Shows
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionBreaking Through Broken Communication: A Simple CRAFT Tool for Parents of Struggling Kids, with Brenda ZaneEPISODE DESCRIPTION:Need a way to better navigate even the most challenging conversations? Over time, I've learned that making a request of someone can go south quickly when you don't know how to set it up properly. In this "from-the-vault" episode from my 2021 archives (perfect for our summer slowdown while I recharge between recording sessions), I share one of my absolute favorite communication frameworks that you can learn in 30 minutes and start using within hours.The SURF technique—known in traditional CRAFT terminology as "positive communication" provides a practical conversation framework for...2025-07-2421 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionFour Counterintuitive Parenting Moves If Your Child Has Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:In this episode from the vault, I draw from my own experiences to share four counterintuitive strategies that can transform relationships and encourage healing when you're parenting a young person struggling with substance use and mental health. I emphasize the importance of asking questions instead of giving commands, focusing on self-reflection rather than solely on your child, trusting a higher power, and broadening your perspective to see the bigger picture. I've also included recommendations for books, podcasts, and exercises to support you on this challenging journey, promising hope an...2025-07-1731 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionFour Counterintuitive Parenting Moves If Your Child Has Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges, with Brenda ZaneEpisode 282
ABOUT THE EPISODE:
In this episode from the vault, I draw from my own experiences to share four counterintuitive strategies that can transform relationships and encourage healing when you're parenting a young person struggling with substance use and mental health.
I emphasize the importance of asking questions instead of giving commands, focusing on self-reflection rather than solely on your child, trusting a higher power, and broadening your perspective to see the bigger picture.
I've also included recommendations for books, podcasts, and exercises to support you on this challenging journey, promising ho...2025-07-1700 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionWhat You May Not Want To Hear: Ten Hard Truths Parents Need To Know If Your Child Is Misusing Substances, with Brenda ZaneEpisode 281
ABOUT THE EPISODE:
This week I’m bringing back an episode from 2020 that is just as relevant today as it was then. The episode covers ten hard truths parents need to face when you recognize potential substance use, or if you know you’re dealing with an addiction.
It’s a great episode for those who are new to the experience of having your child dabble in or become dependent on substances, and there are also truths that apply to the seasoned parent who’s been at this for a while.
This is...2025-07-1000 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionWhat You May Not Want To Hear: Ten Hard Truths Parents Need To Know If Your Child Is Misusing Substances, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:This week I’m bringing back an episode from 2020 that is just as relevant today as it was then. The episode covers ten hard truths parents need to face when you recognize potential substance use, or if you know you’re dealing with an addiction. It’s a great episode for those who are new to the experience of having your child dabble in or become dependent on substances, and there are also truths that apply to the seasoned parent who’s been at this for a while.This is a...2025-07-1036 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionParenting Through the Messy and Bitter Times: Wisdom and Joy in the Face of A Child’s Addiction, with Brenda ZaneEpisode 280
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
It's summer and we're diving deep into the Hopestream episode vault to bring you some listener faves and a few that just work when you need connection and understanding. Today, you'll hear about The Secret Menu, originally aired in August of 2023 - with the addition of a new story and insights.
