Special Guest: Marc Calvert

In part one of a two-part episode, we sit down with Marc Calvert, a 46-year-old pastor of The Church of Turning Points in Wiggins, MS. Marc opens his heart about his struggles with drug addiction that began in his teenage years and led to multiple incarcerations. He candidly discusses his battle with methamphetamine and his spirals through addiction, incarceration, and toxic relationships.

Marc offers a raw and unfiltered account of hitting rock bottom and how a life-altering moment in a bush on his fortieth birthday became the turning point towards his recovery. He emphasizes the importance of finding resources and support to rebuild his life, one step at a time, which eventually led him to discover faith and begin his journey with Christ.

Tune in to hear how Marc overcame the challenges of broken family relationships, missed opportunities, and a hardened heart, ultimately finding redemption and a calling to serve others in recovery.

Tune in next week for part two!

Panelists: Paul Del Giudice, Kathryn Kihyet Beatty, and Ross Richard

Welcome to a transformative episode of Jesus Loves Addicts as we kick off a new year with heartfelt discussions on embracing a Christ-centered approach to recovery. Our co-hosts delve into what it truly means to prioritize God above all in the journey to overcoming addiction, sharing personal insights and experiences that challenge prevailing stigmas.

In this episode, we explore the profound differences between secular and spiritual recovery programs, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with wise counsel and community support. Our panelists candidly discuss the blessings and challenges of the Christian walk, the significance of aligning one's priorities, and the eternal perspective that guides believers toward true healing.

Listeners can expect engaging discussions around societal perceptions of addiction, the temptations of sin, and the spiritual warfare that often accompanies recovery. From personal testimonies of transformation to biblical insights that provide hope, this episode invites you to reflect on the eternal truths and promises of Christ's unwavering love. Join us as we uncover the deeper connections between faith and recovery, inspiring you to embrace a purpose-driven life guided by His grace.

Special Guest: Jocey Stork

Josie bravely shares her poignant journey from growing up in an alcoholic and abusive household to battling her own addictions and ultimately finding her path to recovery at the Home of Grace for Women in Eight Mile, AL. Raised amid chaos, Josie was never truly a child; she was thrust into the harsh realities of addiction and mental illness at a tender age. Her story is one of pain, survival, and redemption.

Discover how her once-chaotic life spiraled through alcohol and drug addiction, leading Josie to hit rock bottom. Experience her heartfelt retelling of multiple brushes with the law and numerous attempts at rehabilitation as she desperately sought change. Despite facing many setbacks and a life filled with rejection, Josie's unwavering faith in God's transformative power became her beacon of hope.

As she surrendered to the healing process through structure and a supportive community, hear how Josie's faith journey and commitment to structured living led her to a life free from addiction. Learn about the significant role her faith played in her recovery, as well as the importance of capturing her prayers in a prayer box, which resulted in the realization of hope through marriage, sobriety, and personal accomplishments.

This episode promises to challenge the stigmas surrounding addiction, celebrate the triumphs of recovery, and, most importantly, provide a testament to the healing power of love and faith. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and the rediscovery of God’s embrace.

Leave your 30-second testimony at JesusLovesAddicts.com

Special Guest: Starr Blackmon

Starr's story is one of resilience, illustrating her journey through the challenges of addiction, her time in prison, and her eventual return to faith and family. With the loving support of those around her and the strength from her relationship with God, Starr found her way to recovery. She shares the pivotal moments in her life and the insights that led her back to health, ultimately discovering redemption.

This episode is not just about the fight against addiction; it is also about the power of love, forgiveness, and the unwavering pursuit of a better life. Join us as we celebrate a story of hope and transformation during this Christmas season. Discover the inspirational lessons from one woman's determination to reclaim her life.

Leave your 30-second testimony at JesusLovesAddicts.com

Special Guest: Ryan Lantaff

In this episode, we uncover the intricate layers of Ryan's upbringing, from his loving yet troubled family dynamics to the dark corridors of his teenage years. As he battles with hallucinogens and an insatiable quest for spiritual answers, Ryan's story takes listeners through a whirlwind of illegal escapades, emotional challenges, and spiritual awakenings.

