He tried to drink himself to death. Instead, he found a reason to live.

For years, Troy D. lived by one rule: go all in or go home. Whether it was money, success, or alcohol, moderation didn’t exist. He made his first million by 27—and lost it the same year. His life swung between abundance and rock bottom, driven by a need for control and approval that started long before the first drink.

Growing up in a small Illinois town, Troy always felt like he couldn’t measure up to his siblings. His brothers were athletes, he felt his sister was his dad’s favorite, and Troy just wanted to stand out. Skateboarding, break dancing, and rebellion became his way of saying “I’m here.” The military became his next stage—and where his drinking took center spotlight.

It would take years, multiple DUIs, prison, and a near-death drinking spree before he finally surrendered. After checking into a hospital with a blood alcohol level over .3, his neighbor 12-stepped him—and that’s when Troy met his sponsor, “Concrete Mike.”

Mike taught him how to be a man, to turn things over to God, and to live a life of service. “AA gives us life, but AA is not our life,” Mike would say. Those words changed everything.

Now sober since February 21, 2018, Troy’s journey continues. He’s working on setting boundaries, healing from codependence, and deepening his spiritual connection through the Prayer of St. Francis—a daily reminder to be an instrument of peace.

Today, Troy sponsors men, stays active in service, and reminds others that recovery is more than staying sober—it’s learning to live free.

🙏 Please like, share, and subscribe to The Cup of Joe Show so more people can hear stories of hope and transformation.

🌟 For daily encouragement, visit Daily Ponderables — your source for inspiration 365 days a year.

📌 Mentioned in this episode:

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

You don’t have to go up to see God. God is always here.

“You tell me to eat lima beans; I’m going to eat lima beans.” That line from Jerry Maguire became Oliver C.’s mantra for recovery and a simple truth about willingness, surrender, and faith.

Born to Taiwanese immigrants and raised in South Jersey, Oliver grew up speaking Mandarin at home and struggling to fit in. His father drank heavily and owned restaurants, and alcohol was always present. By his teens, Oliver was chasing that same escape, experimenting with drugs and alcohol to feel like he belonged.

After being caught with a large amount of weed at sixteen, he went to rehab for the first time and was introduced to 12-step recovery. But addiction had its grip on him. From the streets of Kensington in Philadelphia to Skid Row in Los Angeles, Oliver’s life spiraled through heroin, arrests, and rehabs.

A judge eventually gave him one final chance, sending him to Lancaster, California, where he met two men who would change his life: Sean C. and the late David G. They “kidnapped him into sobriety,” staying with him day and night and showing him what real recovery looks like.

It was David who told him, “You don’t have to go up to see God. God is always here.” That moment changed everything. Oliver stopped running, found peace, and began living with a spiritual foundation instead of self-reliance.

Today, sober since April 29, 2012, Oliver is a devoted father, a man of daily prayer, and a voice of hope for anyone still struggling. His story is a testament to humility, willingness, and the grace found in letting go.

📞 If you or someone you love is struggling, there is help. Call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for support.

🎧 And don’t miss Sean C.’s story that helped change Oliver’s life: “Tricked into Sobriety: Sean C. on 23 Years of Recovery.” Listen here.

🙏 Explore daily inspiration at dailyponderables.com

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Gratitude doesn’t just change your attitude; it can change your entire life.

Today’s Thanksgiving episode is a special one. We’re slowing down, taking a breath, and leaning into a theme that runs right through the heart of recovery: gratitude. Not the once-a-year, surface-level kind, but the gritty, honest, hard-won gratitude that shows up in the chaos, the rebuilding, the small victories, and the quiet moments when we realize just how far grace has carried us.

I’m joined by two people who mean a lot to me: Debbie N. and Jack O. They’re more than guests, they’re friends, sober confidants, and examples of the kind of people I hope to become when I grow up.

In the first half of the show, I sit down with my sober sister (and sometimes recovery mom) Debbie N. You may remember her from her powerful episode A Moment of Clarity: Debbie N. on 14 Years of Sobriety. Sober since September 21, 2010, Debbie opens her heart about how gratitude has shaped her relationships, her healing, and her spiritual footing.

In the second half, we welcome back Jack O., who recently celebrated 17 years of sobriety and was the voice that launched this podcast in Episode 1. Jack brings humor, honesty, and vulnerability as he shares what gratitude looks like in his life today and why it’s become one of the anchors of his recovery.

This episode is a reminder that recovery is never done alone. We grow because someone reached out. We stay because someone showed up. We thrive because gratitude changes the way we see everything.

