The Recovery Couch

Is addiction really an incurable brain disease — or is it a spiritual yoke that can be fully broken? In this episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch sits down with author Thomas W. Pohl to unpack his book "Deliverance from Addiction: Breaking the Yoke and Healing the Hurt." Thomas shares the difference between recovery and deliverance, why he believes addiction is rooted in unresolved tr...

In this episode of the Learning Together series on The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch continues reviewing the Getting Ready to Test preparation manual for drug and alcohol credentialing examinations — breaking down one of the most misunderstood drug categories: All-Arounders. Unlike depressants or stimulants, all-arounders — also known as hallucinogens or psychedelics — have the unique ability...

Alisha Bond was six years sober when she told herself one glass of wine couldn't hurt. She tried meth the same night — and the next five years took her home, her career, custody of her son, and her fiancé, who died of an overdose soon after prison. In this raw conversation with host Brandon Couch, Alisha (@LivingFreeWithAJ) traces relapse after long-term sobriety, meth and opioid addiction, a 52-m...

In this episode, Alicia Bond shares her powerful journey from childhood struggles and addiction to recovery and motherhood. Her story highlights resilience, faith, and the importance of community support in overcoming life's darkest moments. Alicia Bond shares her powerful journey through addiction, recovery, and self-love, highlighting the importance of compassion, mental health, and community su...

In this raw and unflinching episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch sits down with his cousin Cooper Jackson to revisit one of the most traumatic nights of their family's life — the night 19-year-old Codi Jackson was shot and killed during a $20 marijuana robbery in Xenia, Ohio in March 2011. Cooper was 15 years old and sitting right next to his brother when it happened. Cooper opens up...

What happens when a mother watches her son slowly lose himself to addiction—and ultimately loses him to fentanyl poisoning? In Part 1 of this emotional conversation, Brandon Couch welcomes Christina Daley to The Recovery Couch to share the story of her son Blake's battle with addiction, mental illness, alcohol abuse, and recovery attempts before his tragic overdose death. Christina provides a rare...

In Episode 250 of The Recovery Couch, Brandon sits down with Christina Daley — a mother  who lost her son Blake to a fentanyl-laced cocaine overdose.  Blake was funny, charming, and loved by everyone around him. But behind that smile was  a teenager battling self-harm, anxiety, and addiction that a broken mental health system  repeatedly failed to treat. In Part 1, Christina shares: ✔️ The warning...

In this inspiring interview, Chris Hill shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding the mind-body connection, mental health, and spiritual growth. Discover practical tools, mental models, and hope for those struggling with addiction or seeking personal transformation.   Keywords: addiction recovery, mental health, mind-body connection,...

In this inspiring interview, Jeff Greene shares his journey from a rebellious, drug-filled past to a faith-filled life dedicated to spreading God's love. Discover how divine encounters, unconditional love, and scripture transformed his life, offering hope and practical advice for those seeking recovery and spiritual renewal.   Keywords - faith, recovery, Jesus, love, transformation, scripture, pea...

In this powerful, faith-filled conversation, Brandon Couch sits down with Renee Swasey, author of Refined for Revival: Your Purpose in God’s Plan, to explore what it truly means to live in alignment with God—not performance, not religion, but real relationship. Renee shares how identity is often shaped by the world, addiction, and past experiences—and how true transformation begins when we separat...

This episode explores the concept of echo chambers through the lens of recovery, emphasizing how they hinder growth and independent thinking. It highlights the importance of challenge, outside perspectives, and discomfort in breaking free from mental and informational loops.   Keywords - echo chambers, recovery, independent thinking, social media, mental health, growth, challenge, perspective, add...

In this powerful interview, Daus Hempker shares his incredible journey from military service and homelessness to spiritual awakening and recovery. He discusses mental health, addiction, spiritual warfare, and the importance of faith and community in healing.   Keywords - Recovery, Faith, Mental Health, Addiction, Spiritual Warfare, Veterans, Homelessness, Healing, Jesus, Inner Child   Key topics M...

