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 Meet JD - Men's Center Director for 180 Ministries here in Denver. His story begins as a young kid, lacking self-confidence and real identity, though not a bad childhood as some stories. Recognizing he wanted to 'get away', he'd ultimately join the Marines and land in Okinawa, Japan for his first assignment. Things got dark, as this self-proclaimed former 'people pleaser' would gravitate towards the 'bad guys', diving into behaviors where, ultimately, everything came crashing do...
Send us Fan Mail Karen is well acquainted with the depth of loss, grief and all that is enveloped in the world of the alcoholic/addict. And yet, with 37 years of recovery to her name, she now helps countless others in their journey to recovery. There are so many nuggets of wisdom shared throughout this episode! A favorite quote from the 'big book' states, "Glass in hand, we have warped our minds". And with the main dish and multiple 'sides', Karen was well on her way to a life 'off the rails'! L...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Kayla - self-admitted naive, sheltered home-school girl from a loving family who meets her Prince Charming at Bible School! Life is grand and married life 'seemed so easy' - until it wasn't. Kayla had never known or experienced the devastating effects of alcoholism or addiction in her family. And when she was introduced, the ugly, dysfunctional story began to unfold with fervor. Grateful to those who would step into their story and intervene in love, as only real love can d...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Monica. As a self-proclaimed "fixer of people", she would find solace, relief and begin her healing journey in the rooms of Al-Anon. And what a journey it's been! Her story begins the week after Thanksgiving when her son-in-law called stating, "I can't find her" (implying her daughter was missing). Subsequent calls were about to ensue to the hospitals, jails and so on - when the walls came crashing down in the worst, most unexpected ways. The tragedies of this disease are a...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Dr. Nicholas Samstag, who shares his story and work in the field of psychoanalysis and more. In the course of our conversation, we look at the intersection of mental health and addiction, and beyond. With a wealth of experience around the 'soothing' component of addiction, he poses some great questions and recognizes that no one size fits all. I'm left pondering his response to my question regarding HOPE, and any thoughts he'd like to share with our listeners. As such, I'd ...
Send us Fan Mail "I felt the shame" - was one of the earliest quotes from Kathy. As she shares her own tragic experience at such an early age, she's also quick to point out that "God kept me" as things could have gone drastically different for her. There are so many beautiful highs littered with numerous lows - sound familiar? Kathy's story is just that - it's hers. But trust me, you will find multiple connections in her story likely to your own journey. Our prayer is always that you will find H...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Nick Pollard - self-proclaimed people pleaser and recovered addict. This Instagram personality has an incredible story (as we all do!) and how he is sharing his many breakthroughs and thoughts on recovery so publicly is how we met. You'll hear the heart-wrenching story of multiple failed marriages, trying to soothe the pain of family revelations that hurt so deeply, he was simply self-medicating, as we all do in some form or another. He knew he was dying when he reached out...
Send us Fan Mail THIS!! The TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY of "This Is Your Wake-Up Call" and the 50th episode! Who else but Pastor Daniel Petruska, CEO of 180 ministries is my guest today. And we recount some of the INCREDIBLE stories from the last time we spoke - in January of 2023. There is a LOT of hope, healing and HELP within. I do hope you'll listen - and please share broadly. There are so many who will connect with the amazing redemption stories that God continues to write into each of our lives. ...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Jennifer in Atlanta - as a young girl, she recalls always trying to avoid the pain in the short term for the grander plan in the long run. Her pattern of realizing that "takers are always attracted to the givers" is likely something with which many of us can identify. Recognizing now that she was always searching for the unconditional love that seemed to be missing from the 'good girl' role she'd strived to be for years. Later she would make some changes, letting go of thos...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Barb - CEO and female entrepreneur - and SO.MUCH.MORE! As a woman born in KS and not afraid of work, she shares candidly of the roller-coaster that her story has been. The highs and lows of epic wins and losses - she shares it all. The story unfolds with her husband, Dave, the bull-rider on the circuit, them owning multiples businesses, pockets of massive financial success and markets crashing, along with losing family members to suicide. Wretched grief! And then, perhaps t...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Jordan - a beautiful young woman with a heroic story of overcoming - much like where you might be, also! When drawing pictures in Kindergarten of tombstones with RIP Dad, a caring adult stepped in and shifted everything for this young girl. Thanks to her principal, recognizing the RAGE and fear that this little girl was exhibiting, Jordan was able to get out of an exceedingly toxic and abusive situation. While both parents were alcoholics, mom found recovery and planted see...
