Police culture, addiction, and redemption: John Kelly's powerful story.
What happens when addiction, shame, and silence threaten to destroy a law enforcement marriage? John Kelly, a 30-year veteran and author of Surviving Self-Inflicted Wounds, shares how accountability, seeking help, and choosing honesty saved his life and relationship.
👉 In this episode, you'll hear:
How police culture can normalize destructive habits
The impact of addiction and avoidance on marriage and family
Why strong relationships are the #1 resilience factor for officers
What redemption looks like after self-inflicted wounds
How officers and spouses can break the silence and ask for help
👩⚕️ I'm Cyndi Doyle — licensed professional counselor supervisor, retired police spouse, and author of Hold the Line. My passion is helping law enforcement couples protect their relationships while navigating police culture.
📖 Grab my book: Hold the Line → https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Line-Protecting-Enforcement-Relationship-ebook/dp/B08TPRTY9G#customerReviews
🎤 Book me to speak: https://code4couples.com/training/
00:00 Welcome & intro to John Kelly
04:00 The meaning of "self-inflicted wounds"
09:00 How police culture normalizes destructive behavior
17:00 Seeking help without shame
23:00 Marriage struggles & breaking the cycle of avoidance
30:00 Addiction, infidelity, and hitting rock bottom
36:00 Why strong relationships protect officer wellness
44:00 John's redemption and the role of coaching
50:00 How to connect with John Kelly
