RRP 118 — Cassandra P. / Love Wasn't Enough, Part 1: Growing Up Inside Recovery — Then Having to Find It Herself

RRP 118 — Cassandra P. / Love Wasn't Enough, Part 1: Growing Up Inside Recovery — Then Having to Find It Herself

RRP 118 — Cassandra P. / Love Wasn’t Enough, Part 1 RRP 118 — CASSANDRA P. / LOVE WASN’T ENOUGH, PART 1: GROWING UP INSIDE RECOVERY — THEN HAVING TO FIND IT HERSELF Presented by Peter B. and Julie L.  •  1:37:00  •  June 12, 2026 Cassandra P. grew up in the best possible version of a recovery household. Her mom, co-host Julie, got sober cold turkey while pregnant and never looked back. Cassandra attended AA [https://www.aa.org/] meetings from age five, knew Julie’s sponsors by name, and never once saw either of her parents high. She was the sports girl — basketball, softball, water polo, Girl Scouts [https://www.girlscouts.org/] for ten years straight. And at 32, she still ended up in addiction. In Part 1, Cassandra and Julie trace the arc from a genuinely blessed childhood through the slow drift that loving structure couldn’t prevent forever. * 00:05:00 Julie shares how Cassandra came into the world — Michael in prison, a doctor’s ultimatum, and quitting drugs cold turkey with no recovery plan. * 00:12:00 Julie pays two months’ rent with the abortion money her mother gave her, stays clean throughout pregnancy, and graduates college — Cassandra in tow. * 00:16:00 Cassandra on growing up “blessed” — AA [https://www.aa.org/] was the norm, and she had a front-row seat to what recovery actually looks like from the inside. * 00:35:00 Michael’s last basketball game: Cassandra hits three three-pointers, he’s screaming from the stands — the last time they see him before his death from a drug overdose. * 00:48:00 Community college, a lost identity, and the first time Cassandra ever smoked weed — watching Friday on a Friday with her friend Travis. * 00:57:00 The party years: close calls with police while drunk, and passing a field sobriety test she had no business passing. * 01:08:00 The job that broke her, the three-month break that removed every guardrail, and a boyfriend whose money came easy. * 01:28:00 Why Cassandra avoided Julie during her active addiction — and what it cost both of them. * 01:32:00 Six months behind on the mortgage, cocaine and alcohol to cope, and the moment she signed up for Another Chance [https://anotherchancerehab.com/] treatment — May 2024. > “I’ve never seen either of my parents high or caught in addiction. That’s another blessing I have in my life.” — Cassandra P. WEBSITES DISCUSSED * Another Chance [https://anotherchancerehab.com/] — Portland, OR treatment center * Real Recovery Podcast [https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com/] ▶ Listen [https://mdcr1.com/118] 📋 Read the Blog [https://mdcr1.com/118b] ✉ Newsletter [https://mdcr1.com/newsletter] #RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryIsPossible #AddictionRecovery #SoberLife #MothersInRecovery #FamiliesInRecovery #PodcastsAboutRecovery #TwelveSteps #Oregon #Portland  •  @realrecoverypodcast Real Recovery Podcast — A 501(c)(3) organization — EIN: 99-1347297

RRP 117 — Skyler Ray / Skyler Ray's High-Energy Road to Recovery — Revisited (Summer Bash 2026 Special Edition)

