The Just A Mom Podcast

My name is Susie.

Author: Susie Gurley

Language: en

Genres: Health & Fitness, Kids & Family, Mental Health, Parenting

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

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Episode 134: Lisa Katona Smith, Mom, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and Author
Episode 137
Tuesday, 31 March, 2026

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Lisa Katona-Smith shares her journey as a mother navigating her son’s mental health challenges and substance use disorder. Through moments of fear, resilience, and hard-earned clarity, Lisa transformed her personal experience into a meaningful framework to support other families facing similar struggles—captured in her book, Parallel Recovery: A Guide for Those Who Love Someone with Substance Use Disorder (https://a.co/d/07C8FLzz).This episode offers both emotional validation and practical guidance—helping parents recognize early warning signs, advocate effectively for their children, and set boundaries that prioritize safety without sacrificing love. Lisa introduces a compassionate shift in perspective—from simply “loving harder” to “loving better,” and explores how families can move from crisis toward sustainable, long-term recovery together.