Shows
The Cup of Joe ShowJeff W. Gets in the Recovery WheelbarrowWhat does real trust look like in recovery? Not just believing it might work, but climbing in and letting it carry you forward
In this powerful episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Jeff W. shares his journey from a childhood shaped by anxiety and alcohol to a life grounded in trust, service, and sobriety. What began as a spiritual experience with drinking slowly turned into daily use, legal consequences, and a dangerous mix of substances that nearly cost him everything.
Jeff opens up about lowering his standards to match his behavior, searching for solutions...
2026-02-191h 01The Cup of Joe ShowTerminally Unique: David T. Soldiers On to Peace and PurposeHe thought he was different. Turns out he was just sick and once he stopped drinking his life finally started.
David T. has been sober since July 2, 2018, but his road to recovery took him through isolation, secrecy, military discipline, and ultimately incarceration. A shy kid who felt like an outsider after moving to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, David discovered alcohol early and immediately remembered how it made him feel inside. By adulthood, drinking had become something he hid, something that followed him into marriage, the Army, and eventually into serious consequences.
Stationed in Alaska and later...
2026-02-121h 28The Cup of Joe ShowThe Power of Powerlessness: Scott S. on Letting GoGod didn’t wake up this morning and think He was me… so maybe I don’t need to wake up thinking I’m God.
Scott S. has been sober since April 16, 2012, but his journey to recovery was anything but straightforward. Growing up with low self-esteem, ADHD, and a household where drinking felt normal, Scott learned early that alcohol gave him something he didn’t have on his own. By his teens, blackouts and excess were already part of the picture, and as adulthood unfolded, pills, vodka, broken relationships, and a familiar pattern of self-destruction followed.
After re...
2026-02-051h 04The Cup of Joe ShowTeaching Them How to Fish: Dave S. on Service and Emotional SobrietyThis is a powerful conversation about emotional sobriety, the healing power of service, and what happens when we finally become willing to learn who we are.
Dave S. has been sober since January 1, 1987, but his recovery journey didn’t begin with confidence or clarity. It began with loneliness, despair, and a deep belief that alcohol was the solution.
Growing up in Connecticut as the son of an alcoholic, Dave learned early how to stay busy so he wouldn’t have to feel. Bullied, isolated, and emotionally overwhelmed, his first drink as a teenager felt like reli...
2026-01-291h 11The Cup of Joe ShowFix, Manage, Control: Christina H.’s Path to Al-AnonIt’s ok to care for people as long as you continue to care for yourself.
Christina H. grew up loving the wide-open outdoors of Wyoming, always playing the role of the helper, the fixer, the one who held everything together. That instinct followed her into adulthood and eventually into a marriage affected by alcoholism, where love slowly turned into chaos, confusion, and an exhausting illusion of control.
In this deeply honest episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Christina shares how trying to fix her husband’s drinking by drinking alongside him only deepened the...
2026-01-221h 00The Cup of Joe ShowHappy and Sober: Steven C. Cradles the Quiet MomentsRecovery isn’t for people who want it, or even need it, but for people who DO it.
After growing up in the chaos of Chicago—surrounded by addiction, abuse, and heartbreak—Steven C. learned to “cradle the quiet moments.” His father’s suicide when he was just ten years old left a wound that alcohol seemed to fill… at least for a while. By the time he joined the Navy at 17, self-destruction had become second nature.
For years, Steven drew lines in the sand—promises to stop drinking if—but each one was crossed. Even the birth of...
2026-01-151h 23The Cup of Joe ShowStay Willing: Robin G.’s Circle of ConnectionYou don’t know how sick you are until you start getting better.
Robin G., sober since June 17th, 2004, shares her powerful testament to survival, healing, and grace.
Robin grew up surrounded by instability, mental illness, and alcoholism. She spent her early years hiding secrets, full of fear, and living in fantasy. The moment she first drank, she felt like she could finally breathe. What followed was a long descent into addiction, including years of alcoholism, crack cocaine, mental hospitals, shelters, and homelessness. Her family feared she wouldn’t survive.
After one final rela...
2026-01-081h 01The Cup of Joe ShowScott T. Recovers His Way Up to ServantI took a drink, the drink took a drink, then the drink took the man.
When Scott T. looks in the mirror, he sees a man transformed, but the reflection wasn’t always so clear. Growing up south of Boston in the 1960s, he was raised in the chaos of alcoholism and violence. By thirteen, he was already in handcuffs, defiant and angry at the world. The pain of his childhood turned into a spring of rage and fear that alcohol temporarily eased, until it almost took his life.
Scott’s journey spiraled through addiction, crim...
2026-01-011h 14The Cup of Joe ShowJoey E. Finds a Peaceful Place to Call HomeGod wasn’t my last resort. He became my first option.
In this raw and redemptive episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Joey E. shares the remarkable story of how he went from chaos and addiction to peace and purpose. Growing up in Forrest City, Arkansas, with parents in active addiction, Joey and his identical twin brother learned early how to survive in instability. With no structure and a deep sense of inferiority, Joey sought escape through skateboarding, BMX, and eventually alcohol and meth.
By 21, prison had become a revolving door, each time swearing he...
2025-12-2559 minThe Cup of Joe ShowTaking the Pressure Off: Klaus V. SurrendersHe used to see God as a bush-league pinch hitter… now he sees Him as a force to be served.
Klaus V. has lived many lives — from UCLA scholar to the “King of Geographics,” chasing peace across the country only to find it within himself. Growing up between the Gulf Coast of Texas and Middle Tennessee, Klaus’s early life was filled with chaos, rejection, and isolation. When his mother left him at a children’s home at 15, his first drink gave him a feeling of belonging he’d been searching for his entire life.