Sometimes you can gain a different understanding of things by looking at them through a new lens. This bite-size episode does that for you as the parent of a young person who struggles with substances and mental health...2025-07-0300 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionParenting Through the Messy and Bitter Times: Wisdom and Joy in the Face of A Child's Addiction, with Brenda ZaneEPISODE DESCRIPTION:It's summer and we're diving deep into the Hopestream episode vault to bring you some listener faves and a few that just work when you need connection and understanding. Today, you'll hear about The Secret Menu, originally aired in August of 2023 - with the addition of a new story and insights.Sometimes you can gain a different understanding of things by looking at them through a new lens. This bite-size episode does that for you as the parent of a young person who struggles with substances and mental health - in...2025-07-0313 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionFrom Chaos to Clarity: Parenting Kids Through Addiction with Healthy Boundaries and Autonomy, with Beth HillmanABOUT THE EPISODE:Figuring out your evolving role as a parent during your child’s adolescence is difficult, even if you aren’t dealing with substance misuse. The natural inclination to protect and nurture is already being challenged by your child’s growing sense of autonomy. You’re told to step back, control less, and allow them to make their own mistakes. So, for parents of kids who are misusing substances and struggling with mental health, this process is especially agonizing. How do you walk the line between healthy support and “enabling?” How do you, as a p...2025-06-2656 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionThe Hidden Struggles You Can't Name: Debilitating Doubt & the Learning Curve When Your Child Struggles With Addiction, Part Two, with Cathy CiothEPISODE DESCRIPTION:In part two of this two-part episode, Cathy and I dive deep into two more of those sneaky, often invisible struggles that so many of us experience when parenting through substance use and mental health challenges.PART TWO:In part two, we marvel at and empathize with you when it comes to the insane learning curve parents face when their child is experimenting with or addicted to substances and facing mental health issues. We faced it ourselves and proudly wear our honorary Real Life Research Ph.D...2025-06-1935 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionThe Hidden Struggles You Can't Name: Navigating Grief and Hyper-vigilance When Your Child Struggles With Addiction, Part One, with Cathy CiothEPISODE DESCRIPTION:Sometimes, the hardest parts of our journey are the feelings we can't quite put our finger on, when you can tell something feels off but can't really articulate exactly what's wrong. In this two-part episode, Cathy and I dive deep into four of those sneaky, often invisible struggles that so many of us experience when parenting through substance use and mental health challenges.PART ONE:In part one, we cover the kind of grief that doesn't get a funeral, the common response of hypervigilance and the exhaustion...2025-06-1233 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionSaving You First: Self-Preservation, Go-To CRAFT Strategies and Taming Fear When Your Child Struggles With Addiction and Mental Health, with Brenda ZaneEpisode 274
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
In this episode, I offer what might feel like slightly brutal truths if you're parenting a young person who struggles with substances and mental health challenges. I emphasize the importance of self-preservation for parents, noting that while you cannot force lasting change in your child or children, you can create the best conditions to foster it.
I discuss the "self-preservation continuum" - the balance between being fully (overly) involved in your child's recovery and maintaining personal health and sanity. I also provide practical tools you can focus on when you h...2025-05-2200 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionSaving You First: Self-Preservation, Go-To CRAFT Strategies and Taming Fear When Your Child Struggles With Addiction and Mental Health, with Brenda ZaneEPISODE DESCRIPTION:In this episode, I offer what might feel like slightly brutal truths if you're parenting a young person who struggles with substances and mental health challenges. I emphasize the importance of self-preservation for parents, noting that while you cannot force lasting change in your child or children, you can create the best conditions to foster it. I discuss the "self-preservation continuum" - the balance between being fully (overly) involved in your child's recovery and maintaining personal health and sanity. I also provide practical tools you can focus o...2025-05-2232 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionAddiction to Perfection: The Paradox of Self-Compassion for Achievement-Oriented Parents, with Cathy CiothEpisode 273
ABOUT THE EPISODE:
