Jesus Loves Addicts

93. Perfectly Imperfect (w/ Amber and Blake Blackmon)

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.

92. Profound Forgiveness (w/ Jon and Hayley Klover)

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.

91. Generational Patterns - Part 2(w/ Ashley and Zach Buckalew)

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.

90. Generational Patterns - Part 1(w/ Ashley and Zach Buckalew)

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.

89: Naive to Addiction (w/ Justin Edward)

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.

88. Looking in the Mirror (w/ Lawren and Randall Cobb)

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, father-daughter guests Randall and Lawren Cobb share a raw, hopeful conversation about addiction, family, and faith. Lawren recounts her six-year struggle with meth—starting with middle-school insecurities, progressing to self-harm and homelessness, and culminating in violent relationships—while Randall describes the pain and difficult boundaries of parenting a child in active addiction. They discuss signs parents can look for, the harm of secrecy, the value of tough love and boundaries, and the pivotal role of Christ-centered recovery programs like Wings of Life and Home of Grace.

Key topics include the influence of social media on self-image, how addiction can hide behind achievements, the importance of community and prayer, and how faith and honest conversations restore relationships. Guests reflect on relapse, treatment journeys, angelic interventions, and the ongoing process of rebuilding trust. Listeners will hear both practical guidance for families and a hopeful testimony of redemption: three years sober, restored relationships, and a new life working with animals and serving in recovery ministry.

87. Bound by Unforgiveness (w/ Crystal Ward)

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, hosts Paul and Kathryn speaks with Crystal Ward from Alabama about her journey from childhood sexual abuse and a family shaped by addiction to more than 20 years of substance dependence. Crystal shares how unforgiveness—not just drugs—kept her bound, her multiple attempts at treatment, and the life-changing encounter with Christ that finally led to lasting surrender and healing.

Topics include early trauma, family dynamics, foster care, huffing gas and polysubstance use, losing and regaining custody, seven treatment attempts, the role of faith in recovery, the power of forgiveness (including forgiving her father), and how Crystal now serves others through ministry—married to Elijah Warren and preparing to lead a women’s City of Refuge.

Tune in for a raw, hope-filled conversation about failures and restoration, practical recovery wisdom, boundaries, and how God uses brokenness for renewed purpose.

86. Living the Lifestyle (w/ Matthew Rindge)

Guest Matthew Rindge shares a raw, honest story of growing up surrounded by addiction, coping with his sister’s suicide, years of substance abuse, jail stints, and self-harm. Listeners hear how desperation and family intervention led him to the Home of Grace and the long, difficult steps toward sobriety.

The episode covers Matthew’s struggle with depression, addiction to opioids and Xanax, legal consequences, and the spiritual journey from atheism to faith—culminating in a transformative moment in chapel and eventual baptism. Conversations explore relapse, recovery phases, counseling, and the role of community and church in sustained change.

Key takeaways include the challenges and rewards of recovery, confronting past hurts and unhealthy patterns (including manipulation and relationship work), and practical hope: how faith, honest support, and programs like the Home of Grace can turn darkness into restored purpose.