The Recover-Con™ Podcast

You've changed. You've gotten sober. You're working on yourself and trying to become a better person. So why hasn't everyone around you changed too? In this episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott explores a realization that many people eventually face in recovery: getting ourselves healthy does not automatically fix our relationships—or the people in them. Recovery can dramatically change...

What does getting your first job in recovery really mean? Sometimes it is about much more than earning a paycheck. In this episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott explores the importance of returning to work and rebuilding responsibility during the early stages of recovery. For many people, that first job may not be the career they dreamed about or the position they once held. But it can r...

What does it actually mean to be "in recovery"? Is it simply not drinking or using drugs anymore, or is recovery something much bigger? In this episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott takes a closer look at how we define recovery and why that definition matters. Recovery is more than abstinence. It is an ongoing process of change—improving our health and wellness, learning to live a self-d...

Does recovery require religion, or is there something deeper at the heart of lasting sobriety? In this thought-provoking episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott explores one of the most misunderstood topics in recovery: the difference between being spiritual and being religious. Drawing from nearly two decades of continuous sobriety and years of working alongside individuals in recovery, G...

What happens when addiction is viewed as a moral failure instead of a health crisis? In this powerful episode of Seeds of Recovery , we confront one of the most damaging beliefs surrounding substance use disorder: the idea that people who overdose are solely responsible for their fate. Through honest conversation and lived experience, we explore how stigma, judgment, and misinformation can prevent...

Is there only one "right" way to get sober? In this episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott explores the truth that recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey. For individuals on the path to recovery and their loved ones, finding the right approach can feel overwhelming. Drawing from his own experience, Gerald breaks down the many different ways people find healing today. We discuss a wid...

Does life magically get easier the moment you put down the drink or the drug? The hard truth is, it often feels more complicated. In this deeply authentic episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott explores the reality of navigating everyday challenges without the shield of substances. Drawing on 18 years of continuous sobriety, Gerald shares his personal journey of facing life's complexities...

Have you ever felt like you are making huge strides in your recovery, but your family still sees the person you used to be? In this heartfelt episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott tackles one of the most painful parts of getting sober: dealing with the skepticism of the people you love most. Drawing a brilliant comparison to the music industry—where it is incredibly hard to become a star...

Many people believe that stepping into a recovery meeting will instantly erase the urge to drink or use. In this enlightening episode of  Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott sets the record straight on what actually happens inside these rooms. Drawing on nearly 18 years of continuous sobriety, Gerald breaks down the common misconceptions that outsiders and newcomers often have about 12-step meeti...

What happens when your child follows you down the dark path of addiction? In this raw and profoundly honest episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott shares the most challenging journey of his life: supporting his daughter through her battle with addiction and mental illness. With over 17 years in his own recovery, Gerald speaks directly to the parents and loved ones who know the unique pain...

Ever wondered what the 12 Steps actually look like in practice? In this illuminating episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott takes you on a personal walkthrough of the 12-Step process, stripping away the mystery to reveal a practical roadmap for spiritual growth and lasting change. Drawing from 17 years of continuous sobriety, Gerald breaks down the steps not just as a list of rules, but a...

How do you guide your children through a crisis when your own past is filled with them? In this deeply personal episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott, a father with 17 years of continuous sobriety, confronts the unique challenges of parenting in recovery. When his teenage daughter faces a painful social situation, Gerald must navigate his own internal struggles. He candidly shares his fe...

Recovery is a journey of contrasts—filled with moments of incredible hope and times of profound struggle. In this powerful episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott shares "A Tale of Two Recoveries," drawing from two real-time experiences that unfolded on the same day. One story follows a woman who, just six weeks into her sobriety, is embracing change, reconnecting with her family, and find...

Have you ever stopped one compulsive behavior only to find another one taking its place? In this candid episode of Seeds of Recovery , host Gerald Lott shares his personal experience with the transference of addiction, a topic familiar to many in long-term recovery. With 17 years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol, Gerald opens up about his ongoing journey and the realization that his addictive te...

Is relapse a sudden event, or a slow drift away from your recovery? Join Gerald Lott, founder of Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery, for Seeds of Recovery —a podcast series dedicated to planting the small ideas that take root and grow into long-term sobriety. In this insightful episode, we tackle the complex topic of relapse. Gerald shares his personal journey and professional expertise to debunk the...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...

Welcome to a space where recovery is the conversation. This podcast is a companion for your journey, whether you're taking the first step or have been on the path for years. We believe you're not alone, and through shared stories and supportive dialogue, we aim to empower your recovery. Each week, we connect with individuals who have transformed their lives, offering real, honest accounts of their...