Do you long to ‘fix’ your addict or alcoholic? Are you tired of feeling alone and helpless? Would you like to leave behind the shame and judgment? Maybe even the constant worry for your safety or the safety of your children?
You’ve come to the right place! This podcast is here to offer you tools, stories, and support – reminding you that you’re not alone. We’ll provide opportunities for breakthroughs, resources to help you get the support you need, and the relief you’ve been seeking for yourself or your loved one.
I’m Jeri – the “don’t rock the boat” daughter, former co-dependent spouse, and stressed-out mom of the addicts and alcoholics in my life. For years, I was the helpless co-dependent who didn’t have the resources I so desperately needed. I read the books, prayed endlessly, and thought that if I just said or did the right thing, I could make the chaos stop.
But one day, I took the step I had been avoiding – seeking the support and healing I so desperately needed to overcome the wounds caused by this destructive disease. I discovered life-changing tools and resources, and now, I can’t wait to share them with you.
If you’re ready to hear stories of hope, help, and healing, to learn strategies and solutions to get out of the crazy, and to hear how others, facing similar struggles, found their breakthrough – this podcast is for you!
So grab your journal, a cup of tea, and maybe a tissue – and let’s dive in!
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Send us Fan Mail If you're in need of some real HOPE, you won't want to miss this episode! Arlyn suffered unthinkable loss of his wife and baby daughter to a drunk driver and not only had deep peace in the midst, but the redemption story God brought forth from this tragedy became the promise fulfilled in the scripture, Romans 8:28. And because God is 'no respecter of persons', that can be your story, too! If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone you believe would benefit. And be su...
Send us Fan Mail Living Proof - this recovery thing WORKS! Meet Pete and Regina...married for decades with years of recovery for each of them now, you'll hear that wasn't always the case! Raised as a military brat filled with a lot of pent up hostility and a spouse who had her own baggage of family dysfunction and mental illness, their journey was bound to have some struggles. But when the call from jail came, this time Regina was done. Having accepted unacceptable behavior for too long, somethi...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Andy - a raging party machine...once upon a time. With an 'animal house' style story, you'll be encouraged by the way in which he chose to make some changes - essentially based on the need for community. You'll appreciate the successful entrepreneur that he now is - a vastly different lifestyle that is now THRIVING instead of merely surviving. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone you believe would benefit. And be sure to "like" and subscribe! If you know o...
Send us Fan Mail Meet 'Party Peter'! The boy-turned-man who was the quintessential life of the party - until he wasn't. With multiple DUIs to his name, a pending Class IV felony and some time in solitary confinement, Peter would ultimately get to the place of surrender. By now means an easy journey, and with multiple 'games' played along the way, Peter would one day hear the audible voice of God. The HOPE that is littered throughout this man's journey and the redemption story that is his now, is...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Julie shares what true surrender brought her. Formerly living this 'edited version' of herself, her own family was oblivious to the degree in which her marriage and family was impacted by this disease. Thankfully, in a place of true surrender, Julie went from her version of living in the 'twilight zone' to having HOPE for the first time. Listen in as she shares so many beautiful truths learned in the rooms of Al-Anon and how you, too, can live a life of rigorous...
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, you'll hear from my new friend Shannon, and her long-time recovery story which is steeped in the terrible truths that a lifestyle of addiction brings. Shannon didn't start as the alcoholic, drug addict; rather her journey into addiction began with food. Her losses have been of the utmost heartache, and yet, her ferocity in sharing, not only the HOPE that is founds in the rooms of AA, but also in the completion of her master's in dietary studies, adding to the...
Send us Fan Mail Join me in the incredible recovery story of Pastor Daniel Patruska, CEO of 180 Ministries Teen Challenge of the Rockies, as well as Vibrant Life Behavioral Health Center. As a young man raised in a strict and legalistic religious system, he shares how he 'sold his soul' to the drugs that would lead to his near-fatal demise. Longing to no longer hurt and estranged from his parents, he's confronted by one 'just like him' - and so the story of his recovery goes. Daniel is now 'that...
