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

Needed Angels

December 24, 2025

When people find themselves without shelter, warmth, or food, having angels on the streets helps. Eva Welch is a Co-Founder and Director of Street Angels in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Eva is a fierce advocate, action activator, and self-described fun instigator. She studied psychology and earned her BA from Ottawa University. Together with Shelly Sarasin, Eva…

Standby

December 17, 2025

After thirty years on television, Beth McDonough’s life unraveled in the harshest spotlight: two DUIs, a public firing, and national headlines. What the world saw was her mugshot. She talks about her fight to get sober, the years of shame and silence, and the strength it took to rebuild her life. Beth is an author…

Living with Schizophrenia

December 10, 2025

There are some parenting challenges that don’t show up in the guidebooks we all consume when we have children. Chrisa Hickey ran into that head on when her son Timothy was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of eleven. She talks about the challenges of raising children with special needs, finding a healthy rest-of-life balance,…

Needed Angels

December 24, 2025

When people find themselves without shelter, warmth, or food, having angels on the streets helps. Eva Welch is a Co-Founder and Director of Street Angels in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Eva is a fierce advocate, action activator, and self-described fun instigator. She studied psychology and earned her BA from Ottawa University. Together with Shelly Sarasin, Eva…

Standby

December 17, 2025

After thirty years on television, Beth McDonough’s life unraveled in the harshest spotlight: two DUIs, a public firing, and national headlines. What the world saw was her mugshot. She talks about her fight to get sober, the years of shame and silence, and the strength it took to rebuild her life. Beth is an author…

Living with Schizophrenia

December 10, 2025

There are some parenting challenges that don’t show up in the guidebooks we all consume when we have children. Chrisa Hickey ran into that head on when her son Timothy was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of eleven. She talks about the challenges of raising children with special needs, finding a healthy rest-of-life balance,…

Assisting Those Who Served

December 3, 2025

Veterans encounter physical, mental health, and substance use challenges at a greater rate than the general population. Rebekka Cary discusses helping them access the benefits and assistance they are rightfully due. Rebekka is a County Veterans Service Officer for Columbia County in Portage, Wisconsin. She was a First Sergeant in the Illinois Air National Guard…

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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