What does it look like to transition from a student to a new grad while carrying a decade of personal growth? This week, we sit down with the remarkable Sammie Jo. Having faced mental health challenges since her early teens, Sammie Jo brings a "full-self" approach to her nursing identity that is both inspiring and necessary in today’s healthcare climate.

• In this episode, we discuss: The Transition: Moving from the classroom to the floor as a new grad.
• The Network: Why a strong support system is a non-negotiable for nurses.
• The Identity: How Sammie Jo uses her personal journey to fuel her professional passion.
• The Joy: A look into her life outside the hospital (hint: there are a lot of Boxers involved!).

In this moving first episode of Healing Tapestry, Dr. April Lenzmeier shares her deeply personal story of alcohol use disorder, recovery, and returning to nursing with renewed purpose. April reflects on childhood trauma, nursing culture, relapse, and the healing power of peer support. Hosted by nurses Kristin and Jenny—who also share their own recovery journeys—this conversation breaks the silence around substance use in nursing and offers hope and resources to anyone walking a similar path.

For more information & to access the resources mentioned, visit: https://unlikelyaddict.com/healing-tapestry/

In this trailer episode of Healing Tapestry, hosts Kristin and Jenny introduce themselves and share their powerful, personal stories of navigating substance use, recovery, and returning to the nursing profession. With honesty and compassion, Kristin and Jenny invite their fellow nurses into a space where they can share their real and unpolished stories—of struggle, hope, and healing. This is more than a podcast; it's a place where together, we flourish.

To learn more, visit: https://unlikelyaddict.com/healing-tapestry/