Join me in an inspiring conversation with Kelsey Gerhardt on Circle of Chairs, focusing on addiction, mental health, healing, and hope. Kelsey, a woman in recovery for nearly 12 years, shares her remarkable journey from early addiction and multiple treatments to becoming a sober living advocate and opening her women's home, Heart Recovery, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We discuss the importance of aftercare, the unique challenges of women's recovery, and the profound impact of finding supportive, healing communities. Kelsey's story underscores the power of vulnerability, mentorship, and personal growth in the path to sustained sobriety.

00:00 Introduction to Circle of Chairs

00:14 Meet Kelsey Gearhart: A Journey in Recovery

02:25 Kelsey's Early Struggles and Turning Point

06:42 Building Heart Recovery: Vision to Reality

09:33 Living and Leading in Recovery

17:19 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

Learn more about Kelsey’s work and Heart Recovery at hartrecovery.org.

Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.

Subscribe to her Circle of Chairs Substack community at carolinebeidler.substack.com