Sobriety first...
2025-12-1846 minThe Cup of Joe ShowAll In or All Out: Troy D. Finding an Instrument of PeaceHe tried to drink himself to death. Instead, he found a reason to live.
For years, Troy D. lived by one rule: go all in or go home. Whether it was money, success, or alcohol, moderation didn’t exist. He made his first million by 27—and lost it the same year. His life swung between abundance and rock bottom, driven by a need for control and approval that started long before the first drink.
Growing up in a small Illinois town, Troy always felt like he couldn’t measure up to his siblings. His brothers were a...
2025-12-111h 13The Cup of Joe ShowFrom Kensington to Skid Row: Oliver C. finds Spiritual FreedomYou don’t have to go up to see God. God is always here.
“You tell me to eat lima beans; I’m going to eat lima beans.” That line from Jerry Maguire became Oliver C.’s mantra for recovery and a simple truth about willingness, surrender, and faith.
Born to Taiwanese immigrants and raised in South Jersey, Oliver grew up speaking Mandarin at home and struggling to fit in. His father drank heavily and owned restaurants, and alcohol was always present. By his teens, Oliver was chasing that same escape, experimenting with drugs and alcohol to...
2025-12-041h 06The Cup of Joe ShowGratitude: A Thanksgiving Conversation with Debbie N. & Jack O.Gratitude doesn’t just change your attitude; it can change your entire life.
Today’s Thanksgiving episode is a special one. We’re slowing down, taking a breath, and leaning into a theme that runs right through the heart of recovery: gratitude. Not the once-a-year, surface-level kind, but the gritty, honest, hard-won gratitude that shows up in the chaos, the rebuilding, the small victories, and the quiet moments when we realize just how far grace has carried us.
I’m joined by two people who mean a lot to me: Debbie N. and Jack O. They’re...
2025-11-271h 15The Cup of Joe ShowSpiritual Ninja: Ian H. Fights Fear and Lives with PurposeIn a moment of clarity he heard a voice say, ‘You are not meant to be this unhappy,’ and everything changed.
In this heartfelt and deeply human episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Ian H. shares his powerful journey from fear and self-sabotage to faith and service. Growing up in Chicago, Ian says he “came into the world cockeyed” — anxious, full of self-doubt, and terrified of being blamed for things he didn’t do. When he discovered alcohol at just 11 years old, all that fear seemed to vanish.
By 13, he was stealing liquor, and by high scho...
2025-11-201h 07The Cup of Joe ShowDennis P. Learns to Fly AgainWe can’t think our way into different living; we have to live our way into different thinking.
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Dennis P. shares a journey that began in the shadows of shame and ended in the light of freedom. Growing up in Chicago under the rule of a strict father, Dennis learned early to mask his pain behind humor, sports, and achievement. But even with trophies on the shelf, he says he felt like an imposter in his own life.
That all changed the da...
2025-11-131h 02The Cup of Joe ShowChris B. and a Life Saving InterventionHe lost his marriage, his health, his home — but what he found in recovery was life itself.
In this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Chris B., who found freedom in recovery on July 25, 2023, and whose story reminds us that it’s never too late to start over.
Chris grew up in Georgia as the youngest of four, chasing success while quietly battling a growing dependence on alcohol. A University of Georgia grad and international security expert, Chris spent decades traveling the world under immense pressure. After the 9/11 attacks, his work...
2025-11-061h 13The Cup of Joe ShowI Surrender All: Linda K.’s 35 Years of GratitudeHALLOWEEN SPECIAL EPISODE
She thought she was just writing a paper for class—what she found was a new way to live.
What does it take to move from despair to 35 years of freedom? In this unforgettable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Linda K. shares her powerful journey of transformation, resilience, and faith.
Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, in the 50s and 60s, Linda lived a double life—straight-A student on the outside, binge drinker on the inside. By 21, her drinking had led to a suicide attempt and four months in an i...
2025-10-301h 10The Cup of Joe ShowIllusion of Control: Pete M. Goes All-InHe thought he could control his drinking… until it controlled everything he loved.
What happens when the illusion of control shatters? In this gripping episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Pete M. shares his raw journey from teenage drinking to a life nearly destroyed by alcohol, pride, and resentment. From the Army to a pharmaceutical career on the road, Pete’s drinking spiraled into broken relationships, lost jobs, and devastating loneliness.
But when desperation finally collided with grace, Pete discovered a new way to live. With the help of a sponsor, service work, and a wi...
2025-10-271h 08The Cup of Joe ShowHard Truths: Richard L. on Depression, Loneliness, and RecoveryHe told his son, 'You’re an addict.' His son fired back, 'You’re an alcoholic.' That moment changed everything.
In this raw and moving episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Richard L. opens up about a life shaped by alcohol, depression, and profound loss. Sober since January 5, 2014, Richard shares how his drinking escalated from college fraternity parties to a career built around never being far from a bottle. Multiple marriages collapsed under the weight of addiction, and years of treatment-resistant depression only deepened the spiral.
After years of self-medicating and watching his...
2025-10-231h 07The Cup of Joe ShowBlind Hope: Mia C. Filling the EmptinessHer days don’t feel like light years anymore—that’s the gift of recovery.
On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show we hear recovery from a family perspective few people know firsthand. Mia C., sober since May 31, 2024, was raised by her loving grandfather while both parents battled addiction. She learned to hide in plain sight—living a “quadruple life” that changed depending on who was watching. Alcohol felt like ease and comfort until blackout nights, mounting shame, and suicidal despair made being with herself unbearable.
Therapy planted a seed, but it wasn’t until she wa...
