Send us a text There are some stories that are so incredible - they MUST be shared with the world! And Ashley's story is just that. She is not only a survivor but now THRIVING in her story of recovery and redemption. Ashley spent much of her life being the 'invisible one', mistreated and abused, frequently placed in really harmful situations as a child. She would be the caretaker to her siblings and considered herself the 'rescuer' until the cycle of addiction began to consumer her, too. ...

Send us a text Meet Jonathan and Michelle - amazing couple who just celebrated their 17h wedding anniversary as I upload this episode! You'll enjoy hearing the journey of Jonathan, who grew up in my hometown of Billings, MT, where it wasn't uncommon for the adults in our world to drink - and for many of us to think that was 'normal' - whether that meant a destructive lifestyle or not. In Jonathan's words, he thought that's what it meant to be a 'grow up'. The destructive patterns would begin ...

Send us a text Meet Joe - with a harrowing story of addiction, suicide attempts, and no idea of his identity, Joe shares some explicit parts of his journey. As such, you'll hear me add a word of CAUTION in my opening dialogue - to listen at your own risk. Parts of his testimony were difficult for me to hear, and yet stories of heroine abound, as do trap houses and rescuing children and women from trafficking - they are more common than I know or understand. Now, however, Joe is a messenger of...

Send us a text Today's guest is Amber Hollingsworth - professional addiction counselor and so much more! She shares how, ironically, while her family of origin was laden with this insidious disease, she didn't get into her profession as a result of that! Her experience runs deep, as her profession is helping both addicts and their loved ones and family members navigate the best possible outcomes for all. You won't want to miss checking out her YouTube Channel by the same name; Put the S...

Send us a text Meet Vanessa! Her story is one for the co-dependents among us. Vanessa recalls a rather ideal childhood, yet now knows it was the caring big sister who 'shielded' her from so many of the realities that she wouldn't come to learn about until her middle school/high school years. Her father was a high-functioning, high-producing alcoholic who maintained such a solid image - until there was (in Vanessa's words), the big crescendo! For all of us, somewhere along the way, the h...

Send us a text Meet Char'Dae, PhD candidate with an extraordinary background! Her mantra, 'it's never too late' is such an alegory of OVERCOMING! Feeling so very different at the earliest age, Char'Dae credits her Grandfather with the message to her young heart that said, "Just be you". Ever sensing she wasn't 'enough', she went to the counseling center in college, where, though she wouldn't find anyone who looked like her, she began to understand that her struggles were rooted in anxie...

Send us a text Meet Richard - aka, The Drinking Machine! Early on there was what he describes as 'the accident that changed everything'. That would trigger his own story in a family line filled with alcoholics. Climbing the 'success ladder' to epic levels of financial success, Richard shares of how each move, the drinking would increase, cocaine would become a new norm, and the psychological trauma that would follow. The story doesn't end there! Let's go listen now... If you enjoyed this podc...

Send us a text Meet Susan - Mom to Andrew from our last episode! This mother shares the good, the bad, and the ugly of this disease through the lens of a parent. As a military family, there were ample moves along the way, and somehow that saying, "Birds of a feather, flock together" rings true in this story. At one point along the way, she shares the fearful dark side of the near-fatal overdose situation, in back-to-back trips to the ER. Ultimately, Andrew, recognizing the truth of his ...

Send us a text Andrew describes his journey of addiction in the title of today's episode. At one point he knew he was 'at death's gate' with a pit of emptiness that was eroding his very life. But it had't always been that way, and thankfully, that's hardly the end of the story. Andrew grew up in a beautiful, loving family and enjoyed a great life, as he describes it. But then a terrible accident 'turned on' the addiction that had been lurking since birth. Now he's celebrating recovery a...

Send us a text Meet Jade & Kyle. High school sweethearts with a journey like so many of ours. Or is it? If you are needing some HOPE, this is your episode! Their 'backstory' incorporates so much what many of us know or have experienced for ourselves - the deception that runs rampant within this horrific family disease. Yet with GOOD NEWS abounding, the radical detours this couple went on over the course of their 14 year relationship has a number of unique elements, not the least of which ...

