Recovery-ish is ironically named, poking fun at the rigidity in recovery dogma. It’s a space for the loud-mouths, truth-tellers, and whistleblowers who believe silence isn’t safety—it’s complicity. We honor lived and living experience by speaking it, embracing flexibility, imperfection, and the multiplicity of paths to wellness. Hosted by Chad Sabora and Robert Ashford, each episode features raw conversations with frontline workers, researchers, people with lived and living experience, policy wonks and makers, creatives, and people whose stories don’t fit cleanly into court (or society) approved narratives. We unpack the politics, policies, and personal messiness that shape the landscape today with segments like The Grant Didn’t Cover That, They Said What?!, and Medically Unnecessary. This is not your sponsor’s podcast (even if it is hosted by two middle-aged white guys...we know, we know, just what the world needs more of). It’s group therapy after everyone stops pretending they’re fine. If you’re tired of the “positive vibes only” trap, if you’ve ever been told your experience doesn’t count, or if you’ve survived a system that was never built for you - welcome. You’re finally in the right place.
Recovery-ish
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Podcast Overview
Recovery-ish is ironically named, poking fun at the rigidity in recovery dogma. It’s a space for the loud-mouths, truth-tellers, and whistleblowers who believe silence isn’t safety—it’s complicity. We honor lived and living experience by speaking it, embracing flexibility, imperfection, and the multiplicity of paths to wellness. Hosted by Chad Sabora and Robert Ashford, each episode features raw conversations with frontline workers, researchers, people with lived and living experience, policy wonks and makers, creatives, and people whose stories don’t fit cleanly into court (or society) approved narratives. We unpack the politics, policies, and personal messiness that shape the landscape today with segments like The Grant Didn’t Cover That, They Said What?!, and Medically Unnecessary. This is not your sponsor’s podcast (even if it is hosted by two middle-aged white guys...we know, we know, just what the world needs more of). It’s group therapy after everyone stops pretending they’re fine. If you’re tired of the “positive vibes only” trap, if you’ve ever been told your experience doesn’t count, or if you’ve survived a system that was never built for you - welcome. You’re finally in the right place.
Language
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Publishing Since
8/27/2025
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Recent Episodes
April 28, 2026
Unregulated Markets & Broken Systems: The State of Drug Policy
<p>In this episode of <i>Recovery-ish</i>, Chad and Robert sit down with <b>Tracey Helton</b> for a wide-ranging and unfiltered conversation about the current state of drug policy, harm reduction, and recovery in the U.S.</p><p></p><p>Together, we unpack how <b>recent legislative changes are reshaping access to care</b>, often creating unintended consequences for the very people they aim to help. Tracey brings sharp insight into the <b>systemic failures baked into drug policy</b>, and why history continues to repeat itself when it comes to prohibition, stigma, and public health.</p><p></p><p>We explore the growing tension between <b>evidence-based treatment</b> and political narratives, including the backlash against harm reduction strategies like medication-assisted treatment and overdose prevention efforts. As Tracey puts it, <i>“Medication works and people thrive on it”</i>—yet access remains uneven and often politicized.</p><p></p><p>The conversation also highlights the power of <b>community-led solutions and mutual aid networks</b>, which continue to fill critical gaps left by formal systems. From grassroots organizing to local harm reduction initiatives, these efforts demonstrate real resilience in the face of policy shortcomings.</p><p></p><p>We also dive into:</p><ul><li>The risks of <b>unregulated drug markets</b> and shifting supply trends</li><li>The expansion of <b>involuntary treatment</b> and its ethical implications</li><li><b>Gender, racial, and social disparities</b> in recovery and policy enforcement</li><li>The role of <b>psychedelics in future treatment models</b></li><li>The complicated relationship between <b>politics, public perception, and drug use</b><p></p></li></ul><p>Ultimately, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what recovery looks like in today’s landscape—and who actually gets to access it.</p>
February 19, 2026
Advocacy and Activism: The Heart of Interconnected Community
<p>In this episode of <b>Recovery-ish</b>, Chad and Robert are joined by longtime advocate and organizer Haner Hernandez for a sharp, unfiltered conversation about why “staying neutral” is no longer a viable stance in the recovery movement. Together, they interrogate the current policy landscape, break down the real-world impact of recent political shifts, and remind listeners that advocacy without historical context is just noise. From the war on drugs to today’s culture wars, they trace how race, class, and power continue to shape who is protected, who is criminalized, and who gets left behind.</p><p></p><p>The discussion doesn’t romanticize activism. Instead, it calls out the savior complex that too often creeps into advocacy spaces and challenges the field to move beyond performative allyship. Drawing lessons from the HIV/AIDS movement, Haner underscores the power of organized communities, disciplined messaging, and data that can actually be trusted. The trio explores how incremental change and long-haul strategy often win more ground than outrage alone—and how easily movements can be co-opted when leadership loses touch with the people most impacted.</p><p></p><p>With their trademark candor and irreverence, the hosts dig into the messy intersection of harm reduction, social justice, and recovery—lifting up the need for unity without erasing difference, and empathy without abandoning accountability. This episode is a reminder that recovery doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by policy, fueled by community, and sustained by people willing to speak up, organize smart, and refuse to mistake silence for safety.</p>
December 22, 2025
WMDs in Your Yuletide Stocking: Recovery-ish Holiday Special
<p><b>Happy holidays everyone!</b> In this holiday special episode of Recovery-ish, hosts Chad Sabora and Robert Ashford discuss the implications of recent policies regarding fentanyl, cannabis, and public health. They explore the intersection of drug policy and public health, emphasizing the need for evidence-based approaches and harm reduction strategies. The conversation also touches on the importance of supporting the peer workforce and the ongoing challenges within housing policy. The hosts share their holiday wish list for policy changes, advocating for a more compassionate and effective approach to drug use and recovery.</p><p></p>
8 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Recovery-ish?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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