The Real Recovery Podcast |
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Our MissionOur mission at Real Recovery Podcast Inc. is to empower, enlighten, and inspire those on their journey through recovery by sharing authentic stories, practical advice, and supportive community insights. We are dedicated to creating a safe, respectful, and engaging platform where individuals can find solace, strength, and solidarity. Our podcast aims to demystify the recovery process, celebrate progress, and foster a sense of belonging among listeners navigating the path to sobriety. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences within the recovery community, Real Recovery seeks to be a beacon of hope, understanding, and encouragement for all those committed to a life of health, happiness, and sobriety. |
Welcome to Real Recovery Podcast Inc. -
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At Real Recovery Podcast Inc., we delve into the heart of recovery by highlighting the real stories, challenges, and triumphs of those navigating sobriety. Our mission is to inspire and uplift individuals affected by addiction, offering them a pathway to hope, community, and personal transformation. Through personal stories, expert insights, and actionable advice, we aim to empower our listeners to embrace their recovery journey with confidence and support.
Founded by Julie and Peter, who bring both personal experiences and professional expertise, the Real Recovery Podcast is more than just a podcast—it's a vibrant community. Together, we amplify voices, celebrate resilience, and foster healing. Each episode features in-depth interviews with recovery advocates, mental health professionals, and individuals at various stages of recovery, along with resources and support for our listeners.
Discover the strength in shared experiences as we explore diverse aspects of addiction recovery, mental health, and wellness. Whether you're taking your first steps, supporting a loved one, or somewhere in between, Real Recovery Podcast offers a welcoming space for guidance, resources, and hope.
Visit RealRecoveryPodcast.com, where real stories lead to real recovery.
Hosts & Board MEMBERS' Biographies
Julie P. Lewis CRM, PSS; Co-Founder/Co-Host
A beacon of resilience and dedication, Julie serves as the co-host of the Real Recovery Podcast. With an East Coast origin and a transition to Oregon at 13, Julie's early life was a whirlwind of adaptation and change. Her high school years marked the start of a new life filled with opportunities, challenges, and significant transitions. Julie's path led her to Portland State University, where she encountered a party lifestyle that eventually introduced her to the darker sides of life, including methamphetamine use and the underground world of the escort service.
A series of tumultuous events, compounded by a broken heart, led to more substance use and the birth of her daughter. Determined to provide a better life for her child, Julie made the brave decision to enter a program for a drug-free pregnancy, going on to raise her daughter in a clean environment. However, life threw a curveball when she found herself caught in a sting operation with significant cash savings from the escort service, leading to incarceration.
Despite these hardships, Julie's inner strength propelled her to rebuild her life. She took to folding towels in a hotel basement, climbed up to a supervisory role, and eventually soared in a 19-year career with Sprint. Alongside her professional success, she experienced personal trials, including the loss of her mother and her daughter's father. Yet, she always found solace and guidance in her commitment to recovery and her AA meetings.
Her story took a significant turn during a stressful job transition, resulting in a breakdown and the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. It was during this time that Julie bravely confronted and addressed childhood trauma, finding healing in intensive outpatient therapy, and deepening her commitment to recovery.
Now, nearly 28 years sober and having navigated through the darkest of times, Julie is a testament to the power of resilience and recovery. With a clear vision for the future, she focuses on her sobriety, her role as a mother, her successful career, and her passion for sports. She is dedicated to ensuring that her personal journey serves as an inspiration for others, advocating that no matter one's past, a future full of hope and purpose is always within reach.
On the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie offers her wisdom, experience, and heartfelt empathy to listeners worldwide, encouraging them that they are never alone and always part of a greater, supportive community. She is certified by the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon as CRM and PSS. Her story is not only a chronicle of triumph over adversity but a living message that recovery is an ever-present journey, not just a destination.
Her story took a significant turn during a stressful job transition, resulting in a breakdown and the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. It was during this time that Julie bravely confronted and addressed childhood trauma, finding healing in intensive outpatient therapy, and deepening her commitment to recovery.
Now, nearly 28 years sober and having navigated through the darkest of times, Julie is a testament to the power of resilience and recovery. With a clear vision for the future, she focuses on her sobriety, her role as a mother, her successful career, and her passion for sports. She is dedicated to ensuring that her personal journey serves as an inspiration for others, advocating that no matter one's past, a future full of hope and purpose is always within reach.
On the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie offers her wisdom, experience, and heartfelt empathy to listeners worldwide, encouraging them that they are never alone and always part of a greater, supportive community. She is certified by the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon as CRM and PSS. Her story is not only a chronicle of triumph over adversity but a living message that recovery is an ever-present journey, not just a destination.
