Shows
2026-01-2858 min
Falling to FreedomBrooke Torres: A Woman Set FreeIn Episode 24, Chad sits down with Brooke Torres to share her powerful testimony of redemption. Brooke’s story begins with a childhood marked by divorce and a search for love that led her down a dark path. What started as "fitting in" with marijuana in the 8th grade quickly spiraled into a 15-year battle with meth, heroin, abusive relationships, and incarceration. Brooke opens up about the pain of losing custody of her firstborn son, the cycle of addiction that kept her bound, and the dangerous lifestyle that nearly took her life. But God had a different plan. ...
2025-12-2336 min
Falling to FreedomThe Missing Link: What Successful Recovery Looks LikeIs there a "missing link" in the recovery process?Most people view rehab as the finish line, but Cameron Birk argues it’s actually just the starting line. On this episode of Falling to Freedom, host Chad LaComb sits down with Cameron Birk, CEO of Absolute Ministries, to uncover why so many people stumble after treatment, and how to fix it.Cameron shares his personal journey from a life he calls a "dumpster fire" to leading a ministry that boasts an incredible 85% success rate ...
2025-12-0147 min
Falling to FreedomCourage, Compassion and Sacrifice: The Andy Bales StoryWhat kind of leader is willing to lose his own legs for the people he serves?In Episode 22 Courage, Compassion, and Sacrifice: The Andy Bales Story, host Chad LaComb sits down with a man who embodies all three. Andy Bales spent two decades on the front lines as CEO of the Union Rescue Mission on LA’s Skid Row, and his life tells the story of costly love.Andy doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He names homelessness for what it is, “the biggest crisis in America”, and walk...
2025-11-1852 min
Falling to FreedomHarm Reduction Policies: Are they helping or hurting?Buckle up for a compelling 50-minute discussion on Falling to Freedom, where host Chad LaComb, recounting his own gritty road to restoration, talks with Dr. Ricky Bluthenthal. This USC powerhouse, with a UC Berkeley PhD and 200+ papers in top journals like The Lancet, knows addiction inside out: from HIV fights in the '80s in Oakland (even getting busted running a needle exchange program as a grad student) to unpacking booze's uneven toll on communities. Chad asks: Why pump tax dollars into needle...
2025-10-2956 min
Falling to FreedomDesigned to influence and addict: Social media's impact on our childrenDesigned to Influence and Addict: Social Media’s Impact on Our ChildrenAmy Neville’s life changed forever when her son, Alexander, died at 14 from a fentanyl-laced pill he accessed through social media. Just 24 hours passed from his admission of experimenting with oxycodone to his tragic death.In this gripping episode of Falling to Freedom, Amy shares her heartbreaking story and her fight to hold social media platforms accountable for their role in addicting and endangering kids.We explore: - How Snap...
2025-09-0542 min
2025-09-0358 min
2025-08-3157 min
Falling to FreedomChad Bianco: California's Problem SolverCalifornia is in crisis: addiction, homelessness, and crime are spiraling. Can one leader fix it?In this powerful interview, Sheriff Chad Bianco, candidate for Governor of California, joins host Chad LaComb on The Falling to Freedom Podcast to talk solutions rooted in law enforcement experience, faith, and problem-solving leadership.With more than 32 years in law enforcement, Bianco explains why the vast majority of crime is tied to drugs, how untreated mental illness fuels homelessness, and why he believes current harm-reduction policies only make things worse. Instead, he lays out his vision for treatment-first, abstinence-centered recovery...
2025-08-1829 min
Falling to FreedomChad Bianco: California's Problem SolverCalifornia is in crisis: addiction, homelessness, and crime are spiraling. Can one leader fix it?In this powerful interview, Sheriff Chad Bianco, candidate for Governor of California, joins host Chad LaComb on The Falling to Freedom Podcast to talk solutions rooted in law enforcement experience, faith, and problem-solving leadership.With more than 32 years in law enforcement, Bianco explains why the vast majority of crime is tied to drugs, how untreated mental illness fuels homelessness, and why he believes current harm-reduction policies only make things worse. Instead, he lays out his vision for treatment-first, abstinence-centered recovery...
