Resilient Butterfly

In this inspiring episode of Resilient Butterfly, host Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with Dr. Kimberly Dunn, Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University and Executive Director of Champions Empowering Champions. Dr. Dunn shares her remarkable journey as a first-generation college student who briefly experienced foster care during a challenging time in her family, then went on to earn her Ph.D., build a fulfilling academic car...

In this deeply moving episode of Resilient Butterfly, host Pam Feinberg-Rivkin welcomes Erica Coulston, co-founder of Walk The Line Spinal Cord Injury Recovery. Erica shares her extraordinary 24-year journey following a life-changing accident—one defined by resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination. Together, they explore how Erica transformed personal tragedy into purpose, building a thriving recovery community and insp...

In this episode of Resilient Butterfly, host Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with Jonathan Kemp, an author and mental health advocate from the U.K. whose remarkable story redefines resilience. Born into privilege and tradition as the future third Viscount Rockdale, Jonathan shares his deeply personal journey through dyslexia, bipolar disorder, and the generational pressures of aristocratic life. From working as a police officer to bu...

In this heartfelt conversation, host Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with author and advocate Julie Barth to talk about resilience through life’s most difficult seasons. Julie shares her journey as a young caregiver to her daughter born with special needs, her husband Colin’s battle with pancreatic cancer, and her decade-long struggle in an abusive marriage. With raw honesty, she reflects on the loneliness of caregiving, the brokenne...

Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with Dr. Barbara Krantz, a family medicine and addiction medicine physician, to share a powerful story of resilience that began with migraine treatment in the 1980s and led to iatrogenic opioid dependence, detox, and a life of service in addiction medicine. Dr Krantz opens up about the stigma she faced as a young physician and mother, the turning points that moved her into recovery, and why compassion ...

In this inspiring conversation, Pam welcomes Natalie Ledwell, co-founder of Mind Movies, to share her extraordinary journey from a country town in Australia to building a global movement in personal development. Natalie opens up about her early family struggles, how ambition first fueled her drive, and the pivotal moment when she discovered the power of visualization and mindset. Together, we explore the creation of Mind Movies, th...

In this powerful conversation we sit down with Dr. Donna Marks, educator, psychotherapist, and author of Learn Grow Forgive and Exit the Maze. Donna opens up about her personal journey through trauma, addiction, and recovery and how those experiences shaped her life’s work of guiding others toward healing and self-love.

We explore the wisdom of A Course in Miracles, the tug of war between ego and spirit, and how choosing love over f...

In this episode of Resilient Butterfly, we’re joined by criminal defense attorney Adam Rossen for a powerful conversation about justice, compassion, and what it really means to help someone turn their life around.

Adam shares how his South Florida law firm takes a people-first approach - treating clients not just as cases, but as humans with complex stories, struggles, and families behind them. From DUIs to domestic violence to ment...

In this powerful episode of The Resilient Butterfly, Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with Thatcher Shively for a raw and deeply human conversation about trauma, addiction, transformation, and the unexpected journey to becoming a recovery coach. From growing up with chaos and confusion to finding solace in music - and later, a destructive relationship with substances - Thatcher shares how he hit rock bottom, found hope, and ultimately...

In this powerful and moving conversation, host Pam Feinberg-Rivkin welcomes guests John Lipscomb and Adrienne Lugo, co-authors of The Painting and the Piano, a memoir of trauma, addiction, healing, and love.

John and Adrienne share the deeply personal journeys that shaped them — from childhood abuse and addiction to recovery and ultimately, finding each other. With raw honesty and heart, they reflect on the pain of the past, the res...

What happens when the media sensationalizes a struggle — but forgets to show the healing? In this unforgettable episode, Alisa Fliss shares the powerful truth behind her journey with eating disorders, recovery, and being featured in an HBO documentary that left out the most important part: her rise. From childhood experiences shaped by mixed messages about body image to a military career that masked deeper pain, Alisa’s story disma...

In this powerful and heart-stirring episode of Resilient Butterfly, Dr. Louise Stanger opens up about the defining losses in her life—from her father’s suicide at age seven to the sudden death of her infant son and first husband. Through deeply personal stories, she reveals how pain shaped her path but never defined her spirit. Louise shares how grief, when met with courage, connection, and honest reflection, can transform into a l...

At just 17, John Katona’s life changed forever when he fell asleep at the wheel and awoke paralyzed. But what could have ended his future became the beginning of an extraordinary journey. In this powerful episode of Resilient Butterfly, John opens up about surviving a life-altering car crash, navigating a broken insurance system, and fighting a five-year legal battle—representing himself—to fund his independence.

Now a successful mu...

In this deeply moving episode of Resilient Butterfly, Dr. John Dyben—Chief Clinical Officer at Hanley Foundation—shares groundbreaking insights from over two decades on the front lines of addiction recovery. From the life-changing Casa Flores program supporting pregnant women with substance use disorders, to innovative care for first responders and a one-of-a-kind therapeutic experience for children ages 7–12, this conversation unp...

In this powerful and heart-centered episode of Resilient Butterfly, we sit down with the extraordinary Denise Klein—CEO, co-owner, and soul behind Milestones Ranch Malibu, one of the most respected dual-diagnosis treatment centers in the country. From her early days in in-home therapy to 35 years of pioneering compassionate care, Denise shares how her personal journey shaped her life’s work in addiction and mental health recovery.

T...

In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode of Resilient Butterfly, we sit down with internationally recognized counselor, author, and child advocate Jerry Moe—the man who changed the way we think about addiction and children. From his personal story as a teenager navigating a home shadowed by alcoholism to becoming the visionary behind groundbreaking children’s programs at the Betty Ford Center and beyond, Jerry brings raw honesty...

In this powerful episode Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with Matthew Tomain—Irish-born entrepreneur, film producer, and creator of The Evolution of Success. Once a young property investor riding high, Matthew lost everything during the 2008 recession and quietly battled alcoholism while appearing “just fine” on the outside. What followed was a complete unraveling—and a remarkable rebirth.

Matthew shares how embracing sobriety, redefi...

For decades, family members of addicts have been labeled codependent, often criticized for their unwavering support. But what if their dedication wasn’t dysfunction, but rather an act of love? In this compelling episode, host Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with Dr. Robert Weiss, renowned therapist, author, and Chief Clinical Officer of Seeking Integrity, to challenge the long-held stigma surrounding caregivers of addicts. Dr. Weiss ...

What happens when a mother doesn’t know if her daughter is dead or alive? In this raw and deeply moving episode of Resilient Butterfly, host Pam Feinberg-Rivkin sits down with Nikki Tartell and her mother, Sharon Dietrich, to share an unfiltered story of addiction, survival, and second chances. Nikki’s journey from excelling in school to battling a decade-long heroin addiction—while unknowingly pregnant—led to a desperate plea from...