Episode 1: The Important Role of Peers in Recovery

Send a textVisit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.In this Season 3 premiere, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson take a closer look at how peer recovery support changes lives through shared lived experience, trust-building, and fostering hope—particularly for pregnant and parenting women navigating recovery.The conversation features Elizabeth Myers, a Certified Peer Support Specialist and person in long-term recovery who serves as Chair of the Addiction Recovery Council in Weber County, a member of the Criminal Justice Council in Davis County, a Board member of the Utah Peer Network, and serves on the steering committee of the Weber County Sheriff's Reentry Coalition. Elizabeth is passionate about building connections and inspiring women in the EMPOWERED program through continued education and community involvement.Joining her is Sabrina Samora-Flores, a Peer Recovery Specialist and mother of four who draws from her own recovery journey to connect with others. Sabrina is committed to setting a positive example for her children and helping individuals build resiliency through trust, support, and lived experience.The episode explores what makes peer recovery different from traditional support services, how lived experience builds authentic trust, and the unique barriers peers help clients overcome. Elizabeth and Sabrina share personal stories of becoming peer support specialists and provide real-world examples of how peer support creates safe spaces for healing and reduces stigma.This conversation reinforces that peer connections provide vital pathways to resiliency. The guests emphasize how peers offer something uniquely powerful—the understanding that comes from walking a similar path and the hope that recovery is possible. Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or working in the field, this episode offers valuable insights into the transformative role of peer support in creating lasting change.If you live in Southern Nevada, in Reno, Carson City, Churchill County, or Lyon County in Northern Nevada, or in Weber County or Davis County in Utah, and you’re pregnant or recently had a baby and using opioids or stimulants for any reason, there is non-judgmental help available to you. No referral or insurance is required. Visit empoweredmoms.org for information or to request services.If you live outside of these areas, we encourage you to find resources in your community.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 Dr. Farzad Kamyar, 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.