This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

What happens when the person everyone depends on is the one silently falling apart?

In this powerful episode of Through The Storm, I sit down with Keith A. Cole, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran, retired CPA, author, and follower of Jesus Christ. Keith's life is one of incredible strength, sacrifice, and service. He survived combat in Vietnam, was wounded three times, lost both of his parents at a young age, became the legal guardian of his two teenage siblings at just 23 years old, built a successful business, and spent decades carrying responsibilities that most people could never imagine.

But beneath the strength was a man carrying invisible wounds.

Keith shares how years of grief, trauma, responsibility, and self-reliance eventually led him into burnout—not because he was weak, but because he believed he had to carry everything alone.

Together we explore a truth that so many people need to hear:

Being strong doesn't always get you where you need to be.

Many of us look like we're doing just fine on the outside while quietly fighting battles on the inside. We convince ourselves that asking for help is weakness, that pushing harder is the answer, and that everyone else comes before us.

Keith reminds us that burnout rarely announces itself. It doesn't always come through failure or collapse. More often, it arrives after years of faithfully carrying burdens without rest, recognition, or relief.

We also talk about the life-changing moment when Keith stopped relying solely on his own strength and surrendered his life, his pain, and his struggles to Jesus Christ. That surrender became the beginning of true healing.

Throughout our conversation, we discuss:

The hidden weight of trauma and grief.

Why toughness alone cannot heal emotional wounds.

The difference between surviving and truly living.

The importance of trusted relationships and community.

God's invitation to exchange exhaustion for His peace.

Why asking for help is one of the strongest things we can do.

One message stood out above all the others:

We were never created to fight our battles alone.

Whether you're battling addiction, burnout, loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply carrying the weight of life, this conversation is a reminder that there is hope. God doesn't expect us to carry every burden by ourselves. He often works through faith, community, and people who are willing to walk beside us.

As Keith so beautifully reminds us:

"Toughness can carry you, but it can't heal you."

If this episode encourages you, please share it with someone who may be carrying more than they're letting others see.

Remember...

Storms aren't sent to stop us.

They're sent to reveal us.

So don't run from the storm.

Walk through it...

Because that's where strength is built, hope is restored, and purpose is found.

Let's Walk Toward Hope Together.

https://recoverybyfaith.com/

keith@recoverybyfaith.com

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

What if one of the most addictive substances isn't illegal... but sitting in our pantry?

In this eye-opening episode of Through The Storm, I sit down with Michael Collins, founder of SugarAddiction.com and widely known as The Original SugarFreeMan. Michael has been completely sugar-free for more than 36 years and has dedicated his life to helping people break free from processed food and sugar addiction.

During our conversation, we explored the hidden epidemic of sugar addiction and how deeply it impacts our physical, emotional, and mental health. Michael explained how excessive fructose consumption is contributing to alarming health issues—including fatty liver disease in children as young as five years old. It's a wake-up call for all of us.

We also talked about the "sugar blues," the powerful cravings that keep people trapped in an endless cycle, and the illusion of control that so many experience. Just as with other addictions, many people believe they can stop anytime they want—until they realize how difficult that really is.

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that addiction doesn't always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes it isn't alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Sometimes it's the foods we consume every single day without questioning their effects on our brains, our bodies, and our emotions.

Whether you're struggling with sugar yourself, trying to improve your health, or simply curious about how food affects the brain, this episode offers practical insights, hope, and a fresh perspective on recovery.

Because healing isn't just about removing what hurts us...

it's about understanding why we reach for it in the first place.

"Addiction doesn't care what the substance is. It cares that something outside ourselves has become our source of comfort, escape, or control."

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https://www.facebook.com/QuitSugarNow/

The Last Resort Sugar Detox Guide: Learn How to Quickly and Easily Detox from Sugar and Stop Cravings Completely

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mike-collins-57a5628a/

Through The Storm Podcast

Helping people navigate addiction, trauma, grief, mental health, and life's toughest storms—one honest conversation at a time.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

Sharing Without Shame

With Donna Marston

When someone we love struggles with addiction, it's easy to believe that if we just love them enough, help them enough, or sacrifice enough, we can save them. The truth is, addiction doesn't just affect the individual—it slowly begins to consume the entire family.

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Donna Marston, founder of Sharing With Out Shame®, Family Recovery Support Specialist, author, and speaker. After years of trying to rescue her own son from addiction, Donna discovered one of the hardest lessons a parent can learn:

You can't love someone into recovery—but you can change how you respond.

