The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

Brendan was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when he, for the sake of his young daughter, decided to turn his life around. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of elite hotshot firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. Their superintendent, Eric Marsh, was in a desperate crunch after four hotshots left the crew, and seeing a glimmer of promise in the skinny would-be recruit, he took a chance on the unlikely McDonough, and the chance paid off. Despite the crew’s skepticism, and thanks in large part to Marsh’s firm but loving encouragement, McDonough unlocked a latent drive and dedication, going on to successfully battles a number of blazes and he eventually wins the confidence of the men he came to call his brothers.

Then, on June 30, 2013, while McDonough–“Donut” as he’d been dubbed by his crew–served as lookout, they confronted a freak, 3,000-degree inferno in nearby Yarnell, Arizona. The relentless firestorm ultimately trapped his hotshot brothers, tragically killing all 19 of them within minutes. Nationwide, it was the greatest loss of firefighter lives since the 9/11 attacks.

After the unfathomable loss of that day, McDonough suffered from seemingly insurmountable bouts of depression, Post-Traumatic Stress, and issues with alcohol. But the light of hope that inspired him to keep living in one of his darkest moments—his family who needed him—inspired the firefighter to fight on against depression, addiction and to inspire others to find their best selves, even if that means often looking beyond the self. Building a sense of brotherhood within communities gives McDonough great joy – because it helps this fighter honor the legacy of his 19 lost, but not forgotten, brothers.

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Resourced Mentioned:

• Brendan's Treatment Center - Holdfast Recovery
• Brendan's book - Granite Mountain

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• Podcast Website | Podcast Instagram | Podcast Facebook
• Questions, comments or feedback? Email us at [email protected]

Join us for an insightful Q&A episode as we delve into the intriguing topic of how addiction creeps into our lives unnoticed and the crucial steps to overcome its grip. In this episode, we'll shed light on the cunning ways addiction takes hold, and how to protect yourself from its snares.

Tune in to learn about:

Ignoring Your Initial Impressions: Explore the deceptive nature of addiction as we unravel why it often starts subtly, making it easy to dismiss. Discover the importance of recognizing the initial signs and how overlooking them can lead to a downward spiral.

Status as a Barrier to Seeking Help: Delve into the influence of societal status on seeking assistance for addiction. Learn how perceptions of status can hinder individuals from reaching out for support, and gain insights into breaking down these barriers.

The Power of Honesty: Explore why honesty, both with yourself and with others, is a fundamental component of tackling addiction. Understand how opening up about your struggles can pave the way for effective recovery and healing.

Navigating Relapses with Resilience: Discover strategies to cope with relapses without losing sight of your recovery goals. Gain valuable insights into understanding relapse triggers, managing setbacks, and using them as stepping stones toward lasting recovery.

Bulletproofing Your Mind against Addiction: Learn proactive measures to fortify your mental defenses against the allure of addiction. Explore techniques for building resilience, boosting self-control, and fostering a strong mindset that empowers you to resist addictive behaviors.

To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.

Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?

Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.

Already in recovery, find an online support community.

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast

Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast

YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast

TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame

Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast

Lionrock Resources

Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app

Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

Rebecca Koltun grew up in Long Island as an active kid who loved basketball, soccer and skiing, something she’d done since she was 4 years old. In her last semester at Binghamton College she was living with her best friends, looking at medical schools and living the happiest life she could imagine.

In March of 2021, Rebecca took a ski trip to Stratton Mountain Vermont. The next memory she had was waking up, paralyzed from the neck down. What followed was a long and difficult process. Rebecca was moved from medical to medical facility, each with a new goal to return something that had been taken from her. The ability to breathe on her own. The ability to eat. The ability to speak again.

As she worked through endless hours of therapy, her medical debt grew. Each month hundreds of thousands of dollars in out of pocket medical expenses accrued. Just as things seemed to be improving, another insurmountable obstacle was set before her.

Rebecca’s story is an incredible example of continuing to do hard work even when it feels impossible to go forward.

