Valiant Living Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Michael Wagner sits across from host Drew Powell, his nervous energy palpable despite 45 years of sobriety under his belt. There's a beautiful vulnerability as Wagner reveals the painful tapestry of his past – growing up with an alcoholic, mentally ill mother whose unpredictable violence shaped his early years. The moment he shares how he broke his infant son's leg durin...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to inner peace and present living in this engaging episode of the Valiant Living podcast! Join us as we dive into mindfulness, connecting with our true selves, and uncovering the transformative power of meditation. Our hosts guide you through personal journeys and explorations of various mindfulness practices that can easily be integrated into your daily routine...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how spirituality can be a lifeline in the journey of recovery as we share powerful narratives of rebirth and transformation. This episode of the Valiant Living Podcast features Ryan, a dedicated leader within the Free Recovery Community. He opens up about his personal path to sobriety, which began on January 7th, 2013, and highlights the critical role that faith played in...

Send us Fan Mail After years of immersing himself in the world of professional sports, Glenn Hadley had to face the truth about his identity beyond the tennis court. His journey from a chicken farm in East Texas to the highest levels of professional tennis is more than just a tale of athletic triumph; it's a story of personal growth and self-realization. Join us as Glenn shares the profound c...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a life of perfectionism and control spirals into a battle with alcoholism? Join us as we explore this profound transformation with Sherry Young, a leader in addiction recovery who reveals her personal journey from unexpected addiction to inspiring resilience. Sherry recounts her pivotal moment attending her first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting after a series of car...

Send us Fan Mail Supporting loved ones in crisis is no easy feat, and in this thought-provoking episode of the Valiant Living podcast, I, Drew Powell, open up about my personal experience alongside special guest Jackie Brewster. We share the heartfelt journey of helping my wife, Jamie, through a tumultuous period of emotional turmoil while I was in rehab at Valiant Living. Jackie and her husband,...

Send us Fan Mail Seasoned marriage and family therapist Chris Anderson joins us for a compelling discussion on the multifaceted world of addiction and recovery. Chris, a pioneer in telehealth therapy specializing in process addiction and gambling, shares his journey from the bustling streets of Chicago back to his Texas roots. Discover how his early shift to virtual therapy has allowed him to reac...

Send us Fan Mail What if your fear of missing out on social events could cost you your life? That’s what happened to our guest, who found themselves at rock bottom after a life-threatening hospital stay due to acute liver failure in December 2022. This gripping episode unpacks their journey from the high of youthful partying to the depths of addiction, before realizing the deeper fear of missing o...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it truly means to support a loved one through addiction recovery? Join us as Kelly, the first spouse to share her journey on the Valiant Living podcast, opens up about her experiences. She candidly reveals the emotional challenges and pivotal moments that led her husband to seek treatment at Valiant Living, spotlighting the often-unseen struggles faced...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of your nervous system and transform your understanding of personal safety and connection, as we journey through the enlightening universe of polyvagal theory alongside a knowledgeable member of our Valiant team. This episode promises to broaden your perspective on how the autonomic nervous system, especially the vagus nerve, serves as a crucial link between the...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an interventionist with two decades of experience opens up about her own journey to recovery? Meet Wendy Stine, a seasoned expert who once stood on the other side of the intervention process. From hitting rock bottom to discovering a transformative path at a residential program in Estes Park, Wendy's story illuminates how personal struggles can ignite a pass...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to healing family wounds lies in the simple act of conversation? Join us for an emotionally charged episode as I sit down with my dad, Gary, to explore the transformative power of fatherhood. With a rich background as a pastor and a deep connection to Southern gospel music, Gary shares his wisdom on the importance of grace and understanding in father-child relation...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt trapped by societal expectations and struggled to find your true self? Join us as we sit down with Bob "Bobby" Ferguson, a remarkable entrepreneur and dear friend of the Valiant Living Podcast. Bobby opens up about his privileged Manhattan upbringing and the relentless pressure to fit in that led him down a dark path of substance abuse. His raw and hon...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when love, addiction, and recovery intersect? Join us as we welcome Dave and Carla, who recount their extraordinary 21-year journey that began with a chance meeting at the San Francisco airport. Carla reflects on the thoughtful nature of Dave that won her heart early on, while they both share memories of a life filled with travel and joy. However, their idyllic beginn...

