Jesus Loves Addicts

79. Intoxication of Sin (w/ Hal and Lisa Selby)

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, Hal and Lisa Selby share the powerful story of Hal’s deliverance from 27 years of bondage to homosexuality and how the couple navigated confession, forgiveness, and restoration. They discuss Hal’s upbringing, early abuse, the spiritual and emotional factors that contributed to his struggle, and the moment he repented and was transformed. Lisa recounts the shock, the immediate call to forgive, and the long road of healing supported by prayer, counseling, accountability, and community. The Selbys explain practical steps for recovery, the role of the church in offering both truth and compassion, and their ministry Refuge 461 which supports people and families impacted by unwanted same-sex attraction. Expect candid testimony, biblical perspective on sin and sanctification, and encouragement for those struggling or supporting a loved one.

78. Chaos to Calm - Part 2 (w/ Katie Gerhardt)

In this episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, Katie shares her raw and powerful story of addiction, loss, and redemption. After 20 years of substance abuse, criminal consequences, and fractured relationships, Katie recounts the trauma of homelessness, jail, and the desperation that led her to treatment. Through a faith-based recovery program, reconciling conversations, and the pursuit of God, she finds sobriety, healing, and restoration with her husband and family.

Topics covered include the escalation from stimulants to opioids, the dangers of prescription pain medication and fentanyl, the cycle of relapse, and the complexities of relationships in early recovery. Guests and contributors include Katie, program staff from the faith-based treatment center, and supportive family members whose interventions helped catalyze change. Key moments: rock bottom on the streets, the pivotal decision to enter treatment, a spiritual turning point in rehab, rebuilding trust with family, and returning to ministry and Bible college.

Listeners can expect a candid conversation about the challenges and rewards of recovery, the importance of community and faith, and practical hope for those feeling unseen or stuck. This episode emphasizes that while addiction can isolate and dehumanize, redemption is possible, and you are not alone.

77. Chaos to Calm - Part 1 (w/ Katie Gerhardt)

In this emotional two-part episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, host Paul sits down with Katie Foster Gerhart to hear her harrowing life story — from a traumatic childhood with alcoholic parents and early responsibilities as the 'family protector' to two decades of substance abuse. Katie recounts pivotal moments including a near-fatal car crash, arrests, painful medical issues, multiple rehabs, and the escalation from recreational drinking to cocaine, opioids, crack, and injection drug use.

They cover how trauma, family dynamics, and failed safe havens like rehab and fellow sufferers shaped her addiction, the manipulations and enabling from loved ones, and the devastating consequences she witnessed in friends who overdosed. Katie also shares her experience of surrendering to Christ in 2022, the challenges and rewards of recovery, and her mission to help those who feel unseen find freedom through faith. Expect candid conversations about stigma, failure, hope, and the complex path toward restoration.

76. Dropped Off in Vancleave (w/ John Carriere jr.)

In this episode John Carriere jr. joins the Jesus Loves Addicts podcast to tell his raw, honest story: growing up chasing sports and success, spiraling into drugs and drug-dealing in college, and the devastating turning point after his mother’s terminal diagnosis and death in 2007. He describes ordering pills online, seizures, arrests, and living in chaos before hitting rock bottom.

John shares the life-changing encounter at the Home of Grace that led to his conversion, a powerful chapel moment of forgiveness, and a complete turnaround. Now roughly 18 years into recovery, he discusses the rewards and challenges of sobriety, how faith overcame addiction, and the ongoing fight against stigma.

Topics covered include identity and the “American dream,” deception of success, the opioid and pill crisis, family and grief, recovery realities, and the role of Christ and community in transformation. Listeners will also hear about John’s ministry work—leading the Refinery Mission (formerly Lighthouse Mission)—and practical encouragement and resources for anyone affected by addiction.

75. Keep on Moving (w/ Jeff York)

In this episode Jeff York, founder and executive director of Joseph's Home, shares his raw and honest journey from a violent, drug‑addicted past to more than two decades of recovery and ministry. He recounts childhood struggles with dyslexia and bullying, early drug use and extreme violence, a federal indictment, and the moments of surrender that turned his life around.

Jeff discusses the turning points — a surprising Bible study at 17, a near‑suicidal low, probation and years of white‑knuckled sobriety, Celebrate Recovery and the discipleship model that reshaped him. He explains how Joseph's Home began in his own living room and grew into a faith‑based transitional program partnering with Home of Grace to provide community, accountability, and practical support for men and women in early recovery.

Expect candid reflections on the rewards and challenges of recovery, fighting stigma, the role of Christ and community in overcoming addiction, and Jeff’s vision for expanding transitional care (including support for couples and women). This episode offers hope for anyone who feels they’ve gone too far — a testimony that transformation is possible and sustained by faith, relationships, and steady discipleship.

74. You're Ruining my High - Part 2(w/ Julie Schouest)

In this intense, deeply personal episode Julie tells her story of addiction, loss, and faith. She recounts years of drug use with her partner, arrests, overdoses, and the devastating moment she found him after he took his own life while she was tending their baby.

Julie describes relapses, multiple treatment stints, time in jail and psychiatric holds, and the trauma of being estranged from family and losing custody. She shares the turning point where church, Scripture and a Christ-centered program (Home of Grace) changed her life, leading to lasting sobriety and a new purpose helping others in recovery.

Topics covered include opioid and meth addiction, domestic violence, pregnancy and parenting under addiction, suicide, the 12-step principles alongside Christian faith, and practical hope through treatment and community. Listeners can expect candid reflection, hard truths about relapse and recovery, and a testimony of surrender, redemption and service in recovery.

73. You're Ruining my High - Part 1 (w/ Julie Schouest)

Part one of a two-part conversation with guest Julie Schouest and host Paul from Jesus Loves Addicts. Julie rawly recounts a childhood marked by divorce, conflicting parental expectations, shame and feeling unseen — and how those wounds steered her into early substance use, risky relationships, and escalating drug use through adolescence and young adulthood.

The episode covers early experimentation (inhalants, alcohol, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, pills), boundary and authority issues, school expulsion, sex as a way to be remembered, the introduction to meth and other hard drugs, relationship dynamics, legal trouble, and job loss. Paul and Julie examine the roots of addiction: seeking approval, the pull of familiarity, and how loose or harsh boundaries shaped her path.

Julie also opens up about recovery and faith — her turn toward Christ, the role of faith-based recovery (including the Home of Grace), and practical takeaways about stigma, grace, and hope. Expect an honest, unfiltered story of failure and redemption aimed at listeners looking for understanding, encouragement, and real talk about recovery.

72. Do it My Way (w/ Kristyn Simmons)

In this episode Kristyn Simmons shares her raw, candid story: a happy childhood shadowed by family addiction, a decade-long battle with opiates, violent relationships, jail and loss, and a horrific 2021 car accident that shattered her face and changed everything. Kristyn talks about sinking into IV opiate use, losing custody of her children, hitting rock bottom, and the long recovery process with the Home of Grace, including surgeries, counseling, and rebuilding relationships with her mother and children.

Hosts Paula and Kathryn discuss themes of family as a factor in addiction, the rewards and challenges of recovery, the role of faith and Christ in healing, and practical turning points like changing one’s environment, forgiveness, and community support. Listeners can expect an honest, hope-filled conversation about relapse, resilience, and reclaiming life.