Recovery Vow

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Recovery Vow episodes

June 01 The Difference Between an Apology and Amends
How do you repair a relationship when “sorry” is no longer enough?

In recovery, there comes a point where apologies stop carrying weight and start sounding like empty words to the people you love.

In this episode, Eric Kennedy sits down with Jeff Breedlove, CEO of American Addiction Recovery Association, to talk about one of the hardest truths in addiction recovery: trust is rebuilt through consistent actions over time, not words.

Jeff shares his journey through 30 years of active addiction, 9 years of sobriety, and the reality of rebuilding relationships with his family. Together, they unpack the difference between apologies and living amends, why “I’m sorry” can become triggering for loved ones, and what genuine reconciliation actually looks like.

Whether you are rebuilding trust or waiting to see real change in someone you love, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Connect with Jeff Breedlove:
Organization: American Addiction Recovery Association
Website: https://eliminatethewhisper.org/
Socials: @‌AARA on all major platforms

Connect with us:
Join our Community Collective: https://skool.com/recovery-vow
Socials: @‌RecoveryVow
Website: Recovery Vow
Email: [email protected]

New episodes every other Monday.

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31 min
May 18 Sober But Still Unsafe - with Dave Willis
In this deeply honest episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast…
We sit down with Dave Willis, marriage coach, pastor, and co-host of the Naked Marriage Podcast. Dave joins Eric Kennedy to unpack one of the most overlooked foundations of recovery: emotional safety. What starts as a conversation about rebuilding trust quickly reveals something deeper… why even after the addiction stops, the relationship can still feel broken.

Eric and Dave take us inside the reality many couples face: the tension at home, the lack of trust, and the quiet distance that replaces connection. From hidden addictions and secrecy to the painful process of rebuilding trust “one drop at a time,” they expose how recovery isn’t just about quitting a behavior… It’s about becoming a safe person again.

This episode is a wake-up call: you can be sober and still unsafe. And if your relationship doesn’t feel safe, nothing you build will last. Real recovery isn’t just about changing actions, it’s about showing up with consistency, honesty, and presence… every single day.

On This Episode:

- Why emotional safety is the true foundation of recovery
- How secrecy and unpredictability silently destroy trust
- The “bucket vs. drops” analogy that explains rebuilding trust
- Why defensiveness and tone can damage more than your actions
- The difference between behavior change… and emotional consistency
- Five pillars that create real safety in relationships
- How small, daily actions rebuild connection over time

Connect with Dave and Ashley Willis:
Podcast: The Naked Marriage Podcast
Socials: @‌daveandashleywillis

Connect with us:

Socials: @‌RecoveryVow
Website: http://recoveryvow.com
Email: [email protected]

New episodes every other Monday!

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50 min
May 05When Love is Overshadowed by Fear
When trust is broken, even a simple touch can feel unsafe.

In this powerful and honest episode, Eric sits down with Jeremy Hinote, a counselor and founder of Savannah River Counseling, to unpack what happens when couples try to rebuild intimacy after addiction. What seems like “getting back to normal” can quickly turn into something deeper… learning how to feel safe again.

Jeremy breaks down the four layers of intimacy:
Emotional
Conversational
Experiential
Physical
Most couples try to fix the last one first. But when trust is broken, even a simple touch can feel unsafe. What once felt like connecting now creates distance.

The takeaway is simple. Intimacy is not rebuilt through pressure; it is rebuilt through consistency. Small steady actions. Showing up. Being honest. Creating safety again. When safety returns, connection follows.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Why your brain shifts into “danger mode” after betrayal
The 4 layers of intimacy most couples ignore
Why fixing sex first often backfires
The role of guilt, shame, and broken trust
How small daily actions rebuild connection
What emotional safety actually looks like
Connect with Jeremy Hinote:
Savannah River Counseling / savannahrivercounseling.com

