The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast

In this heartfelt episode, Jason Lennox opens up about the turning point in his recovery journey—the day his family staged an intervention. What began in resistance transformed into a powerful path of healing, accountability, and deep self-discovery.

Jason shares the impact of treatment, the emotional weight of feeling unworthy, and how his grandmother’s unwavering love and the fear of returning to jail became anchors in his fight f...

Welcome back, I am honored to introduce you to Jason Lennox—a speaker, author, and recovery champion.

He shares his powerful journey through addiction, trauma, and transformation. From early exposure to substance use in his family to his own descent into homelessness, arrests, and near-fatal overdose.

Jason opens up about the pivotal moment at age 24 that led him to choose life, healing, and purpose.

With unflinching honesty, he speak...

In today’s episode, Margaret Swift Thompson of Embrace Family Recovery dives into one of the toughest but most vital topics—how to support and protect children in families affected by addiction. Margaret shares heartfelt insight on setting healthy boundaries, empowering children to speak up when they feel unsafe, and helping them understand that addiction is a disease—not their fault.

From practical tools like Sesame Street resource...

In this episode of The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast, Margaret, a seasoned family recovery specialist, shares a powerful story from an unexpected place—an airline lounge. What began as a frustrating encounter with an intoxicated, disruptive woman evolved into a profound reflection on the generational impacts of addiction. As Margaret witnessed the emotional toll on staff and fellow travelers, she was reminded of how deeply addict...

In this eye-opening episode of the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast, Margaret Swift Thompson dives into the emotional and psychological grip of addiction through the lens of the powerful visual metaphor, The Addiction Dance. 

Please watch the video of this incredible visual on the Embrace Family Recovery Youtube channel. The dance was first aired on 'So You Think You Can Dance' in 2023.

With a haunting portrayal of addiction...

Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast.

Loving someone with addiction can feel like being a shaken soda bottle—ready to explode at any moment. 

In this episode, Margaret dives into the emotional toll of addiction on families and the transformative power of 12-step recovery. From admitting powerlessness to embracing gratitude and service, she explores how these steps help family members find peace, manage emotions, and br...

Welcome to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast. Today, I’m joined again by Brenda, a courageous and inspiring guest who shares her multi-layered recovery journey from workaholism, codependency, and alcohol addiction. Brenda opens up about how these struggles intertwined in her life, the unexpected healing she found through writing poetry, and the tools she used to rebuild her relationship with herself. 

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Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast! 

Today, I thrilled to introduce you to Brenda — a courageous woman who shares her inspiring journey of recovery from codependency, work addiction, and alcoholism. Growing up in a home impacted by addiction and mental illness, Brenda turned to overachievement to manage the chaos. Through intensive therapy, support groups like CODA, Al-Anon, and Workaholics Anonymous, and the transf...

Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast. 

Today, I share a powerful writing by Amanda Weston titled 'I'm Done Explaining Myself,' which emphasizes the futility of trying to change others' perceptions. Amanda writes about the importance of focusing on what is within one's control, such as thoughts, actions, and responses, rather than trying to control others. 

Margaret highlights the need to let go...

Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast! 

In this episode, Patrick Flanagan, a recovering alcoholic, continues to share his powerful journey of sobriety, family healing, and advocacy in the recovery community. 

Patrick opens up about the vital role of maintaining his AA program and community involvement to prevent relapse. He reflects on his family’s engagement in therapy, including his daughter Josie’s ongoing support, a...

In this powerful episode of the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast, Patrick Flanagan shares his raw and honest journey from teenage drinking to battling alcoholism into adulthood. After multiple rehab stays, he achieved sobriety on January 18, 2019. 

Patrick opens up about his transition from keeping his addiction private and the difference between being “dry” and genuinely sober.

He also discusses the impact of addiction on his loved o...

Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast! Many of you have asked for more solo episodes, so I’m bringing my Moments with Margaret series from YouTube and weaving them into my lineup alongside incredible guest conversations.

Back in 1996, as a student at Hazelden Betty Ford, I was introduced to the term AFGE – Another F’n Growing Experience. These are the painful, challenging moments in life that, while difficult, offer pr...

Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast, where we conclude our heartfelt conversation with Jay, a father whose world was forever changed by the loss of his son, Jason, to the disease of addiction.

In this episode, Jay opens up about the challenges of loving someone battling addiction, the profound lessons he’s learned through the journey of grief, and how he’s found healing through the transformative power of grace. This...

Welcome to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast, where we explore the challenges and resilience of families impacted by addiction. Today we return to Jay who courageously shares his story of navigating his son’s battle with addiction and the devastating aftermath of his death from fentanyl.

Together, we delve into the complexities of parenting a child with addiction, the painful questions of what could have been done differently, and...

Welcome to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast. Today, I'm honored to share the powerful story of Jay, a father who experienced the heartbreak of his son Jason’s battle with addiction.
Jay opens up about the shock of discovering his son’s addiction, his initial attempts to help, and the painful realization of its complexities. 
Join us as Jay shares his journey, the lessons he’s learned, and the vital importance of sup...

Welcome back to The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast! Today William Cope Moyers, author of 'Broken' and 'Broken Open', who has been in recovery from the disease of addiction since 1989 returns. 
In this episode, William shares his candid experience with addiction, return to use, and the challenges of maintaining sobriety. He discusses how addiction impacted his family, and the critical lessons he's learn...

Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast! Today, I’m excited to welcome back my friend and previous guest, William Cope Moyers!
William returns to discuss life and recovery since the release of his groundbreaking book Broken in 2006. His ongoing journey is now beautifully captured in his latest book, Broken Open.  Moyers opens up about his unexpected return to opiate use following a dental procedure, illustrating th...

In this episode of the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast, we dive deep into the challenges families face when navigating addiction, particularly when multiple family members are affected. From setting essential boundaries for safety, especially for children, to the evolving nature of these boundaries over time, we explore the strategies that can help create a supportive environment for recovery.

Mallory shares insights from their work...

Welcome back to the Embrace Family Recovery Podcast! In today’s episode, Mallory Henry returns to share a deeply personal story about how addiction affected her family, with a special focus on the often-overlooked struggles of siblings.
She opens up about her brother’s battle with addiction, the profound impact it had on her family, and her own emotional journey as a sibling. 
Together, we explore the critical need to vali...