On this week’s episode of Community Corner, host Brother Love sat down with Kirk Johnson and Ashley Shockley, two representatives from STARS Nashville. STARS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope, health, and connection to young people to help them pursue their unlimited potential. Kirk and Ashley are both certified peer specialists, using their lived experience to help people in addiction recovery and meet them where they are.
The conversation centered around breaking stigmas and building connections. Ashley shared her personal story of overcoming addiction and alcoholism, describing how accepting help and being willing to change transformed her life. Now, ten years into recovery, she works as a Care Coordinator, partnering closely with first responders and Metro Police. Through ride-alongs and crisis response, Ashley meets individuals in moments of need, often following overdoses, to offer resources, support, and a path toward treatment. In many cases, entering recovery can even replace incarceration, thanks to STARS’ close collaboration with law enforcement.
Kirk reflected on his own recovery, describing the “gift of desperation” that led him to surrender and begin healing. He now works within 12-step programs, emphasizing that recovery is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. As he put it, “the good news is you get your feelings back… the bad news is you feel them.” Both guests agreed that the opposite of addiction is connection, and through STARS, they strive to create that sense of belonging for every person they meet. STARS Nashville also provides mental health resources for youth struggling with addiction and related challenges. They also have connections to mental health services for older recipients.
Their mission is rooted in compassion, community, and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone. For more information about STARS Nashville and their programs, visit www.starsnashville.org. To listen to the full episode of Community Corner, click the link below.
