Recovery Unfiltered

SummaryIn this episode of the Recovery Unfiltered Podcast, the hosts engage in a heartfelt discussion with guest John Kay, exploring themes of recovery, forgiveness, and the lessons learned from near-death experiences. They reflect on the importance of love, joy, and presence in life, while also addressing regrets and the impact of addiction on relationships and parenting. The conversation emphasizes the role of spirituality in recovery and the significance of open communication with loved ones.

Send us a textOne prayer. One big win. A thousand bad bets. This week we sit with a story that refuses to blink: from a first jackpot and comped rooms to forged signatures, meth-fueled investigations, DUIs, and a 400-foot plunge that somehow wasn’t the end. The chase for the next high becomes a full-time job—slots, credit kiting, Costco rug scams, fake IDs—until the truth finally breaks through in a courtroom where a judge gives one last chance and honesty becomes the only strategy left.We walk through the parts that rarely get airtime: how process addictions like gambling and bulimia got misread as “less serious” while alcohol and drugs ran cover; how shame and secrecy kept rewiring choices; and how family dynamics of control, image, and rescue poured gas on a fire that wouldn’t stop. The details are messy and human—Vegas jackpots, a bookie named Ted, rehab romances, crack paranoia in a locked garage, custody battles, and a mother’s fury in a courthouse aisle. It’s wild, but the hinge of the story is plain: accountability over victimhood, service over self, and a decision to live in sober housing long enough to become the person running it.You’ll also hear what recovery looks like after rock bottom: a sponsor who reads the Big Book line by line because comprehension is a barrier; rebaptism and a faith that feels alive, not performative; and the hard admission that process addictions can still creep in when stress peaks. We pull back the curtain on the recovery industry too—kickbacks, light-touch programs, and insurance incentives that reward churn over change—and talk about building care that’s ethical, transparent, and matched to real needs.If you’ve ever believed your past has the final word, this conversation offers a different ending. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what part of this story challenged you to tell the truth about your own?Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textA quiet prayer sets the tone, then the truth rushes in. We sit with Concetta as she maps a childhood of tight control and big love, school years tangled by dyslexia and undiagnosed ADHD, and a relentless need to be seen that bloomed into bulimia and blackout drinking. No melodrama, just the kind of detail you only share when you’re done hiding: raisins in the lunchbox while everyone else had Ding Dongs, a first drunk that turned into a public spectacle, and the way shame can feel like destiny when approval seems tied to your body and behavior.College offered freedom without guardrails. She gamed the system, outdrank everyone, and used her eating disorder to extend the party. An arrest exposed cracks her family tried to plaster over with treatment aimed at food, not booze. A fast-track marriage checked every box on paper—older attorney, big wedding, picture-perfect home—but left her starving inside. Motherhood brought a pause, then the restlessness roared back: secret affairs, a devastating choice, and the slow collapse of boundaries that once felt unbreakable.Then came the track. A racehorse named after her. A triple that hit. A pick six that nearly did. Gambling lit up the same circuits as alcohol and bulimia—risk, reward, attention, control—without the mess, until the mess caught up. Concetta’s candor is the point: how control and shame can incubate addiction, how smart people make impossible choices, and how honesty can start to pry open a way out. We end on a cliffhanger—twenty-six arrests and four counties of probation—with part two on the way.If this story moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. What moment stayed with you the most?Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat if the thing you’re most afraid to say is the exact key that unlocks your freedom? That’s where we start: with a prayer, an intention to be real, and the kind of honesty that makes sobriety livable at home, not just in a meeting.We trace the Big Book’s roots back to the Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James to show why action-based faith beats white-knuckling every time. Step One gets clarified—powerless and unmanageable are two different admissions—and Steps Four and Five come alive as the place where secrets lose their grip. You’ll hear why “you’re only as sick as your secrets” isn’t a slogan but a strategy, how to choose a sponsor who takes you through the work (and when to switch), and why humility shows up best as gratitude in motion.This conversation is family-deep. The wives speak openly about what changed: patience, fewer assumptions, and honest check-ins about triggers, fatigue, and trust. We lay out practical guardrails for real-life tests—travel, all-inclusive settings, old routines—and name the “Big Three” that keep sobriety stable: prayer, fellowship, and working with others. We also tackle amends with nuance—owning your part while holding firm boundaries around harm—plus a crucial warning about over-serving until home suffers. Tradition One gets personal: protect unity by protecting your capacity.What stands out most is the texture of hope: a teenage son modeling integrity, laughter breaking tension, and the reminder that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the doorway to relief, connection, and a marriage that actually grows. If you’re early in recovery, a spouse trying to support well, or someone stuck between dry sober and truly free, there’s something here you can use today.If this conversation helped, share it with one person who needs it, hit follow so you never miss an episode, and leave a quick review—what truth are you ready to say out loud?Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textA wedding speech that kept getting soaked with tears. A 911 call that saved a friend who doesn’t remember it. A sponsor who hits a wall because “please in the morning, thank you at night” turned into “I’ll get to it later.” This one is unfiltered and full-hearted. We invited our wives back to talk about what balance really costs in recovery, marriage, and work—and how gratitude becomes more than a feeling when God moves to the center of the room.We trace the arc from rehab to real life: why plans after discharge have to be about staying sober, not fixing everything at once. We unpack the Serenity Prayer as a practical blueprint—accept what you can’t control, take courageous action where you can, and ask God for the wisdom to know the difference. Steps 10 and 11 take front seat, too: daily inventory to keep ego from calcifying, and prayer and meditation to keep conscience contact current. Along the way, we get honest about burnout, boundaries, and why a weekly “no commitments” day can save a marriage. There’s laughter—a double-yolk “three-egg” omelet that wrecks a planner’s brain—and there’s real talk about grief, faith, and leading at home without becoming a martyr to the calendar.Our wives ground the conversation with what it felt like to carry the house, then slowly hand leadership back over years, not months. They ask for what matters: presence, humility, and follow-through. We share how physical practice (hello, jiu-jitsu) helps bleed off stress, how scripture and the Big Book align in surprising ways, and how faith becomes family culture when we live it instead of posting it. If you’re wrestling with work pressure, recovery service, marriage rhythms, or just trying to be spiritually fit without faking it, this conversation meets you where you are and points you toward progress, not perfection.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review. What small practice keeps you steady right now? Tell us—we’re listening.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textThe path to genuine freedom in sobriety often runs through our most difficult relationships. In this raw and moving conversation, we explore the transformative power of making amends—not just as a step in recovery, but as a profound act of healing that ripples beyond ourselves.Our guests share deeply personal stories of reconnecting with ex-spouses after years of separation. One describes flying across the country for a five-minute conversation that changed everything, while another recounts finding the perfect moment at a funeral to finally take responsibility for past mistakes. These stories reveal that true amends aren't about seeking forgiveness or easing our conscience, but about offering peace to those we've harmed while taking full ownership of our actions.We dive into the spiritual foundation that makes such healing possible. As one guest puts it, "On the other side of obedience is peace." The discussion explores how surrendering to a higher power creates a natural flow in life—contrasted with the forced, manipulated experiences of active addiction. This spiritual awareness becomes the compass for navigating both recovery and daily challenges.The conversation shifts to innovative approaches in addiction treatment, with fascinating insights about brain mapping, genetic testing, and the importance of addressing underlying mental health issues. Yet the most powerful message emerges about treatment itself: "If you think rehab will keep you sober, don't unpack. This is about stopping the bleeding." Real recovery happens through ongoing community, spiritual growth, and daily practices.Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about the transformative journey from addiction to freedom, this episode offers honest wisdom about how confronting our past creates space for an authentic future—one where we're no longer defined by our mistakes but by our courage to make things right.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat happens when faith meets addiction recovery? Kat's story is a powerful testament to finding freedom through both spiritual awakening and the 12-step program. With raw honesty, she shares her journey from teenage drinking to maintaining a decade of sobriety—revealing the complex dance between faith, fellowship, and personal accountability.Kat takes us through her early years when alcohol first made her feel comfortable in her own skin, through her development of a "double life" as a high-achieving student who partied in secret. Her story pivots when she finds Christianity at 18, experiencing several years of faith-based sobriety before career pressures lead to drinking again, culminating in a devastating spiral that nearly ends at a train track in California.The conversation delves into the fascinating science of equine therapy, where Kat explains how horses—able to detect human heartbeats from 100 