A brochure promised safety. What Mandy’s family found after Cooper’s overdose was a six‑bedroom house at the end of a cul‑de‑sac—advertised as inpatient treatment, billing thousands per day, and operating with shocking gaps in oversight. We invited Mandy to tell the whole story: the love and laughter of a blended family, the day the phone rang with news no parent should hear, and the quiet, stubborn ways she learned to keep going without letting grief harden her.

Together we pull back the curtain on an industry too often protected by stigma and secrecy. Mandy shares how state investigators documented nine deficiencies around Cooper’s death—missed checks, loose access, confidentiality breaches—followed by a fine that would insult any parent. We talk about why predatory rehab models target private insurance, how families with fewer resources face even steeper odds, and what real accountability could look like: a national, public rating system for licensed addiction treatment providers, youth‑specific and trauma‑informed care, smaller caseloads, and approvals tied to evidence rather than billing codes. If you pay premiums or taxes, you have skin in this game—and power to demand better.

This conversation is also a guide for showing up. Mandy spells out what helped in the first six months, what to avoid saying, and why the simplest acts—printing photos, a “thinking of you” text, washing a sink of dishes—carry the most weight. She makes a case for vulnerability over image, for community as oxygen, and for choosing joy as a tribute, not a betrayal. If you’re a parent, partner, or friend searching for a way forward, or a policymaker deciding where standards begin, you’ll hear both urgency and hope here.

If this moved you, follow the show, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review with one change you believe would make treatment safer. Your voice helps push real reform.

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What does it really take to build confidence that lasts longer than a winning streak? Coach Tatum Pine, head of the Ellensburg High School girls’ wrestling team, joins us to share how a young program found its voice through grit, gratitude, and a fierce commitment to respect. From Vegas roots to Central Washington mats, Tatum opens up about stepping into leadership at 24, learning from a powerhouse wrestling family, and creating a team culture where hard things are an expectation, not a punishment.

We dig into the practical side of coaching girls differently and better—holding high standards while keeping open ears, modeling effort by training alongside the team, and turning “I have to” into “I get to.” Tatum explains how a moment of perspective shifted her entire approach to competition, transforming nerves into presence and results into growth. She shares the habits that matter most: doing the basics well, staying coachable, cheering after losses, and carrying yourself with head high and shoulders back—on the mat and everywhere else.

This conversation is for parents, coaches, educators, and anyone who believes sports can teach life. We talk about the power of a strong circle of influence, why visibility in girls’ sports changes communities, and how taking one step—any step—often invites confidence to catch up. If you’re looking for a grounded playbook on building resilient athletes and resilient humans, you’ll find it here.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who coaches or parents an athlete, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. Your support helps us keep the conversation going.

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