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👩🏻‍💻 Join the Collective! skool.com/recovery-vow
33 min
April 20The Pain That Gave Me Purpose with Tanner Smith
In this deeply inspiring episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast… Eric Kennedy sits down with Tanner Smith and his parents, Nicci and Mark, a family whose journey through autism, faith, and resilience has transformed not just their lives, but thousands of others. What began as fear, uncertainty, and a life-altering diagnosis turned into a story of purpose, growth, and unexpected impact.
Tanner shares his journey from early struggles with communication to becoming a confident, independent young man traveling the world, meeting celebrities, and inspiring audiences everywhere. But behind the spotlight is a family that fought through years of confusion, emotional breakdowns, and relentless effort just to reach a place many take for granted.
Mark and Nicci open up about the moment everything changed, the diagnosis that shattered their expectations, the financial and emotional weight that followed, and the silent battles they faced as parents trying to do everything right. From therapy sessions at the kitchen table to redefining their marriage and roles, their story is raw, real, and filled with moments that will truly inspire.
On This Episode:
The life-changing autism diagnosis that reshaped an entire family
The emotional reality of parenting through uncertainty and fear
How Tanner went from limited communication to global impact
The truth about marriage under pressure and staying as a team
Why purpose matters more than “fixing” the problem
The unseen struggles families with autism face, and why they need support
Connect with us:
Socials: @‌RecoveryVow
Website: http://recoveryvow.com
Email: [email protected]
New episodes every other Monday.
Top ways to support this podcast:
👍 Give this video a thumbs up
🔔 Subscribe to our channel
💬 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music
53 min
April 06The Addiction to Success
In this powerful episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast…
We sit down with Kenny Stoddart, a former cybersecurity executive turned recovery advocate and mental health coach whose life looked successful on the outside, but was quietly unraveling beneath the surface. From high achievement and global success to addiction, shame, and a life-altering cancer diagnosis… Kenny’s story is one of breaking, rebuilding, and finally becoming the man he was always meant to be.
Kenny takes us back to a defining moment being expelled from school and carrying that hidden shame for years. That unresolved identity followed him into a high-performing career, where success and alcohol became dangerously intertwined. What looked like confidence and achievement slowly turned into exhaustion, decline, and a cycle he couldn’t escape.
What followed wasn’t just recovery it was transformation. From entering treatment and embracing the process, to surviving stage three prostate cancer, to now building a mission-driven life helping others through addiction and identity struggles. Kenny didn’t just rebuild his life… he redefined it.

On This Episode:
The hidden shame that silently shaped Kenny’s identity for years
How high achievement and addiction can exist at the same time
The “grace in the mirror” moment that changed everything
Why trying to fix addiction alone keeps people stuck
The dangerous gap between wanting help… and actually taking action
Surviving cancer during recovery — and what it revealed about mindset
How Kenny is now helping high performers rebuild their lives from the inside out

Connect with Kenny Stoddart:
TikTok: @‌ironmindkenny
Website: Executive Advisor / High-Performance Coaching
LinkedIn: Ken Stoddart

Connect with us:
Socials: @‌RecoveryVow
Website: Recovery Vow
Email: [email protected]

New episodes every other Monday.

