Recovery Centered Podcast | Real Talk on Recovery & Mental Health

by Beachway Therapy Center

Season 2

“Are You Done?”: Surrender, Survival, and the Moment Recovery Begins

Jeremy Plummer shares a firsthand account of addiction at its most extreme—and the turning point that changed everything. With nearly a decade in recovery, he reflects on the progression from recreational use to IV heroin and cocaine, the isolation that followed, and the internal collapse that left him choosing between survival and surrender. At the center of the episode is a single moment: a knock on the door and a simple question—“Are you done?”—that cut through denial and opened the door to recovery. Jeremy and Tim examine why asking for help is so difficult, how addiction distorts thinking, and why many people remain trapped in familiar chaos rather than face the uncertainty of change. The conversation also explores: The role of surrender in long-term recovery Why lived experience can break through resistance where logic cannot Fear, identity, and the barriers to seeking help The progression from functional use to complete loss of control How recovery is sustained through connection, mentorship, and daily practice This episode focuses on the inflection point—when resistance ends, and willingness begins—and what it takes to reach that moment.

S2 · E17

Mar 26, 2026

42:28

From Burnout to Balance: Leadership, Recovery, and Building Systems That Actually Work

Hailey Henderson, LMHC, MCAP, shares a dual perspective shaped by personal transformation and frontline behavioral health leadership. She outlines how sustainable recovery—whether from addiction, burnout, or disconnection—depends on daily self-prioritization, not short-term intensity. The conversation examines the realities of clinical leadership: managing high-acuity populations, reducing therapist burnout, and building systems that support both outcomes and staff retention. Hailey explains how operational improvements—from team culture to AI-assisted documentation—can directly impact quality of care and clinician well-being. She also reflects on her own health journey, including stepping away from graduate school to rebuild her relationship with her body, and how that experience reshaped her clinical philosophy around holistic, sustainable change. Additional themes include: Why burnout is structural, not just personal How triggers for relapse are individualized and often subtle The role of belief systems in long-term change Barriers to care for high-risk populations, including housing and aftercare gaps Cultural challenges around vulnerability in first responders and veterans The episode closes with a focus on patience, self-trust, and the long-view approach to recovery and leadership.

S2 · E16

Mar 19, 2026

56:11

Healing in Relationship: Alexa Vrionis on Recovery, Communication, and Imago Therapy

Psychotherapist Alexa Vrionis joins the podcast to discuss how recovery, identity, and relationships intersect. Drawing from both professional training and lived experience in recovery, Alexa explains why feeling truly understood can be transformative—and how that experience led her to become a therapist herself. The conversation explores Imago Relationship Therapy, a communication framework designed to help couples move beyond blame and toward deeper understanding. Alexa explains how many relationship conflicts are rooted in earlier experiences and unmet needs, and how structured dialogue—through mirroring, validation, and empathy—can help partners reconnect rather than escalate conflict. They also discuss identity after addiction, the difference between guilt and shame, and why many emotional reactions in relationships are tied to past experiences rather than the present moment. Alexa describes how therapy can help people separate those past narratives from current relationships and create healthier patterns moving forward. Throughout the episode, the discussion returns to a central theme: people often heal in relationship the same way they were wounded in relationship. With curiosity, compassion, and better communication tools, couples—and individuals in recovery—can build connection, rediscover hope, and move toward a more grounded sense of self.

S2 · E15

Mar 16, 2026

59:40

A Firefighter’s Path to Healing: Chris Chance and the Saddle & Sea Mission

Christopher Chance, a Palm Beach County firefighter-paramedic and trained farrier, shares the story behind Saddle & Sea Foundation, a program designed to help first responders reconnect, recover, and rebuild after trauma. Drawing on more than 16 years of emergency service—from lifeguarding in Hawaii to frontline firefighting in Florida—Chance combines equine-assisted learning and ocean-based “blue mind” experiences to create a space where first responders can step away from the job and focus on their own well-being. The conversation explores the psychological toll of service work, the reluctance many responders have to ask for help, and how nature—horses, water, and shared challenge—can open the door to resilience and honest conversation.

S2 · E14

Mar 13, 2026

1:02:08

Nervous System Protection, EMDR, and the Work of Becoming Visible — with Sarah Menniti, LMHC

In this episode of Recovery Centered, Tim sits down with Sarah Menniti, LMHC, founder of Rhythm Holistic Counseling & Wellness in Jupiter, Florida. Sarah works primarily with adult women navigating anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, and people-pleasing through a nervous system–oriented, trauma-informed approach. The conversation explores how many so-called “self-defeating behaviors” are actually protective adaptations developed earlier in life. Rather than framing these patterns as flaws, Sarah reframes them as nervous system strategies that once served a purpose but may no longer be helpful. They discuss the difference between willpower and willingness in recovery, the role of subconscious patterns in shaping behavior, and how trauma can remain active in the body even when we intellectually understand what happened. Sarah explains EMDR as a process that helps reprocess limiting core beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not safe,” allowing new, adaptive beliefs to take root. She shares a personal experience of working through her own fear of being seen, illustrating how healing often requires revisiting early experiences from a grounded, adult perspective. The episode also touches on resilience, the importance of small, consistent change over time, and why sustainable healing is rarely a quick fix. Sarah emphasizes that growth happens through safety, connection, and gradual nervous system regulation—not force. The conversation closes with a simple message: it is never too late to heal, and it is possible to create a relationship with yourself that feels safe and steady.

