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On the show this week: finding freedom from addiction. The Sober Curator founder Alysse Bryson joins host Heather Venegas for an inspiring conversation with Joe Conniff.

Joe’s journey into and out of addiction is a powerful one. At his lowest point, Joe was homeless and dealing drugs on the streets of Seattle. He eventually landed in jail, where he knew he needed to change.

Behind bars, Joe learned the power of meditation and used it to better understand himself and his substance use disorder. He went on to learn and eventually teach yoga and became a small business owner.

Joe’s story is one of resilience and resolve, and he’s proof that no matter how hard life gets, it can always get better. Someone once told Joe to stay close to what works, and he certainly has.

Joe is the author of “Causes and Conditions: A Life Experience in Addiction and Recovery.” He's also the Operations Manager for Recovery Café SODO, a community offering resources and stability to those in recovery, where he also teaches classes on mindfulness.

Resources from the episode: 

1. Go to LinkedIn to connect with Alysse and Joe. 
2. Read about and purchase Joe's book, “Causes and Conditions: A Life Experience in Addiction and Recovery,” here. 
3. Learn more about Recovery Café SODO and the resources they offer here. 
4. Recovery Café SODO is celebrating recovery and providing resources and connections at Speak Out for Recovery on September 15, from 12-2 p.m. Speakers, supporters, and community partners will come together to share food, swag, supplies, healthcare support, and much more! No RSVP is required; all are invited to join at the Recovery Café SODO location at 4202 6th Ave S, Seattle, 98108 (recommended bus routes: 124, 131, 132). 
5. Visit The Sober Curator for the ultimate resource for all things related to recovery and zero-proof living. 
6. Connect with show host Heather Venegas on LinkedIn. 
7. Celebrate National Recovery Month in September with King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division’s Recovery Art Showcase. Join in person on September 8 and October 13 at the Belltown Art Walk, or virtually through the Recovery Art Showcase website site at any time. 
8. 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.
9. 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. 
10. 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.