Top ways to support this podcast:
👍 Give this video a thumbs up
🔔 Subscribe to our channel
💬 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music
40 min
March 25 The Hidden Addiction Behind Productivity
In this eye-opening episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast, Eric sits down with Dr. Ann Tsung, a triple board-certified physician, former NASA flight surgeon, and expert in performance neuroscience who helps leaders stop sacrificing their health and peace in the name of success.Dr. Ann shares how her work with astronauts, physicians, and high-performing entrepreneurs led her to a powerful realization about time, energy, and the addictive pull of constant productivity. From identifying the “time prisoner” mindset to exposing the false freedom of always staying busy, she breaks down the hidden ways people chase dopamine through work, phones, achievement, and control.What makes this conversation so powerful is how practical it becomes. As Eric opens up about his own struggle to sit still, put the phone down, and find peace outside of motion, Dr. Ann offers a new framework for recovery. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone who feels exhausted, overstretched, or afraid of the quiet.On This Episode:• Dr. Ann’s journey from NASA flight surgeon to helping leaders achieve sustainable peak performance• The 5 stages of time freedom and how to identify where you are• Why overworking and over-optimizing can become their own form of addiction• Eric’s honest struggle with stillness, white space, and the fear of slowing down• How dopamine, phones, and productivity keep people stuck in survival mode• What “zone of genius” means and why it matters for recovery and purpose• How sleep, chronotypes, and flow blocks can help you reclaim peace and energyConnect with Dr. Ann Tsung: anntsungmd.comSocials: @anntsungmdConnect with us: Socials: @RecoveryVow Website: recoveryvow.com Email: [email protected] episodes every Monday.Top ways to support this podcast: Subscribe to our channel Share this episode with someone who needs it Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music
45 min
March 02 Healing in Community: Real Talk on Addiction & Lasting Recovery
In this powerful episode of the Recovery Vow Podcast, we sit down for an honest roundtable conversation about what real recovery looks like behind closed doors with Jordan Shelton, Dr. John A. King and Matt Robinson. This episode dives deep into the struggles we face when addiction impacts trust, intimacy, and emotional safety—and how healing happens through vulnerability, accountability, and community.
You’ll hear practical insights, hard-earned wisdom, and hope-filled encouragement for those navigating betrayal, rebuilding trust, and pursuing lifelong recovery together. Whether you’re in early recovery or years into the journey, this conversation will remind you that transformation is possible—and you don’t have to walk it alone.
Top ways to support this podcast:
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52 min
February 23 Yes, You Can Find Love in Recovery
On this episode of the Recovery Vow Podcast, host Eric Kennedy sits down with two very special guests — Zack Straughn and Katherine Straughn — and their story comes full circle in the most beautiful way.
Katherine first joined the podcast in February 2025. Zack followed in May 2025. At the time, they each shared their individual journeys of recovery — stories marked by honesty, growth, and transformation. What no one fully saw coming? They would later find love in each other… and get married.
In this heartfelt conversation, Eric brings them together to talk about what it looks like to build a relationship in recovery. Both Zack and Katherine are in recovery, but their struggles don’t define them — they are defined by resilience, faith, commitment, and love. Their story is a powerful reminder that recovery doesn’t disqualify you from a beautiful future. It doesn’t mean you have to walk alone. Healing and healthy love are possible.
Together, they open up about:
- Finding love while doing the hard work of recovery
- Building trust, vulnerability, and spiritual intimacy
- Navigating relationship dynamics with sobriety at the center
- Why recovery is part of their story — but not the whole story
If you’ve ever wondered whether lasting love is possible after addiction, this episode is for you.
Connect with us:
📲 Socials: @RecoveryVow
🌎 Website: recoveryvow.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
New episodes every Monday.
Top ways to support this podcast:
🔔 Subscribe to this podcast
💬 Share this episode with someone who needs it
🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music or watch on YouTube
53 min
February 16 From Gang Life to Saving Lives: How Recovery Can Change Everything
In this powerful episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast, Eric sits down with AJ—Director of Community Engagement at End Overdose, a nonprofit on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis—who is turning his past into purpose.
AJ shares how he went from gang life, prison, and heavy drug use to four years of sobriety and a mission to save lives. Growing up in a violent, addiction-fueled environment in California, AJ followed a path that led to meth, opioids, incarceration, and a terrifying moment when he thought his life would end in a shootout with police. But a moment of clarity—and the voice of his 12-year-old son asking him to “work on your problem”—changed everything.
Now, AJ is boots-on-the-ground equipping communities across the U.S. with the tools to prevent overdose deaths. Through End Overdose, he helps train everyday people to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, administer naloxone (Narcan), and act with confidence in life-or-death situations. Because sometimes saving a life starts with being prepared.
On This Episode:
• From gang life and prison to purpose-driven recovery
• Surviving addiction and an intentional overdose
• The scariest moment that forced him to face reality
• How his son became the reason he chose treatment
• What naloxone (Narcan) is and how it saves lives
• How YOU can get free overdose prevention training
• Why everyone—not just addicts—should carry naloxone
Connect with End Overdose:
🌐 endoverdose.net
📱 Instagram: @end.overdose
Connect with us:
📲 Socials: @RecoveryVow
🌎 Website: recoveryvow.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
New episodes every Monday.
32 min
February 09 I Embezzled $7 Million: Gambling, Prison & Redemption | Recovery Vow Podcast
In this gripping episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast, Eric sits down with Jonathan, a former high-profile business manager who represented stars like Linkin Park, Halsey, and Matthew McConaughey. Jonathan opens up about the "pseudo self" he created to hide a dark secret: a severe gambling addiction that led him to embezzle $7 million from the very clients who trusted him as a friend.
Jonathan courageously details his six-year double life, the delusion of "borrowing" money he couldn't pay back, and the rock bottom moment where he used cocaine hoping to induce a heart attack to escape the shame. He shares his journey through federal prison, the humility of being fired from a fast-food job after managing millions, and how he found a new calling as a therapist helping others.
This conversation is a raw look at the destructive power of addiction, the weight of accountability, and the incredible truth that no matter how far you fall, you can rebuild a life of service and integrity.
On This Episode:
• Managing millions for celebrities while living a double life
• The psychology of the "Pseudo Self" and hiding trauma
• How a gambling addiction spiraled into $7 million in theft
• The rock bottom: Suicidal ideation and heart disease
• Life in federal prison and the difficulty of re-entering society
• Getting fired from Dunkin' Donuts: A lesson in humility
• Making amends when you can't speak to the victims
• Finding true purpose as a therapist and program director
Connect with us:
Socials: @RecoveryVow
Website: recoveryvow.com
Email: [email protected]
New episodes each Monday!
Top ways to support this podcast:
👍 Give this video a thumbs up
🔔 Subscribe to our channel
💬 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music
32 min

About Recovery Vow

From the publisher's feed

Recovery Vow is where real talk meets redemption. Every week, host Eric Kennedy dives into raw, unfiltered conversations about addiction, recovery, marriage, and family—with all the messy, beautiful…