Recovery, advocacy, and building better systems of care with Ryan Hampton

This week on Living Undeterred, Jeff Johnston is joined by Ryan Hampton for a powerful conversation about recovery, overdose prevention, mental health policy, and what it really takes to create change that lasts.

Ryan Hampton is an author, advocate, founder of Mobilize Recovery, and a person in long-term recovery. In this episode, he shares what he’s learned through 11 years of recovery, national advocacy work, and his efforts to push addiction and mental health conversations further upstream. He also opens up about why he’s running for the Nevada State Assembly and why he believes care has to become a bigger priority in both policy and everyday life.

Ryan also reflects on his fight for accountability from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, what he saw from inside the settlement process, and why he believes recovery has to stay flexible, individualized, and rooted in real support, not just slogans.

• Recovery takes more than willpower. Ryan makes the case that personal accountability matters, but people also need access to treatment, support, and the right tools to get stable enough to make those choices.

• There is no one-size-fits-all path. Recovery and mental health support are deeply individualized. Ryan talks about using every tool available and staying open to multiple pathways that actually help people heal.

• We cannot wait until rock bottom. From naloxone distribution to peer support and preventative care, this conversation keeps coming back to the same truth: earlier support can change outcomes.

If you’ve ever wondered what recovery really looks like in practice, or what mental health leadership should sound like in the real world, this episode will meet you with honesty, clarity, and perspective.

This episode isn’t just about recovery. It’s about what becomes possible when we build systems that help people sooner.

🎧 Stream it now:

Let’s Brightn lives, together.
#LivingUndeterred #Brightn #MentalWellness