Recovery is a brain thing, according to Dave and Susan Kenney, founders of the Emergo Academy, a recovery treatment and education program who describe themselves as "brain upgraders." In their conversation with Host Gail Ferguson Jones, the Ken

Episode 37: How to Handle the Trifecta of Holidays

Dec 19th, 2023 36m 35s

This holiday season is often the most challenging for those who love someone struggling with addiction and those who are newly sober. In recovery circles, the celebrations that run from Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Years is referred t

Episode 36: Gray Area Drinking. A Slippery Slope

Nov 28th, 2023 43m 8s

When it comes to taking that first drink of alcohol, most of us don't expect to get hooked. After all, consuming alcohol is legal and seen as a socially-acceptable way to unwind. However, It's so easy to depend on that nightly cocktail, beer or

Episode 35: Prodependency. A Different Perspective

Oct 24th, 2023 47m 54s

When loving someone struggling with addiction, it's often hard to see the best in them because of the chaos and confusion they bring into our lives. The situation may also bring out the worst in us. But Dr. Robert Weiss offers a different persp

Episode 34: Addiction as Infidelity

Sep 1st, 2023 36m 44s

One of the most disheartening and confusing aspects of a relationship with someone in active addiction is the loneliness and emotional disconnect. In this episode, Host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with Marriage and Family Therapist Travis Thomps

Episode 33: Recovery From Chronic Pain Without Drugs

Jul 28th, 2023 31m 10s

Can chronic pain be treated without the prescription drugs that are leading to an epidemic of addiction and death? Guest Elizabeth Kipp says "Yes." Kipp is an Addiction Recovery Coach and author of the book, "The Way Through Chronic Pain. Tools

Episode 32: Addictions Rising Post-Pandemic

Jul 13th, 2023 33m 32s

There's been a steady climb in addictions since the start of the pandemic in 2020, according to Recovery Coach and Best-Selling Author David Essel, who said studies show alcohol consumption has risen 1,000 percent over the past three years. Whi

Episode 31: Emotional Sobriety in Early Recovery

Jun 22nd, 2023 37m 54s

What are the early days of recovery like after long-term active addiction? What does it feel like physically and emotionally to try to live free of substances after self-medicating for so long? Host Gail Ferguson Jones gets answers to these que

Episode 30: Boomers and the Risky Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Jun 8th, 2023 37m 14s

After a lifetime of casual attitudes toward substance use among baby boomers, their rate of accidential overdoses and alcohol-related deaths are climbing. In this conversation, researcher Alexis Kuerbis explains why. Kuerbis is an Associate Pr

Episode 29: Dangers of Teen Marijuana Use

May 18th, 2023 30m 58s

Did you know marijuana use is a growing cause of suicide among teens? Guest Laura Stack of Johnny's Ambassadors says as more state's legalize recreational use, the potency is reaching dangerous levels and leading to serious mental health issues

Episode 28: Might You Be Headed for Rock Bottom?

Mar 16th, 2023 40m 23s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones and Social Worker Taneshia Johnson discuss five ways to recognize you might be heading for rock bottom as a codependent. Taneshia, also known as TJ the Self-Care Coach, speaks from personal experience as a recovering c

Episode 27: What is Sober Curious?

Mar 2nd, 2023 34m 12s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones talks with Sans Bar owner Chris Marshall about the growing Sober Curious Movement. Sans Bar in Austin, Texas is believed to be the first in the U.S. to serve only non-alcoholic cocktails, wines and beers. The Sober Curi

Episode 26: Racial Disparities in Addiction and Treatment

Feb 16th, 2023 36m 31s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones talks with Michael Askew, Executive Director of The Center for African American Recovery Development (CAARD), about cultural barriers to accessing treatment and maintaining long-term recovery faced by black Americans. I

Episode 25: The Dis-ease of the Lost Self

Feb 2nd, 2023 38m 48s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with Nikki Myers, founder of the international relapse prevention program Y12sr (Yoga of 12-Step Recovery), which weaves the art and science of Yoga with the practical tools of the 12 steps. Nikki is credited wit

Episode 24: Harmful Compromises and Negotiations

Dec 29th, 2022 34m 49s

In this episode, host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with Codependency Healing Expert Marshall Burtcher about the unhealthy compromises made in codependent relationships. Burtcher describes codependency as a survival strategy in which one's sense o

Episode 23: Strategies for a Stress-Free Holiday

Dec 6th, 2022 35m 53s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with Kevin Petersen of The Chronic Hope Institute about the best ways for families to deal with those who may disrupt their holiday celebration by overindulging in intoxicants or how to support loved ones who are

Episode 22: Is Saving Them Killing You?

Nov 22nd, 2022 40m 4s

In this episode, Host Gail Ferguson Jones talks with Positive Psychology and Resilience Coach Andrea Seydel about the ways misplaced loyalty to an addicted loved one may be harmful. She is also a best-selling author. In the conversation, Seydel

Episode 21: Shame and Codependency

Jul 22nd, 2021 29m 29s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones talks with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Darlene Lancer, author of "Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You." Lancer is author of seven books on the subject, including "Codependency

Episode 20: Butterfly Rising

Jul 19th, 2021 8m 25s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones announces the publication of her new book, "Butterfly Rising. A Journey to Love, Healing and Freedom from the Cocoon of Codependency." The ebook edition will be on sale at Amazon for 99 cents on Tuesday, July 20 for one

Episode 19: A Mother's Journey

Jun 17th, 2021 31m

Host Gail Ferguson Jones marks the one-year anniversary of The Buttrfly Effect Podcast with a compelling conversation with best-selling author Christine Naman, whose new book is "About Natalie. A Daughter's Addiction. A Mother's Love. Finding T

Episode 18: Recovery is Spiritual Connection

May 20th, 2021 28m 9s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones speaks with her friend Nick SantFoster, who found personal recovery through Al-Anon 33 years ago, after recognizing a pattern of dysfunctional relationships in his life. Nick is a retired professional photographer and v

Episode 17: Five Shades of Manipulation

Apr 22nd, 2021 33m 24s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones and Certified Recovery Coach Deryl Glaze discuss the five most common manipulation tactics used by addicts to pressure their loved ones into enabling them. Glaze is an ordained minister and head recovery coach at Minnes

Episode 16: Benefits of a Personal Inventory

Apr 1st, 2021 35m 4s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones and Coach Barb Nangle discuss the benefits of 12-Step fellowship, especially the 4th step, which calls for taking a personal inventory. Barb is founder and CEO of Higher Power Coaching and Consulting and host of the po

Episode 15: Moving from Sobriety to Recovery

Mar 11th, 2021 36m 43s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones talks with Mike Wilson, president of Baystate Recovery Center in Beverly, Mass. He is a nationally-recognized certified interventionist, and author of the book, "Loving Lions. A Guide for Families Struggling with Addict

Episode 14: Counter-Dependence

Feb 18th, 2021 29m 7s

Host Gail Ferguson Jones talks with Clinical Psychologist Barry Weinhold, who has coined the phrase "counter-dependence," which he describes as living a false self that keeps one from establishing intimate relationships. Weinhold is the author