Send us Fan Mail Meet brother Jack...the 2nd born in our family. Unique in this story was his leaving home to boarding school at age 14...and the repercussions thereof. While our journeys differ given the 18 years between us, Jack's story is one of adventure, discovery, and of course heartache. There's JOY in the journey, however, and if you know Jack, you know he'll find the joy! If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone you believe would benefit. And be sure to "like" and subscrib...
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode includes my dear friend, Dr. Gemie. As a medical professional, Dr. Gemie shares her own journey with her family of origin and the various struggles that led her to pursue medicine - in a very wholistic way. Becoming a primary caretaker at an early age shaped what would ultimately become her mission field. This is another 'don't miss' episode! If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone you believe would benefit. And be sure to "like" and subscribe! If ...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Annie. In this episode you'll learn some of the extraordinary nuggets of recovery that served Annie in spite of the trauma and chaos from which she came. If you identify with that sense of 'perfectionism' or the illusion of control, you won't want to miss a minute of this profound episode filled with years of wisdom from her recovery journey. Grab a pen and some paper for the gold that you'll glean from Annie's story. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone y...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, you'll hear from David. Native of Australia, he'd come to the States before age 10 and quickly become the 'chameleon' - doing whatever it took to try and fit in. Like so many of our stories, David felt he was never good enough. Soon enough that need to run away from the pain turned into numbing; whether by alcohol or other drugs. Finally, a toxic relationship turned all the more so when David tried to end it all. Please listen deeply - and please share this incr...
Send us Fan Mail In this pre-Thanksgiving episode, Jeri interviews a self-proclaimed "wordy" - her youngest son, DJ - and their musings over the power of our words. Science backs up this mystery! And the evolution of DJ's recovery and the transformation of his thought life, and the impact on his reality is yet more evidence to this phenomenon. Studies show longer life, improved health - and yet this episode is just one family's experience of this life-giving truth. If you enjoyed this podcast, p...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Christine, veteran teacher of 23 years from Boston! This girl is FIRE! Her story involves her WHOLE family. Hers is one of excelling - in everything! From sports to dance, she's a self-proclaimed 'good Catholic girl' growing up, whose message, like many, involves in the excess of all these good things. Heartache certainly didn't pass her by, either. And yet, in her recovery the message is this: "life is short - LIVE IT!" If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someon...
Send us Fan Mail This is another 'don't miss' episode, as you'll be hearing TWO voices of experience today! Kyle, recovering heroine addict, whose full story is shared in Episode 8, titled, "The Stranger Behind My Eyes" - and his Mom, Pam, who walked this painful journey of nearly losing her beloved son to this horrific disease. In addition to learning that heroine was Kyle's "best friend", he shares the painful side of addiction; the shame in every aspect, feelings of failure and more. And Mom/...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Leslie - Wife, Mom, long-time state employee and so much more! Now with her Divinity degree, Leslie shares her incredible journey of living this 'double life' for over a decade. From alcohol to meth, opiates and more, she found herself spiraling to the point of near death - when a beloved friend stepped onto the scene and intervened. To see her now in her beautifully blended family - it just exemplifies the power of true relationship (vs dead religion) with the living God! ...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Jillene...and the power of overcoming that continues to propel her forward into all that God has destined for this incredible story of redemption. From being rejected, excommunicated and caught up in multiple abusive relationships, Jillene encountered Truth. In her words, "What I lost was NOTHING compared to what I've gained - that's where my life began!" If you've been hurt through members of your family, or perhaps the church, you don't want to miss Jillene's story and le...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Jota, former satanist mired in the 'magical world of drugs' - who meets Jesus and learns firsthand that he is SEEN and KNOWN by his Creator. While it wasn't an instantaneous deliverance from the world he'd walked in for so long, the progressive story of healing and recovery would take him on a more epic journey than he could've ever imagined! Now serving as one of the counselors at Vibrant Life, he pours into other men, providing clinical counseling and so much more. You tr...
