Jesus Loves Addicts

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.

71. Born in Addiction (w/ Kayla Money)

Host interviews Kayla, who shares growing up in an addicted home with an absent, struggling father and a faithful mother, the instability of homelessness, and the cycle of rehab and jail. She recounts how God met her in childhood, her transformative years in a 24/7 prayer room, and the long process of grieving, healing, and learning to set healthy boundaries.

Topics include addiction’s impact on family dynamics, shame and imposter syndrome, forgiveness toward an imperfect parent, vulnerability in friendships and marriage, parenting after trauma, and finding purpose in faith and intentional recovery. Listeners will hear practical takeaways about boundaries, grieving lost childhoods, and the power of God’s grace.

70. ROUNDTABLE- RELATIONSHIPS

In this roundtable episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, hosts and recovery leaders Kathryn, Ross, and Paul unpack relationships in early recovery—examining the rewards, the dangers, and the faith-centered wisdom needed to navigate them.

Topics include why waiting (often a year or more) matters, how attraction and sex can function like a drug, codependency and “fixer/fixee” dynamics, the influence of Hollywood myths, and practical steps for accountability, boundaries, and spiritual growth.

Listeners will hear honest experiences, biblical perspective on covenant and commitment, and key takeaways for building healthier platonic and romantic relationships while seeking Christ-centered recovery.

69. Leaving The Window Open (w/ Shane and Shelly Martin)

Join us for a compelling episode of "Jesus Loves Addicts," featuring the heartfelt and inspiring journey of Shane and Shelly Martin, a couple who overcame years of addiction through the power of faith. In this episode, Shane and Shelly candidly share their personal battles with addiction, from nicotine, pornography, and alcoholism to overcoming PTSD.

Despite facing significant challenges, their faith in Christ led them to find redemption, reconnect with their true selves, and contribute positively to their community. Find out how their powerful story of recovery unfolded, how they started a successful recovery program at Connect Fellowship in Long Beach, Mississippi, and how they're now dedicating their lives to helping others on their journey to healing.

Shane and Shelly's story is a testament to resilience, the importance of community, and the transformative power of love and grace. Tune in to hear how this incredible couple found strength in their faith and each other, and their mission to break addiction's stigma while spreading hope to those still struggling.

68. Crack is Stronger Than Me (w/ Brandon Rogers and David Herrington)

In this heartfelt episode of Jesus Loves Addicts, we dive deep into the transformative journey of David Herrington. Once lost to cocaine and crack addiction, David shares his experiences of living on the streets, serving time in prison, and the turning points that led him to find hope and renewal through Jesus Christ. Joining this conversation is Pastor Brandon Rogers, who plays a pivotal role in David's new life, showcasing the power of community and faith in healing one's soul.

Listeners will explore David’s early life in Alabama, his struggles with substance abuse, and the spiral that led to a decade behind bars. But more importantly, we hear the profound story of redemption as David narrates how Christ turned his world upside down, guiding him towards a path of service in the ministry, where he now aids others trapped in addiction's grasp.

Pastor Brandon sheds light on the workings of the community-based ministry at Anchor and the collective effort in supporting recovery journeys. This episode is a testament to love, resilience, and the unyielding grace found within the embrace of faith.