What if you could hear the same family one year apart and actually feel the shift from chaos to connection. In this powerful “before and after” episode, Jeff revisits Angela Freeman and her two kids, Ruby and Elias. Last year, we met them in Toronto when every day felt like triage — school battles, misunderstandings, and constant fires. One year later, everything looks different.
Through sober momentum, the right school fit, and daily co-regulation, the Freemans moved from surviving to thriving. Ruby’s attendance shot up to 97%, she jumped three grade levels in math, and even won a science award. Elias found the right adult in his corner, became a student leader, and learned to love sports again. And Angela — now nearing four years sober — reframed advocacy, focusing on training the teacher in front of her child and protecting routines that bring safety and connection home.
In This Episode You’ll Hear
• What the Freeman family’s “before” looked and felt like when everything was on fire
• How one year of steady sobriety and co-regulation changed the tone of their home
• The power of placement as intervention and why “fit” matters more than label
• How one trusted adult at school can be the difference between crisis and confidence
• Angela’s advocacy reframe: stop fighting systems, start training people
• Real numbers that prove change — better attendance, higher grades, stronger bonds
• Practical home language to keep everyone safe: “cut this, not that”
Why It Matters
The Freeman story proves you don’t need perfect conditions to change a trajectory — just the right fit, one person who gets it, and small daily moves that protect safety and connection. It’s a story of resilience, recovery, and real-world success that reminds every caregiver: you’re not alone, and small changes stack up fast.
👉 You are stronger than you think. Progress starts with fit, relationship, and routine.
Resources and Links
🌐 Angela’s First Appearance (Episode 137): https://www.fasdsuccess.com/blog/podcast-episode-137
📘 Join our FASD Success Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fasdsuccess
▶️ Subscribe to the FASD Success YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FASDSuccess
📸 Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fasdsuccess
📝 Get full show notes and all episodes here: https://www.fasdsuccess.com/podcast
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