The disease of addiction is treatable

April 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Today’s guest shares our passion, our desire, and our commitment to better treatment norms and outcomes for all people and families suffering from the effects of the disease of addiction.

Today’s guest, Lorne Hildebrand, is Executive Director of Edgewood Treatment Facility in Vancouver Island, Canada.

Our guest passionately and enthusiastically declares “the disease of addiction is treatable” and how it can be accomplished. He shares a proven, conventional and documented approach - though it is not as easy or simple as any of us would wish it to be. Lorne brings a refreshingly direct and honest conversation to the issue of addiction in our society, including the legal, medical, societal, political, educational and personal obstacles to obtaining and sustaining a proper treatment regimen.

There is nothing better that an authentic intellectual discussion about addiction - today’s Addiction Conversation delivers in a wonderful way!

Filed Under: featured, Lessons In Addiction, Parenting, Parenting & Addiction Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Never Lose Hope - Incredible, Miraculous Recoveries Can and Do Happen

March 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Today’s podcast features an incredible, if not improbable story. At 22, Jack Kelly was homeless, living on the streets, and addicted to heroin. Having lost everything that was important to him – his family, his athletic prowess, his dreams – all he had left was his addiction.

Even though they don’t have to, too many stories end here. Fortunately, for us and for Jack this story demonstrates that recovery is possible. That hope is not wasted. And, those who find their recovery are capable of incredible, successful life outcomes.

When you listen to this podcast, you will hear how Jack found his recovery, turned his life around while living and celebrating an accomplished, exciting life – running for office in his hometown of Boston, working for and mingling with community leaders, and even developing the IRecover App to help those in recovery connect with others in the same situation. Never lose hope, never give up – it possible. Jack is proof amazing recovery stories can and do happen!

Links of Interest:

Twitter: @Jack Kelly111

Facebook: Jack Kelly

IRecoverApp

Jack’s Story

Filed Under: featured, Inspirational Perspectives, Learning From Experience, Lessons In Addiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Addiction in the Family – Two Generations, Two Stories, One Giant Gift

February 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment

What happens when a father’s recovery journey is not enough to protect his daughter from following her own addiction path? In today’s conversation we hear the story of father who spent a good part of his life fighting to find his recovery to be the dad he knew he could be. And, the subsequent story of his life in recovery as his daughter fought her own addiction battle until she nearly died from an overdose.

It has been a long journey, the lessons, experiences and outcomes of their choices have had lasting impact; but, love is the victor in this battle.

In this podcast you will hear about the journey of addiction, how guilt and hopelessness can trigger more abuse, and how recovery can be found in very unique and special ways. My thanks to Jeff Bertolet for sharing his incredible story and committing to using his story to inspire others.

Filed Under: featured, Lessons In Addiction, Parenting, Parenting & Addiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

We can all be advocates

February 19, 2025 by 4 Comments

Today’s guest is a very special advocate for our children and loved ones. Judge Jodi Debbrecht Switalski, is a district court judge in Michigan. More importantly, she is clearly leading the way to help change the way addiction is treated in the courts, in our criminal justice system, and in society. She is a voice of education, awareness, and change.

As parents dealing with this adversity in our family, we can all be grateful for the presence of those who think forwardly and proactively. More importantly, we cannot stand by and have others fight our battles on our behalf. We must join in the fight for increased awareness, for improved education, and for the change that helps our children and loved ones in their battles with addiction.

Please listen to this podcast and learn more about the resources and programs that can help us in our battle. Nothing changes until we stand tall and fight for change. I promise, you will fight hope and courage in this conversation! Peace!

Links of interest:

National Association of Drug Court Professionals

The Stutman Group

Dying to be Free

Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act

Judge Jodi’s Bio

Filed Under: Addiction Conversation Podcast, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Answering the Recovery Wake-Up Call

February 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Everyone has that moment in their life when they realize something is wrong and change is required. Today’s guest had that moment, acknowledged his reality, made a commitment and changed his life. As we learn in today’s conversation, we don’t realize how serious our problem is until it shows up and gives us a free, unsolicited demonstration.

While many of our previous guests have been parents of those with addictions, today’s guest Jim Humphreys is a mature adult, a parent, a man with a successful professional career. He also is in recovery from his addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Those who take time to listen to this conversation will find inspiration in his journey, education in his perspectives, and wonderful nuggets of quotable, repeatable words of wisdom.

Listen how hope, servitude, and commitment have transformed a broken life into a man reborn, rejuvenated in recovery.

Links of Interest:

Jim on Twitter @CyRecovery

Jim’s Blog: Cycle to Recovery

Positive Addiction (book)

Filed Under: Addiction, Learning From Experience, Lessons In Addiction Tagged With: , , ,

The resourceful power of effective Communication in dealing with Addiction

February 5, 2026 by 6 Comments

Today’s guest, Denise Mariano, shares the story of her family’s journey with her son’s addiction. While the conversation covered a wide range of topics like recovery, parenting, stigma, treatment, and community, the theme of our conversation centered around the power of communication as a tool to inspire, educate, coach, and encourage.. Everyone battling with their addiction or struggling with the addiction of a loved one. While this fight may not yet be as successful as one would desire, the one certainty is that everyone involved is listening, learning, experiencing, and searching.

Listen to this podcast. The perspectives shared about how we communicate with ourselves, our loved ones, with others in similar situations is very, very powerful. Talking is healing, healing is listening, listening is understanding, and understanding is the gift you cannot live without or withhold from others. Please take time to listen to this conversation and be prepared share the gift of better communication.

