Circle of Chairs with Flo Hilliard

Some people don’t just walk into your life, they pour into it.

For me, that person is Flo Hilliard.

Flo has been more than a mentor. She’s been a trusted friend, a fierce advocate, and a steady light through seasons when hope felt far away. Her decades of work in women’s advocacy and recovery have helped shape not only my path, but the path of so many others fighting for healing and dignity.

Today, Flo continues to lead with bold compassion, working to ensure that women who are pregnant or parenting aren’t criminalized for substance use disorders, but supported with care, dignity, and evidence-based recovery resources.

Her message is clear: Addiction is not a moral failure. It’s a health issue.
And motherhood should never be used as a weapon against women who are trying to heal.

Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.

Subscribe to her Circle of Chairs Substack community at carolinebeidler.substack.com