Falling to Freedom

Join host Chad LaComb for an inspiring conversation with Mary Beth O’Connor, retired federal judge and author of 'From Junkie to Judge: One woman's triumph over trauma and addiction' as they explore her incredible journey from childhood trauma and methamphetamine addiction to lasting recovery. Mary Beth shares how she crafted a personalized recovery plan, rejecting one-size-fits-all models, and emphasizes the power of addressing trauma and mental health for true freedom. With 31 years sober, she offers hope and practical advice for anyone battling addiction or supporting a loved one.

Listen now to discover how tailoring recovery to your unique needs can transform your life.

Join the conversation: How has addiction touched your life, and what

steps are you taking toward freedom? Share below!

Subscribe to Falling to Freedom Podcast for more stories of resilience,

recovery, and hope.

#AddictionRecovery #FromJunkieToJudge #HarmReduction #MentalHealthAwareness #ChristianPodcast

What if a single story could light a spark for someone lost in the grip of addiction? That’s where we start.

Hey there, I’m Chad LaComb, and I’m excited to share The Falling to Freedom Podcast. In this episode, I’m laying it all bare, my messy, real journey. Picture this: I was using drugs by 12, landed in prison, and hit rock bottom before finding redemption through Christ. It wasn’t pretty, but it’s my truth, and it’s the heartbeat of this podcast. This is just the start of something bigger.

Addiction is everywhere. Maybe it’s drugs, gambling, or even scrolling endlessly on social media. It’s not just the person struggling; it’s the families, friends, and communities caught in the ripple effect. That’s why Falling to Freedom exists. We’re diving into raw, honest stories, some full of hope, others heavy with loss. You’ll hear from recovery experts, law enforcement, medical professionals, and everyday people who’ve been there. This podcast isn’t just for those fighting addiction; it’s for anyone who wants to understand this growing problem, support those going through it, or make a difference in event the smallest ways.

Through my work with Fully Restored Ministries I’ve seen faith transform lives, mine included. This podcast is about sharing that hope, equipping people to heal, and building a community that grows together. So, come along for the ride.

Check out the full episode on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@FallingtoFreedomPodcast or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Got a story? Drop it in the comments, how has addiction touched your life? Let’s talk about it.

Hit like, follow, and share to help spread hope. Join us as we chase freedom, one story at a time.

#FallingToFreedom #AddictionRecovery #HopeAndHealing #FullyRestoredMinistries

From opiate addiction to leading others to freedom Rick Martinez shares his powerful story on Falling to Freedom. Discover how faith, the ‘dignity of work,’ and the Third Phase program at The Rivers Edge Ranch transforms lives.

Share to spread hope! #AddictionRecovery #Faith #TheThirdPhase

Join host Chad LaComb for a powerful conversation with Dr. Glenn Potts, a clinical psychologist with over a decade at Patton State Hospital, as they dive into the psychology of addiction, mental health, and the transformative power of faith. Dr. Potts, who has worked with veterans and criminally insane patients, reveals how addiction, whether to substances, smartphones, pornography, or social media, intertwines with mental health challenges, and why a relationship with God is the foundation for lasting recovery.

Listen now to explore how faith can overcome addiction in all its forms.

Join the conversation: Have you noticed the pull of smartphones or social media in your life? Share your thoughts below!

Subscribe to Falling to Freedom Podcast for more insights on faith, recovery, and mental health.

#AddictionRecovery #FaithBasedHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #SmartphoneAddiction #ChristianPodcast

In this gripping episode of Falling to Freedom, retired Oakland firefighter Jason Sautel sits down with host Chad LaComb to expose the silent suffering behind the badge. From a chaotic and abusive childhood in Hemet, California, to the front lines of life-and-death emergencies, Jason’s journey is one of unimaginable pain, spiritual transformation, and ultimate redemption.

Learn how childhood trauma and firefighting stress created the perfect storm for an emotional collapse. The mental and spiritual cost of rescuing others while losing himself brought Jason to his turning point:a haunting Bay Bridge jumper call that led to his moment of truth.

Bold friendship and faith in Jesus brought him out of the darkness.

Jason is now a passionate speaker, author of The Rescuer and Jesus Is All We Need, and host of the Jesus Is All We Need Podcast. Jason brings hope to first responders and anyone trapped in isolation, addiction, or despair.

Let’s break the silence. Drop a comment below: What’s your story? How do you find freedom?

Subscribe for weekly episodes that explore the intersection of addiction, trauma, and recovery through the lens of faith and real-life transformation.