RRP 117 — Skyler Ray / Skyler Ray's High-Energy Road to Recovery — Revisited RRP 117 — SKYLER RAY / SKYLER RAY’S HIGH-ENERGY ROAD TO RECOVERY — REVISITED (SUMMER BASH 2026 SPECIAL EDITION) Presenters: Julie P. Lewis & Peter B. Dowell  |  1 hr 50 min  |  June 5, 2026 Julie and Peter revisit one of their most beloved episodes — Skyler Ray’s story from Episode 22. Since that first conversation, Skyler has grown to over 250,000 followers, launched the Road to Recovery Tour into its third national year, and married his musical partner Kala Mulcahy. This special edition is timed to Skyler’s Summer Bash 2026 performance at 4D Recovery [https://4drecovery.org/] Vancouver on June 13th (7201 NE 18th Street, 2–5 PM, free). The original interview is as powerful as ever. At nine, Skyler’s mother left him at a Portland shelter and never came back. Police split him from his brother into separate foster homes the same week. He masked the loss for years — through fights, expulsions, meth at ten, selling, and cycling in and out of Portland’s Justice Center. He rose to sales manager at an office looking directly down on the street corners where his addiction played out, then lost it all. In prison, alone on his bunk, he finally asked himself honestly what he wanted: music. He had never done it sober. His clean date is December 6, 2018. * 0:00 Re-release intro: 250K+ followers; married to Kala; Summer Bash June 13th [https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CKj1X9mpd/] at 4D Vancouver * 16:00 Age 9: mother leaves him at a shelter; police separate him from his brother into different foster homes * 24:00 Age 18, homeless; meth use and street life around Paranoia Park (O’Brien Square) * 28:00 Starts selling meth — abandonment issues fuel the addiction to power and acceptance as much as the drug * 38:00 Sales job to manager of 100-person office in Union Bank Tower — private window overlooking Paranoia Park * 44:00 Relapse to IV meth at the office; VP personally offers to fund rehab; Skyler declines * 57:00 The conversation in prison: “I owe it to my nine-year-old boy” — decides to pursue music sober * 1:04:00 Vision boards cover every wall of his Central City Concern room * 1:06:00 Meets Kala Mulcahy — opera-trained — at dinner; they write their music dreams together as strangers * 1:11:00 Everything on that list has happened: 250K+ followers, tens of millions of plays, opening for Kevin Gates * 1:14:00 “My significant other has never seen me under the influence” * 1:24:00 Road to Recovery Tour: 3rd year, 70+ events, performing in rehabs, jails & prisons nationwide * 1:27:00 Upcoming: Gresham Smith Center June 28th (free); 4D Hillsboro Aug 10th; Recovery Out Loud Sept 6th Websites Discussed: OfficialSkylerRay.com [https://www.officialskylerray.com/] — Music, tour dates & We Do Recover merch 4D Recovery [https://4drecovery.org/] — Tony V’s recovery community organization 4D Summer Bash 2026 [https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CKj1X9mpd/] — June 13th, 2–5 PM, 7201 NE 18th St, Vancouver WA 98661 4D Gratitude Night — Early Bird Tickets [https://4drecovery.org/gratitude-night/] RRP Episode 22 — Original Skyler Ray Interview [https://mdcr1.com/22b] Real Recovery Podcast [https://realrecoverypodcast.com] ▶ Listen Now [https://mdcr1.com/117] Read the Blog [https://mdcr1.com/117b] Newsletter [https://realrecoverypodcast.com] > “Recovery has provided me everything I have ever wanted, right? There’s still levels to it, but it’s still provided me everything I have ever wanted.” — Skyler Ray #RealRecoveryPodcast #SkylerRay #Recovery #SummerBash2026 #RoadToRecovery #AddictionRecovery #MusicInRecovery #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #4DRecovery   @OfficialSkylerRay @4DRecovery @RealRecoveryPodcast Real Recovery Podcast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 99-1347297

RRP 116 — Aaron Burrell / From "Money" to Hope Dealer: Gangs, Prison, and the Walk That Does the Talking

