The Recovery Guide

Loving an Addict, Losing Yourself: How Codependency Shapes a Marriage

Shon Tripp grew up in a one-room shack with an outhouse in unincorporated Johnson County, one of five kids in a family where addiction and mental illness went unnamed — just "dysfunction." She became the family caretaker before she understood why, and found her calling in the kitchen, turning whatever was in the cabinet into a meal for her siblings.
Years later, Shon met her husband, a man in recovery who was honest with her from the start about sobriety coming first. That honesty cracked open her own codependency: the control, the resentment, the belief that if she just managed everyone else's life well enough, she'd be safe. In this conversation with host Michael Herbert, Shon traces her path from unprocessed childhood trauma to marriage counseling, "Codependent No More," and the slow work of becoming an equal partner instead of a parent. Today she's a professional chef at a rehab facility, where she's learned that a plate of food can be its own form of dignity, love, and healing — for her clients and for herself.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.
0:00 Cold Open1:03 Welcome to The Recovery Guide Podcast1:23 Meet Shon: Chef Since Age 162:04 Growing Up in a One-Room Shack3:14 Becoming the Family Caretaker3:30 Addiction Nobody Called Addiction6:18 Feeding the Homeless: Selfish or Self-Caring?7:22 The Time She Didn't Want to Be Here10:00 Meeting Her Husband in Recovery12:34 Realizing She Was Codependent13:11 Marriage Counseling & Codependent No More15:33 How Recovery Changed Her Marriage16:58 Chef Inside a Rehab Facility20:25 Heal Your Care Bear

He Lost Everything to Addiction... Then Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business

What happens when someone loses everything... and decides to rebuild from the ground up?
Derek Lewis shares his remarkable journey from addiction, multiple arrests, and prison to becoming the owner of one of South Florida's largest electrical companies.
Derek opens up about the denial that kept him trapped, the relapse that nearly cost him everything after four years of sobriety, and the mentors who refused to give up on him. He explains how recovery became more than simply staying sober—it became a blueprint for building a successful business, raising a family, and giving others the same second chance he was given.
This conversation explores addiction, resilience, entrepreneurship, discipline, faith, and the power of consistent action. Whether you're in recovery, love someone who is, or simply need encouragement to keep moving forward, Derek's story is proof that your past does not determine your future.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/Learn More About Dereks company: https://www.instagram.com/razorbackelectric/ 
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.
00:00 Introduction02:00 Early Addiction & Legal Trouble06:45 First Experience in Recovery09:20 Returning Home & Relapsing10:45 Prison Changes Everything15:15 A Second Chance in Florida18:20 Losing Four Years of Sobriety20:10 Rock Bottom & Starting Over22:30 Building Razorback Electric28:05 Success, Leadership & Giving Back30:30 Marriage, Family & Fatherhood33:00 Redefining Recovery35:20 Faith, Business & The Future40:00 Final Thoughts

What to do When Your Loved One Refuses Treatment

In this episode, Craig Robinson shares how his own recovery journey reshaped his life, gave him a deeper sense of purpose, and ultimately led him to help families navigate one of the most painful situations imaginable: watching a loved one struggle with addiction while refusing help. The conversation explores why intelligence, success, and problem-solving skills can sometimes work against someone in addiction, and why recovery often requires humility, honesty, and a willingness to let go of old ways of thinking.
Craig and Michael also unpack the difficult role families play in recovery, especially when love turns into enabling. They discuss why setting and holding boundaries can be one of the most loving things a family can do, even when it feels painful in the moment. The conversation also dives into the Marchman Act, how it works in Florida, who may qualify, and why it can be a critical legal tool when someone is impaired, unsafe, and unable to recognize their own need for care.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/Learn More about the Marchman Act: https://robinsoncasey.com/Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/thecraigr/ 
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.
00:00 – Introduction01:57 – Early exposure to AA, NA, and recovery05:13 – How addiction and substances have changed10:27 – Why recovery opens life back up13:47 – Treatment, ego, and being challenged17:13 – Boundaries, consequences, and enabling20:15 – When someone chooses jail over treatment22:31 – Recovery is not about perfection23:10 – Living an exciting life in recovery25:57 – Why earning things builds self-esteem28:22 – Finding purpose through recovery30:29 – Honesty, shame, and personal growth36:01 – Success, humility, and imposter syndrome39:23 – Therapy, natural strengths, and helping others42:18 – Addiction in high-functioning professionals44:29 – Blending law, recovery, and social work49:13 – Addiction as an equal opportunity illness53:19 – The future of the Marchman Act56:27 – Does involuntary treatment work?59:14 – Hitting bottom and finding humility01:02:27 – Why clinicians need to understand the Marchman Act01:05:00 – Treatment length and early recovery01:07:03 – Who is the Marchman Act for?01:16:42 – How to connect with Craig Robinson01:18:02 – Closing thoughts

