Recovery Culture

The first year of recovery can be one of the hardest—and most rewarding—chapters of a person's life. In this episode, Valerie and Steven walk through what to expect during the first year of sobriety, from the challenges of the first 30 days to the milestones of 60 days, 90 days, six months, nine months, and one year. They share personal experiences, practical advice, and encouragement for anyone n...

Ben grew up in a home marked by fear, rejection, and broken relationships. As he searched for acceptance through success, ministry, marriage, and even business ownership, he found that none of those things could heal the wounds he carried for years. In this powerful testimony, Ben shares how God met him through heartbreak, loss, homelessness, and Celebrate Recovery, ultimately helping him discover...

When a local sober living house faced eviction, Steven and Val found themselves stepping into a role they never planned to take on. In this episode, they share the story behind Recovery Culture's sober living home, the challenges of getting it started, and the lessons they've learned along the way. They discuss what sober living actually is, common misconceptions about recovery housing, and why ac...

Mark's story spans decades of loss, family struggles, addiction, sobriety, relapse, and ultimately, full surrender. After achieving 18 years of sobriety, he discovered that sobriety alone wasn't enough—true recovery required healing, forgiveness, and a deeper relationship with God. In this episode, Mark shares how childhood trauma, family dysfunction, divorce, and grief shaped his journey, how he...

Brandon grew up in a home shaped by addiction, loss, and trauma. After his father left when he was seven years old, Brandon spent years searching for identity, approval, and belonging—eventually finding himself walking a similar path with alcohol. In this episode, Brandon shares how a reunion with his father, years of sobriety, and a life-changing encounter with Celebrate Recovery helped him disco...

What does addiction really feel like from the inside? In this episode, Valerie interviews co-host Steven about his personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the mental battle that many people never see. Steven shares how substance use progressed from pain pills to heroin, why addiction became about more than getting high, and what it was like to live in constant pursuit of the next fix. He...

Raised around abuse, addiction, and instability, Vic spent years searching for belonging through gangs, violence, drugs, and life on the streets. After prison, addiction, and years of running from himself, everything slowly began to change. In this episode, Vic shares his powerful testimony of trauma, survival, faith, recovery, and finding purpose through helping others heal.

In this episode, she shares her journey through depression, broken trust, codependency, hopelessness, and loving someone through addiction — and how faith and recovery ultimately changed her life. From childhood wounds to difficult relationships and a season of overwhelming darkness, Valerie opens up about the experiences that shaped her perspective on healing, recovery, and second chances. This e...

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person using — it impacts the entire family. In this episode, Steven and Valerie share an honest conversation about loving someone through addiction. They talk about boundaries, codependency, enabling, surrender, and the hard lessons learned from both sides of recovery. Whether you’re a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend of someone struggling with addiction, this...

In this episode of Recovery Culture, Valerie and Steven talk about acceptance, patience, persistence, and the life-changing mindset behind “the power of yet.” From stepping out of denial to learning how to let go of control, they discuss how recovery often begins by simply telling yourself the truth — and believing that growth is still possible, even when you can’t see it yet. Whether you’re strug...

In this episode, Steven and Valerie talk about one of the hardest — but most freeing — parts of recovery: forgiveness. From family wounds and past resentment to self-hatred and the struggle to let go, they share personal stories about how unforgiveness can quietly shape our lives, relationships, and recovery journey. Together, they unpack the difference between forgiving others, accepting forgiven...

Ashley’s story doesn’t start with chaos—it starts with what felt normal. Growing up around alcohol, drinking was never questioned. But over time, what seemed manageable turned into blackouts, close calls, and moments that couldn’t be ignored. We talk about: How normalized drinking can hide a growing problem The difference between functioning and actually being okay The warning signs we ignore Why...

Vic O.’s story is one of addiction, violence, and a life that nearly ended too soon. After a promising boxing career was cut short, Vic fell into years of drug use, gang life, and prison—until a near-death experience changed everything. In this episode, he shares how he found faith, broke free from addiction, and built a new life rooted in purpose. This is a raw conversation about pain, redemption...

In this episode, we dive into amends—and why they’re more than just saying “I’m sorry.” We talk about what real amends look like, how to take responsibility for the harm we’ve caused, and why action matters more than words. We also cover when to make amends, when not to, and how to handle it if they’re not received the way you hoped. If you’re working through recovery—or just trying to make things...

What happens after the breaking point? In Part 2 of Kevin’s story, we pick up right where we left off—at one of the most intense moments of his life. From there, Kevin opens up about the path that followed: the choices, the consequences, and the reality of where addiction and identity can lead when left unchecked. But this isn’t just a story about destruction—it’s a story about what it takes to ch...

Kevin’s story doesn’t start with addiction—it starts with chaos, trauma, and the beliefs that were formed long before he ever picked up a substance. In Part 1, Kevin shares what it was like growing up in an environment marked by violence, instability, and shame—and how those early experiences began shaping the way he saw himself and the world around him. From childhood trauma to searching for iden...

What if the thoughts you believe about yourself… aren’t actually true? In this episode, we explore how our beliefs are formed—from childhood experiences to the things spoken over us—and how those beliefs shape our actions, habits, and even addiction. We break down the difference between guilt and shame, why what you focus on matters, and how to start challenging negative thoughts and rewriting you...

Jorge shares a powerful and honest story of addiction, relapse, and what it took for him to finally change. After years of destructive patterns and damaged relationships, Jorge opens up about the reality of his addiction — the choices he made, the people he hurt, and the moment things began to shift. This conversation dives into: The cycle of relapse and starting over Taking ownership instead of b...

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person going through it — it impacts every relationship around them. In this episode, Val and Steven have an honest conversation about what addiction really does to relationships — from broken trust and emotional distance to codependency and miscommunication. They share both perspectives: what it’s like to be in addiction, and what it’s like to love someone who is...

In this episode, we sit down with our good friend Vinni to hear the full story behind the guy we thought we already knew. From a chaotic childhood and wild party years to close calls, health scares, and the moment everything finally shifted, Vinni shares his journey with honesty, humor, and zero filters. It’s a conversation full of unbelievable stories, hard truths, and a powerful reminder that re...

There are a lot of myths about recovery and sobriety that keep people stuck. In this episode of Recovery Culture, we talk about the biggest misconceptions about getting sober — from the idea that you have to hit rock bottom, to the belief that life becomes boring without alcohol or drugs. We share our personal experiences, challenge some common assumptions, and talk about what recovery actually lo...

Maddie's powerful story of overcoming addiction, domestic violence, and finding sobriety in Colorado. Her journey highlights the importance of support, self-awareness, and resilience in recovery.

This episode explores what to expect in recovery programs, covering types of programs, meeting experiences, early lessons, and relapse prevention strategies. Hosted by Valerie and Steven, it offers practical insights for those on or considering a recovery journey.  

In this episode of the Recovery Culture Podcast, hosts Val and Steven engage in a heartfelt conversation with their guest Jim, who shares his transformative journey of faith and recovery. Jim discusses his struggles with addiction, the importance of community in the recovery process after losing a child, and how surrendering to God has led to profound changes in his life. The conversation emphasiz...

This episode explores the multifaceted nature of grief, its stages, and its profound impact on recovery. It features personal stories and expert insights, emphasizing the importance of community, faith, and self-compassion in healing.