In this episode of the Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Ranae Van Roekel — a former federal inmate turned advocate for criminal justice reform and trauma-informed care.

Ranae shares her powerful journey from committing a federal crime to finding healing and purpose during incarceration. She speaks candidly about how trauma, addiction, and unaddressed pain shaped her decisions — and how prison became the unexpected space where she began confronting her past and rebuilding her future.

Now the founder of Connecting to COPE, Ranae works to raise awareness about the deeper factors that lead to incarceration and the critical need for trauma-informed education both inside and outside correctional settings.

This conversation explores:

• Why understanding the “why” matters more than focusing only on the “what”
• The role of education in reducing recidivism
• Gaps in reentry coordination and support
• Trauma treatment in incarceration settings
• Why compassion and second chances are essential

This episode is a reminder that people are more than their worst decision — and that meaningful reform begins with understanding.

About Ranae Van Roekel

A mother, grandmother, wife, and advocate, Ranae served 36 months in federal prison – an experience that became her turning point. In confronting decades of buried trauma, she found clarity and purpose. Through Connecting to Cope, she now shares healing tools and education to help others break cycles of pain, rediscover their worth, and lead with compassion.

Ranae’s message resonates deeply with audiences seeking growth, wellness, second chances, and authentic leadership. Her story reminds us that true influence starts with empathy – and that healing isn’t linear, but always possible.

Links:

• Website: https://connectingtocope.com/#about
• Social Media:https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-to-cope/posts/?feedView=all

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.