In this episode, host Rob Cooper sits down with Denise Thistle, a former educational administrator turned mindfulness advocate, to discuss her transformative journey from burnout to enlightenment. After two decades in education and internal investigations, Denise shares how the overwhelming stress of working in a toxic environment began to take a toll on her health and spirit. Desperate for relief, she embarked on a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat, which ignited a powerful spiritual awakening.

Denise recounts her life-changing experience at the retreat, where she learned to quiet her mind and navigate life with newfound clarity and purpose. Since then, she has dedicated herself to mindfulness practices, reading the works of transformative authors, and mastering the art of making conscious choices. Denise now shares her journey to help others discover joy and resilience, no matter their circumstances.

Join Rob and Denise as they explore mindfulness, personal growth, and the importance of separating from negative self-talk to create a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re seeking peace in a chaotic world or looking for ways to support your recovery, this episode is filled with insights that can help guide you to a place of strength and self-awareness.

Key Topics:

• Overcoming burnout and stress from a toxic work environment
• Denise's 10-day Vipassana retreat experience
• The power of mindfulness and self-awareness
• Strategies for breaking negative patterns and making conscious choices
• Denise’s upcoming book "Holy Shit, I Think I’m Enlightened"

In this powerful episode of From Struggle to Strength, host Robert Cooper sits down with Crystal Medley, a mother, grandmother, and person in long-term recovery. Crystal shares her harrowing battle with addiction, the traumas that shaped her path, and her eventual transformation into a leader in recovery. Join us as Crystal opens up about her darkest moments, how she found hope, and the strength she continues to build 12 years into her recovery journey. This is an episode of hope, resilience, and inspiration.

The Struggle to Strength Podcast is brought to you by Zero Hour Life Center. Zero Hour Life Center is a not-for-profit recovery community organization that provides support and services that help to bridge the gap between professional treatment and long-term recovery from substance use and homelessness. To learn more, call us today or visit zerohourlifecenter.org

In this insightful episode of Struggle to Strength, host Robert Cooper welcomes Dr. Brian Licuanan, a board-certified psychologist and author, to discuss the complex challenges families face when trying to get their loved ones into treatment for mental health and addiction issues. Dr. Licuanan shares his personal journey and professional expertise, offering practical strategies from his book, How to Get Your Resistant Loved One into Treatment. From understanding the phases of recovery to addressing the stigma around mental health, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone dealing with these tough situations. Tune in to learn how to turn resistance into acceptance and support your loved ones on their path to healing.

The Struggle to Strength Podcast is brought to you by Zero Hour Life Center. Zero Hour Life Center is a not-for-profit recovery community organization that provides support and services that help to bridge the gap between professional treatment and long-term recovery from substance use and homelessness. To learn more, call us today or visit zerohourlifecenter.org