Rooted and Real
Welcome to "Rooted and Real" ... "Recovery with Root" rebranded!
This season, we’re excited to welcome Ashley Hickey, Chief of Operations at Root Center, as she steps into a new role as co-host of the podcast.
Ashley joins Chief of Staff Margaux Hyde as they take the conversation forward—diving into mental health and substance use topics with honesty, openness, and curiosity. Together, they’ll also bring in guest voices to expand and deepen the discussion from a range of perspectives.
This podcast is designed to feel like a real, approachable conversation for anyone interested in these topics—whether you’re personally impacted, supporting someone else, or simply looking to learn and engage.
Follow us on social media to stay updated on new episodes, and don’t hesitate to reach out with topics or questions you’d like to hear discussed in future conversations.
Happy listening!
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Instagram: @root_center
Facebook: / rootcenterforadvancedrecovery
Twitter: @RootCenterCT
LinkedIn: / root-center
Episodes
33 episodes
Rooted & Real: Always On - Social Media and the Mind
What is social media really doing to our minds?In this episode of Rooted and Real, we get honest about the highs, the lows, and the unseen impact of scrolling, comparing, and staying constantly connected. From validation and anxiety to ...
Rooted & Real Podcast - Higher Level of Care
On this episode of Rooted & Real (formerly Recovery with Root), we’re excited to welcome Ashley Hickey, Chief of Operations at Root Center, as she steps into a new role as co-host of the podcast.Ashley joins Chief of Staff Margaux H...
Problem Gambling Awareness Month: The Impacts of Problem Gambling
On this episode of Recovery with Root, we discuss problem gambling with Fiorgio Fetta from DMHAS, and David Ruela from Amplify, and the very real impact that it can have on a person and their loved ones.If you or someone you know has a g...
Recovery with Root | Patient Perceptions of Success
On this very special episode of Recovery with Root, we sit down with Kristyn Zajac and Liz Narwold, medical researchers with University of Connecticut, to talk about a recent study with Root Center Patients. The study looked at what metrics pat...
New Year, Stronger Selves
The New Year is starting strong with our January episode of Recovery With Root being all about building and keeping new habits, beautiful communities, and sturdy support systems. Manchester Senior Counselor Demesis Negron, LCSW sits down ...
Recovery with Root | The Dangers of Kratom.
In this episode of Recovery with Root, our Director of Nursing, Joe Maddalena, shares with us the impacts of kratom. Kratom is an herbal addition to many energy shots that can be found in gas stations and smoke shops, and has earned the n...
Recovery with Root | The Story of Karen Kangas
In this episode of Recovery with Root, Karen Kangas, a woman in recovery, shares her story of recovery, and how her experiences drive her to help others heal.From Montana daughter of a basketball coach to Connecticut Mental Health...
Recovery with Root | Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit St. Vincent de Paul
Maryellen Shuckerow, MHSA, the Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul Middletown, sits down with us to tell us all about the organization's work, mission, and initiatives. Learn about everything from the Amazing Grace Food Pantry to their ne...
Recovery with Root with Shane Murphy | Mental Health in Athletics
As a new school year is about to kick off and fall sports ramp up, it’s not just physical performance that matters—mental health plays a key role, too. This month on Recovery with Root, renowned sports psychologist, Dr. Shane Murphy, j...
Recovery with Root with Kaylyn Banning | Navigating Teen Mental Health in the Summer
In this episode of Recovery with Root, Kaylyn Banning, one of our Adolescent School Based Counselors, sits down to talk with us about managing and navigating mental health for students and teens as summer kicks into gear. This conversation is f...
Intersectional Allyship with Jacquelyn Davis
Jackie Davis, Director of Learning and Workforce Development from Mental Health Connecticut, sits down with us to talk about Intersectionality and Intersectional Allyship in this very special Pride episode of Recovery with Root. Learn about wha...
Congratulations to our 2025 Nightingale, Jill Mulvey
Jill Mulvey has been a nurse with the Root Center for a year, and has an extensive wealth of experience in anthropology, labor and delivery, and hospice care. She has a deep love and passion for the work she does and the people she serves. She ...
Stress, Burnout, and Recovery with Amelia Nagoski
Amelia Nagoski, DMA, is the co-author for the New York Times Best Selling book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. She sits down with us for World Health Day to discuss the causes, health effects, and solutions to burnout and the...
Recovery with Root: Problem Gambling, the Hidden Addiction
In this episode of Recovery with Root, Allison Pons, Director of Operations at Root Center, and Brian Hatch, from the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, discuss problem gambling, and the very real impact that it can have on a person and t...
Recovery with Root: Identity and Navigating Change with Moragan Tuck
In this Black History Month episode of Recovery with Root Morgan Tuck, General Manager for the Connecticut Sun, and 4x NCAA and 2020 WNBA Champion, talks about her transition between playing basketball, and managing her former team. Morgan play...
Recovery with Root: Introducing Dr. John Nazarian, CMO
In today's episode, we sit down with our new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Nazarian! Dr. Nazarian is an exciting addition who comes to use with a wealth of experience and knowledge, from his Board Certification in General Psychiatry and Addic...
Recovery with Root: Dr. Yifrah Kaminer Explains Research on Drug Overdoses and Suicidality
Trigger Warning: Suicide. For immediate help: please call 988, or visit 988lifeline.orgIn this episode of Recovery with Root, Dr. Yifrah Kaminer, the principal investigator of the Root grant-funded r...
Recovery with Root: Harm Reduction with Liz Evans
In this episode of Recovery with Root, Liz Evans, a Senior Director of Harm Reduction at Liberation Programs, shares her journey of going from Nursing to Harm Reduction. Liz shares insights from Canada and the United States, and her time living...
Recovery with Root: Ray Bishop
In this episode of Recovery with Root, Ray Bishop, a Senior Counselor at the Root Center for Advanced Recovery's Henderson-Johnson Clinic, shares his story of recovery, and how his experiences drive him to help others heal.Ray went from...
Recovery with Root: PTSD, EMDR, and Recovery
In this episode of Recovery with Root you will learn more about PTSD and how EMDR can be used to help treat trauma and aid in recovery. Hope Payson, LCSW, LADC, and EMDR Consultant, discusses the impacts of proper mental health care, and how sh...
Recovery With Root - Root's First Residential Facility Come To New Britain
In today's episode, we sit down with New Britain Mayor, Erin Stewart, to discuss one of the Root Center's latest ventures, our FIRST ever residential treatment facility. This new facility will replace our former clinic on Whiting Street, which ...
Recovery with Root: The Importance of Sleep
In this episode of Recovery with Root you will learn more about sleep and its impact on your overall mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Setu Vora, the Chief Medical Officer of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation discusses the importance of gett...
Recovery with Root: Spravato
In this episode of Recovery with Root you will learn more about the Root Center for Advanced Recovery's Spravato service. Spravato is a cutting-edge treatment for depression. In this episode you will learn what it is, how it's used, who is elig...
Recovery with Root: One-on-one with Sarah Laurel from Savage Sisters Recovery Inc.
In this episode of Recovery with Root, we are sitting down with Sarah Laurel, the founder of Savage Sisters Recovery Inc. After recovering from substance use disorder Sarah wanted to offer resources to women like herself. What began organically...
Recovery with Root: One-on-one with Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter PsyD
In this episode of Recovery with Root we sit down with Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter. Dr. Utter is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with those struggling with co-occurring mental health concerns, such as trauma and drug addiction.