When does it stop being a party and start becoming a problem? Is there a way to steer clear of addiction?
Every Wednesday, Mike McGowan explores substance use disorders with expert guests.
Latest Episodes
The Seeds of Wellness and Connections
When young people leave home for college, they leave behind much that is familiar. Jeanne Williamson, David Israels-Swenson, and Matt Johnson talk about how the University of Minnesota Morris creates a community that sustains and supports students well-being and success. Jeanne Williamson is Associate Director for Student Counseling, Health, and Wellbeing; David Israels-Swenson is Senior…
A Community That Cares
The freedom young people experience when they leave home for college provides opportunities and obstacles. Sandy Olson-Loy and Adrienne Conley discuss some of those obstacles and how the University of Minnesota Morris works to create a community that cares. Success often depends upon making good decisions and connecting with a caring community. Sandy Olson-Loy is…
Care for the Care Giver
How do those who take care of the rest of us take care of themselves? Chaplain Teresa Durbak Sipos discusses how, when surrounded by trauma, those caregivers can take care of their moral and spiritual selves. Teresa serves as a behavioral healthcare chaplain and has taught mental health and addictions nursing for many years at…
Recovery Has Given Me Peace
Chrissy Dunn began drinking and using marijuana in early high school. Before she graduated she discovered heroin and crack cocaine. What followed was a series of failed rehabs, relapses, and a pregnancy. Now five years into recovery, Chrissy discusses how she got to a place of peace. Chrissy got help at The Horizons Program at…
Recovery Doesn’t Happen in a Vacuum
Recovery doesn’t happen in a vacuum any more than addiction does. Family, friends, and coworkers are all affected by the disease. Jim Savage discusses the importance of family education and support in recovery. Jim is the owner of “Rehab Works! Family Support Program” and Jim Savage Consulting. He is the author of Rehab Works! A…
Sometimes, You Can’t Go Home Again
When a child’s caregivers are bullies, the child often carries the scars of that relationship around with them into adulthood. Dr. Ghazeleh Bailey discusses the trauma caused by those primary relationships — and the healing that can take place. Dr. Bailey is a certified therapist, couple’s therapist, supervisor, and trainer with a PhD in Psychology….
EMDR, Getting at the Trauma
Dr. Wendy Freitag discusses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a comprehensive psychotherapy that accelerates the treatment of many different pathologies and trauma related to disturbing events and present life conditions. Dr. Freitag is a Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Therapy clinician, trainer, and consultant as well as a Professional & Life Coach with…
Meet Your Host
Michael McGowan is President of McGowan and Associates, a training and consultation firm specializing in workplace, school, and family issues. He works with helping agencies, companies, schools, parent groups, and students as a trainer, consultant, and motivational speaker.
Mr. McGowan has spent the last twenty-five years working with families and children. He worked as an educator, a family and addiction counselor, an administrator, and a trainer. He has directed state-certified training and rehabilitation programs. And he is host of the national podcast, "Avoiding the Addiction Affliction." During the last twenty years he has given presentations and keynote addresses to tens of thousands of people annually and has trained thousands of social service workers, educators, students, coaches, and administrators worldwide. Additionally, he has worked with the Department of Corrections, professional athletes and teams from the NFL and MLB, and dozens of private companies as a trainer and consultant.
