Episodes

Paul Lawson supports recovery for a number of patients at the Gallatin IOP location of Cumberland Heights. He and Dr. Nick Hayes, Chief Science Officer, discuss the magic of EFT, how to think of root causes for addiction, and more. In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Paul and Nick talk about: Why Paul calls Intensive Outpatient Programs the laboratory for life: patients are back home, back at work, and in the hard conversations while treatment is still happening What peo...

In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes sits down with Dr. Susan Marcotte and Corianne Johnson with the Research Institute, to talk about projects underway here on the frontier of substance use disorder science. Corianne and Susan share what they're working on right now, best practices in treatment outcome research, their thoughts on AI, and more. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the Research Institute builds relationships with clinical teams How biometrics...

What does it really take to treat adolescent addiction? And does it look different for boys versus girls? In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, we sit down with the clinical leaders of both of Cumberland Heights' adolescent programs to find out. William Branson, Clinical Director of ARCH Harpeth, and Sherry Vautier, Clinical Coordinator of ARCH Ridgeview, bring a combined 22+ years of experience treating teens struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health cond...

Travis Hupp, Director of Milieu Management at Cumberland Heights, sits down with three of the facility's clinical associate team leads for an unscripted, deeply personal conversation about what drew them to this work — and what keeps them here. Dalton Wicker (Team Lead, Young Men's), Sharon Robinson (Team Lead, Men's Program), and Matt Hutchinson (Team Lead, Extended Care) each arrived at Cumberland Heights through their own recovery journeys. Now they lead teams, mentor newer staff, and work to...

In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, host Nick Hayes, PhD sits down with Jason Silletto, a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor who is himself in recovery. Jason shares the winding path that brought him to Cumberland Heights — from sober living house manager on the West Coast to primary counselor on the residential campus — and opens up about the transition he's making to Cumberland Heights' Outpatient Program location in Cool Springs/Brentwood. The conversation goes d...

Recovery Coaching for Men in Addiction Recovery: Support Beyond Treatment Episode 46 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights features a powerful discussion on recovery coaching for men in addiction recovery with guest Sean Harrell and host Dr. Nick Hayes. In this episode, Sean shares his personal recovery journey and his work as a recovery coach at Still Waters for Men. The conversation explores how coaching provides critical support after treatment—helping men stay accountable, build structu...

In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, host Nick Hayes sits down with Alexis Salyer, Program Director at Still Waters for Women, for an unscripted conversation exploring the realities of addiction recovery. This episode centers on Cumberland Heights’ Still Waters 12-step immersion programs for both men and women recovering from substance use disorders. Alexis shares insight into how gender-specific care supports healing, particularly for women navigating trauma, addiction, an...

Episode 44 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights explores the powerful connection between faith, music, and addiction recovery. Host Casey Hyatt welcomes Christian singer Joseph Habedank, who returns to Cumberland Heights in Nashville, TN, to share how treatment saved his life and inspired his music. In this heartfelt conversation, Joseph reflects on his journey from addiction to recovery, describing Cumberland Heights as a “powerful place” that gave him the foundation to live with purpose a...

In Episode 43 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, host Dr. Nick Hayes sits down with Dr. John Kelly — Harvard professor, addiction researcher, and Founder of the Recovery Research Institute — for a compelling conversation about the evolving science of addiction recovery. As substance use and mental health disorders continue to rise, the need for research-driven, effective solutions has never been more urgent. In this episode, Dr. Kelly breaks down how scientific research is helping us und...

In Episode 42 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Chief Science Officer Dr. Nick Hayes is joined by Dr. Kristy Soloski, Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University. Together, they explore a critical but often overlooked component of the healing process: family systems in addiction recovery. Addiction does not occur in a vacuum—it affects and is affected by the entire family unit. Dr. Soloski, a leading researcher in trauma, relat...

In Episode 41 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, host Dr. Nick Hayes is joined by Marti Roveda, a parent coach, recovery advocate, and mother of an ARCH Academy alum. Together, they explore the emotional, practical, and often isolating experience of parenting teens in recovery. Since 2021, Marti has dedicated her life to supporting parents of youth facing substance misuse, mental health disorders, and neurodivergence. In 2023, she founded the parent support program at ARCH Academy in Nas...

In this tech-forward episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes, Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, speaks with Eliza Foltz, Chief Marketing Officer at Pathfinder Recovery, about the emerging role of wearable technology in addiction recovery and behavioral health care. Recorded live at the 2024 Global Exchange Conference in Orlando, Florida, the conversation highlights the cutting-edge ways technology is supporting sustained recovery. From smart rings and fitness...