Send us Fan Mail What if your recovery from career struggles could unlock a transformative journey towards mental well-being? Join us as we share Peter's incredible ascent from uncertain career beginnings to becoming Valiant Living's Chief Marketing Officer. Peter opens up about how career counseling at Valiant not only guided him professionally but also set him on a path to becoming a l...

Send us Fan Mail Reintegrating back home after treatment isn't just about returning to familiar surroundings—it's about navigating the complexities of relationships, especially when co-parenting and communication with ex-partners are involved. Jill joins us on this episode of the Valiant Living podcast to share her invaluable expertise in guiding individuals and their families through th...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how one can juggle a passion for music, a taxing day job, and the emotionally taxing role of supporting a loved one through addiction? Meet Tyi, an extraordinary member of the Valiant Living team, who shares his inspiring journey with us. Tyi's story begins with a loving family and an undeniable talent for music, mastering 14 instruments by his high school gradu...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could understand and heal the deepest parts of yourself that have been shaped by trauma and addiction? Join us on the Valiant Living Podcast as we welcome back Michael Simms, a dedicated therapist with over 11 years of sobriety. With a heartfelt journey from the service industry to becoming the Director of Outpatient Services for the Meadows in Denver, Michael shares h...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what happens when an NFL star tackles his toughest opponent yet—addiction? Former NFL running back Montee Ball joins us on the Valiant Living Podcast to share his remarkable life story. From the excitement of night games and winning a Big Ten Championship to the often unseen struggles of addiction, Montee opens up about his journey with raw honesty. He offers a uniqu...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how true brotherhood can be the bedrock of recovery? In this powerful episode of the Valiant Living Podcast, Drew Powell sits down with alumni Jonathan to explore the emotional highs and lows of addiction recovery. From the first, nerve-wracking day at the PHP house to the unexpected camaraderie that blossomed, Jonathan recounts his path from skepticism and anxiety t...

Send us Fan Mail From the rich soil of a Northwest Ohio farm to the heart of Valiant Living’s recovery community, Dan Meyer's story unfolds with raw honesty and deep insight. Our latest episode features this beloved therapist and program alumnus, affectionately known as Coach or Uncle Dan, who shares the riveting tale of his transformation from an athlete with coaching dreams to a guiding lig...

Send us Fan Mail Embarking on a journey through the complex tapestry of the human experience, we're joined by the unparalleled Amanda, whose life story unravels in our latest podcast episode. Her voice resonates with the wisdom of someone who's walked through fire and emerged not just intact, but reborn. She candidly delves into the intricate process of writing her book, a two-year odyss...

Send us Fan Mail Embarking on the road to recovery is a tale of strength and vulnerability, marred by moments of humor and harrowing struggle. It's a narrative I know all too well, inviting you to walk alongside my guest and me, fellow Valiant Living program alumni, as we recount our personal odysseys from the grip of addiction to the embrace of sobriety. We kick things off with a light-heart...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine embarking on a journey where every step forward is a triumph over personal demons and past struggles. That's the remarkable path of JR, who joins us once again on the Valiant Living podcast, to share his inspirational climb from case manager to Director of Detox and Assessment. His story is a beacon of hope and a vivid illustration of the transformative power of our p...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a journey with us and the remarkable Malissa F, Wellness Director at Valiant Living who returns to the Valiant Living podcast to share her profound insights into outdoor therapy's role in addiction and mental health recovery. Imagine replacing the confines of a therapist's office with the boundless expanse of nature as we explore how the sensory symphony of the...