Episode Resources

• Medical Fundraiser | helphopelive.org/campaign/18533/
• Rebecca's Artwork | Etsy.com

Connect with Rebecca

• Instagram | @rebecca_koltun
• TikTok | @rebeccakoltun

Connect with The Courage to Change

• Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
• Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
• YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast
• TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame
• Podcast Email | [email protected]
• Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast

Lionrock Resources

• Lionrock Life Mobile App | lionrock.life/mobile-app
• Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings

Join Ashley, Christiana, and Ashley Jo for this bonus After the Episode where they unpack all of the details shared by the Loeb sisters. They'll cover everything from making amends and restoring relationships to using personal experience to help others.

In this special episode, Ashley Loeb Blassingame shares how she has restored her relationship with Marina through a living amends and discusses some of the repercussions still felt in her relationships today after 15 years of long-term sobriety.

The Loeb sisters touched on a topic we haven't covered much before - the perspective of a sibling. There is so much to cover in this After the Episode. Let's do this!

Episode Reviewed

• S3 E92 - The Loeb Sisters: A Tell-All on Growing Up with a Sibling Struggling with Substance Use Disorder

Connect with Us at The Courage to Change

• Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast
• Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast
• Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast
• Podcast Email | [email protected]

Looking for Online Support?

• Lionrock.life hosts Al Anon and ACA meetings for relatives and friends of those struggling with substance use disorder. View Lionrock’s comprehensive meeting schedule here, and find a meeting to join today!
• Interested in CommUnity Table? Check out our upcoming events!

Listen and Subscribe to The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast

• Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify
• Stitcher | iHeart | TuneIn | Overcast | SoundCloud

Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden grew up in a normal 80s childhood, but obsessive thoughts plagued her from a young age. The people around her constantly asked “why can’t you relax?” And she immediately internalized the idea that there was something wrong with her.
At 13, she found alcohol and the thoughts would go away. It became her first tool to manage her obsessive compulsive anxiety. Now she knew how to keep things together, but she needed alcohol.
In college she kept the facade going even when she’d evolved to a daily heroin user. As things got darker and darker she told herself she wasn’t any worse off than anyone else. But in the back of her mind she knew there was something wrong.
She was able to get off heroin and told herself getting off that single substance would solve her problems. Her problems continued as she drank and used drugs through nursing school and as she began her career. Even with all the partying she could always keep the wheels on.
Then things became more and more problematic and she felt like she needed to change. She moved to California with a vow to change her life. But attempt after attempt failed until she finally found lasting recovery.
Today, Julie works in Hospice care and has a successful TikTok channel with over a million followers.

Tune In To Learn About:

Early Struggles with Obsessive Thoughts: Discover how Julie's childhood was overshadowed by obsessive thoughts, leading those around her to question why she couldn't relax. Understand the impact of these thoughts on her self-perception.

Nursing Career Amidst Addiction: Explore the challenges Julie faced as she pursued a nursing career while continuing to grapple with addiction. Understand how she managed to keep the appearance of stability, even as her life became increasingly problematic.

The Failed Attempts at Change: Hear about Julie's attempts to change her life, including a move to California with a vow to transform. Discover the struggles she faced and the repeated failures before finding the path to lasting recovery.

From Struggle to Success: Explore Julie's present-day success, as she not only thrives in her career but also boasts a TikTok channel with over a million followers. Uncover the empowering messages she shares with her audience and the impact of her story on others.

To find other similar episodes by topic, click here.

Connect with Nurse Julie

TikTok | @hospicenursejulie

Instagram | @hospicenursejulie

Youtube | @hospicenursejulie

Facebook | @hospicenursejulie

Ready to Begin Your Recovery Journey?

Complete this form to speak confidentially with an admissions counselor for help and guidance or take the self assessment to evaluate your own substance use.

Already in recovery, find an online support community.

Connect with The Courage to Change

Podcast Website | lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcast

Podcast Instagram | @couragetochange_podcast

YouTube | The Courage to Change Podcast

TikTok | @ashleyloebblassingame

Podcast Facebook | @thecouragetochangepodcast

Lionrock Resources

Nurses Program | lionrockrecovery.com/programs/nurses

Lionrock Recovery | lionrockrecovery.com

Support Group Meeting Schedule | lionrock.life/meetings