Melissa & Cody are solo as they discuss dating, mainly dating in early sobriety. One of the most popular suggestions when getting sober is - DO NOT DATE!! Well, can it work? Does it work? What could go wrong?? Let's chat!

In this episode, we discuss

• Why do people often suggest staying single when you first decide to change your substance abuse
• Things to consider when dating 
•  Setting boundaries
•  Intentions 
• What dating looked like in early recovery for Cody & Melissa

Melissa and Cody have been sober for 9.5 years and have been in a relationship for about as long. They are passionate about recovery, self-love, ending stigmas, and spirituality.

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram
-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

Join us for a truly BEAUTIFUL, soul-expressive episode with our dear friend, Carrie Pullaro. This captivating convo was recorded in 2022, days after Carrie returned from Burning Man; we chat about that and much more. We get raw and vulnerable as we discuss shame, transformation, self-worth, abortion, and recovery. Carrie is a return guest, be sure to check out her first episode - 302. Breaking Through Shame & Addiction. 

In this new episode we talk about:

• Burning Man & Transformation
• Creating your own reality
• Healing past versions of oneself
• Ending the stigma of Herpes
• Abortion
• Addiction & Recovery

Carrie Pullaro supports women to courageously "Live Out Loud!"
She teaches humans to use their voice, live unapologetically, pursue their passion, and find freedom!

-Find Carrie on Instagram @carriepullaro
-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram
-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

We are BACK and beyond grateful to be here!!! We are kicking off the show with the super fabulous Madeline Forrest from Happiest Sober. Madeline is 28 and from Toronto, Canada. Madeline got sober in November 2020 after a decade of gray-area problem drinking. Now, she is passionate about helping & inspiring others on their sobriety journeys.

In this episode we discuss:
- Hangxiety
- Gray area drinking vs the “alcoholic” label
- Sober socializing

-Where to find Madeline
Instagram @happiestsober
Info on her Sober Trip and Podcast

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram
-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your storyhttps://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

This week Melissa & Cody are chatting with Brianne Mass, a spiritual coach and mentor whose mission is to raise the collective consciousness by practicing what she preaches in her program, Words Are Human. This is where Brianne teaches and guides you to get “unstuck” and find your unique purpose.

Whether you consider yourself “spiritual” or not, this episode is full of golden nuggets about healing yourself and overcoming personal traumas. 

In this episode, we discuss: 

-Releasing unrealistic expectations of yourself. 
-Meditation 
-Conscious language to attract what you desire 
-Rebuilding “self” from the ground up.

Find Brianne on:
TIKTOK: Brianne.mass2.0
IG: Brianne.mass2.0
Facebook: WORDSAREHUMAN
wordsarehuman.com

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook
-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your storyhttps://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

This week Melissa & Cody are chatting with Lisa Howe! A mama, social worker, parent educator, and Certified Peaceful Parenting Coach. We talk about the challenging and rewarding work of parenthood. Lisa is beautiful at helping the cohosts feel seen and validated. Whatever journey you’re on, with or without kiddos, there is much to learn! 

In this episode, we discuss: 
-Parenting 
-Meditation
-Empathy

Find Lisa on:
IG @becoming_peaceful
Facebook @ Becoming Peaceful
And her website www.becomingpeaceful.com

Lisa Howe is a Certified Peaceful Parenting Coach and received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from San Diego State University. She has spent the last 27 years working with children and families to help them be the best they can be. Lisa was one of only fifteen clinicians privately trained by Dr. Laura Markham to become a Certified Peaceful Parenting Coach and has gone on to coach thousands of parents privately, in addition to teaching workshops and speaking at schools, parenting conferences, and private companies. Lisa brings her education, knowledge, deep listening, and a sense of humor to everything she does, leaving clients and audiences feeling seen, heard, and empowered on their parenting journey

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook
-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your storyhttps://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

**Trigger warning - this episode briefly discusses self-harm; if you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to local MHS ♥️

This week Melissa & Cody are chatting with Kristen Hassan! A sober mama, wife, nurse, and content creator. 

Kristen shares the highs and lows of life and how a trip to a mental institution led her and her husband down a recovery path. 

In this episode, we discuss: 
-Addiction/sobriety/recovery
-Mommy wine culture
-Sober marriage

Find Kristen on:
TikTok @recover_queen
IG @__itsmekris_

Kristen is in recovery from alcohol abuse. She shares her story of trauma, mental illness, and recovery to help break the stigma around addiction and mental health. She is a registered nurse, mom of four, and married to her best friend, who also happens to be sober. 