Why Families NEED Guidance During Addiction Crisis

In this episode of The Recovery Guide Podcast, we sit down with Marc Kantor for a powerful conversation about addiction, intervention, family support, enabling, food addiction, and what long-term recovery really requires.Marc shares his personal recovery journey, including what led him to treatment 21 years ago and how addiction had left his life, marriage, health, and career in shambles. What started as a desperate need for relief eventually became a life of recovery and a career helping families navigate addiction crisis.
This conversation goes deep into the truth about interventions. Marc explains why most interventions are not the explosive scenes families imagine, why the loved one often reacts with fear or anger, and why the family plays the most important role in whether the intervention succeeds.
Marc also breaks down how family members can unintentionally enable addiction by rescuing, sending money, removing consequences, or trying to make life comfortable for someone who needs accountability. He explains why treatment can save lives, but real recovery requires long-term structure, continuing care, and family involvement.
The episode also explores food addiction, binge eating, sugar, executive addiction, control, relationships, and why families need their own recovery process too.
This episode is for anyone in recovery, anyone who loves someone struggling with addiction, or any family trying to understand how to support a loved one without enabling them.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/Learn More about Marc: https://www.instagram.com/helpforaddiction/ 
00:00 — Introduction04:04 — Shame, anxiety, food addiction, and emotional coping10:40 — The truth about interventions13:10 — Why family plays the biggest role in recovery15:44 — Accountability, consequences, and addiction crisis18:35 — Executive addiction, control, and success at home22:28 — How families sabotage treatment without realizing it24:07 — Enabling, rescuing, and robbing people of their struggle32:04 — Advice for families who feel helpless33:15 — Choosing the right treatment and avoiding marketing traps36:13 — Why treatment can save lives39:04 — Why real recovery starts after treatment41:15 — The family must recover too42:42 — Closing thoughts with Marc Kantor
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.

I Had to Lose Everything to Find Myself…

Today, Danielle Sharpe shares her powerful story of addiction, trauma, survival, and recovery in this deeply honest conversation about rebuilding a life from the ground up.
Growing up around addiction and chaos, Danielle found herself trapped in a cycle of alcoholism, drugs, survival mode, and self-destruction that eventually led to arrests, suicide attempts, and rock bottom moments.
But through recovery, therapy, self-discovery, and relentless personal growth, she transformed her life into one filled with purpose, healing, and hope.
In this episode, Danielle opens up about:-Growing up with addicted parents-Living in survival mode-The reality of addiction and rock bottom-Emotional sobriety and trauma recovery-Rebuilding relationships with family and her daughter-Therapy, recovery work, and self-discovery-Endurance training, discipline, and personal growth-What recovery truly means beyond just abstinence
This is a powerful conversation about resilience, healing, and discovering who you truly are after addiction.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.
00:00 – Introduction02:03 – Recovery, Ego & Self-Doubt05:09 – Why the Work Matters More Than the Win08:08 – 14 Years of Recovery & Learning Self-Worth10:04 – Recovery Beyond Meetings & Therapy13:04 – Growing Up Around Addiction15:06 – Arrests, Addiction & Rock Bottom17:25 – Suicide Attempts & Asking for Help19:10 – Entering Treatment & Early Sobriety22:02 – Emotional Sobriety & Trauma Recovery24:23 – Survival Mode & The Reality of Addiction26:34 – Therapy, EMDR & Healing Trauma28:08 – Discipline, Growth & Endurance Training31:05 – Motherhood, Recovery & Rebuilding Family35:20 – Letting Go of Control as a Parent38:06 – Recovery Happens in Many Forms41:13 – Addiction Beyond Drugs & Alcohol44:07 – Working in the Recovery Field45:38 – Danielle Reflects on Her Journey