Together we explore the emotional toll addiction takes on parents, spouses, and loved ones, and why so many of us unknowingly lose ourselves while trying to save someone else.

One of the most personal moments of our conversation came when I shared something a former co-host once said to me:

"Al, you're addicted to your spouse's addiction."

At first, those words were difficult to hear. But looking back, he was absolutely right.

When someone we love is struggling, their addiction often becomes our addiction. Our thoughts revolve around them. Our emotions depend on them. Our lives become centered around trying to fix what only they can choose to change.

Donna explains how unhealthy helping—although rooted in love—can actually keep us trapped alongside the person we're trying to help. She shares practical ways to establish healthier boundaries, remain connected, and love without losing ourselves in the process.

This conversation isn't about giving up on those we love.

It's about learning that healthy love looks different than enabling.

It's about replacing shame with understanding.

And it's about discovering that our own healing matters too.

If you love someone battling addiction, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and that taking care of yourself isn't selfish...it's necessary.

Because sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone isn't rescuing them...

It's allowing both of us the opportunity to heal.

Donna Marston

Founder, Sharing Without Shame®

Certified Recovery Support Worker

Family Recovery Strategist

Author | Speaker | Podcast Host

www.sharingwithoutshame.com

Free Guide: 5 Boundaries & Breakthroughs

https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundaries

www.sharingwithoutshame.com

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

"Pain may have written the first chapter of your story, but suffering doesn't have to write the rest."

What if one of the greatest breakthroughs in your life wasn't about eliminating pain... but changing your relationship with it?

In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Thomas Thatcher From The Tack Philosophy to explore one of the most important distinctions we can make in our healing journey—the difference between pain and suffering.

Pain is real. Pain is the event. It's the loss, the betrayal, the diagnosis, the addiction, the trauma, or the unexpected storm that enters our lives.

Suffering is everything we attach to that pain.

It's the stories we replay, the "what ifs," the blame, the resentment, the guilt, and the meanings we create that keep us trapped long after the original event has passed.

Thomas shares the powerful metaphor from his book, The Tack, reminding us that many of us continue to sit on the emotional "tack" of our past—not because we're forced to, but because we've unknowingly become attached to the story surrounding it.

We also dive into the three dials that shape our experience:

• Language – We are beings of language. The words we use and the meanings we assign to life's events become the stories we live.

• History – Too often we continue living from our past instead of creating our future. Healing begins when we stop allowing yesterday to define tomorrow.

• Biology – Our bodies remember what our minds try to forget. Understanding how our biology responds to stress and trauma gives us the awareness to respond differently instead of simply reacting.

Throughout our conversation, Thomas reminds us that awareness creates choice. When we become aware of the stories we've been telling ourselves, we gain the freedom to write new ones.

This episode isn't about pretending pain doesn't exist.

It's about recognizing that while pain may be unavoidable, suffering doesn't have to be permanent.

If you've ever found yourself stuck in resentment, replaying old wounds, or wondering why you can't seem to move forward, this conversation offers a fresh perspective that can help you step into greater peace, responsibility, and emotional freedom.

Key Takeaways:

• Pain is the event; suffering is the meaning we continue to give it.

• Awareness creates the opportunity for different choices.

• Our language shapes our reality.

• We don't have to remain prisoners of our past.

• Personal responsibility isn't about blame—it's about reclaiming our freedom.

• Healing begins when we stop rehearsing our pain and start creating a new future.

As I often say, storms aren't sent to stop us—they're sent to reveal us.

Sometimes the greatest storm isn't what happened to us.

It's the story we've continued telling ourselves afterward.

I hope this conversation helps you let go of what's been keeping you stuck and reminds you that there is always another step forward.

thetackphilosophy.com

#ThroughTheStormPodcast #PainVsSuffering #ThomasThatcher #HealingJourney #MentalHealth #EmotionalHealing #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #Recovery #Hope #Healing #Purpose #Growth #WalkThroughTheStorm

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

A Force of Purpose, Who Inspires Through Action, Empowers Through Education

What if we've been looking at recovery... and life... the wrong way?

This week on Through The Storm Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Sarah Nasir, and our conversation reminded me that healing isn't about becoming someone new—it's about coming back into alignment with who God created us to be.

