At the age of 17, Robert entered treatment for the first time for heroin addiction, painkillers, and Dilaudid. Over the next few years, he cycled through nearly 60 detoxes and programs across the country, spending several years in and out of institutions. 

At 19, he moved to California for a fresh start—attending trauma therapy, enrolling in college, and playing football at Santa Monica College—until a fractured femur ended his athletic goals and he literally ended up homeless and living on Skid Row. 

Soon after, his plans to serve in the Texas Army National Guard abruptly ended with a medical discharge for a heart condition.

He later moved to Florida, played arena football briefly, and relapsed into pill mills, drug dealing, and toxic relationships, including one that left him homeless after losing his truck, dog, and everything he owned. 

A severe health crisis landed him in the ICU, where he had to relearn how to walk. When his family finally cut off all financial support, Robert was forced to take full responsibility for his recovery.

From there, he began to rebuild his sobriety. He committed to treatment, fitness, and therapy, became a certified peer and family specialist, and built a career helping others navigate recovery. Along the way, he met his wife and found purpose through faith, structure, and service.

Today, Robert is in long-term addiction recovery and continues to advocate for higher standards in addiction treatment, supportive housing, and accountability-based recovery programs.

GUEST

Robert Braun, LCDC-I
Owner/Manager/CEO at Healing House Mens Sober Living

Robert Braun is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern (LCDC-I) and serves as Owner, Manager, and CEO at Healing House Mens Sober Living, where he leads with personal experience and dedication to supporting men in recovery. He is also a case manager at Magnolia City Detox in Conroe, Texas.

Learn more about Healing House Mens Sober Living

Learn more about Magnolia City Detox


Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
What does it look like to go through 50 to 60 treatment episodes and still not stay clean?
What is Delancey Street — and why is it both an extraordinary program and the wrong place for a 17-year-old?
How does a kid who grew up in Singapore, played college football, and served in the military end up in heroin addiction?
What is the ethical question every treatment center has to face when a 19-year-old fentanyl addict walks in the door?
When does counting days in recovery stop helping — and what replaces it?

Rachel grew up in Louisiana in a family marked by loss. Her older sister died of leukemia at age seven, leaving deep grief that shaped her childhood. At 13, she experienced sexual abuse, and by 21, she lost her mother to untreated hypertension and heart disease—the event that sent her drinking spiraling out of control.

She developed depression and anxiety early on, and alcohol addiction quickly became her way to cope. By 25, she was a new mother, married to an alcoholic, and caught in a cycle of domestic violence and codependency. 

In the hospital with a gallstone, she openly denied her drinking while hiding a bottle of wine in the sheets of her hospital bed. Her drinking escalated, leading to jail time and physical decline—vomiting blood, bruising easily, and losing weight. 

In 2015, Rachel’s sister helped her get into treatment in Arizona. She left her daughter with family, completed detox and residential care, and moved into sober living. With time and therapy, she found stability, got involved in 12-step addiction recovery, and began working in women’s sober living.

In 2018, she opened Journey Way, her own sober living program in Texas. Now ten years into sobriety, Rachel is a mother of two, active in AA, and open about recovery at home.

GUEST

Rachel Liebegott

Rachel is the founder of Journey Way Sober Living and serves as a Regional Recovery Liaison at a detox center, drawing inspiration from her own journey in long-term recovery. She is dedicated to helping women and families build healthy, hopeful lives, and finds her greatest joy in her faith, family, and serving others.

Learn more about Journey Way Sober Living


Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
What does "long-term recovery" actually mean, and why is the definition so contested?
Why do Air Force studies put the magic number for lifelong sobriety at five years?
What happens when you relapse after three years of sobriety and your family takes your daughter?
How do you rebuild after a relapse costs you the one thing you were staying sober for?
Why do consequences keep some people sober until the consequences finally go away?

Ted was sent to military school, later joined the Navy, and served during the Gulf War, stationed in Jacksonville and working drug interdiction missions off the coast of Venezuela. During his Navy service, he developed alcohol addiction, a habit he continued for years in New Orleans while working in the oil and gas industry, as drinking was embedded in the local social culture.

After several failed recovery attempts, Ted achieved sobriety in March 2017 and launched Bodine Recovery, an addiction recovery community. The program started with an empty house and no clients for eight months, but through persistence and a focus on structure, fitness, and accountability, it grew into a successful sober living community.