On this Thanksgiving Day, whether you’re surrounded by family, connecting with your recovery community, or simply taking care of yourself one breath at a time… you matter, you belong, and you never have to suffer in silence.

🙏 Please like, share, and subscribe to The Cup of Joe Show.

📌 Mentioned in this episode:

🌟 For daily encouragement, visit Daily Ponderables — your source for inspiration 365 days a year.

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

In a moment of clarity he heard a voice say, ‘You are not meant to be this unhappy,’ and everything changed.

In this heartfelt and deeply human episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Ian H. shares his powerful journey from fear and self-sabotage to faith and service. Growing up in Chicago, Ian says he “came into the world cockeyed” — anxious, full of self-doubt, and terrified of being blamed for things he didn’t do. When he discovered alcohol at just 11 years old, all that fear seemed to vanish.

By 13, he was stealing liquor, and by high school, he was already a full-blown alcoholic. The party lifestyle quickly spiraled into DUIs, blackouts, and painful consequences. In college, Ian suffered a nervous breakdown and “came to” one night covered in blood after crashing through a glass table while drunk. The cycle of fear, shame, and drinking continued for years.

After moving to California and later back to Chicago with his wife and two kids, Ian realized his problem had followed him wherever he went. The turning point came one quiet night on his porch when he heard a small voice say, “You are not meant to be this unhappy.” That moment of clarity led him into recovery — and ultimately, to peace.

Through working a 12-step program, connecting with others, and learning to be accountable, Ian found that his self-esteem could no longer depend on what others thought of him. He learned to love himself, serve others, and live with humility. Today, he continues to grow by practicing what he calls “estimable acts,” doing the right thing even when he doesn’t want to. Whether it’s doing the dishes or rescuing a bug from the house, Ian lives by kindness, courage, and quiet strength, a true spiritual ninja.

He now helps others through corrections recovery and even helped start a veterans’ meeting, reminding everyone that recovery is not an exclusive club; it’s for anyone willing to reach out for help.

If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available:

🙏 Explore daily inspiration at dailyponderables.com

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

We can’t think our way into different living; we have to live our way into different thinking.

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Dennis P. shares a journey that began in the shadows of shame and ended in the light of freedom. Growing up in Chicago under the rule of a strict father, Dennis learned early to mask his pain behind humor, sports, and achievement. But even with trophies on the shelf, he says he felt like an imposter in his own life.

That all changed the day he took his first drink and felt, for the first time, like he could breathe. What started as relief became dependence, spiraling into a life fueled by alcohol, opioids, and pills. The consequences mounted with missed moments with his children, broken promises, and multiple stays in rehab, until he was forced to face the truth: he wouldn’t survive another relapse.

With the help of a Higher Power, a sponsor who never gave up, and the program of recovery, Dennis began “learning to fly again.” Today, he’s rebuilt his relationships, found lasting love with his wife Simone, who is also in recovery, and dedicates his life to helping others find their wings. Through service in treatment centers and hospitals, Dennis proves that living sober isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.

🙏 Explore daily inspiration at dailyponderables.com

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

He lost his marriage, his health, his home — but what he found in recovery was life itself.

In this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Chris B., who found freedom in recovery on July 25, 2023, and whose story reminds us that it’s never too late to start over.

Chris grew up in Georgia as the youngest of four, chasing success while quietly battling a growing dependence on alcohol. A University of Georgia grad and international security expert, Chris spent decades traveling the world under immense pressure. After the 9/11 attacks, his work intensified and so did his drinking.

What began as social drinking turned into blackout binges, health crises, and devastating losses: his marriage, his job, and nearly his life. When his mother staged an intervention, Chris finally chose life over destruction.

In treatment, he discovered the power of recovery and the global fellowship of AA from Vienna to East Tennessee. In his words, “God brought me to AA, and AA brought me to God.”

Today, he lives a life grounded in faith, gratitude, and service. He’s converted to Catholicism, volunteers weekly for the AA Hotline, and says his peace comes from “focusing on the next step, not the staircase.”

Chris’s journey is one of redemption, humility, and the unshakable belief that no matter how far we fall, recovery is always possible.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out for help:

🙏 Learn more and explore daily inspiration at dailyponderables.com

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL EPISODE

She thought she was just writing a paper for class—what she found was a new way to live.

What does it take to move from despair to 35 years of freedom? In this unforgettable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Linda K. shares her powerful journey of transformation, resilience, and faith.