2025-08-1636 min
Falling to FreedomSit down with Ret. Sgt. Michael Sugrue: Crime, Addiction and First Responder TraumaWhat if everything we think we know about crime prevention is backwards? In this compelling episode of Falling to Freedom, host Chad LaComb sits down with retired police sergeant and decorated Air Force veteran Michael Sugrue to uncover a hard truth from the front lines: most crime has a root; it’s fueled by addiction.From covert narcotics operations in California to the deadly realities of today’s fentanyl crisis, Sgt. Sugrue shares the rare perspective of someone who’s lived deep inside both law enforcement and the world of substance use disorder. He reveals how trauma, broken...
2025-08-0936 min
Falling to FreedomFrom Junkie to Judge: Crafting your own path to recoveryJoin host Chad LaComb for an inspiring conversation with Mary Beth O’Connor, retired federal judge and author of 'From Junkie to Judge: One woman's triumph over trauma and addiction' as they explore her incredible journey from childhood trauma and methamphetamine addiction to lasting recovery. Mary Beth shares how she crafted a personalized recovery plan, rejecting one-size-fits-all models, and emphasizes the power of addressing trauma and mental health for true freedom. With 31 years sober, she offers hope and practical advice for anyone battling addiction or supporting a loved one.Listen now to discover how tailoring recovery to yo...
2025-08-0240 min
Falling to FreedomFalling to Freedom: Vision, Background and TopicsWhat if a single story could light a spark for someone lost in the grip of addiction? That’s where we start.Hey there, I’m Chad LaComb, and I’m excited to share The Falling to Freedom Podcast. In this episode, I’m laying it all bare, my messy, real journey. Picture this: I was using drugs by 12, landed in prison, and hit rock bottom before finding redemption through Christ. It wasn’t pretty, but it’s my truth, and it’s the heartbeat of this podcast. This is just the start of something bigger.Addiction is...
2025-07-1130 min
Falling to FreedomFrom Addiction to Adulting: The Power of Third PhaseFrom opiate addiction to leading others to freedom Rick Martinez shares his powerful story on Falling to Freedom. Discover how faith, the ‘dignity of work,’ and the Third Phase program at The Rivers Edge Ranch transforms lives. Share to spread hope! #AddictionRecovery #Faith #TheThirdPhase
2025-07-0146 min
2025-06-2245 min
2025-06-2243 min
Falling to FreedomThe Psychology of Addiction with Dr. Glenn PottsJoin host Chad LaComb for a powerful conversation with Dr. Glenn Potts, a clinical psychologist with over a decade at Patton State Hospital, as they dive into the psychology of addiction, mental health, and the transformative power of faith. Dr. Potts, who has worked with veterans and criminally insane patients, reveals how addiction, whether to substances, smartphones, pornography, or social media, intertwines with mental health challenges, and why a relationship with God is the foundation for lasting recovery.Listen now to explore how faith can overcome addiction in all its forms.Join the conversation: Have...
2025-06-2057 min
Falling to FreedomJason Sautel: When The Rescuer Needed RescuingIn this gripping episode of Falling to Freedom, retired Oakland firefighter Jason Sautel sits down with host Chad LaComb to expose the silent suffering behind the badge. From a chaotic and abusive childhood in Hemet, California, to the front lines of life-and-death emergencies, Jason’s journey is one of unimaginable pain, spiritual transformation, and ultimate redemption.Learn how childhood trauma and firefighting stress created the perfect storm for an emotional collapse. The mental and spiritual cost of rescuing others while losing himself brought Jason to his turning point:a haunting Bay Bridge jumper call that led to hi...
