DeAnn and Craig discuss the potential of AI in therapy, specifically in the context of motivational interviewing (MI). They recap their previous experiment with a chatbot helping a character with alcohol consumption issues. Craig suggests using AI to practice MI, which DeAnn agrees on, given her recent research. DeAnn explains MI's principles, including empathy, rolling with resistance, and addressing ambivalence. They test th...

Luke Wendlandt joins Craig and DeAnn to discuss Cadre, a mental health platform inspired by social media, aiming to support employees' mental well-being. He highlights that 83% of employees have experienced a depressive episode in the past year. Luke shares personal stories, including missing a job opportunity, which led to a transformative role at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. He emphasizes the importance of address...

DeAnn and Craig discuss Craig's recent exploration into "A Brief History of Intelligence" by Max Bennett, which explores the evolution of intelligence and AI. Craig highlights the connection between AI advancements and our understanding of biological intelligence, using the example of the nematode worm, which has 302 neurons and exhibits simple forms of intelligence and addiction. They explore how nematodes' beh...

DeAnn Knighton and Craig Knighton, co-hosts of the Recovery Discovery Podcast, discuss their personal and professional journeys and interest in the current innovations in addiction treatment. DeAnn shares her six-year sobriety journey and her career pivot toward clinical mental health counseling. Craig talks about transitioning from engineering to an internship at Hazelden Betty Ford, focusing on addiction research. They explore th...

This is our final installment (for now) in the Sober Positive Workplace Series. 

Ben Lloyd shared his journey from an only child with a fractured family life to becoming an actor. He described his early struggles with alcohol, which began in college and intensified in New York. Lloyd's turning point came in 1992 when he met his sponsor at a recovery meeting. His sobriety led to a resurgence in his career, including roles in Phi...

DeAnn and Craig (Sober Positive Workplace) discuss the intersection of substance use disorder and suicide prevention, highlighting the work of the Livin Foundation. PT, a media personality and founder, shares his personal loss to suicide and the foundation's mission to remember loved ones for how they lived. Kaitlin, a co-founder, emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer support and the Livin Foundation's new program to ...

DeAnn interviews Kate Vitela, a board-certified nurse coach and addiction specialist, about her journey in sobriety and career. Kate, a registered nurse for over two decades, discusses her transition from various healthcare settings to behavioral health after getting sober in 2018. She shares her experiences with a state monitoring program for nurses with substance use issues and her eventual success in leadership roles. Kate empha...

DeAnn's conversation with Laura Nelson, founder of Front Office Rocks and Sober Life Rocks. Laura discusses her journey from starting her own business to advocating for sober professionals. She shares her personal struggle with alcohol, leading to her sobriety in early 2020, and the founding of Sober Life Rocks to support sober professionals at conferences. Laura emphasizes the need for inclusive event planning, highlighting i...

DeAnn is joined by co-founders of Sobrynth, Marin Nelson and Ingrid Lindberg, to address some big questions, including one big one:

How can technology be leveraged to scale human-centered solutions and care navigation for employees and their families seeking support for substance use disorder while still maintaining the importance of personal connection and empathy?

Marin Nelson 

Co-founder and CEO of Sobrynth. 1...

DeAnn Knighton and Heather Lowe discuss their experiences with sobriety and the benefits and potential challenges of navigating non-alcoholic social scenes. Heather shares her journey from a high-functioning drinker to a sober coach, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and the role of non-alcoholic drinks in maintaining sobriety. They highlight the need for awareness and understanding of individual triggers and the benefit...

In this week's episode, DeAnn is joined by Marin Nelson, one of the original founding members of Soberforce and a current founding member of Sobrynth.   They discuss the role of anxiety and depression in addiction and highlight the importance of normalizing the conversation around sobriety in the workplace.  

Key Discussion Points:

* Marin Nelson shares her recovery journey and insights on workplace inclusivity for th...

Cheryl Brown Merriwether, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CPRC, CRSS, CM

CoFounder, Vice President, Executive Director, International Center for Addiction & Recovery Education™(ICARE)

• Cheryl shares her personal story of growing up as an adult child of an alcoholic, facing challenges in her family of origin, and confronting her issues with codependency. 

Prevention 

• Behavioral health merging brings positive change while also creating a...

Cross-over episode!  Today, DeAnn is joined by half of the Through the Glass Recovery podcast team, Steve Knapp, to talk about sobriety, the workplace, and vulnerability.  This is a candid conversation about difficult things that many are rarely willing to discuss with such self-awareness and humility. We are so grateful to Steve for sharing so much of himself here. It makes for an authentic and grounded episode.

• Recovery, addic...

In this week's episode, DeAnn speaks with Earl Murphy.  Earl is the current president of Soberforce, the peer-led sober community within Salesforce that was started during the pandemic. 

Conversation Includes: 

• Earl's journey from deep entrenchment in drinking culture to leading a business resource group for sobriety at Salesforce.
• Soberforce at Salesforce creates inclusive space for recovery and allyship.
• Sobr...

This week, co-founder Craig Knighton takes the host seat to interview DeAnn to discuss recent shared non-alcoholic experiences. The conversation considers trauma, triggers, and recovery impact.   They are joined by a special guest who shares an alternative perspective on recovery and non-alcoholic beverage options. 


-Non-alcoholic options in a restaurant.
-Alcohol triggers and inclusive dining experiences.
-Re...

Welcome to January and 2024.  This episode introduces the content dropping in January. We have FIVE great interviews coming this month, including an episode when Craig interviews DeAnn about a recent shared experience that did not go as expected.  Today's episode is a quick reflection episode to set that up, along with some foundation for the other upcoming interviews we are excited to share with you this month. 

Topi...

In this week's episode, we connect with Dr. Masica Jordan-Alston of Jordan Peer Recovery.  Dr. Jordan-Alston and her team have worked systematically to create change through diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for all, starting with peer recovery training and certification in every US state and internationally.  She also has some powerful stories to share.  

• Gaps in inclusion both in research and human services:...

On this week's episode of our Sober Positive Workplace Series, DeAnn speaks with Karolina Rzadkowolska, author of "Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You".  Karolina is a powerhouse in the alcohol-free movement.  She has helped countless gray-area drinkers reconsider their relationship with alcohol.  The episode discusses alcohol culture and its impact on the workplace, generational considerat...

Host, DeAnn Knighton, and Janet Hadley, founder of Choose Sunrise (UK organization), review considerations for employers in building alcohol safety into their organizations 

Stigma and workplace. 7:37

• Reaching out to the gray area drinkers in the workplace
• Stigma is a result of our evolution to put people into groups, which is useful, but creates blind spots for gray areas.
• "Drink Responsibly" is a powerful slogan that en...