We talked about the powerful connection between science and spirituality, and how they don't have to compete—they can work together. We discussed how our minds, bodies, and spirits were designed to function in balance, and when one is neglected, the others feel it too.

One of my favorite moments came when Dr. Sarah challenged the word failure.

She prefers the word pivot.

Think about that.

Failure suggests the story is over.

A pivot means you're adjusting your direction while continuing your journey.

We only truly fail when we decide to quit.

Life isn't asking us to be perfect. God is training us through every challenge, every setback, every storm. Those difficult seasons aren't meant to define us—they're preparing us for what comes next.

We also had an incredible discussion about destigmatizing addiction, something that has been at the heart of the Healing Utah Success Summit since day one. Recovery should never be measured by shame or judgment. It should be measured by hope, compassion, growth, and healing. Every person deserves dignity, second chances, and the opportunity to write a new chapter.

Dr. Sarah also shared her vision of bridging unlike opposites—science and faith, ambition and family, medicine and purpose. Instead of living divided, she believes we can become whole.

That message couldn't have come at a better time.

Healing happens when we stop believing we are broken and start believing we were created with purpose.

Storms don't mean God has left us.

Sometimes they're the very place He's preparing us for what He's called us to become.

Thank you, Dr. Sarah, for reminding us that healing is possible, purpose is waiting, and every pivot can lead us exactly where we're meant to be.

Listen now and let us know what part of this conversation spoke to your heart.

#ThroughTheStormPodcast #Recovery #Healing #Faith #Purpose #ScienceAndSpirituality #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #SecondChances #Hope #God #HealingJourney #DestigmatizeAddiction #TotalRecovery #keepgoing

I also love something Dr. Sarah said without actually saying it outright: "God isn't punishing us through our storms—He's preparing us through them."

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

BEing Human

Most of us spend our lives searching for the next answer. We look for the next book, the next program, the next medication, or the next breakthrough that will finally help us feel better. But what if one of the most powerful healing tools has been with us since the day we were born?

Our breath.

On this episode of Through The Storm, I sat down with former Australian Special Forces Commando Tim Thomas, whose life was built around performing under extreme pressure. After years of military service, Tim came home carrying the invisible wounds so many veterans face—PTSD, addiction, poor sleep, chronic stress, and a nervous system that never seemed to turn off.

Like so many people, he looked okay on the outside while struggling on the inside.

Then, during one of the hardest seasons of his life, he discovered something that changed everything.

The off-switch wasn't somewhere out in the world.

It had been inside him the whole time.

That discovery became the foundation of his work helping people reconnect with themselves through something we all take for granted—our breathing.

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was that breathing isn't just about keeping us alive. It directly communicates with our nervous system. The way we breathe can influence our heart rate, lower cortisol, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, sharpen focus, and help bring our minds and bodies back into balance.

When we're overwhelmed, we tend to breathe fast and shallow, signaling danger to the brain. But when we intentionally slow our breathing, our body begins sending a completely different message:

"You're safe."

That simple shift activates the parasympathetic nervous system—often called our "rest and restore" system—which allows healing to begin.

We also discussed how so many of us have become disconnected from ourselves. We push through exhaustion, wear stress like a badge of honor, and convince ourselves that feeling overwhelmed is just part of life.

Tim challenged that belief.

His message is simple:

You're not exhausted because life is too hard. You're exhausted because you've lost control of your energy.

What I appreciated most was that this wasn't about complicated techniques or expensive treatments. It was about learning to reconnect with the one tool we've carried our entire lives.

Our breath.

Science continues to show that intentional breathwork offers incredible benefits, including:

Reducing stress and anxiety

Improving sleep quality

Lowering blood pressure

Helping regulate emotions

Increasing mental clarity and focus

Supporting recovery from trauma by calming an overactive nervous system

Improving resilience during difficult moments

Helping us become more present instead of living in constant survival mode

As someone who has walked through addiction, loss, grief, and life-changing challenges, this conversation really resonated with me. Healing doesn't always begin with something big. Sometimes it begins with something as simple as taking one slow, intentional breath.

Because every storm eventually asks us the same question:

"Can you be present right here, right now?"

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettersleepbetterworld/

https://breathworkinbed.com.au/

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Breath gives us that opportunity.

It reminds us that we're still here.

Still alive.

Still capable of healing.

If you're constantly running on empty, struggling to sleep, carrying stress, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, maybe the answer isn't outside of you.