In part 1 of this powerful interview, Daus Hempker shares his incredible journey from military service and homelessness to spiritual awakening and recovery. He discusses mental health, addiction, spiritual warfare, and the importance of faith and community in healing. keywords Recovery, Faith, Mental Health, Addiction, Spiritual Warfare, Veterans, Homelessness, Healing, Jesus, Inner Child key topi...

Thomas’ story is nothing short of extraordinary. Once living as an international drug smuggler, his life spiraled through addiction, prison, and homelessness—until a powerful encounter with Christ changed everything. In this episode, Thomas shares how faith became the turning point that redefined his identity and purpose. What once was a life marked by destruction is now one committed to service,...

Benjamin Buckland shares his journey through a severe injury, chronic pain, and his faith-driven approach to healing and purpose. This episode explores resilience, spiritual growth, and the power of gratitude amidst suffering.   Keywords - CRPS, chronic pain, faith, recovery, spiritual journey, hope, healing, depression, gratitude, perseverance Key topics Benjamin's accident and diagnosis with CRP...

What if the life that looks “perfect” on the outside is actually masking chaos within? In this powerful episode of The Recovery Couch, I sit down with Jen Schneeman—a trauma-informed nervous system specialist, researcher, and co-founder of REAL Human Performance—to unpack the illusion of perfection and the hidden cost of constantly striving to prove our worth. Jen shares her deeply personal journe...

In this inspiring conversation, Nathaniel Schooler shares insights on faith, discipline, and manhood, emphasizing the importance of daily habits, mental clarity, and spiritual connection to live a fulfilled and resilient life.     Key topics The importance of faith and daily prayer Building resilience through discipline and habits The role of physical activity and diet in mental health Takeaways S...

Niemah shares her miraculous journey from a Palestinian orphan fleeing honor killing to being adopted by American Christians, highlighting divine intervention, resilience, and faith. This story offers hope and insight into overcoming impossible odds through God's grace.   Key topics Divine intervention in adoption The reality of honor killings and God's protection The miraculous legal and diplomat...

Exploring the nature of ego, its role in spiritual growth and recovery, and how to manage it for authentic connection and healing.   Key topics The constructed nature of ego and its origins Ego as a barrier to spiritual growth and authentic connection The importance of surrender and humility in overcoming ego The role of ego in separation, comparison, and shame Strategies for managing ego and embr...

On this episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch sits down with Lisa Matile to discuss her powerful journey through addiction, trauma, and healing. For years, Lisa struggled with multiple addictions—including stimulants, alcohol, tobacco, and food—while battling feelings of unworthiness rooted in childhood trauma and abusive relationships. But through faith, prayer, journaling, and the grace o...

In this episode of the Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch speaks with John Young, who shares his journey from a troubled upbringing in a drug-infested neighborhood to overcoming addiction and finding redemption. John discusses the impact of his childhood, the struggles he faced in prison, and the pivotal moments that led him to change his life. He emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, both for...

In this episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch speaks with Josh Johnson, a peer recovery specialist with 12 years of sobriety. Josh shares his journey from addiction, which began after a cancer diagnosis, to his experiences in prison and eventual recovery. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing both addiction and mental health, the role of faith in recovery, and the si...

In this episode of the Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch speaks with Sean Young, who shares his profound journey through trauma, addiction, and recovery. Sean discusses the impact of childhood trauma, his experiences in the military, and how these factors contributed to his struggles with addiction. He emphasizes the importance of acceptance, accountability, and the tools he has learned to mainta...

In this episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch speaks with Karen Pizza, who shares her powerful journey through addiction and recovery. Karen recounts her initial struggles with opioid addiction following a car accident, her subsequent journey through recovery, and the challenges she faced with relapse. She emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and personal growth in her recove...

In this episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon sits down with Dorian Rodgers for a grounded, beginner-friendly conversation on cryptocurrency—through a recovery-minded lens. We break down what cryptocurrency actually is, how to recover after bear markets and market crashes, and why emotional discipline matters just as much in investing as it does in life. Dorian clearly explains the  blockchain lo...