2025-06-0343 min
Falling to FreedomA Father's Fight: Alexandra's Law and the Fentanyl CrisisJoin host Chad LaComb for a powerful episode of Falling to Freedom as Matt Capelouto shares his heart-wrenching story of loss and relentless fight for justice. After his daughter Alexandra died from a single fentanyl-laced counterfeit pill she believed was Percocet, Matt turned grief into action. He spearheaded Alexandra’s Law to hold drug dealers accountable and is now a leading voice in the battle against the fentanyl crisis. Learn about the dangers of counterfeit pills, the urgent need for education and mental health support, and how Matt’s mission at www.stopdrughomicide.org is saving lives. A story of t...
2025-05-2252 min
Falling to FreedomFirst Responder Wellness: A Critical MissionIn this powerful episode of Falling To Freedom, host Chad LaComb sits down with Devin O’Day, Chief Development Officer at First Responder-Wellness in Newport Beach, to explore the unseen struggles of first responders, police, firefighters, EMS, and military. With addiction and trauma affecting these heroes at twice the rate of the general population, Devin, 15 years sober, shares his transformative journey from addiction’s depths to leading a mission to save lives. The episode dives into the unique challenges first responders face: a “toughness” culture that stigmatizes vulnerability, fear of career repercussions, and the toll of job-related PTSD and...
2025-05-1548 min
Falling to FreedomPressing On: Not Letting Your Past Define Your FutureCan you rise above a past that includes gangs, addiction, and prison? Host Chad LaComb sits down with DeShun Wooten, owner of The Press Espresso’s five Southwest Riverside coffee shops, in the vibrant cigar-lounge ambiance of their Old Town Murrieta location. DeShun shares his journey from a fatherless youth and seven years in prison to building a thriving business through faith, southern hospitality, and persistence. Discover how he pressed on, inspired by Philippians 3:14, and why your past doesn’t have to define your future. Subs...
2025-05-0839 min
Falling to FreedomFrom Addiction to Redemption: The Power of CommunityWhat role does community play in transforming addiction into redemption? In this moving episode of Falling to Freedom, Doug Whiteman, Executive Director of The River’s Edge Ranch, shares his journey from drug use to leading a faith-based recovery program. Discover how accountability, purpose, and the “wrap-around” model at River’s Edge Ranch transforms lives with insights on tough love, animal-assisted therapy, and the dignity of work. Join us to explore why community support is key to healing. Subscribe for weekly discussions tackling addiction head-on.(Ap...
2025-04-2445 min
Falling to FreedomOverdose, Drug Poisoning And The Rise Of FentanylIn Episode 8 of Falling to Freedom, host Chad LaComb sits down with Karen Streeter for a deeply moving conversation about her son Kai, who tragically lost his life to a fentanyl overdose at 21 on June 6, 2024. Falling to Freedom is the weekly podcast that confronts addiction head-on, unpacking its root causes, devastating effects, and potential solutions with raw honesty and hope.Karen shares Kai’s vibrant legacy, a funny, bright, athletic, and faithful young man who loved reading, writing, and serving others, while candidly re...
2025-04-1747 min
Falling to FreedomBlack & White: The Al Aceves StoryThe wait is over.. Black and White: The Al Aceves Story is LIVE today, on Falling to Freedom! Addiction turned an East LA kid into a beast. Faith painted a new picture. ‘Big Al’ Aceves, co-founder of the Mongols Nation, spent 35 years as a heroin addict. He started robbing at 15, forged a biker legend with his silhouette on every patch, and thrived on Vietnam’s violence. He served the devil until God delivered him. Now a prayer warrior and chaplain, Al’s story rips into addiction’s root
2025-04-1038 min
2025-04-0656 min
Falling to FreedomWhen Addiction and Pregnancy Cross Paths - Jessica AlexanderJoin host Chad LaComb and Jessica Alexander, Director of Birth Choice Centers in Temecula, Mayor Pro Temp for the city of Temecula, former Marine, and NYPD motorcycle officer for a raw look at the collision of addiction, unplanned pregnancy, and trauma. A mother of five from a family touched by alcoholism, Jessica’s on the front lines, supporting parents in crisis.Key takeaways: 64% of women defer to fathers in unplanned pregnancy decisions, enter the Fatherhood Project, “sharpening dads” to save moms. Addiction fuels the ch...
