Odyssey House of Utah

01/16/2026

KRATOM! ONE WOMAN’S STORY

Lora Romney suffers from a horrible facial nerve disease that causes severe pain. “It’s like an ice cream headache that never goes away.” She says Kratom has eliminated the need for opioids to deal with the pain. In this edition of Odyssey House Journals she says to do your research before you consider using it. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms with the following links:
https://youtu.be/-aHk_nGC4AQ

You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385

or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g

or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/

Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

Can Kratom help with chronic pain and reduce opioid use?In this episode of Odyssey House Journals, Lora Romney shares her personal story of living with a sev...

01/13/2026

We’re proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace for Frontline Workers.
This award belongs to our frontline staff who show up every day with compassion, dedication, and heart. You are the ones making recovery possible for individuals and families in our community.

We are so grateful for everything you do.

WE ARE RECOVERY

https://topworkplaces.com/award/frontline-workers/2026/500-plus/4993/?page=3

01/12/2026

City Weekly Best of Utah Body and Mind voting is open! Odyssey House would be honored if you voted for us in the following categories:

Best Addiction Recovery - Odyssey House of Utah
Best Wellness Podcast - Odyssey House Journals
Best Mental Health Treatment Center - Odyssey House of Utah
Best Family Practice Clinic - Martindale Clinic
Best Nurse Practitioner - Jessica Arbogast

VOTE TODAY! The last day to vote is Jan. 25th

Follow this link to vote:

Vote in any or all categories January 7th through January 25th MST! For your votes to be counted, make sure to vote in at least 5 categories. Not seeing your favorite in a category? You can still cast write-in votes through January 25th MST!

01/12/2026

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE

The one thing we’ve learned in our family support group is that our addicted loved ones must want sobriety. We can’t force them. Please join our Odyssey Family Support Group Tuesday Evening 1/13/26 from 630-8pm. It’s free, you don’t have to be connected to Odyssey and you can join from the comfort of your home. We are using a link called Google Meet. If you would like the link, email rcarlisle@odysseyhouse.org or familygroup@odysseyhouse.org.

01/09/2026

GROWING UP TODAY IS HARDER THAN IT USED TO BE

Kids are va**ng pot at school, and getting drunk with friends, and bragging about it on social media. Some real observations from Jaisen Jensen who’s program manager of a residential facility for adolescents. In this illuminating episode of Odyssey House Journals he talks about the juvenile mindset and how to deal with it. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms with the following links:
https://youtu.be/GwKFkgtHEo8

You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385

or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g

or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/

Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

This weeks Odyssey House Journals Podcast:GROWING UP TODAY IS HARDER THAN IT USED TO BEKids are va**ng pot at school, and getting drunk with friends, and bra...

01/05/2026

2026 WISHES FOR YOU AND YOUR ADDICTED LOVED ONE

As we enter the new year do you have any goals for how you are dealing with your addicted loved one? Hearing from others may help you find peace in your life. Please join us at the next Odyssey Family Support Group Tuesday Evening 1/6/26 from 630-8pm. It’s free, you don’t have to be connected to Odyssey and you can join from the comfort of your home. We are using a link called Google Meet. If you would like the link, email rcarlisle@odysseyhouse.org or familygroup@odysseyhouse.org.

01/02/2026

HE CLIMBED A GIANT CRANE TO PEACEFULLY SMOKE A CIGARETTE

It made perfect sense to Choice Kinchen, but that’s because he was high on bath salts. He was chasing the combat highs he experienced fighting in Iraq. In this edition of Odyssey House Journals hear some incredible stories and you won’t believe what he’s doing now. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms with the following links:
https://youtu.be/ZC5qLf9yP7k

You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385

or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g

or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/

Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

HE CLIMBED A GIANT CRANE TO PEACEFULLY SMOKE A CIGARETTEIt made perfect sense to Choice Kinchen, but that’s because he was high on bath salts. He was chasing...

12/29/2025

NO FAMILY SUPPORT MEETING ON 12/30/25

The Odyssey Family Support Group will meet again on 1/6/26. Happy new year everyone.

12/26/2025

HE CALLS HIMSELF A CAREER DRUG ADDICT

But that career for Danny Boyce came crashing down when the feds raided his home because he was selling and using m**h. Danny says it was the worst day of his life, but also the best. In this edition of Odyssey House Journals he talks about raising his daughter as a single dad. Watch or listen and hopefully subscribe (free) to the 30 minute podcast on the following platforms with the following links:
https://youtu.be/UUXFwsYakDE

You can also listen and subscribe to the audio version on iTunes at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/odyssey-house-journals/id1462333385

or Spotify at
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Basx2YsjYcRmmrSufLX3z?si=Wni9usSiQbun-W0WsjNC-g

or iHeart podcasts at
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-odyssey-house-journals-59417265/

Or listen on KKAT 860-AM in Salt Lake Saturday & Sunday mornings at 10am

HE CALLS HIMSELF A CAREER DRUG ADDICTBut that career for Danny Boyce came crashing down when the feds raided his home because he was selling and using m**h. ...

12/22/2025

As the year comes to a close, your support can change a life.
Your donation helps individuals and families find hope, healing, and a path forward.

Give before the end of the year and help make recovery possible.

Donate today: https://www.odysseyhouse.org/donation

WE ARE RECOVERY

Millions of people struggle with addiction but are unable to afford care. Please join our efforts to end addiction. Your gift will directly help men, women, teens, and families heal and reclaim their lives.

12/22/2025

LAST FAMILY SUPPORT MEETING (OF THE YEAR)

Please join us for the final Odyssey Family Support Meeting of 2025. We are meeting virtually on 12/23/25 from 630-8pm. Let’s share thoughts about our addicted loved ones and how we are dealing with the holidays. It’s free, you don’t have to be connected to Odyssey and you can join from the comfort of your home. We are using a link called Google Meet. If you would like the link, email rcarlisle@odysseyhouse.org or familygroup@odysseyhouse.org.

12/20/2025

December is a season filled with holiday celebrations and the spirit of giving, so it feels especially fitting to spotlight someone who embodies that spirit year-round. This month, we’re highlighting Manny Soberanis, Odyssey House’s Procurement Manager of donations!

Manny joined Odyssey House in 2019 at the recommendation of a friend, starting as Kitchen Manager at our Lighthouse and Millcreek facilities. With a background in hospitality, he brought valuable experience that helped pave the way for his transition into his current role in 2021.

Today, Manny manages a team of 10-15 clients, starting each day with words of encouragement and a clear game plan. His team travels throughout the Salt Lake area collecting donations from organizations, individuals, and businesses. Those donations are then sorted and distributed to Odyssey House facilities based on their needs.

Manny also coordinates with local community partners so clients have opportunities to attend morale-boosting events, such as sporting events, theatrical productions, and more.

In addition to all of this, Manny leads the way in organizing Odyssey Day, our annual celebration where staff and clients come together to relax, connect, and enjoy a full day of activities, food, and good vibes.

“It feels really good [to be part of the client's healing process]. It feels like, when you see them succeed, even though you might not be remembered, you know that you were part of that path. I look at it this way: when the bikers in the Tour de France are racing, you see all those people waving; I’m one of those people. So in the end, when they became successful with their families and everything, I was one of those people waving at them and cheering them on – My goal is just to be that cheerleader in this.”

Thanks, Manny, for all the behind-the-scenes work you bring to Odyssey House! You’re a vital part of our operations in building better lives, and we can’t do it without you!