The TPAS Drop: Alumni Insights On the Go

How does a personal blog become a global movement of 300,000 people?In this episode, Gina sits down with Dawn Nickel, CEO and Co-Founder of She Recovers, to explore how an accidental idea born out of one woman's struggle with workaholism grew into one of the most expansive recovery communities in the world.She Recovers supports women and non-binary individuals recovering from substances, mental health challenges, trauma, and the full range of life experiences that require healing. And for alumni professionals, it may be one of the most powerful resources you're not yet using.The conversation covers:The origin story behind She Recovers and why Dawn calls it an accidental movementHow She Recovers approaches multiple pathways — and why they always recommend 12-step firstThe trusted resources program and what it means for treatment centers serving womenRetreat partnerships, in-person sharing circles, and other ways She Recovers can support your alumni programThe secret sauce behind long-term engagement and what alumni professionals can learn from itWhat Dawn would tell any treatment center looking to keep alumni connected beyond year oneConnect with She Recovers:Website: sherecovers.orgEmail Dawn directly: [email protected] & training: sherecovers.org/coursesOnline gatherings, retreats, and sharing circles listed at sherecovers.orgConnect with TPAS: tpassociation.org

There's something that happens at the TPAS Collaborative that's hard to describe until you've been in the room. This episode is the closest thing to being there.In this episode, we're bringing you directly onto the Collaborative floor — where alumni professionals from across the country gather not just to learn, but to challenge each other, tell the truth, and leave with something real.You'll hear Whitney Silivia, Director of Alumni Services at AMFM and Florida Chapter Co-Chair of TPAS and Board Member, Mickenzie Vought of Onsite, lead the room through a conversation on ownership that will make you rethink how you show up in your work and your life. Then Mickenzie Vought makes the case that the most powerful thing you can do for your alumni community is create a space where people actually feel free to disagree.And then you'll hear from the attendees themselves — their biggest breakthroughs, their barriers, and what they're taking back to their programs.This is what the Collaborative feels like. If you've been on the fence about joining us — consider this your sign to join us this fall in Malibu!

Today on the TPAS Drop, we're bringing you another powerful excerpt from one of our monthly workshops. Join Lori Obenauer, co-founder of TPAS, alumni professional and coach, as she walks us through the 5A's framework for facilitation. It's a simple, repeatable method for planning any group from choosing your anchor to creating follow-up actions that stick.Whether you've been running groups for years or you're just starting out, this episode will give you a practical roadmap to make your sessions more impactful without crossing into the therapist's territory.To celebrate this milestone year, we’re offering 15% off your first year of TPAS membership for all new members and first-time Collaborative attendees now through April 30, 2026. For 15 years, TPAS has championed ethical, innovative alumni programming—and we’d love for you to be part of what’s next. If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your moment. Email [email protected] or visit our site to learn more.

The language we use in recovery matters — but does it work for everyone? In this episode, SMART Recovery Executive Director Pete Rubinas challenges alumni professionals to examine the dominant narratives in our field and consider how offering multiple pathways of support can transform outcomes for the alumni we serve.The conversation covers:How recovery language and labels can empower some and alienate others — and what the research says about itAn honest peer discussion with alumni professionals on what multiple pathways looks like in practiceReal stories from organizations that have made the transition — including one program that's been doing it for over a decadeAn overview of SMART Recovery, why it pairs well with other approaches, and how to bring it to your program

Ethics is the foundation of everything we do in alumni work — but how often do we actually stop to examine it? In this episode, TPAS Board Co-Chair Nikki Soda leads a candid, practical conversation on what ethical alumni engagement really looks like in practice.The conversation covers:The difference between ethics, morals, and values — and why it mattersPatient brokering — what it is, who's doing it, and what alumni coordinators need to knowThe five most common ethical challenges in alumni work, including boundary management, confidentiality, and self-disclosureReal stories from alumni professionals on where the lines can blur

We sat down with a CEO who gets it.Not just the business of treatment — but the people who carry recovery forward long after discharge.In this episode, Kelly Scruggs, President & CEO of Fellowship Hall, shares why alumni programming can’t live on the margins of an organization. From staff buy-in to leadership alignment, Kelly speaks candidly about what it takes to build a culture where alumni are seen as essential — not optional.This conversation is for alumni professionals navigating silos, advocating for resources, and doing the quiet, relational work that sustains recovery long after treatment ends.