RRP 116 — Aaron Burrell / From “Money” to Hope Dealer: Gangs, Prison, and the Walk That Does the Talking RRP 116 — AARON BURRELL / FROM “MONEY” TO HOPE DEALER: GANGS, PRISON, AND THE WALK THAT DOES THE TALKING Presenters: Julie P. Lewis and Peter B. Dowell  |  Episode Length: Approximately 1 hour 48 minutes  |  Release Date: May 29, 2026 SUMMARY Aaron Burrell grew up in Salem with his father in federal prison for twenty years — and a gang heritage he tried to live up to under the street name “Money.” After his father paroled, relapsed, and pulled him into a crystal meth operation, Aaron ended up in the same county jail as his dad. A note slipped under his cell door brought him to his first prayer. What followed was another prison bid, a near-suicide in Two Rivers, a dream that pointed to a single Bible verse, a courtroom turn no one saw coming, and the path to peer recovery work. Today Aaron is 30 months clean — the first sustained sobriety of his adult life — and wears a Hope Dealer hat to work. KEY POINTS * 00:03:00 Father in federal prison from the time Aaron was one year old — attempted murder and a bank robbery spree. The gang heritage that surrounded him was idolized in Aaron’s circle. * 00:06:00 First prison bid at 21. Aaron is called for a visit thinking it’s a girlfriend — turns around and meets his father face-to-face for the first time at Oregon State Penitentiary. * 00:11:00 Father paroles, becomes a recovery poster child, then relapses. Aaron walks into a duffle bag of cash and crystal meth on his own kitchen table. * 00:22:00 Both in Marion County Jail. A note appears under Aaron’s cell door: two names, two addresses, an order to make sure they don’t make it to court. * 00:24:00 First prayer of Aaron’s life: “If you’re real, I need you to do something.” The next morning his father is sent to the hole. Aaron opens a Bible at random to Matthew — do not worry. * 00:31:00 Aaron refuses to carry out his father’s orders. His father’s response: “You’re dead to me. Change your last name.” * 00:42:00 A relapse, a revocation, and over 50 more months inside. Aaron renounces his gang life, finds Celebrate Recovery, and facilitates step studies for the first time. * 01:00:00 In court for a second revoke, the judge sentences him to 48 months without looking up. Aaron charges him. Another 18 months are added. October 16, 2023. * 01:18:00 Three nights of dreams that all point to 1921. On the fifth night Aaron opens the Bible at midnight and lands on Proverbs 19:21. * 01:22:00 A new judge plays the video of him charging the old one — then pulls out letters from released inmates and corrections officers vouching for who Aaron is now. “You’re going to City Team [https://www.cityteam.org/].” * 01:34:00 From City Team → mentor at 4D Recovery [https://4drecovery.org/] → The Peer Company [https://thepeercompany.org/]. 30 months clean — his first sustained sobriety. He wears a Hope Dealer hat from Be Bold Street Ministries [https://www.beboldstreetministries.org/] to work. GUEST QUOTE > “In that darkness is when I seen the light.” — Aaron Burrell LISTEN & CONNECT ▶ Listen Now [https://mdcr1.com/116] 📖 Read the Blog [https://mdcr1.com/116b] ✉ Newsletter [https://mdcr1.com/newsletter] WEBSITES DISCUSSED * City Team [https://www.cityteam.org/] * 4D Recovery [https://4drecovery.org/] * The Peer Company [https://thepeercompany.org/] * Be Bold Street Ministries [https://www.beboldstreetministries.org/] * Celebrate Recovery [https://www.celebraterecovery.com/] * Real Recovery Podcast [https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com/] HASHTAGS & MENTIONS #RealRecoveryPodcast #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #HopeDealer #OregonRecovery #PrisonToPurpose #PeerSupport #SecondChances #CityTeam #4DRecovery @realrecoverypodcast @cityteampdx @4drecovery Real Recovery Podcast Inc. — 501(c)(3) Nonprofit — EIN: 99-1347297 — www.realrecoverypodcast.com [https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com/]

RRP 115 — Jeremiah N.: I Didn't Put Recovery in My Life — I Put My Life Into Recovery

