Shows
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#78: When Willingness Isn’t Neat: The Messy Truth About Going to RehabIn this episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, I talk openly about what it looked like when I was actually willing to go to rehab—and why that willingness did not make things neat, calm, or straightforward. My second time in treatment was very different from my first. The first time, I was more cornered than committed. The second time, I was desperate and broken enough to try again. I did not know if I wanted to live, much less if I could stay clean. I remember leaving for rehab terrified, uncertain if I was capable of doing what re...
2026-06-1815 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#77 Pocket Guide: When They Don’t Want to Be in Rehab: What Families Can ExpectIn this Pocket Guide episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, I walk you through what to expect when your loved one goes to rehab and doesn’t really want to be there. I talk about how terrified and raw they often feel without drugs, and how their mindset going in—whether they asked for help or felt backed into a corner—shapes what happens next.I explain the common tactics you might see: picking apart the rehab, saying it’s a scam, bargaining to come home early, making big promises about what they’ll do if you just let t...
2026-06-0113 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#76 Karen Perlmutter: The Mountain: Reframing Addiction for FamiliesI want to speak directly to you as someone who may be walking alongside a loved one who is struggling with substance use. In a recent podcast conversation, I interviewed therapist Karen Perlmutter, who specializes in substance abuse and mental illness and has over a decade of experience working with families. Our discussion focused on her evidence-based curriculum designed specifically for families, available through her practice, Collaborative Counseling LLC. Karen’s work exists because she has seen how much pain families carry and how often they are left out of the treatment process, and she is committed to making su...
2026-05-251h 00The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#75: Pocket Guide: What to Bring to RehabIn this Pocket Guide episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, host Jennifer Maneely walks families through a practical but often overlooked question: how do you pack when your loved one is heading into treatment?Jennifer starts with the basics: always use the treatment center’s official packing list as your primary guide. Space is limited, so bring a reasonable amount of clothing with layers appropriate to the season—think a range of jackets in winter or light layers for summer, especially since many facilities are heavily air-conditioned and temperature regulation can be difficult early in recovery....
2026-05-1812 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#74: The Power of Having Them Call the RehabIn this Pocket Guide episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast, host Jennifer Maneely walks parents and caregivers through the crucial step of having a loved one personally call rehab centers. Building on the previous episode about narrowing options down to three facilities, Jennifer explains why it’s essential that the person seeking treatment—not their family—makes the actual calls.She breaks down how this process helps your loved one build “skin in the game,” advocate for themselves, and practice asking for help—skills that are vital for long-term recovery. Jennifer also shares why having the addicted person speak...
2026-05-1112 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#73: Pocket Guide: How to Quickly Vet Rehab Centers OnlineIn this “pocket guide” episode of the Unbreakable Boundaries podcast, host Jennifer Maneely shares how she quickly evaluates rehab centers when all she has is a website to go on. Speaking to families who are overwhelmed by endless Google results, she explains the simple criteria she uses to narrow options down to three solid choices.
2026-05-0411 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#72: Beyond the Brochure: What to Look for in a Treatment ProgramChoosing a treatment center can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re scared, exhausted, and trying to do the “right” thing for someone you love. In this episode of The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast, we break down how to navigate this decision with clarity, confidence, and compassion.We start by unpacking what “the right fit” really means. It’s not just about a glossy website or a quick admission date—it’s about matching your loved one’s needs with the appropriate level of care, philosophy, and support. We talk about how to avoid panic-driven decisions and instead move toward thoughtful...
2026-02-0352 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#71: Announcing The Recovering Family and the 5 PrinciplesIn this podcast, Jen announces the rebranding of her podcast from Maneely Consulting to The Recovering Family, focusing on helping families with substance abuse issues. She outlines five principles for creating unbreakable boundaries: the Exchange Principle, emphasizing equal exchanges in financial, time, and energy; the Action Principle, stressing the importance of actions over words; the Present Principle, urging focus on the here and now; the Love Principle, advocating for loving communication; and the Joy Principle, highlighting the need for self-care and joy. She also promotes her nonprofit's donation-based services and encourages listeners to visit therecoveringfamily.org for more information.
2025-07-2834 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#70: Katie and Barb Kocher: The Importance of Grace and UnderstandingIn this episode of the podcast, host Jen Maneely welcomes Katie Kocher and her mother, Barb Kocher, to share their heartfelt journey through addiction and recovery. Katie opens up about her feelings of isolation and misunderstanding during her youth, despite excelling academically and athletically. Barb reflects on her unawareness of the signs of Katie's struggles and acknowledges the effects of their strict parenting approach. As Katie's addiction worsened, it led to serious consequences, including expulsion from sports teams and a car accident. After 15 tumultuous years, Katie found hope in rehab, discovering the healing power of art therapy. Now five...
