REAL Talk with REAL LIFE

REAL Talk with REAL LIFE

Introducing “REAL Talk with REAL LIFE” a podcast brought to you weekly from the REAL LIFE Community Center. REAL Talk will bring on guests and their wealth of ideas, energy, and resources on recovery, re-entry, housing dilemmas, mental health and other related topics – all areas that we see are plaguing our clients and many others in Richmond and throughout our country. It is our goal that REAL Talk will contribute to sparking the fire of social change, while providing motivation for those in recovery and in this arena.

Episodes

Season 2 Ep 9: Kevin Britton - Chasing Greatness

April 5, 2019 • 53 mins
Kevin is a student at Howard University School of Law(HUSL). He is a person in long term recovery who is chasing greatness and has been a bright light to those who find themselves in a hopeless place. Kevin writes: ”Drawing my inspiration from the writing and actions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In my bleakest moments, I found strength in his sermons and speeches that inaugurated the civil rights movement of the 1960s. They demon...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep 8: A.J. Johnson - My Personal Recovery Journey

March 28, 2019 • 51 mins
AJ is a strong advocate for recovery. Upon release from Riverside Regional Jail he joined the REAL LIFE program and has not looked back. Along with volunteering for different events that the program has, AJ also works a full time job landscaping and attends NA meetings weekly. AJ has refocussed his time and energy into positive actions that will affect his life for the better. He plans on one day to own his own home and acquire hi...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep: 7 - Joel Elston - “Powerless No More:The Power of Positive Thinking and Growth Mindset”

March 7, 2019 • 62 mins
This episode we are joined by Joel Elston to discuss the power of positive thought and developing a growth mindset. We also discuss the potential for misuse of the principle of powerlessness and how that may sometimes inhibit growth and foster a victim mentality. Joel Elston is a Master Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Author and Consultant. He is the Father of 3 sons, TJ, Chris and Justin. Joel is an advocate for children in fost...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep 6: Abbey O'Toole - 'Motherhood, relationships and lasting recovery"

March 1, 2019 • 61 mins
Abbey O’Toole is a woman in long term recovery. After spending her teen years in and out of institutions and 12 step programs she finally found lasting recovery after a serious suicide attempt. From the depths of despair and hopelessness she has climbed up and reclaimed her role as a daughter, sister, faithful fiancé and now new mother. Join us on this episode as we talk to Abbey about her journey, the gifts and struggles of being ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep 5: Johnny Harrell: “I have to get myself right first”

February 21, 2019 • 61 mins

Johnny Harrell was recently released from the Virginia Department of Corrections after serving a 3 years sentence. After coming in and out the criminal justice system for many years as a result of battling a substance use disorder, Johnny made the decision to transition to REAL LIFE.  His goal is to stay motivated, work hard, and push forward to help achieve a brighter future for himself.  Johnny wants to take care of him...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep 4: Daniel Brockington: What is different this time?

February 15, 2019 • 54 mins
Daniel Brockington is person in long-term recovery. He is a father,a partner, and an aspiring leader. Daniel has been recently released from his last period of incarceration due to his substance use disorder.  Mr. Brockington sits down with us to discuss what led him to this point in his life and what he is doing today to avoid falling in the same traps that have snared him in the past.  This raw and uncut discussion will be one th...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep 3: Paul & Matt on Occupational Therapy Practices in Recovery

February 8, 2019 • 47 mins
Matt Carpenter and Paul Kehrer are Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students at VCU who are doing their doctoral practicum at REAL LIFE Community Center.  Their ideas on how OT relates to the population we serve are very insightful and intriguing.  Today we sit down with them to discuss those ideas. Matt Carpenter is an Occupational Therapy Doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University and has an undergraduate degree in Sociolo...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep 2: Upcoming Legislation Discussion w/ Sarah Scarbrough, Anthony Grimes, and David Rook

January 31, 2019 • 44 mins
Sarah Scarbrough(REAL LIFE Community Center), Anthony Grimes (The WAR Foundation), and David Rook(TRUE Recovery) are all founders and directors of their organizations that serve people with Substance Use disorder and incarceration issues. On this episode they sit down to discuss upcoming legislation that is being heard in the general assembly that has a potential to greatly impact our ability to better serve this marginalized popul...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep 1 : Jesse Wysocki "Life, Love, and Recovery"