In 2018, just two years after losing his mother to cancer, Ted was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Complications from surgery left him with a paralyzed vocal cord and unable to speak for nearly a year. Using a karaoke microphone, he continued running meetings and leading residents until a second surgery restored his voice instantly.

Today, Ted leads Bodine Recovery full-time, blending recovery coaching, personal training, and mentorship. He continues to advocate for stronger aftercare systems, especially better case management and supportive housing for people leaving treatment.

GUEST

Ted Broomes

Ted is the founder and owner of Bodine Recovery Homes in Houston, Texas, where he has been creating supportive sober living environments since 2017. Drawing on his experiences in recovery and the military, Ted is passionate about individualized care and empowering men to rebuild their lives with accountability, community, and personal growth.

Connect with Ted on LinkedIn

Learn more about Bodine Recovery Homes


Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
Why does the real work of recovery happen in sober living — not in the 28 days of treatment?
What happens to clients the day they walk out of treatment with nowhere structured to go?
Why do treatment centers coast on old reputations while their product quietly deteriorates?
How does high staff turnover destroy the relationships that actually keep people sober?
What would it take for insurance companies to start funding aftercare the same way they fund residential?

Candice grew up surrounded by addiction and loss. Both parents drank heavily, and by 11, she had lost her mom. Her dad died soon after, and by 19, most of her family was gone, including her sister, who was killed in a murder-suicide. 

She became a single mother at 16, and by 21, she had three kids. After her third child, heroin addiction and painkillers took over her life. She lost custody—her daughters went to live with an aunt, and her son entered the court system—while she lived with dealers and cycled through addiction and pill mills.

She eventually entered state-funded treatment at Santa Maria, detoxed off Suboxone, and met her husband there. They later relapsed together, ending up homeless and living under a bridge. 

After pursuing sobriety and quitting heroin, Candice was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, which her doctor told her was caused by IV heroin use.

Determined to rebuild, she committed to addiction recovery, fought to regain custody, completed drug testing, and began paying back child support—choosing responsibility even without full reunification. Over time, she turned her experience into purpose, helping open and manage treatment centers and joining The Last Resort to support others in recovery.

Now a grandmother with two grandkids, Candice is steady in long-term recovery and present in her family’s lives. 

GUEST

Candice Harrell

Candice is a Business Development Representative at The Last Resort, where she brings deep empathy and real-world experience to helping others find their path to recovery. Having overcome her own struggles with addiction and homelessness, she’s turned her past into purpose—connecting individuals and families to treatment with compassion, honesty, and hope. 

Connect with Candice on LinkedIn

Follow The Last Resort Recovery on Instagram @last_resort_recovery


Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
How does IV heroin use destroy spinal discs and why do doctors miss it until it's too late?
What does degenerative disc disease look like when it hits a former high school athlete in recovery?
Why are soma and muscle relaxants particularly dangerous for opioid addicts?
What are the long-term physical consequences of heroin addiction that nobody talks about?
How do you manage chronic pain in recovery without relapsing on the very drugs that caused the damage?

Brandon grew up in Houston with an abusive, alcoholic father and experienced trauma from sexual abuse at ages eight and 10. By 11, he had his first sip of alcohol, and by seventeen, he was charged with organized crime and began a seven-year prison sentence—learning basic life skills like shaving from other inmates.

Over time, he spent a total of fifteen years incarcerated, carrying a street mentality that followed him long after release.

On parole, Brandon returned to drugs, relationships, and old habits. His last relapse stripped him of everything—no car, no home, no money, only the clothes on his back. Deep in heroin addiction, oxy, and meth while carrying a weapon when someone from AA offered him a chance at addiction recovery. Agreeing to every suggestion, he entered a halfway house and began his sobriety through complete abstinence and the 12 steps.

Cut off from family and alone, Brandon rebuilt from nothing. He reconnected with his daughter after more than two decades, built stability, and for the first time in his life, leased his own place, bought a car, and opened a bank account.

Now married and in a healthy relationship, Brandon works at Arise Recovery Center and runs sober living homes in Houston and Dallas. He sponsors others, mentors men in recovery, and shows that lasting change is possible, no matter how far gone things seem. 

GUEST

Brandon White

Brandon is a dedicated recovery advocate and mentor who has been sober since March 2021, working at the Arise Recovery Center and managing several sober living homes in Texas. His passion for helping others stems from his own transformative journey, and he is known for openly sharing his story to inspire hope. 

