Broken Open: the podcast

Mike Govoni wandered into the forest feeling hopeless; he was highly allergic to almost everything, and had debilitating digestive inflammation. He was at the point that functioning in society was beyond him.  He was highly reactive to our everyday surroundings.  It was there, with the trees that he experienced a spiritual awakening that put him on the path of true healing and recovery from a life riddled with trauma.  Hear how he helps people who may be sober, but who have yet to find what they have been so desperately been seeking - healing beyond recovery!    https://www.mikegovoni.com https://www.instagram.com/mikegovoni/ https://www.facebook.com/MikeGovoni23 https://www.mikegovoni.com/podcast https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCEsUQ1sCrhMA2413ZspP-7A

Leona deVinne is all about JOY.  And not in a trite, 'just be positive' way; she is a student of neuroscience, behaviour change, and overcoming trauma.  She walks the talk - she's experienced serious hardships and now uses what she has learned first hand, as well as all the courses and training she's had, to help people like you and me find real, life changing joy.  Her NEW BOOK Finding Your Joy Spot was released last week (July 5, 2021).  Get it, read it, and rate it on amazon (please!) to help get the book in front of those who need it most.   website: http://www.leonadevinne.com  FB and IG @thejoyspot Book website www.findingyourjoyspot.com - released July 5, 2021 Part of the proceeds from the sale of each book will go to Joy Socks and we will donate fun, gift-wrapped socks to patients in adolescent mental health units in local hospitals. (They love them!) www.joysocks.ca

Jean McCarthy is articulate, honest, and very talented.  She has chronicled her alcohol-free lifestyle since her first day of sobriety in 2011. Thousands of readers credit her blog, UnPickled, as a motivating factor in their decision to quit drinking. Jean joined The Bubble Hour podcast as a co-host in 2013 and took over the weekly program as its sole producer and host in 2016. The show has a devoted and enthusiastic listenership with more than 75,000 monthly downloads, so you know she has a message worth hearing!  I hope you enjoy our frank conversation about addictions, sobriety, and healing. http://www.jeanmccarthy.ca IG @jeanmccarthy_writes FB @thebubblehour and @unpickled Blog: UnPickled www.unpickledblog.com Podcast: The Bubble Hour www.thebubblehour.com Books: UnPickled Holiday Survival Guide (2019) and The Ember Ever There: Poems on Change, Grief, Growth, Recovery and Rediscovery (2020)

I feel like I could chat with John Loxley for days.  I love his insight and easy way of articulating complex recovery concepts.   John Loxley (also known as Ren Koi) is a certified Life Coach, Author and Host of the Life in Recovery Podcast. As a DJ and music producer he spent over ten years drinking alcoholically and using drugs before starting his recovery journey in 2010 when he hit rock-bottom. He has since tried to carry the message of recovery to still-suffering alcoholics and addicts by helping them help themselves to a better life. Life in Recovery is John Loxley’s movement, which helps people to recover from mental health issues and substance and behavioural addictions through publications, podcasts, social media and life coaching.  John hosts a podcast of the same name.  His books can be found on his website and were published under the pen-name RenKoi.  Watch for a new book coming in 2021 under his real name!  Find him on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnLoxleyLifeCoach/ Check out his website - https://www.lifeinrecovery.co.uk

Hear about how Veronica's family of origin story (trust me, your won't want to miss it) inspired her to aim higher than she thought possible.  It made her passionate about helping women become "Empowered and Unapologetic" (also the name of her podcast) in the pursuit of their dreams.  This 'take no crap' woman comes by her attitude honestly, and she's taken some tough moments as opportunities to examine how she shows up in relationships.  She can help you do the same!   Enjoy our very real conversation. https://www.empoweredandunapologetic.com Fb: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredandunapologetic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredandunapologetic/

Kanchan gets real in our conversation about her move to England and then back to Ontario, and how that experience had her examining who she was and what really mattered to her.  Kanchan believes that your power comes from knowing who you are. The cost of not owning who you really are is not living a full life and feeling cut off from your true self. The gift of this is that when you truly own who you are from the depths of gender and culture you came from you are being more honest, more real and people trust you. More importantly you trust yourself. Power emerges when a woman embraces herself, her culture and makes it a part of her leadership. Website - http://www.kapriconsulting.ca Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanchanprinsloo

Dr. Lotte Valentin is an N.M.D., author, evidential medium, spiritual educator and an international keynote speaker! She teaches several different spiritual workshops as well as offering one-on-one sessions for mediumship, ancestral healing and as a medical intuitive. She has experienced two out of body near-death Experiences, NDE's which led her to start medical school at age of 54. Dr. Lotte also hosts her own podcast Dr. Lotte: Science with Soul to help people create a path to healing their own life physically, emotionally and spiritually, and bridge the gap between science and soul. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she operates Center for Integrative Medicine as well as her Spiritual Center, Divine Spiritual Essence. www.drlotte.com www.DivineSpiritualEssence.com Facebook and Instagram @ Dr.LotteValentin 8 week course - Souls Journey, Hearts Way, Open the Doors to Your Divine Potential, starting March 27th https://www.divinespiritualessence.com/workshops

If you are a parent who could use some help with your relationship with your teen, or a teen struggling with your parent, this episode is for you!  Aly Pain empowers parents to end the baffling blowups with their tween/teens by creating respectful, honest relationships.  She is honest, authentic and vulnerable in her work, and in this conversation.   Hear how her personal experience as a teen contributes to the work that she does today.   Website: www.alypain.com IG @alypain TikTok @alypain Clubhouse @parentingteens Pinterest @alypain

Our outward appearance is often indicative of how we feel on the inside!    For Ben Bondar fashion is reflective of his energy, sense of self, and his mental health.  Hear how he helps others find and express themselves through fashion (and within a budget).   He also generously shares some very vulnerable moments that have been pivotal in inspiring change and recovery.   Ben Bondar Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/benbsquared/ Fashionably Sober Podcast on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fashionably-sober/id1530483145 Website - http://fashionablysober.buzzsprout.com/ Also mentioned in the podcast - Kelsey Merkeley Jewelery -https://www.facebook.com/kelsey.merkeley

David Lewry has made a life's work of getting honest, facing his demons, and using everything he's learned to help others in the most accessible, non-judgemental and creative way.  He founded Freedoms Path Recovery Society and hosts the Voices of Recovery Podcast.  Hear his perspective on recovery, healing and his openness and support of individual, tailored paths to freedom.   Freedoms Path Recovery on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FreedomsPathRecoverySociety Freedoms Path Recovery Website - http://www.freedomspathrecoverysociety.ca/ Voices in Recovery Podcast on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/voices-in-recovery-podcast/id1436443428 Freedoms Path Recovery Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCbvRrXKz0HdlVRhbDYvtiQ

Lynn Courey lost her daughter Sasha in 2011.  Sasha died by suicide after a short time in treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder.  Hear how Lynn and her husband started a Foundation that offers skills and hope to families struggling with emotional dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).  They made the decision, even in their grief, to change the landscape of DBT therapy in Canada by becoming facilitators of the Family Connections Program shortly after Sasha died.  Their passion has resulted in a Foundation in Sasha's name called Sashbear.   Their work is changing lives every day by bringing HOPE to those suffering with BPD (and their families) that they can have a life worth living. For more information about Lynn and her work visit: www.sashbear.org

Erin Ekman is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation(ICF), and the principal facilitator and leadership consultant with Centrivity. This is our second podcast recording - and in this episode Erin and I do a deeper dive and chat about adversity, and her journey to resilience through loss and disillusionment.  Listen to the end to hear us talk about how we worked through the discomfort we experienced during the recording!    Erin's website: centrivity.ca - subscribe to her newsletter to stay up to date on her upcoming online program.  It sounds incredible. Erin's linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-ekman-2026811/

The beautiful Adele Fedorak and I chat about the power of storytelling.   Adele, speech pathologist and certified coach, has combined her many passions into a new program for those wanting to become great storytellers.    She's understated, genuine, and very, very talented.  I hope you enjoy our conversation.  Website (under construction): adelefedorak.ca Email: adele@adelefedorak.ca The Story Edge on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyintelligence/ Mentioned on the podcast: Parentology - http://www.stephenbatchelder.com/