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, in the 50s and 60s, Linda lived a double life—straight-A student on the outside, binge drinker on the inside. By 21, her drinking had led to a suicide attempt and four months in an institution. Marriage after marriage, enablers and excuses, and countless failed attempts to control alcohol marked her 26 years of drinking. As she says, “I was a liar long before I took my first drink.”

Her turning point came when an education class required her to attend an AA meeting. Reading “How It Works” out loud, she realized she was constitutionally incapable of being honest with herself. After a relapse and reaching her breaking point, an inner voice whispered: Go back to AA. This time, she did—with a sponsor, the steps, and service that would change her life.

In recovery, Linda became a beloved sponsor, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Alongside her late husband, Mike K.—a mentor to many, including Joe V.—she opened her home and her heart to countless people seeking a new way of life. Today, with over three decades of sobriety, Linda radiates gratitude, humor, and unconditional love, living proof that surrender opens the door to joy.

If you’ve ever questioned whether real change is possible, Linda’s story will inspire hope, healing, and the reminder that no one is ever too far gone.

⚠️ If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone.

🌐 For daily encouragement and inspiration, visit our friends at Daily Ponderables.

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

He thought he could control his drinking… until it controlled everything he loved.

What happens when the illusion of control shatters? In this gripping episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Pete M. shares his raw journey from teenage drinking to a life nearly destroyed by alcohol, pride, and resentment. From the Army to a pharmaceutical career on the road, Pete’s drinking spiraled into broken relationships, lost jobs, and devastating loneliness.

But when desperation finally collided with grace, Pete discovered a new way to live. With the help of a sponsor, service work, and a willingness to believe in a power greater than himself, he found the peace and purpose he had been missing.

Now, with over 20 years of sobriety, Pete is “all in.” He’s rebuilt relationships with his sons, found love with a partner in Al-Anon, and continues to serve veterans and newcomers in recovery. His story is a testament to what happens when we let go of control and allow faith, humility, and service to lead the way.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the lie of control or wondered if change is possible, this episode will leave you with hope, courage, and a reminder that no one recovers alone.

🌐 For daily encouragement and inspiration, visit our friends at Daily Ponderables.

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

He told his son, 'You’re an addict.' His son fired back, 'You’re an alcoholic.' That moment changed everything.

In this raw and moving episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Richard L. opens up about a life shaped by alcohol, depression, and profound loss. Sober since January 5, 2014, Richard shares how his drinking escalated from college fraternity parties to a career built around never being far from a bottle. Multiple marriages collapsed under the weight of addiction, and years of treatment-resistant depression only deepened the spiral.

After years of self-medicating and watching his life unravel, Richard reached a breaking point in an unforgettable moment with his son—both struggling, both facing addiction, and both finally willing to step into recovery. That decision marked the beginning of his sober journey.

Richard speaks openly about his battle with social anxiety, the pain of living with depression, and the devastating grief of losing Jan—the love of his life—in 2023. Through it all, he has found strength in sobriety, community, and a commitment to keep moving forward, one day at a time.

This episode is for anyone who has faced addiction, mental health struggles, or grief—and wondered how to keep going. Richard’s story reminds us that healing is possible, even in life’s darkest valleys.

👉 If this conversation moves you, please like, subscribe, and share this episode so more people can hear stories of hope and transformation.

🌐 For daily encouragement and inspiration, visit our friends at Daily Ponderables.

If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help:

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Her days don’t feel like light years anymore—that’s the gift of recovery.

On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show we hear recovery from a family perspective few people know firsthand. Mia C., sober since May 31, 2024, was raised by her loving grandfather while both parents battled addiction. She learned to hide in plain sight—living a “quadruple life” that changed depending on who was watching. Alcohol felt like ease and comfort until blackout nights, mounting shame, and suicidal despair made being with herself unbearable.

Therapy planted a seed, but it wasn’t until she walked into a women’s AA meeting—agnostic, scared, and desperate—that Mia found what she calls “blind hope.” She got a sponsor, worked the steps, made hard amends (including a moving reconciliation with her grandfather), and began doing the footwork that turned results into real change.

Today Mia lives with a sense of peace and purpose she never thought possible; she’s teachable, of service to others, and patient with her mom’s journey—saying she’ll be there when her mom is ready.

If Mia’s story speaks to you, please like, subscribe, and share—and remember, you don’t have to do this alone.

🌐 For daily encouragement and inspiration, visit our friends at Daily Ponderables.

If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help:

The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.