2025-10-201h 09The Cup of Joe ShowShanna C. Finds Grace in God’s PromiseShe wrote a letter to the man who murdered her mother—and forgave him.
On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Shanna C. shares a story that is both heartbreaking and redemptive. Growing up in a family marked by divorce and instability, she struggled with self-image, loneliness, and what she now calls a deep spiritual malady long before her first drink. Alcohol became her escape, and soon her life revolved around drinking, men, and a desperate search for connection.
Then came the moment that changed everything: on October 13, 1998, Shanna’s mother was murdered by h...
2025-10-161h 08The Cup of Joe ShowBuck D. Gets Honest and Out of the WayHis life is proof: you’re never too far gone to be brought back
Buck D. has been sober since January 15, 2009, but his journey began in chaos. Growing up in Arkansas, his father—a brilliant but violent WWII bomber pilot—brought trauma and alcoholism into the home. After his parents’ divorce, 8-year-old Buck and his brother ended up homeless in Kansas before being returned to their mother and grandparents.
As a teen, Buck spiraled into drinking, run-ins with the law, and eventually the Navy, where he lived up to the “drunken sailor” reputation. His life became a cyc...
2025-10-131h 01The Cup of Joe ShowLocked Up, Lifted Up: How Faith Rebuilt John C.’s LifeHe loved getting high more than he loved his family—until he gave his life to Christ and everything changed.
On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, John C. takes us inside a life that spiraled from childhood chaos in Chicago to years spent in jails, prisons, and meth labs. By the time he was facing 20 years in prison, John had lost nearly everything—his health, his family, and his will to live.
But in a faith-based rehab program, something shifted. John came to the hard truth about his addiction, gave his life to J...
2025-10-091h 07The Cup of Joe ShowMegan G. Fills the Hole in Her SoulNo matter how deep the pain, recovery can transform it into purpose.
On this moving episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Megan G. shares a story of heartbreak, resilience, and spiritual awakening. An only child whose father left and later died by suicide, Megan spent her life trying to fill what she calls “the gaping hole in my soul.” Horses gave her purpose for a time, but alcohol quickly became her escape.
Drinking escalated into blackouts, postpartum depression set in, and her marriage turned toxic. Multiple DUIs, cycles of rehab and relapse followed as she...
2025-10-061h 09The Cup of Joe ShowAwake and Unafraid: Melisa S. Embraces HumilityShe thought her job was to fix everyone else—until recovery showed her, she was the one who needed healing.
In this unforgettable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we shine a light on a side of recovery that often goes unheard—the families and loved ones of alcoholics and addicts. Meet Melisa S., who’s been walking her Al-Anon journey since July 2000.
Growing up in Southern California in what she calls the “C.I.A.”—Catholic Irish Alcoholics—Melisa learned early how to keep secrets, play chameleon, and lose herself in people-pleasing and fixing others...
2025-10-021h 06The Cup of Joe ShowNo More Eggshells: Jamie K. from Chaos to ClarityThe day he lost his life was the day she chose to live.
In this unforgettable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Jamie K. shares a raw and redemptive journey from blackout drinking and heartbreak to serenity and self-worth. Jamie lost her father to addiction as an infant and grew up feeling like she never quite fit in.
Her early years were filled with rebellion, pain, and a desperate search for belonging—from dropping out of high school to joining the Marines, from huffing to heroin, and toxic relationships that nearly took her under....
2025-09-2954 minThe Cup of Joe ShowGED PhD: John S. Finds the Willingness to Recover"God, this is John… reporting for duty." — John S.
In this deeply inspiring episode of The Cup of Joe Show, John S. shares how he went from blackout drinking at 13 to earning a PhD in molecular biology and immunology. Raised in what he calls an “Alcoholic Atheist Family,” John always felt separate and off-kilter—an overthinker who lacked the drive to follow through. Alcohol was his solution… until it stopped working.
He was kicked out of school, his house, and hope. But through the grace of Al-Anon—and a mother who refused to give up on him—John fo...
2025-09-251h 21The Cup of Joe ShowOff Skid Row: Joe K. Calms the Storm WithinUnder a bridge, drinking Carlo Rossi, grilling a stolen steak on a sideways shopping cart—he thought he’d made it.
In this gripping episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Joe K. shares his wild, raw, and redemptive story of recovery. Born into a working-class family in Southern California with a firefighter dad and nurse mom, Joe’s world was rocked by a bitter divorce at age 10—and that same year, he had his first blackout. By 14, he’d dropped out of school, hit the road with the Grateful Dead, and began a 12-year stretch living homeless a...
2025-09-221h 08The Cup of Joe ShowThe Loneliest Walk: Doug R. Building a Sober CircleHe felt a void he thought alcohol could fill—turns out, it was a God-shaped hole.
In this unforgettable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Doug R. takes us from the military bases of Hawaii to the chaotic streets of addiction—and ultimately, to a life of purpose and peace. Doug grew up in a home shaped by secrecy and survival, with a father in military intelligence and a heart that never quite fit in. By high school, he was the party guy, selling drugs, getting arrested, and trying to silence the storm inside with booze and...
2025-09-181h 11The Cup of Joe ShowKyle K.'s Adventures in RecoveryHe wasn’t born without a moral compass—it was just still in the box. Recovery helped him open it.
In this uplifting and deeply human episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Kyle K. shares his powerful journey from spiritual bankruptcy to a life filled with meaning, creativity, and service. As a restless and discontented kid growing up in the chaos of a broken home, Kyle dropped out of school, chased trouble, and found himself drowning in blackout drinking by the age of 15. Alcohol felt like the answer—until it wasn’t.
But a chance e...
