Guest Justin Scott Smith, an active duty Air Force major, shares his powerful testimony of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and the eating disorder that began at age eight and peaked at 13—when he dropped to 63 pounds and was hospitalized. The episode explores the parallels between eating disorders and addiction, the role of control and attention-seeking in recovery behaviors, and the medical and emotional toll of starvation.

Justin recounts inpatient treatment, a life-changing spiritual encounter in a psychiatric unit, and how faith in Jesus led to lasting freedom. He also discusses forgiveness, reconciliation with his parents, breaking generational cycles of abuse, and how he now serves youth in his church and the military community.

This episode offers hope and practical encouragement for anyone struggling with eating disorders or addiction, especially men who are often overlooked, and emphasizes the importance of spiritual surrender, professional care, and community support.

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, Joey Rogers explores a powerful story of pride, public humiliation, and spiritual awakening. The conversation traces Joey’s life from a Catholic upbringing and collegiate athletics to a successful chiropractic career, marriage, and the pride that accompanied his professional identity. After marital breakdown, a decade of hidden drug use culminated in a highly publicized arrest during the COVID era that forced him into treatment at the Home of Grace.

Listeners will hear candid details about addiction (alcohol, cocaine, prescription pills, fentanyl), the role of pride and religiosity in masking spiritual disconnect, near-tragic family moments, and the humbling process of recovery. The episode highlights Joey’s 90-day treatment experience, his spiritual rebirth, practical recovery steps (support groups, volunteer work, ongoing counseling), and his new calling toward counseling and community work. Key themes include the tension between religiosity and relationship with Christ, the stigma of addiction, the rewards and challenges of recovery, and how humility and gratitude can transform life.

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, hosts Kathryn and Ross speak with guest Amanda Smith about her 15‑year struggle with addiction and the turning points that led her to recovery. Amanda shares childhood trauma, her father’s suicide, early exposure to prescription drugs, doctor‑shopping, multiple overdoses, prison time, and experiences in treatment including Whitfield and residential programs.

The conversation covers the rise of fentanyl, the dangers of counterfeit pills, challenges of staying clean while pregnant, custody and family impacts, and the role of Christ and community in sustained recovery. Amanda also describes her work in overdose prevention, returning to school for psychology, rebuilding relationships with her son, and finding purpose through helping others.

Key takeaways: honest discussion of relapse and recovery, the importance of compassionate support and faith, practical steps for overdose prevention and treatment pathways, and a message of hope — don’t give up.

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts Amber and Blake Blackmon share their raw, "perfectly imperfect" journey from childhoods wrapped in drug culture to adult addiction, relapse, and eventual recovery. They recount early memories of family using, the breakdown of relationships, legal consequences, and the painful fallout that cost Blake his marriage and time with his children.

The conversation covers how both spouses found faith-based help in 2022, their time with Home of Grace and other recovery programs, the role of community and accountability (Celebrate Recovery, pastors, and friends), and the hard lessons learned after relapsing and rebuilding trust. Guests include Blake and Amber, with references to family members (mother Star, sister Kristen) and counselors who influenced their path.

Key points: honest reflection on relapse and responsibility, how Christ-centered recovery and steady community support made a difference, practical challenges of rebuilding family relationships, and the ongoing work of patience and accountability in sobriety.

In this episode hosts interview Jon and Hayley Klover about their painful childhoods in homes marked by addiction, violence and secrecy, the personal addictions they battled, and the turning points that led them to faith and recovery. They share vivid stories — from witnessing domestic violence and a firearm incident to early substance use, arrests, and the long work of inner healing.

The Klovers discuss how Jesus and mentoring relationships reshaped their identities, the role of faith-based counseling and forgiveness, and how they now run Operation Lost Sheep, a jailhouse ministry that helps people take next steps toward treatment and restoration. Topics include generational addiction, relationship addiction, boundaries in recovery, and practical steps for finding help.

Listeners can expect honest testimony, practical takeaways about setting boundaries and pursuing real freedom in Christ, and encouragement that recovery and restored relationships are possible through community, accountability, and spiritual care.

In this episode host Zach Buckalew sits with his wife Ashley to tell her raw, unflinching story: childhood trauma, decades of addiction, violent relationships, prostitution and multiple arrests, and the moment a SWAT bust and jail time turned into a doorway to recovery.

They discuss the realities of recovery—relapses, shame, court-ordered programs, the Mission of Hope and Bridget & Friends transitional housing, and the hard work of rebuilding trust and relationships. Ashley shares how faith, tough love from mentors, and Christ’s grace changed her life and led her into service.

Expect candid testimony about the challenges and rewards of salvation, practical honesty about failure and forgiveness, and a hopeful message for families and those still struggling: recovery is messy, God’s grace is real, and restoration is possible.

In this episode hosts talk with Zach Buckalew and his wife Ashley Buckalew about surviving childhood trauma, parental addiction, and sexual abuse, and how those experiences led to long battles with substances (OxyContin, meth, Subutex and more). Both share candid memories of growing up in chaotic homes, the consequences of addiction, and the moment faith and community began to change their lives.

Listeners will hear about key turning points—meeting at a tent revival, treatment programs like Agape Life Gardens, the role of forgiveness, and the power of Christ-centered recovery. Honest, vulnerable, and faith-focused, the conversation challenges stigma, highlights practical struggles and victories in sobriety, and offers hope for anyone facing addiction or supporting a loved one.

In this episode Justin Edwards from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, tells his 20+ year story of addiction — starting with teenage drinking and weed, escalating through college cocaine and prescription opioids, shooting drugs, multiple treatment attempts, an overdose and ICU stay, and the devastating loss of his girlfriend to fentanyl. He candidly describes hitting rock bottom (including a terrifying moment on a bridge), repeated relapses, prison and drug court, and the turning point that led him back to treatment and faith.

Hosts and guest explore the practical and spiritual realities of recovery: the ritual of addiction, family intervention, the influence of environment and work, and the role of the Home of Grace. Justin shares how a renewed relationship with Jesus, humility, community, and obedience reshaped his life — offering real hope and clear takeaways for anyone struggling or supporting a loved one through addiction.