"Always At Choice -- Coping With Grief and Loss" with Larry Freeborg
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Release Date: 03/25/2026
"Strong Fathers Making Healthy Homes" with Joshua Legg
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Joshua Legg says his goal is always the same: to equip men with tools that strengthen families and lighten the load for the professionals who serve them. Joshua Legg is the proprietor of Joshua Legg Coaching. He provides pastoral care and mental health coaching and serves as Chair of The Papillion Center for FASD in Tennessee. He is focused on helping men grow into their full potential through a supportive yet challenging approach. With a strong understanding of FASDs and early life adversity, he is committed to fostering healing in men and their families. Joshua can be reached at . The...
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"Closing the Gap Between Knowing and Doing" with Jeanne Foot
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
What keeps us stuck in a place that is unhealthy when we know we need to move? Jeanne Foot discusses the bridge between “knowing and doing.” Jeanne is the founder and CEO of The Recovery Concierge, a premier service for mental health, addiction recovery, trauma healing, and peak performance. In addition to her own lived experience, she holds credentials as an International Certified Alcohol & Drug Counsellor. Jeanne is also the host of the terrific podcast “Naturally High.” Jeanne’s work and information can be found at . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at ....
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"GLP-1 Drugs, Promise and Performance" with Dr. Kim Dennis
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
GLP-1 drug ads for weight loss are everywhere. The drugs, also, are now being studied for use in substance use disorder treatment and mental health disorders. Dr. Kim Dennis discusses GLP-1 receptor agonists and her work with treating eating disorders, addiction, trauma, and multi-occurring disorders. Dr. Dennis is the co-founder, CEO, and Chief Medical Officer at SunCloud Health. A board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in treating eating disorders, addiction, trauma, and multi-occurring disorders, she believes in and maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry,...
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"It’s Not Your Grandfather’s Beer Anymore" with Melissa Moore
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
In order to increase sales in a sagging alcoholic beverage market, the alcohol companies have expanded their product line to include a multitude of alcohol-infused products, from sodas to teas. Melissa Moore discusses the marketing of alcoholic beverages and the young market being targeted. Melissa is a Certified Prevention Specialist and Owner & Trainer of M3 Consulting LG. Melissa has over 25 years of experience in public health prevention, community engagement, and coalition building—especially in rural settings. She’s based in Medford, Wisconsin. Melissa can be contacted at The...
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"Modern-Day Snake Oil" with Michelle Sandberg
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
There are many products, regulated and unregulated, sold over the counter that contain substances that can contribute to addiction. Michelle Sandberg, the Executive Director of the Hope Council in Kenosha, Wisconsin, discusses these products, sold everywhere from vape shops to convenience stores. Michelle also talks about the challenges that communities and organizations like the Hope Council face in an effort to intervene and offer help. Michelle and the Hope Council can be reached at . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at . More information about the federal response to...
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"Where Are We? Opioids and Options" with Dr. Sterling Elliott
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Dr. Sterling Elliott talks about where we are with the ongoing opioid crisis, pain management, and available unregulated pseudo-pharmaceutical combinations available in smoke shops and gas stations. Dr. Elliott is the Clinical Pharmacist Lead for Ambulatory Surgery Practice at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) in Chicago, Illinois. He specializes in matters related to post-operative pain management in ambulatory surgeries. Dr. Elliott’s expertise on patient-centered pain management education and harm reduction efforts has been featured on numerous Chicago, as well as national print,...
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"Life By Design, Not By Default" with Jeanne Foot
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Jeanne Foot doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Using evidence-based therapeutic methods, she works with her clients to create a recovery path that works for their lifestyles. Jeanne is the founder and CEO of The Recovery Concierge, a premier service for mental health, addiction recovery, trauma healing, and peak performance. In addition to her own lived experience, she holds credentials as an International Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Jeanne is also the host of the terrific podcast “Naturally High.” Jeanne’s work and information can be found at . ...
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"A Place to Recover" with Jim Boad
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Finding a place to live once someone is in recovery is often a challenge. Jim Boad has addressed that challenge through initiative and expertise. Jim is a Pacific Coast entrepreneur helping others to open and scale profitable, sustainable group homes and sober living facilities. Jim and his business can be reached at . The State of Wisconsin's Dose of Reality campaign is at . More information about the federal response to the ongoing opioid 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...
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"We Do Better When We Know Better" with Barb Clark
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
As a hidden brain injury, FASD can manifest in ways that often lead to challenging behaviors, which can feel overwhelming for caregivers relying on traditional parenting strategies. Making it even more difficult is knowing where to get an accurate diagnosis and help. Barb Clark is the Founder and CEO of FASD Mosaic where she provides coaching, training, and consulting on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), trauma, neurodivergence, and challenging behaviors. Barb is the author of a fabulous book, “Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family to Thrive!”...
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"Proof Alliance, Addressing FASDs" with Mollie O’Brien
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) affect up to 1 in 20 people and is particularly prevalent among young people in the adoption and fostering system. As a hidden brain injury, FASDs can manifest in ways that often lead to challenging behaviors, which makes diagnosis and intervention challenging. Mollie O’Brien, the Executive Director of Proof Alliance in St. Paul, Minnesota, discusses FASDs and how, through community, collaboration, and education, they work to create lasting change and improve outcomes for those impacted by an FASD. Proof Alliance can be contacted at . The State of...
info_outlineWe 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 important. Larry’s book and contact information can be found at alwaysatchoice.net.
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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