Description

Host Tristan Seikel sits down for a powerful conversation with guest Amari Davis, a Black, trans, and queer person who shares their journey of recovery and the intersectional challenges they face. Together, they explore the complexities of behavioral and recovery health care, including factors such as housing, financial security, and the intersections of queerness, transness, and disability. Through personal experiences and insights, Amari highlights the need for inclusive recovery efforts and the importance of acknowledging and addressing disparities in accessing and receiving care.

Davis provides intersectional peer support through the Therapy Fund Foundation, advocating for marginalized communities and inclusive recovery. 

Resources from the episode: 

1. The Therapy Fund Foundation is a Black-led organization on a mission to empower Black folks through culturally centered mental health education and radical self-care. They are the leading organization in Washington state offering free mental health services to Black community members with equitable pay for clinicians. To learn more about the variety of programs and support they offer, visit their website.
2. Connect with Amari Davis on LinkedIn. 
3. Peer support workers like Davis are people who have lived experiences with a variety of life’s challenges and have become skilled in helping others experiencing similar situations. They offer mentorship, recovery tips, life tips, and ways to heal through some of life challenges as someone who has directly been there themselves. Meet the peer support team at TFF and sign up for peer support services here. 
4. Connect with show host Tristan Seikel on LinkedIn. 
5. Learn more about King County Recovery Coalition and the work they do here. To become a volunteer, a member, an advocate, or an event guest, visit their website.
6. The King County Recovery Coalition is a regional coalition of the Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA). Learn more about the WRA and the work they do here. Want to find a way to get involved? Click here to become a member, volunteer, or donate to help change hearts and minds around mental health and substance use disorder in Washington state. 
7. If you are experiencing substance use disorder, problem gambling, and/or a mental health challenge, please visit the Washington Recovery Helpline for resources and a 24-hour helpline.

King County Recovery Conversations is a podcast on a mission to celebrate recovery and help break the stigma of addiction and mental health. In each episode, policy experts, program professionals, and those with lived experience join host Heather Venegas to share stories of hope, resilience, and healing in our community. Together, we’ll learn about the various pathways to recovery – and the services and support systems available to anyone impacted by addiction and mental health. Whether you're someone seeking recovery, in recovery, a family member or friend, or a healthcare professional, this podcast is for you. 

Connect with King County Recovery Coalition online, on Facebook (@KingCountyRecoveryCoalition), or on YouTube (@KingCountyRecoveryCoalition).

If you have feedback or show ideas, contact host Heather Venegas at heather@kcrecovery.org.