2024-10-221h 07
Leadership ISNSA-WNC Speakers Reflection featuring Jennifer ManeelyOn January 30th, the NSA-WNC Chapter showcases several of their speakers in Asheville, NC These speakers, masters of their craft, captivated audiences through the art of storytelling. One such speaker was Jennifer Maneely. As a certified coach, Jennifer, has been working with families that have loved ones with substance abuse issues for the last six years. She has over 16 years in recovery from a serious drug addiction. Today she will discuss with us why it is important and how leaders can support employees with substance abuse issues. Let’s talk about it!!!
2024-02-1423 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#69 Reddit: What Was Dating In Recovery Like For You?Another Reddit Story/Question. What was dating in recovery like for you?
2023-10-1834 min
Don't be DirtyCabin Chronicles with Jennifer Maneely: Making Memories at Lake LureJennifer Maneely is the creative mind and behind some of the most charming cabins near the breath taking Cabin Chronicles with Jennifer Maneely. We're talking about the Hilltop Cabin, the Tiny Cabin, the Lodge. Rings a bell?Jennifer is here to share some golden nuggets of wisdom when it comes to running a successful short-term rental business.
2023-09-2828 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#68: Reddit Story: AITA for refusing to forgive my drug addict BILAnother Reddit Story for you. This one is AITA for refusing to forgive my drug addict BIL.
2023-09-2739 minThe Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#67 Reddit Story: Parents of live-in adult children struggling with addiction - how do you cope?I share my perspective on how to cope with a loved one's addiction, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries.
2023-09-2129 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#66 Real Conversations with Mothers and DaughtersWhat happens when mothers and daughters have to “adult” together? In this episode, My mom, Lynn Carnes and myself, along with another mother Christine Dickson and her daughter Lauren Martinson got together and talked about the challenges, the experiences, the memories, and some hard conversations we've experienced and how we navigated them, as well as the healing journey we've taken to mend, repair, grow, and thrive in our relationship with one another.We did something different with this podcast and invited people to listen in LIVE. So we put together a 2 hour event to really be able to d...
2023-05-022h 02
Creative Spirits Unleashed#58: Real Conversations with Mothers and DaughtersThis was a very special episode of the podcast, we recorded it with two mothers and two daughters. I was one of the mothers with my daughter, Jennifer Maneely. Christine Dikson joined with her daughter, Lauren Martinson. Mothers and daughters have complicated relationships. In this conversation, we got into some of the things that make the relationship so complicated. We also talked about our favorite memories. This conversation was wide ranging. It was deep, it was fun. And I'm guessing it won't be our last
2023-05-012h 01The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#65: Let's Talk About that Dirty Word Called SHAMEAre you willing to dive into some of the things that are coming up for you in order to be the support person that your loved one needs?
2023-03-2227 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#64 Caroline Holke: How to Deal with Resistance When We're Trying to Make Changes.Caroline Holke works with Type A, high performing women who drink more than they intend to sometimes. It wouldn't be classified as a drinking problem, but they have a problem with using it as a crutch and want to get their control back. They hire her to get rid of the shitty parts of drinking (and this doesn't necessarily mean all drinking) and this enables them to build a life that they enjoy so much that they don't want to numb out of it. Most people focus on what to DO to cut back on th...
2023-02-0853 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#63: Chelsea Curtis: The Power of Sharing From the HeartChelsea is a Narcotics Unit Paralegal Specialist with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and a member of Silent No More. Addiction has rattled just about every one of her family members, ultimately claiming the lives of her two oldest brothers Steven and Scott. Steven passed away from a heroin overdose in 2009 and Scott passed away from an overdose attributed to a mixture of Fentanyl and a new synthetic opioid called Isotonitrazene. Her stepdad passed away from cirrhosis of the liver caused by his decades long alcohol addiction. Chelsea's birth mother has been an...
2022-12-161h 08
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#62 Michel O'Hare: Breaking the CycleMichel has lived through absolute hell and can smile on the other side of the abyss.Her life's work is to facilitate healing and to guide people back to the knowingness of their own inner strength and to not just survive, but to live their lives fully.Outline:What does it mean to live in absolute hell?At the time that you are experiencing this, what were some of the beliefs that you had about your life and why?The day she met her son’s father.Looking at the problem from di...