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook

-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz

-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your storyhttps://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

It's the first interview episode of season 4, and we're going deeeeep y'all!! We're chatting with 20-year-old Mikah Jones about spirituality and mental health. From severe trauma to everyday setbacks, this episode offers something for everyone! Mikah uses the power of social media to bring healing to the mental health community & future generations.
We are honored to share this episode and to call him our friend.
 
In this episode we discuss
-Mental Health & Spirituality
- Spiritual Practice
- Healing Journey (Stages of Healing)

-Find Mikah on Instagram @mikahjonesss and hear his podcast Exploring w/Mikah Jones on Spotify

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook

-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz

-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

It's been a journey, but here we are!!

We are re-introducing ourselves in this quick 10-minute episode and chatting about season 4! We are so excited to keep this journey going!!

If you're new or have been with us all along, thank you, we are SO GLAD to have you!!

We'll see you for a new, full-length interview episode in two weeks. So much love!!
xox Cody & Melissa

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook

-You can find Cody on Tiktok @codywkreutz and Instagram @codykreutz

-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus and TikTok @melskreutz

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book our past guests wrote! It's a way we can support them and you!

***As always, share with others, and reach out if you'd like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

We've been sitting on this episode for a little while and we HAVE to share it! In this short but inspirational episode we chat with self-healing consultant, Emily Katz! Emily describes herself as a "professional problem solver," and we can't think of a more perfect way to describe her! She is a POWERHOUSE dedicated to helping others overcome the darkness and master their mental health. It was an honor chatting with her, and we are so excited to share her message.

In this episode we discuss:
-Mental health
-Self-healing
-Trauma

As always, Thanks for your support and we'll see you for SEASON 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-You can find Ashley on Instagram @the.self.healing.consultant

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook
-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube & his Limiting Beliefs Sessions on Instagram @CodyKreutz
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book written by our past guests! It's a way we can support them and you!
***As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

**Trigger Warning:  This episode deals childhood sexual abuse and suicide - if you
After taking a few weeks off, we are finishing this season STRONG! In this episode, we share a brave and powerful conversation with Ashley Arruda.  After hearing the stories of Jen Elizabeth, Desi Martin, and others, Ashley asked to share her story - and we are deeply grateful that she chose to trust us.

Ashley's story of childhood sexual abuse, addiction, spirituality, and everything in between reminds us that we are not alone wherever we are on our journeys. We are all up against something. However, when we can recognize the similarities and connect with each other, we can survive.

Ashley's story is a BEAUTIFUL reminder - wherever you are on your journey, YOUR STORY MATTERS xox

Topics Include:
- Childhood sexual trauma & Repressed memories
-Spiritual Awakening
-Addiction & Sobriety

Ashley is a 33 years old woman living in Ontario, Canada. A spiritual awakening in 2017 jarred open repressed memories of childhood sexual trauma. Since rediscovering these memories, Ashley has found sobriety. Like many who battle addiction, her sober journey has had its difficult moments. Still, she continues to pick herself back up! Ashley found power in the stories of others and is now on a mission to help those struggling through sharing her journey.

Ashley enjoys nature, cooking and spending time with loved ones.
-You can find Ashley on Instagram @optionaltoaster

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook
-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube & his Limiting Beliefs Sessions on Instagram @CodyKreutz
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus

**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book written by our past guests! It's a way we can support them and you!
***As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

This week we sit down with our very dear friend, Ally Bazely. If you're looking to get juiced up and inspired - this is IT my friends. Ally's story of personal transformation will get you hyped on for your own journey! We are reminded that the end, is just the beginning, and that the rock bottom is the most profound place to build again. This episode is powerfully pack with mental health, personal growth, taking back your life - and a little bit of magic. 

Topics Include:
-Healing & Transformation
-Manifestation
-Self-betrayal

Ally believes it is her purpose to embody the work that has allowed her to change her own life for the BEST. As a person who has experienced many trials in her life - divorce, grief, chronic illness, and medical trauma to name only a few - Ally has remarkably transformed her entire life one baby step at a time over the last two and a half years, and desires to show the world how possible it is to make big life changes by keeping teeny, tiny commitments to yourself.

She is the right hand woman for her friend and mentor Kristina Furia at Your New Frequency (@yournewfrequency) and Chief Spiritual Officer/Intuitive Tarot Reader for Ally Reads Tarot (@allyreadstarot)  You'll also find her sharing her journey of transformation every single day at @allybazely

-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram and Facebook
-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube & his Limiting Beliefs Sessions on Instagram
-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus
**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book written by our past guests! It's a way we can support them and you!
***As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/