Recovery Learning Library

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF Helen Skipper Executive Director, NYC Justice Peer Initiative Presented to the New York State Joint Budget Committee on Public Protection on January 25, 2024 My name is Helen “Skip” Skipper and I am Executive Director of the NYC Justice Peer Initiative. I am also a proud […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify A Personal Journey of Strength and Growth. Diana Echaves professional achievements are deeply intertwined with her personal journey of resilience. Raised in a household affected by addiction and instability, she witnessed firsthand the challenges that come with growing up in a dysfunctional environment. Her childhood was marked by struggles […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Dr. Snethen has a PhD in leisure activities and is the Associate Director for the Temple University Collaborative and an associate professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University. Her research focuses on using community-based recreation and transportation to increase community participation. In this podcast […]

Watch on YouTube Lori talks with Rev. Julia Robles Scott about her recovery experience and how a spiritual awakening led her to discover new meaning and purpose in life, the power of community and how giving back through her ministry and through service has become the pathway to a joyous fulfilling life of recovery, well-being […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Catch Viva La Evolution’s newest episode featuring Sally Zinman This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), located in Fairfield, CA., providing services in Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties of California for State Department of Rehabilitation and across the state of California through private employment contracts. The organization was created in 2000 […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify In this Viva La Evolution interview, Lori talks with Phyllis Vine about her latest book, Fighting for Recovery. About Fighting for Recovery: “Fighting for Recovery reveals how grassroots activists challenged medical authority and popular opinion to insist upon recovery for people managing a mental illness. Since the middle of […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Laura Van Tosh has been a leader in the psychiatric survivor movement for over 40 years working in particular on legislative and policy issues at the state, local and national levels. In this podcast, Lori talks with Van Tosh about her amazing journey. Check out this link from Mad […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Lori talks with Dr. Salzer about community inclusion and participation for individuals in recovery from mental health challenges. Mark Salzer’s biography from the Temple University website: Mark Salzer, PhD, is a professor and former department chair in the College of Public Health at Temple University. He has also been […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Viva La Evolution, Lori Ashcraft, has an inspiring conversation with Steve Appleton, President/CEO of Global Leadership Exchange, formerly known as International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL). From GLE’s website, gle.world, “We create opportunities for people to share their leadership experiences and insights to help find solutions and ideas […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify From Jim Rendon’s website, www.jimrendon.com Upside: The New Science of Post-Traumatic Growth Most survivors of trauma, whether they live through life threatening illnesses or accidents, horror on the battlefield, or the loss of a loved one, suffer, sometimes for months or years. But over the last few decades, psychologists […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify When I reflect on my early experiences entering the professional world as a young person, I remember struggling with feeling like I wasn’t enough. I would see mentors and leaders excelling in their work and felt confused as to why I couldn’t do the same. I truly believed something […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Tonie Dreher shares her amazing story of recovery from trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges. Tonie’s recovery story is included in Patrick J. Kennedy’s book, Profiles in Mental Health Courage. Tonie now works as a Women’s Specialist at CASES in New York City. Included in Tonie’s recovery experience was […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Affordable Housing with Services for the Homeless: April Ludwig, LMFT, is the CEO of Hope Cooperative, a nonprofit organization in Sacramento and Yolo Counties that provides housing, mental health services, and substance-use rehabilitation. Learn more about Hope Cooperative at https://hopecoop.org/. We Built It, They Came, What’s Next? Guest Editorial […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Lori talks with Noah Palmer who shares his powerful story of recovery from a traumatic event and addiction. One year ago, Noah lost his sight in a motorcycle accident. Despite this catastrophic event, Noah’s story illustrates many aspects of post-traumatic growth, which are discussed in this episode. Answer the […]

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify This interview gives us a good representation of how things change when we look at them from different perspectives. Clearly, Von’s experience shows evidence of spiritual emergence (a term coined by Stanislav Grof in his many books and publications). Are we as healers able to accept this alternative perspective, […]

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube from www.patdeegan.com/about-pat-deegan “My mission is to help empower mental health services users in their own recovery and to provide peer supporters and clinicians with the know-how to support people in their recovery journey. I’m uniquely positioned to fulfill my vocation because I was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager, […]

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube Promoting wellbeing and extending lives Ron Manderscheid, Ph.D., has a life-long commitment to social-justice, particularly racial, gender, and health equity. This is reflected through a career that spans national work with the Congress and Administration, federal agencies, NGOs, and university teaching. Here Ron shares his thoughts on ‘Protecting, Connecting […]

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube Lindsay shares her inspiring story of recovery. As part of her recovery journey, she completed the 80-hour “Peer Support Learning for the 21st Century” course and the 120-hour internship. She was hired as a Peer Support Specialist working in the San Diego Mental Health Rehabilitation where she supports residents […]

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube PRN is a ground-breaking peer led organization based in North Carolina founded by Cherene in 2005. The PRN website, promiseresourcenetwork.org, describes organization’s beliefs, mission, vision, why we exist and our approach. Here’s an excerpt from the PRN website. We know personally and through the experience of others that recovery […]

