EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency
A heartfelt podcast series that brings to light the challenges and triumphs of families navigating substance use during and after pregnancy. Through compelling stories, expert insights, and actionable guidance, this series explores not only the personal journeys of recovery but also the broader social determinants of health — such as housing stability, access to care, trauma, socioeconomic conditions, and community support — that shape the experiences of individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Each episode aims to empower listeners with understanding, compassion, and tools for support, fostering empathy, breaking down stigmas, and promoting healing and resilience within families and communities.
EMPOWERED Voices is a podcast production of the EMPOWERED program at Roseman University College of Medicine, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action Grant through the Southern Nevada Health District. This project has been funded by grant number NH28CE003534 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the Southern Nevada Health District, CDC, or the U.S. Government.
Hosted by Farzad Kamyar, MD and Amani Wilson.
Executive Producers are Dr. Andria Peterson and Jason Roth, with production assistance by Rachel Mack.
Recorded at the Video Podcast Studio at Canico Media in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Episodes
19 episodes
Episode 6: The Intersection of Human Trafficking and Substance Use
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson address a critical and often overlooked topic: the intersection betw...
Episode 5: Substance Use and Co-occurring Mental Health Challenges
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the complex interse...
Episode 4: Social Determinants of Health and Substance Use
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the social determinants of health and how they shape exper...
Episode 3: The State of Substance Use, Trends in Nevada and the U.S.
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson examine the state of substance use with a focus on Southern Nevada...
Episode 2: Medications for Recovery During Pregnancy
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore medications used to treat substance use disorders during p...
Episode 1: The Important Role of Peers in Recovery
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this Season 3 premiere, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar an...
Episode 6: Why Wrap Around Services Are Critical in Building Resiliency
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this Season 2 finale, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani...
Episode 5: Substance Use During Pregnancy: Understanding Risks and Finding Support
In this powerful episode of EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency, Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson tackle the often stigmatized topic of substance use during pregnancy. Joined by special guest Dr. Manijeh "MJ" Kamyar, they provide a compa...
Episode 4: Finding your Voice: Mind, Body & Spirit
In this illuminating episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the intricate interconnection between mind, body, and spirit in recovery. Joined by licensed clinical social worker Rachel Williams and distinguished psychologist Dr...
Episode 3: Substance Use in the Media
In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the powerful influence media has on public perception of substance use disorders. Joined by Emmy-winning executive producer Peter Reiss and communications exper...
Episode 2: Person First Language: The Power of Words in Recovery
In this emotionally charged episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson welcome two extraordinary guests who reveal how the language we use profoundly shapes recovery journeys. EMPOWERED Program Care Manager Evonne Hernandez joins forces ...
Episode 1: What Substance Use Looks Like: Don't Judge a Book by its Cover
In our Season 2 premiere, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson welcome EMPOWERED Peer Recovery Support Specialist Sam Kreton for a candid conversation that challenges prevalent misconceptions about substance use disorders. Drawing from her ...
Episode 6: How to Support Your Child: Creating a Healthy, Nurturing Home
In this sixth and final episode of the first season of EMPOWERED Voices, co-hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson are joined by EMPOWERED Program Director Rachel Mack and mom in recovery Emilea to discuss how mothers in recovery from opioid ...
Episode 5: Advocating for Yourself: How to Partner in Your Own Care
Guests Evonne Hernandez, Program Care Manager, and Samatha Ketron, Peer Recovery Support Specialist, both from EMPOWERED, join the program for an empowering discussion focused on the importance of self-advocacy in the healthcare system, particu...
Episode 4: Harm Reduction: Meeting You Where You Are in Your Recovery
This fourth episode of EMPOWERED Voices delves into the compassionate and pragmatic approach of harm reduction in substance use recovery, especially for pregnant and postpartum mothers. Joined by Peer Recovery Support Specialist Quinnie Winb...
Episode 3: Healing Together: Supporting the Journey of Recovery and Resilience
****Note: This episode includes a young child in the studio. You may hear occasional microphone bumps****In this episode of EMPOWERED Voices co-hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson are joined by EMPOWERED's therapist Rachel Willi...
Episode 2: Building Bridges: Empathetic Approaches to Healing Fractured Relationships
In this second episode of EMPOWERED Voices, co-hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson are joined by EMPOWERED Program Director Rachel Mack to discuss rebuilding trust and understanding between mothers with substance use and families th...
Episode 1: The Untold Journey: Inside the World of Pregnancy and Substance Use
In this premier episode of EMPOWERED Voices, co-hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson are joined by EMPOWERED Peer Support Specialist and former client Sam for a discussion focusing on the often-hidden world of substance use during pregnancy...