Peer Into Recovery

Podcast Racial Identity as a Peer Recovery Specialistwith Sarah McFarland About the Episode Date: August 30, 2023 Episode 28: Racial Identity as a Peer Recovery Specialist with Sarah McFarland Summary Our new podcast episode features Sarah McFarland, R-PRS, discussing her racial identity and the trials and tribulations and everyday challenges she faces as a BIPOC in her role as a registered peer recovery specialist. Sarah is a Certified Trauma Professional, Certified Personal Medication Coach, Registered Peer Recovery Specialist and Resilience Practitioner. Her professional experience includes CASA volunteer, Advocate for Sexual Trauma Services and Domestic Violence Prevention. She devotes much of her time to advocate for survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. Sarah is an active member, advocate and facilitator and former board member for NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Podcast Peer-Run Centerswith Heather Pate About the Episode Date: August 16, 2023 Episode 27: Peer-Run Centers with Heather Pate Summary In this brand new episode with Heather Pate, R-PRS, we discuss the intersection of being a peer who serves as a Director of Operations at a peer-run day center. We discuss the daily challenges of such a role that includes both a vision-casting perspective as well as an implementation, or operational, perspective. Heather Pate is the Director of Operations at Robin’s Hope. She is a Certified Older Adult Peer Support Trainer. She is also certified to work as a trainer with the LGBTQIA+ community. She holds certifications as a WRAP trainer, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice-involved trainer, Trauma-informed Care trainer, Peer Activated Resilience trainer as well as a State trainer of the DBHDS 72-hour PRS training.

Podcast Peer-Run Warm Lineswith Erica Bullock About the Episode Date: August 2, 2023 Episode 26: Peer-Run Warm Lines with Erica Bullock Summary Our brand new episode with Erica Bullock, R-PRS, is one that you will love! In this episode, we take a peek behind the curtain of her work as a Warm Line Manager to understand what it takes to do such an important job for peers in need of support. She discusses the intricacies of wearing multiple management hats while keeping the focus of the Warm Line as a welcoming and safe space for the peers who call in for support. Erica Bullock is the Warm Line Manager for the MHAV Warm Line. She has held the R-PRS designation since 2016 and also has a National MHA Certification since 2017. In addition, Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising from VCU as well as an MBA from University of Phoenix.

Podcast Older Adult Peer Supportwith Bently Wood About the Episode Date: July 12, 2023 Episode 25: Older Adult Peer Support with Bently Wood Summary Our brand new episode with Bently Wood is one you don't want to miss! We discuss his work as a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist as well as a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist Faciliator for Certification. He illuminates the challenges and triumphs of working with Older Adult Peers and highlights the joy of his work with this important demographic of often over-looked peers inviting others to consider being apart of this unique type of peer support.ation. Bently Wood is a Lead Regional Peer Recovery Specialist Coordinator with Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, supporting and developing the peer workforce in Virginia’s DBHDS Region 4. He has lectured on substance use and mental health challenges, stigma, recovery language, and peer support. He is a trainer for peer recovery specialists in Ethics, Leadership, Certified Personal Medicine, emotional CPR, Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery (APPR), Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and the 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training curriculum required to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia. Drawing on his personal journey from substance use and mental health challenges into recovery, he works as an advocate for social justice in behavioral health, the LGBT community, while serving as the President of Vocal Virginia.

Podcast Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda with Billie Carroll About the Episode Date: June 14, 2023 Episode 24: Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda with Billie Carroll Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Billie Carroll, discuss yoga, meditation and Ayurveda healing modalities. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Trauma/Mental Health/Addiction Ayurvedic Specialist and Certified Resiliency and Recovery Yoga Instructor. Billie Carroll is the CEO of the HARRT Center located in Richmond, Virginia. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Trauma/Mental Health/Addiction Ayurvedic Specialist, Certified Resiliency and Recovery Yoga Instructor, Certified Yoga and Neuroscience Instructor, Certified Yoga for Eating Disorders Instructor, Body Positive Ambassador, and a Yoga and Body Image Coalition Partner.