We’re back with another episode of the ‘Cathy & Brenda Show’, and this week we tackle a topic we see recurring in our community and the parents we work with…achievement-oriented parenting. As two recovering perfectionists ourselves, Cathy and I both share examples of what it looks like to be achievement-focused when your child (or children) struggle with substances and mental health. We talk about the tendency some of us have to want everything on the outside to look a certain way, even when that’s doing damage to our kids, and how it...2025-05-1500 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionAddiction to Perfection: The Paradox of Self-Compassion for Achievement-Oriented Parents, with Cathy CiothABOUT THE EPISODE:We’re back with another episode of the ‘Cathy & Brenda Show’, and this week we tackle a topic we see recurring in our community and the parents we work with…achievement-oriented parenting. As two recovering perfectionists ourselves, Cathy and I both share examples of what it looks like to be achievement-focused when your child (or children) struggle with substances and mental health. We talk about the tendency some of us have to want everything on the outside to look a certain way, even when that’s doing damage to our kids, and how it can...2025-05-1554 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionMother's Day Bonus Episode: For The Mom Parenting Your Child Through Addiction and Mental Health Challenges, with Brenda ZaneEPISODE DESCRIPTION:It's that day, mama. The one filled with many hopes, expectations and potentially big, deep, sad feelings. Wherever you are today, if you're parenting a young person through substance misuse, addiction, and mental health problems, I see you. This short episode is my Mother's Day gift to you - to let you know the things you do are seen, the feelings you feel are valid, and you are beautiful and loved.Enjoy and please be so very good to yourself today, and every day.This podcast is p...2025-05-1110 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionWhat I Wish Someone Had Told Me: A Heart-to-Heart for Parents in the Trenches of a Child’s Substance Misuse, with Brenda ZaneEPISODE DESCRIPTION:In this intimate episode, I open up about the hard-earned wisdom I've gathered since 2013 when my son's high-risk lifestyle and substance use changed the trajectory of our family forever. I share the words I desperately needed to hear during those nights when I stared at the ceiling, shame keeping me silent and isolation feeling safer than participation. These are the gentle truths that eventually found their way to me through pain, heartbreak, celebrations, and an enormous amount of trial and error.If you're feeling broken, scared, or wondering if you've somehow...2025-05-0115 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionEight Years Later: The Fentanyl Overdose That Almost Took My Son, with Brenda ZaneEPISODE DESCRIPTION:Eight years ago a miracle happened. Today’s episode is one from the vault - originally published in 2021, which I’m resharing today in honor of my son’s eight year anniversary of starting a new life.While it’s longer than my usual episodes, this series of story chapters allows you to drop into the ICU with me, among other places, as our family hung onto hope that my son Enzo would not be one of the statistics you read about in the news. You’ll be along for the excruciati...2025-04-171h 47
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionHow to Support Without Sacrificing: Parenting Strategies for Navigating Your Child's Addiction Recovery, with Brenda ZaneIn this snack-sized episode, I share three concepts to help parents navigate the stormy waters of having a teen or young adult child who struggles with substance misuse and mental health issues. I emphasize the importance of self-care and separation from external chaos to maintain emotional stability and effectively support (and not drive crazy) those closest to you. I share three key points: visualizing personal boundaries to keep chaos out, understanding that every storm will eventually pass, and recognizing the harm caused by neglecting self-care. There's even a little bit of woo-woo included for those wi...2025-04-1019 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionHolding Space: Parenting and Addiction Recovery - The Ongoing Inner Work, with Cathy CiothEPISODE DESCRIPTION:In this deeply personal episode, Cathy and I peel back the layers of what parent support looks like during your child's long-term recovery, sharing some intimate "what if" questions that continue to echo in our minds. Drawing from our own experiences with three kids in recovery, we explore the nuanced emotional landscape of supporting our kids, and ourselves, through the challenges of substance misuse and mental health issues.We answer questions like, "What's my role when when my child is 5+ years into recovery? "How do you...2025-03-2741 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionThe Invisible Intervention: An Unlikely Change Approach for Parenting Kids Misusing Drugs & Alcohol, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODEIn this episode, I delve into the concept of allowing natural consequences as a form of 'invisible intervention' in parenting teens and young adults struggling with substance misuse and mental health issues. I share real-life examples and experiences on the benefits of stepping back to let reality teach essential lessons, emphasizing the need for patience and rock solid boundaries. I highlight the challenges parents face in resisting the urge to fix everything and discuss how this approach can profoundly impact a child's journey towards recovery - creating