Join host Heather Venegas for a raw and inspiring episode as she sits down with Juju Pearce and Johnny Ohta to share their powerful journeys through addiction, homelessness, and ultimately, recovery. Juju bravely recounts her experience growing up in foster care, facing early exposure to substance use, and the challenges of navigating relapse and recovery as an Indigenous young person in King County. She discusses the pivotal moment that sparked her road back to hope—and the crucial support from family, school, and recovery advocates that helped her find her way.

Johnny Ohta, a dedicated youth recovery specialist, joins the conversation to reflect on the realities and heartbreak facing today’s youth amid the fentanyl crisis. Together, Juju and Johnny highlight the importance of open communication, community support, and specialized resources like recovery high schools and parent peer groups. Listeners will come away with valuable insights into breaking stigma, the role of family in healing, and the boundless possibility of recovery—no matter the odds.

Resources from the episode:

• Learn more about Bridges Alternative Peer Group and Parent Support: https://www.bridgescolaternalternativepeergroup.com/

• Ryther Mental Health and Youth Programs: https://www.ryther.org/

• InterAgency Recovery Academy, King County’s Recovery High School: https://www.seattlerecoveryhs.org/

• University District Youth Center: https://www.dailyuw.com/article/university-district-youth-center-transitions-to-new-leadership-continues-serving-unhoused-youth-2025072

• Learn more about King County Recovery Coalition and the work they do ⁠here⁠: https://www.kcrecovery.org/

• The King County Recovery Coalition is a regional coalition of the Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA). Learn more about the WRA and the work they do ⁠here⁠: https://www.washingtonrecoveryalliance.org/

• If you are experiencing substance, use disorder, problem gambling, and/or a mental health challenge, please visit the ⁠Washington Recovery Helpline⁠ for resources and a 24-hour helpline: https://www.warecoveryhelpline.org/

King County Recovery Conversations is a podcast on a mission to celebrate recovery and help break the stigma of addiction and mental health. In each episode, policy experts, program professionals, and those with lived experience join host Heather Venegas to share stories of hope, resilience, and healing in our community. Together, we’ll learn about the various pathways to recovery – and the services and support systems available to anyone impacted by addiction and mental health. Whether you're someone seeking recovery, someone in recovery, a family member or friend, or a healthcare professional, this podcast is for you.

Connect with King County Recovery Coalition ⁠online⁠, on Facebook (⁠@KingCountyRecoveryCoalition⁠), or on YouTube (⁠@KingCountyRecoveryCoalition⁠).

If you have feedback or show ideas, contact host Heather Venegas at ⁠heather@kcrecovery.org⁠.

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/king-county-recovery/message