Don Fertman: Redemption, Storytelling, and Jelly Donuts

#121: This week we revisit episode #62 with Don Fertman (he/him). Don is the former Chief Development Officer of Subway, as well as Board Chair Emeritus of The Phoenix and current member of The Phoenix Impact Board. 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 speaks to his journey and encourages others to share their own. Tune into the episode to hear from Don, as he shares his story and more, including:

• The image of a jelly donut slowly sliding down the wall... and how this represented his life while in active addiction.
• How sharing his story on national television helped others find recovery and eventually connected Don with the founder of The Phoenix, Scott Strode.
• 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: https://youtu.be/zkJLf-FlAyY?si=F1W8gENr9AjaD9qg

Check out Recovery Branches, an organization Don co-founded: https://www.recoverybranches.org/ 

Check out Brave Enough to Fail, another organization that Don is involved with: https://www.braveenoughtofail.org/

Read "Subs & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Part 1: With a Little Help From My Friends" : https://www.allsober.com/subs-drugs-rock-n-roll-part-1-don-fertman/

Become a Podcast Ambassador Volunteer! To learn more and to apply, follow this link: https://form.asana.com/?k=MvokXMx-NgNGbAJlDdqMBw&d=1142909614290943. 

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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 Phoenix 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/ .

Find us on Instagram at @riserecoverlive