Why Modern Marijuana Is Causing Psychosis & Panic Attacks

Today we sit down with mental health professional John Puls to discuss the growing mental health crisis, the dangerous rise of high-potency THC, the failures within addiction treatment, and why recovery needs to evolve.
John breaks down the shocking differences between marijuana from decades ago versus today’s highly concentrated THC products, explaining why anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis, and hospitalizations are becoming increasingly common—especially among young adults.The conversation also dives into the addiction treatment industry, inexperienced clinicians entering private practice too early, the lack of family support in recovery, ketamine therapy, kratom, gas station drugs, and why purpose and meaningful living are essential for long-term sobriety.
This episode is an honest and eye-opening discussion about modern mental health, recovery, and the systems meant to help people heal.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/Read More About John: https://full-life-comprehensive-care.com/ 
00:00 – Introduction02:21 – “Blind Leading the Blind” in Therapy03:09 – Impaired Therapists & Ethical Failures08:05 – Why Modern Weed Is Different10:25 – THC Potency Has Skyrocketed13:56 – Panic Attacks & Psychosis From Marijuana14:56 – Why Insurance Won’t Cover Marijuana Addiction17:00 – John Puls’ Personal Story & Addiction Journey22:02 – Why Rehab Fails So Many People23:21 – Recovery Needs More Than Meetings27:28 – Redefining Recovery & Purpose32:32 – Has Marijuana Legalization Gone Too Far?33:13 – The Cannabis Industry Is Unregulated38:04 – Why Young Adults Are Most At Risk41:25 – Plant Medicine, Ayahuasca & Recovery45:16 – Ketamine Therapy Explained50:02 – Kratom, Kava & Gas Station Drugs55:07 – Helping Families Through Addiction56:26 – Why Families Need Support Too59:26 – The Future of Mental Health & Recovery
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.

The Truth About Sex Addiction: Shame, Secrets & Recovery

Sex addiction is one of the most misunderstood and hidden addictions—and it’s affecting more people than you think.In this episode, we sit down with sex addiction therapist Kim Litton to break down the truth about compulsive sexual behavior, the difference between sex addiction and love addiction, and why so many people struggle in silence.We dive into the cycle of shame, acting out, and remorse that keeps people stuck—and how recovery actually works. From the role of childhood and miseducation around sex to the impact on relationships, this conversation exposes what’s really going on beneath the surface.Whether you're in recovery, struggling with patterns you don’t fully understand, or trying to improve your relationships, this episode offers powerful insight into healing, boundaries, and building a life worth living.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/Read More About Kim: https://klcounseling.com/ 
00:00 – What Is a Sex Addiction Therapist?00:39 – Sex Therapy vs Sex Addiction Explained01:38 – Why Some Experts Don’t Believe in Sex Addiction02:06 – The Addiction Cycle: Shame → Acting Out → Remorse02:48 – Rebuilding Intimacy After Addiction03:24 – Why Sex Is Still a Taboo Topic04:41 – The Hidden Link Between Addiction & Sexual Dysfunction06:21 – Why Sex Addiction Goes Undetected07:44 – Hitting Rock Bottom & Getting Help09:06 – How Childhood & Miseducation Shape Behavior10:42 – Men vs Women: The Double Standard13:27 – Learning About Sex the Wrong Way15:09 – How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex17:10 – Therapist Boundaries & Client Attraction22:20 – Why Men Seek Help More Directly24:34 – Handling Attraction in Therapy29:27 – The 30-Task Recovery Model Explained32:09 – Male vs Female Recovery Differences34:34 – What Healthy Sex Looks Like in Recovery37:02 – Sex Addiction vs Love Addiction40:16 – Transactional Behavior & Compulsion44:22 – Why People Stay in Broken Relationships48:13 – Education as the First Step to Healing50:00 – Replacing Addiction With Healthy Habits51:48 – Building a Life You Actually Want52:11 – Kim’s Story: Addiction & Redemption57:49 – Where to Find Kim Litton & Her Book
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.

Why Movement Is One of the Most Powerful Recovery Tools

What if the way you’re working out is actually accelerating your aging?In this episode of The Recovery Guide Podcast, Kai Evans—founder of The Lift Lounge—breaks down the truth about longevity training, aging, and why most traditional workouts haven’t evolved in decades.From muscle loss after 30 to the real science behind strength, mobility, and recovery, this conversation dives deep into how to train smarter, avoid injury, and extend both your lifespan and healthspan.Kai shares his unique approach to training, blending science, movement, and mindset to help clients build strength, improve performance, and stay active well into their later years.You’ll also hear his powerful personal story—how fitness became his escape from bullying and ultimately shaped his mission to help others unlock their full potential.
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:* Why most workouts are outdated and ineffective* What really happens to your body after age 30* The difference between healthspan vs lifespan* Why grip strength is a key indicator of longevity* The truth about flexibility, mobility, and stretching* How to train for strength without destroying your joints* The science behind flow state workouts and performance
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/Read More About The Lift Lounge: https://theliftlounge.com/
00:00 Why fitness hasn’t evolved in 50 years00:30 What is longevity training?03:13 What happens to your body after 3004:16 Longevity = buying your time back05:10 Top 3 priorities after age 5007:03 Why 65 is the new young08:42 The problem with traditional weightlifting10:35 Injuries from poor training12:27 Why stretching doesn’t increase flexibility15:43 Why these workouts are addictive16:30 Kai Evans’ origin story19:06 Trainer vs artist mindset21:21 Modern humans vs primitive fitness23:30 The science of flow state workouts25:18 Why most gym routines fail27:25 Why grip strength predicts longevity29:34 How to train at The Lift Lounge31:16 The 4 pillars of longevity

