A man, woman and personified microphone standing on a grassy hill overlooking water and an orange sky.

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

Culture is Contagious

November 26, 2025

When good leaders use powerful, positive attitudes and actions to promote healthy community building, that “vibe” is contagious and spreads. Peggy Eserkaln talks about how, as an educator and improvisational performer, she helps establish a school or workplace culture that encourages creativity, respect, and positive mental health. Peggy is a Founder of Educational Improvisation, an…

Unlocking Your Inner Superhero

November 19, 2025

Being a kid today has its challenges, and being a kid who has learning disabilities, ADHD, NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), or anxiety related to academic performance certainly adds an element of complexity to navigating one’s academic career and life. Hannah Bookbinder discusses her work with neurodivergent clients, the challenges and the…

Honoring Veterans by Providing Help

November 12, 2025

The mental health and substance use disorders that challenge veterans are not unusual, and they occasionally lead to homelessness. Recently in Wisconsin, funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) was removed from the two-year state budget, and, as a result, two transitional homes for veterans were closed. Wisconsin State Senator Jeff Smith has…

Culture is Contagious

November 26, 2025

When good leaders use powerful, positive attitudes and actions to promote healthy community building, that “vibe” is contagious and spreads. Peggy Eserkaln talks about how, as an educator and improvisational performer, she helps establish a school or workplace culture that encourages creativity, respect, and positive mental health. Peggy is a Founder of Educational Improvisation, an…

Unlocking Your Inner Superhero

November 19, 2025

Being a kid today has its challenges, and being a kid who has learning disabilities, ADHD, NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), or anxiety related to academic performance certainly adds an element of complexity to navigating one’s academic career and life. Hannah Bookbinder discusses her work with neurodivergent clients, the challenges and the…

Honoring Veterans by Providing Help

November 12, 2025

The mental health and substance use disorders that challenge veterans are not unusual, and they occasionally lead to homelessness. Recently in Wisconsin, funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) was removed from the two-year state budget, and, as a result, two transitional homes for veterans were closed. Wisconsin State Senator Jeff Smith has…

The Way Forward

November 5, 2025

Stress, anxiety, and depression are seemingly everywhere and ever-present. Kelli O’Rourke Wall started her mental health journey as a patient and is now a therapist. She talks about the journey from client to helper and discusses her approach to the challenges all of us face in getting the help we need for our mental health….

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.

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