In this episode, former TPAS board member and co-chair Michael Maassel shares a powerful framework for gaining true company-wide buy-in for alumni programming—and why every department plays a role in long-term recovery outcomes.From admissions and clinical teams to housekeeping, outreach, and leadership, Michael makes the case that alumni experiences are shaped by every interaction on campus. When organizations treat alumni as liabilities or disruptions, they miss the opportunity to harness one of their greatest strengths: lived experience.Through real-world examples and practical strategies, this conversation explores how alumni professionals can shift internal perceptions, build trust across departments, and position alumni programming as a core part of the treatment continuum—not an add-on.

In this special anniversary episode of The TPAS Drop, we celebrate 15 years of Treatment Professionals in Alumni Services (TPAS) and reflect on the values that shaped—and continue to sustain—the alumni services movement.Executive Director Gina Thorne is joined by Lori Obenauer and Leonard Bade, co-founders of TPAS, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about how TPAS began, why it took the shape it did, and what alumni professionals can learn from its evolution.What started as a few curious phone calls between alumni coordinators grew into a national community rooted in connection over hierarchy, conversation over instruction, and collaboration over competition. Influenced by thought leaders like Peter Block and Harrison Owen, TPAS intentionally chose an organic, bottom-up model—one that trusted the wisdom of the collective and invited shared ownership from everyone who showed up.The origin story of TPAS and the gaps it was created to fillWhy TPAS resisted a rigid strategy—and how that choice shaped its growthThe role of open space, shared leadership, and community-driven learningWhy alumni programs matter far beyond referrals and marketingHow alumni services support the critical window between discharge and long-term recoveryWhat Lori and Leonard hope TPAS will always protect as it continues to growThis episode is both a reflection and a reminder: recovery doesn’t end at discharge—it lives in community. And alumni professionals play a vital role in sustaining that connection.Whether you’re new to alumni services or have been doing this work for decades, this conversation honors the past while pointing toward what’s possible next.In this episode, you’ll hear:

Boundaries aren’t about being rigid; they’re about being reliable. In this episode of The TPAS Drop, we break down the alumni coordinator role (alumni services ≠ therapy) and walk through practical, real-world scenarios—then offer exact phrases you can use to redirect without abandoning support.This bite-sized episode was taken from a recent Monthly Workshop with LB Burkhalter, TPAS Board Member, Director of Business Development at Red Rock Recovery, and Founder and Executive Director of Recovered Humans Recovery Homes. Think of this as your quick-start playbook for staying helpful without burning out

Let's end one year well and plan for success in the next! In this excerpt from a TPAS Member Monthly Workshop, Michael and Kevin break down how to approach annual strategic planning for your alumni program. They walk through practical ways to set goals, choose a theme for the year, partner with other departments, and measure success—without needing an MBA or a 40-page deck. If you’re ready to move beyond “we should plan more” and into a clear, actionable framework for the year ahead, this mini-training is for you.

In this episode of The TPAS Drop, we share an excerpt from arecent TPAS Monthly Member Workshop featuring Sherry Gaugler-Stewart, Directorof Family & Spiritual Services at The Retreat in Minnesota. Sherry has spent more than 18 years walking alongsidefamilies impacted by a loved one’s addiction, and in this workshop she offers apowerful reframing that resonated deeply with our members: If addiction is a family disease, then the symptoms show upon both sides — in the person struggling and in the people who love them. What You’ll Learn in This Episode- Why families often get labeled as “part of the problem” —and why that framing is incomplete- The five mirrored symptoms that appear in both theindividual and the family:  • Isolation  • Denial  • Preoccupation  • Increased tolerance (to behaviors, fear, or chaos)  • Loss of control- How fear shapes family behavior — even when the loved oneis in recovery- Why alumni professionals need to understand the family’sexperience to better support the client- How shifting our lens from “sick family system” to “familyin crisis” changes everything Want More Workshops Like This?This clip comes from our TPAS Monthly Member Workshop,offered live every month for alumni professionals inside the TPAS community. To learn more or become a member, visit https://tpasrecovery.org/ 