2025-09-151h 05The Cup of Joe ShowRockstar Reset: Scott M. Finds SerenityHe moved cities trying to reset his life—turns out, he kept taking the chaos with him.
In this riveting episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Scott M. opens up about a life spent chasing the next high—and the long road to find peace. A gifted guitarist from Atlanta, Scott turned to LSD at 15 and spent the next three decades trying to escape himself. Using everything from alcohol to meth, and dreaming of rock stardom, he even found himself partying at the infamous Playboy Mansion.
No matter how he tried to reset his life...
2025-09-111h 04The Cup of Joe ShowJeremy S. Trading Chaos for ContentmentHis pattern was working Step One and Step Nine—then going back to drinking. He learned he had to stop apologizing and start transforming.
In this honest and relatable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Jeremy S. shares his story of growing up athletic, intelligent, and burdened by expectations. At 13, he discovered alcohol—and from that moment, the chase for escape and ease began.
Despite graduating college with honors, Jeremy was living anything but honorably. Promising beginnings were shadowed by secret bottles, broken relationships, and untreated depression. Even after his mother’s death, a failed...
2025-09-0858 minThe Cup of Joe ShowBreath of Hope: Anne Y.’s 40 Years of RecoveryWe don’t just work the steps—we become them. You’ll know it’s happening when your behavior starts to change.
In this powerful and deeply moving episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Anne Y., sober since September 3, 1985. Growing up in a family of high achievers, Anne felt the pressure to be everything to everyone—leading a double life between church choirs and the chaos of 70s sex, drugs, and rock & roll.
Early in her recovery, a piano brought into a treatment center helped her reconnect with her passion for music—...
2025-09-041h 00The Cup of Joe ShowLadd H. Surrenders from ExhaustionEverything changed when I dropped the word ‘blame’ and picked up the basics of recovery
In this encouraging episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Ladd H. shares a no-nonsense story of collapse, surrender, and rebuilding from the ground up. A standout college athlete who thought the rules didn’t apply to him, Ladd's life spiraled from alcohol and opiates to smoking fentanyl, amphetamines, and living in a five-year stretch of psychosis. He chose isolation over help—until addiction took everything: his marriage, jobs, money, and sanity.
After a first attempt at recovery, Ladd stayed sober fo...
2025-08-2858 minThe Cup of Joe ShowYonah G. Stumbles in the Right DirectionI told my sponsor I didn’t believe in God. He said, ‘I don’t really give a sh*t. Pray anyway.’
In this honest, unfiltered episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Yonah G., a man whose journey into recovery started with suicidal thoughts and deep resentment toward organized religion—and ended with peace, purpose, and a life he never imagined possible.
Raised in an orthodox Jewish home in New Jersey, Yonah always felt like an outsider—full of insecurity, depression, and a longing to escape. That escape came at 14, when he trie...
2025-08-251h 01The Cup of Joe ShowA Grateful Man of Action: Ryan B.High, broken, and hearing voices telling him God hadn’t been good to him—he jumped. That was the beginning… not the end.
Ryan B. was once the kind of guy who could make a mess out of miracles. By the time he was 17, he’d been to rehab three times and had a daughter he wasn’t ready to raise. His life, marked by adventure and self-imposed crisis, hit its lowest point at a Widespread Panic concert—where, high on a cocktail of drugs, he jumped off a 50-foot ledge after hearing voices that God had abandoned hi...
2025-08-211h 00The Cup of Joe ShowFeeding the Dragon: Brad W.’s Fight for FreedomMy mom doesn’t have to look for me in a dumpster anymore—that’s the power of recovery.
In this raw and powerful episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Brad W. shares his incredible journey from a small-town Arkansas kid to a man nearly destroyed by addiction—and ultimately transformed by recovery.
After a life-changing accident with a firearm left him feeling broken and insecure, Brad turned to alcohol and drugs for relief. What started as a source of false strength quickly spiraled into a deadly trap. From drinking to using cocaine, meth, and hero...
2025-08-181h 05The Cup of Joe ShowHappily and Usefully Whole: Marian G.’s 38 YearsGod didn’t just take away her drinking—jokingly she says He stole her car, left her with no radio, and opened the door to a spiritual connection through the only songs she knew: Christmas carols.
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Marian G. shares what 38 years of sobriety, service, and spiritual growth have taught her. Raised in a strict household and drinking regularly by age 12, Marian lived with intensity—unruly, driven, and completely self-directed.
She married young, drank in blackouts, cycled through a DUI and rehab, and spiraled into d...
2025-08-141h 13The Cup of Joe ShowLetting Go of Old Ideas: John C.'s New Way of LifeHe couldn’t control his drinking, but when he wasn’t his life became intolerable.
In this week’s episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with John C., a man whose journey from early exposure to addiction recovery to over a decade of sobriety is both honest and beautifully redemptive.
John first got high in 10th grade—and just as quickly found himself in rehab. It was there he met Alcoholics Anonymous and a group of people who, to his surprise, were kind, welcoming, and familiar. But addiction doesn’t let go so easi...
2025-08-111h 08The Cup of Joe ShowDelulu, Detox, and Deliverance: Shelby C.'s FreedomThey don’t want to hear it—they want to see it. So, I trained my feet where to go.
On this heartfelt episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we welcome Shelby C.—a woman whose story of recovery is raw, real, and rooted in hard-won freedom. Married to former guest Scott C. (from Ego to Enlightenment), Shelby’s road to sobriety began with deep emotional pain and a desperate desire to feel something other than unworthy.
As a redhead teased relentlessly growing up, Shelby battled low self-esteem, buried anger, and the aching discomfort of never...
2025-08-071h 02The Cup of Joe ShowY Not Tony: Acceptable, Doable and Right in FrontIt takes one to reach one—and Harry reached me when I needed it most.