Links of interest:

Denise Mariano (Twitter)

Denise Mariano (Facebook)

CRAFT (about)

SMART Recovery (website)

Partnership for Drug Free Kids (website)

Partnership for Drug Free Kids (coaching helpline)

Filed Under: Addiction Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Addiction in ‘A Very Fine House’

January 29, 2026 by Leave a Comment

When her daughter started using Crystal Meth, Barbara Stoefen didn’t know what to do, so she did the only thing she could do - learn, get help for herself, and be open about her situation. Barbara learned early on the power of boundaries, consequences, and self-care. She quickly came to understand the only hope for her daughter’s recovery was for her daughter to experience the consequences of her choices.

It was a decision that ultimately may have saved her daughter’s life.

Please enjoy this conversation with Barbara as she shares her lessons and walks us through her journey. While Barbara’s path was not always easy, it is extremely enlightening to hear how she proactively accelerated the learning curve and engaged in helping her daughter experience the consequences of her addiction driven choices. While these are not easy decisions for any parent, Barbara certainly presents a marvelous example of the power and opportunity in these behaviors.

Links of interest:

A Very Fine House (book)

Barbara Cofer Stoefen (website/blog)

Barbara Cofer Stoefen (Facebook page)

Barbara Cofer Stoefen (Twitter)

Filed Under: Addiction, Learning From Experience, Lessons In Addiction, Parenting, Parenting & Addiction Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Parents, what you say matters more than you realize

November 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Are you in a battle to communicate effectively with your addicted child?

Are you struggling to understand their choices and responses despite your best efforts?

Are you frustrated to find the words to offer encouragement and support in moments of conflict and pain?

You are not alone. Every parent faces a difficult, challenging learning curve when dealing with a child’s addiction.

The information in this podcast can and will help you…

Listen to this episode…

Subscribe via I-Tunes…

Every parent feels a sense of responsibility for their child’s addiction.

Every one eventually comes to understand that guilt is part of the process; but, we are not to blame for the choices our children make.

A child’s recovery from their addiction is a parent’s highest priority.

Just as we are not responsible for the choices that brought our child to their addictive situation, we are not responsible for their decisions in recovery.

How we communicate and interact with them can have a significant influence on how they manage their recovery.

Today’s guest, Jill D. Cox, is a professional counselor specializing in treatment therapy. I connected with her through several professional groups on LinkedIn.

I found her writings and comments particularly insightful and accurate.

She has a great perspective for parents and a calming, steady approach in a very chaotic emotional environment.

Listen to this episode…

Subscribe via I-Tunes…

100Pedals has just released a FREE audio program for parents. “Addiction and the Family: Four Guidelines to Embrace” is an audio program that provides parents perspective for dealing with addiction in the family. To obtain your digital download click here.

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Addiction Conversation Podcast: Episode 7

November 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Even with a lifetime of experience behind her, this mom still struggled in managing her behaviors in response to her child’s addiction.

Today’s guest is thirty-nine years clean and sober, she’s a professional therapist, a passionate follower of the 12 Steps and a firm believer in her faith. With that background it would seem that she has the perfect resume and experience to be a parent dealing with addictions in her family.

Even she struggled.

Despite her experience, her training, and her commitment she battled with the adversity of addiction like all parents do. What we learn from Pam Hemphill on today’s podcast is that you cannot do it alone, you will always need help, and we cannot be perfect. Join us as Pam shares her insights for finding strength, hope and encouragement through others to stay strong, at peace, and in control on her journey.

Listen to this Episode

Download to I-Tunes

100Pedals has just released a FREE audio program for parents. “Addiction and the Family: Four Guidelines to Embrace” is an audio program that provides parents perspective for dealing with addiction in the family. To obtain your digital download click here.

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Podcast Launch: Addiction Conversation

October 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment

You have likely already noted announcements pertaining to the release of several episodes of The Addiction Conversation.

Now that we have successfully grabbed your attention, here is the rest of the story….

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Addiction Conversation is a weekly podcast featuring prominent, passionate voices in the addiction world such as Dean Dauphinais, Sandy Swenson, Cathy Taughinbaugh and many more. Each guest joins the Conversation to share their experiences, lessons, and perspectives on the issue of addiction in the family, in the community, and in our youth.

Our guests include parents, those in recovery, professional counselors, and experts in various court and law enforcement arenas. It is our objective to offer a wide range of information to parents looking for insight and answers.

The Addiction Conversation gives parents a place to listen to and learn from the stories of those with similar personal or comparable professional experiences to help guide them through the chaos and confusion of the addicted world.

Every Thursday, Dave Cooke and his guests will share their conversation about addiction, treatment, recovery, parenting. To join us, simply head over to I-Tunes and download an episode or, subscribe to them all.

Each week you will receive another inspirational, informative dose of love from passionate, caring, and incredibly knowledgeable people. I hope you will join us.

WE ARE HAVING A CONTEST:

Let’s have some fun with this!

I will give away 12 FREE, SIGNED COPIES of my book “Behind the Dumpster.”

If you have already purchased a book - Thank you! I will offer you a 30 minute Skype session instead.

All you have to do is:

  1. Head over to I-Tunes
  2. Download and listen to a show
  3. Leave a rating and review on I-Tunes
  4. Email me a screenshot of your rating and review to [email protected]
  5. I will draw and announce 12 winners on Monday, November 24

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE US TO DISCUSS?

If you have an idea for a topic, a request, or would like to join the Conversation as a guest, please contact Dave Cooke.

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