Description

Dive into King County Recovery Conversations with host Heather Venegas as she engages with the inspirational Johnny Ohta. Once a troubled youth amidst San Francisco’s chaos, Johnny’s descent into substance abuse paints a vivid portrait of struggle transformed into a beacon of hope.

In this episode, Johnny shares his powerful journey from addiction to becoming a vital support for young people fighting similar battles. His touching recollections include mentoring youth through outdoor activities, overcoming a personal relapse, and eventually spearheading initiatives at the Orion Center. Johnny’s anecdotes underscore the profound impact of relationship-building and unwavering dedication in the face of adversity.

Heather Venegas draws attention to Johnny's work at Ryther and his ability to connect with youth in crisis, emphasizing the value of meeting people where they are. Together, they discuss the significance of long-term support for individuals navigating the tumultuous road to recovery, including those affected by the fentanyl crisis.

Tune in to hear how Johnny's story encourages families grappling with substance use disorder to seek collaborative support. His message is clear: there's always hope, and change is within reach.

Resources from the episode:

1. Reach out to Johnny at (206)265-3924 or johnny.ohta@gmail.com.
2. Learn more about Ryther and the work they do.
3. Connect with show host Heather Venegas on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.
4. 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. 
5. 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.
6. 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, someone 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.