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
One Man With a Chamber — Battling CTE
William Person is a former nine-year Team USA Bobsled athlete whose career left him battling the devastating effects of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). At his lowest point, he could barely get up off the floor, lost in confusion, depression, intense headaches, and a deteriorating brain. Hope came when he discovered Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which restored…
Section Yellow – One Game At A Time
John Plageman wondered how, as a newly recovering person, he would navigate social events he enjoyed. Concerts, ballgames, and just going out were cause for anxiety. He discovered, however, that at every event there were folks who, like himself, wanted to enjoy themselves without alcohol and other drugs. A while later, he helped establish a…
Parallel Recovery
People don’t have substance use disorders in isolation. Their family, friends, and colleagues all experience, as Lisa Katona Smith, M.Ed., says, “feelings of anger, fear, and shame that fracture relationships with loved ones at a time when they are needed most.” Lisa is a certified Peer Recovery Specialist, family consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of…
One Man With a Chamber — Battling CTE
William Person is a former nine-year Team USA Bobsled athlete whose career left him battling the devastating effects of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). At his lowest point, he could barely get up off the floor, lost in confusion, depression, intense headaches, and a deteriorating brain. Hope came when he discovered Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which restored…
Section Yellow – One Game At A Time
John Plageman wondered how, as a newly recovering person, he would navigate social events he enjoyed. Concerts, ballgames, and just going out were cause for anxiety. He discovered, however, that at every event there were folks who, like himself, wanted to enjoy themselves without alcohol and other drugs. A while later, he helped establish a…
Parallel Recovery
People don’t have substance use disorders in isolation. Their family, friends, and colleagues all experience, as Lisa Katona Smith, M.Ed., says, “feelings of anger, fear, and shame that fracture relationships with loved ones at a time when they are needed most.” Lisa is a certified Peer Recovery Specialist, family consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of…
Needed Angels
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…
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.