Send us Fan Mail In this 10th episode, Jeri hits the 'pause button' to CELEBRATE some big and small victories in this first jaunt of her podcast. Highlighting guests to date, hitting on some of the resources that have been shared, as well as sharing some 'sneak previews' of what lies ahead, it's a short, GRATITUDE-FILLED episode. She also invites YOU to share your feedback, content and/or guest ideas. This is YOUR show and her desire is to continue providing rich, meaningful content with guests ...
Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode, school psychologist, Dr. Jess shares her experiences with the 'root' of the multiple issues facing today's young people, and much of it is based in trauma. Jess shares her extensive background with kids, K-12, and gives some much needed insight to the struggles, as well as some incredible resources available for us in today's episode. If you, or someone you know could benefit from this message, please share! We can't have enough resources for the massiv...
This episode features Trish Trevino, who shares her incredible journey from severe meth addiction and jail time to 20 years of sobriety. She recounts the challenges of detoxing, rebuilding trust with family after felony charges, and finding strength through prayer and community involvement. The discussion extends to her daughter's own battle with addiction, highlighting the power of tough love, and the inspiring transformation that led to her daughter choosing recovery and bonding with her newborn granddaughter. Trish's story emphasizes the importance of faith, service, and accountability in recovery.
Jeri Bisbee interviews Melissa Mouton, who, drawing from her medical background and personal recovery journey, founded 5280 High School—a unique peer recovery high school in Denver. The school provides essential support for teens navigating addiction, offering a safe community and a bridge from treatment to real-world sobriety, contrasting with traditional education's shortcomings. Melissa highlights the "gold star" approach, emphasizing that family involvement and addressing societal narratives around addiction are crucial for students to thrive and become productive members of society.
Host Jeri Bisbee welcomes author Kat Armstrong, who openly shares her deeply personal story of growing up in a loving family while navigating her father's lifelong struggles with substance abuse, mental illness, and eventual death by suicide. Kat discusses the generational shift in discussing trauma and mental health, highlighting the vital role of faith, community, and professional support in her healing journey. The episode emphasizes the power of vulnerability and shared stories in recovery and grief.
Send us Fan Mail In episode 5, the Director of 180 Men's Ministry Center, Kyle Roth shares his compelling story of heroin addiction and the miracle story of the 'little old lady at the bus station' that reminded him of his grandmother - whom he'd encounter before doing the unthinkable. ANOTHER amazing story of redemption and the God who continues to write the most incredible script. If you or someone you love is struggling in this place of addiction and deep darkness, PLEASE share this message o...
In this raw and emotional episode, renowned sports authority Sandy opens up about his life, detailing a childhood marked by abandonment and a hidden trauma of sexual abuse. He recounts the breakdown that led him to Al-Anon, where he found the courage to process immense grief, including the devastating loss of his son to suicide. Sandy's story highlights the transformative power of vulnerability, community, and the ongoing journey of recovery, emphasizing that no one needs to face their struggles alone.
In this second part of DJ's story, he reflects on how his true wake-up calls came after beginning recovery, rather than during his active addiction, and the profound impact of 180 Ministries. He details the program's unique peer-led approach, emphasizing the crucial difference between knowledge and lived wisdom in healing. DJ candidly shares his struggles with program rules and confronting deep emotions, ultimately finding unexpected joys and a new identity in sobriety and community.
Host Jeri Bisbee introduces her son, DJ, who shares his raw story of addiction, depression, and suicidal ideation. He recounts early struggles with social connection, the allure of substances as coping mechanisms, and the culinary industry's role in his escalating use. The episode delves into his darkest moments, the impact on his family, and the first glimmers of hope in seeking professional help, setting the stage for his journey to redemption.
Host Jeri Bisbee introduces her podcast by sharing her deeply personal journey through generations of addiction and codependency. She recounts her traumatic childhood, her marriage to an addict, and the devastating impact of her son's substance abuse and suicide attempt, leading to profound wake-up calls. Despite immense challenges including divorce and loss, Jeri highlights the path to restoration, offering hope, healing, and vital resources for individuals and families impacted by addiction and codependency.
