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

Less Stress

April 15, 2026

Stress is a common concern across all ages and demographics. It causes some to seek relief by engaging in destructive behaviors. Dr. Gary Sprouse, or as he is better known across the country, “The Less Stress Doc,” discusses how he helps clients alleviate the stress in their lives with the goal of living in their…

Apricity, Whole Life Recovery

April 8, 2026

In 2018, STEP Industries and The Mooring Programs merged to become Apricity, a progressive recovery community in Wisconsin. The leadership team brought to life the vision of a one-of-a-kind recovery organization that offers treatment, employment, transitional living, and education. Michelle Devine Giese, the CEO of Apricity, Dan Haak, the President of Apricity Contract Packaging and…

Both Can Be True

April 1, 2026

Recovery, like life, is full of what seems like contradictions. Love and resentment, passion and despair. Jessica Guerrieri details the complexities of recovery brilliantly in her new novel, “Both Can Be True.” Jessica is a writer and novelist who lives in Northern California with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education,…

Less Stress

April 15, 2026

Stress is a common concern across all ages and demographics. It causes some to seek relief by engaging in destructive behaviors. Dr. Gary Sprouse, or as he is better known across the country, “The Less Stress Doc,” discusses how he helps clients alleviate the stress in their lives with the goal of living in their…

Apricity, Whole Life Recovery

April 8, 2026

In 2018, STEP Industries and The Mooring Programs merged to become Apricity, a progressive recovery community in Wisconsin. The leadership team brought to life the vision of a one-of-a-kind recovery organization that offers treatment, employment, transitional living, and education. Michelle Devine Giese, the CEO of Apricity, Dan Haak, the President of Apricity Contract Packaging and…

Both Can Be True

April 1, 2026

Recovery, like life, is full of what seems like contradictions. Love and resentment, passion and despair. Jessica Guerrieri details the complexities of recovery brilliantly in her new novel, “Both Can Be True.” Jessica is a writer and novelist who lives in Northern California with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education,…

Always At Choice — Coping With Grief and Loss

March 25, 2026

We may not be able to choose the circumstances we’re in, but we always have a choice regarding how we respond. That is just one of the life lessons Larry Freeborg talks about in his book, “Always At Choice: Strategies for Moving on After the Death of a Spouse or Life Trauma.” Larry was forty…

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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