Why Families Keep Addiction Alive (And Don’t Know It)

What if addiction isn’t just about the person struggling… but the entire family system?
In this powerful episode of The Recovery Guide Podcast, licensed mental health counselor Tommy McGee shares his journey from addiction to becoming a therapist—and reveals the hard truths most people never hear about recovery.
From childhood trauma and loss to navigating the limitations of traditional 12-step programs, this conversation dives deep into the realities of addiction, family dynamics, and what it truly takes to heal.
You’ll learn why families often unknowingly enable addiction, how control can actually make things worse, and what real recovery looks like beyond surface-level solutions.
If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode will shift your perspective and give you a deeper understanding of what needs to change.
 
What You’ll Learn:
How trauma and environment shape addiction
Why 12-step recovery doesn’t work for everyone
The hidden role families play in addiction
Why control and monitoring don’t fix the problem
How therapy, spirituality, and action work together in recovery
What true long-term recovery actually requires
 
 
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/
Follow Tommy:  https://www.instagram.com/balance_matters/
 
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.
Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.
 
00:00 – Childhood trauma, loss & first drink
03:02 – The moment that started recovery
06:09 – From “good kid” to addiction
11:35 – Falling into the recovery field by accident
15:04 – Early struggles as a therapist (imposter syndrome)
17:03 – The limitations of 12-step recovery
20:32 – Choosing integrity over money
26:12 – Learning culture over credentials (Seminole Tribe)
30:28 – Working with high-level clients & new environments
31:54 – Race, culture & therapy challenges
35:19 – Why people resist therapy
37:01 – Religion vs therapy (and bridging the gap)
42:26 – Outgrowing your environment
45:07 – Why action matters more than insight
46:31 – Working with couples & families
49:21 – Families suffer just like addicts
53:14 – The truth about control & enabling
55:19 – When families lose hope
56:09 – There IS hope in recovery
59:19 – Why families relapse too
01:01:34 – Final thoughts + how to connect with Tommy

Yoga, Healing, and Learning to Feel Safe Again

What if yoga isn't a supplement to addiction recovery — but one of its most powerful tools? In this episode of The Recovery Guide Podcast, host Michael Herbert sits down with Fern L Conn, a certified yoga teacher with 35 years of experience and owner of the Dancing Lion Studio in Delray Beach, Florida, to make exactly that case.
Fern brings a grounded, science-backed perspective on why yoga — and Yin yoga in particular — belongs at the center of recovery programs rather than as a schedule filler. Through breathwork, present-moment awareness, and moving the body as a vessel for healing, she explains how the practice addresses what traditional talk therapy often can't: the stress locked in the nervous system, the cravings held in the tissues, and the shame quietly running the show.
Michael shares his own journey into yoga — the skepticism, the six-month commitment, the daily attendance, and the genuine transformation he's experienced. Together they explore comparison, self-judgment, surrender, and what it means to find stillness when the world won't slow down.Midway through the episode, Fern leads listeners through a live guided breathwork exercise you can follow along with right now.
Follow Guardian: https://www.instagram.com/guardianrecovery/Follow Fern: https://www.instagram.com/fernlconn/ 
This episode is sponsored by Guardian Recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, Guardian can help.Visit https://www.guardianrecovery.com  or call 888-721-3790 for confidential support and guidance.
00:00 Introduction01:24 Misconceptions About Yoga03:05 Is Yoga Just a “Filler” in Treatment?04:52 The Philosophy of Yoga & Healing07:14 Taking Control of Your Thinking08:02 Yoga for Stress, Cravings & Emotions09:32 Living in the Present (Anxiety vs Peace)13:09 Yoga as a Spiritual Practice15:52 Letting Go of Comparison & Judgment18:02 Healing Shame & Trauma Through Yoga23:40 Longevity, Health & the Body26:48 Breathwork & the Nervous System27:54 Guided Breathwork Exercise31:26 Meditation Made Simple34:47 Fern’s Story: From Dance to Yoga39:24 The Meaning of Shavasana41:18 Surrender & Recovery41:40 How to Start a Yoga Practice45:47 Final Thoughts