Join us as we follow Ryan's path from darkness to hope, where, amidst the chaos, glimpses of God's extraordinary love begin to shine through. Ryan's tale is one of resilience and growth, offering an inspiring testament to how faith and community can intervene in even the most desperate of circumstances, inviting listeners to reflect on the power of forgiveness and redemption.

Special Guest: Nicole Wilson

Join Kathryn and Ross as they interview Nicole, a young woman whose life has been a journey through unimaginable trials. Nicole opens up about her childhood, which was marred by the horrors of abuse from a trusted family member and the devastating impact it had on her young life.

As she navigates the complexities of loss, Nicole reflects on the tragic death of her twin brother, Chase, who fell victim to the insidious epidemic of fentanyl abuse. Her story highlights the intricate emotions of grief, guilt, and the relentless search for redemption as she grapples with her brother's addiction and eventual passing.

Amidst the chaos, Nicole's journey takes her from the depths of addiction, starting with snorting and then injecting, to a powerful revelation of faith and transformation. She candidly recounts the moment she realized her own addiction to fentanyl and the harsh realities she faced while coming to terms with her destructive lifestyle. With raw honesty, Nicole shares how a stint in rehab, her commitment to recovery, and finding solace in spirituality have helped her reclaim her life.

Special Guest: Shiloh Pisarich

Join us as we explore the compelling journey of Shiloh Pisarich, who transformed his life against all odds. Shiloh opens up about his early attraction to the 'darker things,' the struggles of his upbringing, and the choices that pushed him into the world of drugs and crime. Yet, amid the chaos, a relentless inner conviction battled with his lifestyle, reminding him of a higher purpose waiting to be embraced.

Through candid conversations and reflective moments, discover how Shiloh's relationship with God, developed even behind prison walls, became his guiding light towards recovery and a faith-filled life. Today, Shiloh stands resilient, two and a half years sober, reaching out to inspire and support others who walk the same tumultuous road.

Special Guest: Chad Swanson and Darlene Johnson

Darlene shares the heart-wrenching journey of her son Chad's addiction and the transformation that tore their family apart and brought them back together. For 26 years, Darlene enabled Chad, hoping to save him from the clutch of drugs, only to realize that true redemption lay beyond her reach.

Leave your 30-second testimony at JesusLovesAddicts.com

Special Guest: Kristy Bell

In part two of Kristy's story, Paul and Kathryn sit down with Kristy to uncover the raw and unfiltered truth of her journey through addiction and the path to redemption. If you missed the first part, be sure to catch up as Kristy delves into the depths of her struggles and the turning points that shaped her path to recovery.

Kristy's tale is one of resilience and transformation as she navigates the complexities of addiction and the challenges of recovery. Her story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for change, revealing the harsh realities of addiction while shining a light on the hope and healing that can emerge from the darkest of places.

Through candid storytelling, Kristy shares her experiences of overcoming the stigma of addiction and the power of faith in her journey. This episode invites you to witness the profound impact of love, both human and divine, in the process of reclaiming one's life. Join us for an inspiring narrative that challenges perceptions and celebrates the unwavering strength found in vulnerability and surrender.

Special Guest: Kristy Bell

Part 1 of 2. Once caught in the throes of a severe addiction that spanned over two decades, Kristy Bell found herself living a double life—attending church and fulfilling family roles while battling a hidden world of substance abuse. Her narrative takes us through the dark alleys of manipulation, despair, and near-death experiences, all while maintaining a facade of normalcy.

Despite a loving upbringing and a seemingly perfect childhood, Kristy's life spiraled as she sought acceptance in the wrong places. From experimenting with substances in her teenage years to a full-blown addiction that led her to homelessness and separation from her children, her journey is both harrowing and enlightening.

This episode is a reminder that no matter how lost one may feel, there is always a path to redemption. Stay tuned for a sneak peek into the continuation of Kristy's journey in part two, where the story unfolds in even more profound ways.