aussem
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
There is always a new drug, a new emerging crisis that affects families and communities. Pat Aussem talks about The Partnership to End Addiction and their work of preventing and addressing substance use disorders by providing families, communities, and professionals with practical knowledge they can trust to support young people at-risk or struggling with addiction. Pat is the Vice President, Consumer Clinical Content Development at the Partnership to End Addiction. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is licensed in New York as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and in New...
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"You Shouldn’t Feel That Way" with Dr. Sarah Nasir
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
The stigma around mental health and/or substance use disorders often stymie a person’s willingness to talk about it and ask for help. Dr. Sarah Nasir talks about her holistic approach to addiction medicine and mental health and the obstacles people face, often from those who say they care the most about them. Dr. Nasir is a dual board-certified family medicine physician with a sub-specialty in addiction medicine. An alumna of UC Davis, she majored in Biological Systems Engineering and later pursued her passion for medicine at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently, as...
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"Life is Wonderful Now" with Dennis Farmer
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
The adage “three strikes and you’re out” too often is applied to getting help for substance use disorders and mental health. But not at The Bridge House/Grace House in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dennis Farmer was in and out of the program four times before he found long-term recovery. He talks about that recovery and his unique job at Bridge House/Grace House: he runs their used car lot. Dennis went from living under a bridge to working for Bridge House. Dennis and Bridge House/Grace House can be reached at Treatment | Bridge House/Grace House (). The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality...
info_outlineThe mental health and substance use disorders that challenge veterans are not unusual, and they occasionally lead to homelessness. Recently in Wisconsin, funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) was removed from the two-year state budget, and, as a result, two transitional homes for veterans were closed. Wisconsin State Senator Jeff Smith has introduced legislation to reopen — and keep open — those homes. He discusses those efforts, political obstacles, and other issues around mental health and substance use disorders that veterans are facing. Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) currently serves as the 31st Senate District State Senator and is the Senate Democratic Assistant Leader. He also serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health. Senator Smith can be reached at Senator Jeff Smith | Senate District 31.
The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin.
More information about the federal response to the ongoing opiate crisis can be found at One Pill Can Kill.
The views and opinions of the guests on this podcast are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily represent those of the host or Westwords Consulting.
We're always interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who are working in substance use disorder treatment or prevention, mental health care and other spaces that lift up communities. This includes people living those experiences. If you or someone you know has a story to share or an interesting approach to care, contact us today!
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