yards away—become powerful healing partners for those in recovery. This connection to animals provides a therapeutic bridge that medication alone cannot offer.Perhaps most valuable is Kat's insight into long-term recovery: "Just like alcoholism is progressive, sobriety is progressive." She describes how "the road narrows" the longer you stay sober, requiring increasingly deeper spiritual work and personal growth. Her journey illuminates why simply knowing Jesus differs from walking with Him, and why abstinence alone never addresses the underlying spiritual malady of addiction.Whether you're struggling with substance use, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the intersection of faith and recovery, this episode offers profound wisdom about healing, accountability, and finding purpose in pain. Join us for this intimate conversation about transformation that happens one day at a time.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat happens when life goes sideways in recovery? When carefully laid plans crumble and unexpected tragedy strikes? Jason returns to Recovery Unfiltered to share a raw, emotional story that tests the limits of "living life on life's terms."The journey begins with Jason's excitement about attending the International AA Convention in Vancouver—his first since getting sober. But as his departure approaches, warning signs appear: canceled accommodations, vanishing flights, and transportation nightmares. Despite these obstacles, Jason presses forward, feeling obligated to the friends he'd encouraged to join him.Then comes the devastating midnight call: Rooster, Jason's beloved "sobriety dog" who had been with him since early recovery, has escaped during Fourth of July fireworks. Hours later, they learn he's been struck by a car and killed. The loss plunges Jason into what he describes as "the darkest place I've felt in six years of sobriety."Through tears and vulnerable conversation, the guys explore critical recovery concepts: recognizing when God is closing doors in our lives, understanding the true meaning of group conscience, and examining our motives. "If you make a decision based on fear, guilt, or shame," one host observes, "if your motives are wrong, the decision is wrong."Jason's story powerfully illustrates that recovery doesn't shield us from life's heartbreaks, but it does give us tools to navigate them without returning to addiction. His willingness to share such profound grief demonstrates the healing power of honest connection with others who understand the journey.Listen in as the Recovery Unfiltered crew demonstrates once again that authentic, unguarded conversation creates space for both laughter and tears—and might just offer exactly what you need to hear today. Have you experienced moments when life's detours revealed unexpected wisdom? Share your story with us and discover you're not alone on this path.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textFinding peace amid the chaos of your own mind might be recovery's greatest challenge. In this eye-opening episode, Stefani shares her remarkable journey from addiction to awakening, revealing how the 12 Steps silenced the cruel voices that had dominated her thoughts for years."The steps removed so many voices in my head that I didn't know existed until they were gone," Stefani reflects, describing the vicious internal dialogue that kept her trapped in patterns of self-hatred long before substances entered the picture. Her story illuminates how isolation becomes both symptom and perpetuator of addiction—a psychological prison built brick by brick through years of trying to fit in where she didn't belong.We dive deep into the raw realities of recovery, from the exhaustion that can masquerade as depression to the societal conditioning that leaves many women feeling perpetually inadequate. Stefani's journey toward embracing nonconformity offers a powerful metaphor for recovery itself: "I spent my whole life trying to fit a circle into a square...if I'm a fucking circle, I'm a fucking circle and I'm gonna go find other circles and we're gonna be happy."The conversation takes unexpected turns through discussions of metal detectors, Chinese food in Mexico, and Stephanie's almost miraculous legal reprieve after eight years with a felony warrant. Throughout these seemingly disparate topics runs a consistent thread—recovery doesn't just mean getting sober; it means discovering who you truly are beneath years of masks and misconceptions.Whether you're personally in recovery, love someone who is, or simply seek deeper understanding of the human condition, this episode offers wisdom, laughter, and the profound reminder that authentic connection is the antidote to isolation. Subscribe now, leave a review, and join our growing community of people committed to honest, unfiltered conversations about what it really takes to transform your life.