She Surrenders - The Podcast

A head-on collision started a battle Tasha Williams wasn't prepared for: prescription pain medication that didn’t just numb broken bones, but also silenced years of buried fear, grief, and trauma. When relief feels like rescue, the line between treatment and opioid addiction can disappear fast. In this episode Tasha traces her story back to childhood domestic violence and the vow she made at...

Exposure of our sin can lead to shame and isolation, but Jesus responds by drawing near. On today's episode with author Laura Smith, we talk about her book Brave Woman, Mighty God and why the long-ago stories of women in the Bible still speak directly to faith-based recovery today.  If you’ve ever felt disqualified by addiction, weighed down by guilt, or afraid that God is tired of you, this...

Can a desperate middle of the night prayer save your life? We sit down with Sam and Noelle Borgia as they share their story of a 20-year addiction that nearly ended in death before a 2:33 AM surrender to God changed everything.  Sam and Noelle speak honestly and vulnerably about Sam's slide into addiction, the challenges of medication-assisted treatment, and how easy it is to lose hope even w...

Something happens when alcohol is no longer the price of admission to friendship. We’ve watched it in our online communities and in recovery rooms, and we’re ready to bring it to a bigger space: The Aligned Conference , a Christian alcohol-free women’s conference happening September 22–24, 2026 in Holland, Michigan , right by Lake Michigan. Sherry Hoppen (She Surrenders and Selah House Recovery) a...

What if alcohol isn’t the core problem—but escape is? We sit down with Jon Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, to unpack a bracingly honest journey from cultural drinking to quiet day buzzes, from a bestselling book high to an aching low, and a night in Miami that tore the blinders off. Jon doesn’t glamorize a bottom; he shows how subtle compromises pile up when success fades, o...

Some stories find their turning point in the unlikeliest moment—like a hungover Sunday when a single sermon about confession cuts through the noise. That’s where Stephanie’s path shifted from white-knuckle control to honest surrender, and the difference changed everything. We walk through her early years in Wisconsin where football and drinking were inseparable, the college chaos that ended in a m...

What if surrender was the beginning of real freedom, not the end of it? Ericka Andersen—journalist, author, wife, and mom—joins us to share how she rethought alcohol through the lens of faith and rebuilt a life that’s joyful, clear, and deeply connected. Her new book, Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith , offers important insights on how women’s relationships with alcohol ar...

A single break changed everything. Amber thought discipline would keep life in order—straight A’s, strict faith, and hours of exercise that looked healthy from the outside. When a double pirouette ended with a broken foot, the illusion shattered. What followed wasn’t instant perfection but a new kind of honesty about addiction, control, and the slow work of healing with God at the center.  Togethe...

What if the moment you feared most became the doorway to freedom? That question sits at the center of Annetta’s story, a raw, hope-filled journey from childhood abuse and fifth-grade drinking to daily use, goth weekends, and a desperate plea on a skateboard that landed her at the door of AA.  Listen for the turning points, stay for the practical hope: how surrender can transform not just habits bu...

What if the darkest chapter of your life could become the raw material for something beautiful? Molly joins us to share a rare, vulnerable account of moving from childhood sexual trauma and years of substance use to a grounded, faith-centered life where recovery is real and creativity heals. Her story isn’t a tidy turnaround; it’s a slow, steady walk out of confusion and into clarity, backed by sc...

When a spine infection stole her twenties, prescriptions promised relief but quietly rewired everything. In this episode, Janessa walks us through the years between her first Percocet high to a life rebuilt on surrender—forty pills a day, fentanyl patches, interventions, and the moment she chose honesty over hiding. This is not a neat redemption arc but a gritty, luminous one. If you’ve ever wonde...

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of self-harming behavior.  In this episode, we hear from Jaycie on the exact day she celebrates three years sober. She shares her brave, unfiltered account of how anxiety, family trauma, and isolation fed addiction and self-harm that almost swallowed her future — and how faith and community stitched it back together.  From denial, self-blame and...