Maybe it's already within you.

One breath at a time.

Remember... storms aren't sent to stop us. They're sent to reveal us. Sometimes the first step through the storm isn't taking another step at all. Sometimes it's simply taking a breath.

This episode is sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

Taking The Stigma Out of Addiction, Building Connection and Community

Recovery isn't about fitting into someone else's definition. It's about finding a path that helps you heal, rebuild your life, and become the person you were always meant to be.

On this episode of Through The Storm Podcast, I sat down with Olivia Jorgansen and Brooke Shaw from Ignite Recovery Center for an honest conversation about breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and why connection is one of the most powerful tools in recovery.

We talked about how recovery doesn't just help us stop destructive behaviors—it completely changes the direction of our lives. It gives us the opportunity to rediscover purpose, rebuild relationships, and create a future we never thought was possible.

One message we all agreed on is this:

There is no one way to recover.

Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all. Every person has a different story, different struggles, and a different path toward healing. What matters isn't how someone finds recovery—it's that they find hope and keep moving forward.

Olivia shared how her own sobriety inspired a passion for helping others through health, fitness, and community. Brooke spoke about turning her personal journey into a mission of helping individuals and families know they never have to face addiction alone.

Together, they're helping create a recovery community where people are welcomed instead of judged, supported instead of shamed, and encouraged to recover loudly so others know that healing is possible.

The more we replace stigma with compassion, the more lives we'll save.

Because recovery isn't something to hide.

It's something to celebrate.

Igniterecoverycenter.com

3852223737

Instagram: Ignite_recovery

Facebook: Ignite recovery

#ThroughTheStormPodcast #RecoverLoudly #RecoveryCommunity #Hope #Healing #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #EndTheStigma #Connection #Community #Purpose #Sobriety #RecoveryIsPossible #ThroughTheStorm

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

I Couldn't Say NO, It's Time To Take Our Power Back

How many times have you said "yes" when every part of you wanted to say "no"?

For many of us, saying yes feels safer than disappointing someone else. We fear rejection, conflict, or not being accepted. But over time, constantly putting everyone else's needs ahead of our own comes with a price. We slowly lose our identity, our peace, and our power.

On this episode of Through The Storm, I sat down with Saige Whitney to discuss one of the most important life skills many of us were never taught: healthy boundaries.

Saige shared how so many people spend their lives believing that self-sacrifice is the price of love. We become people-pleasers, caretakers, and rescuers, hoping that if we're nice enough, available enough, or give enough, we'll finally feel worthy.

But here's the truth...

Being kind doesn't mean abandoning yourself.

Real love doesn't require you to lose who you are.

We talked about the importance of protecting your energy and intentionally surrounding yourself with people who respect your time, your values, and your peace. Boundaries aren't walls designed to keep good people out. They're healthy fences that help keep unhealthy behavior from taking root in your life.

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centered around narcissism.

Saige explained many of the common traits people should be aware of and why narcissists are often drawn toward highly empathetic people. Empaths naturally want to understand, forgive, and help others heal. Unfortunately, those beautiful qualities can also make them vulnerable to manipulation when healthy boundaries aren't in place.

We also discussed something that's often overlooked...

Many people who display narcissistic traits carry deep unresolved trauma themselves. While trauma never excuses abusive or controlling behavior, understanding where it comes from can create awareness without sacrificing accountability.

Healing isn't about blaming others forever.

It's about recognizing unhealthy patterns, learning from them, and refusing to continue living inside them.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this conversation is this:

Every time you say "yes" to something that violates your peace, you're often saying "no" to yourself.

Learning to say no isn't selfish.

It's self-respect.

It's teaching people how to treat you.

It's reclaiming ownership of your own life.

As Saige beautifully shared, empathetic and soft-spoken people have spent too long playing by rules created by people addicted to control and power.

Maybe it's time we stop apologizing for protecting our peace.

Maybe it's time we stop believing that love requires self-sacrifice.

Maybe it's time we remember that our voice matters.

Because the moment you learn to say "No" with confidence...

You finally give yourself permission to say "Yes" to the life you deserve.

**Remember... storms don't just reveal our strength—they also reveal where our boundaries need to be rebuilt. Sometimes the most powerful word you'll ever say isn't "yes."

