In this compelling episode of the Jesus Loves Addicts podcast, meet Dustin Long—a former addict who has turned his life around through faith. Raised in Southern Mississippi, Dustin fell into a 20-year whirlwind of substance abuse, which began in his early teens with marijuana and huffing gas, eventually leading to harder drugs like methamphetamine and heroin.

Faced with family traumas and the burden of being an absent father, Dustin reveals his darkest moments and how a heartfelt plea from a friend's mother set him on a path to recovery. His spiritual awakening happened when he cried out to God on the railway tracks, marking a turning point that led him to seek help. Today, Dustin is a worship leader and associate pastor, committed to spreading a message of hope and redemption.

Listen as Dustin shares insights into the stigma of addiction and the power of Christ's love to transform flawed lives. This episode is a powerful testament that no matter the depth of one's struggles, recovery and renewal are within reach.

In this compelling episode of "Jesus Loves Addicts," we welcome Stephen Walker, a man whose life story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and recovery. Stephen's journey is marked by early success in the financial world at Merrill Lynch, but addiction soon led him down a path of self-destruction. He candidly shares his struggles with alcohol and how it impacted his relationships, career, and family life.

Stephen opens up about his family background, marked by a history of alcohol issues, and his personal battles with addiction. Despite numerous attempts at recovery and some moments of sobriety, Stephen's life seemed to be in a cycle of relapse until he found true redemption through a Christ-centered program. His story is a profound exploration of the challenges and stigmas associated with addiction and the unwavering love that led him towards a path of recovery.

Listeners will hear Stephen's heart-wrenching experiences with loss, his journey through several recovery programs, and the eventual embrace of his faith that transformed his life. His message challenges the stigmas of addiction and highlights how Christ's love can overcome any weakness. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with hope, redemption, and the power of unconditional love.

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Maggie Pitalo as she courageously shares her journey from addiction to redemption. Maggie opens up about her early life struggles, which led her to substance abuse at the tender age of 12, and her experiences working as a stripper to escape poverty. With powerful recollections, she reveals the pain of losing custody of her children due to her addiction, and the harrowing cycles she endured.

Maggie candidly discusses how her family dynamics, including the influence of her workaholic parents and the chaotic home environment, impacted her path. Throughout her narrative, she highlights how addictions savvy their maternal instincts and how dangerous the quest for the glittery facade of success can be.

Most importantly, Maggie shares her turning point, where she found faith and redemption through a touching encounter with an outreach team in a strip club, reminding her of the steadfast love of Christ. She walks us through her recovery journey, focusing on the critical support from strangers and the miraculous transformation in her life.

Listeners will be inspired by Maggie’s relentless courage to overcome her demons and the strength she found in faith and community. This is a story of resilience, transformation, and the healing power of love.

Special Guest: Mark and Melissa Robertson

In this compelling episode of "Jesus Loves Addicts," we dive deep into the transformational story of Blaine Landrum. Blaine opens up about his decades-long struggle with drug addiction, starting from a childhood in a middle-class family in Gulfport, Mississippi, surrounded by addiction.

Despite coming from a seemingly functional household, Blaine recounts losing everything to his addiction — family, possessions, and his physical and mental health. However, through a remarkable journey of faith and resilience, Blaine discovered a path to recovery at the Home of Grace.

Join us as Blaine shares candidly about the challenges and victories of overcoming addiction, and how he found hope and healing in a Christ-centered recovery program. His story is a powerful testimony of love, redemption, and the belief that no matter how deep the pit, there's always a way out through faith and support.

Listeners can expect an honest discussion about the trials of addiction and the triumphs of recovery, making it an episode filled with inspiration and hope.

Special Guest: Mark and Melissa Robertson

In this heartfelt podcast episode, hosts Paul Del Giudice and Kathryn Beatty welcome Mark and Melissa Robertson, who shares her powerful journey through addiction and recovery. Melissa recounts her early struggles, the impact on her family, and the pivotal moments that led her to seek help. With compassion and honesty, she describes the challenges of maintaining sobriety and the importance of community support. Mark and Melissa Robertson's story is one of resilience and hope, illustrating the transformative power of recovery and the strength found in vulnerability. Their testimony serves as an inspiring reminder that change is possible, and support is essential in the journey to healing.