Learn more about Arise Recovery Centers

Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn


Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
How does sexual abuse at 8 and 10 lead to a first drink at 11, and why does alcohol feel like the solution?
What does it do to a child to be abused with nowhere safe to tell anyone?
Why did recovery look so different in the 1980s and how much has changed?
How do you build sober living homes out of your own recovery experience?
Why does "recovering out loud" matter more than recovering quietly?

Karen married young and became a mom at 15. By 17, she had two children, and by 36 she was a grandmother. Her brother’s Xanax addiction and overdose involving alcohol at age 19 propelled her toward addiction recovery work, determined to help others find the support he never had.

Jill lived in her car in the East Texas heat and humidity, calling treatment centers nonstop after losing her insurance. After more than a year of pestering, she was finally granted a spot in a state-funded facility. 

Ten years ago, Karen and Jill met while working as peer recovery coaches in East Texas. Both found long-term sobriety, are single moms, and grandmothers who built careers helping others.

Together, they’ve faced burnout, family strain, and the pressure of being on call around the clock. But through it all, they’ve stayed committed—standing shoulder to shoulder, answering calls, and leading community outreach for Texas Recovery Centers.

Learn more about Texas Recovery Centers

GUESTS

Karen Wolfe
Community Liaison at Texas Recovery Center

Karen Wolfe is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with over 17 years of experience in behavioral health, currently serving as a Clinical Liaison at Texas Recovery Centers. After losing her brother to an overdose, she dedicated her career to helping individuals and families facing addiction and mental health challenges. Known for her compassionate, knowledgeable approach, Karen is a trusted advocate and resource in the recovery community.

Jill Smith
Business Development Rep at Texas Recovery Center

Jill Smith is an outreach team member at Texas Recovery Centers, where she serves the East Texas region and draws on both professional expertise and personal recovery experience. She previously worked as a discharge planner and detox program director for UT Health and serves on the board of her local MHMR center. Jill is committed to improving access to care for individuals seeking recovery support.

Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
Why did it take a woman over a year of actively searching to find treatment and then she lost her insurance?
What actually happened to California's $24 billion homeless initiative — and why did homelessness quadruple?
Does involuntarily admitting homeless people to treatment actually work?
Why do state-funded treatment programs keep shutting down, and who suffers most when they do?
What does a community outreach person in recovery actually do, and why does lived experience matter?

From Jason’s first drink at 17, his alcohol addiction spiraled into prison, and homelessness. He tried AA, NA, and church, but staying in recovery was tough, and a string of DUIs and prison sentences made things harder.

While homeless, Jason describes walking the streets of Pensacola, covering about 20 miles in June heat until his shoes were bloody and had to be discarded upon arrival at a mental hospital, where he collapsed. This grueling walk marked a turning point, leading him to seek help and eventually enter sobriety through sober living.

He moved to Tampa and into a sober living home, where he was met with structure, accountability, and, most importantly, a community that welcomed him. Over time, he began to contribute and became an operator and peer specialist, helping run recovery housing programs across several states.

Today, Jason is thriving in long-term addiction recovery. He’s reunited with his family, embraced fatherhood, bought his first home with his wife, and continues to mentor and advocate for peer-led recovery housing, supporting others who face relapse and homelessness.

GUEST

Jason Pullin
TROHN Director, RecoveryPeople

Jason Pullin is an experienced leader and public speaker with a bachelor's degree in Christian Leadership and over 30 years of professional experience. As a person in long-term recovery with an RSPS certification, he has valuable lived experience in recovery housing. Prior to becoming the TROHN Director at RecoveryPeople, Jason served as a regional and corporate training director for a major service provider. He also serves on several advisory boards, including the Clean Cause Foundation.

Learn more about RecoveryPeople


Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
Why does sobriety feel optional after a few good years and how does that thinking end?
What makes someone forget jails, hotel rooms, and prison the second things start going well?
How does one partner who isn't in recovery slowly pull a sober person back out?
Can you genuinely recover from addiction without fully committing to abstinence early on?
Why does going to prison once not always stop someone from circling back to the same behavior?

Rune never directly struggled with substance abuse, but grew up surrounded by it and then married into it. His father battled alcohol addiction and eventually died. Later, his ex-wife also lost her life to addiction after multiple attempts at treatment and time in jail, leaving their two children without a mother. 

For years, Rune kept his head down and worked quietly in IT to avoid the weight of his own reality. When he finally got divorced, he shifted and slowly stepped into the addiction recovery world. 

