"Who I’m Becoming" with Jonathan Schwartz
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Release Date: 03/18/2026
"Shouting Into the Darkness" with Matthew Laughrin
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Matthew Laughrin wrote his memoir, “,” while incarcerated. On March 1, 2009, Matthew woke to a police tactical team bursting into his home. He was arrested for the fatal drug overdose of a teenage girl who had died in his house the previous evening while he was asleep. His book chronicles the decisions and missteps he took that led to that day. Matthew’s book, “Shouting into the Darkness: Life as a Mentally Ill Drug Addict in the 21st Century,” can be found on Amazon. The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at . More information about the federal response to the...
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"Does Rehab Really Work" with Jim Savage
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Rehab is a word used to describe everything from a short detox to a long residential stay. Jim Savage discusses what constitutes rehab and what makes for a successful program. Jim is the owner of Rehab Works! Family Support Program and Jim Savage Consulting. He is the author of “Rehab Works! A Parent’s Guide to Drug Treatment” and a new ebook, “Sobriety Doesn’t Have To Suck: A Guide To Finding Happiness, Excitement, And Spiritual Fulfillment In Recovery.” Jim has been helping individuals and families in recovery for over three decades. Jim’s contact information, video series,...
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"We’re Not A Car Wash" with Joe Henderson
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
It is safe to say that addiction and mental health services are needed across the country and that providing those services, while incredibly rewarding, is also extremely challenging. Joe Henderson, the Founder and CEO of Sierra Health + Wellness Centers and the Elijah House Foundation in California, talks about those rewards and challenges. His approach to Addiction Treatment centers on identity reconstruction, stigma reduction, and community-based healing. Joe is a skilled and passionate leader who has direct oversight of all aspects of Sierra Health + Wellness. Sierra Health + Wellness can...
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"Hunger for More in Life" with JD Tremblay
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Everyone copes with depression and life stress differently. JD Tremblay coped by pushing his body athletically to limits few ever experience. Tremblay is the Director of Human Performance at Hungry Warrior Academy, a Canadian human performance specialist, Naturopathic practitioner, Integrated Engineering graduate, and military veteran with over a decade of service. He is also the author of “Hunger for More in Life.” In his spare time, JD serves as a firefighter and is an ultra-endurance athlete recognized worldwide for numerous extreme endurance achievements. JD’s contact information and...
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"The World Deserves Your Gift" with Harvie Herrington
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Harvie Herrington is a former college and pro football player now dedicated to helping youth and adults overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. He is a motivational speaker, trainer, and author. His inspirational presentations focus on diversity, self-leadership, overcoming adversity, and metabolic health. His book, “80/20 Rule: Removing the Friction From Your Life to Become a Better Athlete,” discusses the physical and mental dedication it takes to succeed. Harvie’s contact information is at . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at . More information about the...
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"Less Stress" with Dr. Gary Sprouse
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Stress is a common concern across all ages and demographics. It causes some to seek relief by engaging in destructive behaviors. Dr. Gary Sprouse, or as he is better known across the country, “The Less Stress Doc,” discusses how he helps clients alleviate the stress in their lives with the goal of living in their Happy Place. Dr. Sprouse is a former primary care physician from Maryland who retired from private practice after 38 years. He is the author of the award-winning books, "Highway to Your Happy Place: A Roadmap to Less Stress" and "Mindset Matters." He also has developed his Stress...
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"Apricity, Whole Life Recovery" with Michelle Devine Giese, Dan Haak, and Jolie VerVoort
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
In 2018, STEP Industries and The Mooring Programs merged to become Apricity, a progressive recovery community in Wisconsin. The leadership team brought to life the vision of a one-of-a-kind recovery organization that offers treatment, employment, transitional living, and education. Michelle Devine Giese, the CEO of Apricity, Dan Haak, the President of Apricity Contract Packaging and Recovery Support, and Jolie VerVoort, the President of Residential Treatment Services, discuss their unique, innovative program of recovery, work, and support. Apricity can be reached at . The State of Wisconsin's...
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"Both Can Be True" with Jessica Guerrieri
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Recovery, like life, is full of what seems like contradictions. Love and resentment, passion and despair. Jessica Guerrieri details the complexities of recovery brilliantly in her new novel, “Both Can Be True.” Jessica is a writer and novelist who lives in Northern California with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education, Jessica left the field to pursue a career in writing and raise her children. With over a decade of sobriety, she is a fierce advocate for addiction recovery. In this podcast, she discusses her recovery and her new book, ”Both Can Be...
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"Always At Choice -- Coping With Grief and Loss" with Larry Freeborg
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
We may not be able to choose the circumstances we’re in, but we always have a choice regarding how we respond. That is just one of the life lessons Larry Freeborg talks about in his book, “Always At Choice: Strategies for Moving on After the Death of a Spouse or Life Trauma.” Larry was forty years old when his wife died from acute leukemia on the day after Christmas. He became a widower with four young children. Larry started his life over during a recession, with no job, no money, and no partner to help him raise his children. He discusses what he learned, what helped, and what’s...
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"Who I’m Becoming" with Jonathan Schwartz
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Jonathan Schwartz was at the top of his game serving as a business manager to celebrities including Beyonce, Alanis Morisette, Gwenyth Paltrow, Mariah Carey, Linkin Park, and others. But he kept a dark secret: he was a compulsive gambler and cocaine addict. Over the course of six years he embezzled over $7 million from his clients to fund these addictions. Jonathan’s criminal behavior earned him a six-year sentence in prison. He returned to society in 2020, went back to school, and got a degree in alcohol & other drug counseling, followed by an advanced degree as a therapist. Today, he...
info_outlineJonathan Schwartz was at the top of his game serving as a business manager to celebrities including Beyonce, Alanis Morisette, Gwenyth Paltrow, Mariah Carey, Linkin Park, and others. But he kept a dark secret: he was a compulsive gambler and cocaine addict. Over the course of six years he embezzled over $7 million from his clients to fund these addictions. Jonathan’s criminal behavior earned him a six-year sentence in prison. He returned to society in 2020, went back to school, and got a degree in alcohol & other drug counseling, followed by an advanced degree as a therapist. Today, he makes a living as the Director of Programing at Altus Rehab, a top-tier, luxury treatment facility in Encino, California. Find Jonathan on Instagram.
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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