In this raw and inspiring episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Tony T., a man whose journey took him from a California prison cell to a life rooted in faith, purpose, and service. Tony first felt the "ease and comfort" of alcohol at just 11 years old. Growing up in the “land of sugar and honey,” where anything goes, his motto became "Y Not?"—a phrase that defined his reckless path through drinking, drugs, and time behind bars.
Bu...
2025-08-0459 minThe Cup of Joe ShowMotorcycles, Mayhem, and Mercy: James K.’s Wake-Up Call“Please don’t let me walk out the door and get into something I can’t get out of.”
🎙️ On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, James K., sober since October 2008, shares how a life fueled by alcohol, ego, and violence brought him to the brink—and how grace, guidance, and grit pulled him back.
From partying through jobs with easy access to alcohol, to finding "his people" in the Navy, James rose in ranks before his drinking caught up with him in the form of a brutal workplace fight and an unexpected exit. At home...
2025-07-3159 minThe Cup of Joe ShowA Second Chance at Success: Garrett H.’s Journey to SobrietyWhat happens when the pain becomes louder than your pride? Garrett H.’s story is a raw, gripping tale of love, loss, and ultimately, redemption.
Raised in two loving homes, Garrett bounced between California and Tennessee, trying to find solid ground. Marijuana was his escape—until alcohol took center stage. Despite a promising career, marriage, and multiple second chances, the disease of alcoholism kept pulling him under. From multiple stints in rehab to a D.U.I. and divorce, Garrett shares the harrowing reality of living with addiction while trying to keep up appearances.
But on J...
2025-07-2859 minThe Cup of Joe ShowPop Off to Peace: Bob T.’s 41 Years of SobrietyGod help me with my thinking!
On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Bob T., a 74-year-old powerhouse of transformation whose sobriety journey began on Groundhog Day, 1984—a fitting metaphor for a life once stuck in a loop of rage, insecurity, and resentment.
Nicknamed “Pop Off” for his explosive temper, Bob takes us through the raw and real story of how a sponsor named Dale, a painful emotional bottom, and the unwavering support of the fellowship helped him move from fury to freedom.
Bob shares what it was li...
2025-07-2455 minThe Cup of Joe ShowFinish What You Started: Randy T. 26 Year’s SoberHe took his last drink at a Greyhound station in L.A.—He now wakes up grateful instead of hungover.
🎙️ In this gripping episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Randy T., a man who went from blackouts at 14 to 26 years of unwavering sobriety. Randy took his last drink at a Greyhound bus station in Los Angeles in 1999—in what followed a progressive story of pain, redemption, and spiritual transformation.
Born into a strict California household, Randy was kicked out at 18 because of his drinking and entered a cycle of alcohol-fueled chaos—job...
2025-07-211h 16The Cup of Joe ShowTempered Hope: Randall K. No Longer at War with HimselfGod starts as an experiment—and ends up as an experience.
In this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we sit down with Randall K., a man whose path to sobriety was paved with heartbreak, fear, and ultimately, grace. After being medically discharged from the military, Randall’s drinking spiraled. He lost his beloved Aunt Mae—his moral compass—and shortly after, his father, who had fought his own battle with alcoholism. Randall’s life began to unravel, with multiple DUIs, a prison sentence, and a stint in rehab.
But the true turning point came after...
2025-07-171h 08The Cup of Joe ShowHow a Skeptic Found Recovery and a Higher Power: David W., 15 Years SoberFor 37 years, David W. drank every single day—a Juilliard prodigy turned high-powered lawyer, hiding his addiction in plain sight while his personal life unraveled. Raised by brilliant but skeptical atheist parents, he scoffed at anything beyond what he could see. But his first drink at 13 fueled both his musical genius and his desperate need to fit in, making alcohol his lifelong escape. By 17, he was a daily drinker, and decades later, addiction still ruled—until May 3rd, 2010 changed everything.
Early in his recovery a planned relapse in a Vero Beach bar flipped into a moment of divi...
2025-07-141h 15The Cup of Joe ShowNatalie Z.: All In, All the TimeRecovery has nothing to do with the way we drink or drug, it’s about how we get sober.
On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, meet Natalie Z., a woman whose story is as raw as it is inspiring. From a childhood marked by emotional unrest and a desperate need to feel seen, to an adolescence that spiraled into addiction to everything from alcohol to heroin—Natalie was all in, all the time. But underneath the chaos was a search for relief, connection, and healing.
Her first attempt at sobriety in 2012 didn’t stic...
2025-07-101h 10The Cup of Joe ShowFrom Animal House to a Window of Willingness: Trey R.’s Recovery RoadWhat happens when your dream is to live like John Belushi in Animal House—and you actually pull it off?
For Trey R., that dream became a nightmare of alcohol and drug addiction. In this raw and deeply moving episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Trey shares his rollercoaster of a journey: from growing up a devout Christian and drinking alone at 16, to nearly dying of alcohol poisoning at 17, to chasing the high across the country with Widespread Panic.
Despite becoming a successful attorney, Trey’s addiction cost him everything—his marriages, his career, and ul...
2025-07-071h 02The Cup of Joe ShowFrom Bootcamp to Cockpit: Lon W.’s 45 Years Sober4th of JULY SPECIAL EPISODE
I was 17, just a kid—but I knew if I didn’t change, I would have ended up (unalive) like my older brother… or locked up like my younger one. AA saved my life—and it’s followed me across the world ever since.
What does 45 years of sobriety really look like? Meet Lon W.—a proud veteran, a commercial airline captain, and a man whose life was transformed by recovery at just 17 years old. Born in Marion, Iowa, Lon got sober in 1979 and never looked back. He’s flown helicopters in...