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#AddictionRecovery #FaithOverFear #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthMatters #JesusIsAllWeNeed #FirstResponderSupport #TheRescuer

Join host Chad LaComb for a powerful episode of Falling to Freedom as Matt Capelouto shares his heart-wrenching story of loss and relentless fight for justice. After his daughter Alexandra died from a single fentanyl-laced counterfeit pill she believed was Percocet, Matt turned grief into action. He spearheaded Alexandra’s Law to hold drug dealers accountable and is now a leading voice in the battle against the fentanyl crisis. Learn about the dangers of counterfeit pills, the urgent need for education and mental health support, and how Matt’s mission at www.stopdrughomicide.org is saving lives. A story of tragedy,resilience, and hope, don’t miss this call to action. #FentanylCrisis #AlexandrasLaw #OnePillKills

In this powerful episode of Falling To Freedom, host Chad LaComb sits down with Devin O’Day, Chief Development Officer at First Responder-Wellness in Newport Beach, to explore the unseen struggles of first responders, police, firefighters, EMS, and military. With addiction and trauma affecting these heroes at twice the rate of the general population, Devin, 15 years sober, shares his transformative journey from addiction’s depths to leading a mission to save lives.

The episode dives into the unique challenges first responders face: a “toughness” culture that stigmatizes vulnerability, fear of career repercussions, and the toll of job-related PTSD and moral injury from “sticky calls.” Devin reveals how hyper-vigilance, disassociation, and self-medication with alcohol or drugs can spiral, with suicide claiming more first responder lives than line-of-duty deaths.

Through the lens of First Responder Wellness, which treats 345 individuals annually, Devin highlights solutions: culturally competent care, peer support like the First Responder Fellowship, and holistic wellness encompassing hobbies, relationships, and purpose. His message is clear, recovery is possible with honest acknowledgment and community support.

This raw, hopeful conversation is a call to break stigma, foster resilience, and prioritize first responder wellness. Tune in to discover practical steps for healing and how we can all support our heroes.

Stream now at fullyrestored.org/podcast and visit firstresponder-wellness.com for resources. Join us in championing mental health and hope. @FallingToFreedom @FirstResponderWellness

Can you rise above a past that includes gangs, addiction, and prison? Host

Chad LaComb sits down with DeShun Wooten, owner of The Press Espresso’s

five Southwest Riverside coffee shops, in the vibrant cigar-lounge

ambiance of their Old Town Murrieta location. DeShun shares his journey

from a fatherless youth and seven years in prison to building a thriving

business through faith, southern hospitality, and persistence. Discover

how he pressed on, inspired by Philippians 3:14, and why your past

doesn’t have to define your future. Subscribe and join the conversation!

@ThePressEspresso #AddictionRecovery #PressOn #FallingToFreedom

What role does community play in transforming addiction into redemption? In

this moving episode of Falling to Freedom, Doug Whiteman, Executive

Director of The River’s Edge Ranch, shares his journey from drug use to

leading a faith-based recovery program. Discover how accountability,

purpose, and the “wrap-around” model at River’s Edge Ranch transforms

lives with insights on tough love, animal-assisted therapy, and the

dignity of work. Join us to explore why community support is key to

healing. Subscribe for weekly discussions tackling addiction head-on.

(Approx. 45 min, Released April 24, 2025)

In Episode 8 of Falling to Freedom, host Chad LaComb sits down with

Karen Streeter for a deeply moving conversation about her son Kai, who

tragically lost his life to a fentanyl overdose at 21 on June 6, 2024.

Falling to Freedom is the weekly podcast that confronts addiction

head-on, unpacking its root causes, devastating effects, and potential

solutions with raw honesty and hope.

Karen shares Kai’s vibrant legacy, a funny, bright, athletic, and

faithful young man who loved reading, writing, and serving others, while

candidly recounting his descent into addiction starting in his teens.

From vaping and marijuana to heroin and fentanyl, Kai’s story exposes

the challenges of navigating a system with scarce resources and the

deadly rise of fentanyl-laced drugs. Despite multiple overdoses and

systemic hurdles, Kai’s hope shone through, captured in his journal: “It

feels like I’m finally moving forward, God is establishing my steps

again…”

Through her faith and resilience, Karen advocates for compassion, better

youth programs, and stiffer penalties to combat the addiction crisis.

This episode is a powerful call to break the silence on addiction and

save lives.

Join us for this unforgettable story of love, loss, and hope. Subscribe

to Falling to Freedom and share to raise awareness! 💙

#FentanylAwareness #KaisStory #BreakTheSilence

Listen now and join the conversation!

#FallingToFreedom #AddictionRecovery