The HeArt of Recovery

Hosted by NCAAR, Inc.

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery, Inc. (NCAAR) launched The HeArt of Recovery in 2022 to provide a safe space to discuss mental health, and the evolving addiction recovery landscape. Hosted by NCAAR's Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern, The HeArt of Recovery aims to elevate the voices of those who feel voiceless through storytelling, and propel advocacy efforts in New Jersey and beyond.

Listen to episodes

10 recent

October 15, 2026Episode 131 min

Doug Adams: Building Leadership through Identity

For this episode of The HeArt of Recovery , NCAAR Community Coordinator Tonia Ahern sits down with Doug Adams, Founder and CEO of Learn 2 Lead (L2L) to explore how a sense of identity shapes effective leadership and how youth sports can serve as a powerful tool for developing confidence and character. The conversation highlights the importance of authentic leadership, while examining the critical role mentors, coaches, and communities play in helping young people thrive. About Learn 2 Lead: Doug's mission is to develop integrity-driven leaders who positively influence their families, schools, workplaces, and communities. For over 15 years, Doug has worked alongside youth, young adults, schools, universities, and community organizations, helping people strengthen emotional intelligence, build healthy relationships, and develop authentic leadership skills. His work combines leadership development, restorative practices, mentorship, emotional regulation, conflict mediation, and experiential learning to create environments that support personal growth, positive decision-making, and substance use prevention. Find out more about Doug and Learn 2 Lead by visiting him on LinkedIn . Content warning: Discussions of abuse and substance use The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

February 18, 2026Episode 258 min

Ask the "Why": A Tale of Two Sons

For this episode of The HeArt of Recovery , NCAAR Community Coordinator Tonia Ahern sits down with Patricia Roos, author of Surviving Alex: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, and Addiction . Tonia and Pat, two mothers and advocates shaped by the loss of their sons, Alex and Rory, come together to explore the realities families face amid substance use, stigma, and a shifting policy landscape. From the struggle to understand “why” to the systemic failures and barriers within treatment and criminal justice systems, they reflect on the parallels in their sons’ stories, the weight of unresolved grief, and the urgent need for compassion‑centered care. Their conversation highlights the power of listening, storytelling, and advocacy as they speak about love, loss, and the hope that more empathetic systems can save lives. About the Author: Patricia Roos was a professor of sociology at Rutgers University when, in 2015, she lost her 25‑year‑old son, Alex, to a heroin overdose. In the wake of this devastating loss, she shifted her research and advocacy efforts to focus on substance use, grief, and systemic failures, transforming her pain into a powerful force for awareness and change. The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

July 2, 202544 min

Rewriting the "Rules" of Recovery

For this episode of The HeArt of Recovery , NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern sits down with Lynda McDonald, Certified Coach with The Invitation to Change. Tonia and Lynda, both family advocates and trainers, share their lived experiences navigating the intersection of substance use, family trauma, and the criminal justice system. They reflect on the flaws of punitive recovery models and share how mandated approaches often fail to heal—and instead, leave lasting damage. Through personal storytelling, they highlight the power of compassion, connection, and communication in transforming the systems surrounding recovery. The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

March 27, 2025Episode 128 min

Youth Holds the Key: A Discussion with Vinayak Menon

In this episode, Tonia sits down with Vinayak Menon, founder of the Princeton Overdose Prevention Project (POP), Princeton University's first student-led advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness about the opioid crisis through education. The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

June 3, 2024Episode 242 min

Meet Owl Grey Fire (aka Stephen Kavalkovich), Shamanic Healer with Ancient Healing Pathways

"The frequency of love is much higher than the frequency of fear." In this episode, Tonia sits down with Shamanic Healer, Owl Grey Fire aka Stephen Kavalkovich (he/him) from Ancient healing Pathways in Marlton, New Jersey. Stephen utilizes Shamanism, Reiki, and a combination of modalities to connect the source of pain in others to their healing and transformation. Please join us while Stephen discusses his journey from substance use, through recovery, and into his soul's passion for healing. You can visit Stephen online at ancienthealingpathways.com where you can find information about his services, and access his Podcast, Rescue the Rescuer . Stephen can also be found on Facebook, and Instagram @ancienthealingpathways. Trigger Warning: sexual abuse, September 11th, IV substance use, suicide. The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

March 10, 2024Episode 11 hr 0 min

Newark Community Street Team's Divad Sanders: Empowering Individuals and Supporting Communities

Divad Sanders of Newark Community Street Team (NCST) discusses the crucial role of understanding and addressing the root causes of trauma in individuals and communities. Divad also emphasizes the importance of relationships in navigating these issues by understanding not only the what and where but also the "why?". Divad and Tonia discuss the vital role of community outreach in addressing the opioid epidemic. The fear of trauma and inhumane treatment within the criminal justice system and how it can deter individuals from seeking help, even when faced with life-threatening situations. Divad’s dream is to have overdose response teams in every county in New Jersey and eventually every county in every stat. He also highlighted the need for cultural competency and understanding the politics of the communities they serve. The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

August 21, 2023Episode 436 min

Overdose Awareness Day- Moving Mountains Through Grief and Healing

In celebration of International Overdose Awareness Day, listen to a tremendous advocate, clinician, and mother, Abby Boxman. She shares her story by celebrating her son, Justin, who suffered from a fatal overdose 12 years ago. Abby harnesses the power of her grief experience to "move mountains" in the addiction field. Abby's journey through grief compelled her to find resources that are vital to healing, such as GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) http://grasphelp.org/ . Her inconceivable loss also led her to go back to school for her MSW, LCSW so she can help other families work through their loss and the grief process. Do you have a story that you would like to share with us? Email advocacy@ncaarbh.org The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

June 22, 2023Episode 334 min

We are Humans, Not Labels

Nikki Tierney is a "Wonder Woman" who shares her inspirational story in this episode. Nikki touches on her lived experience and how she fell into advocacy work due to her own recovery obstacles. Nikki and Tonia discuss Recovery Court, Decriminalization, Record Expungement, and so much more in this compelling episode where Policy and Advocacy work in tandem as the tapestry of systemic change. The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

March 27, 2023Episode 229 min

Celebrating Women and Sharing Surprises of Recovery

Today we welcome guests Kay Ellis, author of My Opioid Journey through Hell, Hope, and Healing and Recovery Advocate Sheilah Powell CPRS, NCPRESS, RCP-F. Kay and Sheilah sit down with Tonia and Heather to discuss what surprises may await us in our journey through recovery. The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn

December 9, 202223 min

Evolution of Advocacy in NJ with Aaron Kucharski!

In 2010, Aaron Kucharski began the recovery advocacy movement in NJ. Learn how he turned 30 volunteers into a thousand, leading a statewide program. Aaron cultivated his very own advocates, Heather Ogden and Tonia Ahern, who would later succeed him The HeArt of Recovery , provides a safe space to discuss the evolving addiction recovery landscape and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. This podcast is a production of NCAAR, The National Center for Advocacy and Recovery Host: NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern. Music provided by Nate Groves and Chris Beene. NCAAR promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and public policy work. For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.ncaar.org . Social Media: Facebook Instagram X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn