Finding Peaks Episodes

Episode 104

Episode 104: Understanding Psychedelics and Natural Medicine

In this episode, Brandon Burns brings on special guest Ismail Ali, JD, Director of Policy and Advocacy at MAPS, to speak on natural medicine and the use of psychedelics throughout history. Ismail shares observations regarding the legalization of natural medicine as well as what it truly means to have decriminalized substances being used in medical settings. This episode welcomes a debate over a prevalent topic to share knowledge, spark curiosity, or bring general awareness to the situation. To learn more about MAPS, check out maps.org

Episode 102

Episode 102: Emotional Transformation Therapy with Coastwise Counseling

In this episode, Jason Friesema brings Chris Burns on to welcome our special guest, Steve Taus, with Coastwise Counseling Center. Steve brings the concept of Emotional Transformative Therapy to the show, explaining the modality’s uses, benefits, and successes and opening a deeper discussion into plant-based medicine in treatment. This episode is packed with information and energy as our team shares thoughts and open discussions with Steve Taus. To find more information on Steve and Coastwise Counseling, check out coastwisecounselingcenter.com

Episode 100.2

Episode 100: Revisiting Our Top Moments Pt. 2

Our team celebrates Finding Peak’s 100th episode, part 2! In this special second installation of our 100th episode, Brandon, Lauren, and Clinton continue to revisit past moments in Finding Peaks. Our team goes over the word Addiction and how that verbiage can create issues, plant-based medication, its efficacy in its infancy stage, and so much more!

Episode 100

Episode 100: Revisiting Our Top Moments Pt. 1

Our team celebrates Finding Peak’s 100th episode! In celebration of this special episode, Brandon Burns brings on Chief Operations Officer Clinton Nicholson and Clinical Director Lauren Atencio to review and reflect on noteworthy moments over the past 100 episodes. From visiting trauma and touching on mental health approaches to the future of Peaks Recovery Centers and the industry, our team brings insightful and thoughtful commentary to continue pushing the industry in a positive direction.

Episode 97

Episode 97: Exploring Sober Living and Industry Evolution

In this episode, Chris Burns brings on two professionals in the industry; Bryce Givens, founder of Elevate Recovery Homes, and Kyle Vandongen, founder of Sopherson Sober Living. Together they share their “why”, purpose, passion, and mission in their recovery journey and what brought them to this point. Kyle shares personal experiences from his time at Peaks Recovery Centers and how they shape him today.

Episode 96

Episode 96: The Key to Leadership Success

In this episode, Brandon Burns brings Jason Friesema on the show to speak with Maeve O’Neill on Dare to Lead and how crucial proper leadership can be in a professional work setting. Maeve shares insight into leadership’s most important aspects and how to properly introduce them into the work environment, While Brandon and Jason explain how these tenants have been implemented within Peaks Recovery Centers.

Episode 93

Episode 93: Peaks’ First Recovery Story

In this episode, Chris Burns brings on the first-ever graduate of Peaks Recovery Centers, Nik Darrah, who is in his 8th year of long-term recovery and still working in the industry. Chris and Nik reminisce on their meeting, what led Nik to Peaks, and how his treatment stay at Peaks set him up for a future of success. Nik shares vulnerable moments that shaped him into who he is today and brings the audience into his recovery journey.

Episode 92

Episode 92: Debriefing the 2023 Winter Symposium

In this episode, Jason Friesema brings Lauren Atencio and Samantha Archuleta back to revisit their experiences at the 2023 Winter Symposium and share insights into how the information can help disrupt our industry and pave the way for brighter client outcomes. Through sharing experiences and takeaways from speeches to debating how to best integrate the information into the industry, our team brings an educational conversation to the show.

Episode 91

Episode 91: Connection and Belonging with Sebastian Junger and Steve Ilardi

In this very special episode, Brandon Burns welcomes back Dr. Stephen Ilardi, author of The Depression Cure and clinical researcher, to help welcome an exceptional guest, Sebastian Junger, investigative journalist as well as critically acclaimed author for works such as; Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, War, and Freedom among others. These three have riveting conversations about problematic factors in society causing social disconnect and alienation, societal observations of patterns with clinical depression, Sebastian’s incredible near-death experience, and the knowledge that came from such a traumatic experience, along with so much more! This episode holds a plethora of profoundly impactful information and enlightening conversation that will leave viewers with a deeper appreciation for connection, belonging, and life. To learn more bout Sebastian Junger, check out sebastianjunger.com for his collection of books and documentaries.

Episode 90

Episode 90: Clinical Approach: Inner Child Work

In this episode, Jason Friesema, Chief Clinical Officer, brings on both of our Clinical Directors, Kate Nelson and Lauren Atencio, for a clinically heavy episode speaking on internal family systems and the use of inner child work. Utilizing the clinical firepower in this episode, our team dives into why this approach is effective in the treatment and reveals on the back end how this approach can shape growth and transformation.

Episode 89

Episode 89: Witnessing Hope Come Alive

In this episode, Chris Burns brings on Case Manager Tyler Kea and Residential Assistant Mariano Rangel to speak about integration into the community during the early stages of treatment and the residential overview of a stay with Peaks. Mariano and Tyler share their personal recovery stories that shine as a beacon of hope for all going into recovery. Through sharing personal testimonies and experiences at Peaks, our team discusses how powerful personal care is and expresses the beauty of watching hope come alive in treatment.