Thriving with Addiction with Dr. Jonathan Avery
Thriving with Addiction is a podcast about addiction, recovery, and mental health, hosted by addiction psychiatrist Dr. Jonathan Avery. Each episode features conversations with experts, people in recovery, families, and clinicians, exploring how to better understand addiction and achieve lasting healing. Topics include treatment, the brain and behavior, family impact, and the evolving science of recovery. Dr. Avery also discusses his clinical work and efforts to improve care for substance use disorders.
Episodes
Beyond The Bachelorette: Addiction, a Restless Mind, and a Life of Service with Zac Clark
Zac Clark is the Founder and CEO of Release Recovery and a founding board member of the Release Recovery Foundation. A person in long-term recovery, Zac transformed his own experience with addiction into a mission to help others build meaningful, lasting recovery. After beginning his career in direct client care, he grew into a leader in the behavioral health field, combining clinical insight with
Beyond Sobriety: Recovery, Transcendence, and the Power of Love with Richard Taite
Richard Taite is currently the founder and Executive Chairman of Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, an ultra luxury addiction treatment facility, and also the Executive Chairman of 1 Method Centers, affordable substance use disorder treatment facilities. Richard graduated from UCLA with a degree in Political Science and Public Law and intended to become a lawyer, but life and fate had a differe
Beyond Sobriety: A Whole-Body Approach to Lasting Recovery with Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel
Dr. Kenneth Spielvogel is a board-certified physician with nearly 30 years of clinical experience and a specialized focus on addiction medicine, metabolic health, hormonal optimization, and long-term recovery. As Senior Medical Officer at Carrara Treatment Wellness & Spa, he helps lead a physician-driven approach to recovery that integrates medical, psychological, and lifestyle interventions t
Unhooked: Mindfulness, Shame, and Freedom from Porn Addiction with Jeremy Lipkowitz
Jeremy Lipkowitz is a former Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, and ICF-certified executive coach who helps high-achieving men break free from compulsive behaviors—especially porn addiction—and build lives of integrity, discipline, and deep fulfillment. With over 13 years of meditation experience and hundreds of days spent in silent retreat, Jeremy blends ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science t
The Future of Addiction Care: Ending Stigma and Raising the Standard with Pam Jenkins
Pam Jenkins is Chief Executive Officer of Shatterproof and an ex officio member of the Shatterproof Board of Directors, which she joined in 2021. Prior to joining Shatterproof, Pam was Chief Public Health Officer and Chief Public Affairs Officer for a leading global communications agency where, for the past two decades, she counseled and partnered with a range of public and private sector clients
The Life Beyond Shame: Hilary Phelps on Recovery and Purpose
Hilary Phelps is a recovery advocate, speaker, coach, and founder of The Right Room, a community dedicated to helping women navigate recovery, personal growth, and life's biggest transitions. A former competitive swimmer and the sister of Olympic legend Michael Phelps, Hilary has become a powerful voice on addiction, mental health, self-compassion, and resilience. Through her speaking, coachi
Can Mindfulness Replace Opioids? What the Science Shows with Dr. Eric Garland
Eric Garland, PhD, LCSW, is an Endowed Professor in Health Sciences at the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, where he directs UCSD ONEMIND. A leading figure in mindfulness science and addiction treatment, he developed Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), an innovative intervention grounded in cognitive,
Recovery Month Kickoff: Adoption, Trauma, and the Road to Recovery with Ben Mushlin
Ben Mushlin is the founder of Searchlight Therapy, a practice dedicated to providing individualized care for adolescents, young adults, and families navigating substance use and mental health challenges. A psychotherapist whose work is informed by his own lived experience with substance use and trauma, he began his career in New York City’s recovery community in sober living residences before movi
Recovery Month Kickoff: From Eating Disorder and Alcohol Addiction to Recovery Coach with Stephanie Hazard
Stephanie Hazard is a highly sought-after recovery coach and companion. In recovery for 26 years, her experiential knowledge, expertise, and professional training, empower her ability to help others achieve and sustain recovery and wellness.She is a certified peer recovery specialist (CPRS) as well as a certified Carolyn Costin Institute eating disorder recovery coach (CCIEDC). She has been a Keyn
Beyond the Opioid Crisis: Stigma, Policy, and Treatment Access with Dr. Beth McGinty
Dr. Beth McGinty is the Livingston Farrand Professor and Chief of the Division of Health Policy and Economics at Weill Cornell Medical College. She is also the Co-Founding Director of the Cornell Health Policy Center, a cross-campus center serving as the locus of health policy research, training, and impact at Cornell. Dr. McGinty conducts research focused on how health policies impact populations
Redefining Success: Addiction, Incarceration, and Starting Over with Dr. Gary Hartman