change sooner than l...2025-03-1318 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionTriple Threat for Positive Change: Leveraging CRAFT, MI and ACT When Your Child Misuses Drugs and Alcohol, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:In this episode, I explore how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) complements CRAFT and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to form a powerful approach to influencing positive change in struggling teens and young adults. I explain key ACT principles, such as psychological flexibility and mindfulness practices, and offer three practical tools you can experiment with to start paying more attention to your experience during the Roller Coaster Ride. This episode encourages you to transform your own responses to create better conditions for those you care about while also emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and...2025-02-2018 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionA Double Punch: CRAFT and Motivational Interviewing for Influencing Problematic Substance Use, with Brenda ZaneEPISODE DESCRIPTION:In this episode, I explore the integration of Motivational Interviewing (MI) into the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) approach for helping a child (or anyone) struggling with substance misuse. I share personal experiences, explain both methods' foundations and principles, and highlight their synergy in fostering effective communication and supporting positive change. I also share when MI will be useful for parents and how to use it, underlining the importance of empathy, creating a non-judgmental space, and building confidence in your child's ability to change. There are also tips on how...2025-01-2328 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionThree Things We Want You To Know If Your Child Struggles With Mental Health and Substance Misuse, with Cathy CiothABOUT THE EPISODE:Over the five years of doing this podcast and participating in hundreds of calls and groups in The Stream, our online community for moms, Cathy and I have seen patterns emerge and today we’re talking about a few of them. We’re sharing three things we see come up over and over which have a great impact on parents when they have a child or children who struggle with mental health and substance misuse. The good news is that there are simple (not easy) and practical ways you can modif...2025-01-1652 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionGolden Nuggets of 2024: Highlights From Some Of The Best Episodes Of The YearABOUT THE EPISODE:The tradition continues! Each year, I share a “Golden Nuggets” episode with segments from some of the best of the year. This year, you’ll hear from me, along with Kristina Kuzmič, Mary Crocker Cook, Dr. Amy Hoyt, and Jared Murray. Be sure to head to the show notes and download the PDF with links to each of the full episodes. EPISODE RESOURCES:Download the episode PDF with links to all episodesACES - Adverse Childhood Experiences questionsAssoc. Of Recovery High SchoolsAfraid To Let Go - Mary Crocker Cook’s...2024-12-261h 11
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionEmbracing the Uncomfortable Space Between Expectation and Reality When Your Child Struggles with Substances and Mental Health, with Brenda ZaneThis Thanksgiving, join me for a heartfelt exploration of life's most challenging moments. When our carefully constructed and curated expectations shatter like dishes crashing from a flipped table, how can you find grace, gratitude, and grounding? In this short solo episode, I draw from a deeply personal reflection sparked by loss and uncertainty. This episode speaks directly to anyone feeling untethered—parents struggling with family challenges, individuals navigating unexpected life transitions, or anyone wrestling with the gap between what is and what we thought life (or Thanksgiving) would be. Gift yourself 15 minutes and find ways to e...2024-11-2815 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionStepping Into Acceptance When Your Child Misuses Substances and Struggles with Mental Health, with Brenda ZaneIn an unplanned and heartfelt episode, I decided to share some thoughts on the importance of acceptance in the face of life's challenges. I discuss how resisting difficult experiences can hinder personal growth and highlight the beauty of transformation that comes with accepting reality. You'll also hear a story of a life saved recently by one of our members, made possible by the support of Hopestream's scholarship fund. This episode takes place during our Seeds of Hope Giving Campaign for 2024, which you can learn more about at hopestreamcommunity.org/donate. If the Hopestream podcast has been helpful...2024-10-1712 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionHow to use CRAFT To Invite Your Child To Accept Help or Treatment For Their Substance Misuse or Addiction, with Brenda ZaneCommunity Reinforcement and Family Training (aka CRAFT) is a system for helping friends and family members change the way that they interact with someone they love who has an unhealthy and/or dangerous relationship with substances. CRAFT teaches family members how to stay connected, increase communication, and effectively encourage their loved one toward treatment, while taking care of themselves in the process. This episode centers around what parents need to know about CRAFT to have the best possible chance at having their child accept help for their substance misuse. It's one where you may want a...2024-09-2629 min
Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent ChildrenTPP 403: The Connection Between Differently Wired Kids and Substance Use, with Brenda ZaneJust as technology evolves rapidly, so too do the ways drugs are consumed. For parents, it can be challenging to recognize when our kids are using, especially since many products on the market now resemble harmless school supplies or candy. And then if we find our kids are engaging in drug use, how do we even begin to navigate that?That’s what we’re going to explore today with my guest Brenda Zane, whose oldest son struggled with an addiction to a high-risk lifestyle and illicit drugs for over five years. After nearly losing him to two...2024-09-1049 minFull-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent ChildrenTPP 403: The Connection Between Differently Wired Kids and Substance Use, with Brenda ZaneJust as technology evolves rapidly, so too do the ways drugs are consumed. For parents, it can be challenging to recognize when our kids are using, especially since many products on the market now resemble harmless school supplies or candy. And then if we find our kids are engaging in drug use, how do we even begin to navigate that?That’s what we’re going to explore today with my guest Brenda Zane, whose oldest son struggled with an addiction to a high-risk lifestyle and illicit drugs for over five years. After nearly losing him to two...2024-09-1049 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionTen Parenting Patterns That May Prolong Your Child's Struggle with Substances, And What To Do Instead, with Brenda ZaneParents sometimes fall into patterns that can unintentionally prolong their child's struggle with substance use. In this eye-opening solo episode, Brenda Zane reveals ten common parenting pitfalls that might be keeping your family stuck on the Roller Coaster Ride. I emphasize that recognizing these behaviors doesn't make someone a bad parent but rather, presents opportunities for growth and positive change.In just 30 minutes, you'll discover practical strategies to shift your approach and create the conditions for positive change – without the guilt or shame. And many of them you can implement today!Key points covered in th...2024-08-2931 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionSix Ideas When You're Looking For The Escape Hatch While Parenting A Child Struggling With Drugs and Alcohol, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:Upon returning from vacation, I started to notice a theme in our community and my friend groups - there are a lot of exhausted, brain-fried parents who are looking for an escape from the day-to-day strain of having a child who misuses or is addicted to substances. From spouse and partner relationships to our kids themselves, we sometimes need time to tap out and escape.This episode will give you six simple (not necessarily easy) things you can do when you’re looking for an escape hatch to help navigate th...2024-07-2527 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionI See You; Honoring Moms of Kids Misusing Drugs and Alcohol, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:It's Mother's Day week, 2024. I'm personally counting my blessings because my kids are all healthy and our family is in a positive and safe place. It wasn't always this way. There were Mother's Days when I wanted to crawl even deeper under the covers and not show my face. There were Mother's Days when I didn't know where my oldest son was. Today, I want to honor those who may not be looking forward to Sunday, the ones who are feeling the weight of having a child who struggles with s...2024-05-0911 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionThe Difficult Realities of Using The Invitation To Change With A Child Struggling With Drugs or Alcohol, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:Because I sit at a vantage point of seeing many parents working to understand and implement the Invitation To Change Approach (ITC) with their child who struggles with substance misuse, I see things others don't. I hear the frustrations and the celebrations, and I know that while an approach like the ITC is very powerful and effective, it isn't a magic wand.Sometimes, the more difficult aspects of using a compassion and empathetic-centric approach to a very scary and challenging problem don't get talked about. In today's short, solo episode I...2024-04-0422 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionInsights From Honest Conversations With Treatment Programs, Consultants, and Real World Parents, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:I recently sat down with over 20 treatment program owners, directors, therapists, educational consultants, and 20+ parents who are or have been on the journey with their kids, and I'm sharing the insights I gleaned in today's episode.From insurance nightmares to difficult transitions and THC-induced psychosis, I cover a lot of territory, bringing you a boots-on-the-ground view into what's really going on today in treatment and the struggles parents are facing when they have a child who misuses substances.EPISODE RESOURCES:Hopestream Community (hopestreamcommunity.org)Solutions Parenting...2024-01-2542 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionHopestream Golden Nuggets of 2023ABOUT THE EPISODE:I release about 50 episodes of Hopestream every year, and every year there are a few conversations that just stick. Months later I’ll find myself reflecting on how a specific story or perspective has the potential to change the way we think and act as parents of kids working toward recovery. I think of these important moments as this year's “golden nuggets.”So at the end of every year, I share these nuggets in an episode packed with some of my favorite bits of wisdom, and we’ve got great ones this year...2023-12-281h 01