2025-07-031h 07The Cup of Joe ShowMission Recovery Jim F.: A Marine’s Hardest Battle Yet4th of JULY SPECIAL EPISODE
🎙️In this powerful episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we’re joined by Jim F.— a decorated U.S. Marine who served his country with honor from 1968 to 1995—commanding battalions, hunting down cartel leaders, and even serving at the Pentagon. During his decades in uniform, alcohol never had a grip on him—his sense of duty was too strong.
But after retiring, he faced a mission unlike any other: battling alcoholism. In civilian life, daily drinking crept in. Jim thought he could quit anytime—until he actually tried. What followed were tw...
2025-06-3059 minThe Cup of Joe ShowNo Off Button: Katie V. and a Life RestoredMy little God worked for 10 years—then I realized I needed a bigger one.
In this deeply personal episode of The Cup of Joe Show, host Joe V. sits down with a guest who also happens to be his amazing wife, Katie V.—a woman whose journey through addiction, mental illness, and emotional breakdowns led her to a life built on recovery, connection, and faith.
Katie’s story begins in childhood, where undiagnosed mental illness showed up as extreme behavior, zero boundaries, and a life lived without an “off switch.” As addiction took root, so did the de...
2025-06-2655 minThe Cup of Joe ShowJason D. - What The Hell Is Wrong With Me?
What if the darkest spiral of your life became the spark for your greatest transformation? Meet Jason D., a man who drank himself to oblivion starting at 25, lost his first marriage to the bottle, and battled a family legacy of alcoholism—until September 26, 2019, when he and his wife said enough. Now sober for over five years, Jason’s raw, no-filter story of recovery will hit you like a shot of adrenaline—whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or just crave a jaw-dropping tale of human grit. A devoted husband, father of five, and grandfather to a growing...
2025-06-191h 02The Cup of Joe ShowJimmy M. - 34 Years Sober and Helping the Ones Nobody Wants
"Blackouts at 23. Divorce at 44. A graveside amends that set him free."
On this soul-stirring episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Jimmy M., sober for 34 years, unveils a journey from blackout drunk to a lifeline for the overlooked. At 23, the 12 Steps yanked him from chaos to purpose, but at 21 years sober, a crushing divorce dragged him back to the edge—until he rediscovered the steps he’d let slip. With raw honesty, Jimmy shares the amends that healed a childhood wound he inflicted, the graveside forgiveness that unshackled him, and the wisdom of “Big Book Eddie” that keeps hi...
2025-06-121h 08The Cup of Joe ShowArrested, Addicted, and Awakened: Alex Z.’s Journey to SobrietyFrom Shooting Meth to Sitting Under an Oak Tree, Don't Miss The Awakening That Saved His Life!
Abandoned by his father, Alex Z. grew up seeking approval from older men caught up in drugs and alcohol. His path led to homelessness, jail cells, rehabs, and the darkest corners of addiction. But when his entire family was arrested, Alex hit a level of hopelessness even he couldn’t outrun.
Under an old oak tree at Bridges of Hope, he faced the truth: “All my best thinking landed me here.” That’s when he finally surrendered to recovery...
2025-06-051h 04The Cup of Joe ShowKeys to the Kingdom: Chris E.’s Path Through Love, Loss, and RecoveryOnce standing with an ax in his hand and hate in his heart… today, he stands with a broken heart and hope in his soul.
🎙️In this emotional episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Chris E. shares his powerful journey from fear, addiction, and violence to faith, healing, and heartbreaking loss. Born in England and now a proud U.S. citizen, Chris has been sober since June 2, 2016—but not without walking through fire.
He shares about the night he threatened his beloved wife Janet with an ax during an alcoholic rage—a rock bottom that led hi...
2025-05-291h 24The Cup of Joe ShowFrom War to Wisdom: Marvin S. and 22 Years of Spiritual SobrietyMEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL EPISODE
What if one weekend in jail could rewrite your entire life?
In this episode, meet Marvin S., a Vietnam Veteran sober for over 22 years, whose journey from the chaos of war and the ashes of a liquidated business to a deep spiritual awakening will leave you speechless. Once the heartbeat of the Park 40 Club, Marvin’s tale of resilience, faith, and hard-won wisdom is a lifeline for anyone in recovery, supporting a loved one, or addicted to stories of human triumph.
🎙️ Hit play now—because this is the spark your soul...
2025-05-2655 minThe Cup of Joe ShowJack F. – A Spiritual Risk Taker’s Journey
"9/11 wreckage. Booze to bury it. Faith that dug him out."
On this powerhouse episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Jack F.—U.S. Marine veteran and retired cop—lays bare 11 years of sobriety forged in the fires of unimaginable pain. From the front lines of September 11, 2001, to decades in law enforcement, Jack carried burdens most can’t fathom, drowning them in drink until the bottle became his only shield. But when the weight crushed him, a turning point struck—faith became his anchor, pulling him into recovery not just to survive, but to honor the life he’d bee...
2025-05-221h 04The Cup of Joe ShowDavid S.: 15 Years Sober, From Prison to Purpose
"Bad press was his badge. Prison was his prize. Sobriety was his salvation."
On this electrifying episode of The Cup of Joe Show, David S. takes us from a life chasing chaos—“Bad press is better than no press”—to 15 years of hard-earned sobriety. Crack and alcohol fueled his spiral, landing him a seven-year prison sentence after years of dodging the wreckage he left behind. At rock bottom, trapped by his own “bedevilments,” David surrendered—not just to his addiction, but to a shot at redemption that changed everything. Now, through recovery couple groups, he’s not only rebuilt his...