Gary Hartman is a periodontist with over 18 years of experience in implant and periodontal surgery, specializing in complex surgical cases, full-arch restorations, and regenerative procedures. Behind that professional success, Gary experienced chronic stress, burnout, and ultimately addiction. Following a shoulder injury, he developed a dependence on opioids that led to significant personal and pr
What We Get Wrong About Addiction with Dr. Carl Hart
Dr. Carl Hart is the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University and the Mamie Phipps Clark Professor of Psychology (in Psychiatry). An internationally recognized neuroscientist and psychologist, Dr. Hart’s research focuses on the complex interactions between psychoactive drugs, human behavior, neurobiology, and environmental factors. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combi
From Child Star to Authentic Living: Rivkah Reyes on Trauma, Identity, and Healing
Rivkah Reyes is a performer and creator whose career spans film, music, comedy, and writing. After rising to prominence in School of Rock, they went on to perform with The Second City and appear in projects like Easy, while developing a distinctive voice through storytelling and stand-up. In this episode, we talk about identity, creativity, recovery, and the long arc of building a meaningful life
Beyond Tough Love: Rethinking Addiction, Recovery, and Family Support with Dr. Carrie Wilkens
In this episode of Thriving with Addiction, Dr. Carrie Wilkens—psychologist, co-founder of the Center for Motivation and Change, and co-author of Beyond Addiction—discusses why compassion and evidence-based strategies are more effective than tough love, and how families can support meaningful change while strengthening their relationships.Carrie Wilkens, PhD, is a psychologist with over 25 years o
From the NBA to Recovery: Growth, Purpose, and Giving Back with Chris Herren
Chris Herren is a former NBA player, author, and nationally recognized recovery advocate who has become one of the leading voices on addiction, mental wellness, and prevention. Sober since 2008, Herren has shared his story with more than two million students, athletes, and community members through Herren Talks, encouraging honest conversations about substance use, self-esteem, and emotional healt
Can Psychedelics Treat Addiction? with Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu
Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His research examines the effects of psychedelics in humans, with a focus on psilocybin as an aid in the treatment of addiction. He earned his doctorate in psychology in 2012 from Sofia University in Palo Alto, CA where he studied self-transcendence, spiritual experie
Bullied, Addicted, Incarcerated — Then Rebuilt: Doug Bopst’s Story
Doug Bopst is an award-winning personal trainer, author, and host of the Adversity Advantage Podcast. A former felon who struggled with substances, he was incarcerated for possession with intent to sell. Doug used his time in jail to rebuild his life through faith, family, and fitness. He is the author of From Felony to Fitness to Free, Faith Family Fitness, and The Heart of Recovery, and has hel
July 4th Alcohol Series: Moderation with Medication with Jonathan Hunt-Glassman
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman is the co-founder and CEO of Oar Health. Oar Health is a telehealth platform that helps people get started with medication to drink less or quit and provides ongoing support as they work toward their goals. Jonathan started the business after benefitting himself from treatment with medication for alcohol use disorder. Before founding Oar, Jonathan worked in healthcare as a p
July 4th Alcohol Series: The Latest Science and Changing Attitudes with Dr. Mashal Khan
Mashal Khan, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and Associate Program Director for the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship. As the psychiatrist on the Liver Transplant Team, he evaluates organ recipients and donors and provides them with transitionary care. He utilizes his expertise and understanding of addictions to improve outcomes for individuals with Al
July 4th Alcohol Series: Reclaiming Joy Through Alcohol-Free Living with Maxine Linehan
Maxine Linehan is an internationally acclaimed Irish singer, writer, and theatrical performer whose deeply personal work reimagines beloved songbooks to explore identity, healing, and emotional truth. Her recordings have earned praise from The New York Times, Billboard, and USA Today, and she has performed sold-out shows around the world. Now, Maxine is the co-host of the new podcast Happy AF: Jo
Carrying the Story Forward: Tom Farley on Addiction, Family, and Healing
Tom Farley grew up in Madison, WI, and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in banking and finance before running The Chris Farley Foundation (1999–2012), a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention. Through humor-based programs, he helped young people build communication skills and create supportive environments.In 2008,
Chasing Perfection: Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Addiction with Dr. Katharine Phillips
Katharine Phillips, MD, is internationally known for her expertise in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and related disorders, such as olfactory reference disorder (ORD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For more than 30 years, Dr. Phillips has conducted ground-breaking scientific research on BDD and has provided expert evaluation and treatment with medication and therapy for people with these
