Marching Towards Healing: Conversation with a Veteran Change-Agent

We speak with Marine Corps veteran and VTC graduate Dillon Watts about his journey toward healing and wholeness and the difficulties of 'changing everything' for recovery. Listen in and hear this powerful story.VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~VTChttps://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/Supporthttps://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/Music from the VTC Podcast https://open.spotify.com/artist/5xrK2BG3vT4mXKIqhTtna9?si=kBvX-t0-S6apwoW9SLDK7w

We speak with Todd Williams, District Attorney of Buncombe County, and learn more about his work with the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). Todd Williams is a North Carolina native, the elected District Attorney for Buncombe County, and a Board-Certified Specialist in Criminal Law. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he received a Bachelor’s in English. After college, Mr. Williams taught English as a Second Language and adult basic skills to textile workers, immigrants, and the homeless in central North Carolina. That experience led Mr. Williams to pursue his Juris Doctor at Northeastern University Law School. After law school, Mr. Williams worked for nearly 15 years as a public and capital defender. Mr. Williams represented indigent defendants of all ages at every level in our justice system -- from misdemeanors to murder. In 2014, Mr. Williams was elected District Attorney in Buncombe County.VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~Buncombe VTChttps://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/Supporthttps://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/donate

We are excited to speak with Dr. Jamie Vaske, VTC researcher, statistician, and resident 'VTC Best-Practices Expert.'  We dive deeper into the elements that make up the VTC, including procedural justice, equity, and collaboration.  Dr. Vaske's research interests include quantitative methods, biosocial criminology, evidence-based diversion methods, and community corrections. VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~Buncombe County VTChttps://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/Supporthttps://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/donateBest-Practice Standardshttps://allrise.org/publications/standards/

We are thrilled to speak to Brandon Cowan, CPSS and Army veteran, about his transformational journey in the VTC. An essential part of Brandon's story is the utilization of Suboxone and Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), which provided a platform for sustained recovery. Brandon now serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the VA Medical Center, helping to support veterans who are struggling with the disease of addiction and unaddressed trauma.VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~~Buncombe VTChttps://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/Supporthttps://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/donateMOUD Saves Lives!!!https://harmreduction.org/issues/facts/

Today, we speak with Robin Merrell, Managing Attorney at Pisgah Legal Services, about her role in supporting VTC veterans. Pisgah Legal Services seeks to pursue justice by providing legal assistance and advocacy to help low-income people in Western North Carolina meet their basic needs and improve their lives. Robin states, "I serve the most vulnerable people in our community—inside and outside the courtroom. I’ve seen the effects of trauma, racism, sexism, and the other ways people are mistreated in our community." Working with the VTC, Robin strives to mitigate the consequences of oppressive systems and promote whole-person healing.VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~Buncombe VTChttps://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/Supporthttps://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/donatePisgah Legalhttps://www.pisgahlegal.org/

We are thrilled to speak with Robert O. Wirt Jr., Captain, USN (Ret), the Buncombe County VTC Mentor Coordinator, and Chairman of the VTC Foundation. Learn about the critical role that Mentors play in supporting VTC veterans and how more veterans can get involved to truly 'Leave No Veteran Behind.'VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~Become a Mentor:https://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/become-a-mentorSupport:https://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/donate

Today, we speak to Daniel Conway, CADC and Coordinator for the Henderson County Recovery Court. This is an incredible story of transformation and healing.  Tune in and listen to this inspirational story of a Marine Corps veteran's journey with addiction, PTSD, and unaddressed suffering. Just as Daniel found healing through the services and support of others, he is now "paying this forward," helping other veterans achieve a sense of hope and healing.This is the VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~www.buncombeveteranscourt.com

Today, we speak with Katherine Houghton, LCSW, the VJO at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, to learn more about her role on the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court. The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program is an outreach initiative designed to provide legally involved veterans with linkages to VA and community resources to address clinical needs and foster stability. The VJO is a critical member of the VTC Team. Listen to hear what makes our VJOs so special.VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery~VA Veteran Justice Outreachhttps://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.aspBuncombe County VTChttps://www.buncombeveteranscourt.com/Supporthttps://www.wncvtcfoundation.org/donate

Kevin Rumley, LCSW, Purple Heart Veteran, and VTC Program Director, talks to a VTC graduate about his journey of transformation and healing. While every VTC veteran's story is unique, certain factors are universal: honor, courage, and commitment. This is a commitment to remain open, and vulnerable, and grow from the experience of the VTC. This is the courage to show up, be honest, and try. 

Today, we hear the story of a VTC graduate who found himself struggling for years after his time in the Army.  From struggling with substance misuse, mental health challenges, and PTSD to becoming a leader in the recovery community, this veteran showcases the very best of what a VTC can offer.VTC Podcast: Voices of Recovery