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube We talk with two Crestwood leaders, Greg Parnel and Margaret Clayton. Greg is a Zuma instructor extraordinaire, Advanced Level Facilitator of WRAP and member of the REaL (Recovery, Education and Leadership) a group of peers working at a corporate level to bring recovery-oriented services to the many Crestwood campuses. […]

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube It has been such a pleasure to interview an old friend, Paolo del Vecchio, for this podcast. Over the years, Paolo has been a consistent voice supporting the recovery movement and peer support. We are pasting an article from the SAMHSA website that summarizes some of the key things […]

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube Through my commitment to my own Wounded Healer’s journey, I share with our clients and students my deep understanding of what it is to be human and find your own personal myth or soul’s purpose. After a career in mainstream academic psychiatry and addiction treatment, I became frustrated by […]

April Dickerson, CEO of Recovery Empowerment Network in Phoenix Arizona, shares the inspiring work of REN, a leading peer run organization. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube From the REN website, renaz.org. “We are a community service agency staffed by those who have lived experience. With 15 years of history serving Maricopa County and guiding […]

Raul is a Senior Consultant for SAMHSA and Policy Advisor for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube In this video Raul shares his experience and insights about trauma informed care. Below is excerpted from “SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach.” “From SAMHSA’s […]

Shanel shares her journey of recovery and how she is evidence that recovery is real. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Rob gives us a fresh look at some old practices about forced treatment. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Mike talks about his life and his passion. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

“Conservatorship needs an overhaul” With Dr. Alex Barnard Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

A peer tells his story of the ups and downs of the recovery journey. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Kells Talks About Generational Trauma, the Imposter Syndrome, Gender Identity, and How She is Thriving Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Hey PEERS!!! Vince Caimano catches us up on the amazing growth and effectiveness of peer support opportunities worldwide. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

The power of a recovery-based welcoming practice. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Peer support in the early 70s. We are taking a look at two programs that demonstrated the feasibility of peer support against all odds. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State […]

The editors of the book entitled WHAT IT TAKES: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors describe the purpose of the book and its importance. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York […]

Peer support is alive and well in Singapore thanks to the brilliance of a group of dedicated peers. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Experiencing relapse is a learning opportunity to strengthen resilience and create a broader platform for a meaningful life. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Lessons in connecting to the person, not the problem Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Dr. Mark Ragins talks about his groundbreaking work of learning and teaching about the probability of recovery Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Today we’ll hear from Matthew Federici, Director of the Copeland Center, who describes the full array of programs offered by the center and moving on from WRAP. Watch for the PTG emergence Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube this project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC and the Alliance […]

We will closely examine the surprising journey of how recovery actually happens and we will see it play out as Gloriana shares her recovery story that gives us a close look at the ups and downs of the process. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support […]

The healing power of relationships, our superpower for transformation, can sometimes get lost in the morass of paperwork, professional distance, and convenience. This interview with Dr. George Woods shines the light on the importance of cultivating authentic meaningful relationships with those we serve. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part […]

Peer Employment in Action: Here’s how it actually happened in the first Crestwood Campus. A lot has happened since these early days and we’ve learned a lot from this amazing experiment. If enough people believe in something and are willing to take action, the impossible becomes possible. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project […]

This very innovative program trains people on conservatorship to become peer support specialists. Chris and Jim describe the structure and components of the Peer Employment Learning Center, including the program evaluation carried out by Rutgers University. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University […]

The magical alternative to traditional treatment that leads to recovery – Peer-run programs and peer support in all settings Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Listen to Shannon’s amazing story of building a large peer workforce and the recovery opportunities that were made possible. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Leading from the heart is perhaps the most courageous form of leadership and the most effective. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This project is funded in part by the generous support from Rutgers University PeerTAC, the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Last spring our boss, Dr. Patty Blum, suggested we procure Edye’s consultation services to help us develop a strategic plan for Recovery and Resilience Solutions (RRS). This was a very good idea because we had our heads down and hadn’t looked up for a while to see where we wanted to go and to agree […]

Today we are going to share some “tools” with you that will help you sustain a recovery culture. “Tools” are a combination of guides, prompts, and processes that provide a framework for staying on track with recovery ways of being with each other and with those you serve. Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube This […]

We may need to clean up some behaviors, attitudes, and rules, that get in the way of sustainable change before we add new tools to our work.  We call this wrangling the “Elephants in the Room”. Elephants are both internal –the ones we hold inside, and external, those that wander around in our space. So […]

Today is part 2 of our episodes on creating cultures that support people on a recovery journey. Lori shares ways to move past resistance and to focus on building and sustaining a recovery and resilience culture. She tells us how to navigate barriers to change and cheers us on as we move into new territory. […]

Hello Friends, Today we will be covering the first in a series of sessions on shifting to a recovery culture.  We hear from lots of people these days about the important role culture plays in setting the stage for recovery and resilience. It seems we are all recognizing the value of creating a safe, creative, […]

Hello Friends, We at Recovery and Resilience Solutions (RRS) have exciting news for you. We have beenbusy creating videos, complete with downloadable narratives, that you can use to learn more about the recovery and resilience-building process. Watch our intro video here. We hope not just to be a place where you receive information, but a […]