How Parents Discovered JUUL—and Launched a National Movement
Meredith Berkman is a co-founder of Parents Against Vaping (PAVe), an advocacy and education nonprofit created in 2018 by three moms as a grassroots response to the youth vaping epidemic. Run and powered by volunteers around the country, PAVe is the first national parent voice in the fight against the tobacco industry’s predatory behavior. Working at the local, state, and federal levels, PAVe supp
When Screen Time Becomes Addiction with Kaitlyn Regehr
Dr Kaitlyn Regehr is an Associate Professor of Digital Humanities at University College London, whose research is focused on digital and AI literacy. She has informed legislation on online safety, most recently feeding into the Online Safety Act and she has provided consultation in the House of Lords, and to Members of Parliament, the Metropolitan Police, The Children’s Commissioner, The Scottish
Rise, Recover, Thrive: How Scott Strode Is Redefining Addiction Recovery
Scott Strode is the founder of The Phoenix, a national sober active community that helps people recover from addiction through fitness, connection, and purpose. After struggling with alcohol and cocaine use in early adulthood, Scott got sober in 1997 and discovered that physical challenge and community were essential to his recovery. In 2006, he founded The Phoenix in Boulder, Colorado, creating a
Can Ozempic Treat Addiction? GLP-1s and the Future of Medicine
Dhruv Khullar, M.D., M.P.P., is a physician and associate professor of health policy and economics at Weill Cornell Medical College and a staff writer at The New Yorker, where he covers medicine, health care, and politics. He serves as Director of the Physicians Foundation Center for the Study of Physician Practice and Leadership and Associate Director of the Cornell Health Policy Center. His rese
Ambien Addiction Almost Destroyed Her Life: Laura Cathcart Robbins
Laura Cathcart Robbins is the best-selling author of the Atria/Simon & Schuster memoir Stash, My Life In Hiding, and host of the popular podcast Only One In The Room. Laura has been featured on MSNBC, The Tameron Hall Show, C-SPAN, and Dr. Phil, and her work has appeared in The New York Times, Oprah Daily, Good Housekeeping, Today.com, Huffpo, and more. In 2024, Laura’s New York Times Modern L
The Rapid Rise of Gambling Addiction with Tim Fong
Dr. Timothy Fong is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.Dr. Fong completed his undergraduate and medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago. He then came to UCLA and finished his residency in adult general psychiatry in 2002 and was the first accredited addiction psychiatry fellow at the UCLA Neuropsychiatri
When the Parent Drinks: One Therapist’s Journey From Childhood Chaos to Family Healing
Dr. Kibby McMahon is a clinical psychologist, CEO of KulaMind, and host of "A Little Help For Our Friends" podcast, specializing in helping people who have loved ones struggling with mental health or addiction. With training from Columbia, Duke, and Weill Cornell, she combines her clinical expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and other evidence-based CBT's with personal experie
What We Get Wrong About Cannabis with Yasmin Hurd
Dr. Yasmin Hurd is the Ward-Coleman Chair of Translational Neuroscience and the Director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai.Dr. Hurd's multidisciplinary research investigates the neurobiology underlying substance use disorders and related psychiatric illnesses. A translational approach is used to examine molecular and neurochemical events in the human brain and comparable animal model
Sobriety That Lasts: The 9 Essential Truths with Laura McKowen
Laura is the author of the bestselling memoir We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life and Push Off From Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Life (and Everything Else).Her work explores the intersection of addiction, recovery, emotional sobriety, and the complexities of relationships. She has written for The New York Times and has been featured in The Wall Street Journa
Healing the Modern Brain with Dr. Drew Ramsey
DREW RAMSEY, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, and leading voice in Nutritional Psychiatry and integrative mental health. He is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the founder of the Brain Food Clinic and Spruce Mental Health. For twenty years, he served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, where he taught and supervised psychotherap
Quitting Cannabis Changed Her Life: Lindsey Metselaar on Sobriety, Relationships, and Motherhood
Lindsey Metselaar is a native New Yorker and host of We Met At Acme podcast, which has amassed over 10 million downloads since its creation in 2017. We Met At Acme is a dating podcast that delves into sex, relationships, and vulnerability, with some hilarious anecdotes along the way. Lindsey also has a food blog called Don't Expect Salads (@dontexpectsalads) with over 100,000 followers. Since
The Truth About Sex Addiction with Kenneth Rosenberg MD
Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD is a general and addiction psychiatrist in Manhattan, specializing in sexual compulsivity and is the co-editor of the text Behavioral Addictions (2014, Elsevier Press). He is the author of two books for the public, Infidelity: Why Men and Women Cheat (2018, publisher Hachette) and Bedlam (2019, publisher Penguin Random House). Dr. Rosenberg teaches at Weill Cornell Medic