Peter B. Dowell - AA FM; BS CVT; Co-Founder/Co-Host
Peter is the candid co-host of the Real Recovery Podcast, a series dedicated to sharing powerful narratives of recovery, resilience, and hope. From an early age, Peter struggled with his identity, facing challenges and societal pressures that led him to seek solace in alcohol. In his twenties, Peter embraced his identity as a gay man, marking a pivotal turning point in his life.
Despite moments of professional success, Peter’s journey was marred by the dangers of excessive drinking, resulting in professional challenges and personal crises. He openly shares these vulnerable moments, including encounters with law enforcement and the inner turmoil often accompanying the quest for acceptance.
Despite moments of professional success, Peter’s journey was marred by the dangers of excessive drinking, resulting in professional challenges and personal crises. He openly shares these vulnerable moments, including encounters with law enforcement and the inner turmoil often accompanying the quest for acceptance.
After years of struggling, a turning point came when Peter confronted the stark reality of how his actions impacted his loved ones. This realization led to his life-changing decision to seek help and commit to recovery.
Peter’s path to sobriety was shaped by the support of recovery communities and the tough but unwavering love of newfound friends and mentors. He learned the importance of service within these groups, taking on roles that provided him with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. Through these experiences, Peter found the strength to rebuild his life, which now includes a fulfilling career and a happy home life with his husband.
Now, over seven years sober, Peter brings to the podcast both his technical expertise—developed during a career managing corporate TV studios and conference centers—and his deep commitment to giving back to the recovery community that supported him during his darkest times. His story is a testament to the idea that there is always a path to a brighter future, no matter how challenging the past. Peter is a living example of what “real recovery” can achieve.
Peter’s journey is not just a personal success story—it is a beacon of hope for anyone navigating the rocky road to recovery. With his co-host Julie, he strives to inspire, educate, and offer a message of solidarity and hope through the Real Recovery Podcast.
Colette Morrison, Board Member & Founding Voice
Colette Morrison is a passionate advocate for recovery, a founding voice behind the Real Recovery Podcast, and a dedicated force in outreach and community engagement. Her journey, featured in RRP Show 004: Embracing the Journey, is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of connection.
As someone who has walked the difficult road of addiction and emerged on the other side, Colette understands the challenges of recovery firsthand. Her experiences fuel her deep commitment to helping others find the support, resources, and hope they need to rebuild their lives. Through the Real Recovery Podcast, she not only shares her story but also amplifies the voices of those in recovery, ensuring that their journeys are heard and valued.
Beyond her role as Treasurer, Colette is an integral part of the podcast’s outreach efforts. She fosters relationships with recovery institutions and organizations, bridging gaps between those in need and the resources available to them. Her work extends beyond the digital world—she is an ambassador for the podcast everywhere she goes, whether attending recovery events, speaking at meetings, or engaging with community leaders to expand the reach of the Real Recovery Podcast.
Colette’s dedication doesn’t stop with the podcast. She is the founder and leader of Bridge to Recovery, a meeting at Another Chance Recovery Center, where she creates a safe and welcoming space for individuals seeking to strengthen their recovery journey. This initiative embodies her core belief: recovery thrives in connection. By providing a space for open dialogue, support, and encouragement, she is actively helping others navigate the challenges of addiction and healing.
Her passion for recovery advocacy, combined with her ability to connect with people on a personal level, makes Colette an invaluable member of the Real Recovery Podcast team. Whether through her work with the podcast, her leadership in Bridge to Recovery, or her tireless efforts to support those in need, Colette is committed to ensuring that no one in recovery has to walk alone.
As someone who has walked the difficult road of addiction and emerged on the other side, Colette understands the challenges of recovery firsthand. Her experiences fuel her deep commitment to helping others find the support, resources, and hope they need to rebuild their lives. Through the Real Recovery Podcast, she not only shares her story but also amplifies the voices of those in recovery, ensuring that their journeys are heard and valued.
Beyond her role as Treasurer, Colette is an integral part of the podcast’s outreach efforts. She fosters relationships with recovery institutions and organizations, bridging gaps between those in need and the resources available to them. Her work extends beyond the digital world—she is an ambassador for the podcast everywhere she goes, whether attending recovery events, speaking at meetings, or engaging with community leaders to expand the reach of the Real Recovery Podcast.
Colette’s dedication doesn’t stop with the podcast. She is the founder and leader of Bridge to Recovery, a meeting at Another Chance Recovery Center, where she creates a safe and welcoming space for individuals seeking to strengthen their recovery journey. This initiative embodies her core belief: recovery thrives in connection. By providing a space for open dialogue, support, and encouragement, she is actively helping others navigate the challenges of addiction and healing.
Her passion for recovery advocacy, combined with her ability to connect with people on a personal level, makes Colette an invaluable member of the Real Recovery Podcast team. Whether through her work with the podcast, her leadership in Bridge to Recovery, or her tireless efforts to support those in need, Colette is committed to ensuring that no one in recovery has to walk alone.
