In this powerful episode of Beyond the Window, host David Lascher sits down with counselor and longtime recovery mentor Tye Whelen to explore what real change in recovery actually looks like.David shares his journey of returning to sobriety after a relapse and how approaching recovery differently the second time led to a deeper transformation. Together, he and Ty break down the process of change through the 12 Steps, focusing especially on steps four through nine and the life-changing power of doing the work rather than just understanding it intellectually.They discuss how unresolved shame, fear, and childhood experiences can shape addictive behaviors and how the inventory process helps uncover the underlying patterns that keep people stuck. Through honest conversation, they explore how writing things down, identifying character defects, and taking responsibility can create the awareness needed to heal.The episode also dives into topics such as:• Why real recovery requires a complete personality change • The difference between intellectual understanding and lived experience in recovery • How resentment, fear, and shame drive destructive patterns • Why connection is the true antidote to addiction • The role of heart-brain coherence and emotional healing in recovery • How self-forgiveness, healthy boundaries, and self-care help repair the past • Turning painful life experiences into purpose by helping othersTye explains how many of the struggles people face in addiction stem from deep, unresolved shame and insecure attachments, and how the recovery process allows individuals to rebuild healthy connections with themselves and others.The conversation ultimately highlights one of the most powerful ideas in recovery: your past does not have to be your burden. It can become your greatest asset.This episode is a thoughtful and honest look at what it really takes to change, heal, and build a meaningful life in sobriety.

What happens when a concert becomes more than entertainment: it becomes an experience that makes people feel seen?In this episode of Beyond the Window, hosts Sharon Wner and Jennifer Enriquez sit down with Carrie Simmons, LMFT, a clinician-turned-musician whose story blends recovery, creativity, and self-mastery in a way that’s both raw and inspiring.Carrie shares her journey from a rebellious, angry teen searching for belonging to navigating addiction, reinvention, and sobriety: all while building a creative life in Los Angeles. Along the way, she recounts a bold Hollywood moment that says everything about her personality: pulling over on Sunset Boulevard to rap for Dr. Dre.The conversation also explores how Carrie uses music and performance to create a safe, welcoming space where people can feel connected, drop the mask, and remember they’re not alone. This is a powerful episode about turning pain into purpose, embracing vulnerability, and building a life rooted in truth, community, and hope.In This Episode, We CoverClinician to musician: how Carrie’s path evolvedThe Whiskey a Go Go show that felt “therapeutic” to the audienceIdentity, belonging, and finding your voiceAddiction, sobriety, and the work behind long-term changeWhy vulnerability, community, and spiritual discipline matter in healingTurning pain into purpose, and using creativity to give backGuest Links: Carrie Simmons Instagram: @carriesimmonsofficial Website: carriersimmonsofficial.com YouTube: Carrie Simmons ChannelAbout Beyond the Window Beyond the Window is a podcast from La Ventana Treatment Programs, featuring conversations about mental health, recovery, and real stories of transformation.La Ventana Treatment Programs Learn more: loveatreatment.comDisclaimer This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

What does it really take to support men's mental health? In this episode of Beyond the Window, we go inside La Ventana Treatment Programs with the people on the front lines.Hear from Clinical Directors Bryce Colvard, LMFT and Carla Fernandez, LCSW, Staff Trainer Allison Silipigni, and Mental Health Technician Joshua Peraza as they pull back the curtain on their work. They share raw stories about breaking down stigma, why "anger is just the surface emotion," and the transformative power of holding a boundary with empathy.This is a candid look at the challenges, breakthroughs, and human connection that define modern mental health treatment.Listen to discover:How to see past surface-level behaviors (like anger) to the real issues.The unique experience of women and men working in men's mental health.Why a "safe space" is built on structure and boundaries, not just comfort.The powerful, reparative work that helps clients rewrite their stories.#MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #Therapy #BreakTheStigma #LaVentana

Why do our children's actions trigger us so deeply? Our CCO, Sharon Volner, LMFT sits down with renowned clinician Dr. Bahareh Talei, Psy.D. for a game-changing conversation that flips the script on parenting. We explore the profound idea that our kids' behavior is often not a personal attack, but a mirror reflecting our own unmet needs and childhood wounds.Dr. Talei offers her direct, compassionate wisdom on how to break the cycle of projection, stop taking things personally, and learn to parent the child you actually have—not the one you're trying to heal through. We tackle tough topics like setting boundaries without guilt, why doing your teen's homework (or college applications) hurts them, and how to move from reactive parenting to responsive understanding.This episode is a must-listen for any parent, guardian, or caregiver who wants to build a healthier, more resilient relationship with their child—whether that child is 15 or 50.Key Topics:Why we take our children's behavior personallyHealing your own wounds so you don't pass them onThe danger of over-involvement (helicopter parenting)The importance of letting kids fail (especially in middle school!)How to model emotional regulation and accountabilityPractical steps to parent from a place of understanding, not reactionFind Dr. Bahareh Talei, Psy.D.https://www.centerdcs.com/https://www.hiveofhope.org/Learn more about our treatment programs:https://laventanatreatment.com/

What if your struggles aren’t entirely your own? In this raw and revelatory episode of Beyond the Window, Clinical Directors Carla Fernandez, LCSW and Jennifer Enriquez, LMFT and Steve Zamarripa, MBA, President and CEO of La Ventana, discuss how to unpack how generational trauma shapes addiction, mental health, and family dynamics. From personal stories of survival to groundbreaking science (like the "cherry blossom mouse study"), they explore:How trauma embeds itself in our DNA—and behaviors.Why breaking cycles requires more than willpower.The cultural stigmas that keep families silent.Practical steps to heal and reclaim your narrative.Whether you’re navigating your own legacy or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers compassion, clarity, and a path forward.🔹 Follow Beyond the Window for more on mental health and addiction recovery.🔹 Visit [La Ventana’s Website] for resources.#GenerationalTrauma #BreakTheCycle #MentalHealthPodcast