In this deeply moving and honest episode, host KL Wells is joined by Jim Horton, a father who tragically lost his 19-year-old son, Zach, to an opiate addiction. Recorded during the holiday season, a particularly challenging time for many, this conversation offers a raw and authentic look at the rollercoaster ride of grief. Jim shares his personal story, from the initial shock and all-consuming pain to his journey of healing and finding new purpose. He and KL explore the paralyzing stigma of addiction, the complexities of the recovery landscape, and the critical need for community for both those struggling with addiction and the families who love them.

This episode is a powerful testament to the long, non-linear path of grief and a beacon of hope for anyone feeling lost in the darkness of loss.

• The profound impact of stigma and how it prevents families from seeking and receiving help.
• Understanding that the recovery landscape is wide and looks different for teenagers versus adults.
• The family's parallel journey of recovery and the importance of their own healing.
• Navigating the intense, unpredictable emotions of grief, especially during the holidays.
• The distinction between sobriety as simple abstinence and recovery as an active, ongoing journey toward a better life.
• Finding purpose and a path forward through service and contribution after a devastating loss.
• The power of community and why no one should have to walk this path alone.

• How can we shift our perspective to see relapse not as a total failure, but as part of a longer recovery journey?
• What are the first steps a parent can take when they feel paralyzed by their child's addiction?
• How do we navigate the shoulds and self-blame that often accompany loving someone with an addiction?
• For those deep in grief, what does the path toward finding moments of peace or even joy look like?

• Why treating addiction as a disease, not a moral failing, is crucial for both the individual and their family.
• The importance of exploring city and county resources for addiction and recovery support, which are often overlooked.
• That grief is not a linear process; it is a rollercoaster with ups and downs, and it is okay to not be okay.
• Practical strategies to interrupt negative thought patterns and head trash when you feel yourself spiraling.
• That your own recovery journey as a loved one is just as important as the person's journey with addiction.
• There is hope for finding light and purpose again, even after the most profound loss.

Links and Resources:

The Zachary Horton Foundation

Learn more about Jim’s work to end the stigma of addiction, spread awareness, and support individuals and families in his community.

🌐 https://zacharyhortonfoundation.org/ zacharyhortonfoundation.org

Thrive While Loving an Addict (Podcast & Community)

Listen to the Thrive While Loving an Addict podcast by KL Wells and find community support for parents and loved ones of those struggling with addiction.

📍 https://voicesincourage.com/podcast

County Mental Health and Addiction Services

As mentioned in the episode, a critical and often underutilized resource. To find support near you, search for:

🔎 "[Your County] mental...

In this deeply moving episode, host KL Wells welcomes Pamela Tosh, an energy healer and yoga teacher joining us from Cape Town, South Africa. Pamela shares her incredible story of resilience and transformation, from a childhood marked by emotional abuse and early struggles with addiction to a profound spiritual awakening in the Himalayas. She recounts how her journey to India for yoga teacher training became the turning point that allowed her to release stored trauma, break the cycle of addiction, and find her true purpose.

Join us for a powerful conversation about the limitations of conventional rehab, the healing power of spiritual connection, and how a life dedicated to service can lead to your own liberation. Pamela’s story is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to rewrite your script and create a life of authenticity, purpose, and joy.

• Pamela’s story of origin, growing up in an environment of emotional abuse and alcohol dependency in South Africa.
• The powerful, life-altering journey to India that sparked a deep spiritual awakening and healing from trauma.
• The concept of being addicted to a "3D reality" and how to break free from societal conditioning.
• Karma Yoga, or meditation in action, and how serving her community became a cornerstone of her recovery.
• The critical need for sustainable, holistic, and long-term approaches to addiction recovery.
• How to practice emotional detachment to find peace and stillness, even in the midst of chaos.

• Would you please give our listeners a window into your story of origin?
• Did you step away from addiction when you got pregnant?
• Talk about your first journey to India. Was that an experience of awakening for you?
• How do you describe your formula for thriving?

• The limitations of short-term rehabilitation programs and the importance of creating a sustainable, long-term healing plan.
• How stored trauma and emotions manifest physically in the body and how practices like yoga can help release them.
• The concept of Karma Yoga and how selfless service can be a powerful tool for healing and finding purpose.
• Techniques for practicing emotional detachment and finding inner peace, even when surrounded by chaos.
• The importance of withdrawing the senses to move past physical attachments and connect more deeply with your spiritual self.
• Why telling your truth is a fundamental practice for living an authentic life and breaking free from toxic relationship patterns.
• How to find daily excitement and inspiration to stay resilient on your unique, divinely guided path.

Connect with Pamela Tosh (Indie Pam):

Website: https://indiepam.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamela.tosh.indipam/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamelatosh/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelatosh/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IndiPam.pamelatosh

Book Mentioned:

The Song of God (A version of the Bhagavad Gita)

https://a.co/d/21ahoyx

Connect with KL Wells and the Thrive While Loving an...

