Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up

In this powerful episode, hosts April and Lynn explore how the journey of recovery can transform deep shame, survival, and loss into a life of purpose, service, and systemic advocacy. April candidly shares her personal trajectory from a stable, "white-picket-fence" life to severe substance use, homelessness, and operating in constant crisis while living in a tent. Together, they dive into the raw emotional realities of early sobriety, discussing the physical toll of survival mode, the challenge of learning to feel vulnerability and joy again, and the deep healing that comes through peer support, community housing, and self-forgiveness. The conversation also highlights why recovery is never a one-size-fits-all journey. April outlines her unconventional path to wellness—including couples recovery housing, harm reduction, and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD)—which eventually led her to vital peer support work at the Snohomish County Diversion Center. Ultimately, April and Lynn demonstrate how lived experience can fuel political advocacy, encouraging listeners to "show up, suit up," and use their own stories to shape policies and inspire systems change.    For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/ 

In this episode of Unfiltered and Dare to Level Up, host Lynn sits down with E. V. to discuss his journey through a decade of heroin addiction, incarceration, and his path to over ten years of sustained recovery. Moving from Wisconsin to Washington for a fresh start, E. V. shares how he progressed from entry-level employment to working as a counselor, recovery technician, and drug court coordinator.   The conversation reframes recovery as the active pursuit of a self-directed life—focusing on personal milestones like education and homeownership rather than just abstinence. E. V. highlights the limits of one-size-fits-all programs, emphasizing that real healing requires examining a person's unique environment, relationships, and routines after treatment.   Finally, the episode dives into the systemic side of addiction support, detailing the critical need for coalition building among housing, transportation, and healthcare providers. E. V. and Lynn stress the importance of using plain language instead of confusing jargon to help overwhelmed families navigate services, reinforcing that resilience and community support are the true keys to long-term success.   For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/ 

What does it actually take to rebuild a life after addiction, incarceration, or homelessness? In this episode, host Lynn, founder of Kennedy's Place, sits down with podcast coach Laurie Hardie to discuss why true recovery housing requires structure and accountability, not just a roof over someone's head. Drawing from her own sobriety journey and real estate background, Lynn breaks down why "housing first" models often fail without the proper tools, and how routines, phases, and clear boundaries help residents move from survival mode into long-term growth.  Lynn and Laurie dive deep into the messy, necessary work of learning how to live again—from mastering basic daily chores and rebuilding family trust to overcoming the health consequences of addiction. Together, they challenge the stigma surrounding recovery, explain the critical difference between enabling and empowering, and share how structured community support provides the foundation people need to truly help themselves.  What you will learn in this episode:  Structure vs. Independence: Why people coming out of addiction need strict routines and phases before they are ready for complete independence.  Enabling vs. Empowering: How to teach vital adulting skills and accountability rather than creating a cycle of dependency.  The Reality of Rebuilding: A look at the long process of healing family relationships, overcoming shame, and restoring broken trust.  Reducing Barriers to Growth: How level-two recovery housing helps residents navigate practical steps like securing IDs, medical care, and stable employment.  Notable Quotes:  "Clarity is power."  "If nothing changes, nothing changes."  "We want to help them help themselves."  Loved this episode? Please subscribe, rate the show, and leave a review to help us reach more listeners who need to hear these powerful stories of recovery!     For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/   

When a young Jeremy mistook a plate of powder for mashed potatoes, his life flipped into a 20-year spiral of meth, violence, and survival on the streets. This episode traces those dark years—robberies, kidnappings, and a near-fatal escape—then follows the tiny cracks of hope that finally let light in. Listener by listener, Jeremy recounts the moment he slept on a curb and chose treatment, the hard truth of 28 days at Spark, and the slow, stubborn work of learning to respond, not react. Through writing, counseling, and the structure of Kennedy’s Place, he becomes a leader, a father fighting to get his son back, and the steady ‘‘glue’’ his community needs. Raw, courageous, and unfiltered, this conversation is about the cost of recovery and the power of second chances—how one decision after another can turn a life of destruction into a life of purpose.    For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/ 

Tiffany Fry’s story unfolds like two lives in one—wild, desperate survival in the ‘jungle’ and a hard-earned, daily resurrection after a near-fatal hospital stay. This episode opens with the chaos of her past and the single choice that began everything changing. Through surgery, detox, and relentless meetings, Tiffany rebuilds—losing weight, reclaiming motherhood, and learning to trust again. Her honesty about stolen moments, pain, and small victories makes every step feel real and urgent. Today she brings that lived experience into the county jail, guiding others with compassion, grit, and hope. Tune in to witness a transformation that proves one decision can rewrite a life—and to feel the power of recovery lived in full color.    For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/ 

