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Voices for Change: Linda Johnson's Fight Against Addiction and Her Journey of Advocacy
29th September 2024 • Charge Forward Coaching • James Blasco
00:00:00 00:30:37

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Welcome to the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast with James Blasco! In this episode, we are joined by Linda Johnson, the founder of Voices for Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Linda shares her powerful journey of advocating for addiction recovery and discusses how her personal experiences with her son’s addiction led her to start this transformative organization. We explore the struggles of finding recovery resources, the challenges of supporting loved ones through addiction, and the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding addiction. Linda also shares advice for those in similar situations and how everyone can contribute to making a positive change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by addiction, as well as for those interested in community advocacy and supporting recovery efforts.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Introduction to Charge Forward Coaching and Linda Johnson’s journey with addiction recovery
  • (01:15) Linda’s story of founding Voices for Change and the inspiration behind the nonprofit
  • (03:30) The struggles Linda faced when seeking addiction treatment and the lack of resources
  • (05:00) The emotional journey: Balancing personal experiences with leading an organization
  • (06:30) How Linda stayed focused on the mission despite the emotional toll
  • (09:00) Linda discusses the importance of mental toughness in navigating the challenges of addiction recovery
  • (12:00) The role of the community in breaking down addiction stigma and supporting recovery
  • (15:00) How families can support their loved ones without enabling harmful behaviors
  • (17:00) Voices for Change’s initiatives, including the Overdose Awareness Day event
  • (19:30) Linda’s advice to those considering starting a nonprofit or advocating for a cause

Key Takeaways:

  • Mental toughness is crucial when dealing with the challenges of addiction. Linda emphasizes the importance of making tough decisions in the best interest of loved ones, even when those decisions are painful.
  • Recovery requires both the individual and their family to heal. Support systems like Al-Anon and Naranon offer essential resources for families affected by addiction.
  • Breaking the stigma around addiction is necessary for progress. Linda encourages others to share their stories to help remove the shame and silence that surrounds addiction.
  • The community plays a vital role in supporting those in recovery. Hosting events like Overdose Awareness Day and raising awareness about addiction helps create a more open and supportive environment for recovery.

Bio:

Linda Johnson is the founder and president of Voices for Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Her personal journey, including her son’s battle with addiction, inspired her to create a space for families to connect, share resources, and find support. Through Voices for Change, Linda has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about addiction, provide resources for recovery, and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. Linda’s work is rooted in her deep commitment to helping others find healing and support, both for individuals suffering from addiction and their families.

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James Blasco, Charge Forward Coaching, Voices for Change, addiction recovery, substance use disorder, mental toughness, families of addicts, nonprofit organization, recovery support, drug addiction, family support, community advocacy, addiction awareness, overcoming stigma, mental health, resilience

Transcripts

James Blasco: [:

als and families affected by [:

ourney, the challenges she's [:

James Blasco: How are you doing Linda?

Linda Johnson: I'm good [:

about what Voices for Change [:

ubstance use disorder, find, [:

Linda Johnson: Addiction [:

and. Addiction. And recovery [:

e right rehab for your loved [:

So it kind of morphed into a [:

this money and I want to be [:

hould even do with the funds [:

at's kind of how it started. [:

t's interesting, you know, I [:

Blasco: It wasn't something [:

eeded, but more importantly, [:

ranch manager. Um, but being [:

Linda Johnson: For these resources to be out there.

James Blasco: So, [:

James Blasco: I mean, you got to be very strong to do that. So how do you, how do you balance those two realities?

Linda Johnson: Um, [:

hat moment and nothing else. [:

. I, I remember what it felt [:

to listen to me and hear me [:

use. They have to be able to [:

Linda Johnson: And letting somebody hear that message is very comforting.

James Blasco: There's [:

is? means for you as you had [:

l toughness when it came to, [:

'll give you an example of a [:

nson: And the reason I can't [:

going to be the best in the [:

Linda Johnson: They had to [:

just had to make, which were [:

James Blasco: is, uh, amazing, you know, for you to be able to, uh, not just deal with that, navigate it, uh, cope with it.

sco: Um, and. You know, find [:

d you're still leader there, [:

: So overwhelming sometimes, [:

ring about these events. Um, [:

ich is still around, they're [:

Academy was a recovery high [:

, they asked me to, to share [:

something we have to be out [:

o: So speaking of community, [:

e that We're getting closer. [:

arriers of shame and stigma, [:

, you know, there's a lot of [:

happen to them, because they [:

e pills. It's not the drugs. [:

went away. And the research [:

inda Johnson: But we're very [:

e aware that they could seek [:

Linda Johnson: So I [:

get better? Right? They're, [:

g rock bottom, there comes a [:

as gonna get better that Joe [:

essages to them is that they [:

en, um, very, not toxic, but [:

[:

Linda Johnson: Um, and I have to take a look at me and change me because I can't change Joe.

lasco: So, on the flip side, [:

wonderful recovery stories. [:

Linda Johnson: And they went [:

rom losing someone, and then [:

Linda Johnson: Um, [:

have it at the big stage at [:

ay. And people gather and we [:

: And then they also allowed [:

hours of time where [:

Johnson: We say recovery is [:

d the community so much. So, [:

James Blasco: [:

that Your story is going to [:

nprofit. Just go ask another [:

ives. And if I don't give it [:

about, they need some help, [:

r you. And you can probably, [:

son's journey for about four [:

next week and I didn't want [:

Linda Johnson: Will get better when you get better.

ns of grace, uh and strength [:

he show. We have more Really [:

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