Episode 349: When the Ship Is Sinking - Addiction, Chronic Illness, and the Brave Decision to Pursue Recovery with Madison Burke

Success is Subjective: Real People. Raw Stories. Embracing a Non-Linear Life!

Success is Subjective: Real People. Raw Stories. Embracing a Non-Linear Life!
Episode 349: When the Ship Is Sinking - Addiction, Chronic Illness, and the Brave Decision to Pursue Recovery with Madison Burke
May 19, 2026 Season 4 Episode 349
Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC

Today’s episode features Madison Burke, a trained interventionist and recovery professional whose journey through addiction, chronic illness, mental health struggles, and recovery reshaped her understanding of identity and success. Despite appearing highly functional on the outside, Madison spent years battling substance use, unmanaged diabetes, depression, and survival mode behind the scenes. Madison shares with Joanna and listeners what it was like to experience her body breaking down before her mind was ready to fully confront her addiction. She also discusses the pressure to “keep it together,” the hidden reality of high functioning addiction, and how recovery forced her to rediscover who she was outside of achievement and crisis. Today, Madison helps individuals and families navigate addiction and healing through a whole-family recovery approach grounded in compassion and lived experience.

Madison's Resources:
LinkedIn: Madison Burke
Website: Maxwell Recovery Services

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Email: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

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Episode Artwork Episode 349: When the Ship Is Sinking - Addiction, Chronic Illness, and the Brave Decision to Pursue Recovery with Madison Burke 27:31 Episode Artwork Episode 348: From Side Passions to Purpose - Cultivating Self-Trust Through Creativity with Aideen Ni Riada 24:36 Episode Artwork Episode 347: Beyond Traditional ABA - Supporting Neurodivergent Families Through Connection and Regulation with Jerrod Zertuche 28:43 Episode Artwork Episode 346: Running on Empty - Burnout, Boundaries, and a More Sustainable Way Forward with Dana Skaggs 27:08 Episode Artwork Episode 345: Chasing Money, Finding Meaning: A Different Kind of Return with Rebecca Guez 20:58 Episode Artwork Episode 344: Running, Numbing, Rebuilding: The Life I Didn’t Plan with Clay Cross 29:22 Episode Artwork Episode 343: 30 Years in Death Care: What Grief Taught Me About Living and Listening with Dr. Chris Putnam 21:29 Episode Artwork Episode 342: Beyond Motivation - Why Regulation Is the Key to Lasting Change with Jennifer Loehding 25:38 Episode Artwork Episode 341: Delayed Independence - Understanding the Patterns That Keep Young Adults Stuck with Dr. Eric Beaudoin 27:18 Episode Artwork Episode 340: Tough Love in Recovery - The Boundary That Changed Everything with Neill Timmons 23:27 Episode Artwork Episode 339: From the Field to the Front Lines - Turning Personal Adversity Into Purpose with Brian McDonald 27:04 Episode Artwork Episode 338: Felony to Faculty - How Tom Bannard Built Recovery Support on a College Campus 30:52 Episode Artwork Episode 337: The Value of Connection: From Memphis to Mountain Bikes to Mental Health with Dr. Jack Hinman 23:55 Episode Artwork Episode 336: My ADHD: Condemned, Praised, and the Life I Built Anyway with Allan Capp 29:57 Episode Artwork Episode 335: Learning to Accept Myself, Uncertainty, and the Winding Journey To and Through Recovery with Samantha Meyer 24:05 Episode Artwork Episode 334: Beyond Achievement: What Actually Creates a Meaningful Life with Daniel Barrasso 26:46 Episode Artwork Episode 333: Rethinking Success as Life and Priorities Change with Rick & Clancy Denton 50:08 Episode Artwork Episode 332: Martin Naffziger on Choosing the Next Step Based on Values, Not Timelines 26:02 Episode Artwork Episode 331: Wraparound Support - The Missing Link in Long-Term Recovery with Dave Herz 23:56 Episode Artwork Episode 330: Out with the Old, In with the New - The Identity Crisis That Led Me to Myself w/ Dr. Max Doshay 30:18 Episode Artwork Episode 329: From the Slopes to Sobriety - Arch Wright’s Journey of Healing 31:46 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 328: When One More Try Changed Everything - Jaysa’s Journey 31:54 Episode Artwork Episode 327: Playing the Hand You’re Dealt - Brian Sacks on Survival, Stewardship, and Success 23:54 Episode Artwork Episode 326: Parenting from Fear to Understanding - A Conversation with Ann Coleman 26:57 Episode Artwork Episode 325: Searching for Slippers - Stacy Ross’s Hard-Won Wisdom on Parenting a Child with Mental Illness 24:04