January 25, 2019 • 42 mins
Jesse Wysocki sits down to discuss a wide range of topics to include: Life, Love, and Recovery.   Jesse Wysocki is the Chief Operating Officer of The McShin Foundation.  Born in Suffolk, VA, his childhood was spent following his Dad’s Navy career until moving to Chesterfield and graduating from L.C. Bird High School.  Previously, he worked as a Human Resource Director at The Towers Retirement & Assistant Living Community and was th...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep. 10: Maggie's Story

September 5, 2018 • 18 mins
Maggie is an active member of the recovery community. She guides women today to bettering their life and getting out of their old life-style; just as she was guided and is continuing to be guided. This is her experience while in active addiction and where she is at now once choosing a different way of life.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep. 9: Laine's Story

August 29, 2018 • 16 mins
Latest episode of REAL Talk with R.E.A.L. LIFE
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 2 Ep. 8: Johnny Bullock: Empowered Fathers = Empowered Communities

August 22, 2018 • 16 mins
Johnny Bullock, Coordinator/Facilitator @ The Virginia Family& Fatherhood Initiative, discusses how VFFI is striving to empower young men to become strong, positive providers to help stem the epidemic of fatherless families in Virginia. We also discuss how the reunification of healthy families contributes to the total health and wellness of the family, community, and society at large. Young fathers, especially those who have grown ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep 7: Tracy Grow: Grief and Loss Support/Recovery

August 15, 2018 • 20 mins
Tracy Talley Grow: Founder of GRAPLE & Recovery Advocate After losing her son, Taylor to a heroin overdose in October 2016, she saw a need to help those who have been affected by similar losses and began GRAPLE in February 2017. She also works with individuals in recovery as they navigate a new way to live without substances while coping with grief. GRAPLE is a grief and loss recovery resource for anyone who has lost someone to ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep. 3: Richard and Rodney: Community

August 8, 2018 • 20 mins
Two REAL LIFE Participants discuss the importance of "Community" in recovery and their personal experiences with drug court and how that has contributed to success in their recovery
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep. 6: Creating Positive Momentum w/ Ryan Riggs

August 2, 2018 • 5 mins
Case Manager Ryan Riggs discusses his experience with negative momentum creative by negative thought, behaviors, and habits and how he was able to change that momentum through consistent, deliberate, positive action.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep. 4: Tauchanna Gilmore: Housing Crisis for Women and Children

August 1, 2018 • 8 mins
Tauchanna Gilmore is REAL LIFE'S Expectant Mother's Program Director. On this episode we discuss the overwhelming hurdles these women face and what REAL LIFE is doing to meet the needs of this population.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep. 5: Jill Cichowicz: End The Stigma, Fight For Tomorrow

July 24, 2018 • 17 mins
Jill Cichowicz is a stay at home mother of two energetic boys and currently resides in Midlothian, Virginia. After losing her twin brother, Scott Zebrowski to an accidental drug overdose on February 28, 2017 she partnered with The Mcshin Foundation and created the Scott Zebrowski Scholarship Fund to help those suffering with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) receive the help they so desperately deserve. She orchestrated her first fundra...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1 Ep. 2: Anne Moss Rogers: Grief From A Stigmatized Death

July 16, 2018 • 16 mins
Anne Moss Rogers, Executive Director of The Beacon Tree Foundation(www.beacontree.org),Mother of A child, Charles, that died from suicide and suffered with SUD and mental health. She is also a public speaker, and writer. Anne started a blog called www.emotionallynaked.com that focuses on starting dialogue about issues that often stay hidden in the dark corners of society: mental health, addiction, and suicide. She is joining us tod...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Season 1, Episode 1: Tim Alexander: Surrender vs Beating The disease on my own

July 12, 2018 • 13 mins
Tim Alexander
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    iHeartRadio 24/7 News: The Latest

    iHeartRadio 24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Breakfast Club

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices