Episode 51: This weeks episode, Angie shares her own current personal struggles with outgrowing herself, outgrowing her old life. She recalls what each stage of growth has looked like in her recovery & healing journey over the last 4 years. Angie talks about how gaining gratitude & learning how to love herself played significant roles in the first 2 years. Looking back, she details what was important & necessary during each stage of growth; and how she’s got to where she is currently, in a stage of struggle, outgrowing her old life & refusing to continue accepting less in her life. In hindsight, Angie reminisces on it all & how it was and is all necessary. Everyone’s journey looks different. Divine timing is a real thing. Acceptance, trust & gratitude are incredibly integral aspects of everyone’s recovery journey. If you are just starting out your recovery & healing or have been in it for years, this episode will benefit your journey with incredibly helpful insights. Thank you so much for joining the Hope chase. :)) ox

Episode 50: Happy Birthday to The Hope Chase! Our first anniversary!! It’s officially been 1 year. For this weeks episode, in honor of our birthday, Angie has repurposed the very first episode that was published. Rock bottom versus consequences. Are they the same? Is it necessary to hit rock bottom in order to find recovery? Can you truly recover without experiencing any “real life” consequences from your addiction? What’s the difference? This week Angie shares her own personal rock bottom story, what her life looked like and how it took nearly 20 years of active addiction & experiencing consequences before hitting her actual bottom. She also gives her perspective on why it’s necessary to hit rock bottom in order to recover from addiction. Consequences & rock bottom are not synonymous. It is possible to find recovery without experiencing consequences but highly unlikely if you haven’t hit rock bottom. And in this episode, Angie explains why. If you just started your healing & recovery journey or have been in it for year, this episode has helpful insights that you & your journey will benefit from. Thank you so much for joining the Hope chase :) ox

Episode 49: This weeks episode is a conversation about finding purpose & setting goals in addiction recovery. Angie shares some breakthrough moments, some thoughts about her own 20 year active addiction & how the addiction became her purpose. While you may think that years of active addiction are “wasted years,” Angie discusses purpose & goal setting in recovery with a different perspective; and having different ways of seeing things leads to feeling gratitude for the time spent in active addiction. Perspective is everything. When we change our perspective on our own past, our own addiction, it becomes much easier to feel true gratitude for all of it. If you’ve been in your recovery & healing journey for years or just starting out, this episode provides you with helpful insights that will benefit your journey. Thank you for joining the Hope chase. :)) ox

Episode 48: This weeks episode is all about continuing the cycle of misery; the ultimate guide on how (or continue) to successfully ruin your life. Angie considers herself to be quite an expert on this subject, as she spent 20 years in active addiction, complete chaos and self destructive behavior. She goes through a list of things to do in order to effectively ruin your life. It can be incredibly difficult to absorb and take in information about bettering yourself, about recovery and healing, when you’re drowning in a life of misery. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to relate to the mess in another’s story. Angie goes through this list one by one, describing each, giving her own perspective & personal experience with each “life ruining” behavior. If you just started your addiction recovery and/or healing journey, or if you’ve been in it for years, this episode certainly has some helpful practical insights for you. Note: this episode contains satire & sarcasm, listener beware ;))) Thanks for joining the Hope chase ox

Episode 47: Happy New Year!! Another year has come and gone. Are you in the same place, the same circumstance, the same situation as this time last year? Are you feeling stuck and stagnant in your growth, progress & recovery? Are you sick of not seeing the changes you want to see in your life? Reflecting on this past year, what worked, what didn’t work & what we can do differently in 2024…the question is this: what is staying the same doing FOR you? This week, Angie tells you why it is you are not seeing those changes. She talks about the highs & lows of the podcast throughout 2023, and how stagnancy can really mean something else entirely. Angie also discusses some powerful insights as to why you are staying the same along with some practical tips to help break free from feeling stuck in achieving your goals. If you are just starting out your recovery journey or have been in it for years, you will certainly benefit from this episode. Thank you so much for joining the Hope chase :))

