No Thanks But Yes

S2/E12: Elaine Alec - Recovery is Everything

Elaine Alec (she/her) is an author, political advisor, women’s advocate, and spiritual thought leader and teacher. Her book Calling My Spirit Back contains stories as teachings, prophecy, and protocols shared throughout the years by Elders, language speakers, Medicine People, and helpers. We talk about decolonizing healing practice from a place of fear & control to faith, trust, & love. Learn more about her training Cultivating Safe Spaces and the inaugural conference of the same name happening this June in Canada.

• Recorded 1.17.2023 in Raleigh, NC and Kamloops, BC on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E11: Amber Lavin - You Have All The Answers

Amber Lavin is a relationship coach and co-owner of Asheville, NC’s True Nature Counseling & Coaching. Her practice focuses on mindfulness in relationships, particularly working with women to reframe experiences, so that they can have the healthy partnerships they deserve. She believes that we are more than our past stories, and we can become the author today. Full disclosure – Amber is my beloved niece, and I’m her Uncle Don. I enjoyed this conversation so very much, and I hope you do as well.

• Recorded 1.12.2023 in Raleigh, NC & Asheville, NC on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E10: Dee Mauricio - Everyone’s In Recovery

Diana (Dee) Mauricio is about decolonizing sobriety, recovery, and healing. Dee’s heritage springs from the Indigenous people of Guatemala. She discusses how her sobriety is attached to her indigeneity as she reconnects with culture and custom in her recovery, including plant medicines like cannabis. Dee describes alcohol as a tool of colonialism and how even solutions like some traditional mutual aid settings can further separate people from their indigeneity. Follow her on Instagram @SoberPempen to be inspired and learn more.

• Recorded 12.30.2022 in Raleigh, NC & Ensenada, MX on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E9: Andi Cole - Return to the Shire

Austin, TX concert manager, model, veteran, baker, and fellow Pagan Andi Cole is a splendid person thriving in recovery. I’ve been following her Instagram (@Ciao.Andi) for a minute and was delighted when she agreed to join me for a chill conversation. We talk about live music, baked goods, the dark side, exercise, the road to Mordor, and reasons for recovering out loud.

• Recorded 12.14.2022 in Raleigh, NC & Austin, TX on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E8: Kiola Raines - Put Yourself First

Kiola Raines is a self-proclaimed wellness geek who shares things she believes in as a coach, speaker, and facilitator in the sober and recovery communities. I discovered her on Instagram and found her presence and passion to be inspiring. After our chill conversation, I discovered just how splendid she is. I’m delighted to introduce you to my new friend. Please listen and share. Learn more about Kiola by following her on Instagram @KiolaRaines.

• Recorded 12.06.2022 in Raleigh, NC & Los Angeles, CA on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E7: Michael Botticelli - In Good Hands

Michael Botticelli is a person thriving in over three decades of sustained recovery from substance use disorder. Also key to his identity are his heritage as an Italian American and his status as a married gay man. Michael served as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy under the Obama administration – the first openly in recovery person to receive that appointment. I met Michael at the 2016 Big Texas Rally for Recovery, and he continues to inspire me to serve. We finally had the opportunity to work together as members of the O'Neill Institute's Recovery Policy Collaborative at Georgetown Law Center. Together, we welcomed the first cohort of Addiction Policy Scholars this September. Among all the fun stuff typical to NTBY, we talk a fair amount about this deliberate process of keeping policy leadership "in good hands" with lived expertise. 

• Recorded 11.15.2022 in Raleigh, NC & Miami, FL on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E6: Harry Cunnane - Keep That Going

Harry Cunnane and his mother, PA Rep. Madeleine Dean, wrote two books together. Under Our Roof is the memoir illustrating their family journey of recovery from substance use disorder. Harry's quick to tell you that it's not a how to; it's just their story. You Are Always Loved is a wonderful companion to the memoir, focused on helping children have conversations about healing emotions and to understand that it's not their fault; they are loved no matter what. This is such a great conversation about the importance of telling our stories to engender hope and effect positive change.

• Recorded 11.07.2022 in Raleigh, NC & Philadelphia, PA on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E5: Kyle Johnston - When Hope Shows Up

Kyle Johnston wants us to drop the label, love on each other, and stand up for what's right. He says hope shows up when we put people first. It's not a mystery. Y'all, this cat is a disruptor, and I want to share him with you. We met in a digital Harm Reduction Works meeting and finally hugged in-person at Recover-Con 2022. Now, our chill conversation is documented forever. Check it out.

• Recorded 10.31.2022 in Raleigh, NC & Lorain, OH on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E4: Charlotte Wincott - It’s Complicated

Charlotte Wincott is a nuroscientist, filmmaker, and woman thriving in her 2nd decade of recovery. We met a few years ago in DC at a screening of one of her shorts, and I've been following her work ever since. We talk about the immense change-making power we harness when we merge science and narrative. You can watch her latest work Fall Fight Shine on Tubi. It brings together the brain science of substance use disorder (SUD) with her husband's recovery story – film actor and martial artist Jeff Wincott. We nerd out on the complexity of SUD and wonder at how well people can get with appropriate resources and the will to fight.  

• Recorded 10.25.2022 in Raleigh, NC & Washington, DC on Zoom
• Hosted & produced by Donald McDonald, MSW
• Theme Music: Truth? by Zen Groove Arkest

S2/E3: Tom Hill - Positive Change

Tom Hill is an artist, recovery advocate, and exquisite man. After a career working to increase opportunities for people to find freedom and wellness, he served as senior policy advisor at SAMHSA and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Now, he fills his retirement with revisiting ideas & pieces from his early recovery and incorporating them into larger works with greater wisdom and confidence. We also discuss getting serious about contributing positive change to world that's hurting. I'm delighted to share this episode.

• Recorded 10.24.2022 in NC & MD on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music: 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)