S2 · E13

Mar 6, 2026

50:25

From 0 to 100: A Volunteer Firefighter’s Fight for Mental Health and the Cost of Waiting for Help

Kyle Whitfield, a 15-year volunteer firefighter with Evans County Fire Rescue and part-time firefighter with Long County Fire, shares his experience with PTSD, suicide attempts, and the barriers first responders face when seeking mental health care. Despite years of service to his community, Kyle struggled in silence while navigating insurance denials, long waitlists, and a culture that discourages vulnerability. After a personal turning point, he connected with trauma-informed therapy and began rebuilding his life. This episode examines the mental health crisis among volunteer firefighters, the cost of delayed care, and why immediate, specialized support can save lives.

S2 · E12

Mar 2, 2026

49:57

Dr. Kay Bloom, PhD: Emotional Sobriety, Boundaries, and What It Really Takes to Heal Relationships

In this episode of Recovery Centered, Tim Roberto sits down with Kay Bloom, PhD, LCSW, for a clinically grounded conversation about emotional sobriety, trauma, and relational healing. Dr. Bloom explores how unresolved trauma, grief, and poor boundaries quietly shape behavior, communication, and intimacy—often long after substance use or crisis has stopped. Drawing on more than 25 years of clinical leadership and therapeutic practice, Dr. Bloom breaks down what emotional sobriety actually means in daily life, why insight alone is not enough, and how people get stuck repeating patterns even when they “know better.” The discussion addresses overwhelm, people-pleasing, attachment wounds, and the work required to build healthier relationships with others—and with oneself. This episode offers a clear, practical look at recovery beyond abstinence, focusing on the internal skills needed to live with stability, integrity, and connection. If you want this adjusted (shorter, more clinical, or more audience-specific), tell me where it will be published and I’ll refine it.

S2 · E11

Feb 25, 2026

58:34

Brian Wind, PhD: Why Recovery Is Possible—and What It Actually Takes to Sustain It

In this episode of Recovery Centered, Tim Roberto is joined by Brian Wind, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer at JourneyPure, for a candid, clinically grounded conversation about addiction, trauma, and long-term recovery. Drawing from both his professional leadership in behavioral healthcare and his own lived experience in recovery, Dr. Wind explores why addiction is often rooted in unresolved trauma, family-of-origin dynamics, and maladaptive coping—not moral failure or lack of willpower. The conversation moves beyond surface-level recovery narratives to examine codependency, perfectionism, denial, and the reality of burnout among those who care for others. Dr. Wind also shares the pivotal moment that changed the course of his life, why one encounter can matter more than years of consequences, and how evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT help people learn to live life on life’s terms. This episode is a clear-eyed look at recovery as a lifelong process—imperfect, demanding, and entirely possible.

S2 · E10

Feb 3, 2026

55:22

Grace, Recovery, and Walking With People at Their Lowest with Pastor Troy

In this powerful and deeply human episode of Recovery Centered, host Tim Roberto sits down with longtime friend and colleague Pastor Troy, an ordained minister with over 16 years of experience walking alongside individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, and spiritual disconnection. As Founder and President of Freedom Recovery, Inc., and a native Floridian with deep roots in Palm Beach County, Pastor Troy brings a rare blend of pastoral wisdom, lived recovery experience, and frontline urgency to the work of healing. Together, Tim and Pastor Troy explore the role of grace in recovery, the intersection of spirituality and clinical treatment, and why true transformation is not about performance, outcomes, or dogma—but relationship. The conversation dives into religious trauma, forgiveness (especially self-forgiveness), surrender, and what it truly means to meet people where they are—whether they are believers, skeptics, or somewhere in between. Pastor Troy shares moving stories from decades of ministry, discusses the importance of collaboration between clinicians and spiritual leaders, and reflects on why love, not judgment, is the foundation of lasting recovery. This episode is an honest, compassionate exploration of faith, addiction, and the courage it takes to keep showing up for people in their darkest moments—with humility, urgency, and hope.

S2 · E9

Feb 2, 2026

1:01:41

Loving Someone Into Recovery Without Losing Yourself with Kim Litton, LCSW, CAP, CSAT

In this episode of Recovery Centered, Tim sits down with Kim Litton, LCSW, CAP, CSAT—licensed psychotherapist, author, and a woman with 21+ years clean and sober—for an honest conversation about what recovery looks like when it moves from an idea into a life. Kim brings both clinical depth and lived experience to the table as she breaks down the complicated realities of relationships in recovery: how boundaries work (and why they’re often misunderstood), what codependency really is, and how families can support healing without trying to control the outcome. They also talk about trust, relapse fears, and the difference between enabling and loving someone well. Kim is the author of “I Do It For Her” and works in private practice in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where she helps individuals and couples navigate addiction, trauma, and intimacy challenges with clarity and compassion. A grounded, heart-forward episode for anyone in recovery—and anyone who loves someone who is.

S2 · E8

Jan 19, 2026

50:37

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