Odyssey House Journals

11 DUI’s, 18 MONTHS IN PRISON. YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHERE HE IS NOW
“Alcohol took over who I was and who I wanted to be,” says Jason Miller who is now a licensed therapist. He battled alcoholism for 18 years and finally sought treatment when he was facing 9 more years in prison. On this week’s Odyssey House Journals hear his incredible story of how hard he had to fight to get where he is. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms:
https://youtu.be/STQTtaY6twA
You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385
or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g
or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/
Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

“I LOVE PROVO” SAYS A TRANSGENDER WOMAN LIVING THERE
Anna Bigney says Mormons treated her well and accepted her for who she was when she went to the ward house. This is part 2 of our interview with Anna who was drinking up to a half gallon of alcohol a day to numb her internal pain over gender dysphoria. Her story of how she was accepted and found recovery in treatment is nothing short of a miracle. In this episode of Odyssey House Journals she talks about dark days when her father threatened to drive off a cliff if she didn’t change. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms:
https://youtu.be/JWS7MXp5-_8
You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385
or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g
or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/
Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

SHE WAS BORN IN A MALE BODY. DRUGS EASED THE CONFUSION.
Anna Bigney graciously shares intimate details of her life to help all of us understand gender dysphoria. She grew up in a strict LDS family and even served a church mission as a male, all the while feeling like she was a female. She found relief from her disconnect when she turned to alcohol and drugs. In this episode of Odyssey House Journals she talks about finally coming out to her family. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms:
https://youtu.be/iJ14eIQId6Q
You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385
or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g
or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/
Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

ARE YOU ALWAYS AN ADDICT OR CAN YOU FULLY RECOVER?
Mindy Vincent is controversial, outspoken, a fighter who cares deeply for addicts and alcoholics and she was a meth addict for 17 years. She claims there is a huge difference between the words ‘recovering’ and ‘recovered’ and she says proudly that she is fully ‘recovered.’ She is also one of the most charming and intelligent guests we’ve ever had on Odyssey House Journals. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms:
https://youtu.be/saXAUFzAHL0
You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385
or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g
or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/
Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

“I COULDN’T PROCESS GRIEF SO I TURNED TO DRUGS”
Dave Elliott lost his mother, then 2 sisters died from drug related issues, so he turned to meth and heroin to numb the pain. After 13 arrests he finally found recovery in Odyssey house. He’s a really nice guy sober, but watch out when he’s high. In this edition of Odyssey House Journals he talks about his anger. How he went after a guy with a golf club after his dealer refused to sell to him. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms:
https://youtu.be/LdCIQcIIG24
You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385
or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g
or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/

SHOULD DRUG ADDICTS BE THROWN IN JAIL?
No! Says a man who should know and has the power to back it up. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill is our special guest on this edition of Odyssey House Journals. He says the public needs to be protected if an addict commits a violent crime, but otherwise, they should get treatment. Sim’s thoughts on restorative justice are perhaps controversial but certainly worth considering.

DRUG ADDICTION AND TREATMENT IN A FARAWAY COUNTRY
A special guest today is a woman who worked at an Odyssey House in New Zealand for 5 years. Take a guess on the drug of choice for most of her clients. You might be wrong. How does treatment work in that country? Where do clients come from? Who pays for it? In this edition of Odyssey House Journals, Anna Christophorou Is in our studio with the surprising answers. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30-minute podcast.

URGENT NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS!!!
It’s a shocking number but 3 million Utahns have trouble finding mental health professionals. It’s just as bad around the country. WHY? Because there’s a shortage of people entering the field. But there is financial help available to get into the profession. Our guests on this edition of Odyssey House Journals are Anna West from the state (DHHS) and Megan Neuf from (AUCH) with details of a little known financial program that may persuade you to enter the profession. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms:
https://youtu.be/6BuZBcYKUm0
You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385
or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g
or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/

WHY THOUSANDS OF UTAHNS CAN’T GET HELP FOR MENTAL ILLNESS
A simple answer: there aren’t enough mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. Now, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we do a deep dive into the problem and a real solution that is now available. Our guests on this edition of Odyssey House Journals are Dr. Rene Valles who got help from this special program, and Rachel Devine who works for DHHS and explains how you can get financial help to become a professional. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms:
https://youtu.be/G0lt9G_q9cg
You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385
or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g
or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/

SHE WENT FROM 130 POUNDS TO 80 IN JUST MONTHS
Mandi Durocher had a severe eating disorder and had to be hospitalized. When she got out she turned to booze, then drugs to quiet that voice in her head. 3 children later and years of fighting addiction to opioids and meth she is celebrating 7 years of sobriety and is married to the man who runs The Other Side Academy. In this edition of Odyssey House Journals she vividly describes her long journey.