Episode 126 – Interview with Jason Clawson, Clinical Therapist 

Jason Clawson, a Clinical Therapist based in Utah, specializes in Grief, Addiction, Trauma and Mental Health. His byline for life is, “Healing takes courage!”

In 2018, Jason’s life was flipped upside down after his wife (Valerie) was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. This was devastating news for his young family of four and it completely rocked their world. He was terrified because the doctor told him his wife only had days or weeks to live. 

Nine months later loved ones and family members were saying goodbye at her funeral. Jason recalls that time and wants others to know that “no one or thing can fully prepare you for life's challenges, trials, and pain. After the funeral was complete and over, I remember my support from my family and friends quickly disappeared. I quickly found myself all alone trying to pick up the pieces of life. It was a hard and lonely time for me”. 

He found himself wondering, "what happened to all the people that were here for me"? "Does anyone care anymore"? "Where is my Team"? "How will I get through this?" 

Life began to get more and more difficult as life continued after the passing of his wife. He found himself more and more depressed, isolating, lonely, anxious, and even struggling to sleep. Life quickly became overwhelming, and he was fearful of the future. As a clinical therapist, no one had taught him about these moments he was experiencing. 

The Summer following the loss of his wife, he and his sons decided to have a lemonade stand, with the goal of raising money to create "SUNSHINE BASKETS" for people that had lost a spouse, were dealing with cancer, or individuals that were struggling. The goal was to raise $100 but after the lemonade stand closed, they had raised over $1,500. The fundraising success allowed them to make 25 baskets and they begin delivering them to people who needed help and support. 

Shortly thereafter a lady in Virginia called to see if she could get a “Sunshine Basket” because she was struggling. That caused the launch of a new business - “Giving Sunshine” Currently, they have delivered baskets to forty-five states and soon will have sent them to all fifty states. Jason and his business partner, Wyatt Ernst, have seen rapid growth in their startup venture. 

Learn more about “Giving Sunshine” here: https://givingsunshine.com/ 

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/GivingSunshineDaily 

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

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 125 - Adam Martin, 5-Time Felon Turned Social Entrepreneur

Adam Martin resides in Fargo, North Dakota, and is the founder of the F5 Project, and the Ridge Treatment and Reentry Center.

The F5 project serves the formerly incarcerated and those suffering from addictions – typically anyone in those situations have limited resources available to them. Usually, they struggle to obtain even the simplest things due to an unfair stigma. 

I love the organization’s byline, “We’re criminal justice reform warriors who offer grace without question and create change for those who hustle”. The F5 Project cuts the red tape and eliminates barriers to basic needs, employment, and accountability. They are hands and feet on the street offering housing, resources, and a customized support plan for those who need assistance.

Adam spent a lot of time in juvenile detention, foster homes, and eventually jail. He lost his kids, lost his car, and he didn’t have a driver’s license. He was very far behind on his child support, accumulating major debt and he had no real ambitions to go and do anything other than drink a lot, do many drugs, and party. His Mom and Dad met in treatment, so some would say his future was predetermined. 

Sadly, he didn’t think he was going to grow up to be anything great. One day he blacked out and woke up in a hotel room, after stealing a U-Haul and breaking into three businesses. He regained consciousness in that hotel room and could smell the cigarettes and the booze. 

Adam recalls seeing stolen laptops around him and knew that it had all happened again. At that moment he started to realize that he was hurting a lot of people and that was the beginning of a “life change” for him.

The F5 project now has transition housing in three communities in North Dakota. They work on restoring voter rights and strive to find large numbers of what are referred to as “second chance” jobs for those in their programs.

Their services include housing, employment, peer support, community connections, and recovery growth programs. Everyone deserves grace and a chance to a fresh start.

Website: www.f5project.org 

Twitter: twitter.com/f5projectorg 

Instagram: Instagram.com/f5projectorg 

Address: 1122 1st Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58107

Office Phone: (701) 201-2491

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 124 – Interview with Dr. Sweets, a Faith-Based Therapist

“Through the use of Inspire ME model; Dr. Wilson-Williams specializes in helping individuals transform and overcome various life challenges.”

Dr. Sweets Wilson-Williams is a native of Harlem, New York, is the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and Cuba. She now resides in the greater Hartford, Connecticut metro and is the CEO of Inspire ME, LLC. Her accomplishments include being a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor, a Licensed Master Social Worker, a Licensed Forensic Counselor, a Licensed Domestic Violence Counselor, and a Licensed Forensic Sex Offender Treatment Specialist. 

As a professional faith-based therapist, she will help you illuminate underestimated strengths while identifying self-limiting mental roadblocks. Dr. Sweets specializes in helping individuals in transition, or who desire to bring about momentous change. 

Her practice helps individuals move through a new stage in life, handling trauma, mental health issues, addictions, grief, and loss, helping to establish themselves after a divorce or to achieve a desired life purpose through a therapeutic experience.

Dr. Wilson is passionate about delivering transformational therapeutic counseling. Individuals can learn from their crisis, roadblocks to success can be removed, and self-mastery is achieved so you can direct your life as you want. The transformation you experience while working with her will deliver innovative access to power and clarity to reclaim your life in ways you could have never imagined. Live a successful life on your terms.

More info can be found at: https://www.imeministries.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sweets-wilson-williams-16872010/ 

Her email is: [email protected]

And the office phone number is: (860) 469-2184

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 123 – Step 5: Admitting our sins, confessing all the dark secrets of our past.

Step 5 says goodbye to self-deception and hello to forgiveness and cleansing. We should note that there is cleansing from every wrong, not from “wrongdoing” in a general sense. Admitting the exact nature of our wrongs includes giving our accounts in exact and specific terms. It is only when we get specific that we will no longer be able to fool ourselves about the nature of our wrongs. Since we cannot ignore God and get away with it anyway, we might as well come clean and be forgiven.

How do you choose someone to listen? Choose someone of the same sex whom you trust and respect. Choose to use your sponsor or accountability partner, someone who has completed Steps 4 & 5. And, be sure to set an appointment for working your Step 5 with no interruptions.

What do you do during your Step 5 meeting? Start with prayer, asking for courage, humility, and honesty. Then share your strengths and weaknesses. Be sure to talk about all those things that were written on your Step 4 inventory sheets. In the end, say a prayer, thanking God for the complete forgiveness found in Christ.

A favorite quote that resonates with Step 5 comes from my friend, John Maxwell: “Trying times are not time to quit trying.”

The 21-Point Assessment mentioned during the episode can be found at:  http://randymortensen.com 

If you are interested in the 8-week “Lifestyle Champion Cohort”, text “CHAMPION” to 66866 or call my office at 321.757.HOPE

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 122 - Interview with RJ Zimmerman, Sobriety & Mental Health Advocate

RJ is a resident of Virginia, recently celebrated 8.5 years of sobriety, and is on a mission to let others know they’re not alone. He wants the person struggling with substance abuse to understand that the poor choices made should not cause you to give up on life. Making the decision to change is the beginning of living your life unshackled.

He is a father of two and the founder of “Untapped Keg”, a podcast about sobriety and mental health. Each week, “Untapped Keg” is providing hope and spotlighting stories about sobriety and mental health. The hosts talk about their own sobriety, mental health, being vulnerable about their struggles, and celebrating their wins.

RJ Zimmerman loves to share his story in depth. He goes through how he got to where he is now, okay with himself and working on friendships, using his past to boost himself forward, and doing everything he can to help show others they are not alone.

You can find “Untapped Keg” on all social media platforms and on YouTube. Join the community that is allowing room for growth, while showing it’s okay to not be okay.

Website: https://www.untappedkeg.com 

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UntappedKeg 

Email for RJ: [email protected] 

To access the podcast: https://www.untappedkeg.com/episodes 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/untappedkeg 
Charity board:  Up4MentalHealth.org

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 121  –  Interview with Kevin Caby, 12-years clean and sober

Kevin Caby is a resident of the New York City area, working in the film and television industry. He is on a mission to help people find peace in sobriety, similar to what he’s been able to achieve. 

In his teens, his drug of choice was heroin, but his drinking became very problematic when he finally got off heroin. His story is one of self-destruction, guilt, and depression. His drug use started at a young age, and his mission then was to self-medicate. Kevin went through two rehabs but wasn’t able to remain clean. His third program attempt gave him new ways to experience real-life changing moments and relationships, by equipping him with tools for day-to-day living. 

He has been a long-time member of AA and NA, and touts that his success has come from the support of other addicts and drunks, who are now living proof that recovery is possible. 

Through his professional life and engaging with others, he now relies on a positive outlook and finding beauty in the world and in other people. One of his favorite sayings is, “Together we can achieve great things”. 

During this interview, in a moment of reflection, Kevin talks about looking back on his life when using and seeing how much he took from the world because of his selfishness. In recovery, he now feels it is his duty to be of service to those in need, especially those struggling with substance abuse issues who reach out to him for help. 

Another quote from Kevin is brilliant, “On a broader spectrum, I feel like it is up to all humanity to lift up each other and care for one another. All we have is each other.”

If you would like to connect with Kevin, please call the Courageous Recovery office – 321.757.HOPE or email to [email protected] 

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 120-Interview with Ed Khouri, pastor and sober since 1978

Ed Khouri resides in North Carolina and touts himself as being in recovery from substance abuse, workaholism, perfectionism, and porn. He’s been clean and sober since 1978. Since 1980, he’s been working in the field of recovery as a volunteer and full-time employee. 

Besides working in both Christian and secular residential treatment centers, he’s done pastoral counseling, served as a supervised therapist, and has worked with homeless people and those incarcerated because of substance-abuse-related offenses. 

For over 40 years, he’s been passionately creating innovative approaches to serve hurting men and women around the globe. In addition to the extensive counseling services in diverse settings, he’s traveled the world to train leaders, create new training materials, and create innovative approaches to develop sustainable, transformational communities. 

In 2003, Ed and his wife, Maritza, began the ministry/non-profit - “Equipping Hearts for the Harvest”, a 501C3. Since then, he has traveled to nearly 30 nations - and taught students from about 70 countries. His goal is to equip churches, leaders, volunteers, and workers to serve struggling men and women with excellence - leading to transformation. 

In partnership with Dr. Jim Wilder, he helped create and write the “Restarting and Belonging” curriculum for hurting people. He also co-authored “Joy Starts Here: The Transformation Zone”. Thousands of people have benefited from those materials. 

Since 2015, Ed has been developing a series of books founded on Scripture and the latest findings of neuroscience. His first book, “Becoming a Face of Grace: Navigating Lasting Relationships with God and Others” was just released in July 2021. This book is for both individual readers and groups. 

His second book, “Beyond Becoming: A Field Guide to Sustainable, Transformational Communities”, explains how to develop, structure, and lead small groups based on the grace-based model in Becoming a Face of Grace. This book was released on May 1, 2022. 

“The Weight of Leadership: How Codependency and Misplaced Mercy Undermine Life and Ministry”, Ed’s third book, is scheduled for release in August 2022. A fourth book is currently underway under the working title: “Attachment, Avatars, and Addiction: Finding the Real You!”

Ed is married to the love of his life, Maritza, and lives in Conover, NC. He has an amazing daughter and four awesome stepsons.

Website: https://www.equippinghearts.com/ 

Order his book(s) on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3RLQhfZ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/equippinghearts 

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 119 -  Interview with R.C. Hand, Retired Entrepreneur & Global Traveler

Ray Hand is a retired contractor, born and raised in Orange County, California and still lives there today. He was raised in the restaurant/bar industry in a rough multi-ethnic neighborhood. He started as a dishwasher at the age of 8 and continued as a waiter until he was 16 years old. 

He has a great quote: “Work hard while you’re young to live well when you aren’t”

His family was always self-employed. In addition to working in the family restaurant, Ray also sold flowers on the street corner and had a shoeshine box. He lived and worked with his alcoholic father for 35-years until his father passed away. His father was off and on the wagon throughout Ray’s entire life. Dad could never say no to a drink that was offered. 

Today, Ray realizes that he learned a great deal about himself and his family throughout all of the long adventures his alcoholic siblings and his father brought about. Ray says, “the family members were very intelligent but flawed”.

He played tennis throughout school and continues to play the game to this day. Ray has written poetry and short stories for most of his life and has always been proud of his vivid imagination. His writings have focused on stories relating to people’s behaviors and the resulting consequences.

Ray and his wife have a passion for travel and have visited more than ninety countries on seven continents. He has written at least nine novels containing a wide variety of topics. Check out his travel journals to learn more about some of the countries they have visited.

His website is: https://cowboyproductions52.com 

Purchase his books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/R.-C.-Hand/e/B0773YWD3X 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-c-hand-74a33216a 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/r.c.hand 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052549981197 

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 118 - Overcoming the Fear of Failure

On this broadcast we will tackle some challenging aspects of fear. As Zig Ziglar wrote many years ago, "when it comes to F-E-A-R, you can choose to fight or flight.

F-E-A-R really has two meanings: "Forget Everything and Run" or "Face Everything and Rise".

On this episode I want to give you four questions to consider when you're facing fear:
(1) Is there a fear of failure in your life?
(2) Is it possible that you might actually fear success?
(3) How do you deal with the fear of rejection
(4) Is the fear of losing your identity real?

WILL THE REAL "YOU" PLEASE STAND UP!!!!!

acourageousrecovery.com

Episode 117 -    Interview with Charlie Backer, Chief Heat Officer

Charlie Backer, who resides in the St. Louis, MO area, is the founder of “HOT CHARLIE’S”. In August of 2017, he was craving something that had both heat and flavor, so he launched his first product that immediately received raving reviews. The Ghost Pepper sauce was first, and the other Hot Charlie’s sauces are unique in that they use real garlic, and they focus on the flavor of the peppers, not the heat. 

Both the Original and the Ghost Pepper are thicker sauces, and you can really taste the ingredients. In the summer of 2021 Charlie released a fan-favorite line of frozen pizzas – Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch and Spicy Meat Lovers. (20% discount code is shown below)

He touts himself as being a passionate voice who’s set on increasing the awareness of the freedom found in sobriety. Charlie is married and has two wonderful children. His lifelong goal is “to become better than I was the day before”.

Charlie’s sober date is March 20, 2017. After years of alcohol abuse, that finally culminated in crashing his car and spending the night in a justice center. He then began the journey of getting sober. Throughout his early days of sobriety, he struggled with boredom, and that’s primarily what led him to launch the hot sauce company. 

He is a strong advocate of the “one day at a time” theme. Prior to engaging in a 12-step program, he had tried numerous times in the past to become sober, only to fall back into drinking. Eventually, through the grace of God, he was able to become sober. 

Through the assistance of an extremely supportive wife, close friends and family, and weekly meetings with a psychologist, as well as frequent meetings with a spiritual director, he was able to chart a path to sobriety, and live it.

Charlie wants to share his story and is passionate about helping others find sobriety – one step at a time.


The Hot Charlies website is: https://hotcharlies.com 

Our audience members are offered a 20% discount when using the code: CR20 at checkout

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliebacker 

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

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@charliebacker 

acourageousrecovery.com