2025-04-0343 min
Falling to FreedomWhen Addiction Turns Deadly: A Coroners PerspectiveJoin host Chad LaComb and Nicole Clear, a Riverside County coroner since 2000, for a chilling, eye-opening dive into addiction’s deadly endgame. Handling 15,000 cases a year, over 50% tied to drugs and alcohol—Nicole, a Riverside County Sheriff, shares what she sees is the final chapter of addiction.From fentanyl-laced “dirty” pills flooding schools to methamphetamine silently wrecking hearts, she exposes the toll: enlarged organs, decayed teeth, and lives cut short. Suspicious deaths, like family overdoses or a young man’s drug-fueled psychosis killing his grandm...
2025-03-2850 min
Falling to FreedomAddiction and Intimate Partner ViolenceIn this gripping episode, host Chad LaComb sits down with Rachel Tucker, a powerhouse with 27 years in ministry and the director of Cherish Young Moms in Fontana. Rachel shares her profound insights from decades of working with juvenile offenders and pregnant teens as young as 13, revealing the devastating intersection of addiction, intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual abuse. She paints a stark picture: 40-60% of IPV cases involve substances, with abusers using violence to seize control—tactics that work, making the cycle brutally hard to break. Even more chilling? In 60-70% of intimate partner homicides, drugs or alcohol fuel th...
2025-03-2131 min
Falling to FreedomThe Intersection of Addiction and HomelessnessIn this episode, hosts Chad and Victor sit down with Pastor Micah Tucker, Senior Director ofLocal Outreach, Water of Life Community Church, to unpack the tangled web of addiction andhomelessness. Micah drops hard-hitting truth, like how 80% of unhoused individuals are lockedin long-term homelessness, often wrestling with addiction’s grip. But there’s a way out. We hearVictor’s raw story, a father who landed in a San Bernardino shelter, determined to stayconnected to his son. In under 30 days, he broke free from that dark season...
2025-03-1539 min
Falling to FreedomPrescription Drugs: When an injury turns into addictionIn this powerful episode, host Chad LaComb sits down with Tim Torres, a 39-year-old whoshares his unfiltered and inspiring story. At just 16, Tim was prescribed Percocet for an injury.Within weeks, he was chasing the euphoric high, and in just months, he was physically hooked.When doctors started tapering him off, Tim turned to illicit opiates, first OxyContin, then heroinby age 18. Years later, he faced the even deadlier grip of fentanyl, overdosing multiple times.Tim’s journey is a sobering reminder of how fast prescription drugs can le...
2025-03-1531 min
Falling to FreedomAddiction : A whole of society problemAddiction is a whole of society problem that is often under discussed and hidden. This initial episode introduces the vision behind starting the Falling to Freedom podcast, the background of the hosts and the expectation for future episodes. These will be real, eye opening and often raw topics discussed by the very individuals most involved with them. Join us on this journey as we expose the truths about addiction and collectively seek solutions.
2025-03-1533 min
2025-03-0953 min
2025-01-2957 min
2024-11-0654 min
2024-07-2851 min2023-12-2032 min
2023-10-1554 min
2023-09-2057 min
2023-04-0746 min2022-09-1459 min2022-07-311h 08Calvary Chapel TemeculaBibliology Pastor Chad LacombTopical Teaching on the subject of Bibliology. Apologies for the hum. Technical Difficulties.
2022-07-2751 min2022-01-0557 min
Opportunity Zones PodcastHow Regional EDA Groups Can Leverage Opportunity Zones, with Chad LaCombHow can a regional economic development planning commission help their communities leverage their Opportunity Zone designations? Invest Acadiana serves as a perfect example.Chad LaComb is the economic development planner for the Acadiana Planning Commission.Transcript and show notes at OpportunityDb.com
2020-10-2127 min
The Big ShowThe Big Show - May 4, 2020 - Hour 23p- Tim Lacomb
3:30p- Louisville gets NCAA sanctions
3:50p- MACU Market Update with Chad Waddoups
2020-05-0543 min