2025-05-151h 08The Cup of Joe ShowFrom Grief to Grace: Bill P. Beyond the Waterfall
"Blackouts. Jail. A son’s overdose. The grace that pulled him back."
On this gut-wrenching episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Bill P. bares his soul, celebrating eight years of sobriety after a life battered by dysfunction and despair. Trapped in a brutal loop of blackouts, jail cells, and rehab, he kept tumbling down the “waterfall” of drugs and drink—until 2014, when his son’s overdose plunged him into a grief so dark it nearly ended him. Standing at the edge, craving revenge, Bill found something stronger: grace, forged through recovery and faith. Now, he carries that hard...
2025-05-0848 minThe Cup of Joe ShowHunter H.: Finding Identity, Sobriety, and an Unlikely Hero
"Paradise one week. Chaos the next. A biker who broke the mask."
On this spellbinding episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Hunter H. unravels a life split between two worlds—one week in paradise, the next in chaos—forcing him to shapeshift, blend in, and bury who he really was. A blackout drinker from the jump, he traded his soul for friendships fueled by booze, swearing he had it under control—until sobriety ripped the lie wide open. Now 15 years sober, Hunter shares how real connection came not from a bottle, but from his mom’s 28 years of...
2025-05-011h 08The Cup of Joe ShowSonja O.: 18 Years Sober, Unpacking the Fragile
Bottles clink in fragile boxes. A flawless disguise. One friend shattered the quiet.
On this hauntingly powerful episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Sonja O. strips bare the years she chased perfection while drowning in addiction—now celebrating 18 years sober. She hid her pain in betrayal, shattered trust, and a secret stash of empty bottles stuffed into appliance boxes labeled “fragile”—a mirror to the truth she couldn’t face. The shame of drifting from her beloved children and the lie that she was beyond saving nearly buried her, until Margaret, a lifelong friend, saw the hope Sonja...
2025-04-241h 05The Cup of Joe ShowRandy W.: From Homelessness to a Life of Purpose
"Hard drugs at 14. Homeless by 20. One plea that rewrote his story."
On this unforgettable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Randy W. takes us from the shadows of a troubled childhood to the light of lasting recovery. Raised in a loving but tangled family, he met alcohol and drugs as a kid—by 14, hard drugs had him in their grip, and by his early 20s, homelessness and handcuffs were his reality. Then came the moment he thought he’d never see: a desperate cry for help that cracked him open, leading to treatment and a surrender so d...
2025-04-1758 minThe Cup of Joe ShowBreaking Free: Edward L. on Opioid Addiction, MAT, and Recovery
"16 years on meds. A withdrawal hell. The surrender that saved him."
On this raw and riveting episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Edward L. pulls back the curtain on 16 years of medication-assisted treatment and his hard-won two years clean. From the soul-crushing grief of losing his father as a teen to the relentless “bedevilments” that nearly broke him, Edward faced a withdrawal so brutal it redefined his limits—revealing the stark line between detox and true recovery. It wasn’t until a surprising moment of surrender (spoiler: not to Scott) that he clawed his way to real fre...
2025-04-1059 minThe Cup of Joe ShowDan W.: From Rock Bottom to Freedom Junkie
"A suicide attempt at 17. A spiritual 2x4. The dog who helps him rise."
On this electrifying episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Dan W. and his trusty sidekick, Maggie, take us on a rollercoaster ride from chaos to redemption. A high school suspension king, Dan’s life imploded with a suicide attempt at 17, years of institutionalizations, and a brutal war with alcoholism and mental illness. But when all seemed lost, a “spiritual 2x4” smashed through his defiance—thanks to a set-aside prayer that sparked a moment of clarity he’ll never forget. Now a self-proclaimed “freedom junkie,” Dan...
2025-04-031h 06The Cup of Joe ShowFrom Homeless to Hollywood: Rob Ekno’s Divine Call & Viral Comeback🎙 Welcome to The Cup of Joe Show, where rock-bottom moments become comeback stories. In this episode, Rob Ekno reveals how, at his darkest hour, standing on the edge, he heard a voice—a call from God urging him to head to Hollywood.
🔥 From contemplating the end to an award-winning author and inspiring millions, Rob’s story is a stunning testament to grace, grit, and second chances.
💡 Now, sober since November 29, 1992, Rob has transformed his pain into purpose, becoming a SAG actor, TV and podcast host, and advocate for recovery. His motto, “If you walk around in shame, what...
2025-03-271h 13The Cup of Joe ShowRusty C.: 24 White Chips and a Life Reclaimed
"24 relapses. One bus ride. The voice that finally saved him."
On this gripping episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Rusty C. lays bare the scars of his past and the strength that brought him to three years of sobriety. Born in New Jersey, Rusty’s world cracked open after his parents’ divorce, sparking a 7th-grade choice that sent him spiraling down a path he never saw coming. With 24 white chips marking his battles, it took a grandmother’s wisdom, a Texas speaker’s fire, and a “trust and tribe” of men to pull him back from the edge. Ru...
2025-03-2058 minThe Cup of Joe Show50 Years Sober & Still Thriving— Peggy D.'s Story Will Leave You Speechless!
"She blacked out in 1975—and woke up to a life so powerful it’ll leave you believing in second chances."
Meet Peggy D., a woman who turned her last terrifying blackout into nearly 50 years of sobriety, conquered cancer multiple times, and found her calling in a life of service. On this unmissable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Peggy takes us back to October 3, 1975—the day she said "enough" and stepped into recovery. From the highs of meeting her soulmate Eddie (lost too soon in 2020) to the grit of sponsoring countless others, Peggy’s story is raw, rea...
