Recovery Culture

Marilyn’s story is one of deep hurt, remarkable forgiveness, and ongoing healing. After growing up in an abusive home, she carried those wounds into adulthood through unhealthy relationships, pregnancy loss, cancer, and two difficult marriages. In this episode, Marilyn shares how her faith and Celebrate Recovery helped her confront the pain of her past, recognize patterns she had carried for years...

When most people hear the word “recovery,” they immediately think of drugs or alcohol. But what if recovery is much bigger than addiction? In this episode, we talk about the difference between sobriety and recovery—and why the principles of recovery can apply to all of us. From anger, control, codependency, shame, and unhealthy coping mechanisms to forgiveness, accountability, connection, and aski...

Erin grew up surrounded by chaos, never knowing how much those early experiences would shape the relationships she chose later in life. In this episode, Erin shares her story of childhood trauma, two difficult marriages, loving someone struggling with addiction, and the heartbreaking moment she realized she had to choose between holding onto a relationship and protecting her children. She opens up...

Jealousy has a way of showing up everywhere—in relationships, friendships, success, social media, recovery, and the comparison game. In this episode, Val and Steven have an honest conversation about jealousy and envy: where it comes from, how it can turn into resentment and criticism, and why someone else’s success can sometimes be so hard to celebrate. They also talk about recognizing jealousy wh...

Forgiveness is hard—but sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. In this episode, we talk about letting go of the things we can’t change, separating who we are today from the things we’ve done in the past, and learning to move beyond shame, guilt, resentment, and self-punishment. We also talk about making amends, extending grace to ourselves, breaking negative thought patterns, and why...

There’s a difference between choosing to be alone and slowly shutting everyone out. In this episode, Valerie and Steven talk about loneliness, healthy solitude, and the isolation that can quietly take hold after hurt, rejection, grief, shame, or struggle. They share their own experiences with isolation, why it can become especially dangerous in recovery, and how old thinking can start sounding rea...

This week, Kelley joins us to share a story shaped by service, trauma, loss, faith, and resilience. Kelley opens up about her time in the Army and Desert Storm, surviving military sexual trauma, navigating an abusive marriage, experiencing devastating loss, and eventually facing the lasting effects of PTSD. She shares how those experiences affected her life long after they happened — and what it h...

Rock bottom looks different for everyone — and it doesn’t have to mean losing everything. In this episode, we talk about the moments that finally push us toward change. Steven shares the turning points he ignored before reaching his own rock bottom, while Valerie shares how hers looked completely different. We also talk about isolation, excuses, the warning signs we often overlook, and why you don...

We all have blind spots—areas of our lives that are easy for others to see but difficult for us to recognize. In this episode, we talk about how pride, resentment, codependency, shame, and other hidden struggles can quietly hold us back in recovery and in life. We also explore why honest accountability, teachability, and the right community are essential for real growth. Because you can't change w...

Content Note: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse, suicide, and other sensitive topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Gregg's story is one of hidden wounds, unexpected hope, and the long journey toward healing. After experiencing childhood sexual abuse, he spent years searching for acceptance while carrying shame, brokenness, and de...

When does helping become controlling? Where's the line between healthy love and codependency? In this episode, we unpack what codependency really is, where it often begins, and why it can quietly shape our relationships. We share personal experiences, discuss common warning signs, and explore how healthy boundaries, self-awareness, and letting go of control can lead to stronger relationships and l...

Guiseppe knows firsthand how quickly addiction can take everything. Once a successful athlete and professional, his addiction eventually led him to homelessness, hopelessness, and years of searching for a way out. In this episode, Guiseppe shares the remarkable story of how countless moments of grace, unwavering faith, and the people who refused to give up on him ultimately led him into lasting re...

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...