Courage, Compassion and Sacrifice: The Andy Bales Story

(ACEs) Adverse Childhood Experiences and Addiction

In Episode 26, host Chad LaComb speaks with Bridgette J. Peteet, PhD, MA.; professor of psychology at Loma Linda University. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of (Dis)Honor Thy Mother: Daughterhood, Dysfunction and Deliverance. Together, they explore childhood trauma and the hidden roots of addiction. This episode addresses a subject that is often left unspoken. It looks at the harm that can grow when the mother-child relationship is shaped by neglect. It also considers emotional distance and dysfunction. Dr. Peteet draws from professional insight and personal experience. She explains how adverse childhood experiences can affect identity, showing how those experiences can shape mental health and relationships and increase the risk of addiction. Chad and Dr. Peteet discuss how destructive family patterns can pass from one generation to the next. They examine what it takes to break those cycles. Healing requires truth and courage. It also requires steady and intentional work. Their conversation points to the healing power of faith and highlights therapy and mentoring. Supportive communities can help people face the past; it can also help them build a healthier future. If you have ever wondered how childhood wounds continue to shape adult life, this is a conversation worth hearing. Don’t forget to Like, Follow, and Share. Let’s bring truth and healing into the conversation. #ChildhoodTrauma #AddictionRecovery #BreakingTheCycle

Epigenetics, Addiction And The Power Of Healthy Habits

In Episode 25, host Chad LaComb sits down with Dr. Lu Wing, a molecular biologist and pastor, to explore the groundbreaking science of epigenetics and its profound intersection with addiction and faith. Dr. Wing, author of The Genes of Eden, explains that while we may inherit predispositions for addiction, our genes are not our destiny. We dive into the concept of Somatic Theology, the belief that our bodies are the "temple" where spiritual disciplines like prayer and meditation manifest as physical resilience. From the "Original Sin" of DNA methylation to the neuroplasticity of "progressive sanctification," this episode offers a roadmap for anyone looking to understand how a life in Christ literally rewires the brain and body for recovery. Don't forget to Like, Follow, and Share. Addiction is the secret many families keep. Let's bring the light of faith and science to the conversation. #Epigenetics #BiologyOfRecovery #SomaticTheology

Brooke Torres: A Woman Set Free

In Episode 24, Chad sits down with Brooke Torres to share her powerful testimony of redemption. Brooke’s story begins with a childhood marked by divorce and a search for love that led her down a dark path. What started as "fitting in" with marijuana in the 8th grade quickly spiraled into a 15-year battle with meth, heroin, abusive relationships, and incarceration. Brooke opens up about the pain of losing custody of her firstborn son, the cycle of addiction that kept her bound, and the dangerous lifestyle that nearly took her life. But God had a different plan. From meeting her husband Tim in a flop house to living in a car in San Diego, Brooke shares the turning point that changed everything. Now 10 years clean and sober, Brooke is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to start over. She has been restored as a mother, a wife, and a servant of God. Today Brooke and her husband run an HVAC company and enjoy the important things in life...faith, family and friends. Join us as we discuss the impact of fatherless youth, the reality of gateway drugs, and the incredible freedom found in surrender. Brooke’s message is clear: Don’t wait. The more time you lose, the harder it is to get back. Make the choice to get help today. Need HVAC service in the Southwest Riverside area? Checkout Brooke and Tim's business. www.UpgradeHVAC.com. Subscribe to our channel for more stories of redemption. www.fullyrestored.org/podcast #FallingToFreedom #AddictionRecovery #RedemptionStory #FaithAndRecovery #Sobriety #Testimony #BrookeTorres #Hope

The Missing Link: What Successful Recovery Looks Like

Is there a "missing link" in the recovery process? Most people view rehab as the finish line, but Cameron Birk argues it’s actually just the starting line. On this episode of Falling to Freedom, host Chad LaComb sits down with Cameron Birk, CEO of Absolute Ministries, to uncover why so many people stumble after treatment, and how to fix it. Cameron shares his personal journey from a life he calls a "dumpster fire" to leading a ministry that boasts an incredible 85% success rate for its graduates. In this conversation, we cover: The "Ugly Honesty" Concept: Why admitting the ugly stuff is the only way to heal. The 15/85 Rule: The specific ratio of correction vs. encouragement needed for mentorship. The Gap: Why "one size fits all" fails and how to bridge the gap between rehab and real life. Full Continuum of Care: We break down Absolute’s comprehensive model, which creates a complete path to freedom, starting with physician-led medical detox, moving to a 60-day residential inpatient program, and finishing with their signature transitional life housing to ensure long-term success. If you or a loved one are navigating the complexities of recovery, this episode offers a practical blueprint for what comes next. DROP A COMMENT: Have you ever heard of the concept of "Ugly Honesty"? Let us know what you think about it below! RESOURCES MENTIONED: ● Absolute Ministries: www.absoluteministries.org CONNECT WITH US: ● Website: www.fullyrestored.org #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #FallingToFreedom #AbsoluteMinistries #MentalHealth #FaithBasedRecovery #Sobriety #Podcast #UglyHonesty

Courage, Compassion and Sacrifice: The Andy Bales Story

What kind of leader is willing to lose his own legs for the people he serves? In Episode 22 Courage, Compassion, and Sacrifice: The Andy Bales Story, host Chad LaComb sits down with a man who embodies all three. Andy Bales spent two decades on the front lines as CEO of the Union Rescue Mission on LA’s Skid Row, and his life tells the story of costly love. Andy doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He names homelessness for what it is, “the biggest crisis in America”, and walks us straight into the intersection of addiction, trauma, recovery, and hope. He breaks down what actually makes a difference: long-term residential care, real job training, and the “secret sauce” of peer-to-peer accountability and support. This conversation cuts through the noise and gives us a clear, compassionate look at solutions that work, and the courage it takes to live them out. Learn More: Union Rescue Mission (URM): www.urm.org Children and Family Urban Movement: www.cfum.org Fully Restored Ministries: www.fullyrestored.org #AndyBales #UnionRescueMission #Homelessness #Addiction #Recovery #SkidRow#LosAngeles #HomelessCrisis #FaithBasedSolutions #FallingToFreedomPodcast #Compassion#MentalHealth #InsideSafeProgram #LAHSA