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#23: This week, we're thrilled to welcome back our friend and podcast alum Nick Wells (he/him), President of Redemption Road Fitness Foundation (RF2) and The Phoenix Volunteer Manager in Colorado Springs. A lot has changed since Nick's first appearance in 2023. At the time, he had recently been granted clemency after serving 14 years of a 60-year sentence and had just been released from prison. Now, Nick is working as a staff member at The Phoenix, and RF2 has grown even stronger, expanding its program membership and affiliate facilities, all while transforming lives and reshaping prison culture, one person at a time.

Nick experienced firsthand how crucial mentorship and community are to keeping folks sober and out of prison. In this episode, he talks about his work with Redemption Road, and how going back into prisons and being a voice and resource was a possibility he never imagined he'd have. He also discusses adjusting to life after incarceration and how he prioritizes self-care, balancing his commitment to serving others with the importance of showing up for himself and enjoying life.

To learn more about Redemption Road, visit https://www.rf2.org/.

Check out Nick’s first podcast episode: Nick Wells: Paving the Road to Redemption.

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If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis, the following resources can provide immediate help.*

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please dial 911.

- Dial 988 for the SAMSHA Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Available 24/7
- Text “HOME” to 741-741 for the NAMI Crisis Text Line. Available 24/7.
- Dial 1-800-622-2255 to connect with a nearby treatment center & community resources through the NCADD Hope Line. Available 24/7.
- Call or text 1-844-326-5400 for The GSCA CARES Warm Line. Answered by Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists with lived experience of Substance Use Recovery. Available any day of the year, 8:30am-11pm EST

This resource was shared by Tiffany: If you are a woman in need of support in the New Hampshire or Massachusetts area, Jasmine Grace is an organization that may be able to help. You can learn more at their website: https://www.jasminegrace.org/

*Note: The resources listed are provided for informational purposes only. This list is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement from The Phoenix
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Join the Phoenix community & sign up for classes with a single click by downloading The Phoenix App! In the app, you can connect with Liz, Bryce and other listeners in The Rise Recover Live Podcast Group. Let us know what you thought about today's episode, and what you'd like to hear in future shows! We can't wait to chat with you there.

Learn more about The Phoenix, sign up for classes, or become a volunteer at https://thephoenix.org/ .

Find us on Instagram at @riserecoverlive

Send us a text

#22: Gail Taylor's journey is a powerful story of reinvention and embracing new passions at any stage of life. A successful Investment Advisor, Gail (she/her) embarked on a second act that transformed her into a songwriter, author, motivational speaker, and philanthropist. Having faced addiction personally and within her family, Gail became a dedicated advocate for mental health, co-founding the Edmonton Mental Health Foundation and supporting second stage recovery initiatives like McDougall House.

At 58, Gail decided to follow her heart and began piano lessons. Two years later, she sold her practice and retired early to focus on studying music full-time. Drawing from her own experiences with substance use disorder and recovery, Gail wrote her first book Curveballs: Unlocking your Potential through Personal Growth and Inspirational Music, accompanied by her musical catalogue of 14 inspirational songs.

Tune into the conversation with Liz and Gail as they discuss her journey to find recovery, the connection between her and her son's recoveries, her music, and much more.

Learn more about Gail at www.gailtaylormusic.com and find where to purchase Curveballs at gailtaylorauthor.com

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If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis, the following resources can provide immediate help.*

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please dial 911.

- Dial 988 for the SAMSHA Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Available 24/7
- Text “HOME” to 741-741 for the NAMI Crisis Text Line. Available 24/7.
- Dial 1-800-622-2255 to connect with a nearby treatment center & community resources through the NCADD Hope Line. Available 24/7.
- Call or text 1-844-326-5400 for The GSCA CARES Warm Line. Answered by Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists with lived experience of Substance Use Recovery. Available any day of the year, 8:30am-11pm EST

This resource was shared by Tiffany: If you are a woman in need of support in the New Hampshire or Massachusetts area, Jasmine Grace is an organization that may be able to help. You can learn more at their website: https://www.jasminegrace.org/

*Note: The resources listed are provided for informational purposes only. This list is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement from The Phoenix
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Join the Phoenix community & sign up for classes with a single click by downloading The Phoenix App! In the app, you can connect with Liz, Bryce and other listeners in The Rise Recover Live Podcast Group. Let us know what you thought about today's episode, and what you'd like to hear in future shows! We can't wait to chat with you there.

Learn more about The Phoenix, sign up for classes, or become a volunteer at https://thephoenix.org/ .

Find us on Instagram at @riserecoverlive

Send us a text

#21: This week Liz and Bryce The Third sit down with Travis Mickel (he/him), Founder of Fronting Life, an organization dedicated to supporting all individuals on their healing journeys through a community-centered approach. Focused on meditation, mindfulness, creativity, and connection, Fronting Life promotes personal growth and encourages folks to create happiness and fun wherever they go.

In the episode, Travis opens up about his journey from the fast-paced, transactional world of luxury fashion in New York City to a transformative spiritual moment at a party that prompted him to leave the city and seek help. Despite the challenges, Travis is happy he is considered an alcoholic, as his path has shaped him into the person he is today. He's discovered that what truly matters is his ability to connect with the folks around him, spread love and compassion, and help others in need.

Tune in to learn more about Travis's journey, including how meditation and Buddhism became integral parts of his recovery, why he founded Fronting Life, and the story behind the organization's unique name.

Learn more about Fronting Life and check out their local events in Wilmington, NC at www.frontinglife.com. You can also find them on Instagram @frontinglife and Facebook.

To learn more about Travis, follow him on Instagram @tlmickel.

Join the Fronting Life space on The Phoenix Mobile App at ‎https://links.thephoenix.org/SqlC2rYlgRb.

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If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis, the following resources can provide immediate help.*

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please dial 911.

- Dial 988 for the SAMSHA Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Available 24/7
- Text “HOME” to 741-741 for the NAMI Crisis Text Line. Available 24/7.
- Dial 1-800-622-2255 to connect with a nearby treatment center & community resources through the NCADD Hope Line. Available 24/7.
- Call or text 1-844-326-5400 for The GSCA CARES Warm Line. Answered by Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists with lived experience of Substance Use Recovery. Available any day of the year, 8:30am-11pm EST

*Note: The resources listed are provided for informational purposes only. This list is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement from The Phoenix
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join the Phoenix community & sign up for classes with a single click by downloading The Phoenix App! In the app, you can connect with Liz, Bryce and other listeners in The Rise Recover Live Podcast Group. Let us know what you thought about today's episode, and what you'd like to hear in future shows! We can't wait to chat with you there.

Learn more about The Phoenix, sign up for classes, or become a volunteer at https://thephoenix.org/ .

Find us on Instagram at @riserecoverlive