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 s...
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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 s...
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 s...
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 tha...
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, describin...
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 grand...
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 ar...
Radical responsibility involves accepting your current life situation without judgment and taking ownership of your power to make changes. This transformative approach helps you break free from shame and victim mentality while recognizing your capacity for growth and resilience. • Understanding radical acceptance means acknowledging your current situation without judgment • Taking ownership without blame creates empowerment rather than shame • Moving beyond victim mindset by healing past tra...
Send us a text Rejection and setbacks are inevitable parts of any meaningful journey, but they don't have to derail your progress. Drawing from personal experience as a former felon who overcame addiction and depression to become a respected professor, I share how embracing rejection transformed my life and can change yours too. The core message is refreshingly simple yet powerful: "I've heard 'no' more than I've heard 'yes,' but I don't let it stop me." This mindset shift creates what I cal...
Send us a text What legacy are we leaving for our children? In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my chaotic childhood marked by neglect, abuse, and a revolving door of father figures – sharing the picture of myself as a small boy that now sits in my empty guest chair. Drawing from my experiences as both a victim of generational trauma and someone who's worked to break those cycles, I explore how our earliest experiences shape our approaches to parenting and relationships. Childre...
Send us a text In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. David Douglas interviews his wife Katrina Douglas about their journey together, her passion for preschool education, and the wisdom she's gained through 26 years of recovery. • David and Katrina met in 2001 and were friends for nearly a decade before becoming life partners • Their relationship is built on teamwork, fun, and happiness • Katrina owns and operates Sunflower Preschool, where she prioritizes social-emotional learning before acade...
Send us a text "Just keep going." These three simple words carry profound weight in Sarah Cannon's world, whether she's pushing through mile 34 of a 50-mile ultramarathon or reflecting on her journey from substance abuse to recovery. In this raw and hopeful conversation, Dr. D sits down with his longtime friend Sarah to explore the remarkable transformation they've both undergone since their shared days of active addiction in 2006. Back then, they were staying up for days, making impulsive d...
Send us a text Dr. D welcomes his son Tyler as the podcast's first-ever guest, discussing their parallel journeys through addiction and recovery, the transformative power of family support, and the mindsets that helped them navigate life's darkest moments. • Tyler works as a prevention specialist in schools, providing substance use support for youth • Recovery mindsets: "just keep fucking going" and "everything's gonna work out" • The pivotal moment when Tyler asked his father to take ...
Send us a text What if your dreams aren't too big, but your habits just need to catch up? Dr. David Douglas challenges the false choice between having ambitious dreams and being realistic. Drawing from his remarkable journey from high school dropout and addiction to earning his doctorate and building a life of recovery, he shares a powerful framework for turning visions into reality. Dreams serve as fuel, but without structure, they inevitably stall. The bridge between fantasy and reality is...
Send us a text What happens when the dominant approach to addiction treatment hasn't fundamentally changed since the 1950s? Drawing from personal experience both as a patient and professional in the field, I take you behind the curtain of America's addiction treatment system to reveal why our current approaches often fail those who need help most. The standard 28-day treatment model represents just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to effective recovery support. Research clearly shows tha...
Send us a text Ever notice how we celebrate the triumphant comeback moments but rarely acknowledge the silent struggles that made them possible? This raw, powerful exploration reveals the hidden truth behind every transformation story - the comeback is built in the dark. When you're halfway through the marathon with no cheering crowd, when you're studying alone while others socialize, when you're maintaining sobriety one quiet day at a time - that's where the real work happens. We unpack why...
Send us a text Every transformational journey begins with a single moment of clarity. For Dr. D, that clarity came in the most unexpected way – lying on the floor of a Tacoma dope house as bullets riddled the walls above. Growing up on the streets of Tacoma with a single mother raising four children wasn't easy. After dropping out of high school, accidentally joining the military, and years of substance abuse, Dr. D's life changed direction when his sister bailed him out of Pierce County Jai...
Send us a text "I didn't always get fatherhood right. In fact, for a time I wasn't even in the game, but I'm still here and that counts for something." The journey through fatherhood rarely comes with clear directions, especially for those of us who grew up without strong paternal role models. In this raw, heartfelt Father's Day episode, I share my own winding path from determined young dad to absent addict to present, accountable father and grandfather. When my son was born nearly 35 years...
Send us a text "The scars I carry aren't shameful. They're someone else's survival guide." This powerful philosophy has guided my journey from high school dropout to university professor, from jail cells to a life of purpose and meaning. But why do I share these painful chapters so openly? Authentic vulnerability creates bridges where isolation once stood. For those who've experienced trauma, addiction, incarceration, or profound failures, hearing another's story of transformation can ignite...
Send us a text Setting boundaries and learning to say "no" is a crucial skill that enables personal growth and protects mental well-being. This transformative practice allows us to reclaim our time and energy while still maintaining healthy relationships with others. • Saying "no" doesn't mean you're unhelpful or a bad person—it means you value your time and energy • Using your calendar strategically helps prevent overcommitment • "No" is a complete sentence—you don't need to explain your bo...
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when a life-threatening moment forces you to see your reality through new eyes? That's exactly what happened one December night in the mid-90s when bullets ripped through a Tacoma dope house where I was staying. Had we been upstairs in our usual spot, I wouldn't be here to share this story with you today. My journey from the streets of Tacoma to where I am now wasn't pretty. Dropping out of high school, accidentally ending up in the military, and str...
Send us a text The Douglas Method proposes a revolutionary approach to substance use disorder treatment that respects individual paths to recovery, challenging the outdated one-way Minnesota Model that has dominated for 75 years. • The traditional Minnesota Model of treatment created in the 1950s still forms the foundation of most substance use treatment programs today • Many people are shamed when the standard 12-step approach doesn't work for them, rather than being offered alternatives • ...
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 s...
