I was born in North Dakota, in a farming community. I went to the same school for 12 years. I have such fond memories of my beautiful classmates and teachers and there are six kids in my family and we’re like the Brady Bunch — three boys and three girls. My parents were married for 65 years. And I have 31 nieces and nephews back in North Dakota that I get to go see.

The main addiction in our family was work. Everyone worked hard and probably should’ve played a little harder. I became a social worker because I loved the change. I got to see in the people I worked with. I’m addicted to seeing people get well and live life to the fullest it brings me so much joy!

My biggest treasure is my daughter Savannah. Her father suffered from severe addiction but got sober seven years ago. We were never married, but we always remained friends. Savannah and I enjoy running the rehab together and following our joy triggers. I feel blessed beyond measure.

www.milestonesranch.com

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. I’m actually from Minot, North Dakota and I have lived gratefully  in Malibu, California for the past 23 years.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Passionate!!

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. I do not plan on retiring. I would get in too much trouble lol. I LOVE  what I do and it’s an advocation. We’re completing the book the “truth about rehab” and I look forward to doing many podcasts and discussing the subject for many years to come. It’s important that people have support navigating the landscape of addiction treatment. I will continue to volunteer for the Malibu Chamber of Commerce and look forward to volunteering in a church one day soon. I would like to teach catechism to first graders.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. I measure success by the joy in my life. Growing up in North Dakota, my family would take a vacation once a year. I didn’t really think that was enough time to unplug so I have taught my daughter Savannah to take at least a couple hours a day to do something joyful every day, so you don’t have to wait a year to take a mental health vacation. It’s something as simple as going out to dinner with my daughter or sizing up my next thrift store outing or playing pool. Follow your joy triggers!!

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. My biggest pet peeve is when people in the industry of healthcare place money before principles. As healthcare providers, our job is to help save lives and that is very labor-intensive so if you sign up for it, you have to understand it comes with the territory and operate with your whole heart and soul always in all ways!

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. I would absolutely donate to a conscious parenting Institute. I think if we can help parents understand attachment issues and addiction they will parent differently. I think every city should have a conscious parenting institute. It could change the world as we know it.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. I have had many mentors who helped me understand the joy of being a social worker and a family therapist. They were not easy on me which I deeply appreciate, and their mentoring gave me a career that I have enjoyed for 35 years. I am forever grateful.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. My advice to my younger self would be to always follow your joy triggers. Find 5 people to mentor you who you truly trust and will tell you the truth and also take time for exercise and meditation every day. Live a balanced life and things will go in your favor.

Q. Who made you feel seen growing up?

A. My grade school and high school teachers definitely made me feel seen. We had small classes in the Midwest, and their attunement to strength-based teaching impacted me deeply. They were no nonsense, but they were always able to catch the students doing it right as well.

Q. What major event or realization shaped who you are?

A. Savannah and I lost our home in a flood in North Dakota, and it changed our lives forever. We lived in Colorado for six years and then moved to California … when you make one big move in your life you realize that transition is not as scary as you think it is. It’s great to get out of your comfort zone. That’s where the magic happens.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. My concept of a higher power is that God is above and beyond anything we can ever imagine. It’s a frequency of vibration that’s the highest energy you can ever imagine, and with this attunement to this frequency, you can achieve above and beyond your wildest desires and by letting go of resistant thoughts you will manifest your heart’s desire! God is love!

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Cancer.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. Robert Downey Jr. inspires me … He went through hell and back, and now he is a beacon of light, a North Star and a radiant human making a difference in this world.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. I absolutely love the course in miracles and the book Conversations with God. I actually got to spend time with Neale Donald Walsch in Oregon and Milestones in Malibu … these books changed my life!

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. I just read Matthew Perry’s autobiography. It was so eye opening. I have our entire staff read it.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be?

A. Oh my gosh, this is a fun question… I would invite Neale Donald Walsch, Bill Maher, Eckhart Tolle and Mathew Perry to discuss God, homelessness and addiction recovery!

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. Stand and Deliver for sure!

Q. What book would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV show that hasn’t already been adapted?

A. Mathew Perry’s biography.

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

A. Yes, the royals … it’s so good.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Stevie Nicks for sure.

Q. Who are your heroes in real life?

A. Anyone who has the courage to take a deep dive into themselves, laugh at themselves, enjoy the world they’re living in and is helping others!

Q. What are some of the most memorable songs in your life?

A. 7 Bridges Road. Rhiannon. Don’t Stop Believing. Ring of Fire. Shake It Off.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. Nashville & Solvang.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Mediterranean.

Q. What is the best concert/performance/play you’ve ever attended?

A. Three Dog Night.

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. The photo of the Virgin Mary to remember to remain compassionate, a tiny notebook, business cards, cash to give tips, perfume always.

Q. What is the best and or worse piece of advice someone has given you?

A. I was crying at a graduation for a client in Minot, North Dakota in an adolescent psychiatric unit and this mentor gave me poor advice. He said to toughen up … I have refused to let go of that part of myself that is deeply touched by the patients I serve. I’m sure he meant well, but it was poor advice.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. I love to tell people to follow their joy triggers!!!

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. My daughter Savannah!!!

Q. What do you value most in a friendship?

A. Honesty, humor, humility.

Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

A. My daughter, and running Milestones Ranch Malibu. It’s not for the faint of heart to run something that never closes … In the next lifetime I will probably run an outpatient program lol…

Q. What is your favorite compliment to receive, and why?

A. My favorite compliment to receive is from a family that says they are so grateful for the changes They have experienced through therapy and recovery and the guidance from our team!!

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. That I probably only have about 30 more years left to do really cool stuff on this planet!

Q. Where do you go when you’re seeking solitude?

A. Solvang.

Q. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

A. Patience … That’s a big one for me.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. I’m so curious about everything. I’m really interested to see where the world‘s going to go with artificial intelligence guiding the way. I’m a little worried, but I’m also curious and excited. I love that you can find answers to your questions so fast.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. My curious nature is an attribute I appreciate … It makes every day a bit more fun!

Q. When did you realize you were a grown-up?

A. I’m still waiting for that aha moment! Lol.

Q. What is your motto?

A. Sprinkle kindness like confetti wherever you go! Have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously!