In this powerful episode, guests Brandon Sanders and his wife Cary Dawn Sanders share an unflinching, firsthand account of long-term addiction, relapse, and radical restoration through faith. Brandon—once a nurse who spiraled into pain‑killer abuse, prescription fraud, and years of heroin and meth use—and Cary—who battled similar darkness and suicidal thoughts—walk listeners through the events that led them to rock bottom and the faith‑based programs that helped them rebuild.

Topics include the early prescription that sparked addiction, life as a double‑life addict, arrests and pretrial diversion, secular rehab vs. faith programs like Teen Challenge and Wings of Life, suicidal ideation and near‑death experiences, the role of community and toxic relationships in relapse, and the practical steps they took toward restoration: surrender, ministry, counseling, and family reconciliation. Key moments: Brandon’s surrender in a hotel room, Cary’s encounter with the Holy Spirit, their meeting while serving outreach, marital courtship under pastoral oversight, and later miracles including restored relationships and the reinstatement of Carrie’s nursing license.

Listeners can expect candid stories about shame, loss, and recovery, reflections on how Christ overcomes addiction and brokenness, and actionable encouragement about staying connected, avoiding premature relationships in early sobriety, and trusting grace. This episode is for anyone facing addiction, supporting a loved one, or seeking hope in the midst of despair.

In this two-part episode Paul and Kathryn sit down with Brandon Sanders and his wife Cary Dawn Sanders to trace their journeys from deep addiction to life in recovery. Brandon shares a harrowing childhood—witnessing his mother’s murder, growing up in foster care, and battling decades of substance use—while Cary describes how nursing and pain medication led to her own long struggle with addiction.

Topics include multigenerational addiction, early trauma, homelessness, relapse, violence and shame, the false comforts of substances, and the moments that planted seeds of faith. Both guests are candid about failures and the hard work of recovery, and they reflect on the challenges and rewards of healing from such broken pasts.

The episode also highlights the role of faith and community in recovery — Brandon and Cary’s encounter with Christ, Brandon’s eventual forgiveness of his father, and their work as executive directors of Wings of Life. Expect honest storytelling, practical insight on stigma and recovery, and a message of hope and restoration for listeners seeking a path out of addiction.

In this raw, emotional episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, Vinquia Jones shares her powerful testimony of childhood abuse, identity struggles, life in the streets, addiction, prostitution, prison, and multiple attempts at recovery. Hosts Kathryn and Paul sit with Vinquia to unpack the roots of addiction — rejection, identity wounds, and generational trauma — and hear how God’s love, counseling, and multiple recovery programs (Wings of Life, Home of Grace) slowly restored her life.

Listeners will hear candid accounts of loss (the murders and overdoses of close friends and cousins), the cycle of offense and relapse, and the difficult work of forgiveness — especially toward a mother who had her own brokenness. Vinquia describes the moment of surrender, how Christ’s love healed her eight-year-old wounds, the ongoing battle with pride and relapse, and how purpose and community help sustain recovery.

This episode is for anyone wrestling with addiction, identity, or the pain of the past. Expect honest scripture-grounded conversation about repentance, daily dependence on Christ, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the promise that no one is too far gone for God to redeem. Includes discussion of Christian recovery resources and invitations to the Home of Grace for support and treatment.

In this powerful episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, host(s) sit down with Elias Kihyet and his sister Kathryn to unpack Elias’s life-long battle with addiction, depression, and same-sex attraction. Raised in a loving, churchgoing family, Elias shares his early struggles with feeling different, substance use beginning in childhood, encounters with the gay nightlife, and multiple cycles of treatment and relapse. Listeners hear candid details about arrests, car accidents, and the turning points that eventually led Elias to Teen Challenge and the Home of Grace.

The conversation dives into theological perspectives on sin and recovery, the role of family dynamics, the complexity of spiritual versus behavioral change, and practical recovery steps like accountability, scripture memorization, and radical honesty. Elias describes how Christ and structured, faith-based programs helped shift his identity from sexuality-focused to Christ-centered, and how he now pursues sanctification while acknowledging ongoing temptations.

Expect an honest, sometimes confronting discussion of addiction, homosexuality, and Christian faith—complete with personal testimony, reflections on pastoral responses, and encouragement for anyone seeking freedom. Key points include the interplay of addiction and sexuality, the power of Christ-centered recovery, the importance of accountability and truth-telling, and a message of hope for those trapped in similar cycles.

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, Hal and Lisa Selby share the powerful story of Hal’s deliverance from 27 years of bondage to homosexuality and how the couple navigated confession, forgiveness, and restoration. They discuss Hal’s upbringing, early abuse, the spiritual and emotional factors that contributed to his struggle, and the moment he repented and was transformed. Lisa recounts the shock, the immediate call to forgive, and the long road of healing supported by prayer, counseling, accountability, and community. The Selbys explain practical steps for recovery, the role of the church in offering both truth and compassion, and their ministry Refuge 461 which supports people and families impacted by unwanted same-sex attraction. Expect candid testimony, biblical perspective on sin and sanctification, and encouragement for those struggling or supporting a loved one.

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, Katie shares her raw and powerful story of addiction, loss, and redemption. After 20 years of substance abuse, criminal consequences, and fractured relationships, Katie recounts the trauma of homelessness, jail, and the desperation that led her to treatment. Through a faith-based recovery program, reconciling conversations, and the pursuit of God, she finds sobriety, healing, and restoration with her husband and family.

Topics covered include the escalation from stimulants to opioids, the dangers of prescription pain medication and fentanyl, the cycle of relapse, and the complexities of relationships in early recovery. Guests and contributors include Katie, program staff from the faith-based treatment center, and supportive family members whose interventions helped catalyze change. Key moments: rock bottom on the streets, the pivotal decision to enter treatment, a spiritual turning point in rehab, rebuilding trust with family, and returning to ministry and Bible college.

Listeners can expect a candid conversation about the challenges and rewards of recovery, the importance of community and faith, and practical hope for those feeling unseen or stuck. This episode emphasizes that while addiction can isolate and dehumanize, redemption is possible, and you are not alone.

In this emotional two-part episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, host Paul sits down with Katie Foster Gerhart to hear her harrowing life story — from a traumatic childhood with alcoholic parents and early responsibilities as the 'family protector' to two decades of substance abuse. Katie recounts pivotal moments including a near-fatal car crash, arrests, painful medical issues, multiple rehabs, and the escalation from recreational drinking to cocaine, opioids, crack, and injection drug use.

They cover how trauma, family dynamics, and failed safe havens like rehab and fellow sufferers shaped her addiction, the manipulations and enabling from loved ones, and the devastating consequences she witnessed in friends who overdosed. Katie also shares her experience of surrendering to Christ in 2022, the challenges and rewards of recovery, and her mission to help those who feel unseen find freedom through faith. Expect candid conversations about stigma, failure, hope, and the complex path toward restoration.

In this episode John Carriere jr. joins the Jesus Loves Addicts podcast to tell his raw, honest story: growing up chasing sports and success, spiraling into drugs and drug-dealing in college, and the devastating turning point after his mother’s terminal diagnosis and death in 2007. He describes ordering pills online, seizures, arrests, and living in chaos before hitting rock bottom.

John shares the life-changing encounter at the Home of Grace that led to his conversion, a powerful chapel moment of forgiveness, and a complete turnaround. Now roughly 18 years into recovery, he discusses the rewards and challenges of sobriety, how faith overcame addiction, and the ongoing fight against stigma.

Topics covered include identity and the “American dream,” deception of success, the opioid and pill crisis, family and grief, recovery realities, and the role of Christ and community in transformation. Listeners will also hear about John’s ministry work—leading the Refinery Mission (formerly Lighthouse Mission)—and practical encouragement and resources for anyone affected by addiction.

In this episode Jeff York, founder and executive director of Joseph's Home, shares his raw and honest journey from a violent, drug‑addicted past to more than two decades of recovery and ministry. He recounts childhood struggles with dyslexia and bullying, early drug use and extreme violence, a federal indictment, and the moments of surrender that turned his life around.

Jeff discusses the turning points — a surprising Bible study at 17, a near‑suicidal low, probation and years of white‑knuckled sobriety, Celebrate Recovery and the discipleship model that reshaped him. He explains how Joseph's Home began in his own living room and grew into a faith‑based transitional program partnering with Home of Grace to provide community, accountability, and practical support for men and women in early recovery.

Expect candid reflections on the rewards and challenges of recovery, fighting stigma, the role of Christ and community in overcoming addiction, and Jeff’s vision for expanding transitional care (including support for couples and women). This episode offers hope for anyone who feels they’ve gone too far — a testimony that transformation is possible and sustained by faith, relationships, and steady discipleship.

In this intense, deeply personal episode Julie tells her story of addiction, loss, and faith. She recounts years of drug use with her partner, arrests, overdoses, and the devastating moment she found him after he took his own life while she was tending their baby.

Julie describes relapses, multiple treatment stints, time in jail and psychiatric holds, and the trauma of being estranged from family and losing custody. She shares the turning point where church, Scripture and a Christ-centered program (Home of Grace) changed her life, leading to lasting sobriety and a new purpose helping others in recovery.

Topics covered include opioid and meth addiction, domestic violence, pregnancy and parenting under addiction, suicide, the 12-step principles alongside Christian faith, and practical hope through treatment and community. Listeners can expect candid reflection, hard truths about relapse and recovery, and a testimony of surrender, redemption and service in recovery.