Six years ago he started coaching others through their own grief and trauma, and then expanded to equine therapy as part of the healing process. Because horses respond to the energy people bring into the pen, these powerful moments of self-discovery uncover what remains hidden and find true sobriety and recovery. 

GUEST

Rune Christensen

Rune is a certified Conscious Leadership coach who empowers people to lead with purpose and authenticity. Growing up in Denmark, he developed a lifelong bond with horses, which led him to incorporate equine-assisted coaching into his work. Blending various coaching approaches, Rune creates transformative experiences that inspire self-awareness and intentional action.

Learn more about Rune and The Circle Up Experience and Conscious Leadership.

Follow The Circle Up Experience on Instagram @thecircleupexperience

Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Chris Mann
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
Why do family members of addicts often become drawn into the recovery field themselves?
What is equine-assisted therapy and why do horses reveal things people can't?
What does it mean to "run toward" addiction instead of away from it?
How does conscious leadership coaching help people in recovery that traditional therapy misses?
Why does the buffalo — not the horse — symbolize the right approach to facing a storm?

Andy grew up in Houston and started drinking in high school, escalating in college.  After getting kicked out and switching schools, she eventually graduated while trying to keep her drinking under control. But when she entered the workforce, it got worse.

In 2013, after a family ultimatum she went to AA for the first time and stayed sober for a month. She relapsed and repeated that pattern for several years, bouncing between AA and psychiatric hospitals, searching for something that would stick.

In the spring of 2014, she entered a psychiatric facility, stayed on her meds, and held onto sobriety for three months, but relapsed again. Along with alcohol addiction, she dealt with chronic pain, multiple spinal surgeries, and disordered eating.
 
When her best friend was murdered in 2018, something shifted. Staying sober, Andy began working in addiction recovery, and started leading a family support group.

Today, Andy has 11 years of continuous sobriety. She works in recovery education, helping families and supporting others while continuing to manage her own health challenges.

GUEST

Andy Hartman

As Community Development Executive at Great Oaks Recovery Center in Houston, Andy is dedicated to serving others. In long-term recovery herself, her personal experience has enhanced her compassion for individuals suffering with substance use disorders.

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn

Learn more about Great Oaks Recovery Center


Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
When does college drinking stop being normal and start being a "me problem"?
Why does adding psychiatric medication to active drinking almost always make things worse?
What happens emotionally when you lose patients in healthcare and have no coping skills?
What does the first real year of AA recovery feel like after years of white-knuckling?
Why do you need ten solutions in recovery — not just one?

Raised in a solid, loving family, Danny was a standout athlete with a full ride to UCLA for golf. His future was golden, but the lure of partying and a fast lifestyle spiraled into meth and heroin addiction, multiple jail stints, and years of chaos. 

Danny’s last relapse was the breaking point. Detoxing himself at his mother’s house after a dangerous encounter involving fentanyl, he  surrendered and asked God for help. 

Facing his mounting court cases, he was sentenced to 90 days in treatment at Monarch Shores instead of seven years in prison.

While in treatment, he experienced a supernatural “God shot” encounter with a man who resembled his late father.

Since completing treatment, Danny is building his sobriety and gradually rebuilding his life, reconnecting with his family, and developing a strong relationship with faith. Now working at Monarch Diagnostics, he helps others, speaks publicly, and sponsors people in recovery programs.

GUEST

Danny Dalton

Daniel Dalton is a Business Development Representative at Monarch Diagnostics with over five years of experience in the healthcare and treatment space. He has a strong background in managing intensive outpatient (IOP) programs and is dedicated to connecting providers with Monarch’s diagnostic services to better support patient care. Beyond his professional path, Daniel has over seven years of personal experience in addiction recovery, giving him a unique perspective and deep commitment to the communities he serves. A former professional golfer, he brings discipline and focus into every aspect of his work.

Learn more about Monarch Diagnostics

Matt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.

Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  

My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.

For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.

Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.com

Find us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17

About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health 

Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.

Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.

Host: Matthew Handy
Producer: Eva Sheie
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Voltage FM, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Survive The Tide, Machina Aeon
Cover Art:  DMARK

My Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.com

Questions this episode answers:
How does a perfect family, no trauma, and a fun party culture still produce a full-blown alcoholic?
What is the difference between a person who drinks and a person who's an alcoholic if both look the same from the outside?
Why does watching adults drink successfully as a kid become one of the most dangerous setups for addiction?
How do you reconcile a loving family foundation with a life that eventually fell apart?
What does recovery look like for someone who has nothing obvious to blame their addiction on?