The Freedom of Amends: Why Recovery Stalls Without Step Nine

The Freedom of Amends: Why Recovery Stalls Without Step Nine

In this episode of the Impact Recovery Podcast, host Sarah Pritchard sits down with Impact Recovery team members Jacob Swartz and Tanner Godsey for an honest conversation about one of the most challenging and transformative parts of recovery: making amends.  Together, they share personal experiences of facing the fear, shame, and uncertainty that come with Step Nine and explain why amends are far more than simply saying "I'm sorry." Jacob and Tanner discuss the spiritual preparation required before making amends, the freedom that comes from taking responsibility for past harms, and why so many people struggle to move forward in recovery when they avoid this crucial step.  The conversation explores how unresolved guilt, fear, and self-centeredness can keep people stuck, while genuine amends create healing not only for the person in recovery but often for the people they have harmed. Through powerful stories of reconciliation, restored relationships, and unexpected moments of grace, Jacob and Tanner reveal how the amends process became a turning point in their own sobriety journeys.  Whether you're in recovery yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in understanding the deeper work that lasting recovery requires, this episode offers valuable insight into why freedom is often found on the other side of difficult conversations. Each week, we bring you: * Inspiring Stories: Real people sharing their rock bottoms and their breakthroughs. * Expert Insights: Deep dives into addiction treatment and sustainable sobriety strategies. * The Uncensored Truth: Honest conversations about "the everything in between." Whether you’re in the thick of it or years into your journey, this is the solution-focused conversation you’ve been looking for. No judgment. Just impact. Get in Touch & Learn More: * Website: impactrecoverycenter.net [https://impactrecoverycenter.net/] * Call Our Team: 205-751-4936 * Instagram: @impactrecoverycenter [https://www.instagram.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * Facebook: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.facebook.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * LinkedIn: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactrecoverycenter/about/]

Step 3: Letting Go of Control and Finding Peace in Recovery

For this episode of the Impact Recovery Podcast, host Sarah Pritchard welcomes Kathleen Saucier back for Part 3 of the family recovery mini-series as they explore the powerful lessons found in Step Three: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." Kathleen breaks down what it truly means to surrender control, explaining how our "will" represents our thoughts and our "lives" represent our actions. Together, Sarah and Kathleen discuss why families affected by addiction often struggle with the desire to fix, manage, or control their loved one's recovery and how Step Three invites us to release that burden. Throughout the conversation, they explore the difference between making a decision and taking action, the importance of staying present instead of living in fear of the future, and how faith, mindfulness, prayer, and meditation can help families find peace amid uncertainty. Kathleen also shares personal experiences, powerful moments of surrender, and practical tools like the Sick Man's Prayer to help family members respond with compassion rather than anger. Whether your loved one is actively struggling with addiction, in recovery, or you're navigating your own healing journey, this episode offers valuable insight into finding freedom, acceptance, and hope by letting go of what was never ours to control. Get in Touch & Learn More: * Website: impactrecoverycenter.net [https://impactrecoverycenter.net/] * Call Our Team: 205-751-4936 * Instagram: @impactrecoverycenter [https://www.instagram.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * Facebook: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.facebook.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * LinkedIn: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactrecoverycenter/about/]

Step Two: Finding Hope & Sanity in Recovery

In this episode of the Impact Recovery Podcast, host Sarah Pritchard continues the journey through the 12 steps alongside guest Kathleen Saucier, focusing on Step Two and what it truly means for families impacted by addiction and recovery. Kathleen shares insight into how families often move through fear, chaos, and emotional exhaustion, and how Step Two introduces something many of them have been missing: hope. The conversation explores the idea that while families cannot control or cure addiction, they can begin to find peace by shifting focus away from control and toward healing, awareness, and acceptance. Together, Sarah and Kathleen discuss the role of spirituality in recovery, the importance of community and shared language, and how families can begin working on their own side of the street while their loved one works on theirs. The discussion highlights how recovery is not instant, but a process where clarity and sanity begin to return over time. This episode is a reminder that even in the middle of uncertainty, hope is still possible, and healing begins one step at a time. Get in Touch & Learn More: * Website: impactrecoverycenter.net [https://impactrecoverycenter.net/] * Call Our Team: 205-751-4936 * Instagram: @impactrecoverycenter [https://www.instagram.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * Facebook: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.facebook.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * LinkedIn: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactrecoverycenter/about/]

From Best Friends to Breakthrough: Jenna Caughman’s Journey Through Addiction and Recovery

In this powerful episode of the Impact Recovery Podcast, Sarah sits down with her lifelong best friend, Jenna Caughman, for a raw and honest conversation about addiction, denial, and recovery. Jenna shares what it was like to struggle internally while everything looked normal on the outside, how drinking gradually went from social to unmanageable, and the moment she realized she couldn’t stop on her own. She opens up about trying to control it, the isolation that followed, and the fear of facing life without alcohol. They walk through the turning point that led Jenna to ask for help, what early recovery actually looked like, and the work it took to rebuild her life. From repairing relationships to finding purpose and peace, Jenna reflects on how faith and action helped her create a life she never thought was possible. Honest, relatable, and full of hope, this episode is a reminder that no matter how far things go, there is a way out. Get in Touch & Learn More: * Website: impactrecoverycenter.net [https://impactrecoverycenter.net/] * Call Our Team: 205-751-4936 * Instagram: @impactrecoverycenter [https://www.instagram.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * Facebook: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.facebook.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * LinkedIn: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactrecoverycenter/about/]

Step One for Families: Understanding Powerlessness & Letting Go of Control

In this episode of the Impact Recovery Podcast, host Sarah Pritchard introduces a new mini-series designed specifically for families navigating a loved one’s addiction or recovery journey. Joined by Kathleen, this conversation takes a deep dive into Step One—what it really means to admit powerlessness and how unmanageability shows up not just in addiction, but in the lives of those surrounding it. They break down the realities families face: the constant worry, the attempts to control outcomes, and the emotional toll of trying to “fix” someone else’s disease. This episode also explores the concept of addiction as a family disease, the three-part nature of the illness (body, mind, and spirit), and the importance of shifting focus back to your own side of the street. You’ll learn about the “Three Cs” (you didn’t cause it, you can’t control it, and you can’t cure it), why boundaries matter, and how letting go of control can actually create space for healing—for both you and your loved one. Whether your loved one is in active addiction or recovery, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and practical insight to help you navigate the process in a healthier way. Get in Touch & Learn More: * Website: impactrecoverycenter.net [https://impactrecoverycenter.net/] * Call Our Team: 205-751-4936 * Instagram: @impactrecoverycenter [https://www.instagram.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * Facebook: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.facebook.com/impactrecoverycenter/] * LinkedIn: Impact Recovery Center [https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactrecoverycenter/about/]