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionNavigating Addiction With Your Child: You Are Going To Be OK, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:Friend, we made it to the end of 2023. This is my final solo episode of the year and after much thought and debate, I decided to share a gift I'd like to give you, some words of hope and strength for wherever you are in The Journey.This short episode is one you can save and play when things get tough, and I encourage you to share it with someone you know who's also going through difficulties - not just parenting challenges.Looking forward to another year of connection...2023-12-2112 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionTen Recovery Eye-Openers For Parenting a Child Through Substance Misuse or Addiction, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:For parents who are on a roller coaster ride with their kids who misuse drugs and alcohol and struggle with mental health, recovery can sometimes feel like an elusive dream. So, after 187 episodes where I've talked with experts, people in recovery, parents, siblings, and my son who's in recovery, I wanted to distill down 10 of the top eye-opening recovery insights I've gathered on this journey. I also share related episodes for these so you can dive deeper into the ones that resonate most. If you're looking for ways to stay pos...2023-10-1220 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionClose To Home: Personal Details and Insights From His Addiction and Recovery with Brenda’s Son, Enzo NarcisoABOUT THE EPISODE:For years, listeners of Hopestream have heard stories about my own family’s experiences with substance misuse and recovery. Today, after 184 episodes, I’m thrilled to finally introduce you to my son, Enzo. I’m inspired by how he’s built a meaningful life free of substance misuse and for the time and energy he now dedicates to helping kids struggling with their own path to recovery. This is a conversation between two people who did (mostly) everything wrong but now spend our lives trying to help others meet these challenges more prep...2023-09-2157 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionTen Simple and Effective Phrases That Help Diffuse Difficult Conversations, With Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:When you have a complex child, all your conversations and relationships might feel more strained. If you're like me, you sometimes find yourself at a complete loss for words and struggle with how to diffuse or launch your communication in a helpful and productive way.If this sounds like you, you're in luck as I'm sharing ten very simple and highly effective phrases you can use when you're stuck for words or your words aren't currently working.And to make it even easier, there's a PDF in the show...2023-08-3117 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionThe Secret Menu; Reframing The Experience of Parenting and Addiction, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:Sometimes you can gain a different understanding of things by looking at them through a new lens. Today's bite-size episode does that for you as the parent of a young person who struggle with substances - in the form of a short story.You'll hear about a restaurant owner and her strange, secret menu. And for those who eat from it, it can provide benefits and gifts not available anywhere else.It's one you may want to single-task for to absorb the full meaning. Created with love and compassion...2023-08-2409 min
Champagne Problems“Parenting Kids Through Substance Use” with Brenda ZaneBrenda Zane is a family advocate, host of the podcast Hopestream, and founder of Hopestream Community, a nonprofit serving parents of teens and young adults who struggle with substance misuse and mental health challenges. Brenda's oldest son struggled with an addiction to a high-risk lifestyle and illicit drugs for over five years. After nearly losing him to multiple fentanyl overdoses, Brenda left her marketing career to serve other families dealing with the fear, confusion, and helplessness of having a child who's misusing drugs or alcohol. Thank you Brenda! Instagram: @hopestreamcommunity Facebook: Hopestream Community LinkedIn: Brenda...2023-07-2751 minHopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionIs It Ok To Use A CALM Approach With A Child Who Misuses Drugs and Alcohol? With Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:It's a shorty episode today, tackling the question of whether a calm approach can work when you have a child misusing substances.I share my perspective on why I believe parents often think they need to use aggressive, confrontational tactics to get their children to change and invite you into an experiment to test the theory.I then provide a four-step way to move into a CALM approach when things get heated with your child. It's a simple but effective way to have less drama and more control.2023-06-0114 min
