Genuine Life Recovery with Jodie Stevens

From Overdose to Encounter: How Jesus Met a Heroin Addict at IHOP – Adam Vibe Gunton’s Recovery Story (Ep. 180)

From Overdose to Encounter: How Jesus Met a Heroin Addict at IHOP – Adam Vibe Gunton’s Recovery Story (Ep. 180)

After years of heroin addiction, homelessness, and a near-fatal overdose caught on camera, Adam Vibe Gunton was out of options—until a supernatural encounter in an IHOP changed everything. In this episode of Genuine Life Recovery, I talk with Adam about his dramatic journey from despair to purpose, his powerful vision of Jesus, and how that moment set him free from addiction for good.

Adam now leads Recovered on Purpose, a national movement helping others share their stories, eliminate shame, and find lasting hope through faith and recovery. This raw and redemptive conversation dives deep into fentanyl’s deadly grip, the broken treatment system, and how God’s grace can reach anyone—no matter how far they’ve fallen.

About Adam’s Work:
Through Recovered on Purpose, Adam and his team provide a free 50-state resource guide for people seeking addiction treatment—especially those on or eligible for Medicaid. His for-profit agency, Behavioral Health Partners, helps ethical, mission-driven treatment centers grow and serve clients with excellence. Adam is also a partner in Radix Recovery, opening 68 new detox beds to help people begin their healing journey.

 

Recovery, Relationships, & Real Life with Josh and Heidi (Ep. 179)

Recovery, Relationships, & Real Life with Josh and Heidi (Ep. 179)

In this special episode of Genuine Life Recovery, I’m hanging out with my husband, Aaron, as we co-host an honest conversation with Josh and Heidi Case from The Sober Buzz Podcast. Since Aaron and I have been married in sobriety for nearly two decades, it was powerful to talk with another couple navigating marriage, recovery, and real life.

Josh and Heidi’s story is full of every emotion—roller-coaster highs and crushing lows. We talk about the pain of relapse, the lies we tell ourselves in addiction, and what it looks like to keep rebuilding even when everything seems broken. Heidi shares about her 18-year misdiagnosis with bipolar disorder, the devastating side effects of unnecessary treatments, and how her true healing began when she finally stepped away from the medications that masked her pain. Josh opens up about spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on rehab, trying geographical moves to escape his problems, and the breaking point that finally led him to lasting sobriety. 

Together we laugh, reflect, and talk about codependency, family dynamics, and the surprising joy of marriage in recovery.

👉 Learn more about Josh and Heidi at sober.buzz and check out their podcasts Sober.Buzz: Spreading the Good Buzz and Swarm Up.

Eating Disorders, Addiction & Hope: Living Between Sick and Well (Ep. 178)

Recovery isn’t always a straight line—and sometimes, real healing happens in the gray space between sickness and full recovery. In this episode of Genuine Life Recovery, we jump in with journalist, professor, and author Mallary Tenore Tarpley, whose powerful memoir Slip explores her journey through anorexia, binge eating, and the lifelong process of reclaiming health and identity.

Mallary opens up about losing her mother at a young age, how grief and control fueled her eating disorder, and why she now embraces what she calls the “middle place” in recovery—where slips and setbacks are not failures, but part of the healing process. Together, we discuss the overlap between eating disorders and addiction, the importance of vulnerability, and the daily practices that can help move us toward more recovery—even when it’s messy. 

Learn more about Mallary’s work, her book Slip, and her ongoing advocacy for those in recovery at mallarytenoretarpley.com

From Binge to Balance: Food Addiction Recovery for High Achievers (Ep 177)

From Binge to Balance: Food Addiction Recovery for High Achievers (Ep 177)

“Are you hustling your way to success… with a side of secret snacks?”

In this episode of Genuine Life Recovery, we dive into the surprising truth about food addiction—especially in the world of busy entrepreneurs. Is it really just about overeating, or is something deeper at play?

Licensed therapist Jennifer Schrappe joins me to unpack:

• The difference between a sweet tooth and a true addiction 

• How stress, dopamine, and those late-night hustle sessions fuel compulsive eating

• Why high-achievers are so prone to emotional eating during launches, deadlines, and financial stress

• Practical ways to break the shame cycle and build a healthier relationship with food—without sacrificing your goals

We also explore the connection between food, mental health, and faith—because your body isn’t a stress dumpster; it’s part of your calling.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’m just too busy to eat right,” this episode is for you.

Not a Caretaker? You Might Still Be Codependent (Ep. 176).

Not a Caretaker? You Might Still Be Codependent (Ep. 176)

Are you codependent — but not in the way everyone talks about?

Most people think codependency is only about caretaking, rescuing, and sacrificing yourself to meet everyone else’s needs. And yes, that’s one form — but it’s not the only one. For me, codependency showed up in my career, performance, and need for approval. My identity rose and fell with ratings, audience feedback, and what people thought of me. If the show was a hit, I felt worthy. If the phones were silent or the criticism loud, I felt like a failure.