2022-12-0257 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#61 Tanya D: Finding Peace in RecoveryTanya D. is a Certified meditation instructor (C.MI™), Usui/Holy Fire® III Karuna Reiki® Master, Sound Vibrational Reiki Healing Practitioner, Animal Reiki practitioner, Certified spiritual life coach, and Yoga4Sobriety Teacher Ambassador / Student Liason.She uses her experience, strength, hope, intuition, and teacher trainings to help people find peace and serenity in recovery from addiction. In recovery herself, she offers a unique holistic approach to finding freedom in recovery through trauma-sensitive chakra/12-step focused meditation, chakra energy healing, and spiritual life coaching.
2022-11-1156 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#60: Freida Macdonald: You Gotta Know HopeKnow Hope North Carolina's mission is to remember those we have lost, support those in recovery and give hope to those still struggling. Create memorial banner and billboards with faces of those lost to addiction in NC. Refer clients to detox and treatment centers. Facilitate grief groups.Outline of Podcast Topics· The power of creating a space to honor your feelings in a safe way. 8:17· Grief doesn’t always have to be a direct result of a loss. 15:24· Don’t go down the road of “enabling”. 21:53· “They weren’t my answers to find.”. 24:11...
2022-10-1953 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#59: Tracy Redfearn: Finding Your VoiceIn this episode, Tracy and I get into a great conversation about what do kids need and how that translates later in life. Safety, Security, and Love are three important things and in that, creating a safe place to be heard and how important connection is. Tracy Redfearn is a Licensed Psychoeducational Specialist who is certified by the SC Board of Education as a School Psychologist II, the National Association of School Psychologists as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and the International Association of Trauma Professionals as a Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional. Tracy founded Child and F...
2022-10-191h 06The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#58 What to Expect When They Get Out of RehabIt can be a really confusing time when your loved one gets out of rehab. It can be confusing for you as well as them. It's emotional, it's a little chaotic and not at all what you would expect it to look like. In this next podcast, I share a little bit about what you can expect. This is generalization, so if you have questions about your own loved one, please reach out to me. jennifermconsulting@gmail.commaneelyconsulting.com
2022-10-0748 min
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#57 Michele Rogers: A Mother's PledgeIn this episode, Michele Rogers shares with us her journey of losing her son. This was a powerful conversation about what happens next as well as her experience. The biggest take away from this conversation is, this is not a parenting problem. Here is just a little of Michele's story and what she has to say:I grew up in Tidewater Virginia and later attended Saint Leo College in Florida. I had two sons, Clayton (1989) and Bradley (1992). When I divorced in 1996 I moved with my young sons to Waynesville, NC. I worked in hospitality and...
2022-09-191h 15
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#56 Lisa Falbo: Facing Every Parent's Worst NightmareLisa grew up having a great family life with 3 brothers. She moved from Ohio to NC when she was twelve 12. She has two sons from first marriage and divorced after 9 years of marriage. Lisa raised her boys as a single mom and home schooled them until they entered high school. Their high school years were full of struggles, some normal, some not. Both boys started using drugs in their mid-teens. Sam (oldest son) escalated to IV drug use and meth. He was "in recovery" on MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) for several years into his 20's where he relapsed. He...
2022-08-131h 11
Creative Spirits Unleashed#41 The Elegant Pivot Series: Master Your StoriesIn my latest podcast episode, I again welcome daughter and colleague Jen Maneely. We are continuing our series on The Elegant Pivot. In this episode, we talked about the Chapter titled Master Your Stories. We had SO many stories about making up stories. All too often, we think we know what the other person is thinking or why they said something. More often than not, we are missing the full picture. In fact, I would dare say we never have the full picture, because we can’t truly get inside someone else’s head. The proble...
2022-06-151h 04
Creative Spirits Unleashed#37: Jennifer Maneely: Focus on What You Want: The Elegant Pivot SeriesDon’t think about a big, purple elephant with white polka dots and a pink tail. How did you do? First you had to think about it to not think about it. That’s the point of the principle from chapter 9 in The Elegant Pivot: Focus on What You Want. This week, Jen Maneely joins me again to share our stories on our successes and failures in applying this principle in real life. We never know where one of these conversations is going to take us. We both had a number of insights as we worked through severa...
2022-04-071h 09
The Unbreakable Boundaries Podcast#55 Pamela O'Leary: A new year's resolution that actually stuckMy next episode includes a guest that made a new year's resolution to get sober and 4 years later, she is still sober. She talks with us about her journey into sobriety and how she did it. It wasn't the typical path, and it has shown to be successful for her. She writes openly about it in her blog titled "Wishes from the Bottom"This was her first time speaking about and I am honored to have had her as a guest on this podcast. Pamela O’Leary is the Founder and CEO of Blossom Badass, an...
2022-03-2556 min