In this episode, Ray sits down with Kristen Feemster, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and wellness coach, to talk about her powerful journey through addiction and recovery. A former college athlete, Kristen opens up about how the pressure to be perfect as a Black woman, growing up in a mostly white community, and other life stressors led her down a path of alcohol addiction. She shares the pivotal moments that made her realize she needed to change and the people and inclusive spaces that helped her along the way. Kristen also dives into the importance of having a strong support system, why open conversations about mental health and addiction matter, and the resources out there for anyone looking to heal their relationship with alcohol.

Kristen’s Toolkit:

• Find safe professional spaces to recover as a person of color

• Seek therapy

• Loved ones leaving a compassionate, loving space to seek help

• Take the scary step to seek help

• Be honest with yourself

• Take note if you’re becoming defensive about the substance you’re using

• Don’t worry about perfectionism

• Connect to sober communities on social media/ podcasts

• Physical activity

• Create a routine sleep schedule

• Education on alcohol and its effects

• Spirituality of some kind

Kristen’s details

Instagram: @kristenfeemster

Facebook: B3 by Kristen

YouTube: @kristenfeemster

Website: B3 by Kristen

Resources mentioned in the show:

She Recovers

Sober Black Girl’s Club

B3 by Kristen

Connect with the show

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/⁠⁠⁠

Apply to be a guest:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.stackndays.com/rsvp-1⁠⁠⁠

Instagram and Tiktok: @stackndays

YouTube:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-IqvFJ2SlufC6KuyiztjQ⁠⁠⁠

Resources

⁠⁠⁠https://www.samhsa.gov/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinreframeapp.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.theluckiestclub.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.aa.org/