In this powerful episode, host KL Wells welcomes the extraordinary Mike Pierce, also known as "Antarctic Mike." Mike shares his incredible life story, from conquering the Antarctic Ice Marathon to navigating the profound challenges of his late wife Angela's 36-year battle with chronic pain and opioid addiction. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a raw and honest look at the parallel journey of loving someone through addiction and loss. Mike's story is one of turning pain into purpose, finding strength in the darkest of times, and learning to embrace life's most difficult moments as opportunities for growth and connection.

Mike Pierce, better known as Antarctic Mike, works with organizations that want to find, engage and keep the best performing people. Mike’s background professionally started in the recruiting business in 1997, working specifically to show managers and leaders exactly how to identify and recruit the best people. He now speaks across the US and Canada to executive teams, organizations, associations and sales teams about how to lead people so they are fully engaged in what they do.

Mike is an avid fan of polar expedition history and is an endurance athlete. In 2006, Mike became one of 9 people to run the first ever Antarctic Ice Marathon and a year later became the first American to run the Antarctic 100k, a grueling 62 miles on an ice shelf 600 miles from the South Pole.

His flagship program, Leading at 90 Below Zero, connects the drivers and principles of Antarctic expedition history stories to the real world of finding, engaging and keeping great people in today’s business world.

Mike has a BA from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and resides in Encinitas, California.

• Mike's journey to Antarctica and how it prepared him for life's greatest challenges.

• Angela's battle with chronic pain and subsequent opioid addiction.

• The family's journey through the cycles of addiction, recovery, and relapse.

• The emotional and psychological toll on the caregiver in a relationship with an addict.

• The power of mindset and perspective in navigating trauma and loss.

• The importance of letting go and embracing the present moment.

• Finding hope and new beginnings after profound loss.

• How did you navigate holding the space for her suffering?

• What are the gifts and lessons embedded in this experience for you?

• How do you reconcile the difference between quitting and surrendering?

• How to find strength and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.

• The importance of viewing difficulty as a teacher and an opportunity for growth.

• How to support a loved one through addiction while also caring for your own well-being.

• The power of letting go of resistance and embracing the present moment.

• How to find hope and purpose after the loss of a loved one.

• That pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice.

Connect with Mike Pierce: You can find more about Mike's incredible story, his speaking engagements, and his book by searching for "Antarctic Mike" on Google. You can also find his TED Talk on YouTube.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antarcticmike/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Antarctic-Mike-Speaks-1617958015119843/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AntarcticMike/

TED Talk:

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, host KL Wells sits down with fellow podcaster Krista Zaft to explore the generational cycles of addiction and the profound healing that comes from breaking them. Krista shares her story of growing up with an alcoholic father, unconsciously repeating familiar patterns in her own marriage, and facing one of the biggest challenges of her life: her son's addiction.

This conversation is a candid look at how childhood trauma shapes our adult lives, leading to traits like perfectionism, codependency, and a need for control. Krista walks us through her pivotal "awakening" moments—first, as a young mother confronting her own anger, and later, as she stepped onto a path of parallel recovery alongside her son. Together, KL and Krista unravel the isolating nature of shame and illuminate the life-changing power of community, personal responsibility, and finding hope in the midst of chaos.

• How childhood chaos can lead us to unconsciously recreate similar dynamics in our adult relationships
• The profound impact of family tragedy on the cycle of addiction
• Krista’s "awakening" moment with her daughter that led her to seek therapy for the first time
• Navigating a child’s addiction and the journey of organizing a family intervention
• The concept of parallel recovery and the importance of doing your own healing work alongside your loved one
• The isolating role of shame for parents of addicts and the power of community support
• Understanding the traits of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) and how these patterns show up in adulthood

Krista Zaft is a clarity and confidence coach, speaker, and host of the Becoming Sound podcast. Her work is rooted in helping women heal from the ripple effects of generational addiction and create lives grounded in authenticity, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. With a background shaped by personal experience, Krista’s voice is a guiding light for those navigating the messy middle of recovery and transformation.

Her podcast, Becoming Sound, is a space for raw, unfiltered conversations about life after dysfunction and the journey toward healing in mind, body, and spirit.

• 🌐 Website: kristazaft.com
• 🎧 Podcast on Apple: Becoming Sound
• 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: Becoming Sound
• 📺 YouTube: @kristazaft
• 📸 Instagram: @zaftkrista
• 📩 Email: krista@kristazaft.com

In this deeply moving episode, host KL Wells is joined by Dr. Janelle Martin, a functional medicine doctor and counselor from Houston. Dr. Martin shares the raw and transformative story of her daughter's journey through addiction and her own parallel path to recovery. She opens up about the hidden family traumas—divorce, parental alienation, and abuse—that served as the backdrop for her daughter's substance use, which began as a way to numb immense pain. Dr. Martin recounts the heart-wrenching moment of discovery, the difficult decisions that followed, and the critical importance of finding the right support for both her daughter and herself. This conversation is a powerful testament to the strength found in community, the healing that comes from vulnerability, and the profound truth that a parent's recovery is a crucial, independent journey that can change everything.

• The profound impact of childhood trauma, divorce, and parental alienation on a child's vulnerability to addiction.
• The slow, painful, and often-denied process of a parent realizing their child is using drugs.
• The crisis point that forces a parent to set firm boundaries and seek external help.
• Navigating the overwhelming process of finding an effective treatment program for an adolescent.
• The life-changing discovery of community and the critical role of parent support groups.
• How the 12-step program became a transformative gift for a parent, helping her heal and grow.
• The process of rebuilding a mother-daughter relationship from the ground up through honesty, vulnerability, and shared recovery.
• The journey of co-authoring a book, Losing Her, Finding Us, to share both the mother's and daughter's perspectives.

• When did the light bulb go off for you that you had your own recovery in this?
• Can you tell us about how your book, co-authored with your daughter, came to be?
• What are the top non-negotiable things you do to take care of yourself?

• How hidden family trauma can be a significant root cause of addiction.
• Why a parent's own recovery journey is essential, regardless of their child's choices.
• That finding a community of peers is "mission critical" for parents navigating a child's addiction.
• How the 12-step process can be a powerful tool for personal transformation for anyone.
• That it is possible to rebuild a deep, meaningful relationship with a child in recovery.
• The power of sharing your story to break through shame and offer a lifeline to others.

• Guest Website & Book: Learn more about Dr. Janelle Martin and her daughter's story, and order their book, Losing Her, Finding Us: A Mother’s Fight, A Daughter’s Journey, and The Road to Recovery, at ourbeautifulrecovery.com
• Dr. Martin's Practice: Discover the work Dr. Martin does with brain health and neurofeedback at the TMC Brain Health Center in Houston: tmcbrainhealthcenter.com
• Community Support: Find a local meeting for support and connection:
• Al-Anon Family Groups
• Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL)

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells welcomes author and cycle-breaker Wendy B. Correa to discuss her extraordinary journey from childhood trauma to profound healing.

Wendy shares the genesis of her complex PTSD and anxiety, starting with the traumatic death of her father and the subsequent years spent walking on eggshells with an alcoholic and violent stepfather. She details how she intuitively sought out healing modalities—from nature and Buddhism to 12-step programs and Native American spirituality—long before modern science validated their effectiveness.

This conversation is an honest exploration of intergenerational trauma, the biological impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the courage it takes to rewrite your own story. Wendy introduces her forthcoming memoir, My Pretty Baby (releasing November 4th), which serves as both an “autopsy” of her family’s dysfunction and a guidebook for others seeking to end the cycle of trauma. This episode is a beacon of light, emphasizing that healing is not only possible but contagious.

• The profound trauma of parental loss in childhood and the lack of emotional support in the 1960s
• Growing up with a Jekyll and Hyde alcoholic stepfather, leading to hypervigilance and complex PTSD
• The realization that family dysfunction is often layered with intergenerational trauma, addiction, and mental health issues
• Wendy’s intuitive search for healing through nature, Zen meditation, Buddhism, music, 12-step programs, and Native American spirituality (sweat lodges and vision quests)
• The scientific understanding that trauma is not just an external event, but a biological change that "rewires our biology" and causes the body to "keep score"
• Trauma as a public health issue, with 61% of adults having at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and the correlation between high ACE scores and decreased life expectancy
• The power of community and "safe connection" as a form of medicine for the brain
• The critical difference between forgiveness (for the forgiver) and reconciliation, and the necessity of strong boundaries or even estrangement for survival

• What was the turning point when you realized your trauma wasn’t your fault?
• How did you begin exploring healing modalities before they were mainstream?
• What role did nature and spiritual practices play in your journey?
• How do you define forgiveness in the context of trauma and family?
• What do you hope readers take away from My Pretty Baby?

• How early childhood trauma can shape one’s identity and relationships
• The biological impacts of trauma and how healing rewires the nervous system
• Practical tools for reclaiming your voice, body, and boundaries
• Why healing is possible at any stage of life—and how one person’s healing can ripple out to others
• The importance of community and safe connection in overcoming generational patterns

Wendy B. Correa is a writer, yogi, hiker, and licensed massage therapist. She has worked in film, television, multimedia, and music in Los Angeles, and later as a radio DJ in Aspen, Colorado. Wendy holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and theater arts and has contributed articles to Mothering magazine.

