Recovery Centered Podcast | Real Talk on Recovery & Mental Health

In this powerful and deeply human episode of Recovery Centered, host Tim Roberto sits down with longtime friend and colleague Pastor Troy, an ordained minister with over 16 years of experience walking alongside individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, and spiritual disconnection.

As Founder and President of Freedom Recovery, Inc., and a native Floridian with deep roots in Palm Beach County, Pastor Troy brings a rare blend of pastoral wisdom, lived recovery experience, and frontline urgency to the work of healing. Together, Tim and Pastor Troy explore the role of grace in recovery, the intersection of spirituality and clinical treatment, and why true transformation is not about performance, outcomes, or dogma—but relationship.

The conversation dives into religious trauma, forgiveness (especially self-forgiveness), surrender, and what it truly means to meet people where they are—whether they are believers, skeptics, or somewhere in between. Pastor Troy shares moving stories from decades of ministry, discusses the importance of collaboration between clinicians and spiritual leaders, and reflects on why love, not judgment, is the foundation of lasting recovery.

This episode is an honest, compassionate exploration of faith, addiction, and the courage it takes to keep showing up for people in their darkest moments—with humility, urgency, and hope.

In this episode of Recovery Centered, Tim sits down with Kim Litton, LCSW, CAP, CSAT—licensed psychotherapist, author, and a woman with 21+ years clean and sober—for an honest conversation about what recovery looks like when it moves from an idea into a life.

Kim brings both clinical depth and lived experience to the table as she breaks down the complicated realities of relationships in recovery: how boundaries work (and why they’re often misunderstood), what codependency really is, and how families can support healing without trying to control the outcome. They also talk about trust, relapse fears, and the difference between enabling and loving someone well.

Kim is the author of “I Do It For Her” and works in private practice in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where she helps individuals and couples navigate addiction, trauma, and intimacy challenges with clarity and compassion.

A grounded, heart-forward episode for anyone in recovery—and anyone who loves someone who is.

Jill K. Bershad, LMHC, CAP, is a licensed mental health counselor and certified addiction professional specializing in trauma, complex PTSD, grief, addiction, and family-of-origin work. She integrates talk therapy with EMDR, hypnotherapy, and solution-focused approaches to help clients heal at the root, reconnect with their authentic selves, and move forward with clarity, resilience, and self-worth.

In this wide-ranging and deeply human conversation, Tim sits down with licensed psychotherapist Eric Bricker, LMHC, to explore what really drives change in recovery — and why insight alone is rarely enough.

Eric reflects on decades of clinical work with trauma, grief, anger, and addiction, and shares how listening — truly listening — has shaped him as both a therapist and a person. Together, they unpack the idea that transformation begins when pain finally outgrows fear, how early “messengers” in our lives shape the way we relate to ourselves and others, and why so many people are still recovering from emotional disconnection long after substances are removed.

This episode moves fluidly between clinical wisdom and lived experience — touching on fatherhood, generational trauma, recovery culture, and the responsibility of doing healing work only after your own work has begun.

A grounded, unscripted conversation about curiosity, accountability, and what it actually means to be ready to help others.

In this powerful episode of the Recovery Centered podcast, host Tim Roberto sits down with Ashley Zarmanian, co-founder and clinician at Mangrove Therapy Group. Together they explore the intersection of trauma and addiction recovery, diving deep into how early attachment wounds and developmental trauma show up in addictive behaviors and relationships. Ashley brings both clinical expertise and real-world insights to the conversation, breaking down topics like empathy vs. enabling, the importance of healthy boundaries, and how supportive communities can foster long-term healing. Listeners will gain practical guidance on how to support loved ones without sacrificing their own wellbeing, understand the emotional drivers behind addictive patterns, and learn about evidence-informed approaches to recovery that honor both compassion and accountability.

A powerful role-reversal episode where Tim sits in the hot seat and opens up about his childhood, the Marines, decades of addiction, the seizure that changed everything, and the phone call that saved his life.Guest host Allie Severino takes Tim back through trauma, early recovery, camaraderie, faith, and the creation of Stomping Out the Stigma — his mission supporting first responders who struggle in silence.This candid conversation shows the truth of recovery: honesty, connection, and choosing service over fear.A must-listen for anyone at the beginning of their journey or supporting someone who is.

In this inspiring episode of The Recovery Centered Podcast, host Tim Roberto sits down with Joshua McNair — a 21-year-old firefighter, entrepreneur, and founder of Hardmode Fitness — to talk about faith, discipline, and the power of serving others.

Joshua shares his journey from high school athlete to first responder and how his passion for fitness and mental health drives his mission to help others reach their potential. Together, he and Tim explore what it means to live with purpose, the challenges first responders face, and why asking for help is a sign of strength — not weakness.

It’s an uplifting conversation about humility, courage, and connection — and a reminder that success starts with showing up for yourself and others.

In this inspiring episode of The Recovery Centered Podcast, host Tim Roberto sits down with Joshua McNair — a 21-year-old firefighter, entrepreneur, and founder of Hardmode Fitness — to talk about faith, discipline, and the power of serving others.

Joshua shares his journey from high school athlete to first responder and how his passion for fitness and mental health drives his mission to help others reach their potential. Together, he and Tim explore what it means to live with purpose, the challenges first responders face, and why asking for help is a sign of strength — not weakness.

It’s an uplifting conversation about humility, courage, and connection — and a reminder that success starts with showing up for yourself and others.

Learn more about Joshua’s work at

https://www.instagram.com/hardmode__fitness/?hl=en

In this episode, Tim Roberto sits down with licensed clinical social worker Jessica Ponn to challenge one of the most persistent myths in addiction recovery — that parents are powerless to help their adult children. Jessica explains how this misinformation has shaped the way families approach recovery and offers a new, evidence-based perspective on what truly helps.

Together, they explore family dynamics, the power of truth and connection, and how parents can move from fear and guilt toward confidence and hope.

Learn more about Jessica’s work and parent coaching programs at JessicaPonnCoaching.com.

In this powerful episode of Recovery Centered, host Tim Roberto sits down with Fort Lauderdale firefighter and mental health advocate Gary Roberts for an unflinching conversation about the toll of trauma, the stigma around mental health in first responder culture, and the urgent need for change.

Gary shares his deeply personal story — from losing his daughter to addiction and his father to overdose, to transforming grief into advocacy through education, plant-based medicine, and the creation of a groundbreaking mental health app for first responders. Together, they explore what it really means to protect others while learning to save yourself.

This episode is raw, hopeful, and a must-listen for anyone in the service community — or anyone seeking to understand resilience and healing in the face of unimaginable loss.