Podcast Surviving Suicide with Lauren Ball About the Episode Date: May 31, 2023 Episode 23: Surviving Suicide with Lauren Ball Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Lauren Ball, a Virginia Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, share her experience, strength and hope around the issue of suicide and how she bring help, hope and healing to peers who struggle with similar issues in her local community. Please note: The drop in support groups mentioned are for those seeking recovery from addiction and co-occurring addiction and mental health. *Trigger Warning* As May comes to a close and the official observance of Mental Health Month, we felt this is an important topic to discuss to bring support and help remove stigma. This podcast does not go into detail about suicidal thoughts etc. Rather, it is a discussion of how to overcome such struggles. Still, please use caution if this subject matter may be triggering for you. As always, do NOT hesitate to reach out for help. You can always call or text the number 988 for safe, non-judgmental, anonymous and confidential support 24/7/365. Lauren Ball, Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, is the Outreach Substance Use Peer Recovery Specialist at the Rappahannock Area Community Service Board. In addition, she is a WRAP Facilitator as well as a Nami Connections Group Facilitator.

Podcast Equine Specialist with Elizabeth Sluder About the Episode Date: May 17, 2023 Episode 22: Equine Specialist with Elizabeth Sluder Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Elizabeth Sluder, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Equine Specialist in mental health, shares her skills in this healing modality with other peers in her local community. Elizabeth Sluder holds a Bachelors of Applied Science from East Tennessee University in Speech and Leadership Communication as well as a Masters of Education from The George Washington University as an Education Transition Specialist. She works as the Peer Resource Coordinator at Warsaw Peer Recovery Center in Warsaw, Virginia that is connected to the Northern Neck Middle Peninsula Community Service Board.

Podcast Year of the Peer with Michael Lane About the Episode Date: May 3, 2023 Episode 21: Year of the Peer with Michael Lane Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Michael Lane, M.A. Ed., NCPS, who works in Fairfax, Va. as the Division Director for Recovery Services. In this episode, we discuss Michael's journey as a peer from homelessness to becoming a strong and effective peer leader making a big impact through his work at the Fairfax Falls Church Community Service Board. We also discuss his work in the arts which led him to create the concept "Year of the Peer" which, in turn, inspired the 2023 state-wide celebratory movement of the same. Michael Lane, M.A., NCPS, is the Division Director of Recovery Services at the Fairfax Falls Church Community Service Board in Fairfax, Va. He holds a Bachelors in Drama from UC Irvine as well as a Masters in Organizational Learning and Effectiveness from University of the Pacific. In addition, Mr. Lane holds several certifications which include WRAP Facilitator and Certified Wellness Works Trainer .

Podcast Drug Court and the 5 Rules of Recovery with Carl Mack About the Episode Date: April 12,, 2023 Episode 20: Drug Court and the 5 Rules of Recovery with Carl Mack Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Carl Mack, R-PRS, FPRS who works in Lynchburg, Virginia for the Virginia Health Department and Drug Court as well. In this episode, we discuss the nexus between his work at the Health Department and Drug Court through the lens of an evidence-based recovery philosophy called the 5 Rules of Recovery that he shares with the peers he is supporting in Region 4. Carl Mack is a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist. He is also a Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist. In addition, Carl is a veteran of the United States Army.

Podcast Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition with Chris Alderman About the Episode Date: March 29, 2023 Episode 19: Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition with Chris Alderman Summary Have a listen to our latest episode with Chris Alderman who works in Pulaski, Virginia as the Program Manager for Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition. We discuss the philosophy behind and services provided by the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition to peers who struggle with substance abuse and mental health challenges and the impact they are making on a daily basis in southwest Virginia. Chris Alderman is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. He is also a Certified A.C.E.S. Facilitator as well as Certified Rapid H.I.V. Testing Administrator. He loves people, tattoos and does not play basketball (he is 6'6).