RRP 115 — Jeremiah N. / I Didn’t Put Recovery in My Life — I Put My Life Into Recovery RRP 115 — JEREMIAH N. / I DIDN’T PUT RECOVERY IN MY LIFE — I PUT MY LIFE INTO RECOVERY Presenters: Julie P. Lewis and Peter B. Dowell  |  Episode Length: 1 hour 35 minutes  |  Release Date: May 22, 2026 SUMMARY Jeremiah N. spent years convinced addiction wasn’t shaping him — until his mom died and he lost everything with her: his job, his shop, his house. Nearly a decade of heroin, fentanyl, meth, a tent in Seaside, and county jail followed. A frog necklace at a methadone clinic — tied to his late mother’s FROG acronym, Fully Rely On God — changed his direction. He said “send me to treatment” in a courtroom, got into outpatient at Another Chance [https://anotherchancerehab.com/], and built a recovery life so full he eventually had to step back to protect his mental health. More than two years later, he’s an Oxford House [https://www.oxfordhouse.org/] chapter officer and still moving forward. KEY POINTS * 00:07:00 Jeremiah’s childhood: his mom’s approach was “do it at home, so I know you’re safe” — but addiction didn’t take hold until adulthood. It ran in the family: his mom had done time for drugs; his biological father was absent. * 00:10:00 His mom’s death was the turning point. She was his best friend. When she passed from cancer, he lost his job, his custom truck shop, his tow truck, and every vehicle he owned — and let himself fall fully into addiction. * 00:13:00 Five-year downward spiral: heroin to fentanyl to meth; tent at a Seaside homeless camp alternating with county jail. Every cop in the county knew him by face and name. * 00:16:00 Overdosed at a friend’s house. They almost couldn’t bring him back — and told him he had to leave. * 00:21:00 Walked into the Seaside methadone clinic and found a frog necklace on the counter. Nobody knew where it came from — and his mom loved frogs. Her acronym: FROG, Fully Rely On God. He kept it. He knew he was in the right place. * 00:24:00 January 19, 2024: walking back to his tent, he prayed for a way out. He was arrested that night for something he didn’t do. The case was dropped in court, but his probation officer hit him with six revokes. Jeremiah said: “Send me to treatment.” * 00:38:00 Connected with Sober Housing of Oregon [https://www.soberhousingoregonllc.com/]; moved into sober housing; started outpatient at Another Chance [https://anotherchancerehab.com/]. First meeting: Rule 62 on a Saturday night — Don’t take yourself so seriously. * 00:43:00 Found sponsor Kerry Poorman at Plinky’s and the Men’s SIS meeting. Sponsor’s strategy: agree to one suggestion — “Don’t say no to any unreasonable request.” Jeremiah didn’t realize he’d just agreed to everything at once. * 00:53:00 PTSD since age 14 from childhood abuse by his father — it drove deep social anxiety. He pushed through it by volunteering H&I meetings at City Team [https://www.cityteam.org/] nearly every week for almost two years. * 00:57:00 Started his own meeting at 4D Recovery [https://4drecovery.org/] in Clackamas — Unwasted on the Weekends — and ran it for about six months before passing it to a sponsee. * 01:02:00 Seven months sober: after consulting his sponsor, counselor, and house manager, Rob Blackhouse asked Jeremiah to manage two sober houses. He said yes without hesitation. * 01:28:00 Words of wisdom: no matter what, just keep going forward. Take suggestions one at a time. Sobriety date: January 20, 2024. Currently a chapter officer for Oxford House [https://www.oxfordhouse.org/]. GUEST QUOTE > “I didn’t just put recovery in my life, I put my life into recovery.” — Jeremiah N. LISTEN & CONNECT ▶ Listen Now [https://mdcr1.com/115] 📖 Read the Blog [https://mdcr1.com/115b] ✉ Newsletter [https://mdcr1.com/newsletter] WEBSITES DISCUSSED * Another Chance [https://anotherchancerehab.com/] * 4D Recovery [https://4drecovery.org/] * City Team [https://www.cityteam.org/] * Sober Housing of Oregon [https://www.soberhousingoregonllc.com/] * Alano Club of Portland [https://www.portlandalano.org/] * Oxford House [https://www.oxfordhouse.org/] * Real Recovery Podcast [https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com/] HASHTAGS & MENTIONS #RealRecoveryPodcast #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #OregonRecovery #KeepMovingForward #SoberLiving #ServiceWork #AA @realrecoverypodcast @4drecovery @anotherchancerehab @oxfordhouse Real Recovery Podcast Inc. — 501(c)(3) Nonprofit — EIN: 99-1347297 — www.realrecoverypodcast.com [https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com/]

