Voices In Recovery Podcast

This week Steve from Stonewall Recovery Centre stops in for what we both hope is a monthly podcast discussing ideas of recovery, healing, "wellness", self harm, identity, and whatever else is going on in the world of recovery and at large.This week we talk about recovery as a broad subject. The way it was always supposed to be. Broad and open ended because all of the "knowledge" there seems to be about recovery - changes everyday, as humans continue to figure out multiple ways to live, recover and heal. Treating illnesses and each other with compassion is a good start.There is no business as usual while humans are experiencing genocide around the world at the hands of imperialist, human greed.Keep talking about Palestine, Iran, Sudan, Congo, Syria, Lebanon...and all of the very real humans suffering at the hands of war mongers.Please consider looking into mutual aid groups if you're interested in supporting other humans, who are there for even more humans. It sounds like maybe a good way to put humanity back into supportive work.

This week, Gary stops by and shares his story of coming out. We talk about growing passed our religious indoctrination and the great harms it has done. Of course we chat about queer love (my favorite subject) and trying to move forward in life as queer men. Every time I get to sit with queer folks, I am reminded of our power. Of our courage. Of our capacity to love others 

This week Darcy and I chat about some of the things going on in the world. There's so much happening all around the planet, we definitely didn't brush on even a small portion of it all. In case we didn't talk about this on the episode (I fully intended on it and will at a later date if not); please read books and center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. Our ignorance is our responsibility to overcome, none of us are free, until all of us are free.

This week, one of my favorite humans ever, god's Favorite, Dani stops by.We talk about a lack of safety, due to a lack of accountability within twelve step groups and programs. We discuss the almost open r#&e culture in which victims become isolated while predators are protected. This is a microcosm of society at large in which we victim blame and remove accountability from the predators placing it firmly and continuously on those most effected by the assaults. Whenever Dani and I sit down, you can assume that there's a trigger warning for our episodes. We talk openly about subjects a lot of folks don't want to hear about because it not only attacks their sensibilities, but it reminds us all that the world is an increasingly and incredibly dangerous place, for some more so than others. Thank you, god's favorite; rock and roll my friend.

This week, Michael stops by and shares their story. He shares a vulnerability and openness that I am honored to have been present for. Michael's hope, like my own, is that somehow, some way, the stories will get where they need to be. Thank you Michael

This week, Othman returns and we talk about Palestine and the ongoing bombing and genocide while the world looks elsewhere. We talk about the United States influence in the middle East and how policy, propaganda, and secret deals have created the current circumstances in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Congo, and the ever growing number of countries under attack and exploitation by imperialist forces of one description or another. Thank you Othman!

This week, the one and only Michelle Robinson joins us. As usual we talk about a while lot of stuff. We talk about the heck of a year 2025 was and how 2026 is looking worse somehow after one week. Tune in as we chat racism, ongoing genocide, bigotry, attack on human rights, queerness, 2SLGBTQIA rights, exploitation, and the list of subjects associated. We start this year off as best we can. Thank you Michelle, your work and voice is vital towards change.

This episode, Darcy and I talk about giving and being of use to others. We chat about  many of the ways we can be of use to one another in our daily lives and during this stressful holiday season. We talk about how challenging it can be to know where to direct our support and community care. We also discuss many things around non for profit and charities.Our hope is that we all find ways to survive if we have to and what it might look like to thrive once survival turns into healing and living.

This week Riley stops by and shares their incredible journey. We talk about the hate trans folks are facing everyday just for existing. We talk about the Trans Day of Remembrance and how powerful it is when folks gather together for human rights. We learn about some of the challenges working as a teacher in this province and how being a trans woman teaching can add not only challenges, but opportunities to be a safe place for kids, who need love and support for being who they are. We of course talk about being queer in a straight world and many other things. I fan girled for her a little bit and you'll see why. The queer kid in me recognizes a teacher I wish I would have had growing up.Thank you Riley, you are fabulous!