A devoted wife and mother, she currently resides in Denver, Colorado, and enjoys traveling to magical destinations with her family. My Pretty Baby is her debut memoir, releasing November 4th.

📧 For more information, visit

In this episode of Thrive, host KL Wells sits down with Ian Vassilaros—a licensed therapist, business consultant, and coach—to explore the destructive power of shame and its hidden role in addiction and disconnection. Ian shares his professional journey into the heart of shame, unpacking how this often-overlooked emotion corrodes self-worth and drives human suffering.

Listeners will learn the critical distinction between guilt and shame—how guilt can inspire integrity-driven action, while shame depletes hope by attacking the self. Ian also explains how trauma and shame become interlinked, shaping limiting beliefs like "I'm unlovable" or "I deserve pain." Most importantly, this conversation reveals practical, empowering tools for "deshaming" shame—opening a path to healing, growth, and connection.

• The concept of “seeing people as objects” and how it creates shame-based thinking.
• The crucial difference between guilt and shame—and why one motivates while the other debilitates.
• Guilt as a signal of misalignment with our values, and shame as an inherited lie about who we are.
• The connection between unresolved trauma and toxic shame narratives.
• How shame fuels addiction and self-destructive behavior patterns.
• The intense loneliness and isolation shame creates—and how sharing breaks that cycle.
• Techniques for recognizing shame-based thinking and developing self-compassion.
• How to support loved ones by breaking the silence around shame and offering presence instead of fixing.

• What drew you into exploring shame on such a deep level?
• How does shame differ from guilt in terms of our internal experience and behavior?
• In what ways does shame connect with trauma and addictive behavior?
• What does it actually mean to “deshame” shame?
• How can those who love someone in addiction begin to release their own shame?

• How shame operates as a root cause of addiction, disconnection, and emotional paralysis.
• How to separate guilt (helpful) from shame (harmful) and reframe painful experiences.
• Why sharing your shame story with safe people can neutralize its power.
• The importance of self-awareness and internal dialogue in overcoming shame-based beliefs.
• How to become a more grounded support system for someone struggling with substance use.
• Why your struggles or mistakes do not define your worth—and how to reclaim your narrative.

• 🌐 Website: learnmoveheal.com
• 📩 Email: ian@learnmoveheal.com

• Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute
• The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute
• Bonds That Make Us Free by C. Terry Warner

In this powerful third installment of our series with KL Wells, host Steve Cary explores KL’s deeply personal 20-year journey of loving her son, Sam, through the grips of addiction. Timed with National Sobriety Month, this conversation includes a moving update on Sam’s recovery and a heartfelt message of hope he recently wrote.

KL shares her emotional transformation—from trying to “fix” her son to healing herself and choosing to thrive despite the chaos. This shift not only saved her life, but also created the space for Sam’s recovery. Her story is a profound example of how pain can become purpose, and how one mother’s healing journey has now become a mission to help one million people thrive while loving someone with an addiction.

• A Message of Hope: KL reads a recent post from Sam, now over two years sober, reflecting on his transformation from homelessness to a stable, fulfilling life.
• Parallel Journeys: The idea of simultaneous recovery—Sam’s from addiction and KL’s from the "mom code" of control and caretaking.
• From Surviving to Thriving: Why KL chose not to settle for surviving, and how she pursued a life of meaning and joy in the midst of struggle.
• Radical Self-Care: KL’s annual solo backpacking trips in the Beartooth Mountains, which became essential for her emotional recovery and renewal.
• Purpose in Pain: Seeing challenges not as punishment but as preparation for a greater mission.
• Agency and Power: The empowering reminder that we always have a choice, no matter the circumstances.
• Mission for a Million: KL’s bold vision to help one million people learn to thrive, shifting the narrative from heartbreak to hope.

• What does National Sobriety Month mean to you right now, with where you and Sam are in your journey?
• How did you first glimpse a different path for yourself—beyond just surviving?
• At what point in the 20-year journey did you realize you didn’t want to be hijacked by your son’s addiction anymore?
• When you imagine one million people thriving, what does that vision look like to you?

• The key differences between surviving and thriving while loving someone with an addiction.
• Why prioritizing your own well-being can positively impact your loved one’s recovery.
• How to shift your mindset to find the lessons and meaning in your struggle.
• The power of choice and agency, even when life feels out of control.
• How stories of hope and thriving can spark your own transformation.
• Why normalizing thriving stories is critical to changing the collective experience of families affected by addiction.

• KL Wells’ TEDx Talk – How My Family Learned to Navigate Addiction
• 🎥 Watch on YouTube
• BALM Family Recovery (Be A Loving Mirror) by Beverly A. Buncher
• 🌐 BALM Family Recovery official site
• 📖 Book: BALM: The Loving Path to Family Recovery on Amazon

If you're struggling and...