Send us Fan Mail In this incredible episode, you will meet Sharon; renowned author, speaker, professor and therapist. The depth of this woman's story of recovery has such far reaching levels of impact. I urge you to not only listen, but to share broadly. From growing up in a teetotaling, legalistic religious household, Sharon really had no grid for the idea of alcohol having any sort of impact beyond "relief", when her ER doc suggested a glass of wine to ease her anxiety (there wasn't an underst...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Eric...just WOW! This story is a bit outside of the usual conversation, as Eric's addiction included alcohol, but pornography was his drug of choice. He shares some incredible stories of his struggle - and to be clear, it is the struggle - UNSPOKEN in our culture in large part - of so many. His resources are also something of note - to include that he, himself is now a coach for men struggling in this area. He names books for kids, both toddlers and teens on this absolutely...
Send us Fan Mail Hey, all! Meet Heather - with the reputation of the 'good girl' and 'that girl who goes to church', she shares a story not unlike many of our own. Or is it? On the day of her wedding, her souse was completely smashed in their honeymoon room, and all she can think if, "How do I get him to stop?!" - the question so many of us have asked - or maybe are asking right now. Heather has not only experienced, but overcome in so many areas of her life. Living on the sober side of the stre...
Send us Fan Mail Today Joann shares her incredible story of experience, strength and hope , unlike what we have heard to date. Her fairy-tale beginning begs the question, Why? And yet, we know that the disease of addiction knows no boundaries. There's no race, socio-economic condition, sex or otherwise that this disease has not touched. While she thought her ex-husband was the 'prince-charming' in her story, rescuing her from a deplorable situation, she would come to learn differently... much di...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Joe from Long Island. Former Wall Street junkie who OD'd on opiates. With 6 cans of NARCAN saving him in the bathroom stall at Penn Station, you know this guy has had a few 'wake up calls' of his own. His story is another 'don't miss'! He now speaks and coaches others at a high level on the importance of perseverance , growth and flipping your mindset ....all tools he'd need in his overcoming journey. Please share this incredible message with your circles of influence - and...
Send us Fan Mail Well, hello again listeners! I'd like to offer my apologies for taking so long in getting a new episode your way. There have been numerous reasons behind this 'lapse', including rescheduling several of our guests due to conflicts - as well as having Covid and losing my voice for a bit. (there's some relapse involved, as well, which I'll share on another episode) All of that to say, I can't WAIT for you to hear today's guest. Her story is not only remarkable in her own recovery j...
Send us Fan Mail While Ralph was once " all about the party" , he shares in true humility the journey of some 20 years and the damage done along the way before he'd pray the prayer that led to a vision of the man who would guide him to recovery. A remarkable, powerful story of pain and hurt, from a man whose tender heart would never intentionally hurt another - now brings hope to so many through his own recovery. You DON'T want to miss this episode - and I'd invite you to share it broadly! If yo...
Send us Fan Mail Found dead by police from an overdose with his car still running at an intersection (interview available here: https://youtu.be/87VuDO_oyvo?si=JqCKmxsY3AVImiu6), Adam has a story - like each of us - and yet indescribable for many. He shares of the 'early days' where, as a star athlete and more, his 'recreational use' spiraled out of control after losing his best friend to suicide. Adam would spend years in search of sobriety - and from being 86'd from the homeless shelter, to Bi...
Sarah recounts the devastating discovery of her first husband's secret methamphetamine addiction and subsequent arrest, leading to a journey of profound personal trauma and healing. Despite the pain, her faith remained a steadfast anchor, guiding her through codependency and single motherhood. She ultimately found love with her second husband, David, a fellow recovering addict, and together they co-founded Recover Church and Vibrant Life Behavioral Health, dedicating their lives to helping families impacted by addiction.
