How a Harm Reduction Advocate Turned Shame Into Power

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 reach people who have been excluded or mistreated by conventional healthcare.
• Building a nonprofit requires conviction, a clear mission, and the willingness to continue through roadblocks.

Notable Quotes

• “A big one would be to not keep your story to yourself.”
• “Your deepest shame can become your greatest asset.”
• “People with lived experience are very valuable.”
• “If it’s easy, it’s probably not going to last.”
• “Give us our dignity back. Meet us in the middle.”