Lynn interviews Jeremy Williams about his path from addiction, prison, and homelessness to recovery through drug court, sobriety routines, and entrepreneurship. Jeremy shares how meditation, community, and accountability helped him rebuild his life and start multiple businesses. This candid episode explores second chances, resilience, and practical lessons for anyone facing addiction, trauma, or the challenge of leveling up in life.    For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/ 

Episode 1 is an unfiltered conversation with Lynn Zielasko and guests Art, Max and Corey about recovery, street life, and the work Battlefield Addiction does in Washington state. Guests share personal journeys—from homelessness and addiction to finding purpose through work, community and accountability—and explain the program’s focus on families, housing, and real-world interventions. The episode blends candid stories (an ex-NFL player’s fall, years on the streets, and early sobriety wins) with a call to action around public safety and policy (the “Hey Bob” campaign). It highlights responsibility, practical steps toward stability, and the power of community in recovery.  For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/  https://www.battlefieldaddiction.com/  

In this episode of Unfiltered, Lynn talks about her frustrations with  a recent meeting that opened their eyes to a major disconnect in the recovery housing world. She shares why lived experience matters in addiction recovery programs, sober living homes, and housing support systems—and why understanding trauma, relapse, accountability, and healing firsthand can completely change the way people are supported. This honest conversation explores recovery housing, addiction recovery, sobriety, substance abuse treatment, community support, and the challenges people face when programs are created without real understanding of what recovery truly looks like. Let's Start a MOVEMENT!!! If you care about sober living, mental health, addiction recovery, homelessness prevention, or creating recovery programs that actually work, this episode is an important conversation about what needs to change—and why lived experience matters.   Kennedy's Place

Recovery changes more than your habits—it changes your relationships, your self-worth, and the way you see yourself. In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko shares honest conversations about what happens when people in addiction recovery begin discovering who they truly are beneath the pain, trauma, people-pleasing, and survival mode. As sobriety brings clarity, many people realize they no longer want relationships built on chaos, codependency, manipulation, or emotional disconnection. Instead, recovery creates space for healthier boundaries, authentic connection, self-love, and relationships rooted in honesty and respect. Lynn talks openly about learning to love yourself after addiction, rebuilding confidence, recognizing toxic relationship patterns, and understanding why healing often changes the people we choose to keep close. This episode explores addiction recovery, emotional healing, mental health, self-worth, healthy relationships, codependency recovery, trauma healing, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support growth instead of destruction. Because recovery isn’t just about getting sober—it’s about becoming the person you were always meant to be.   Kennedy's Place

What happens after the apology? After rehab? After sobriety begins? In this raw and honest first episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, host Lynn Zielasko opens up about one of the hardest parts of addiction recovery—rebuilding trust after it’s been broken. From fractured family relationships to lost friendships and the guilt that lingers long after substance abuse ends, this conversation explores what healing really looks like in recovery. Lynn shares the uncomfortable truths about accountability, forgiveness, rebuilding connection, and learning that trust is restored through consistency—not promises. This episode also dives into the power of recovery community, sober living support, and why safe recovery housing and human connection can change lives. If you or someone you love is navigating addiction recovery, alcoholism, sobriety, relapse recovery, or rebuilding relationships after addiction, this conversation will remind you that healing is possible—even when trust feels shattered.   Kennedy's Place

What do you do when someone you love is struggling with a habit or addiction they can’t seem to let go of? In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko talks about the emotional challenge of loving someone who is battling addiction, unhealthy coping habits, or destructive behaviors like vaping, smoking, marijuana use, alcohol abuse, or other compulsive patterns. As partners, friends, and family members, it’s easy to fall into fixing, rescuing, monitoring, or carrying the emotional weight of someone else’s choices. But recovery—and change—can’t be forced. Lynn shares honest conversations about boundaries, codependency, enabling, emotional burnout, addiction recovery, mental health, and learning the difficult truth that we cannot control another person’s behavior no matter how much we love them. This episode explores how to support someone struggling with addiction while also protecting your own peace, emotional health, and stability. It’s about learning the difference between helping and controlling, loving and losing yourself, supporting and enabling. Because sometimes the healthiest thing we can do is stop trying to manage someone else’s recovery and focus on our own healing too.   Kennedy's Place

What really makes recovery housing successful? In this episode of Unfiltered, Lynn breaks down the truth about recovery housing, sober living homes, and addiction recovery support programs. She shares why recovery housing is about far more than simply buying a house and filling beds—it’s about creating structure, accountability, community, and real support for people rebuilding their lives after addiction. Lynn explains how responsible recovery housing programs can become a powerful investment while also helping residents achieve greater long-term sobriety success. From peer support and life skills to safe housing and recovery coaching, this conversation explores what separates ethical sober living homes from profit-driven models that lack real care. If you’ve ever wondered how addiction recovery housing works, why supportive housing matters, or what helps people stay sober and move forward, this episode offers an honest and eye-opening conversation about recovery, responsibility, and second chances. Kennedy's Place #RecoveryHousing #SoberLiving #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryCommunity #Sobriety #SubstanceAbuseRecovery #MentalHealthRecovery #RecoverySupport #SoberLivingHomes #AddictionHealing #RecoveryJourney #UnfilteredPodcast

