About this episode

Sequan Kolibas discusses her journey from addiction and stigma to becoming a harm reduction advocate and nonprofit leader.

Sequan Kolibas steps into a conversation about the parts of her life she has kept hidden: addiction, incarceration, an HIV diagnosis, and the moment she realizes the path she is on can no longer continue. Now leading mobile HIV and hepatitis C outreach in Utah, she challenges the stigma built into conventional healthcare and explains why lived experience carries a form of authority no title can replace. The episode traces the decision that makes recovery personal, the work of building a nonprofit, and the doors that begin to open when one honest voice refuses to stay quiet. Through harm reduction, HIV advocacy, and service, Sequan shows how adversity can reshape the way people see themselves and the communities they are called to serve, while leaving one urgent question: what changes when a hidden story is finally spoken aloud? Key Takeaways Lasting recovery begins when the decision becomes personal rather than forced by outside circumstances. Sharing painful experiences can help others feel less isolated and give them permission to speak. Lived experience provides knowledge and credibility that professional credentials cannot always replicate. Mobile harm reduction services can…

People in this episode

Host: Rudy Mawer

Guest: Sequan Kolibas

Topics covered

• harm reduction
• HIV advocacy
• addiction recovery
• nonprofit building
• stigma in healthcare

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Utah

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