Send us Fan Mail Meet celebrity guest, David Scheetz Jr., renowned for his seasons with Discovery Channel's 'Deadliest Catch', David has an incredible testimony of recovery - and not just from the unspeakable amounts of drugs and alcohol that littered his past, but from the extraordinary abuse that he endured as a child - from those he should have been able to trust the most. There're the behaviors that would result in frequent visits to juvenile detention to super max prison cells. He just want...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Bob, quintessential comedian with a serious story. From the young boy facing frequent discipline at school and beyond to the 'insanity of his affliction', and seeking love in all the wrong places, his story is surely one that those of us on BOTH sides of the recovery journey will identify with. 6 DUIs and myriad other incidents, Bob decides he's going to 'resolve not to drink'. You know there's more to the story...let's go there now! If you enjoyed this podcast, please shar...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I'm excited to welcome back a couple of previous guests, and TOGETHER on this episode they expound on a separate and yet similar topic - that of sexual addiction. Brad & Ryan graciously speak to this matter in a professional, yet humble and exceedingly authentic manner and provide such incredible resources, you won't want to miss it! And may I suggest, share it WIDELY?! If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone you believe would benefit. And be ...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Nancianne - formerly, the child victim of parents who modeled everything from drinking, stealing, marijuana, and ultimately meth as the answer to EVERYTHING! At one point, drinking a handle a day, enjoying the 'legal heroine' of roxy at a cost of $700 a week, she knew something had to give. Hear how her miraculous turnaround came to be... If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone you believe would benefit. And be sure to "like" and subscribe! If you know of som...
Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, you'll hear Karen's "wake-up calls" in her journey with her spouse's sex addiction. As the wife of a pastor, the betrayal experienced as an affair came to light, and the road to recovery began. Recovery in this addiction includes such things as polygraphs, STD testing and more! Karen learned about boundaries in this healing journey, and of the trauma - the ROOT of addiction, while praying for God to "Do whatever it takes..." While this topic in recove...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Brad - Licensed Professional Counselor, Author, Inspirational Speaker and Marathon Hand cyclist! This is one of those absolute "DON'T MISS" stories! Not only was he the counselor to one of my earlier guests, Ryan (episode 29), but his story carries its own trauma, recovery and perseverance in the face of some of life's most difficult challenges. If you or someone you know is in need of some EPIC HOPE, this is one of those episodes. Thanks for tuning in - I do hope you'll sh...
Send us Fan Mail In this second episode, you'll hear the 'rest of the story' as Brandy recaps the extraordinary redemption of her biological father's journey and so much more. The HOPE that is infused throughout these episodes brings LIGHT to the fact that where you might find yourself right here, right now, is NOT the end! There's so much more that God is writing in all of our journeys. Please listen in to hear that beauty that continues to unfold in Brandy's story. If you enjoyed this podcast,...
Send us Fan Mail Let's hear from Brandy - recovered meth addict and so much more. This poor childhood story is laden with drama and abuse, multiple moves, caring for siblings and on and on it goes. But how God shows up and chooses to deliver her on a Greyhound bus bound for PA with her own baby now...living in a homeless shelter and the hands He used to bring healing and disciple her...just WOW! If you enjoyed this podcast, please share with someone you believe would benefit. And be sure to "lik...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode you'll meet Ryan - an extraordinary young man with a journey to recovery, not unlike some, and yet the wrestling along the way coming out of a heroin addiction - and then, the relapse. Enter Brad - a hero on so many levels as you'll hear. Ryan not only applauds this hero on his journey, but speaks to the importance of having someone like Brad, an accountability partner, or counselor - someone who can walk beside you in the hard days - because we all have them, ad...
Send us Fan Mail Meet Jan - with 30 YEARS of recovery to her name, she has a lot of wisdom to share through the course of her journey. Having been personally blessed through Jan's recovery in the rooms of Al-Anon, it's such a privilege to have her as a guest on my show. As you'll hear in this episode, it wasn't an easy journey to recovery; in fact, it took over a year to just come to work her way through Step 1 in Al-Anon - given her personal story with a religious upbringing that did more damag...