UFC Fighter Jared Gordon on Recovery Without a Finish Line
Jared Gordon is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC’s lightweight division. A New York native, he began wrestling as a child and transitioned to MMA after a standout amateur career. Known for his durability, high pace, and well-rounded skill set, he is widely respected for his work ethic, resilience, and longevity in one of the sport’s deepest weight classes. He is also open a
How AI Is Hijacking Our Brains with Tim Requarth
Tim Requarth is the author of the newsletter The Third Hemisphere, a neuroscientist’s field notes on how AI is (or isn’t) rewiring our brains. A contributing writer at Slate and a columnist at The Transmitter, his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, The New Republic, Foreign Policy, and Scientific American, among others. He received his PhD in neuroscience from Columbia Unive
Sideline to the Spotlight: Lauren Sisler on Loss, Resilience, and Breaking the Silence Around Addiction
Lauren Sisler is an ESPN and SEC Network sideline reporter, host of SEC Nation, and an Emmy-winning sports journalist known as much for her authenticity as her on-air presence. Behind the scenes, Lauren carries a deeply personal story: as a college freshman, she lost both of her parents within hours to prescription drug overdoses. In her 2024 memoir, Shatterproof: How I Overcame the Shame of Losin
A Proven Addiction Medication Nobody Prescribes with Benjamin Westhoff
Ben Westhoff is an award-winning investigative reporter whose books are taught around the country and have been translated around the world, including Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Created the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic, the bombshell first book about the fentanyl epidemic. He has advised officials at the top levels of government about the opioid crisis, and been interviewed as an
Losing the Game, Finding Yourself with Montee Ball Jr.
Montee Ball Jr. is one of the most accomplished running backs in college football history whose life ultimately became defined not just by records, but by recovery. A dominant high school and University of Wisconsin star, Ball set NCAA records for career touchdowns, earned multiple All-American honors, won the Doak Walker Award, and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. Drafted in the second r
Parenting, Substance Use, and the Power of Connection
Dr. Andrea Temkin-Yu is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. With training in evidence-based treatments for youth and young adult mental health, Dr. Temkin-Yu is an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and parent focused interventions. The author of the new book, Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health: Science-based Parenting Strategies for Repairi
Comedy, Chaos, and Clarity — Finding Recovery in the Spotlight with Dave Koechner
Actor, writer and producer David Koechner is well-known for his roles as Todd Packer on “The Office” and Champ Kind from “Anchorman” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” He recently appeared on ABC’s “The Goldbergs,” ABC’s “Bless This Mess,” CBS's "Superior Donuts," ShowTime's "Twin Peaks," Comedy Central’s “Another Period” IFC's "Stan Against Evil" a
Two Brothers, One Fight: Addiction and the Law
Dr. Joseph J. Avery is an Assistant Professor at the Miami Herbert Business School. He has additional appointments in Miami’s Department of Psychology and its Institute for Data Science and Computing, and he is an Affiliated Fellow at Yale Law School’s Information Society Project.Dr. Avery’s research interests are at the intersection of business, law, and artificial intelligence. His scholarship h
From Capitol Hill to Recovery: Patrick Kennedy’s Fight for Change
During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which requires insurers to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes and cancer. In 2013, he founded The Kennedy Forum, a nonprofit that unites adv
In Zoe's Memory: A Mission for Change with Robin Kellner & John Sicher
Robin Kellner and John Sicher have dedicated their lives to advocacy and community service after long and varied careers. Robin built and sold a successful recruitment business, and after the loss of her daughter Zoe in 2007, she partnered with NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell to fight stigma around mental health and substance use and to promote harm reduction. John’s career was in corporate
Women, Alcohol, and Recovery with New York Times Bestselling Author Holly Whitaker
Holly Whitaker is a New York Times bestselling author of Quit Like a Woman, creator of the audio guide 30 Days to a New Relationship with Alcohol, and founder of Tempest, Inc. (acquired by Monument in 2022). A writer, researcher, and person in long-term recovery, she believes individual healing is the foundation for collective liberation, and that equity, social justice, and love ethic are insepar
Welcome to Thriving with Addiction with Dr. Jonathan Avery
Welcome to Thriving with Addiction with Dr. Jonathan Avery — a new podcast coming in 2026 that reimagines recovery from substance use through science, connection, and courage. In this trailer episode, Dr. Avery introduces the mission of the show: to break down stigma, expand understanding, and help listeners build real-world pathways to healing.Follow Thriving with Addiction:www.thrivingwithaddict
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