September is National Recovery Month, and this year’s theme is Recovery is REAL—Restoring Every Aspect of Life. In this episode, we explore what recovery truly means beyond abstinence — it’s about healing the whole person, reconnecting with who we are, and restoring the parts of life that addiction may have dimmed. Together, we’ll talk about self-compassion as an antidote to stigma and shame, reflect on how recovery allows us to rediscover ourselves, and highlight the courage it takes to grow into who we are becoming.

This episode includes reflection questions and a short exercise designed to help you map your own recovery journey. Whether you are in recovery, supporting someone you love, or simply seeking a deeper understanding, this conversation will remind you that recovery is real, possible, and worth celebrating.