Healing in recovery often starts with the simple things. In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko talks about the importance of pride of ownership in addiction recovery—learning to take responsibility for your environment, contribute to your household, and rebuild self-respect through everyday actions. From doing dishes and vacuuming to mowing the lawn and showing up for shared responsibilities, these small routines become powerful signs of growth, accountability, and forward movement in sobriety. Recovery isn’t only about avoiding drugs and alcohol—it’s about creating stability, structure, and a life you’re proud to live. Lynn shares honest conversations about recovery housing, sober living environments, community support, personal responsibility, and why taking care of where you live reflects the healing happening within. This episode explores addiction recovery, sober living, life skills after addiction, mental health, accountability, recovery community, and the emotional transformation that happens when people begin believing they deserve peace, safety, and a healthy home. Because sometimes growth looks less like a breakthrough—and more like making your bed, washing the dishes, and realizing you finally care about your future again.   Kennedy's Place

What if one investment could change lives, strengthen communities, and help people stay sober? In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko dives into the growing need for recovery housing and why investing in sober living homes is about far more than real estate—it’s about recovery, stability, accountability, and second chances. Lynn shares raw and honest insight into how safe recovery housing supports people overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism by providing structure, community, accountability, and connection during some of the most vulnerable stages of recovery. This conversation also explores why communities benefit when people in recovery have access to stable sober living environments, addiction recovery resources, and supportive housing programs. From reducing relapse and homelessness to creating safer neighborhoods and stronger human connection, recovery housing can create lasting impact for everyone involved. Whether you’re interested in addiction recovery, sober living homes, recovery community support, mental health, investing with purpose, or helping people rebuild their lives after substance abuse, this episode offers a powerful perspective on why recovery housing matters now more than ever. Kennedy's Place

Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko talks about why accountability, recovery community, and safe recovery housing are often the difference between relapse and long-term sobriety. Addiction thrives in secrecy and isolation—but healing happens when people are seen, supported, and held accountable by others who understand the journey. Lynn shares honest conversations about sober living, rebuilding routines, learning responsibility again, and why community support is critical for successful addiction recovery. This episode explores the real-life challenges people face after treatment, including loneliness, triggers, unhealthy environments, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support your recovery instead of your addiction. Whether you’re navigating alcoholism recovery, drug addiction recovery, sober living, relapse prevention, or supporting a loved one in recovery, this conversation offers hope, truth, and practical insight into what actually helps people stay sober long term. Kennedy's Place

What does real recovery housing actually look like—and why does it save lives? In this episode of Unfiltered, host Laurie Hardie sits down with Lynn to talk about her personal recovery journey from addiction and the deeper purpose behind her recovery housing program. Together they discuss sobriety, sober living homes, addiction recovery, accountability, structure, community support, and why successful recovery housing is about far more than simply providing a place to stay. Lynn shares the truth about what it takes to build a recovery program that truly helps people heal, rebuild their lives, and create lasting change. This conversation also dives into the emotional side of recovery, the importance of support systems, and how recovery housing can offer hope, dignity, and a real second chance. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, alcoholism, substance abuse, or navigating sober living and recovery programs, this episode offers honest insight, encouragement, and hope. Unfiltered is a podcast about recovery, healing, personal growth, and real conversations that remind people they are not alone.   Kennedy's Place

In this episode of Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up, Lynn Zielasko explores the deeper definition of addiction and why addictive behaviors often go far beyond substance abuse. From alcohol and drugs to gambling, shopping, food, social media, toxic relationships, and even work, addiction can take many forms—all connected to the brain’s craving for dopamine, escape, relief, and temporary comfort. Lynn shares raw and honest conversations about the science of addiction, dopamine dependence, emotional triggers, compulsive behaviors, and why so many people struggle with cycles of craving, avoidance, and self-destruction. This episode dives into addiction recovery, mental health, behavioral addiction, trauma, emotional healing, substance abuse recovery, and the importance of understanding what our addictions are truly trying to numb or satisfy. Because addiction isn’t always about the substance itself—it’s often about the pain, loneliness, stress, shame, or emptiness underneath it. Whether you’re navigating recovery yourself or trying to understand a loved one, this conversation offers insight into how addiction works, why cravings happen, and what healing really requires Kennedy's Place