In this powerful conversation, Lee Davy is joined by Lisa Katona Smith, founder of Parallel Recovery and author of Parallel Recovery: A Guide for Those Who Love Someone Struggling with Substance Use Disorder. This episode is for anyone who loves someone who is struggling — partners, parents, sons, daughters — and feels exhausted, confused, or stuck in cycles of fixing, fear, and reactivity. Lisa brings clarity without blame, compassion without collapse, and a framework that finally gives families permission to stop fixing and start healing. Together, Lee and Lisa explore how real change doesn’t come from control, lectures, or shame — but from working on yourself, regulating your nervous system, and learning how to love better. What We Cover in This Episode What Parallel Recovery actually is — and why families need their own recovery process, not just the person who’s struggling Why waiting for someone else to change keeps the entire family system stuck How control, fixing, and over-functioning are fear-driven responses, not acts of love The shift from reactivity to responsiveness — and why this changes everything How Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps families understand PARTS, SELF, shame, and protection What “loving better” really means — and why doing less can sometimes help more How generational patterns, legacy burdens, and family beliefs shape alcohol use and coping Why slowing down is often the fastest way to create real, sustainable change About Lisa Katona Smith Lisa Katona Smith is the founder of Parallel Recovery and a leading voice in helping families navigate substance use and mental health challenges without blame or burnout. Her work empowers families to focus on sustainability, connection, and self-leadership — rather than control and collapse. Her book, Parallel Recovery, offers practical tools for families who want to heal themselves while staying connected to the people they love. Resources & Links 📘 Buy Lisa’s book Parallel Recovery: A Guide for Those Who Love Someone Struggling with Substance Use Disorder Available on Amazon 🌐 Learn more about Lisa’s work lisakatonasmith.com 📸 Follow Lisa on Instagram @parallelrecovery 🎤 Watch Lisa’s TED Talk The Power of Parallel Recovery Need Support With Your Own Relationship With Alcohol? If alcohol feels louder than you’d like it to be — or you’re quietly exhausted by it — you don’t have to figure it out alone. 📧 Email Lee directly at [email protected] No labels. No pressure. Just an honest conversation.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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