From the Podcast: Pat W: Living with and Overcoming Tourette Syndrome, Having a Near Death Experience and Finding True Purpose in Recovery
Pat W was born and raised in Pasadena, CA. He describes himself as a passionate cyclist, runner, photographer, and book nerd. Pat has Tourette syndrome (Tourette’s), which created many challenges for him as a teen and into adulthood, and is what largely contributed to his…
From the Podcast: Dac Blassingame: Building a Marriage on a Shared Language of Recovery
In Episode 15 of The Courage To Change: A Recovery Podcast, host Ashley Loeb Blassingame interviews her husband Dac Blassingame, who is also in recovery. The conversation is wide ranging, from talking about the differences between each other’s addictions, what it’s like to be married…
From the Podcast: Jen Elizabeth: Overcoming Addiction and Intergenerational Trauma
Jen Elizabeth shares her harrowing story from childhood trauma to deep addiction on the 24th Episode of The Courage To Change: A Recovery Podcast. She grew up in a home with a mentally ill mother, who had bipolar Munchausen and Munchausen by proxy. Her family…
From the Podcast: Brittney Carbone: Becoming Sober and Inspiring Others
Brittney Carbone has been sober for over a decade and is a person in long term recovery. Brittney is Ashley Loeb Blassingame’s guest on Episode 4 of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast. A Santa Monica-based fitness professional, Brittany founded Lean Lifestyle Method, a…
From the Podcast: Leo Martinez: Choosing Recovery Above All
In Episode 16 of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast, Leo shared his story with podcast host Ashley Loeb Blassingame. We’ve edited and condensed it here for a fast read. You can listen to the entire interview here. Leo Martinez, 43, is a Substance…
From the Podcast: Charise Thompson: Overcoming Unimaginable Trauma and Finding Recovery Through Advocacy and Forgiveness
Charise Thompson shares her incredible story of strength and determination after enduring sexual assault, illness, 13 years in a wheelchair, and other trauma with host Ashley Loeb Blassingame on Episode 10 of The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast. She is a Victim Advocate and…
From the Podcast: Nicole Ory: Surviving the Death of a Child and Staying Sober No Matter What
In episode seventeen of The Courage To Change: A Recovery Podcast, Nicole Ory shared her story with podcast host Ashley Loeb Blassingame. We’ve edited and condensed it here for a fast read. You can listen to the entire interview here. Nicole’s story is gut wrenching,…
From the Podcast: Nancy Spitzer: A Therapist’s Story of Loss and Hope
Nancy is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), specializing in trauma, addiction, co-occurring disorders, and much more. She was inspired to shift her career to therapy after losing her brother David to a drug overdose. In Episode 28 of The Courage to Change: A…
From the Podcast: Dr. Ken Starr: Alternative medicine for Addiction and Wellness
Dr. Starr is an authority in the field of addiction medicine and wellness. After his brother overdosed 10 years ago , he opened his clinic in 2002, and has been committed to helping patients achieve lasting sobriety and improve the quality of their lives. In…
From the Podcast: Melinda Dixon: Finding Healing and Recovery Through ACA
Melinda Dixon is a practicing member of Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families. Melinda has worked in recovery programs for nine years, and recently completed her certification as an addictions’ counselor. Growing up in a home with an alcoholic mother, she has been able…