Recovery On-Air

Sam is the lead clinician and a chaplain at Crossroads at Pure Heart. Greg and Sam talk about how he goes all in on his faith like some recovering addicts go all out on the 12 steps. After inheriting some money at a young age, Sam started abusing drugs including heroin. He mentions this stunted his emotional growth. However, thanks to his faith and a long-term recovery program, Sam is now a stand-...

Loren, Amanda, Amber, and Kristin talk with Greg about new programs available at our Extension facility. The East Valley Integrated Care program is an outpatient program that involves a holistic approach to substance abuse treatment. Some treatment modalities include yoga, art therapy, breathwork, sound healing, Reiki, plus more! Listen in to hear how as long as people remain honest, open-minded,...

Listen in as Greg talks with Joey Landin, survivor and CEO of The Sanctuary treatment program. Learn why Joey shows a picture of himself at his worst when he shares his story. Discover how he went from being an addict on the streets to embracing the 12 steps of recovery. Now, he owns two businesses, is a father, and a husband. Joey is truly one of the miracles we need to witness when discussing re...

Greg talks with Jarad about going from stealing gas, in a big way, to giving back to others in a bigger way. Jarad has gone from not being present for his family and friends to helping others early in sobriety and becoming a responsible adult. While making life decisions he has relied on those who came before him including his sponsor who opened his eyes to multiple ways of faith.

John and Greg sit down to discuss growing up in Brooklyn, taking care of your mental health, and saying yes to life’s opportunities. Oftentimes, people in recovery work hard on their spiritual health but neglect their mental health. Sometimes this can even lead to a relapse! After several years in recovery, John was able to get treatment for his PTSD with EMDR and other therapy modalities. He is n...

Greg and Steve kick their feet up to talk about their experience, strength, and hope. Steve has been in recovery since 1983 and is a regular hangout at Crossroads East. He mentions how on the outside, his life looked great but he was spiritually sick with a severe drug and alcohol problem. It is quite inspiring that after more than 40 years in AA, he hasn’t lost his passion to help other addicts.

We sit down With Estil Wallace to talk about parenting, how different approaches to sobriety are needed because we are all on a different journey, and his own choices in his recovery including the start of Cornerstone Healing center. Estil is thoroughly involved in sponsorship, the 12 steps, and whatever else may help including therapy. Greg and Estil do agree on one thing and that is staying clos...

Dale tells his story of recovery coming from small town Indiana to Phoenix. Becoming a partner with his wife Susan in his fight to become a better father and husband. Dale and Susan have taken jobs helping others that led them from the east valley to Pennsylvania and back to Phoenix. Once an employee at Crossroads and now with Sanctuary, Dale has immersed himself in the 12 step program and has a b...

Jay Dow and Greg talk about the blessing to be able to play music in jails, treatment facilities, and institutions. Sober Music Company has been active for 10 years now and Jay mentions he plans on expanding the company in the future by hiring other musicians. However, his aim is to uphold the objective of aiding addicts in their healing journey the best way he knows how, through music.

Chris Lawson talks with Greg about his extensive history with drugs and alcohol, starting at a very young age. They also talk about relationships in recovery, relapses and bounce backs, and changing previous behavior not just getting sober. Chris has a solid recovery program and is the Clinical Coordinator for aftercare services. He has aspirations to be a licensed substance abuse counselor in the...

Tim Benson is a Crossroads alumni who now facilitates groups and trains others on how to do the same. He affirms that a big part of his job is inspiring clients and getting them excited about recovery, rather than just teaching them the material. Makes sense, considering he used to be a classroom teacher at a high school. Tim also facilitates a group on the weekends for families’ of clients going...

Mike Gelbron shares his experience with the supportive community and family atmosphere of Crossroads. Now the Chief Compliance Officer, Mike started with Crossroads as a volunteer in the kitchen doing community service. As he slowly realized being of service to other struggling addicts and alcoholics was his life’s mission, he began to work his way up in the company. Tune in to listen to Mike’s in...