Episode 46: Do you hate the holiday season? Do you dread this time of year, every year? Holiday cheer, the lights, the music, the joy… Angie used to hate it all. For over 15 years, she wanted nothing to do with the holidays. She was a Grinch. Regardless of where you are in your addiction recovery journey, feeling miserable, irritable, annoyed, depressed & lonely during this time of year is quite common. This holiday hatred, combined with doing recovery, can be difficult to navigate. How did Angie end her own holiday misery? How did she go from the Grinch to feeling gratitude? This episode outlines 3 easy things Angie has done to completely break free from her own holiday misery, & in life in general. End the cycle of holiday hatred and misery. It sucks to be miserable. It’s exhausting. You can turn it around. You can learn to enjoy this time of year. This episode tells you how. If you are new to recovery or have been in it for years, this episode will provide incredible insights. Thank you for joining the Hope chase :))

Episode 45: This week, Angie discusses the topic of triggers & addiction recovery. Often times, triggers are associated with people, places & things. There’s so much talk about this topic; and it tends to be quite confusing. There aren’t any “things” that can make a person to use any substance. The decision to use comes from within. Angie explains a much easier way to identify & understand your triggers; and can be an integral part of creating long term recovery. You can regain control over your thoughts, emotions, and actions, empowering yourself to overcome triggers and embrace a life of recovery and overall wellness. Also, Angie discusses the concept of “Dry January” and why it can be very misleading. Along with a discussion about why non-alcoholic beverages are a scam & don’t align with the goals of living & healing in a life of recovery. If you just started your journey, or have been in it for years this episode will prove to be beneficial. The Hope Chase podcast aims to prove that a life of recovery is possible for anyone and everyone who wants it for themselves. We do recover ox

Episode 44: This week, The Hope Chase explores the profound connection between grief & addiction recovery. Angie shares her own lived experiences with grieving both of her parents while trying to navigate her own recovery journey. She offers insights into the challenges and triumphs that accompany these journeys. Grief and recovery often go hand in hand. It’s important to recognize our own strengths as it can be incredibly difficult to navigate the complex emotions of grief. Discover the power of self-discovery, growth, and finding a renewed sense of purpose as we navigate the path toward healing. If you are just starting your recovery (and grief) journey or have been in it for years, this episode is for you. Thank you for joining the Hope Chase. Ox

Episode 43: The holiday season can be a source of depression, anxiety & fear for some of us in addiction recovery. Trying to stay clean and sober, trying to survive the holidays without falling off track doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Getting through the holiday season can be difficult. It’s incredibly common to feel some discomfort & loneliness during this time of year. Angie shares some of her personal experiences throughout years of being incredibly depressed during the holidays to now, feeling gratitude for all of it. What can you do? Angie also shares some things that can help if you are struggling to navigate the holiday season. It doesn’t have to be difficult. Setting boundaries & practicing gratitude can help all of us get thorough to the other side. Just remember that it’s temporary. If you are just starting out on your recovery & healing journey or have been in it for years, you will benefit from the insights in this weeks episode. Thank you for joining the Hope chase. Ox

Episode 42: Is there something, a thought, a belief, a trait, that everyone with addiction has in common? Is there anything that connects us all?? This week, Angie discusses what she believes to be the one belief that all of us with addiction have within ourselves. We all think that we are incapable of handling life’s responsibilities. Thinking it’s impossible for us to live life like “normal people” do; living life on “life’s terms,” as they say. That alone has the connotation to it that life is “supposed to be” hard. As if life can’t ever be easy. Angie dives deep into what having this belief looks like, feels like & how it manifests in all areas our lives. Addiction is hard. Life doesn’t have to be. If you just started your recovery journey or have been in it for years, you will benefit from the insights in this episode. Thanks for joining the Hope chase :)