As we launch a new season of the She Surrenders Podcast, we’re starting right where it all began — with surrender. In this heartfelt episode, recorded live at Rush Creek Bible Church in Byron Center, Michigan, She Surrenders founder Sherry Hoppen shares her raw and powerful story of addiction, surrender, and redemption. From growing up in a Christian home to years of hiding behind shame and alcoho...

What happens when a Christian mother's deepest fears about addiction come true not just once, but twice? Dawn Ward author of "From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children," never imagined she'd write a book, yet her personal journey through her sons' addictions transformed not just her approach to parenting but her entire relationship with...

Kelly's story begins with a sixteen-year-old girl wearing baggy clothes to hide her pregnancy, setting the stage for a decades-long journey through trauma, addiction, and ultimately profound spiritual healing.  What makes Kelly's testimony so powerful is her raw honesty about the darkest moments and the lasting power of recovery rooted in faith. What will you find in your own life when y...

Ever felt isolated in your struggles and wondered where to turn for hope and redemption? Join us on the She Surrenders podcast as we sit down with Sierra, a truly inspiring guest who has triumphed over addiction. Sierra shares her compelling story of moving from a place of shame and secrecy to finding liberation through faith-based recovery. Her candid revelations about living a double life and th...

What if the cycle of addiction in a family could be broken through the power of faith and community? Join us as we sit down with Amy Broglin, who shares her compelling journey from witnessing addiction in her family to finding solace and purpose in sobriety.  Through Amy's story, we shine a spotlight on the often-hidden anguish faced by families battling addiction and explore the immense pote...

In this episode, Steve Kelly, shares his experience with childhood trauma, battles with addiction and mental health, and ongoing redemption through Jesus Christ.  Steve's story is filled with hope, encouragement, and perspective that only recovery can bring - including how his struggle with alcohol has become a blessing that he can use to help others in their recovery journey.   -   Steve Kel...

What if a vivid dream could change not just your life, but the lives of countless women and children? That's exactly what happened to Susan Binkley, the founder of Blue Monarch. Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Susan as she shares her inspiring journey from a dream in 1995 to the creation of Blue Monarch in 2003. Despite having no experience in recovery work, Susan overcame her initi...

Madison Daniels joins us to share a profound and personal story that might just resonate with you or someone you know. Madison opens up about her early encounters with alcohol, from her high school days of experimentation to the unrestrained party lifestyle she embraced in college. She candidly recounts how alcohol became her go-to for fitting in and coping with life's ups and downs, never re...

Welcome back to Season SIX; I can hardly believe it! I am so happy to be back, and I have some fantastic and inspiring guests for you this season. We are starting with Christy Osborne. Can I tell you, I just love this girl? We’ve gotten to know each other over the last few weeks, and I hope to continue. I know you will, too, after hearing her story and what she is up to these days! Moving from sun...

Imagine having the courage to change your relationship with alcohol and discovering the profound impact of accountability in that journey. On the Joyful Surrender podcast, I sit down with Lynne, Christina, Tarrah, and Kali to share personal experiences and insight into the importance of recognizing unhealthy habits and finding a supportive community.  Our conversation highlights the significance o...

Ever wondered how much more vibrant your summer could be without the haze of alcohol? Join us on this special episode of the She Surrenders podcast, where we explore the joys of a sober summer alongside our amazing guests from Joyful Surrender. They share their heartfelt stories and insights on trading chaotic, regret-filled days for enriching, memorable moments. Through laughter and camaraderie,...

What happens when you surrender your addiction to God and a Community that is doing the same thing? In this episode of the She Surrenders podcast,  women from the Joyful Surrender group share their deeply personal paths to recovery, illustrating the profound impact of faith and community. These heartfelt narratives underscore the critical importance of connection and faith-based support in overcom...

When Juliana Page shared her powerful testimony of overcoming addiction through faith-based recovery, it felt like a beacon of hope was lit within our hearts. Her story, one of surrender to a higher power and the subsequent healing transformation illustrates the often ignored intricacies of addiction—the self-sabotage and the escape from our deep-seated issues of codependency and a troubled upbrin...