* M/A for language * Amber is a Crossroads employee of 3 years who now helps run our brand new art and yoga studio. Initially, she didn’t think she could handle working at Crossroads but as she grew in recovery, she learned new positive traits that helped her to be successful in the company. Amber is a high energy individual and engages in recovery the same way. Listen to Amber share her story and...

Brandon Lee from Art of Our Soul, Clay Boettcher, and Bex Cox talk with Greg about Crossroads’ awesome new art and yoga studio. They talk about what a holistic approach to treatment looks like. Not only remediation for substance abuse problems but starting to heal childhood trauma and mental health issues as well. To heal the whole person, there should be a mind, body, and soul connection establis...

Ted Gutierrez is an addict and alcoholic who found recovery in 12 step meetings and at Mountain Park Health Clinic. He went on to work for Mountain Park because he felt it was the right thing to do. They like to say they help people from “cradle to the grave” because of the extensive services they offer. Tune in to hear to all the good work Mountain Park Health, the Aris Foundation, Crossroads, an...

Aaron manages Crossroads integrated care unit. At Crossroads, we believe it’s vital that clients receive comprehensive care that includes physical, mental, and spiritual health. Aaron explains how he went from using heroin and meth to having a great job, a wife, and kids. Aaron also fancies himself a bit of a horror movie buff. Listen until to the end to hear Greg test that knowledge out.

Long time pals Greg and Alvin discuss how the beginning of the recovery process is vital for addicts to make decisions. During early recovery, addicts heads can be cloudy and they often need to be guided on what steps to take next. Sometimes they even help discerning a good decision from a bad one. This is where Alvin steps in to share his experience and hopefully positively affect a newly recover...

Lionel first got sober at 27 and relapsed after nine years in AA. He had a house, car, and good job but lost it all due to substance abuse. Greg and Lionel talk about his time at Crossroads East and how he is now a licenced substance abuse counselor. Listen to Lionel share his story of loss and triumph in and out of AA.

Kym is a group facilitator and peer at Crossroads Extension. She hit her bottom after living under a stairwell at her place of work; Now, she and her boyfriend are thinking about buying a house. Greg and Kym talk about the humor in addiction and recovery, albeit sometimes dark. Kym took comedy and acting classes and often performs stand up. She will be performing stand up at the HA convention on S...

Christin is an old Crossroads employee with 5 years sober. She currently works at Art of Our Soul which is an art studio that focuses on healing trauma through painting and listening to music. Christin has experienced trauma herself, stemming from her childhood. Greg and Christin talk about how childhood trauma can carry over to the behaviors and chaos in our adult lives, including addiction.

Our new Executive Director Chris Riley and Greg talk about a brief history of Crossroads. Chris is a veteran who picked up a drinking habit in the military. He went to Crossroads in 2005 when it was a halfway house and has been sober since. Chris beat homelessness, drug addiction, and alcoholism all thanks to Crossroads.

Crossroads executive director, Lee Pioske, retires on June 1st. This is a very special episode and Lee's last one as a Crossroads employee. Greg and Lee talk about his time at Crossroads, the upcoming changes, and the overall landscape of addiction and recovery. Thank you for the 25 years of service Lee!!

Wes Tharp has been with Crossroads for 5 years and is the maintenance warehouse manager. He came from a family of addicts and was in and out of prison from 19-27. After getting shot and living at a homeless shelter, he found the recovery community. Greg and Wes discuss Crossroads’ peer driven treatment and the benefits of emulating the recovery of someone that has what you want. Wes found a home a...

Daniel Banuelos is a Crossroads Community Outpatient navigator. He provides case management for clients, supplying them with resources, life skills, mental health support, and more. Daniel came full circle because it was an outpatient navigator from Crossroads that helped him get back on his feet. Daniel is an ex-gang member, who started with drugs and alcohol at a very early age. Listen to Daniel...

Bobby Elvira and Greg talk about how wonderful our kitchen training program can be for clients transitioning from aftercare. Bobby is a military veteran who was kicked out for partying. He then spent numerous months homeless and addicted to drugs and alcohol. When he finally hit his bottom, he decided to "let go and let God." He had a spiritual experience at Crossroads, which changed his outlook o...