In this video, we explore hidden forms of codependency — not just the fixer or caretaker, but the performer, the people-pleaser, the overachiever. You’ll discover:

• How codependency can show up in parenting, ministry, volunteering, and the workplace
• Why our self-worth often gets tied to others’ expectations or achievements
• The connection between codependency, perfectionism, and people-pleasing
• The psychological roots of codependency — from low self-esteem to attachment wounds
• How faith and biblical truth can break the cycle of performance-based identity

Whether your codependency comes from childhood trauma, dysfunctional family dynamics, or a lifetime of chasing approval, this episode will help you see that God’s love isn’t performance-based. Galatians 6 reminds us to carry our own load, not live someone else’s life — and to stop finding our worth in what we produce or how much we please others.    

If you’ve been over-performing, over-pleasing, or over-sacrificing just to feel “enough,” it’s time to let that go. You are already loved. Already worthy. Already enough — in Him

If You Keep Relapsing, It Might Be an Identity Issue (Part 5 Ep. 175)

If You Keep Relapsing, It Might Be an Identity Issue (Part 5 Ep. 175)

In this episode, we explore how identity is at the heart of recovery. It’s not just about resisting the next drink or behavior—it’s about confronting the deep, often hidden beliefs you hold about who you are. And many of us, especially in early sobriety, don’t realize we’ve been living from a false self shaped by trauma, shame, and survival. We unpack the core idea from Gabor Maté—that our two basic human needs are authenticity and attachment, and how many of us traded our authenticity to be loved. That trade-off, often made in childhood, can leave us fractured and unaware of who we really are.

Recovery is where that false identity begins to crack—and where God begins to reveal the true self He created. You’ll hear teachings and insights woven from my own personal story plus: Henri Nouwen on belovedness and the lies we believe David Benner on discovering your identity in Christ—not in what you do or how others see you Dallas Willard on spiritual formation and surrender Peter Scazzero on the “Wall” and the dark night of the soul Eugene Peterson on obedience and calling in hidden seasons All rooted in the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17—“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”

This episode will help you recognize the old patterns and labels trying to keep you stuck, and invite you to begin walking in your true name, your God-given identity, and your purpose in sobriety. 

Restore Relationships, Make Amends, & Set Healthy Boundaries in Recovery (Part 4 Ep. 174)

Restore Relationships, Make Amends, & Set Healthy Boundaries in Recovery (Part 4 Ep. 174)

Have you ever wondered how to rebuild broken relationships after addiction? In this video, we dive deep into the emotional and spiritual steps of making amends, restoring trust, and setting healthy boundaries — all through the lens of biblical wisdom. We'll cover: ✅ The damage addiction causes in relationships — and why amends matter (Steps 8 & 9) ✅ How biblical forgiveness and reconciliation work (Colossians 3:13) ✅ The crucial difference between forgiveness and reconciliation ✅ How resentment and negative emotions can fuel relapse ✅ Setting healthy, biblical boundaries (Proverbs 4:23) ✅ Practical steps for making amends with wisdom and godly counsel If you're in recovery, starting over, or just longing for healing in your relationships, this video is packed with real talk, encouragement, and actionable tools to help you move forward — stronger and more rooted in Christ. 🔔 Subscribe for more biblical recovery and mental health content! 📢 Like, share, and watch the extended live version next for deeper insight.

How to Manage My Emotions Without Numbing Out | Biblical + Clinical Tools For Early Sobriety | Part 3 Ep. 173

How to Manage My Emotions Without Numbing Out | Biblical + Clinical Tools For Early Sobriety

Welcome to Part 3 of our 5-part series, Challenges in Early Sobriety. In this episode, we delve into the emotional complexities that often surface during the early stages of recovery. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by emotions like guilt, shame, anger, or fear—and found yourself reaching for numbing behaviors—this conversation is for you. We explore how unprocessed trauma and grief can manifest physically, leading to issues like chronic stress, digestive problems, or even autoimmune conditions.

Drawing from both biblical wisdom and clinical strategies, we discuss practical tools to help you face these emotions head-on. From understanding the psychosomatic connections between mind and body to integrating faith-based practices, we aim to provide a holistic approach to emotional healing. Whether you're navigating early sobriety yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers insights to help you move from emotional overwhelm to resilience and peace.

Key Topics Covered: Emotional challenges in early recovery The impact of unprocessed trauma on physical health Biblical perspectives on emotional healing Clinical tools for managing intense emotions The mind-body connection in sobriety Resources Mentioned: Romans 12:2 – Renewing the mind through scripture Support groups and therapy options for emotional management Don't miss the upcoming episodes in our series, where we'll explore relationships in recovery, finding purpose post-addiction, and building a fulfilling sober life. Subscribe now to continue your journey toward healing.