deWhat happens when military service gives you a powerful sense of identity, purpose, and belonging—and then you have to leave it behind? In this episode, Gabriel M. Burke, LISW, an Army National Guard veteran, social worker, and founder of Jump The Broom LLC, opens up about veteran mental health, moral injury, racism in the military, and the often-overlooked challenges of transitioning back to civilian life. Gabriel introduces the idea of the "invisible rucksack"—the emotional experiences, trauma, identity shifts, and burdens veterans can carry long after leaving military service. He shares his personal experience of feeling a profound loss of belonging after returning to his Ohio National Guard unit, navigating racism and microaggressions, experiencing depression, and ultimately leaving the military. This powerful conversation is ultimately about resilience, identity, forgiveness, peer support, and learning that you are more than what hurt you. Listen now to hear Gabriel's powerful story. "You are not what hurt you. You are more than what hurt you."  ~Gabriel M. Burke  

What if healing from trauma isn't about reliving the pain, but about taking back your power and rewriting your story? In this episode, Pristina "PJ" Jackson reveals how she turned childhood trauma and complex PTSD into a life of purpose as a bold advocate for mental health and addiction recovery. PJ opens up about the years she spent cycling through hospitals, therapy, and even electroshock treatments, only to realize that the traditional narrative of healing left her stuck in an identity of trauma. She explains how shifting her perspective—seeing anxiety and survival instincts as her body's way of protecting her—allowed her to move beyond coping and into active recovery. Together with hosts Juliet Dorris-Williams and Gabe Howard, PJ challenges long-held assumptions about treatment, recovery, and what it truly means to "show up" for yourself. She offers practical, empowering insights on reframing safety, working through fear, and building the capacity to thrive instead of merely survive. If you've ever struggled to break free from old narratives of pain this episode is for you.

Peer support saves lives, reduces relapse, and strengthens recovery — yet too often, it's undervalued and underfunded. In this episode, hosts Juliet Dorris-Williams and Gabe Howard sit down with longtime recovery advocate Cheri Walter to explore why peer services matter and how advocacy can amplify their impact. Cheri, a person in long-term recovery and board member of The P.E.E.R. Center, brings 40 years of experience in Ohio's mental health and addiction systems. She explains why peers are not a replacement for clinical care — but rather an essential complement that helps people thrive, avoid crisis, and stay connected. Together, they discuss the urgent need for sustainable funding, the risks of over-professionalizing peer work, and the power of peers leading at every level of decision-making. If you've ever wondered how to strengthen the recovery movement or why advocacy is critical right now, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical next steps. Listen now!  

In peer support, your title might say "peer supporter / specialist," but your life experience, education, and skills often add up to much more. Many peers wear multiple hats—combining lived experience with roles like social worker, counselor, advocate, educator, or even executive director.   In this episode, we explore what it means to bring all those roles into the room. Our hosts, Juliet and Gabe, share how their professional training and lived experience overlap, the benefits (and occasional tensions) of wearing more than one hat, and how to stay authentic to the peer role while honoring other parts of your identity.   We talk about the opportunities this brings—greater resources, wider perspectives, stronger advocacy—and the challenges, from navigating boundaries to avoiding role confusion. Along the way, we highlight how multi-hat peers can bridge gaps in treatment settings, meet people where they are, and model that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you're a peer specialist, a professional in another helping role, or both, this conversation celebrates the unique strengths that come from showing up as your whole self.

Whether you're a certified peer supporter or a licensed clinician, the work of supporting others can be deeply meaningful—but also deeply draining. Both roles carry heavy emotional weight, and both require real commitment. Yet, the way we talk about and practice self-care often looks very different between the two. In this episode, guest Jennifer Martinez joins hosts Juliet and Gabe to explore the unspoken expectations that peers should "prove" they're strong enough, how stigma can shape the conversation around rest and boundaries, and why licensed professionals may have more structural support for taking care of themselves. Jennifer brings a unique perspective, blending lived experience with professional insight, and she shares practical, no-fluff strategies for making self-care sustainable—not just a checkbox. We also dive into what peers and professionals can learn from each other, and how mutual respect can help close the gap. If you've ever wondered how to keep showing up for others without running yourself into the ground, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to protect your own well-being. Listen now!  

In this powerful episode of PEERVoices, Gabe Howard and Juliet Dorris-Williams sit down with Stephanie Mitchell Hughes, Assistant Director at NAMI Franklin County, to explore her deeply personal journey through major depressive disorder and the challenges of solo parenting. Stephanie opens up about her early struggles with depression, the turning point that led her to seek help, and the ongoing battle to manage her mental health while raising her children. Through candid conversation, she shares the determination it took to push through the darkest times, the importance of finding the right treatment, and how her lived experience fuels her work in mental health advocacy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing similar challenges, offering hope and insight into the power of perseverance.

Join Juliet Dorris-Williams and Gabe Howard on PEERVoices as they sit down with Teresa Conley, the longtime manager of Pathway Clubhouse in Columbus, Ohio. Teresa shares her 33 years of experience in the mental health field and reflects on the deep-rooted partnership between Pathway Clubhouse and the PEER Center. Discover how these organizations emphasize a power-neutral approach by treating members as colleagues, fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for mental health recovery. Listen in as they explore the evolution of these spaces, the importance of shared leadership, and the impact of collaborative community building.

In this episode of PEERVoices, hosts Juliet Dorris-Williams and Gabe Howard sit down with Michelle Beyer, executive director of ASCEND and a passionate advocate for peer support. Michelle shares insights about ASCEND's unique peer respite program, the only one of its kind for adults in Ohio. She explains how this non-clinical, home-like environment offers an alternative to crisis centers, providing a comforting space for individuals to recharge and receive support from peers who truly understand their experiences. Tune in to hear about the challenges and rewards of running such a vital program and the impact it has on the community.

In this insightful episode, our hosts speak with Kimberly Ewing, the lead trainer for eCPR, about the transformative power of peer support. Moving beyond the common perception of peer support as just another tool, they emphasize its profound personal impact. Peer support is more than just "peers talking to peers"; it has far-reaching goals and uses.   Kimberly shares her journey and the importance of self-care in supporting others, introducing the concept of 'putting your own oxygen mask on first.' The discussion delves into the essence of showing up authentically, seeing each other, and walking together through healing. Join us to discover how true peer support can create meaningful connections and foster resilience in both personal and professional settings.  

Join our hosts for an in-depth conversation about the power and challenges of peer advocacy in mental health and addiction recovery. Featuring guest Cheri L. Walter from OACBHA, this episode explores the necessity for peers to be loud, out, and proud. Hosts Juliet and Gabe share insights on overcoming stigma and navigating the barriers peers face in gaining a seat at the table.   Discover the importance of persistent advocacy, the value of lived experiences, and the strategies for making peer voices heard. Whether you're a peer, ally, or professional, this episode provides valuable perspectives on driving change in the mental health system. Listen now!