Send us a text Just WOW! Meeting Jennifer was such a treat for me - and I trust it will be for you, as well! Not only does she have a phenomenal story, but how she and her husband are now helping others in the most remarkable way! It's just another amazing story of Redemption! Growing up in Miami and with her parents splitting up in her early years, Jennifer was hit with a LOT of trauma early on, to include the murder of her favorite uncle at a mere 7 years old. She was violated early with d...

Send us a text Meet Todd - a former Professional Rodeo Cowboy/Bull-Rider - whose time with horses now is in the pen sharing the Gospel across the country and around the globe via Riding High Ministries (https://g.co/kgs/iEzi3C6). But it wasn't always this way. As Todd shares, he was hurting - and therefore hurting a lot of others along the way. With days of promiscuity, alcohol, people pleasing and more, his 'turning point' now impacts others on a global scale. There were several 'wake-...

Send us a text Meet Molly; entrepreneur, single-parent, lover of Jesus and so much more! While Molly doesn't go deep into the story of her ex/alcoholic, she shares how all three of her boys have suffered addiction. And yet the last 5 years have been, by far, the most challenging and difficult to navigate, as her oldest, John traversed into the dark side with paranoia into severe psychosis. Driving herself to the Arctic Circle to find some solace, she states, "God is gracious". WIth trea...

Send us a text Meet Richard - fun-loving Bostonian in the restaurant industry who speaks to his journey before and after alcoholism. As the child of two parents who smoked and drank, (and a passel of other family members) Richard began his imbibing at the tender age of 12. The on-again-off-again cycle with months of not drinking was how it started, until he found himself 'in the bottle'. His only regret now, as he shares, is that his dad never saw him sober. It's a sobering story - take a lis...

Send us a text Meet Steve - whose gripping story of recovery and redemption eclipse the long and winding road, with a 13-year stop along the way in a Colorado penitentiary. Steve is well-versed now in what he refers to as the "Gold Standard" of recovery. And trust me, having tried sobriety for ten years on his own, he learned some of the most difficult lessons in the hardest of ways. From feeling that sense of 'socially awkward' with which so many can identify, Steve became the ...

Send us a text Greetings and Happy New Year! I love this time of year - this sense of 'new beginnings'. Today I'm so happy to introduce you to Christine - a dear friend in recovery in my own program, ironically called 'New Beginnings'! Christine shares her testimony in such a raw, authentic, vulnerable way - one I know you'll relate to. My hope is, that while she, too, experienced the relapse of a loved one, the story didn't end there. Much like I had to learn, as well. Which is why th...

Send us a text Meet Lacy...beautiful entrepreneur, who, from the outside looking in, has it all together. So goes so many of our stories! Yet you and I both know, it's far from the truth. By now we recognize that literally, everyone has a story. Which is why I'm so grateful to each person who bravely shares their experience, strength and hope, to give us just that, for when we most need it. Lacy is no stranger to 'hard' as her winding story will speak to. From divorced, alcoholic...

Send us a text Meet Creigh, contestant on The Voice! I was so inspired when hearing his introduction on this year's season of The Voice, I immediately reached out to see if he would be willing to share his awesome testimony! Fortunately, he shared his 'yes' and here we are! To hear once again that "You are not alone" and to not let this disease 'rob you of your best life' was so encouraging! In this holiday season when gatherings with friends and family can be difficult at best for many of u...

Send us a text Meet JD - Men's Center Director for 180 Ministries here in Denver. His story begins as a young kid, lacking self-confidence and real identity, though not a bad childhood as some stories. Recognizing he wanted to 'get away', he'd ultimately join the Marines and land in Okinawa, Japan for his first assignment. Things got dark, as this self-proclaimed former 'people pleaser' would gravitate towards the 'bad guys', diving into behaviors where, ultimately, everything came crashing ...

Send us a text Karen is well acquainted with the depth of loss, grief and all that is enveloped in the world of the alcoholic/addict. And yet, with 37 years of recovery to her name, she now helps countless others in their journey to recovery. There are so many nuggets of wisdom shared throughout this episode! A favorite quote from the 'big book' states, "Glass in hand, we have warped our minds". And with the main dish and multiple 'sides', Karen was well on her way to a life 'off the r...