The podcasts in This series are a dramatization of debates concerning subjects that may be controversial. The views expressed are not necessarily those of MPN or the staff. We hope to provide both sides of the controversy and to model ways that others can respectfully disagree and discuss difficult topics. Amanda and Ashley discuss the Purdue Pharma settlement that required the Sackler to be personally financially responsible.

Jim and Andi talk about advocacy and the upcoming Montana Legislative Session. The Peer Advocacy and Leadership (PAL) Project can help you learn skills to be an effective advocate. You can find legislative information discussed int his podcast at https://leg.mt.gov/session/.

Bill, Brent, and Jim talk about how COVID has impacted their winter activities and offer suggestions about how to maintain your recovery through recreation.

This is a recording of our Facebook Live event from November 19, 2020. Bill and Ashley share their thoughts on how to deal with the holidays during COVID when you may need to change your traditions. We can still express our gratitude and connect with others even if we can't be together.

Lauren Spiro, co-founder of Emotional CPR, and Amanda Walton, MPN Peer Services Coordinator, discuss Emotional CPR (e-CPR) training and how it can be useful in supporting people in and out of the behavioral health system. You can find more information about e-CPR at https://www.emotional-cpr.org/. Guest bios: Lauren Spiro has come a long way from being a very insecure and shy young woman who was given a label of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder before the age of 18. She spent 15 months in a mental institution, also before the age of 18. Then college, 3+ years in the Peace Corps, obtained a Master's degree in Clinical/ Community Psychology and spent a lifetime of working in the mental health field improving the system that has caused her profound harm and re-traumatization. Her last fulltime position was 7 years as the first director of the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery based in Washington, DC, the city where she was born. Her liberation journey has taken her to being a leading voice for the policy, legislative and funding priorities for people with the lived experience of mental health recovery. Along the way she co­founded Emotional-CPR (eCPR), a primary prevention public health initiative that teaches people how to support others through emotional distress (and crisis), which has spread to most of the states in the US and over 12 countries, with its Resource Book having been translated into over 6 languages. Lauren has been an eCPR trainer for over 10 years; her memoir was published a few years ago. Amanda Walton is a Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist and Peer Services Coordinator with Montana's Peer Network. Since beginning her recovery journey, she has advocated for person-centered recovery and self-liberation. Active on Montana's Behavioral Health Oversight and Advisory Council, and Secretary of Dawson County Behavioral Health Advisory Council, she shares her story with others while striving to be a living example that recovery is possible, and available, for anyone. She is a certified SMART Recovery facilitator and creator of Let's Talk Recovery peer support group organized in 2018, as well as a wife and mother of four. Thanks to the support of Lauren and other eCPR trainers, she will advance to eCPR training status within a month. Amanda's intention is to more deeply embody eCPR in all of her relationships and interactions and has a passionate vision to spread eCPR both throughout Montana and across the US.

MPN Board member, Ginny Carnes, talks about her experience in quarantine after a COVID-19 exposure. Ginny is awaiting her test results and joined us on her third day of quarantine to discuss her feelings, frustrations, and coping strategies.

Bill Deavel, Ashley McLean, and Erica Durham discuss how Peer Support Specialists can support each other in their recoveries and in the work that they do. It is helpful to get support from those who are doing the same work you are. MPN holds PSS2PSS support groups every three weeks for people working in the field. Learn more at mtpeernetwork.org. Erica is the founder of Extraordinary Distances in Helena, MT. You can find more information about her organization at https://www.extradistances.com/ or text her at 406-204-9048

In this podcast Jim and Andi share updates about the Peer Advocacy and Leadership (PAL) Project that is just starting into the second year. They discuss the successes over the last year and let you know what is coming up. mtpeernetwork.org/pal The app mentioned in this podcast, My mental Health Crisis Plan (MyMHCP) can be found at https://smiadviser.org/mymhcp.

Bill, Ashley, and Jim talk about another one of the 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery - respect. They discuss how their understanding of respect has evolved throughout their recoveries.

Demetrius Fassas joins us to discuss the soon to open Butte SPIRIT Center, a transitional living house in Butte for men in recovery. Demetrius shares his recovery story and the journey that has led to the development of the Butte-Silver Bow Persons Invested in Recovery and Inner Transformation center. http://buttespirit.org/