In this powerful episode of Finding New Waters, hosts B. Reeves and Justin McClendon sit down with Jeff Georgi, one of the most respected voices in addiction treatment and co-author of Beyond Shame: Healing the Pain Beneath the Surface of Addiction.With over 40 years of clinical experience, including serving as the former Clinical Director of the Duke Addictions Program, Jeff shares his deep understanding of the emotional and spiritual roots of addiction — particularly the role shame plays in keeping people trapped. He opens up about his own journey into recovery, the programs he and his wife Becky have built to help families heal, and how their approach to modified interpersonal group psychotherapy helps patients find hope beyond their pain.Jeff discusses the origins of Bluefield, a program he and Becky developed for college students returning to school after treatment, and the incredible success stories that came from it. He also reflects on the closure of Duke’s addiction program, what it says about the stigma that still surrounds substance use, and why true recovery must address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of addiction.This is a deeply thoughtful, emotional, and inspiring conversation about healing, purpose, and rediscovering the power of hope.⸻Timestamps00:00 – Welcome and introduction01:00 – The origins of Bluefield and helping college students in recovery05:00 – Stories of hope: Bluefield’s first student success07:00 – What inspired the book Beyond Shame09:00 – Training clinicians across South Carolina12:00 – Jeff’s 40-year career in addiction medicine13:00 – Getting started in recovery work after personal sobriety15:00 – Founding the Duke Addictions Program17:00 – How stigma still shapes addiction treatment today20:00 – The myth of “choice” in addiction22:00 – Understanding the biology of addiction24:00 – How trauma and shame fuel substance use30:00 – Breaking the cycle: how families get caught in shame too33:00 – Jeff and Becky’s therapeutic approach to healing families36:00 – Why hope is stronger than shame39:00 – The spiritual side of recovery40:00 – How to contact Jeff and Becky GeorgiGuest BioJeff Georgi, M.Div., MAH, LCMHC, LCAS, CCS, CGPAuthor, Clinician, and EducatorWith more than 40 years in the field of addiction and mental health, Jeff Georgi has helped thousands of individuals and families find healing. He is the former Clinical Director of the Duke Addictions Program and has served in multiple departments at Duke University Medical Center, including Surgery, Obstetrics, and Psychiatry.Alongside his wife Becky, Jeff runs Georgi Educational and Counseling Services, where they offer therapy, training, and consultation to clinicians and families. His latest book, Beyond Shame, provides a framework for understanding addiction as a biopsychosocial-spiritual disease and helps clinicians and families address the pain beneath addictive behavior.Website: www.georgieducationalandcounseling.comBook: Beyond Shame: Healing the Pain Beneath the Surface of AddictionResources Mentioned• Beyond Shame – available on Amazon• Bluefield Program (for college students in recovery)• Modified Interpersonal Group Psychotherapy• Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences• Georgi Educational and Counseling Services – www.georgieducationalandcounseling.comFollow Finding New WatersInstagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecoveryFacebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecoveryLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recoveryTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_ncListen & WatchWebsite: www.findingnewwaters.comSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5GjwApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXwYouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn
