No Thanks But Yes

S1/E11: Maia Szalavitz - Expanding the Definition of Recovery

Maia Szalavitz has written or co-written around eight books, including the seminal work 'Unbroken Brain'. Her latest release, 'Undoing Drugs', is the first history of the harm reduction movement. We talk about harm reduction & recovery, music & dancing, and lifting weights & cake! This is my longest episode so far, but I didn't want leave anything on the cutting room floor. Find out what Maia is up to next at Maiasz.com.

• Recorded 12.06.2021 from Raleigh, NC & New York, NY on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E10: Jennifer Nicolaisen - We Can Be The Medicine

Seek Healing co-founder and executive director Jennifer Nicolaisen joins me for a love-filled conversation about the good medicine that is authentic connection and keeping pleasure & playfulness in recovery. Learn more about Seek Healing's mission and services at SeekHealing.org.

• Recorded 12.10.2021 from Raleigh, NC & Asheville, NC on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E9: Ricky Byrd - Music is Healing

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer (Joan Jett & The Blackhearts), Recovery Coach, & man thriving in 34 years of recovery Ricky Byrd joins me for a super chill conversation about a bunch of things & stuff. We talk about everything from the healing power of music to the chaos of Chrismas decorations. Find out what the Recovery Troubadour is up to at RickyByrd.com. His latest album Sobering Times is bomb. Check it out.

• Recorded 12.3.2021 from Raleigh, NC & New York, NY on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E8: Brian Cuban - Allow Recovery to Evolve

Best selling author Brian Cuban shared his memoir 'The Addicted Lawyer' in 2017, and his legal  thriller 'The Ambulance Chaser' hit shelves Dec. 7th. He's a man thriving in recovery who leverages his story to address stigma and increase help-seeking, particularly among those in the legal profession - a population disproportionately impacted by alcohol use disorder. Please, enjoy our conversation about everything from our pet peeves to our pets to the phenomenon of recovery evolution. Find out more about Brian's work and passion at BrianCuban.com.

• Recorded 11.29.2021 from Raleigh, NC & Dallas, TX on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E7: Joseph Hogan-Sanchez - Be Kind

Enjoy this chill conversation with my old friend Joseph Hogan-Sanchez, Director of Programs at Faces & Voices of Recovery. We talk about everything from keeping peer recovery support services authentic to not folding your laundry to finally having fun at the gym. Like, subscribe, & share. Thanks. Learn more abour ARCO & CAPRSS at FacesAndVoicesOfRecovery.org. 

• Recorded 11.22.2021 from Raleigh, NC & Austin, TX on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E6: Meghan Hetfield - You‘re Not Doing It Wrong

Meghan Hetfield is pretty freaking awesome. She's a recovery coach, harm reductionist, and mushroom afficionado. At the intersection of harm reduction & recovery, she's an important voice. Meghan does such strong work with WEconnect Health Management's person-centered digital health app, particularly its Harm Reduction Works (HRW) and All Recovery mutual support meetings. Check out some creative approaches to supporting many pathways to freedom and wellnes at WEConnectRecovery.com.

• Recorded 11.12.2021 from NC & NY on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E5: Sazha Alexandra Ramos - Befriend Your Mind

This conversation really filled my cup. My exquisite friend Sazha Alexandra Ramos: Navy veteran, social worker, & Kundalini Yoga guide is the co-founder & CEO of Recovery Organization Resources (RecoveryOrganization.com) and host of Breathe Network (Breathe-Network.mn.co). She's also a woman thriving in her 7th year of recovery. We talk about our Navy experience (squaring away racks, gig lines, & heads), the joys of yoga, and being kind to yourself.

• Recorded 10.29.2021 from NC & NJ on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E4: Chris Marshall - A Choice to Love Yourself

Chris Marshall is a passionate & kind fellow and founder of Sans Bar, an alcohol-free bar in Austin, TX. We talk about having a life filled with fun and how recovery is a daily decision to love yourself. I love that. I *just* bought my early bird ticket to Sans Bar's Tour 2022 when they roll into Charlotte, NC on 1/22. Follow this link to see if & when they'll be in your neck of the woods with an amazing night of alcohol-free fun: https://www.thesansbar.com/tour-2022

• Recorded 10.27.2021 from Raleigh, NC & Austin, TX on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E3: Kateri Coyhis - The Great Mystery

I really enjoyed this conversation with the absolutely splendid Kateri Coyhis, executive director of White Bison. We talk about stepping out into the great mystery with perseverance, not perfection, and what we *get* to do in recovery.

• Recorded 10.20.2021 from Raleigh, NC & Colorado Springs, CO on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)

S1/E2: Roxanne McDonald - Soul Care

My old friend, recovery coach & professional stand up comic, Roxanne McDonald joins me for a quirky discussion about recovery high schools, recovery coaching, stand up comedy, and this business of #SoulCare.

• Recorded 10.13.2021 from Raleigh, NC & Charlotte, NC on Zoom
• Hosted & Produced by Donald McDonald
• Theme music 'Truth?' by Zen Groove Arkest (that's me on trumpet!)