Episode 41: This week, Angie shares her own personal experiences with hitting her lowest bottom, how she got there & the beginning of her recovery journey. As she celebrates 4 years clean from her0in, Angie discusses why she never truly planned on getting clean. She talks about how her life didn’t change as she continued to create chaos in her life long after getting clean. Addiction & the act of using any substance is ultimately the symptom of something else within all of us who suffer from this disease. Once we put the substance down, it is necessary to do the work on ourselves in order to create a life that we don’t want to escape from. It is in doing the work on ourselves when we realize that WE are the lucky ones. We have the solution. All we have to do is put it into motion & continue to choose ourselves. If you are just beginning your recovery journey, or have been in it for years, this episode offers insights you will benefit from. Looking for Hope? Then The Hope Chase is the show for you. Ox

Episode 40: Early recovery is a crucial time in the process of overcoming addiction. When a better life is promised to us, then why is it so difficult to “just not use” & “do the right thing?” It's important to avoid certain common mistakes that can hinder your progress and undermine your efforts. In this podcast episode, Angie discusses some of the mistakes she made during early recovery. She shares her own mistakes in the hopes you can learn from them. There is no right or wrong way to “work” a recovery journey. Everyone is different. Generally speaking, however, there are certain things to NOT do. If you want to make your journey to recovery a successful one, this episode is for you.

Episode 39: In this episode, Angie dives into the topic of self-doubt and how it can affect your ability to see progress in your recovery. What do we do when we doubt our own abilities to truly change our lives for good? In recovery, doubt and uncertainty can often feel overwhelming. It's easy to feel like you're not making progress or that you're stuck in the same place. But it's important to remember that recovery is a journey, and progress isn't linear. Angie shares what works in her own recovery and healing journey; and explores the importance of celebrating small victories and recognizing progress, even when it may not feel significant. Whether you're just starting out in recovery or have been on the path for a while, this episode offers insights and inspiration to help you navigate doubt and continue making progress towards your goals. If you are looking for some Hope or proof that recovery is possible, The Hope Chase is the show for you.

Episode 38: In addiction recovery, it's common for people to be labeled as "addicts" or "alcoholics" and compared to others who are also struggling with addiction. Are you in AA or NA? Are you completely abstinent? Are you sober or clean? These labels can be limiting and damaging to one's self-esteem and progress, feeding into the comparison trap of the recovery community. It's important to understand that each person's journey towards recovery is unique, and comparing oneself to others can be counterproductive. Instead, embracing individuality and focusing on personal progress can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable recovery. This week, Angie explores the impact of labels and comparisons in addiction recovery and provides insights and strategies for breaking free from them. Angie shares her personal experiences and perspectives on this topic & discusses what she thinks is the only difference that matters in recovery. Whether you are just starting your recovery journey or have been in it for years, this episode will benefit you. Join the Hope chase each week for a dose of Hope & proof that recovery really is possible.

Episode 37: This week, Angie discusses how important it is in addiction recovery to listen to your body. In the process of recovery, it can be easy to get caught up in the expectations and guidelines set by others and society. Stop comparing. Start tuning in to yourself. It is important to remember that your body knows what it needs in order to heal and thrive. Listening to your body and better understanding its signals is an integral part in making informed decisions about your recovery journey. Angie shares how she still struggles with this topic, often ignoring her body’s signals. She talks about how she recently learned exactly how crucial it is to truly listen to what the body is trying to say. If you are new to recovery or have been in it for years, this episode can benefit you. If you need a dose of Hope, The Hope Chase Podcast is the show for you. Ox

Episode 36: This week, Angie explores the phenomenon of romanticizing memories in recovery. We often look back on our past experiences with a sense of nostalgia and fondness. Is it dangerous? It can be; it can lead us to minimize the negative consequences of our past behaviors and overlook the reasons why we made the decision to get clean and sober in the first place. But it doesn’t have to be dangerous. Grieving our old selves is okay and completely normal. How can we challenge these thoughts in a healthy way? Angie shares personal stories in remembering her own past and how it’s evolved over the years. She thinks it’s important to keep those memories close. We don’t have to completely let go of our past; our awareness & growth allows us to think of it with perspective. This episode sheds light on the importance of staying grounded in the present and maintaining a realistic perspective on our past experiences in order to continue growing and thriving in recovery. If you are new to recovery or have been in it for years, this episode will benefit you.

