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.
Episodes
We Are What We Eat
What we feed our bodies has a tremendous effect on our physical and mental health. Lis Schmelzer discusses the importance of being aware of how what we consume affects all our bodies’ systems. She also discusses the role of functional medicine in bringing our bodies and minds into a state of well being. Lis is a Clinical Nutritionist, Nutrition Sales Executive, and wellness advocate. Additional information and Lis’s contact information can be found at https://nourishwisconsin.com/
The Need Still Exists
Mental health needs are at an all time high. Mental Health America Wisconsin is an organization that helps people in desperate need of immediate help. Funding for their Uplift Wisconsin Statewide Warmline, which took 24,000 calls in 2024, was abruptly cut by the federal government recently. Martina Gollin-Graves, the Executive Director and CEO of Mental Health America Wisconsin, discusses their work, their services, and the challenges they face to continue serving people in need. Martina and Mental Health America Wisconsin can be supported and reached at https://www.mhawisconsin.org/
Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma
“Keep it to yourself” is not a great tag line when it comes to your mental health. It’s even less healthy when you’re a police officer and deal with trauma daily. Adam Meyers discusses his work and the crisis that led him to addressing his and others’ mental health. Adam has been a Police Officer in Wisconsin for 23 years. He is also a Certified Peer Specialist in Wisconsin and founder of “Stop the Threat, Stop the Stigma.” Adam and “Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma” can be reached at https://stopthethreatstopthestigma.org/
Finding the Rarest Flower
K.J. Aiello is a Canadian who describes herself as a mentally ill writer. It is, she says, who she is. K.J. discusses her fabulous new book, “The Monster and The Mirror.” It’s a unique blend of memoir, research, and cultural criticism in which K.J. tries to understand her own mental illness using “The Lord of the Rings,” “Game of Thrones,” and other stories as guides to heroism and agency as well as cautionary tales of how mental illness is easily stereotyped as bad and violent. K.J. and her work can be accessed at https://www.kjaiello.ca/
Innovation
The field of addiction medicine and mental health has seen incredible innovation over the past two decades. Dr. Mark Hrymoc discusses those innovations and where they may lead. Dr. Hrymoc is the Founder of the Mental Health Center in Los Angeles, California. He has extensive expertise in the psychopharmacology of addiction and other mental health disorders. He is double board-certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and was previously board-certified in Addiction Medicine. Dr. Hrymoc previously held the position of Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA, where he supervised training psychiatrists at the Addiction Psychiatry Clinic. He and the Mental Health Center can be reached at https://www.mentalhealthctr.com/
It Always Comes Back To You
Drugs don’t care where you grew up, went to school, or what you majored in. When you develop destructive habits, though, you have an opportunity to turn your life around by developing new, healthier habits. Dr. Jason Giles discusses the road to recovery from substance use disorders. Dr. Giles is a graduate of University of California Berkeley. He earned a degree in molecular biology and then earned his medical degree from UC Davis. Dr. Giles completed an internship in General Surgery, residency in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and earned board certifications in Anesthesiology and Addiction Medicine. He was a cardiac anesthesiologist and pain specialist before devoting his full attention to addiction medicine starting in 2005. He is the author of a new book, “The Addiction Doctors Manual for Behavioral Health Technicians: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do” and a previous book, “Outsmart Your Addiction.” His books can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Doctors-Manual-Behavioral-Technicians/dp/1735081914 and https://www.amazon.com/Outsmart-Your-Addiction-Powerful-Developed/dp/1735081906
Dr. Giles can be reached at https://addictiondoctors.com/
Moving Past Surviving to Thriving
It is not trite to say that some people see challenges as obstacles and others see them as opportunities. Katy Arvidson was ten years old when she was diagnosed with Pompe disease. In spite of that diagnosis, she kept going and eventually obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Katy is currently Ms. Wheelchair Alaska, embracing a platform of not just surviving but thriving. She talks about her life, work, and dedication to helping people. Katy can be supported and reached through The Dane Foundation, whose mission is to provide for the unique needs of individuals with physical and developmental disabilities: http://thedanefoundation.org/donate.html
More information about the Ms. Wheelchair USA competition can be found at: https://www.mswheelchairusa.org/
One Neighborhood at a Time
Desilynn Smith lost her husband to drugs in 2021. Her husband, a Black man, belonged to one of the highest demographic groups in our country losing their lives to drugs: older Black men. Desilynn talks about her work with that community and her dedication to doing that work in her husband’s memory. Desilynn is the Executive Director of Uniting Garden Homes, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, specializing in Substance Abuse Counseling. With over 20 years dedicated to serving her community, she has focused on addressing the injustices within the justice system, advocating for individuals with mental health issues, and tackling community trauma. Uniting Garden Homes, Inc., their many programs, and Desilynn can be reached at https://www.ughinc.org/
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Jessica Guerrieri is a writer and novelist who lives in Northern California with her husband and three daughters. With a background in special education, Jessica left the field to pursue a career in writing and raise her children. With over a decade of sobriety, she is a fierce advocate for addiction recovery. She discusses her recovery and her award-winning debut book club fiction novel Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Jessica’s book, other works, and contact information can be accessed at Jessica Guerrieri.
The Breath of Life
Some people seem to be born to help others. Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings is one of them. She has dedicated her life to being of service to others. Drawing on her experience as a college basketball player, Army Officer, Peace Corps Volunteer, parish and community minister, university faculty member, yoga and meditation instructor, and substance abuse counselor, Rev. Dr. Cummings supports those she works with with an inclusive, non-judgmental, compassionate, and relational approach to the healing process. In this podcast, she discusses her life’s work, interests, the importance of community, and recovery. Information about Dr. Cummings and iRest yoga can be found at iRest Store