In this thought-provoking episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes, Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, explores the vital connection between emotional wellness and leadership with special guest Janet McDonald, CEO of Onsite. With over two decades of experience in organizational development, executive leadership, and cultural transformation, Janet shares her expertise on what it means to lead with emotional wellness at the forefront. The episode dives deep into ...

In Episode 38 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes sits down with Josh Moquin, VP of Operations at Snapshot Interactive, to explore what effective behavioral health marketing really looks like. Josh shares actionable insights from his decade-long experience leading strategy and operations at a top creative agency, helping mission-driven organizations connect with their audiences. Learn how addiction treatment providers can use authentic messaging, strategic content, and digit...

In Episode 37 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes welcomes Trevor Colhoun, Co-founder and CEO of TPN.health, for a compelling conversation about the future of behavioral healthcare. With a background in private equity, corporate leadership, and organizational transformation, Trevor brings a unique perspective to the behavioral health field—one that blends business acumen with a passion for impact-driven innovation. Trevor shares how his journey led him to co-found TPN.healt...

In Episode 36 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, host Dr. Nick Hayes sits down with Kyle Williams, Director of Philanthropy at Cumberland Heights, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation about the power of giving and how it serves as a cornerstone in the journey of recovery. With years of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, Kyle offers a unique perspective on the critical role philanthropy plays in supporting individuals and families facing addiction. Througho...

In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes welcomes Marc Kantor, an experienced addiction intervention specialist for families, to discuss the powerful role families play in addiction recovery. With over a decade of experience and a personal journey of long-term sobriety, Marc brings both professional expertise and heartfelt empathy to the conversation. Now serving as the National Business Development Representative for J. Flowers Health Institute, Marc’s career pa...

In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes welcomes Marc Kantor, an experienced addiction intervention specialist for families, to discuss the powerful role families play in addiction recovery. With over a decade of experience and a personal journey of long-term sobriety, Marc brings both professional expertise and heartfelt empathy to the conversation. Now serving as the National Business Development Representative for J. Flowers Health Institute, Marc’s career pa...

In Episode 34 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes, Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, sits down with Tami-Jo Stevenson. With her extensive experience in the addiction recovery and mental health fields, Tami-Jo offers unique insights into the critical role that clinical services play in successful recovery outcomes. During the episode, Tami-Jo shares her journey in the field of addiction treatment, from her early days as a clinician to her current leadership role. ...

Episode 33: In this enlightening episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, host Dr. Nick Hayes sits down with Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), to share expert insights on drug abuse and its far-reaching impact on individuals and society. Dr. Volkow, a leading voice in addiction research, discusses the latest scientific findings on substance use disorders, the brain's role in addiction, and groundbreaking advancements in treatment options. Whether ...

In this inspiring episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Dr. Nick Hayes, Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, and Nico Doorn, Executive Director and Co-founder of Alpha Behavioral Health explore the powerful role of friendship in recovery. Their friendship began while in residential addiction treatment at Cumberland Heights and has since been a constant throughout their college and professional journeys. They discuss how meaningful connections in recovery can foster growth, he...

Episode 31: In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Kelly Scaggs, CEO of Fellowship Hall, joins Dr. Nick Hayes, Cumberland Heights‘ Chief Science Officer, to discuss leadership in addiction treatment and the power of fellowship at new heights. This episode was recorded at the Global Exchange Conference in Orlando, Florida, offering a deep dive into the vital role of a CEO at an addiction treatment center. Kelly’s Leadership Journey Kelly shares her experience leading Fellows...

Episode 30: In Episode 30 of “Conversations with Cumberland Heights,” host Dr. Nick Hayes welcomes therapist and author Junie Welsh, creator of “Me & Little Me: Journal Prompts for the Inner Child.” Junie’s recovery journey began at Cumberland Heights, where she found support and healing, and it remains a significant part of her life as she now helps others find recovery in the same nurturing environment. Join us as Junie shares her inspiring story, highlighting the transformative journey of h...

Episode 29: Welcome to Episode 29 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights! In this engaging episode, host Dr. Nick Hayes sits down with Cumberland Heights’ head chef, Ryan Schlegelmilch, for an enlightening discussion on culinary healing. Discover how Ryan’s journey through addiction and recovery, including his transformative experiences at Still Waters 12-step immersion program, has shaped his approach to cooking at a treatment center. Ryan shares his unique perspective on the intersection o...