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat begins as an ordinary story of teenage experimentation spirals into a harrowing journey through addiction's darkest corners. Stefani—raised in a loving, stable home with law enforcement connections—never imagined she'd become trapped in a cycle of heroin dependency and sex trafficking. Yet one casual drug experience in high school set her on a path that would ultimately cost her everything.With remarkable candor, Stefani reveals how her "bar kept lowering" after each boundary she crossed. From a promising softball scholarship to being sexually assaulted on campus, from losing custody of her son to surviving three different trafficking situations, her story shatters misconceptions about who can fall victim to exploitation. Most chilling is her insight into how traffickers operate—not through dramatic kidnappings, but through calculated manipulation of vulnerability, particularly addiction.The most powerful aspect of Stefani's testimony isn't the darkness she endured, but the light she eventually found. Now six months sober, she's rebuilding her relationship with her daughter and using her experiences to help others recognize the warning signs of trafficking. Her journey demonstrates that recovery is possible even from the most desperate circumstances.This episode serves as both a stark warning and a beacon of hope. Stefani's experiences highlight how addiction creates vulnerability that predators expertly exploit, while proving that no matter how far someone falls, redemption remains possible. For parents, educators, and anyone concerned about these intertwined crises, her insights provide valuable perspective on recognizing and preventing exploitation before it begins.Have you noticed warning signs in someone you care about? Are you struggling yourself? This conversation reminds us that reaching out for help isn't weakness—it's the first step toward reclaiming your power.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textEver wonder what truly protects us from relapse? It's not white-knuckling through triggers or avoiding life's challenges – it's something far more powerful.The conversation dives deep into the nature of fear in recovery, specifically the fear of relapse that haunts many on the sobriety journey. Through candid personal stories and powerful insights from both recovery literature and lived experience, we explore how faith serves as the antidote to fear. As one participant powerfully states, "Faith means courage. All men of faith have courage, not fear."We unpack the crucial distinction between merely believing in recovery and having genuine faith – the kind that requires action. "You believed that chair would hold your weight, but you didn't have any faith until you put your ass in it." This practical wisdom extends to when someone is ready to sponsor others, challenging conventional timeframes and focusing instead on spiritual awakening through working the steps.Perhaps most powerfully, we explore the concept of finding "serenity to match calamity." True peace isn't the absence of life's storms but the ability to remain centered within them. Through unexpected encounters with past resentments and opportunities for spontaneous amends, we see how recovery offers not just sobriety but a transformative way of navigating life's challenges.Whether you're new to recovery or have years of sobriety, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on overcoming fear, building faith, and finding peace regardless of external circumstances. Join us for insights that might just transform how you view your recovery journey.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat happens when the weight of trauma becomes too heavy to bear? In this raw and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Jim, a retired Assistant Fire Chief with 33 years of service, who takes us through his harrowing journey with alcoholism, PTSD, and ultimately, a suicide attempt that changed everything.Jim's story begins in a large Irish Catholic family where drinking was normalized from an early age. By 13, he was already developing a relationship with alcohol that would follow him through high school, college, and into his career as a firefighter. Rising through the ranks to Assistant Chief, Jim appeared successful on the outside while internally battling demons that grew stronger with each traumatic call.The conversation takes a powerful turn as Jim recounts responding to three SIDS deaths in a single day, spending hours with decapitation victims, and witnessing families burned alive in mistaken arson attacks. Without proper mental health support, he turned to alcohol to numb the pain, leading to failed marriages and increasingly self-destructive behavior.The most gripping moment comes when Jim describes his suicide attempt in vivid detail – from the crushing despair that led him to put an AR-15 under his chin, to the miraculous misfire that gave him a second chance, to his brother somehow finding him on a remote mountain road. You'll feel every emotion as he describes his journey through rehabilitation specifically designed for first responders, where he finally began addressing both his alcoholism and severe PTSD.Now 17 months sober, Jim shares how he's rebuilding relationships with his sons, enjoying his role as a grandfather, and finding peace in a simpler life. His story serves as both warning and inspiration for anyone struggling with addiction or mental health issues, especially first responders carrying the weight of traumatic experiences.If you or someone you know is battling addiction or having thoughts of suicide, this episode offers hope that recovery is possible, even from the darkest places. As Jim reminds us, sometimes our greatest purpose comes from sharing our hardest struggles with others who need to hear them.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textShawn shares his journey from growing up in a household where drinking was normalized to finding sobriety and reconciliation with his oldest daughter after years of addiction and separation.