Grief rarely arrives with warning, and it never follows your schedule. When Rebeka lost her partner Ryan to COVID in two weeks, the world didn’t pause—her son started school days later, bills still came due, and a house full of everyday artifacts turned into a living museum of memory. What followed wasn’t a dramatic “comeback” but a series of small, honest choices: spiral-notebook task lists, a friend who ran interference when words failed, a school counselor who checked in, and a resolve to keep showing up even when the feelings didn’t have names yet.

We sit with the details most stories skip. Rebeka shares how she left his beard stubble in the sink for months, why calendars and routines became a lifeline for a neurodivergent household, and how recovery tools—daily inventories, making amends, honest self-inquiry—translate into sustainable grief practices. She talks about parenting for two without pretending to be two people, inviting safe men into her son’s world, and using technology to keep a father’s voice alive. We dig into what helps the bereaved—specific offers, presence, community—and what harms: assumptions, timelines, and tidy clichés.

The conversation also flips the script as Rebeka interviews me about becoming “Dr. D.” It’s an unlikely path fueled by mentors, persistence, and the simple discipline of not quitting for long. From early coursework to a bruising dissertation phase, the lesson mirrors Rebecca’s: you can do hard things when your people hold you steady and you allow the plan to evolve. Together we map a humane blueprint for anyone facing loss, recovery, or a life that no longer matches the plan—feel what you feel, write it down, ask for help, keep the small promises, and choose meaning over avoidance.

If this resonated, tap follow, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find honest conversations about grief, recovery, and raising good humans.

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Ever wonder what leadership looks like when compassion isn’t a buzzword but the operating system? I sit down with Brandi Amundsen, who went from LA’s intensity to the Ellensburg community and now leads Peers Rising, a recovery nonprofit built on connection, clarity, and real accountability. Her story moves from culture shock in grocery lines to the quiet confidence of a team that shows up for people every day without judgment—and without toxicity.

Brandi opens up about stepping into leadership, battling burnout, and learning to celebrate wins instead of racing past them. We dig into her approach to building a healthy team: hire for heart and professionalism, keep boundaries clear, apologize when you mess up, and make accountability a gift. You’ll hear the strategy behind Peers Rising’s rapid growth and why the next chapter is intentional consolidation—tightening programs, refining systems, and creating a dedicated space for teens who deserve respect, structure, and room to be heard.

At the center is a simple recovery truth: compassion opens the door; accountability helps you walk through it. If you’re overwhelmed by the long road ahead, Brandi’s advice is to look at your feet and take the next indicated step. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, navigating sobriety, or just trying to be a steadier human, this conversation offers practical tools and real hope. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review—then tell us: what’s your next step today?

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The glossy highlight reel hides a harder truth: most of us are fighting battles no one can see. This solo deep dive gets honest about adversity—what it feels like to lose your footing, how shame isolates, and why the way back is built from small, stubborn choices. I share the moments that reshaped my life, from a failing sub shop and a beloved dog’s diagnosis to standing in the same courtroom years later as my felonies were vacated. The thread tying it all together is simple and repeatable: start where your feet are, separate who you are from what you’ve done, and let consistency outrun confidence.

We dig into practical tools you can use today. A one‑minute grounding routine to steady your mind. A language shift that turns “I’m a failure” into “I’m learning from failure.” The power of showing up when it’s awkward and letting community carry you when your own belief wobbles. I walk through the pink cloud of early wins and the harder, second‑year work of building a life that lasts—paying off debts, making amends, returning to school at 41, and learning to trust daily wins more than fireworks.

Three truths become the backbone of this conversation: shame isolates while connection heals, grit is built in the small choices no one sees, and hope is contagious. When you rise, others rise with you. If your flame feels dim, borrow light from your people until yours returns. End each day naming one thing that went right. Turn pain into purpose by sharing your story, because someone out there needs your map. Ready to trade shame for momentum and take one honest step forward? Press play, subscribe for more weekly deep dives, and leave a review to tell us the next right action you’re taking today.