Episode 35: In this episode, Angie delves into the topic of codependency and addiction recovery. Codependency is a pattern of behavior where a person puts the needs of others before their own, often at the expense of their own happiness and well-being. Often times, codependency is used as a tactic to avoid looking at & working on ourselves. Combining a codependent relationship with addiction recovery is toxic & can hinder any progress towards recovery & healing. Angie shares insights on how she worked through codependent behaviors in herself and in her relationships. She shares her personal experiences from being in an incredibly codependent, dysfunctional relationship for years. Whether you are in addiction recovery or simply seeking to improve your relationships, this episode offers valuable insights. If you are just starting your recovery journey or have been in it for years, this show is for you. We Do Recover ox

Episode 34: This week, Angie discusses the importance of remembering why you started this addiction recovery journey in the first place. Remembering the initial times you related to someone with addiction, remembering what feelings you resonated with, what behaviors you recognized as your own... remembering the times we first recognized that our feelings and behaviors were most likely symptoms of the disease of addiction reminds us of how far we have already come in our own lives and journeys. From an AA meeting back in her early 20s, her first experiences of getting clean and sober, something Angie heard that stuck with her throughout the entirety of her herOin addiction, was the feeling of "impending doom." She shares how this feeling impacted her life and how its changed over the years since working on herself.

Alot of times we can lose sight of what originally got us into this recovery thing to begin with. Angie shares how badly she wanted to rid her reality of the "feeling of impending doom;" constantly worrying and anxious about what was coming around the corner. Constantly fearing the future. She discusses how thats changed for her today. Angie dives into why it is important to remember what we originally resonated with and the feelings we so desparately wanted to rid our lives of. Goals change, journeys pivot, but the "why" will remain the same. Even if we cant tangibly physically see progress in our journeys, its crucial to recall the "why" as it sheds alot of light onto how far we have actually come. Whether you are just starting your recovery journey or have been in it for years, this episode is for you. The Hope Chase aims to deal some hope in case you need some, and lets you know that youre never alone. We Do Recover ox

Episode 33: This weeks episode, Angie discusses how you can actually break behavioral cycles, in addiction, recovery & life in general. Throughout active addiction, the cycles tend to continue, until one day, we have to choose between changing or staying the same. And change seems to happen when the pain of staying the same becomes even more unbearable. What happens when, in recovery, we find ourselves stuck again in behavioral cycles, although not as severe or life threatening, still dysfunctional. How can we actively break those cycles ourselves before it gets to a painful place? How can we identify these behaviors, these cycles that we repeatedly find ourselves in? Angie shares her own personal experiences with identifying her own struggles with this topic & how she’s been able to change her own behavior. She dives into how her self awareness & ability to identify these patterns has drastically changed over the years, comparing her actions before & after recovery. If you are new to recovery or have been in it for years, this episode is incredibly beneficial. The Hope Chase helps deal hope to those who may need it & confirms that you are never alone. We Do Recover ox

Episode 32: This week, Angie dives into the feelings of missing the old version of yourself when in recovery. It's not uncommon to feel a sense of nostalgia for the person you were before you started to work on yourself. This feeling can be especially strong when you're facing new challenges. In particular, when it comes to facing fears & feeling confident, sometimes it can feel as though we’re going backwards. Angie discusses how her fears continue to affect her life and how she continues to live authentically while walking through those fears. Is ignorance really bliss? Was it better before you knew what you now know?? It's important to remember that change is a process and that you're not alone in feeling this way. Embracing the person you're becoming. Whether you’re in early recovery or just starting your healing journey, or you’ve been doing it for years, this is the episode for you. Thank you for joining the Hope chase :) We do recover ox