Peer Talk is a short presentation to inspire, educate and spark conversations around innovative ideas, while sharing knowledge and fostering dialogue.

To receive 1.5 CEs for this session, you must attend all three Peer Talks. Partial CEs will not be awarded.

What Real MI Peers Do

Drawing from more than 22 years of service in the United States Army – including 36 months as a Drill Sergeant and over 11 years of lived experience with incarceration and recovery, this session offers an authentic, deeply human perspective on transformation. The presenter shares a journey from addiction, stigma, and self-doubt to purpose-driven living, emphasizing that recovery is possible for anyone. Through evidence- based guidance, peer support, and real-life application, this session highlights how individuals can overcome barriers such as having justice involvement, low self-esteem, and lack of support to build meaningful, sustainable lives.

Presented By:
Reginald Woodward – CPRC

Building Inner Strength

This session is designed to help peers discover, develop and use the strengths they already have within themselves. Participants will explore how confidence and resilience grow through lived experience, connection and practice. This session will help peers identify what makes them strong and learn simple strategies to overcome challenges.

Presented By:
Randy May – CPM

The Radical Act of Being Seen: Self Advocacy Through Recovery

This session features a journey from shame and silence to leadership and visibility transforming my life and the lives of countless others. I lead with vulnerability, courage, and deep belief in second chances. The presenter speaks openly about recovery as a pathway to personal power, self-advocacy, and becoming the person you always hoped you could be. This mini-session explores how self-advocacy began the moment you stop hiding and start telling your story. Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of how sharing your truth becomes both a healing act and a powerful tool for justice and connection.

Presented By:
Paula Lipinski