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Some stories don’t just turn corners; they redraw the map. Zaire joins us to share how she rebuilt a life from the ground up: eight years sober, a single mom of two, and a graduate student on the path to becoming a school psychologist. What began with survival—sleeping outside, losing custody for a time, clawing back trust—grew into a steady life shaped by boundaries, spiritual surrender, and an open-eyed commitment to her kids.

We get real about the “pink cloud,” the quiet work of staying sober after the glow fades, and the power of remembering pain without living in it. Zaire talks through learning to say no without guilt, shifting from eldest-child fixer to a mom who models self-respect, and standing up to an overreaching supervisor by creating graduate assistant guidelines so no one else has to burn out in silence. It’s a masterclass in self-care as service.

The turning point toward school psychology came from the other side of the table. Before any diagnosis, a school psychologist recognized her son’s needs and opened the door to services that transformed his early education. That moment reframed labels as keys, not cages. We explore what school psychs actually do—evaluation, intervention, family partnership, and building equitable systems that adapt to children. It’s behind-the-scenes work that changes trajectories.

Threaded through is a bigger theme: breaking generational cycles. The teen leaning into Running Start, the first grader with the right supports, the mom who shows up with presence rather than perfection—these are milestones of a new family story. If you’ve ever wondered whether small steps matter, this conversation says yes. Do the next right thing, pause when you want to control everything, and don’t stop before the miracle happens.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. Your support helps us bring real voices and real tools to more ears.

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Some stories turn on a single dramatic moment. Ours turns on tacos, a phone call from law enforcement, and a walk to buy shoes that fit. From there, Justin’s path moves from a street nickname and 90-day ceilings to three years sober, a full keyring of trust, and a new role leading Peers Rising’s Yakima office. We talk about the early days when treatment almost didn’t stick, the two-week click that changed the slope of recovery, and the longest conversation he ever had with his son—the one that re-centered everything.

We pull back the curtain on how peer support works when it starts with hospitality, not hurdles. Walk in, grab coffee, use a computer, take a breath, leave if that’s all you’ve got today. No gatekeepers. No shame. That open-door stance turns suspicion into curiosity and makes space for real asks: a gas card to get to court, help with a resume, a treatment referral, or simply a place to unload the weight. We explore the role of behavioral health court and counseling in creating structure, and why tiny routines—meetings, walks, journaling, one line of reading—are enough to keep momentum when motivation is thin.

We also share a bigger vision for the future: treatment without arbitrary clocks and a full-time bridge program that pairs job skills with daily self-esteem work, so purpose becomes a practice rather than a promise. Along the way, you’ll hear gratitude for the people who made a difference—ex-spouses who reopened the door, officers who chose a call over cuffs, and peers who refused to give up. If you or someone you love feels stuck, this conversation is a hand on your shoulder saying: hang on; waking up means there’s still a chance. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more people find a way forward.

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Standing at the intersection of farming and recovery, Andy Rosbach embodies quiet resilience. As a fourth-generation hay farmer tending the same Ellensburg land his Danish great-grandfather claimed in 1894, Andy's roots run deeper than most. But beneath this rich agricultural heritage lies a powerful recovery story that transformed not just his life, but his relationship with the land itself.

"When I'm using, that's all I'm thinking about. I cannot do anything else," Andy reflects, describing his journey to 17 years clean after battling addiction that once threatened everything. His candid account reveals how recovery principles revolutionized his approach to farming's inherent challenges – from unpredictable weather to economic pressures. Where once he might have fixated on problems, he now cultivates gratitude: "I try to live my life 90% grateful and 10% worried about the problems."

