Voices of Recovery – Sandy & Carrie
Voices of Recovery – Sandy & Carrie

Horizon Heart to Heart

Sandy and Carrie share personal experiences of addiction, recovery, relapse and growth, focusing on self-esteem, spirituality and support. The conversation highlights different pathways to sobriety and the importance of community, honesty and self-love.

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26:43•22 Sept 2026

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Fresh Starts and Second Chances: Sandy and Carrie Share Their Recovery Stories

Episode Overview

Recovery is highly individual and goes far beyond simply stopping substances; it involves learning to love yourself and trust your own judgement.
Relapse can be part of the journey, and the first step back is being honest with yourself, then reaching out to someone who can hold you accountable.
Supportive communities such as AA, NA and peer groups help by offering connection, accountability and a judgement-free space to share.
Building routines like exercise, walking and other healthy outlets can reduce anxiety and provide a positive way to release stress.
Letting go of toxic relationships and putting your own wellbeing and self-respect first is key to long-term recovery.

“"If you can get through addiction, you can move mountains."”

What remarkable journeys have people faced head-on against addiction? Horizon Heart to Heart brings together Sandy and Carrie, two women sharing their very different yet deeply connected paths through substance use and into recovery. The tone is honest, warm and occasionally funny, with plenty of straight talking about what change actually looks like day to day.

You’ll hear recovery described as a fresh start and a second chance, but also as hard work that goes way beyond putting the drink or drugs down.

Carrie talks about rebuilding her self-esteem after years of hiding from family and friends, saying that a huge part of sobriety for her is finally feeling "comfortable in my own skin." She shares how exercise and small acts of courage – like playing basketball at 46 or going to a concert sober with her daughter – have become everyday tools to reduce anxiety and build confidence.

Sandy speaks openly about her Native American roots, spirituality, and belief that addiction is "a mental battle, a spiritual battle" where she once felt like "a ghost" trying to get back to her body. She reflects on eight years of sobriety, a relapse, and the tough choice to face the truth, reach out for help and rebuild for her daughters’ sake.

Both women talk frankly about shame, relapse and the importance of being real with yourself as a first step to getting back on track. The conversation, guided by host Shakira Henry, is aimed at anyone affected by addiction or mental health challenges – people in recovery, their families, and those curious about what recovery can actually look like. Expect plenty on support systems, meetings, boundaries, and choosing the right people around you.

It might leave you asking: what would loving yourself first look like in your own life?

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