This week Darcy and I are joined by Steve from Stonewall Recovery Centre. We talk about the Trans Day of Remembrance memorial rally, which definitely turned into a wonderful protest as well. Steve and I discuss upcoming changes for Stonewall and Freedom's Path Recovery Society. We share our thoughts on supporting people and places around the city. Thank you all for your continued support and love.

This week Darcy and I get together for a review of the last few weeks and it gets pretty wild. Mostly because I was there, as usual, yammering up a storm and laughing like a hyena. If you can stand the hyper active David, give us a listen. If not, give us a listen anyway. You'll hear Darcy's smooth voice sutbly calming the manic me. So there's that. We talk about protesting and things related. We talk about this city being exactly what activists have been telling us for years. At this point, if you can't see our city as a violent, cop city then you may be dead or under a rock. I talk about supporting legal funds for activists like that for the Calgary People's Assembly, Stop The Stack YYC, etc. We discuss  Freedom's Path Recovery Society and Voices in Recovery Podcast news. We also mention our friend, Taylor McNallie, who is constantly harrased by the Calgary police service. She was arrested by them once again while her child in the car. You may think it happens all the the time. It does to her and others every day. Their goal is to make her react so they can stack more charges. You see the police do not care that she is not breaking the law. Their constant harassment of Taylor is not only unnecessary, it resembles daily torture and one more way for the police to keep her from living a normal life. They are afraid of her, of her relentless efforts to destroy the illusion many of us have of police agencies and our desperate need to abolish such. Know your enemy folkx. It's not an individual. It's the entire system and the police are the henchmen.

This week, Darcy and I discuss The Imprisoned Blogger, Othman Hamdan. We talk about the ongoing protests to end the genocide of the indigenous peoples, in  Palestine and around the world. I open up about the art piece I unveiled at a recent rally, using the old uniforms I once wore. The piece was born the instant, the Calgary Police Service decided to attack unarmed civilians at the university of Calgary on May 9th 2024. Having been a support person, once dedicated to providing supportive counselling to officers on the job. This event, irreversibly altered my perception of the police and the government's/corporation's utilization of these police organizations to crush opposition to imperialism and colonialism.Who do you serve?

Our guest this week is Othman (Adam) Hamdan. His story of being persecuted, detained, and imprisoned because of his race, ideas, and kindness by the government of kkkanada and all of the vast resources at their command. Is he bitter? Hard to sense even a slight bitterness when, in my mind, he has every right to bitterness and resentment. To fill his cups so to speak based on how these entities treated him. He is not bitter. He is focused on sharing his story in hopes that he can be of use to those still suffering within the system and to help him sort through the pain left by being falsely imprisoned. He sheds light on the immigration system, or as it is applied to those kkkanada deems threatening. Check out all that you can about The Imprisoned Blogger; Instagram, Facebook, and tiktok. Check out the website as well! Thank you Othman!

This week Darcy and I chat about the upcoming Pride parade, the Black Pride YYC festival, and protesting. We talk about trying to find the joy and embracing this joy when it's around us within our grief, within our love, and within our sorrow. Coming soon, we'll be going live from a protest or two so we can show you some of the most loving humans we've ever met. We hope you're all enjoying your summers as best you can in whatever ways are filled with joy.

This week Darcy and I settle in for a conversation about the Voices in Recovery Podcast and where we are headed in the near future. It's exciting and nerve racking at the same time. Due to changes in the Community Wise building, Freedom's Path Recovery Society will be moving forward looking for space with Stonewall Recovery Centre, Black Pride YYC and others whom share our values. We are beginning to share our podcast on Patrion as well moving forward into the unknown. Thank you all for your continued support.