Shameless Leadership754: Brenda Zane: How to Talk to Your Kids About FentanylMay 9th was National Fentanyl Awareness Day. When past SMA guest, Brenda Zane, reached out to ask if we could have a conversation to raise awareness around this day, I knew I had to say yes. Talking about drugs, especially fentanyl, is scary and uncomfortable for sure. But if this conversation can help one family or save one child it’s well worth it. Brenda Zane is a family advocate, certified parent coach & facilitator with The Partnership to End Addiction, host of the podcast Hopestream, and founder of a nonprofit organization, Hopestream Community. She’s passionate about serving pa...2023-05-1054 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionThe Question Parents Really Need To Ask Their Kids Who Struggle With Substance Misuse and Addiction, and Some Big News! with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:In today’s episode, I announce some big news for my organization and also share the question I've come to believe parents really need to ask to help their kids heal and move away from misusing substances. This question is hard to ask and many parents don't want to go there, but it's necessary and doable with the right support. I share what parents see "above the iceberg" and why that's only part of a big picture they need to have visibility to. It's a short but important message you'll want to...2023-03-3014 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionEight Free And Impactful Ways of Being That Allow Your Child to Change Their Relationship With Drugs And Alcohol, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:In this episode, I share the reason behind my passion for helping parents navigate this stressful season of life and share eight important, free, and available ways of being that will help your child become more motivated to change their relationship with substances.I spend a lot of time talking with professional experts and parent-experts - those of you living with and parenting young people who misuse substances. I recently took some time to reverse-engineer the things I've heard consistently that helped make the experience better and that have helped kids...2023-02-2332 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionStraight From My Heart; You Don't Get To Tap Out On Yourself, with Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:Today I'm going to share from my heart some things I've been thinking about which haven't really seemed to fit into any other episode. I decided to bump the show I had planned as the first in Season Four of Hopestream to share a few heartfelt thoughts with you as we head into a new year.You'll learn what I really want, more than anything, and why. You'll also learn something you don't get to do while you're in a very difficult season with your son or daughter. It's short, real, and a b...2023-01-0518 min
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionHopestream Golden Nuggets of 2022ABOUT THE EPISODE:In this compilation of 12 impactful episodes, you'll hear from: Dr. Anna Lembke, Carrie Wilkens, Ph.D., Dina Cannizzaro, Dr. Brad Reedy, Cathy Cioth, Steve Sawyer, Dr. Gabor Maté, Mark LaPalme, Rebekah Mutch, Andy Goldstrom, Bill Guy and Anne Moss Rogers.It's that time of year! This episode has become an annual tradition here at Hopestream, where I open up the vault from 2022, reflect on the year, over 50 episodes, so many guests, and pluck out a few of the golden nuggets that were shared.It’s ridiculously hard because it f...2022-12-291h 16
Hopestream for parenting kids through drug use and addictionFour Strategies For Getting More of The Behavior You Want and Less of What You Don't When Your Teen or Young Adult Child Misuses Drugs or Alcohol, With Brenda ZaneABOUT THE EPISODE:Today I dive into a key component of encouraging more positive behavior through the use of consequences. You probably already know consequences can be confusing and hard to get right when your child is misusing substances and struggles with mental health issues. They're sometimes hard to be consistent with, and often backfire.Chapter 11 in the book Beyond Addiction is the base for the information shared in this episode and outlines four ways you can go about using consequences with your son or daughter - however, only three are recommended. It...2022-11-1726 min
Success is Subjective: Real People. Raw Stories. Embracing a Non-Linear Life!Episode 151 - SPECIAL PARENT SERIES - with Brenda ZaneBrenda Zane almost needs no introduction. She's a mother who’s been vocal about her experience dealing with her son’s struggles with substance abuse. So vocal, she created and launched an online community for moms. She’s also the host of the Hopestream podcast, where each episode is filled with resources and information from experts for parents of adolescents and young adults dealing with substance abuse. Although this series is anonymous, Brenda and I discussed that it was okay to have her “named” for the kick-off of this micro-series. Connect with Brenda ZaneThe Strea...2022-10-0416 min