It's "no."**

A Lights Out Narcissistic Podcast Website

Instagram: @a_lights_out_narcissistic_pod

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

Mind, Body & Spirit: Healing the Parts of Ourselves We've Forgotten

What if true healing isn't just about changing your thoughts or strengthening your body... but reconnecting with your spirit?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with certified hypnotherapist, life coach, and creator of BlueSky Hypnosis, Peter McLaughlin, to explore the often-overlooked third piece of healing: our spirit. Too often we focus on the mind and body while neglecting the part of us that gives life meaning, purpose, and peace.

Peter shares how a leukemia diagnosis in 2003 became the catalyst for his own healing journey and ultimately led him to help others uncover the root causes of emotional pain through Havening, present and past life regression, and spiritually-centered healing practices.

We discuss why trauma isn't always defined by what happened to us, but by what we continue to carry within us. As Peter says, "If it bleeds, it leads." Our minds naturally hold onto painful experiences for survival, but healing begins when we stop allowing those experiences to define who we are.

One of the most powerful moments of our conversation came when Peter shared the phrase:

"As within, so without."

In other words, what we carry inside—our beliefs, wounds, fears, and unresolved emotions—eventually becomes reflected in the life we experience on the outside. When we begin healing internally, our relationships, purpose, and perspective begin to change as well.

Whether you're healing from addiction, grief, trauma, or simply searching for a deeper connection with yourself, this conversation reminds us that lasting transformation isn't about fixing what's broken—it's about reconnecting with who we've always been.

Because sometimes the greatest healing doesn't happen by changing the world around us... It happens by healing the world within us.

Peter also runs the BlueSky Hypnosis YouTube channel, where over 130,000 people (many focused on weight loss and spirituality) gather to access practical healing tools and stories of hope

Storms don't just test our strength—they reveal what still needs healing.

When we learn to care for our mind, strengthen our body, and reconnect with our spirit, we don't simply survive life's storms... We become transformed by them.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

Healing The Emotional Pain with Laura da Silva

What if addiction isn't the real problem—but the symptom of something much deeper?

In this powerful episode of Through The Storm, I sat down with therapist and Lighthouse Counseling Services founder Laura da Silva to explore what true recovery really looks like. We discussed why lasting recovery is about far more than breaking a habit. It's about healing the emotional pain underneath it, rebuilding trust, restoring relationships, and learning to live a life that no longer needs an escape.

One of the most impactful parts of our conversation was Laura's perspective on trauma. She explained that trauma isn't measured by the event itself, but by how each person experiences it. What may seem like a "Big T" trauma to one person could be a "Little T" trauma to another—and both deserve compassion and healing. There is no scoreboard for pain.

We also talked about something we often overlook in recovery and life: celebrating the small victories. Healing isn't always found in giant breakthroughs. Sometimes it's choosing to get out of bed, making one healthy decision, asking for help, or simply refusing to give up. Those small wins become the foundation of lasting transformation.

If you've ever wondered why emotional healing is essential to recovery, or if you're supporting someone through addiction, this conversation offers hope, understanding, and practical insight.

Because recovery isn't just about changing what we do...

It's about healing who we've been hurting.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

Our Darkest Moments Can Become The Foundation For A Life of Purpose

Some people believe their past disqualifies them from living a meaningful life. Dalton Tarufelli is living proof that it doesn't.

On this episode of Through The Storm, Dalton shares a journey marked by unimaginable loss. He lost his father to cancer at just 17 years old, his brother to addiction while battling his own substance use, and then, only one year into recovery, lost his mother to alcoholism. Each loss brought another wave of grief, guilt, and questions that so many people silently carry.

We talked about survivor's guilt and the heavy burden of wondering if you could have done more to save someone you love. It's a painful place to live, especially when addiction has touched every corner of your life. But as Dalton shared so honestly, healing begins when we stop carrying responsibility for battles that were never ours to control.

Today, nearly four years sober, Dalton has transformed his pain into purpose. Working in the recovery field, he now uses his experiences to remind others that no matter how dark life becomes, there is always hope. Your story isn't over because you've experienced tragedy. Sometimes the very things that nearly break us become the strongest foundation we have to help someone else.

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation is that our greatest purpose is often found in the places where we've experienced our deepest pain. The storms we survive don't just change us—they prepare us to become a light for someone who's still walking through theirs.

If you've ever wrestled with grief, addiction, guilt, or questioned whether life could ever get better, this conversation will remind you that healing is possible, purpose is real, and hope can be found even after life's greatest losses.

