Don Fertman: Redemption, Storytelling, and Jelly Donuts

#62: This week on the podcast, we welcome Don Fertman (he/him), Board Chair Emeritus of The Phoenix, current member of The Phoenix Impact Board and former Chief Development Officer of Subway. When Don first got sober, the last thing he wanted to do was allow people to know his story. Now decades into recovery, he proudly and candidly shares his story, and encourages others to speak out and tell theirs. In the episode, we discuss this and more:

- A jelly donut slowly sliding down the wall... and how this image represented his life  in active addiction,
- How storytelling helped Don to cultivate self-compassion, particularly when he heard someone else share his story during an exercise.
- How Don candidly sharing his story on national television created a huge ripple effect, helping others find recovery and connecting him with the founder of The Phoenix, Scott Strode.
- That as soon as we share our stories and open our hearts to love, recovery kicks in.
- Letting go of ego, and realizing we all have more in common with folks than we think.
- Don's journey with music, from a warped relationship due to substance use disorder, to picking back up a guitar years later with sober friends.

To learn more about Don, check out this video

Check out Recovery Branches, an organization Don co-founded!

Check out Brave Enough to Fail, another organization that Don is involved with!

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If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis, the following resources can provide immediate help.*

If you are experiencing a medical/mental health emergency, dial 911.

• Dial 988 for the SAMSHA Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  Available 24/7
• Text “HOME” to 741-741 for the NAMI Crisis Text Line.  Available 24/7
• Dial 1-800-622-2255 to connect with a nearby treatment center & community resources through NCADD Hope Line. Available 24/7
• Call/text 1-844-326-5400 for The GSCA CARES Warm Line.  Answered by Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists with lived experience of SUD.  Available any day of the year, 8:30am-11pm EST

*Note: The resources listed are provided for informational purposes only.  This list is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement by The Phoenix or the Rise Recover Live Podcast.

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Join the Phoenix community & sign up for classes with a single click by downloading The NewForm app! In the app, you can connect with Liz, Bryce and other listeners in The Rise Recover Live Podcast Group. Let us know what you thought about today's episode, and what you'd like to hear in future shows! We can't wait to chat with you there.

Learn more about The Phoenix, sign up for classes, or become a volunteer at https://thephoenix.org/ .

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