The holiday season brings connection, celebration — and for alumni professionals, a rise in tough conversations. In this episode of The TPAS Drop, we share an excerpt from our recent TPAS Member Monthly Workshop, facilitated by TPAS Executive Director Gina Thorne, on how to navigate crisis calls with calm, clarity, and compassion.You’ll learn the simple 4-step Recognize, Respond, Refer, and Debrief model that helps alumni teams handle high-risk situations safely and professionally — plus practical strategies for setting boundaries, avoiding compassion fatigue, and remembering the mantra: recovery, not rescue.Whether you’re fielding more calls this time of year or simply need a refresher on crisis readiness, this quick training will help you stay grounded, effective, and well.

In this episode of The TPAS Drop, we share an excerpt from a recent TPAS workshop featuring Doug Smith, developer of the Emotional Attachment Behavioral Therapy (EABT) model. With more than 21 years of experience in behavioral health, Doug explains how attachment and connection are at the heart of recovery—and why alumni programs are so powerful when they serve as a “secure base” for people rebuilding their lives.He breaks down the four attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant, and fearful—and offers insight into how these patterns show up in recovery work. Whether you’re supporting alumni, leading a team, or exploring your own growth, this conversation will help you see why connection is the foundation of lasting change.Take the free EABT Attachment Quiz mentioned in the episode here!

In this episode of The TPAS Drop, we’re tackling one of the most important and often overlooked issues in alumni services: burnout and compassion fatigue.This conversation comes from our recent TPAS Virtual Collaborative, where Maeve O’Neill — Executive VP of Compliance and Quality at Circa Behavioral Healthcare Solutions — led an honest and heartfelt discussion on how alumni coordinators and leaders can better care for themselves and their teams.You’ll hear real stories and practical strategies from alumni professionals in the field, as well as Maeve’s challenge to all of us: preventing burnout isn’t just about self-care — it’s an ethical responsibility and a leadership imperative.How alumni coordinators prevent burnout in themselves and their teamsWhy setting boundaries, communicating openly, and advocating for resources mattersHow leadership and organizational culture directly impact turnover and staff well-beingMaeve’s perspective on why addressing burnout is an ethical obligation in our fieldMaeve O’Neill is a TPAS Member and the Executive VP of Compliance and Quality at Circa Behavioral Healthcare Solutions. With over 40 years of experience in behavioral health, Maeve brings deep expertise, personal insight, and a passion for helping organizations create healthier cultures.Explore upcoming TPAS Collaboratives & Virtual Events at TPASRecovery.orgConnect with the TPAS community in the TPAS AppLearn more about Circa Behavioral Healthcare Solutions at circabehavioral.com

In this episode of the TPAS Drop, we’re bringing you highlights from our monthly professional development workshop, led by Alex Weber — TPAS member, Co-Chair of the Southern California TPAS Chapter, and Head of Partnerships at OpenRecovery.As Alumni Professionals, we juggle countless priorities every day: discharges, alumni in crisis, follow-up calls, program planning, and self-care. It’s easy to feel like everything is urgent and everything is important. Alex introduces the Urgent vs. Important Matrix (also known as the Eisenhower Matrix) and shows how to apply it in real-world alumni engagement.This session is packed with actionable strategies you can start using today to protect your time and stay focused on what matters most.