• First introduced to alcohol at age five when his mother gave him Schlitz malt liquor for a head injury• Military career cut short after testing positive for cocaine, returned home to continue cycle of addiction• Made the devastating choice to step away from his daughter's life when she was six years old• Hit rock bottom after experiencing hallucinations during a methamphetamine binge• Found sobriety in 2015 and has maintained it for almost 10 years without traditional 12-step programs• Recently reconnected with his oldest daughter who told him "I don't blame you"• Credits his wife Mary for supporting his continued growth and helping facilitate reconciliation• Now raising their two-year-old daughter with intention and awarenessIf you're struggling with addiction, know that it's never too late to make changes. Recovery isn't a destination but a journey, and healing is possible even after years of separation and pain.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat happens when our emotional development gets frozen by addiction? How do we learn to process feelings we've been numbing for decades? This powerful episode brings together voices of lived experience and professional expertise to explore the profound connection between mental health and recovery.The conversation begins with a fascinating examination of perspective in sobriety. Rob shares his belief that he's never had "bad days" in recovery, only "hard days" – a cognitive reframe that Dr. Rachel identifies as precisely the kind of thought pattern adjustment that helps people heal from depression. This opens up a deeper discussion about how addiction arrests emotional development, with Larry vulnerably sharing how he "didn't learn how to love until getting sober" and how recovery has awakened both beautiful connections and painful sensitivities he never experienced in active addiction.Mental health professionals Paul and Dr. Rachel offer invaluable insights throughout, explaining depression's hereditary components, warning signs, and treatment approaches. They illuminate the crucial distinction between chemical interventions like medication and psychological work through therapy, while emphasizing that many people need both. The panel explores how depression manifests differently – some withdraw while others overcompensate with activity – helping listeners identify concerning patterns in themselves or loved ones.Perhaps most powerfully, the group examines emotional intimacy as the heart of both addiction and recovery. Dr. Rachel defines it as shared experience and genuine connection, explaining how many use substances to either facilitate or avoid this vulnerability. Recovery communities provide a framework for developing authentic connections through honesty, sponsorship, and service – creating the emotional foundation that sustains long-term sobriety and mental well-being.Whether you're struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers compassionate understanding and practical wisdom for integrating treatment approaches and building the connections that heal. Listen now to discover how addressing both conditions simultaneously creates the strongest foundation for lasting recovery.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhen Stefani stepped onto the softball field at Sacramento State on scholarship, no one could have predicted the dark journey ahead. Her story shatters the myth that sex trafficking only happens to certain types of people from certain backgrounds.Raised in a loving home with a law enforcement family, Stefani's path to addiction began subtly through a high school relationship. What started as experimental pill use spiraled after a sexual assault left her traumatized and withdrawn from college. Without support, she found herself gravitating toward increasingly dangerous situations and substances.The most devastating turn came when she lost custody of her infant son. Homeless and desperate, Stefani became vulnerable to traffickers who recognized her isolation. Over three harrowing years, she endured different forms of exploitation before a miraculous escape that she credits to divine intervention. Even then, her battle wasn't over – she was shocked to discover she was pregnant again only when she went into labor.Now six months sober, Stefani speaks with remarkable clarity about how easily anyone can become trapped in trafficking. "They don't go after girls raised in the streets who would call their bullshit," she explains. "They target women like me, women like your daughters." Her insights into traffickers' tactics – from the false savior to the violent controller to the manipulative boyfriend – provide crucial education for parents, educators, and young people.Stefani's journey toward recovery reveals both the depths of human cruelty and the heights of resilience. Her willingness to share her darkest moments serves as both warning and inspiration – a reminder that no matter how far we fall, redemption remains possible. Her focus now? Building a healthy life with her daughter and using her experience to help others recognize the warning signs she missed.This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, addiction, and trafficking that may be difficult for some listeners. It also contains profound insights about healing, forgiveness, and finding purpose in pain.Thank You for Joining Us.. Please share with friends. If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcoholism please reach out to us. We can get you help. recoveryunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com