Michigan Podcast Shares Recovery Stories to Fight Stigma

Two women in Manistee, Michigan are turning personal struggles into public hope through the power of storytelling.

The Manistee Friendship Society just launched "The Friendship Society, with Cassandra and Sabrina," a podcast where community members share their recovery journeys from mental illness and addiction. Executive Director Cassandra Kamaloski and Assistant Director Sabrina Ceresia host the show, releasing one to two episodes monthly on YouTube.

"We started the podcast because part of recovery is sharing our story, and what better way to share it where everybody can hear it?" Ceresia explained. The goal is simple: help people realize they're not fighting their battles alone.

The timing couldn't be more critical. Manistee County faces a severe shortage of mental health care providers, leaving many residents without traditional support options. That's where the Friendship Society steps in.

The organization runs a mental health drop-in center serving adults struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and addiction. What makes them unique? They're peer-run, meaning every staff member has lived experience with mental illness.

"We get people coming in from all walks of life," Kamaloski said. The center offers free peer support groups, recovery programs, wellness activities, and resource referrals. Members also access practical help like a food pantry, computer lab, gym, free laundry days, and haircuts.

The first podcast episode featured Michelle Darke, a longtime member who shared her journey with mental illness and addiction. "When I walked through the door, I felt a sense of calm, care and concern," Darke said. "It was a nonjudgmental state and therefore helped me be vulnerable, be myself at the center."

Why This Inspires

In areas where professional mental health care remains scarce, peer support fills a crucial gap. Stories like Darke's prove that connection and understanding can be just as powerful as clinical treatment. By broadcasting these journeys, the Friendship Society extends its reach beyond physical walls, offering hope to anyone with internet access who might be suffering in silence.

The Manistee Friendship Society welcomes anyone 18 and older struggling with mental or psychiatric illness, offering drop-in hours weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.