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Peer Perspective: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Michele Morehouse
Welcome to the peer perspective. This podcast is made possible by Ascend Mental Wellness. It is based on personal experience and perspective. It is not intended to replace therapy or medical advice. Our podcast focuses on the intersection of substance use and mental health while being a resource that reaches out to individuals throughout the communities to help encourage them to seek help, break the stigma surrounding getting help and be a resource in and of itself.
Latest Episodes
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- 1 weeks ago37 min
Finding Balance & Rhythm This Summer
Summer is often associated with vacations, sunshine, and time to recharge, but for many people, the season also brings changes that can impact mental health and wellness in unexpected ways.In this episode, we explore how shifting routines, children being out of school, changing work schedules, increased social activities, financial pressures, and even the heat can affect our daily lives and overall well-being. We also discuss how these seasonal changes can influence substance use recovery and the importance of recognizing what helps us stay grounded.Finding balance doesn't mean having the perfect summer. It means creating a rhythm that works for you, adapting to life's changes, and making space for the habits and supports that promote your mental wellness.
- 4 weeks ago31 min
First Meeting: What It Is Like
In this episode of Peer Perspective Podcast, we sit down with McKenzie Secor, Peer Specialist with us at ASCEND in our Dual Recovery & Peer Support Services, to explore a moment that often feels both pivotal and intimidating in recovery: the very first meeting.McKenzie shares her lived experience of what it was like walking into that first space for support, bringing uncertainty, hesitation, and hope all at once. She also offers insight into what helped her feel grounded enough to stay engaged and continue her recovery journey.This conversation highlights the importance of meeting people where they are, normalizing the discomfort that can come with first-time experiences in recovery spaces, and recognizing how peer support can help transform that first step.
- May 21, 202631 min
Let's Talk About It
On this episode of Peer Perspective Podcast, “Let’s Talk About It,” we take time during Mental Health Awareness Month to have an open and honest conversation about the connection between mental health, substance use, addiction recovery, and peer support.We discuss how these experiences often overlap, impacting individuals, families, workplaces, and entire communities, sometimes in ways that are unseen. Many people are navigating challenges quietly while continuing to show up for daily life, carrying struggles others may never realize.This episode focuses on the importance of awareness, reducing stigma, and creating space for real conversations that remind people they are not alone.
- May 6, 202647 min
Burnout: The Hidden Toll of Work and the Search for Work
Burnout is often associated with the workplace—but what about the toll it takes before someone is even employed?In this episode, we explore how burnout can show up in less visible ways, particularly in the emotional and mental strain of searching for work. From ongoing rejection and uncertainty to the pressure of staying motivated, the journey toward employment can carry a weight that often goes unrecognized.Joined by special guest Kayla Denny, LEAP Employment Counselor and Workshop Coordinator with Workforce Development, this conversation brings insight into the realities many individuals face while navigating employment systems and expectations. Together, we discuss how burnout can impact confidence, mental health, and recovery, and why acknowledging these experiences is an important step toward support and understanding.
- Apr 23, 202634 min
Devil's Advocate: Owning Your Feelings - Curiosity Beneath the Surface
Curiosity is often seen as something light, positive, even playful, but what happens when it feels uncomfortable?In this episode, we take a deeper look at what it really means to experience curiosity. From the excitement of discovery to the unease of stepping into the unknown, curiosity can hold a wide range of emotions. It can open doors to growth, connection, and new perspectives, while also bringing up uncertainty, vulnerability, and discomfort.Together, we explore both sides, how curiosity can guide us forward and how it can challenge us to sit with feelings we might otherwise avoid. This conversation invites you to reflect on your own experiences and consider what curiosity might be trying to show you.Because sometimes, leaning into the questions, especially the uncomfortable ones, can lead to the most meaningful understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
- Mar 26, 202648 min
Instant Gratification: Right Now
We are going to take a closer look at instant gratification, the pull toward immediate relief or pleasure and how it can quietly shape our behaviors, especially within mental health and substance use recovery.What often begins as something harmless, even human, can gradually influence the choices we make without us fully realizing it. Instant gratification can show up in the small, everyday moments, such as a message sent too quickly, a habit we fall back into, or a craving we act on before pausing to reflect. Over time, these patterns can grow stronger, reinforcing cycles that prioritize short-term comfort over long-term wellness.Together, we explore how this urge can evolve from subtle to overwhelming, at times feeling like a force that’s difficult to escape. We also open up the conversation around awareness, self-reflection, and what it means to begin shifting from reactive patterns toward more intentional choices.This episode invites listeners to consider where instant gratification may be showing up in their own lives and how slowing down, even briefly, can create space for change.
- Mar 12, 202614 min
Moments that Matter - James's Story
We’re excited to kick off our new series, Moments That Matter, on the Peer Perspective Podcast. This series shines a light on the experiences and pivotal moments in our lives that leave a lasting impact. Moments shaped by the words or actions of someone who inspired, guided, or supported us. It could be a friend, family member, neighbor, coworker, mentor, or even a sponsor, anyone whose presence made a meaningful difference. These stories explore how everyday challenges, including mental health struggles and experiences with substance use, can be shaped by connection, support, and encouragement.In today’s episode, we will be sharing James's story, who reflects on a specific moment when someone in his life offered guidance and support that left a lasting impression, influencing the way he approaches challenges, recovery, and connection with others.Please note: all shared stories that names maybe changed for privacy.
- Mar 5, 202654 min
Drama Therapy: Let It All Out
In this episode of the Peer Perspective Podcast, we sit down with Mary Morris, Drama Therapist and Program Manager with Dialogue for Justice at the Restorative Justice Initiative in New York City, to explore the role of drama therapy in mental health, substance use, and addiction recovery.Together, we dive into how creative expression through role-play, storytelling, and performance can help individuals process emotions, build self-awareness, and develop new coping strategies. Mary shares how drama therapy can create opportunities for people to safely explore experiences, reconnect with themselves, and strengthen their recovery journey.This conversation also takes an honest look at the benefits, challenges, and limitations of drama therapy. While creative therapies can open powerful pathways for healing, they may not resonate with everyone, reinforcing the importance of recognizing that recovery is not one-size-fits-all.Drama therapy is one of many tools that can support individuals in recovery, reminding us that each person’s path toward wellness is unique.
About Peer Perspective
Welcome to the peer perspective. This podcast is made possible by Ascend Mental Wellness. It is based on personal experience and perspective. It is not intended to replace therapy or medical advice. Our podcast focuses on the intersection of substance use and mental health while being a resource that reaches out to individuals throughout the communities to help encourage them to seek help, break the stigma surrounding getting help and be a resource in and of itself.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How often does Peer Perspective release new episodes?
Peer Perspective publishes monthly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Peer Perspective cover?
Peer Perspective covers topics including Fitness, Health & Fitness, Mental Health. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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