The Recovered Life Show

We’ve all heard the bumper-sticker recovery advice: "Let go and let God." But let's be honest—actually doing it is a whole different story. In this episode of the Recovered Life Show, Damon Frank challenges the traditional concept of "letting go" and shares a mindset shift that completely changed his own multi-decade recovery journey: learning to be "good either way." Damon opens up about the constant battle with an anx...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon is joined by Dorothy Breininger, a renowned organizational expert and featured specialist on the hit show Hoarders. Dorothy explores the profound connection between physical clutter and mental health, particularly for those on a journey of recovery from addiction. She shares her unique perspective that many people in recovery shift from being managed by a substance to being man...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon talks with Leonard Buschel, author of High: From Cannabis to Clarity. They dive into the often-overlooked issue of marijuana dependency, specifically focusing on how long-term use can shift from casual enjoyment to a life-altering addiction, particularly for the baby boomer generation. Leonard shares his personal journey from smuggling hashish to finding true sobriety and clari...

In this powerful episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon explores a radical shift in mindset for anyone in recovery. If you’ve spent years identifying as a "struggler" or viewing every day as a "battle" against addiction, this episode is a wake-up call.

Damon discusses how clinging to the identity of a fighter actually gives power to the very substances you’re trying to avoid. By creating a "Good Either Way" menta...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon welcomes contributor Cecil Galey Jr. to discuss the growing trend of sobriety and mental health awareness among the "over 50" demographic. They dive into how the pandemic disrupted traditional face-to-face support systems and why the older generation is finally trading the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality for authentic connection and digital community.

Key Discuss...

In this episode of the Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank explores a high-stakes question: Is the label "alcoholic" holding us back in recovery?. While the 12-step tradition often requires identifying as an alcoholic to participate, a new perspective from the Harvard Gazette suggests this term may conjure outdated stereotypes and keep individuals trapped in an identity of "brokenness".

Damon discusses the "peer pressure" found in...

After a several-month hiatus, host Damon Frank returns to the podcast to address his absence and share the future vision of Recovered Life. He reflects on the origins of the show during the COVID-19 pandemic and explains how his personal evolution as a recovery coach—and the changing landscape of the recovery community—led him to "go all in" on a new level of support for those struggling with addiction and mental health...

In this episode, we explore the simple yet powerful truth that every recovery journey begins with one breath. One conscious inhale, one intentional exhale — that’s where awareness starts. Damon Frank sits down with Recovered Life TV Contributor Kolleen, who shares how mindfulness brings presence and peace to the recovery process. Together, they unpack how staying awake, aware, and alive helps us experience life fully &m...

Is Gen Z killing 12-step groups—or simply rewriting the rules of sobriety? In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, Damon Frank dives into the controversial question of whether Gen Z’s open approach to recovery and social media culture has watered down the traditions of anonymity that defined Alcoholics Anonymous for decades.

From Slate’s recent article on #Sobertok to the legacy of Bill Wilson, we unpack how yo...

On this episode of Recovered Life, Damon dives into the power of identifying your domino—the single action that creates momentum and knocks down every other barrier in your way. Instead of drowning in busyness or hiding behind endless to-dos, Damon shows how to cut through the noise, find the bold move that matters most, and take massive action that shifts your entire week forward. This is a practical, no-excuses conversation...

In this episode of the Recovered Life Show, Damon Frank sits down with guest Meegan to explore one of the most powerful — and challenging — parts of recovery: forgiveness.

Resentment can feel like a stumbling block, keeping us tied to the past and stuck in pain. But as Meegan shares from her own experience, forgiveness opens the door to healing, freedom, and deeper connection — not just with others, but with oursel...

In this episode of How I Did It, David shares a hard truth that changed everything for him: You can’t always control what happens, but you can always control how you respond when life doesn’t go your way. When life threw him curveballs, David stopped saying “life sucks” and started asking better questions: What can I learn? How can I be better tomorrow? That mindset shift became the foundation of his recover...

Damon sits down with JOMO—an inspiring voice in the recovery community whose journey is marked by deep empathy, authenticity, and a powerful example of how to live a recovered life. From his compassionate outlook to his unwavering respect for others’ paths, JOMO shares what it means to give people the grace to grow.

🎯 Episode Highlights
Here’s what stood out in our conversation with JOMO:

• Empathy is ...

In this episode of How I Did It, Brandon doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. He’s been there—high, checked out, spiraling—and he’s done pretending it didn’t affect anyone else. This is the wake-up call most people don’t want, but damn sure need.

Brandon breaks down what happens when you finally stop lying to yourself. The excuses run out. The fake promises don’t land anymore. And if you actuall...

What if the addiction wasn’t the root—but the response?

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank is joined by trauma therapist and EMDR specialist Sean Osterdorf to explore the hidden links between trauma, addiction, and the lingering emotional patterns that can persist long into recovery.

Together, they unpack:

• What trauma really is—and how it can quietly shape addiction
• Why many people don&rs...

Damon Frank sits down with licensed therapist and trauma specialist Kyle Miller to explore the subtle and not-so-subtle ways trauma manifests in our daily lives. From the way we use our bodies to how we avoid emotional discomfort, Kyle shares powerful insights into the hidden impact of unresolved trauma and what it takes to truly reconnect with ourselves.

Whether you're in early recovery or deep into your healing journey, this conve...

On this episode of the Recovered Life Show, Stephanie lays it all out—the wreckage, the hustle, and the fight to come back from it all. What started with prescription painkillers slid into heroin. From there, things unraveled fast: shoplifting to survive, broken connections, waking up every day in survival mode, chasing the next high.

But this isn’t just a story about the fall. It’s about the moment she got honest ...

In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank sits down with psychotherapist Hannah Bernstein to explore the powerful connection between trauma and addiction. They dive into:

• How unresolved emotional pain drives addictive behaviors
• What it really means to heal without numbing out
• Practical tools for facing fear, staying present, and moving forward in recovery

Whether you're just starting out or deep into your re...

In a world that often feels insurmountable, Tim Lineaweaver’s story reminds us that hope and redemption are always within reach. His journey through addiction and into sobriety is a testament to the transformative power of recovery.

Tim Lineaweaver's life was overshadowed by addiction to alcohol and cocaine from an early age. Growing up in an alcoholic household, he had his first blackout at just 18, which marked the beginning...