My Story of Addiction & Grace

Rev. Holly Cardone's Story

In this episode Rev. Holly Cardone, an ordained Episcopalian Priest, tells her amazing story of her struggle with addiction and her journey into recovery and the priesthood. Rev. Cardone is associate rector, St. Stephen’s Church in Hollywood, California. Before attending seminary she was an Addictions/spiritual counselor at Pax Treatment Center, Altadena, California. She is on the National board, Episcopal Church Recovery Ministries; co-chair, EDLA Program Group on Recovery. And pastor at The Well leading recovery worship in La Crescenta. She describes herself as a liturgical, evangelical, contemplative Episcopalian, with an eye on social justice. She brings an out-of-the-box perspective to the discernment to her work as a minister as she works to determine present and future needs for ministry in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Addiction takes many forms and knows no boundaries. Anyone is susceptible to this cunning baffling and powerful disease, even clergy. In fact, clergy are more susceptible than average because of the nature of their work. In this podcast you will hear the personal testimonies of clergy who were caught in the hell of addiction and by the grace of God found a way out. Listen to their powerful stories of what it was like while they were addiction, what happened that caused them to get free, and what it’s like now for them living in recovery. My Story of Addiction & Grace is a podcast production of The Center of Addiction & Faith, which can be found online at addictionandfaith.com. If you'd like to ask Pastor Ed Treat, or one of our past or upcoming guests, a question that will be aired on a future show, simply call (612) 352-9177 and leave a message. Please know that when you leave a message it may be used, in whole or in part, on a future podcast episode. Again, that phone number is (612) 352-9177.Please hit subscribe on whatever podcast source you found us on and rate and review our show. We love to hear feedback. My Story of Addiction & Grace is recorded at the studios of Minnesota Podcasting located in St Paul, MN. Find them online at mnpodcasting.com. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast or those of the individual participants alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Center of Addiction and Faith, Minnesota Podcasting, or any other religious or business organization.

Reverend Bishop Penrose Hoover's Story

In this episode the Reverend Bishop Penrose Hoover tells his amazing story of how he was confronted with his drinking problem shortly after being elected Bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bishop Hoover now enjoying retirement, served as bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Born in Harrisburg, Pa., Hoover received a bachelor of arts degree in 1968 from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, and a master of divinity degree in 1972 from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC).

Reverend Rich Gelson's Story

In this episode the Reverend Rich Gelson shares his personal life journey with co-dependency and how the grace of God led him to discover a new way to understand his life and some new ways to relate to those he loves. Pastor Rich is an ordained Presbyterian serving as the pastor of Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, since 2015. He is a 1997 M. Div graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and focuses on leading worship, adaptive church leadership development and discipleship, and building partner bridges of support across the Phillipsburg/Lehigh Valley area.   He also has trained as a Spiritual Director through Oasis Ministries. He is married to Rev. Stefanie Muntzel of First Presbyterian Church of Easton, and is the father of college student Rebecca, recent college graduate Anna, and the step-father of High School student Crosby. Pastor Rich reboots his energy through singing/songwriting (visit www.revupmusic.com), digital photography, kayaking, reading historical fiction novels and rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. Addiction takes many forms and knows no boundaries. Anyone is susceptible to this cunning baffling and powerful disease, even clergy. In fact, clergy are more susceptible than average because of the nature of their work. In this podcast you will hear the personal testimonies of clergy who were caught in the hell of addiction and by the grace of God found a way out. Listen to their powerful stories of what it was like while they were addiction, what happened that caused them to get free, and what it’s like now for them living in recovery. My Story of Addiction & Grace is a podcast production of The Center of Addiction & Faith, which can be found online at addictionandfaith.com. If you'd like to ask Pastor Ed Treat, or one of our past or upcoming guests, a question that will be aired on a future show, simply call (612) 352-9177 and leave a message. Please know that when you leave a message it may be used, in whole or in part, on a future podcast episode. Again, that phone number is (612) 352-9177.Please hit subscribe on whatever podcast source you found us on and rate and review our show. We love to hear feedback. My Story of Addiction & Grace is recorded at the studios of Minnesota Podcasting located in St Paul, MN. Find them online at mnpodcasting.com. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast or those of the individual participants alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Center of Addiction and Faith, Minnesota Podcasting, or any other religious or business organization.

Reverend Joseph Pusateri's Story

In this episode the Reverend Joseph Pusateri shares his personal journey with addiction and how the grace of God led him into recovery and into the ministry. Pastor Joey lives in Danville, Kentucky, with his wife, Jennifer, a PhD student at the University of Kentucky, and their two daughters, Kira and Sadie. Pastor Joey is an ordained Disciples of Christ pastor and the senior pastor of the First Christian Church [https://www.fccdanville.com/] in Danville. I recently got to know Joey recently when talked about the work he is doing with a group a pastors in his denomination to deal with addiction. We have some of the same ideas about what the church should be doing and we are excited to be working together in the days ahead. He shares his story on a Friday morning on Zoom with me in the studios of Minnesota Podcasting and Pastor Joe in his beautiful office at his beautiful church in Danville.

Bohdan Vadis's Story

Pastor Bohdan Vadis lives in San Diego, California. For the past several years he has been the lead pastor of Tierrasanta Lutheran Church. In this episode Pastor Bodhan shares his personal journey of addiction, becoming a Lutheran pastor, his journey of recovery, and his relationship with the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy. Bohdan was born in Bemidji, Minnesota, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, and a Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Having grown up in Minnesota as the child of a Lutheran pastor, Bohdan enjoys playing hockey and fishing. He can regularly be found on the ice or the water in San Diego on his day off. Pastor Bohdan has also served as pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota, and at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Sacramento, California. Addiction takes many forms and knows no boundaries. Anyone is susceptible to this cunning baffling and powerful disease, even clergy. In fact, clergy are more susceptible than average because of the nature of their work. In this podcast you will hear the personal testimonies of clergy who were caught in the hell of addiction and by the grace of God found a way out. Listen to their powerful stories of what it was like while they were addiction, what happened that caused them to get free, and what it’s like now for them living in recovery. My Story of Addiction & Grace is a podcast production of The Center of Addiction & Faith, which can be found online at addictionandfaith.com [https://www.addictionandfaith.com/]. If you'd like to ask Pastor Ed Treat, or one of our past or upcoming guests, a question that will be aired on a future show, simply call (612) 352-9177 and leave a message. Please know that when you leave a message it may be used, in whole or in part, on a future podcast episode. Again, that phone number is (612) 352-9177.Please hit subscribe on whatever podcast source you found us on and rate and review our show. We love to hear feedback. My Story of Addiction & Grace is recorded at the studios of Minnesota Podcasting located in St Paul, MN. Find them online at mnpodcasting.com [https://www.mnpodcasting.com/]. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast or those of the individual participants alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Center of Addiction and Faith, Minnesota Podcasting, or any other religious or business organization.