Claudia Jungert, Portfolio Coordinator, Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Studies at SAIT, shares her story of becoming a widow and supporting her son through drug treatment.   Claudia shares how the experience changed her, how she became a more empathetic leader and a better listener, how she has learned to "stop trying to control everything", and how those things have helped her during COVID-19. Mentioned in the podcast: AARC - Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre: https://aarc.ab.ca/ PCHAD- Protection of Children Using Drugs: https://www.alberta.ca/protection-children-abusing-drugs-program.aspx

Kristin Moore is a Certified Professional Recovery Coach and Intervention Specialist.  The founder of Shift Recovery Solutions, she specializes in supporting professionals, executives, and business owners with concierge level Recovery Coaching and Intervention Services.   Shift Recovery Solutions is the first Canadian Certified facilitator of Addiction Awareness in the Workplace.  Shift Recovery Solutions Website: www.shiftrecovery.ca Kristen's linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-j-moore-0444293/?originalSubdomain=ca Shift Recovery on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shiftrecoverysolutions/ Hazelden Betty Ford Family and Children Program: https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/treatment/family-children/family-program

Karine has been a snow and skateboard coach for 18 years.  A graduate of the National Coaching Institute Program at the University of Calgary, she blends her formal education with her 26 years as a snowboarder - specializing in the half pipe -  and is passing on her passion for sport to the next generation.  Not growing up in sport, I've been fascinated to hear her credit the lessons learned through sport for her own tenacity and resilience.   This podcast is being released on her birthday!   Follow Karine's personal Insta @kadaisies Push to Heal https://vimeo.com/281117753 Read about the Jesse D Foundation here: https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/remembering-jesse-d-calgarians-celebrate-life-of-local-skater-1.4517554 For information about qualifying for the Jesse D Legacy Fund contact The Compound staff - info on their webpage. The Compound: http://thecompoundyyc.com/ fb: https://www.facebook.com/thecompoundyyc/        Insta: @thecompoundyyc Riders On Board: http://ridersonboard.com/               fb: https://www.facebook.com/RidersOnBoardSnowboardClub    Insta: @ridersonboard

Donna Hughes is the President, Executive Director and Clinical Director of Inner Solutions in Calgary.    Hear her story - how she went from being a registered psychiatric nurse therapist to pioneering new programming for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder and creating an organization that specializes in the delivery of Dialectic Behavioural Therapy.    Inner Solutions: www.innersolutions.ca Visit https://linktr.ee/maureentowns for links to the podcast

Ally Towns is changing the world!  Ally is training to become a Child and Youth Care Counsellor at Mt Royal University in Calgary.   Her passion for helping others is based on her own experience with self-harm and her belief that we all have issues we're struggling with.  She is a vocal advocate for mental health, normalizing mental health struggles, and seeking therapies that can help.   Enjoy our frank conversation about her experience! (Full disclosure: I am Ally's very proud mom)

Clare Keast is the courageous mother of five beautiful children.   Clare shares her journey as a mom supporting her kids with mental health and addictions, and in particular her experience with her son Kevin, who died of an accidental overdose at the age of 36 years.  Kevin was a successful social worker who battled addiction for years without most of his friends and family even being aware of his struggle.   I hope you find something helpful in Clare's story. Mentioned in the Podcast -  Moms Stop The Harm Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/MomsStopTheHarm/ Fourcast Addiction Treatment: http://www.fourcast.ca/

I always knew that Nikki Takahashi was edgy but  I had no idea that she had a boatload of courage as well.  Listen to the end to hear her answer the "broken open' question.  She drops a bomb about listening to your gut in the face of societal and cultural norms! #podcast #brokenopenpodcast Instagram @nikkitakdotcom @fetchingfinninc  Website: www.FetchingFinn.com Personal site: www.Nikkitak.com Fetching Freaks Podcast Release soon- stay tuned on Nikki's social media