In this powerful episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast, Eric sits down with James and Michelle Halverson to discuss what it means to become true “generational breakers”—transforming cycles of trauma, addiction, and broken relationships through recovery and faith.

James shares his journey to real sobriety at 44 after decades of struggle, opening up about childhood abuse, manipulation, and the freedom that came through forgiving his mother. Michelle reflects on her own past with abuse and the challenge of supporting a son battling addiction while learning to balance love with accountability.

Together, they reveal how honesty, humility, and transparency—like sharing phone access and confronting fear—helped them rebuild trust and connection. This heartfelt conversation reminds us that healing isn’t just about overcoming addiction—it’s about breaking chains, restoring families, and creating a legacy of hope and service through their full-time Gym Ministry.

On This Episode:

• Why the concept of being a "generational breaker" resonated with couples.

• James’ transformative act of forgiving his mother, which facilitated his own healing.

• The connection between childhood sexual abuse and adult conflict mechanisms (the "chump" complex).

• The power of vulnerability and communication in moving past "scorched earth" arguments.

• Michelle’s perspective on supporting a loved one through addiction and avoiding enablement.

• The role of radical transparency (like shared phone access) in building trust in recovery.

Connect with James and Michelle Halverson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehalversons/

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJamSessionPodcast

(Note: James' book is Awakened and Michelle's upcoming book is The Boss Breakthrough)

Connect with us: 

Socials: @RecoveryVow 

Website: recoveryvow.com 

Email: [email protected]

New episodes each Monday! 

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