Shows
The HeArt of RecoveryRewriting the "Rules" of RecoveryFor this episode of The HeArt of Recovery, NCAAR Community Coordinator, Tonia Ahern sits down with Lynda McDonald, Certified Coach with The Invitation to Change. Tonia and Lynda, both family advocates and trainers, share their lived experiences navigating the intersection of substance use, family trauma, and the criminal justice system. They reflect on the flaws of punitive recovery models and share how mandated approaches often fail to heal—and instead, leave lasting damage. Through personal storytelling, they highlight the power of compassion, connection, and communication in transforming the systems surrounding recovery.
2025-07-0244 min
The HeArt of RecoveryEvolution of Advocacy in NJ with Aaron Kucharski!In 2010, Aaron Kucharski began the recovery advocacy movement in NJ. Learn how he turned 30 volunteers into a thousand, leading a statewide program. Aaron cultivated his very own advocates, Heather Ogden and Tonia Ahern, who would later succeed him
2022-12-0923 min
Hopestream: Parenting Kids Through Addiction & Mental HealthNine Things We Never Talk About (out loud) When Our Kids Misuse Drugs or Alcohol, With Cathy CiothABOUT THE EPISODE:There are some thoughts, questions, and situations we face as parents of kids who are misusing substances that make us question our parenting, our sanity and even our humanity. Because these tricky topics don't often make it into the conversation, we're tackling them today as a way to air issues you may be wrestling with - but doing it in a safe, private place.Cathy Cioth, my business partner and host of The Stream Community joins me as we talk about 9 complex topics including:Should I be drinking or using...
2022-09-081h 01
Hopestream: Parenting Kids Through Addiction & Mental HealthThe Importance Of Digging Deep Into The “Why” When Your Child Is Misusing Drugs Or Alcohol, With Advocate Tonia AhernABOUT THE EPISODE:Have you ever felt overwhelmed when you realize just how many layers there are to the addiction that is derailing your son or daughter? When we get curious and focus on asking questions, it’s incredible what we can learn about our kids. For so many, an unrecognized mental health diagnosis is at the root of their pain and substance use. My guest today is Tonia Ahern. She’s a mom who lost her son, Rory, to opioid addiction and now fights to change legislation to support prevention, evidence-based treatment practices, recov...
2022-08-1859 min
YOUth Positively SpeakingRemembering RoryPaige and Erin are joined by Tonia Ahern to talk about her son Rory and his struggles with substance use disorder and mental illness. We remember Rory and others who we have lost to overdose in this episode, which airs on International Overdose Awareness Day. FOLLOW UShttps://www.facebook.com/YOUthPositivelySpeakinghttps://www.instagram.com/youth_positively_speaking/YOUth Positively SpeakingPositive YOUth is an initiative focused on building county wide capacity to reduce substance misuse among youth 9-20 years old. In this monthly podcast the team speaks to youth about...
2021-08-3138 min
The Student SessionsEpisode 23: New Beginnings, Katherine AhernMoving away from home. Living in a big city. Going to University. Being independent. New beginnings can be a daunting thought. Join us on today’s sessions where Tonia talks with Katherine who shares their experience in dealing with change and new starts. We talk about what it’s like to start University and how we have to be able to adapt to new surroundings and environments.If you enjoyed our Podcast, please recommend to your friends, and leave us a review! If you want to catch up on any of our previous episodes, then follow us on Fa...
2020-10-0718 min
Webcam Confidence for Women: Helping Women in Business R.I.S.E. with Susan Axelrod and Pam SullivanDo you wonder what your purpose is? Open your eyes, look around and see what is right in front of you.As a Confidence Coach, the single thing I hear most from women in the second half of life is, "I don't even know what my purpose is anymore. It just doesn't seem clear to me." This resonates deeply with me because I struggled with it for more than a decade. Join me for this important episode when I will provide you with a seminal answer to this question! Episode guest, Tonia Groves Ahern, will share her story about how purpose found her.
2019-10-2555 min