This week on the TPAS Drop, we’re bringing you an excerpt from a recent TPAS monthly workshop with Stacy Carpentier, A Beginner’s Guide to Recovery Coaching. Stacy is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). In this informative training, Stacy laid out the foundations of recovery coaching and how Alumni Professionals can spark conversations that help our clients become their own guides to recovery. About CCARAlong with organizing the recovery community (people in recovery, family members, friends and allies) to 1) put a face on recovery and 2) provide recovery support services, we also promote recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction through advocacy, education and service. CCAR strives to end discrimination surrounding addiction and recovery, open new doors and remove barriers to recovery, maintain and sustain recovery regardless of the pathway, all the while ensuring that all people in recovery, and people seeking recovery, are treated with dignity and respect.

In this episode of The TPAS Drop, host Gina Thorne welcomes Mickenzie Vought, Senior Director of Alumni and Community Relations at Onsite, to share how TPAS helped her reimagine and reinvigorate their alumni programming.Mickenzie opens up about how the mentorship, tools, and community she found through TPAS gave her the confidence and clarity to build an alumni experience that truly matters—one that not only supports clients after treatment, but also contributes meaningfully to Onsite’s bottom line. In just one year, her work led to over $700,000 in new revenue attributed to alumni engagement.Whether you're starting from scratch or leveling up your alumni strategy, this case study will remind you of what’s possible when you have the right support in your corner.Onsite is part of a family of brands that provide emotional health and wellness services, in-person and digitally, including Onsite Workshops, Milestones, Onsite Adventures, Onsite Entertainment and Onsite Business Consulting Services. Onsite serves an international client base with experiences that combine some of the best therapeutic and clinical minds with its signature healing hospitality. Onsite’s mission is to design and deliver transformational experiences that optimize life and build meaning and value into the human experience.  Onsite’s work has been featured on 20/20, Good Morning America, Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, People, The Doctors, and more. For more information: onsiteworkshops.com.

We’re back with another powerful episode of The TPAS Drop! After hearing from our members through recent focus groups, one topic rose to the top: sober living—how to understand it, how to evaluate it, and how to find your alumni the right fit. This week, we sit down with Terin Devoto Noonan, founder and executive director of Purpose House Sober Living in Northern Colorado. Tarin's journey from creating a single home to building a multi-location, recovery-centered community is as inspiring as it is informative.🔑 In this episode, Taryn shares:His story and what led him to build Purpose HouseWhat makes a sober living home ethical and truly recovery-focusedHow trauma-informed care shapes the living environmentThe red flags and common mistakes seen in new sober living programsTips for alumni and aftercare professionals on confidently referring to sober living programsIf you've ever wondered how to feel more confident when making sober living referrals or collaborating with recovery residences, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

When the alumni program at Sandstone Care first began, it was little more than a concept without structure or direction. With no established framework or dedicated resources, the program consisted of a list of former clients from the past two years—and the challenge to transform it into something meaningful. It was a starting point filled with uncertainty and the need for guidance.TPAS Executive Director, Gina de Peralta Thorne, MS sat down with Kelly Butzer, Sandstone Care Alumni Manager to glean from her experience building a thriving alumni program from the group up (with a lot of help from the TPAS community!) Sandstone Care is a treatment center for age-specific Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment. We help teens, young adults, adults, and their families overcome challenges with substance use, addiction, and mental health conditions. Sandstone Care aims to drive positive lasting change in real people. We understand that you have unique circumstances, so we offer a more personalized experience than you would find anywhere else. Our full continuum of care includes Detox, Inpatient, PHP, IOP, GOP, and Alumni Services for both Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.Phone Number (Main Admissions Line): (888) 850-1890

Welcome to the TPAS Drop, the exclusive podcast for TPAS members. Each episode is designed to fit your busy day and fuel your work, featuring real-world case studies, candid conversations with alumni experts, and highlights from our monthly training workshops — all on the go.Hit subscribe, tell your team, and get ready for smart tips, real talk, and maybe even a little pep talk now and then. Thanks for being a part of TPAS, we'll see you soon.