EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency
A heartfelt podcast series that brings to light the challenges and triumphs of families navigating substance use during and after pregnancy. Through compelling stories, expert insights, and actionable guidance, this series explores not only the personal journeys of recovery but also the broader social determinants of health — such as housing stability, access to care, trauma, socioeconomic conditions, and community support — that shape the experiences of individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Each episode aims to empower listeners with understanding, compassion, and tools for support, fostering empathy, breaking down stigmas, and promoting healing and resilience within families and communities. EMPOWERED Voices is a podcast production of the EMPOWERED program at Roseman University College of Medicine, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action Grant through the Southern Nevada Health District. This project has been funded by grant number NH28CE003534 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the Southern Nevada Health District, CDC, or the U.S. Government. Hosted by Farzad Kamyar, MD and Amani Wilson. Executive Producers are Dr. Andria Peterson and Jason Roth, with production assistance by Rachel Mack. Recorded at the Video Podcast Studio at Canico Media in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Episodes
Choosing recovery can mean leaving behind more than substance use. It can also mean stepping away from friendships, relationships, places, and routines that once provided a sense of connection and belonging. While those changes may be necessary, they can also leave someone facing an often overlooked challenge in recovery: loneliness.
In this episode of EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency, hosts Dr. Farzad ...
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Recovery doesn't just transform the life of the individual—it has the power to heal families. But rebuilding trust after addiction is rarely quick or easy. It takes honesty, accountability, consistency, and, above all, time.
In this episode of EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar ...
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.
Recovery is about more than overcoming substance use—it's also about rebuilding every aspect of life, including financial health. For many individuals, debt, damaged credit, and financial stress can feel like overwhelming obstacles on the path to long-term recovery. But with the right support, a fresh start ...
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As cannabis becomes increasingly legal and socially accepted across the country, many women are left wondering whether it's a safe option during pregnancy. Mixed messaging, online misinformation, and the perception that cannabis is "natural" have created confusion for expecting mothers and families.
In the ...
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In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson address a critical and often overlooked topic: the intersection between substance use disorders and human trafficking, with specific focus on Nevada. Through expert insights and compassionate discussion, this episode explores how substance use creates vulne...
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In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the complex intersection between substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health challenges, especially as they affect women during pregnancy and early motherhood. Understanding how trauma, depression, anxiety, and other psychological factors...
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.
In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the social determinants of health and how they shape experiences with substance use and recovery outcomes. Understanding these broader social, economic, and environmental factors helps illuminate the systems and contexts that affect both individual ...
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.
In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson examine the state of substance use with a focus on Southern Nevada, exploring current patterns, emerging concerns, and local context that shapes substance use in our communities. This foundational knowledge helps demystify statistics often cited in media an...
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In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore medications used to treat substance use disorders during pregnancy, providing essential education about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options, safety considerations, and how these treatments support both maternal recovery and infant health.
The...
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In this Season 3 premiere, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson take a closer look at how peer recovery support changes lives through shared lived experience, trust-building, and fostering hope—particularly for pregnant and parenting women navigating recovery.
The conversation features Elizabeth Myers, a ...
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.
In this Season 2 finale, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore why comprehensive wrap around services are essential for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorder to achieve lasting recovery and resiliency.
The conversation features Dr. Andria Peterson, co-founder and executive of EM...
In this powerful episode of EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency, Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson tackle the often stigmatized topic of substance use during pregnancy. Joined by special guest Dr. Manijeh "MJ" Kamyar, they provide a compassionate, judgment-free discussion that combines medical expertise with personal experience.
Dr. MJ Kamyar brings her extensive expertise as a board-certified Maternal Fetal Me...
In this illuminating episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the intricate interconnection between mind, body, and spirit in recovery. Joined by licensed clinical social worker Rachel Williams and distinguished psychologist Dr. Stephanie Woodard, they delve into holistic approaches that address the full spectrum of healing beyond traditional treatment methods.
The conversation examines how substance...
In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the powerful influence media has on public perception of substance use disorders. Joined by Emmy-winning executive producer Peter Reiss and communications expert Jason Roth, they examine how film, television, and news coverage shape our understanding of addiction and recovery.
The conversation delves into common media tropes that perp...
In this emotionally charged episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson welcome two extraordinary guests who reveal how the language we use profoundly shapes recovery journeys. EMPOWERED Program Care Manager Evonne Hernandez joins forces with EMPOWERED Mom Fabiana to share intimate perspectives on the transformative power of person-first language.
Fabiana bravely recounts her personal story, detailing how dismi...
In our Season 2 premiere, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson welcome EMPOWERED Peer Recovery Support Specialist Sam Kreton for a candid conversation that challenges prevalent misconceptions about substance use disorders. Drawing from her lived experience and professional expertise, Sam shares powerful insights into how addiction touches lives across all demographic boundaries.
This episode dismantles harmful st...
In this sixth and final episode of the first season of EMPOWERED Voices, co-hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson are joined by EMPOWERED Program Director Rachel Mack and mom in recovery Emilea to discuss how mothers in recovery from opioid and stimulant use can create a nurturing and healthy environment for their children. The conversation delved into strategies for fostering a safe and supportive home, emphasiz...
Guests Evonne Hernandez, Program Care Manager, and Samatha Ketron, Peer Recovery Support Specialist, both from EMPOWERED, join the program for an empowering discussion focused on the importance of self-advocacy in the healthcare system, particularly for mothers navigating the complexities of recovery from opioid, stimulant, and substance use during pregnancy and postpartum. This episode aims to equip listeners with ...
This fourth episode of EMPOWERED Voices delves into the compassionate and pragmatic approach of harm reduction in substance use recovery, especially for pregnant and postpartum mothers. Joined by Peer Recovery Support Specialist Quinnie Winbush, co-hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson discuss harm reduction strategies that support women in their unique paths towards healing and resilience.
****Note: This episode includes a young child in the studio. You may hear occasional microphone bumps****
In this episode of EMPOWERED Voices co-hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson are joined by EMPOWERED's therapist Rachel Williams, and mother in recovery Darlene along with her young son. Together, they explore the transformative power of collective support in the journey towards recovery and resilience...
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