Author: Mary E. Berg

Founder Envisions Minnesota’s First Recovery Ranch

The Phoenix Spirit talked with John Magnuson, the visionary founder of Relevant Recovery, a new Recovery Community Organization (RCO), designed to train and mentor Family Life Recovery Coaches at Minnesota’s first Recovery Ranch – a space and place where individuals, families and organizations can “experience” recovery as they build greater wellbeing. John’s life story, his national network …

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From Pain to Love with Paint and Canvas

Brushstrokes on Matt Moberg’s artwork reflect a kinetic energy. Addiction’s bared teeth show up in the fangs of the wolf, the jaws of the bear, the wild-eyed terror of the horse. The animals and people reveal intensity, edginess, tension. In one piece, his wife’s body bends taut with anxiety. In yet another, his grandpa’s eyes …

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Hiking Her Way to Healing

The entry point into our best selves, as addicts, starts with sobriety, but it doesn’t end there. The Phoenix Spirit interviewed Kara Frahm, Director of Business Development at Horowitz Health, to capture her story of how the Superior Hiking Trail healed her. In her words, “Hiking has given me back so much of myself. I’ve …

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Bellringing: How Jack Gives Back

In mid-November, Salvation Army’s iconic red kettles and their bell-ringing attendants pop up around the Twin Cities and other metropolitan areas. One of those bellringers is Jack. He has rung bells for the past ten years. “It’s a lot of fun,” Jack said, “It’s a way to get outside of myself. I like doing it …

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The Lure of Gambling, Online Gaming, and Sports Betting

When kids turned eighteen in Minnesota, a favorite way to highlight the occasion, especially in the early 2000’s, was with a night out at a nearby casino. They celebrated their milestone birthdays with all the exuberance of youth who’ve reached the legal age to participate in an adult activity. Most adults continue to enjoy occasional …

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Is a Career in Addiction Studies Right for You?

Perhaps you’ve wondered whether a career in addiction counseling would be a good fit for you. You’re sober, or have recovered from an eating disorder, gambling addiction, or substance abuse. You’ve cleaned up your life, helped a few others change theirs, and now you feel you could do more. You’d like a job that supports …

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First Person: Repotted

Mom’s green thumb was legendary. In addition to a phalanx of houseplants, every April she started hundreds of vegetable seeds inside under grow lights in order to plant green sprouted seedlings. Plants in Northern Minnesota need a head start in the short, 135-day, Zone 4 growing season. As a farmer’s daughter, a farmer’s wife, and …

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