Hear the incredible story of Bobby Schmalz. 

Chicago North Side Career Criminal with a severe heroin addiction while incarcerated in Cook county jail and the Illinois Department of corrections went through Drug and Alcohol program, by the Grace of God he's been clean since 1989 and a pillar of the community.

Theo Fleury is perhaps best known for his time on the ice. But off the rink, his life once carried the markings of a troubled childhood, abuse and coping with emotional pain through addictive and self-destructive behaviors.

Today, Theo defines himself as a victor over trauma and addiction, and a facilitator to those still trying to find their way. His best-selling books, Playing with Fire and Conversations with a Rattlesnake, encourage open sharing and provide practical tools that people seeking help can personally use. These tools are also useful to those who want to lead a productive conversation, called “Real Conversations”, with anybody else experiencing trauma.

Jennie Ketcham (Crooks), LMHC, MSW, is the author of "I am Jennie," was a contributor on Huffington Post, and has been a guest contributor to The New York Times. 

She's appeared on a variety of news and daytime television shows ranging from Oprah and Headline News to Extra! and The View, two reality T.V. shows (Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew, and Sober House with Dr. Drew), and numerous radio shows and podcasts. Jennie is also a retired pornographic film actress and director.

Michael Gonzales was first introduced to A&E’s Intervention when he was spending years confined to a prison cell.

But Michael has a story that began long before the years he spent at Florence State Prison. His solitary confinement cell is where his recovery journey began. Living proof that success, happiness and sobriety is not about resources, Michael has dedicated his life to be of service to others. To show those who are struggling that hopelessness does not exist, that no condition is permanent, and that every life is deserving of a second chance.

Michael is a Certified Intervention Professional and has trained extensively under some of the most respected minds in the industry. He is proud to have been mentored and trained by Ken Seeley, Jamie Eater and Rick Parrish of Sober Escorts, Inc., and the late John Southworth and Susan Rosovsky. Additionally, Michael is a member of the Association of Intervention Specialists, a Certified Trauma Professional in training, and is certified by the Crisis Prevention Institute in nonviolent crisis intervention.

Darren Prince, International Best Selling author of his memoir “Aiming High” is a prominent sports and celebrity agent and global advocate for addiction and recovery. Through his agency, Prince Marketing Group, he represents icons such as Magic Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Charlie Sheen, Dennis Rodman, Chevy Chase, Denise Richards, Carmen Electra, the late Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali and Evel Knievel to name a few.

As a leading authority in this space, his insights have been featured in WSJ, NYT, USA Today, CNN, Fox and Friends, Tucker Carlson and Dr. OZ. From selling his first business at 19 to building a multimillion-dollar talent agency, Darren has experience what life is like in the celebrity world. Unfortunately, he also saw the dark reality of addiction through his own personal struggle. After over 12 years of sobriety, it’s now Darren’s mission to help others avoid and break free from addiction.

Through his new cause, he has become a sought-after speaker on addiction recovery and mental health. He specializes in helping high functioning addicts and at-risk executives to identity and avoid the pitfalls of addiction and working with teens of self esteem and self worth.

Eddie LeShure | A Mindful Emergence

Eddie LeShure is a fully licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Yoga Instructor, Meditation Teacher, Certified Peer Support Specialist and person in long-term recovery. His primary passion is bringing trauma-sensitive, evidence-based, somatic mindfulness and self-compassion practices to those recovering from substance misuse and eating disorders, individuals experiencing spiritual emergency, and anyone dealing with the effects of trauma

Eddie's personal journey took him deep into the throes of active addiction and incarceration on a drug arrest. His two years behind bars were mostly spent in the notorious Attica Prison where he survived a rebellion in 1971 that killed 43 inmates and employees. Like so many others who’ve been in active addiction, Eddie is a trauma survivor! His personal healing and recovery and how he works with others has always been guided by deep understanding and compassion. Since becoming a counselor, Eddie has taught and led groups in numerous treatment and recovery facilities and guided numerous series classes, workshops, and retreats. He has also worked with many individuals one-on-one, both online and face-to-face. He regularly presents workshops at conferences addressing addiction recovery, plus teaches mindfulness practices to professionals within mental health facilities.

William “Bill” Stauffer

Public Policy Recovery Advocate

Bill Stauffer | Wanderings | a Recovery Blog | Pennsylvania

William Stauffer LSW, CADC, CCS William Stauffer is the Executive Director of Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance (PRO-A), the statewide recovery organization of Pennsylvania. He is in long-term recovery for over 3 decades and has been actively engaged in public policy in the recovery arena across that span. He has developed and facilitated training as part of the Faces & Voices of Recovery National Training Institute, including training for Virtual Recovery Support Services (VRSS).

He has written collaboratively with addiction and recovery writer Bill White and the first Director of NIDA Dr Robert DuPont. He is an adjunct professor of Social Work at Misericordia University in Dallas Pennsylvania. Mr Stauffer has initiated numerous workforce expansion initiatives and a major focus of his work has been aimed at moving our SUD care system towards a five-year care paradigm to dramatically expand the numbers of Americans in recovery. He ran a recovery house taskforce for the Pennsylvania that helped inform PA Act 59 of 2017.

In 2018, he testified in front of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging on the opioid epidemic and older adults, and in 2019, he conducted a hearing with the PA House Human Services Committee to expand recovery opportunities for young people. He also testified at a hearing in PA in front of the House Human Services Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on SUD treatment and recovery efforts in the state of PA.

Read his insights and musings at https://www.billstauffer.net/

In this episode, special guest, Monty Meyer, “Monty Man”, walks us through his addiction and recovery and what has lead to a 2-decade recovery radio show of hope.

“Monty Man”, was addicted to acceptance, booze, meth and the streets and everything that comes with it for 18 years. But God had a better life for him.  Now the CEO and Executive Producer of KHLT Recovery broadcasting, Take12 Recovery Radio Shows, and Education Coordinator at the Adult & Teen Challenge Recovery Center in Linn County, Oregon.

With over 30 years of experience on the Pastoral Staff of local congregations and drug & alcohol services, Monty’s primary work is to help those through the process of recovery. 

Learn more about Monty's approach at https://www.sponsortosponsor.com/index.html