2025-03-131h 00The Cup of Joe ShowFrom Ego to Enlightenment: Scott C.’s Journey to RedemptionAddicted. Broken. Redeemed. On The Cup of Joe Show, Scott C. pulls you into his raw, unfiltered story—a man who clawed his way from a shattered childhood to 15 years of sobriety, only to lose it all when ego and arrogance yanked him from a Miami beachfront dream home to a friend’s cramped closet in Georgia. In this episode, Scott bares it all: a desperate prayer during a 30-day jail stint, a divine lifeline that reignited his faith, and a brutal near-death fight with sepsis that finally cracked him open to serenity through service. This isn’t just a recove...
2025-03-0646 minThe Cup of Joe ShowLessons from the BillyLama: Steve S. on 29 Years of SobrietySober. Strong. Still Learning. On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Steve S. invites you into his 29-year odyssey of sobriety—a journey forged in the safe haven of recovery rooms, shaped by the wild wisdom of the ‘BillyLama,’ and tested by the chaos of divorce without a drink. With raw honesty, Steve reveals how some people taught him what not to do, why asking for help became his lifeline, and the one question he learned to whisper to God. Plus, a surprising recovery connection with Joe that’ll leave you nodding along. This is no polished sermon—it’s a gri...
2025-02-2758 minThe Cup of Joe ShowFrom Bulletproof to Humble: John W. on 37 Years of SobrietyBeaten. Humbled. Healed. On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, John W.—a Vietnam vet with 37 years of sobriety—lays bare how alcohol crushed his invincibility and forced him into a corner of reason, only for sponsorship to pull him back to life. From his mother’s quiet strength to a high school grudge that still stings, John shares the raw wisdom of recovery, spiced with the quirky tale of how new teeth became a symbol of renewal. This isn’t just a war story or a sobriety checklist—it’s a deep, humble look at the unexpected lessons that...
2025-02-201h 16The Cup of Joe Show10 Years Sober: Angie H.’s Redemption from Rage to Rosemont’s 1,000Drunk. Furious. Found. On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Angie H. marks 10 years sober by unraveling her wild ride—from a spiral of escalating drinks to a stranger’s barstool whisper that sparked her recovery, and the electric moment 1,000 souls in Rosemont, IL proved she wasn’t alone. Once an angry, lost mess, Angie shares how asking God to ‘search her heart’ flipped her story into one of hope and healing. This isn’t just a milestone—it’s a raw, uplifting testament to the power of community and the courage to change. Hit play for a jolt of inspirat...
2025-02-131h 03The Cup of Joe ShowTricked into Sobriety: Sean C. on 23 Years of RecoveryTrapped. Tricked. Transformed. On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Sean C. celebrates 23 years sober by spilling the wild tale of how he was slyly ‘tricked’ into recovery—a detour that freed him from alcoholism’s grip and led to a heart-stopping reunion with his son. Along the mysterious ‘Big A’ road, Sean found second chances he didn’t even know he needed, proving a man can’t see until he’s ready to surrender. This isn’t just a sobriety story—it’s a rollercoaster of grit, grace, and the unseen hands steering us toward healing. Hit play for a dose of inspi...
2025-02-061h 01The Cup of Joe ShowBeat the Game: Brad C. on Overcoming Opioid AddictionAddicted. Defeated. Reborn. On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Brad C. lays out his gut-wrenching fight to break free from over three years of opioid and heroin addiction, born in a family where drugs were the air he breathed. Convinced he could ‘beat the game,’ Brad lost his father and sister to the same beast—their deaths a brutal wake-up call that finally cracked him open. Through the ‘college of recovery,’ he discovered the power of choice and clawed his way to redemption. This isn’t just a survival story—it’s a raw, relentless testament to resilience and t...
2025-01-301h 01The Cup of Joe ShowFrom Darkness to Light: Robert F. on 10 Years of SobrietyLost. Broken. Freed. On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Robert F. celebrates a decade of sobriety by baring the soul-shaking moment he admitted to his deepest self: ‘I’m an alcoholic’—a confession that flipped the switch on his entire life. From the pitch-black depths of his disease to the hope that pain ignited, Robert’s story is a raw unraveling of self-honesty and the hard-won healing that followed. This isn’t just a recovery tale—it’s a fierce, inspiring map to freedom through the truth. Hit play for a conversation that’ll stir your spirit and remind you tra...
2025-01-231h 00The Cup of Joe ShowA Moment of Clarity: Debbie N. on 14 Years of SobrietyCrushed. Called. Saved. On this episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Debbie N. celebrates 14 years sober, unraveling her wild ride from opioid and alcohol addiction to a life reclaimed—thanks to a fluke call to a roofing company that sparked a lightning bolt of clarity. Teetering on the edge of death, she reflects on how addiction nearly won, until a random phone ring became her lifeline to recovery’s strength. This isn’t just a comeback story—it’s a raw, electrifying testament to resilience, second chances, and the wild hope sobriety delivers. Hit play for a tale that’ll make you...
2025-01-191h 03The Cup of Joe Show16 Years Sober: Jack O.’s Retail Revelation Kicks Off The Cup of Joe ShowTrapped. Struck. Saved. Welcome to the very first episode of The Cup of Joe Show, where Jack O. launches us into his 16-year sobriety journey—forged as the son of an alcoholic and a workaholic, teetering on chaos until a lightning-strike moment of clarity hit him amid the aisles of one of America’s mega-stores. Powerless over alcohol, he found hope in the rooms of recovery and a lifeline in serving others—a cornerstone that still holds him steady. This isn’t just a debut—it’s a bold, inspiring dive into self-awareness, healing, and the raw power of transformation. Hit play to...
2025-01-1701 min