Pondoff's Anonymous - Episode 36 Show Notes

Who this episode is for:

• Those in recovery, barely holding on, or trying to claw their way in
• People sober-curious but still actively using
• Families who’ve lost someone to addiction—or feel like they’re about to
• Anyone who’s been burned by a church and swore it off for good
• Spiritual seekers looking for something real, raw, and redemptive
• And anyone who’s ever thought, “There’s gotta be more to life than this shit”

Episode 36 — Matt Miofsky: Building Church for the Fucked-Up and Searching

This one’s not your average episode—it’s a blueprint for holy disruption. Pastor Matt Miofsky of The Gathering joins Pondoff and the crew to unpack a radical new venture: Gathering Underground, a Wednesday-night worship space and recovery community aimed straight at the hearts of people deep in addiction, doubt, grief, and the aftermath of church trauma.

Matt and Chris don’t sugarcoat it. They talk real—about transformation, identity, spiritual skepticism, and the raw, bleeding edge where recovery meets faith. From humble beginnings with no carpet and a bunch of broken people, The Gathering is launching a new site at 2360 McCausland in St. Louis, smack next to the Walgreens where more than a few folks once did heroin in the parking lot. Now? It’s sacred ground.

What you’ll hear:

• The difference between churches built on fear vs. ones grounded in love
• Why recovery is more than just sobriety—it’s purpose, calling, and rebirth
• How to claim an identity (like “pastor” or “addict”) when your soul isn’t ready
• Stories of relapse, reckoning, baptisms in rehab, and the holy power of a smoke break
• The gritty launch of a Jesus-centered recovery night for addicts, alcoholics, loved ones, codependents, trauma survivors, and anyone who can’t quite keep their shit together

Gathering Underground isn’t trying to be another Sunday morning—this is midweek medicine for the walking wounded. Whether you’re detoxing, dragging kids with you, or just there for the coffee and conversation, this community is for you. No guilt. No shame. Just people who get it.

Location:

• Wednesdays @ 6 PM
• The Gathering McCausland – 2360 McCausland Ave, St. Louis, MO
• Accessible by two major bus stops
• Free pizza, smoke breaks encouraged
• Narcan on site
• Childcare provided
• Music won’t be your grandma’s hymns

Follow The Gathering on Instagram: @gatheringnow

Learn more or get involved: https://gatheringnow.org

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 Introduction to Pondoff's Anonymous and Sponsors
• 02:55 Growth and Expansion of the Church
• 06:47 The Role of Community in Recovery
• 11:20 Transformation Through Recovery
• 17:53 Creating an Inclusive Space for Recovery
• 22:35 The Gathering Underground Recovery Community
• 25:49 Addressing Past Church Experiences
• 30:02 The Importance of Love Over Fear in Faith
• 36:55 The Journey from Fear to Love
• 39:17 Building a Community for Recovery
• 44:57 Transformation and Community Engagement
• 51:09 Creating Safe Spaces for Loved Ones
• 54:41 Healing for Families Affected by Addiction
• 01:00:04 Curating an Inclusive Recovery Environment
• 01:06:22 Understanding and Identity in Recovery
• 01:11:00 The Role of Personal Stories in Recovery

Sponsored by:

McKelvey Insurance – Real humans solving real-life insurance bullshit. Personal or commercial, they’ve got you covered without the runaround. Visit https://www.mckelveyins.com or call/text 618-623-0080.

LightSource Psychotherapy – Individual, group, and family therapy that doesn’t suck. Based in Belleville, IL and run by people who actually get it. Visit https://findyourlightsource.com to learn more.