Remember...

The storm may shape your story, but it never has to define your ending.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

On Going Consequences From Prison That Are Still Painful | Through The Storm Podcast

What happens after prison? What happens when you've served your sentence, found freedom in Christ, but still live with the consequences of your past?

In this powerful episode of Through The Storm, I sit down with Marnie Breitsprecher, whose life was forever changed by addiction to prescription pain medication. What began with medication prescribed after surgery slowly spiraled into years of addiction, fraudulent prescriptions, multiple arrests, and ultimately a six-year prison sentence after a car accident that could have ended in tragedy.

Looking back, Marnie now says prison became the very place where God transformed her life.

We talk openly about addiction, shame, consequences, forgiveness, and the freedom that only faith can bring. While many of the earthly consequences remain—including strained family relationships—Marnie refuses to live as a prisoner of her past. She knows that the Highest Judge has already declared her forgiven.

One of the most powerful moments of our conversation came when Marnie shared these words:

"Expectations are premeditated resentments."

Instead of expecting others to restore what was broken, she has learned to trust God's timing, God's grace, and God's plan.

Marnie also shares how, during some of her darkest days in prison, she would remind herself:

"This is not my forever."

That hope carried her through six years of incarceration, three years of parole, and into the beautiful life she now shares with her husband Jimmy—a relationship neither of them ever saw coming but one they believe was orchestrated entirely by God.

This episode is about much more than prison. It's about redemption.

It's about understanding that while we may continue to live with earthly consequences, we don't have to carry eternal condemnation.

No matter how broken your past may be, there is still hope, there is still purpose, and there is still a future waiting on the other side of the storm.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

Finding That Balance Every Day, In God's Word

Life has a way of pulling us in every direction. Between stress, distractions, hardships, and the constant noise of the world, finding balance can feel almost impossible.

This week, I sit down with former Navy SEAL, commercial airline captain, and man of faith Jimmy Breitsprecher to talk about what it truly means to stay grounded—not through perfection, but through a daily relationship with God.

Jimmy shares an incredible journey that has taken him from the battlefield as a Navy SEAL, to over 2,000 parachute jumps with the Navy Leap Frogs, to the cockpit of commercial airliners, while also overcoming battles with pornography and alcohol through faith and perseverance.

Together, we discuss why true balance isn't something we achieve once—it's something we intentionally pursue every single day. We talk about the importance of beginning each morning on our knees in gratitude, seeking God's guidance before stepping into the chaos of life. Because when we try to navigate life on our own, it's easy to become consumed by fear, pride, and the distractions that surround us.

We also explore how God often works through the people He places in our lives. None of us were created to carry life's burdens alone. Healing, growth, accountability, and freedom often come through community, faith, and the willingness to surrender what we were never meant to control.

Whether you're navigating addiction, grief, loss, anxiety, or simply searching for more peace in your everyday life, this conversation is a reminder that balance isn't found by having fewer storms—it's found by walking through them with God.

Sometimes the greatest freedom begins with a simple prayer.

"The strongest people aren't the ones who do life alone. They're the ones who know when to fall to their knees and let God lead."

The episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

What if the thing you've spent your life trying to "fix" is actually one of your greatest gifts?

On this episode, I sat down with Scott Proposki, former National Geographic and White House event photographer, author of Camera Focus, and creator of The Camera Focus Method™. Scott shares an incredible journey of building a successful seven-figure photography business, losing everything during the pandemic, and discovering that his ADHD wasn't the obstacle he believed it was—it was one of the biggest reasons he had been able to succeed.

We talked about the unique strengths many people with ADHD possess. While others may overthink every decision, those with ADHD often have the ability to take action before having all the answers. That willingness to jump into the unknown, adapt, and learn along the way can become an incredible advantage when paired with resilience and purpose.

Scott also opened up about the difficult process of rebuilding after losing not only his business, but much of his identity. We explored what it means to start over, embrace uncertainty, and recognize that our greatest setbacks often become the foundation for our greatest growth.

One of my favorite parts of our conversation centered around the importance of sharing our stories. In a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, Scott reminded us that technology can process information, but it can never replace lived experience. AI can't feel heartbreak. It can't overcome addiction, loss, trauma, or failure. It can't inspire hope through scars that have healed. Our stories, our voices, and our experiences are what truly connect us and give others permission to believe their own healing is possible.

Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, faced a major setback, or simply feel like life has knocked you off course, this conversation is a powerful reminder that your greatest challenge may also become your greatest advantage.

Sometimes the very thing we've been trying to overcome is the gift we've yet to fully embrace.

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation was this:

"Your story isn't valuable because it's perfect. It's valuable because it's real. AI can share information, but only you can share transformation."

ScottProposki.com

scott@scottproposki.com

My book, Focus on the Profits (free digital download):

https://businessfocusmethod.com/free-book

My website:

www.businessfocusmethod.com

There's also a great video on compound interest that shows how it can grow to more than $5 million over time.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY / emergoacademy.com

Today’s episode asks a powerful question…

Is there another side of addiction?

My guest, Garret Biss, is a retired Marine Corps pilot, TEDx speaker, and addiction recovery coach who knows firsthand what it feels like to lose your sense of identity.

After retiring in 2015, Garret faced something so many veterans experience—anxiety, depression, and a deep sense of displacement. Like many, he turned to alcohol as a way to cope… until that road led him to a place of suicidal ideation.

But what makes Garret’s story different… is what came next.

Instead of a traditional path, his recovery was shaped through mentorship—focused on self-worth, rediscovering identity, and reconnecting with the strengths that had always been within him.

In this conversation, we go beyond addiction.

We talk about guilt and shame…

why we become our own worst enemy…

and why it makes no sense to shame people who are already carrying shame.

With over 40 million people battling addiction, we ask the question—

could there be 40 million paths to recovery?

And what happens when we stop focusing on what’s “right”…

and start focusing on what actually helps people heal?

This one will challenge you… and maybe even change the way you see recovery.

View Garret's thought-provoking and heartfelt TEDx - https://UnspokenTrauma.vet

https://garretbiss.com/shownotes

garretbiss.com/podcast-guest

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

12 Journeys of Recovery: A Roadmap From Healing to Purpose

What if recovery wasn't simply about quitting a substance—but about discovering who you were created to become?

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with recovery advocate, author, and behavioral specialist Richard Darone to explore a revolutionary approach to healing through his 12 Journeys of Recovery. Rather than focusing solely on abstinence or survival, Richard challenges us to think bigger. Recovery is about rediscovering our identity, uncovering our purpose, and creating a life worth living.

Together, we discuss why there is no single path to recovery. Every person carries a different story, different wounds, and different strengths. What works for one individual may not work for another—and that's okay. True healing begins when we stop judging someone else's journey and start supporting them wherever they are on their own.

Richard shares his philosophy of Passion, Purpose, and Personal Power, explaining that lasting recovery isn't simply about removing addiction from our lives—it's about replacing it with meaning, authenticity, connection, and purpose.

We also talk about why we believe 2026 has the potential to become a revolutionary year for addiction recovery. Science, lived experience, trauma-informed care, faith, peer support, holistic practices, and multiple evidence-based pathways are finally coming together in ways we've never seen before. The conversation is shifting from asking, "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" and ultimately to "Who do you want to become?"

Recovery should never be about proving whose method is best. When we believe there is only one way to heal, we close ourselves off to the countless lives that could be saved through different pathways. Healing isn't found in rigid rules—it's found in compassion, understanding, and meeting people where they are.

This conversation is a reminder that recovery is not a destination. It is a lifelong journey of growth, authenticity, resilience, and purpose. No matter where you are today, your story isn't over. Your next chapter may become your greatest one yet.

Because recovery isn't about becoming someone else... it's about becoming the person you were always meant to be.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

Navigating Fear With Hope

What would you do if life handed you every parent's worst nightmare—not once, but twice?

On this episode of The Other Side of Addiction, I sat down with Chalese Olsen, a woman whose story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the power of faith, and the resilience we discover when we have no choice but to keep moving forward.

In 2004, Chalese lost her four-year-old son in a tragic drowning accident. The unimaginable grief sent her spiraling into a dark place as she struggled to make sense of a loss no parent should ever have to endure. Like so many who experience trauma, she searched for ways to ease the pain, only to realize that the path she was on wasn't healing her—it was deepening the hurt.

Through time, faith, and courage, Chalese began the difficult work of healing. She eventually shared her journey through writing, becoming an author, speaker, and mentor to others navigating loss and grief.

Then life tested her again.

Years later, her son DeeJ suffered a traumatic brain injury after being accidentally shot in the head. In an instant, Chalese found herself back in a hospital facing uncertainty, fear, and the terrifying thought: "Not again."

