Many years ago, I came upon a very interesting book. The book was entitled When Society Becomes an Addict (Harper Collins Publishers: New York, New York, 1987). The author was Ann Wilson Schaef, who was a clinical psychologist and died in 2020. I began thinking about this book a number of months ago and finally …

A visit can help you slow down, enjoy nature.   The cold and dark days of winter are mostly in the rearview mirror these days. As we move into longer days and warmer temps, Linda Radimecky, an interpretive naturalist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Trails, reminds us that spring and summer …

On May 16th, 2024, I sent an email to a production company with an idea about a podcast exploring mental health stigma in a diverse variety of faith communities. Twelve months later I completed a six part limited documentary series streaming on all platforms. Sometimes the creative process was life giving. However, I am a …

A Personal Reflection on Ethics, Growth, and Hard Lessons In 2019, Minnesota faced a mounting public health crisis. Substance use was rising, overdose deaths were climbing, and the state’s treatment systems were overwhelmed. Traditional healthcare struggled to keep up. Amid this chaos, one solution began gaining momentum: Peer recovery support offering guidance and encouragement from …

This issue, we talk with Hennepin Health’s Valerie Gustafson, a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor about her journey from Peer Recovery Coach to LADC. Views expressed are of Valerie’s and not of her employer. Can you share a bit about yourself and your role at Hennepin Health? I’m a person in long-term recovery (since 2008) …

The federal government’s decision to rescind up to $27.5 million in critical behavioral health funding from Minnesota is not just short-sighted — it’s dangerous. This action threatens to dismantle essential mental health and substance use disorder services that thousands of Minnesotans rely on every day. On March 25, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services …

“Letting go of our ideas about how life should go is a choice that sets life’s magic free.”  Melody Beattie Melody Beattie, the woman who brought the term codependency into normal conversation, died on February 27, 2025, at the age of 76. Her story is grounded in Minnesota. She was born in Ramsey, went to …

“We have met the enemy and he is us.” Pogo, a comic strip character. Is it possible to have compassion for someone we totally hate? Do we play no part in the relationship with our arrogant boss who regularly puts us down? Can we ever forgive a parent who has virtually changed the course of …

The other day I was chatting with my good friend Julie, the Julie I walk and pray with—I have many Julies in my life. I was explaining to her my shoulders are disproportionally large for my body. I apologized to her because my sizeable shoulders were atmospherically leaning over the table. Disagreeing, she said I …

He and my mom never married, but they were together for 35 years, and he was a welcome sober soul at boozy family gatherings. At one point, he had to stop drinking to save his liver, and for a while, he went to meetings. We had sobriety in common until he started to drink socially …