EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency
A heartfelt podcast series that brings to light the challenges and triumphs of families navigating substance use during and after pregnancy. Through compelling stories, expert insights, and actionable guidance, this series explores not only the personal journeys of recovery but also the broader social determinants of health — such as housing stability, access to care, trauma, socioeconomic conditions, and community support — that shape the experiences of individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Each episode aims to empower listeners with understanding, compassion, and tools for support, fostering empathy, breaking down stigmas, and promoting healing and resilience within families and communities.
EMPOWERED Voices is a podcast production of the EMPOWERED program at Roseman University College of Medicine, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action Grant through the Southern Nevada Health District. This project has been funded by grant number NH28CE003534 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the Southern Nevada Health District, CDC, or the U.S. Government.
Hosted by Farzad Kamyar, MD and Amani Wilson.
Executive Producers are Dr. Andria Peterson and Jason Roth, with production assistance by Rachel Mack.
Recorded at the Video Podcast Studio at Canico Media in Las Vegas, Nevada.
EMPOWERED Voices: Recovery to Resiliency
Episode 5: Substance Use and Co-occurring Mental Health Challenges
Visit empoweredmoms.org/podcast to share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest future episode topics.
In this episode, hosts Dr. Farzad Kamyar and Amani Wilson explore the complex intersection between substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health challenges, especially as they affect women during pregnancy and early motherhood. Understanding how trauma, depression, anxiety, and other psychological factors intertwine with substance use provides essential insight into why integrated, compassionate care is so critical for recovery.
The conversation features Bianca McCall, a retired professional women’s basketball player, TED Speaker, healthcare CEO, and nationally recognized human behavior expert with 25 years of experience in behavioral health. Bianca’s work focuses on psychological injury prevention and innovative approaches to address dissociation, isolation, and the deeper human factors shaping mental wellness. Her expertise brings powerful context to the challenges pregnant and postpartum women face when navigating both mental health conditions and substance use disorder.
Joining the discussion is Rachel Mack, Program Director of EMPOWERED, who offers firsthand insight into the real-world barriers and opportunities experienced by the families the program serves. Rachel highlights the importance of wraparound services, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive approaches that meet each individual where they are. Her perspective helps illuminate how integrated support systems—not just clinical treatment—create pathways to recovery and resilience.
Together, Bianca, Rachel, Dr. Kamyar, and Amani dig into why mental health conditions and substance use so often co-occur, how pregnancy and postpartum shifts intensify these dynamics, and the central role trauma plays in both. The episode examines what effective integrated treatment looks like, the barriers that prevent women from accessing comprehensive care, and the innovations—such as telehealth, digital tools, and community-based models—that are reshaping dual-diagnosis support.
Through expert insights, practical strategies, and lived experience from those working directly with families, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how integrated, holistic care empowers women facing co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.
If you live in Southern Nevada, in Reno, Carson City, Churchill County, or Lyon County in Northern Nevada, or in Weber County or Davis County in Utah, and you’re pregnant or recently had a baby and using opioids or stimulants for any reason, there is non-judgmental help available to you. No referral or insurance is required. Visit empoweredmoms.org for information or to request services.
If you live outside of these areas, we encourage you to find resources in your community.
EMPOWERED Voices is a podcast production of the EMPOWERED program at Roseman University College of Medicine, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action Grant through the Southern Nevada Health District. This project has been funded by grant number NH28CE003534 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the Southern Nevada Health District, CDC, or the U.S. Government.
Hosted by Dr. Farzad Kamyar, and Amani Wilson.
Executive Producers are Dr. Andria Peterson and Jason Roth, with production assistance by Rachel Mack.
Recorded at the Video Podcast Studio at Canico Media in Las Vegas, Nevada.