For 25 days she lived between hope and heartbreak, unsure if her son would survive. She describes the experience as an emotional hangover—a constant state of exhaustion, fear, prayer, and waiting. Yet through it all, she leaned into her faith, choosing hope even when the outcome was unknown.

Against overwhelming odds, DeeJ survived. Doctors called it a miracle.

Our conversation explores what it means to survive trauma, not just endure it. We discuss giving ourselves grace during life's hardest moments, trusting God when answers don't come easily, and finding the strength to keep moving forward when fear threatens to consume us.

Chalese reminds us that healing isn't a destination. It's a journey. Some wounds leave scars, but scars are proof that we've survived.

If you've experienced loss, trauma, grief, or life's unexpected challenges, this episode will remind you that you are not alone. There is hope on the other side of fear, and even in our darkest moments, healing is possible.

Sometimes courage isn't the absence of fear.

Sometimes courage is simply choosing hope anyway.

This Episode Was Sponsored By EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

LADIES, This is a show you'll definitely want to watch...

What if the way you show up in the world is simply a reflection of how you feel about yourself on the inside?

In this episode, I sit down with Maren Swenson, founder of Wild Serenity, to explore the connection between self-worth, self-expression, and personal freedom. While many people see fashion as clothing, Maren sees it as something much deeper—an outward reflection of the truth we have reclaimed within ourselves.

We discuss why so many women spend their lives seeking approval, validation, and permission to be who they truly are. We talk about the wounds that leave people feeling unseen, unheard, and unworthy, and how those wounds often lead to hiding our voice, stuffing our emotions, and living according to someone else's expectations.

Maren shares how powerful it becomes when a woman reconnects with her inner voice, trusts herself again, and begins expressing who she is without apology. As confidence grows from within, everything begins to change—from the way she speaks, to the boundaries she sets, to the way she presents herself to the world.

This conversation is about more than style. It's about authenticity. It's about healing. It's about finding the courage to stop asking for approval and start honoring the person you were created to be.

Because true beauty isn't found in what you wear.

It's found in finally giving yourself permission to be seen.

www.marenswenson.com

#WildSerenity #TheOtherSideOfAddiction #HealingJourney #SelfWorth #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #FindingYourVoice #InnerPeace #SelfExpression #WomenEmpowerment #Transformation

This Episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

“Friday’s conversation reminded me of something we don’t talk about enough…

Growth doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to be perfect. And it sure doesn’t have to look like what anyone else says it should.

I sat down with Michelle Peacock—founder of Michelle Cares Inc.—and what stood out most wasn’t just what she’s built… it’s how she lives it.

We talked about something simple, but powerful… giving back. Volunteering. Showing up. Not because you have it all figured out—but because you’re willing to take one step forward.

For so many in recovery, confidence gets lost along the way. And Michelle shared how something as small as helping someone else… can be the very thing that helps you start believing in yourself again.

This episode is real. It’s human. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t fancy—it’s connection, it’s laughter, it’s showing up… even when you feel like you’re held together with coffee and determination.

Growth is absolutely possible… and this conversation proves it.”

michellecares.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551563316118

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com

What if recovery wasn’t just about counting days… but about rebuilding your entire way of thinking?

In this raw and unfiltered episode, I sit down with Benton Savage—author, entrepreneur, and a man who has lived through the chaos of addiction, relapse, and self-destruction. After 30 years of addiction, burned bridges, and countless setbacks, Benton reached a turning point—and what came next wasn’t just sobriety… it was transformation.

From his powerful memoir WRONG SIDE OUT: MADNESS MISDIAGNOSED to his latest release The Stoic Alcoholic: It’s Not Only About Counting Days, Benton shares how Stoic principles, discipline, and radical self-responsibility became the foundation for rebuilding his life.

This conversation goes deep.

We talk about:

The reality of multiple relapses and why they don’t define you

The damage addiction leaves behind—and how to face it head-on

Why counting days isn’t enough in recovery

Applying Stoicism to real-life pain, struggle, and growth

What it truly means to take control, find purpose, and choose a better path

This episode isn’t polished. It’s not sugar-coated.

It’s real. It’s honest. And it’s exactly what people need to hear.

As Benton said himself:

“It’s not just about quitting alcohol… it’s about taking control of your life.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you keep starting over—this one is for you.