I encourage all of our listeners and supporters to take a moment of silence wherever you might be today. This week we lost a beautiful human and a deeply compassionate activist, Batool. She was one of the first people to welcome me and many others to the Palestinian movement - her kindness and beauty of spirit will live on in all of us who knew her ❤️️One of my favorite humans on planet earth, Michelle Robinson, stopped by to kick off season 8 of the Voices in Recovery Podcast. We talk about racism because it exists and is the daily reality in the worlds we live. Michelle explains pervasive racism entwined in every layer of our modern society and which is perpetrated against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color everyday. What might appear to be increased "crime prevention" within gentrified areas of any city could be something quite different - another example of "city organizations(law enforcement)", "business associations" and "communities" softly policing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The indoctrination into the mindset of white supremacy plays out daily in these incredibly harmful systems, which surround us. If you're looking for a new podcast, please support, share, and like The Native Calgarian Podcast as Michelle is a dedicated human. Black Pride YYC has The Black Pride Festival on August 9th, 2025 at The Hillhurst Community Centre. It's going to be amazing!!!! Check out their socials for more information ❤️️⁦https://www.interruptingcriminalization.com/defundpolice-toolkit⁩⁦https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/⁩End genocide 💔**If you are interested in coming on the podcast please direct inquiries to david@davidlewry.com****If you are interested in making a donation to Freedom's Path Recovery Society please visit our website** ⁦www.freedomspathrecoverysociety.ca⁩***Please like and follow The Native Calgarian Podcast - it's amazing.

This week Darcy and I examine the constant racism within law enforcement and the government as G7 approaches us all. We examine the trauma of disconnecting from systems once becoming a part of them. The doubt, fear, confusion, and uncertainty of resisting the systems in power based on history. We have been shown time and time again what happens when people stand up against government powers and the henchmen they employ to protect THEIR interests only. I share about my own struggles with knowing police officers and refusing to talk to them in any capacity. As I mentioned to one or two of them this past week, I will be talking about them and at them, but not with them. I point out the obvious privilege that I carry being able to yell at the poe poe the way I do. We aren't sure if it's run of the mill nepotism and white privilege that protects me or if there are individuals within the police service watching out for me? I haven't been beaten up by members of the service yet so I'm thinking someone is watching my back in there and for that, we thank you, as I'm old and fragile.

This week's guest, Agnes, stops by and shares a bit of their journey and how it led them to starting Starlings Community. She was a nurse working within the broken system and as her life journey progressed she knew she needed to move into a different compassionate place to be of use to other humans. Thank you Agnes, we appreciate you and all that you do.

This week our guest, Sonny stops by with his husband, Wes and we hear about their individual and sometimes collective journeys together. They are a part of the Gay Druze Community, which has members from all over the world. We talk about shedding the different, and similar dogmas we were hampered with from childhood. As we become more and more ourselves, dogma often simply slides off of us. Other times there is a need for directed effort to rid ourselves of the consequences of said dogmas. Thank you Sonny and thank you Wes for being there and supporting our conversation with kindness and love.

Since the recording of this episode, myself and other folks involved in the pro Palestine, end the Genocide movement have been approached by members of police intelligence officers from both the Calgary Police Service and the RCMP. They've approached most of us under the guise of "building community". Due to the RCMP's continued violence against indigenous people of Canada and the world, I refused to speak with them. If you're wondering whether you have to speak with them, you do not. No matter how nice they seem to be. It's always your choice in this country. This week, our friend and regular guest, Wesam stops by and we talk about the continuous genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestine, ongoing exploitation of African countries, protesting even though it might feel overwhelming, police violence in the name of state security, and many other subjects. We talk about the bogus charges the Calgary Police Service laid against him. How through constant pressure and fighting in court, he has had some conditions removed while awaiting trial. The Calgary Police Service has unlimited funds to punish anyone standing up against oppression. In the end we know the police service are performing for the cameras as they always do - as we approach the one year anniversary of the brutal attacks by both Calgary and Edmonton police services on unarmed students and supporters, including women and children. These departments have sold out the people of Alberta. Thank you for coming back on my friend. We appreciate all of the your work and presence in the community. The people united, will never be defeated.