Special Guest: Alana Sanders

In this powerful episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, hosts Kathryn and Paul dive deep into the story of Alana Sanders, a woman whose life has been marked by both tremendous trauma and unwavering faith. Alana shares her journey of surviving a childhood filled with abuse and fear, which led to her struggles with addiction. Despite her academic successes, Alana's personal life was in turmoil as she lost herself in a cycle of substance abuse.

Alana speaks candidly about the impact of her sister Emily's overdose and how it almost led her back into the depths of addiction. She shares the pain of losing loved ones and how she felt completely alone, yet found comfort in her belief that Christ could overcome her weaknesses. Alana reflects on her relationship with her family, particularly the bond with her sister Emily, who was a significant part of her life and struggle.

The interview also touches on Alana's path to recovery, her reliance on faith, and how she eventually found peace. She discusses her efforts to rectify past mistakes and rebuild relationships with her children. This episode is a testament to resilience, the power of healing through faith, and the importance of acknowledging one's flaws while finding strength in the unconditional love of God.

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

Keep the conversation going! Join our private Facebook group to leave questions for our hosts and guests or support others in recovery. Join here

Join Paul, Kathryn, and Ross as they delve into one of the most challenging aspects of recovery and Christian living: forgiveness. Throughout this discussion, we unpack the intertwined nature of unforgiveness and anger, explore the mandate for forgiveness in the Christian faith, and cover the process of forgiving others and oneself. We address the distinctions between forgiving, forgetting, and reconciliation, emphasizing that true forgiveness does not always lead to reconciliation but does lead to personal freedom.

From praying for those who have hurt us to understanding how God views our transgressors, this episode is rich with insights and practical advice on how to navigate the complexities of forgiveness. Tune in for a transformative discussion that challenges common stigmas and empowers listeners to step into freedom by embracing the power of forgiveness.

Special Guest: Steven Mathews

If you missed Part 1 of Steven's episode, please go back one episode to catch up!

Join us for the gripping conclusion of Steven Mathews’ emotional and transformative journey in Part 2 of his story. As a former pastor and music industry professional, Stephen has faced the trials of addiction while struggling to retain his faith and identity. Through candid conversations, Stephen reveals the ups and downs of his recovery process, shedding light on the true challenges faced by those battling substance abuse.

In this episode, Steven dives into the pitfalls of relying on self-made structures and relationships, instead finding clarity in surrendering to a higher power. We explore the detrimental impact of falling into familiar patterns and the importance of community and support networks in fostering real change. Stephen’s story emphasizes the power of faith and honesty in overcoming addiction and reclaiming one’s life.

Special Guest: Steven Mathews

Steven opens up about his life experiences, including his challenges adapting to numerous relocations during childhood, searching for belonging, and grappling with the expectations placed upon him. These factors significantly contributed to his eventual reliance on substances as a means of finding perceived peace and acceptance.

You'll also hear about the impact of Steven's spiritual side, his early connection to God, and how his faith has been a constant through his turbulent journey. Now celebrating almost seven years of sobriety, Stephen discusses how he turned his life around by embracing his faith entirely, moving away from addiction to become a new person through Christ-centered recovery.

Tune in next week for Part 2 of Steven's story!

Special Guest: Paula Driver

Kathryn and Paul sit down with Paula Driver from Citronelle, Alabama, to share an inspiring story of transformation and redemption. Paula opens up about her past, revealing a 15-year battle with drug addiction, which began in her teenage years. Introduced to drugs by her older brother, Paula's life soon spiraled into a cycle of addiction, rebellion, and destructive relationships.

Despite growing up in a loving home, Paula's struggle with a rebellious spirit led her down a path of self-destruction, ultimately impacting her relationships with family and loved ones. She candidly discusses her journey through addiction, the dynamics with her enabling husband, and the heartbreak of becoming estranged from her children.

At her lowest point, Paula experienced a spiritual awakening, which led her to the Home of Grace in Alabama, where she found her faith and the strength to overcome her addiction. Embracing her newfound belief in Christ, Paula recounts how she learned to forgive herself, love herself, and rebuild her life on a foundation of grace and redemption.