RRP 114 — Deena Feldes: Trudging the Road with Purpose — From Prison to 30 Locations of Hope

Real Recovery Podcast — Episode 114 RRP 114 — Deena Feldes: Trudging the Road with Purpose — From Prison to 30 Locations of Hope Presenters: Julie P. Lewis and Peter B. Dowell Episode Length: Approximately 1 hour 42 minutes Release Date: May 8, 2026 Deena Feldes grew up in a Pasco, Washington trailer park with easy access to substances and no one watching the door. Today she is Executive Director of , a Portland-area recovery housing nonprofit with 30 locations, 80% fully funded stays, and a 39-unit building under construction in Hillsboro. What happened in between is one of the most honest accounts of addiction, survival, and purpose we’ve heard on this show. Key Points * 00:06:00Deena grew up in a single-parent alcoholic household in Pasco, Washington — stealing marijuana from her older sister and wine from the corner convenience store by elementary school. * 00:14:00Pregnant at 15, she gave birth two weeks before her 16th birthday, got her first welfare apartment at 16, and began blacking out regularly. * 00:18:00A move to Ogden, Utah introduced her to crack cocaine. She later lived with her son in a 10-by-12 room in Oakland with no kitchen and a shared bathroom. * 00:22:00Back in the Tri-Cities, Deena was arrested with nine ounces of cocaine. Her daughter was born at 4 pounds 12 ounces with pneumonia. Deena went to prison, planted trees for 36 cents an hour, and saw her daughter take her first steps during a visit. * 00:30:00Released and attending meetings, she accepted one beer from coworkers — the start of what she calls 10 more years of misery. She moved to Portland in 1996, the year of the floods. * 00:37:00After losing four children to DHS, Deena stood on an overpass near the Lloyd Center and wanted to jump. A stranger on a TriMet bus challenged her: “When am I gonna see you in a meeting?” She found the West Side Service Center in Beaverton. * 00:44:00A nine-and-a-half-year DHS custody battle followed — seven lawyers, CASA, and DHS — all while she stayed sober. A foster parent joined the case and fought her for two of her boys for years after she won at trial. * 00:51:00Outside In [https://outsidein.org/] removed 11 of her tattoos — including a teardrop from her face — through their gang-affiliated tattoo removal program. * 01:07:00At a Jan Pro job interview, the hiring manager turned out to be a friend of Bill’s. He hired Deena despite her record. She worked there 11 years and rose to operations director. * 01:21:00In 2018 she was called in to save a failing recovery housing nonprofit called Fairhaven. On Christmas Day 2019, one of the houses burned down. The board dissolved. She was handed a checkbook in the negative and voted in as executive director. * 01:22:00At the same time, her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia, became addicted to meth laced with fentanyl, and dropped to 86 pounds in the ICU at Providence. Deena obtained medical guardianship and authorized a forced feeding tube to keep him alive. * 01:23:00Today Transcending Hope [https://transcending-hope.com/] operates 30 locations with 80% fully funded stays, serves people with SUD and co-occurring conditions, and has over 50 employees. A 39-unit building is under construction in Hillsboro. * 01:39:00Deena’s closing words: “I’ve been to hell many times. If I wanna go back, I know how to get there. And if I wanna stay out, I know how to do that, too.” “I’ve been to hell many times. If I wanna go back, I know how to get there. And if I wanna stay out, I know how to do that, too.” — Deena Feldes Websites Discussed * Transcending Hope [https://transcending-hope.com/] * Outside In [https://outsidein.org/] * Real Recovery Podcast [https://www.realrecoverypodcast.com/] #RealRecoveryPodcast  #RecoveryIsPossible  #TranscendingHope  #AddictionRecovery  #RecoveryHousing  #SubstanceUseDisorder  #RecoveryCommunity  #DontStopBeforeTheMiracle, @TranscendingHope Real Recovery Podcast Inc. — 501(c)(3) Nonprofit — EIN: 99-1347297 —