The conversation weaves through varied territory as Andy describes how motorcycling became therapeutic meditation. "There's something about being on the bike that quiets the brain," he explains. "I was trying to do with drugs what riding now does without the negative side effects." These rides – often shared with friends in recovery – create a unique brotherhood that transcends words. The parallel between the freedom of the open road and the liberation of recovery becomes beautifully apparent.

Perhaps most inspiring is Andy's message for those still struggling: whatever you think impossible is likely within reach. "If you're miserable in your life and say 'I'm done with this' and start today, a year from now you can be somewhere completely different." This wisdom extends beyond addiction to anyone seeking meaningful change. The key lies in developing a plan, doing the work, and persisting through setbacks – a farming philosophy that translates perfectly to personal growth.

Join us for this authentic conversation about heritage, healing, and how recovery principles can transform even the most challenging aspects of life. Whether you're facing your own struggles or simply curious about how different worlds intersect, Andy's story offers practical wisdom cultivated from both the soil and the soul.

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What happens when a driven business owner finally confronts the question: "Why am I drinking a fifth of vodka every day when I have a great business, a great wife, and a great kid?" In this candid conversation, third-generation business owner Kori Winegar takes us through his remarkable journey from dairy farm to coffee shop empire to sobriety.

Kori shares the fascinating evolution of his family business, which began in 1956 as one of Ellensburg's 100 dairy farms. Working alongside his grandfather from age eight, he learned the relentless work ethic of 365-day-a-year farming before the family pivoted to coffee shops and ice cream production. The transition wasn't just business—it was personal too, as Corey eventually had to confront his growing dependence on alcohol.

The heart of this episode explores Kori's unconventional path to quitting alcohol. For four months, he secretly participated in a program before telling his wife, battling shame and questioning his identity. Rather than adopting traditional recovery language or frameworks, Kori forged his own understanding—rejecting labels like "alcoholic" and embracing personal accountability. "I'm not afraid of alcohol," he explains. "I just don't need it anymore."

Six and a half years later, Kori reflects on the profound changes in his life—greater patience, deeper presence with his family, and a newfound confidence. His advice to listeners questioning their own relationship with substances is powerfully simple: "If you're questioning it, stop questioning and start answering." His story reminds us that freedom comes not from fighting constant battles against our demons, but from understanding why we needed those substances in the first place.

Ready to explore your own relationship with alcohol or other substances? This episode offers wisdom without judgment, hope without platitudes, and practical insights from someone who's walked the path. Subscribe now and join the conversation about authentic living, personal growth, and finding freedom from what no longer serves you.

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What happens when an artist decides to cancel his "Blacking Out Downtown Show" for good? In this deeply authentic conversation, local Ellensburg artist Jason Clifton marks six months of sobriety by sharing the unexpected freedom he's discovered in living alcohol-free.

From his roots as a California skateboarder who found his way to the Pacific Northwest in 1990, Jason takes us through his evolution as an artist, musician, and community fixture. His unique artistic approach combines street art techniques with fine art sensibilities, resulting in distinctive works created through hand-cut stencils and spray paint. Having painted eleven murals throughout Ellensburg and run various skateboard shops over the years, Jason's creative presence has been woven into the fabric of the community for decades.

The heart of this conversation explores how Jason's relationship with sobriety has transformed his experience of life and art. Rather than viewing sobriety as restrictive, he describes it as a "superpower" that allows him to move through social spaces with newfound freedom and lightness. A pivotal DMT experience helped him recognize how he carried the weight of others' perceived judgments—a realization that eventually extended to understanding how alcohol similarly controlled aspects of his life. Most compelling is Jason's observation that when we fill our lives with purpose—whether through creative expression, skateboarding, or meaningful relationships—substances naturally lose their appeal.

For anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol or seeking deeper understanding about recovery, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective that goes beyond conventional narratives. It's not about fighting against substances but about reclaiming agency and allowing awareness to become the pilot instead of letting the body run the show. As Jason puts it, "I just gave up on believing and I just operate on what I know to be true."

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