The Cup of Joe Show

We 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 sa...

He 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 intern...

HALLOWEEN 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...

He 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 lon...

He 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 collaps...

Her 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 unt...

She 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...

His 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 i...

He 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, ...

No 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 blac...

She 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 Alc...

The 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 scho...

"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 ...

Under 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 dr...

He 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 ...

He 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 ...

He 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 himsel...

His 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 liv...

We 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 h...