Recovery Culture

Marilyn’s story is one of deep hurt, remarkable forgiveness, and ongoing healing. After growing up in an abusive home, she carried those wounds into adulthood through unhealthy relationships, pregnancy loss, cancer, and two difficult marriages.

When most people hear the word “recovery,” they immediately think of drugs or alcohol. But what if recovery is much bigger than addiction?

In this episode, we talk about the difference between sobriety and recovery—and why the principles of recovery can apply to all of us. From anger, control, codependency, shame, and unhealthy coping mechanisms to forgiveness, accountability, connection, and asking for help, we all have areas of our lives that need healing and growth.

Recovery isn’t about having life completely figured out. It’s about recognizing the patterns that keep hurting us, being willing to do the work, and learning healthier ways to navigate life.

Erin grew up surrounded by chaos, never knowing how much those early experiences would shape the relationships she chose later in life.

In this episode, Erin shares her story of childhood trauma, two difficult marriages, loving someone struggling with addiction, and the heartbreaking moment she realized she had to choose between holding onto a relationship and protecting her children.

She opens up about learning to set boundaries, becoming a single mother again, rebuilding her support system, and rediscovering the faith and community that helped carry her through some of the hardest seasons of her life.

Erin’s testimony is a powerful reminder that sometimes love alone can’t change another person—and that choosing safety, setting boundaries, and walking away can be the beginning of healing.

Jealousy has a way of showing up everywhere—in relationships, friendships, success, social media, recovery, and the comparison game.

In this episode, Val and Steven have an honest conversation about jealousy and envy: where it comes from, how it can turn into resentment and criticism, and why someone else’s success can sometimes be so hard to celebrate.

They also talk about recognizing jealousy when it shows up, turning it into motivation instead of bitterness, and learning to genuinely celebrate the wins of others.

Can you celebrate someone else getting what you want while you’re still waiting for it yourself?

Forgiveness is hard—but sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.

In this episode, we talk about letting go of the things we can’t change, separating who we are today from the things we’ve done in the past, and learning to move beyond shame, guilt, resentment, and self-punishment.

We also talk about making amends, extending grace to ourselves, breaking negative thought patterns, and why forgiveness doesn’t excuse the past—it gives us the freedom to stop living there.

You can’t undo what happened. But you don’t have to carry it forever.

There’s a difference between choosing to be alone and slowly shutting everyone out.

In this episode, Valerie and Steven talk about loneliness, healthy solitude, and the isolation that can quietly take hold after hurt, rejection, grief, shame, or struggle. They share their own experiences with isolation, why it can become especially dangerous in recovery, and how old thinking can start sounding reasonable again when we disconnect from the people around us.

Because sometimes the hardest thing to do when you want to be alone is exactly what you need most: reach out.

This week, Kelley joins us to share a story shaped by service, trauma, loss, faith, and resilience.

Kelley opens up about her time in the Army and Desert Storm, surviving military sexual trauma, navigating an abusive marriage, experiencing devastating loss, and eventually facing the lasting effects of PTSD. She shares how those experiences affected her life long after they happened — and what it has looked like to begin healing.

Through faith, Celebrate Recovery, community, and the willingness to ask for help, Kelley has continued to find hope even in some of her hardest seasons.

This is an honest conversation about surviving what you never expected, living in recovery, and discovering that healing doesn't always mean forgetting what happened — sometimes it means learning how to keep moving forward.

Rock bottom looks different for everyone — and it doesn’t have to mean losing everything.

In this episode, we talk about the moments that finally push us toward change. Steven shares the turning points he ignored before reaching his own rock bottom, while Valerie shares how hers looked completely different.

We also talk about isolation, excuses, the warning signs we often overlook, and why you don’t have to wait for life to get worse before choosing a different path.

Sometimes rock bottom is simply the moment you decide to stop digging.

We all have blind spots—areas of our lives that are easy for others to see but difficult for us to recognize.

In this episode, we talk about how pride, resentment, codependency, shame, and other hidden struggles can quietly hold us back in recovery and in life. We also explore why honest accountability, teachability, and the right community are essential for real growth.

Because you can't change what you can't see.

Content Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse, suicide, and other sensitive topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Gregg's story is one of hidden wounds, unexpected hope, and the long journey toward healing. After experiencing childhood sexual abuse, he spent years searching for acceptance while carrying shame, brokenness, and despair.

In this powerful conversation, Gregg shares how faith, counseling, recovery, and authentic community became part of his journey toward restoration. His testimony is a reminder that no matter how deep the wounds, healing is possible.