Welcome to The Recovery Couch, the podcast where recovery takes center stage. Whether you’re an athlete bouncing back from a tough workout, someone healing from loss, or an addict navigating a recovery journey, this show is for you. Hosted by Brandon Couch—a former athlete trainer, corporate professional, active-duty military member, and recovering addict—The Recovery Couch explores the highs and lows of life’s many recoveries. With firsthand experience in overcoming adversity, Brandon dives ...
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Workout Addiction Recovery Podcasts
All the health news you’ll ever need.No hidden biases or big media influence. Just the facts…and a little humor.
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School of Addiction Recovery (SOAR) Join Dustin, Frank, and the SOAR Crew as we speak openly, shamelessly, and honestly about life in addiction and the pathway to recovery. The SOAR Mission is to lead those that struggle with substance abuse on a healthy journey to change through fitness, spirituality, and good nutrition practices. Our student to coach model encourages clients to establish a strong foundation by also helping others to learn the relationship between these principles, and the ...
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224 - The Miracle of Caleb: A Mother's Story
54:56
54:56
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54:56In this emotional episode, Brandon Couch speaks with Jennifer Bennington about her son Caleb's life, struggles, and tragic death due to fentanyl poisoning. Jennifer shares heartfelt memories of their close bond, Caleb's journey into fatherhood, and the challenges he faced as an adult. The conversation highlights the dangers of fentanyl, the impact …
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223 - Finding Healing Through Connection: The Transformative Journey of Brandon Couch
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12:10In a world where vulnerability is often shunned, Brandon Couch's journey from addiction and trauma to healing and purpose stands as a beacon of hope. Through his candid storytelling, he illustrates how sharing personal struggles can lead to profound healing and connection. The journey of self-discovery and healing often begins in the most unexpecte…
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222 - Learning Together - History of Narcotics
36:42
36:42
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36:42This episode of The Recovery Couch delves into the extensive history of narcotics, tracing their origins from ancient civilizations to the modern opioid epidemic. Host Brandon Couch discusses the evolution of narcotics, including opium, morphine, and heroin, and examines the societal and governmental responses to addiction. The conversation highlig…
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221- Learning Together - Understanding the Opioid Crisis
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23:00In this episode of Learning Together, Brandon Couch delves into the world of narcotics, exploring their definitions, classifications, and the dangers associated with their use. He discusses the medical applications of narcotics, the risks of addiction and overdose, and the differences between natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic narcotics. The co…
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220 - Learning Together - Quaaludes and other Sedative Hypnotics
19:26
19:26
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19:26This conversation delves into the history and effects of Quaalude, a sedative that gained popularity in the 1960s and 70s. It discusses its initial perception as a safe alternative to barbiturates, its use as an aphrodisiac, and the serious risks associated with its use, including dependence and overdose.…
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219 - John Michael Weber - Understanding Addiction: The Role of Trauma
38:02
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38:02In this episode, Brandon Couch interviews John Michael Weber, who shares his profound journey through trauma, addiction, and recovery. John discusses the impact of childhood trauma on his life, his struggles with addiction, and the turning point that led him to seek help. He emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma in the recovery process,…
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218 - Learning Together - Understanding Alcohol
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29:29This conversation delves into the intricate process of alcohol detoxification in the body, focusing on the liver's unique role in transforming ethyl alcohol into less harmful substances. The discussion highlights the scientific aspects of how alcohol affects the body and the importance of understanding these processes for better health. Takeaways E…
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217 - Learning Together - Inside the Brain: Understanding How Addiction Impacts the Mind
19:19
19:19
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19:19In this episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch continues the Learning Together series with a deep dive into the most complex organ in the human body — the brain. Building on previous discussions about the stages of addiction and the neurobiology behind it, Brandon explores how different parts of the brain are affected by drug and alcohol…
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216: From Football to Faith: A Journey of Recovery Part 2
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45:08Part 2 of my conversation with Julian Jackson-Linkhart. In this episode, Brandon Couch and Julian Jackson Linkhart discuss the journey of recovery from addiction, the importance of spirituality, and the role of relationships in personal growth. Julian shares his experiences with football, the challenges he faced, and how his faith has guided him th…
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215: Learning Together - Understanding Neurobiology
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28:15In this episode, Brandon Couch explores the neurobiology of addiction, detailing how psychoactive drugs affect the brain and nervous system. He explains the structure and function of the nervous system, the role of neurons and neurotransmitters in communication, and how various drugs interact with these systems to produce their effects. The convers…
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Episode #214: Learning Together - Recovery Treatment
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39:13In this episode, Brandon Couch discusses the stages of addiction, the importance of recovery, and the critical components of effective treatment. He emphasizes the role of mental health in recovery and the need for comprehensive treatment approaches. The conversation highlights the significance of assessment, relapse prevention, and the intertwined…
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Episode #213: Learning Together- Stages of Addiction
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31:23In this episode, Brandon Couch introduces a new series focused on understanding addiction and its treatment. He discusses the prevalence of substance use, the transition from social use to addiction, and the critical differences between dependence and addiction. The conversation delves into the stages of addiction, the impact on individuals' lives,…
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Episode #212 - From Football to Faith: A Journey of Recovery
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40:25In this powerful episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch sits down with Julian Jackson Linkhart for a deep and honest conversation about recovery, faith, and personal transformation. Julian opens up about his journey from the football field to finding freedom through spirituality, sharing how his struggles with ego, identity, and addictio…
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In this episode, Brandon Couch discusses the essence of toughness and resilience, emphasizing that true strength comes from facing life's challenges head-on. He introduces the STEEL framework as a practical guide to building resilience and shares actionable tools to help listeners navigate tough times. The conversation culminates in a challenge for…
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Episode 210 - Titles vs. Truth - Discussing Chapter 6 of my book "Step 4"
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12:01By BrandonCouch10
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“Addiction & Adultery” — from Chapter 2 of 'Step 4: A Journey Through Addiction."
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10:25In this episode of the Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch dives into the intertwined themes of addiction and infidelity, exploring how guilt, shame, and isolation can lead to destructive behaviors. He shares his personal journey through these challenges, emphasizing the importance of radical honesty and accountability in the recovery process. The conver…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Your Story Isn't Wasted
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3:12In this Voices of Recovery episode for National Recovery Month, host Brandon Couch reminds listeners that no matter how broken the past may seem, Your Story Isn’t Wasted. Every setback, every scar, and every struggle carries the potential to inspire and help someone else on their journey. Brandon unpacks how God can redeem even the darkest chapters…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Prison or Purpose
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3:00In this Voices of Recovery episode for National Recovery Month, host Brandon Couch explores the powerful choice between Prison or Purpose. Drawing from his own story and the experiences of others, Brandon reflects on how addiction, shame, and destructive cycles can feel like a prison—one that keeps us stuck in regret and brokenness. But through hon…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Avoidance
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3:08In this Voices of Recovery episode for National Recovery Month, host Brandon Couch tackles the hard truth about avoidance—the tendency to bury pain, escape reality, or sidestep the work of healing. While avoidance may offer temporary relief, it often deepens the very wounds we’re trying to escape. Brandon shares how facing discomfort head-on, with …
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Break The Silence
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2:43In this Voices of Recovery episode for National Recovery Month, host Brandon Couch invites listeners to confront one of the greatest barriers to healing—silence. Break the Silence shines a light on the shame and secrecy that often surround addiction and mental health, reminding us that recovery begins when we dare to speak up. Brandon unpacks how v…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Your Story Matters
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2:59In this special Voices of Recovery episode for National Recovery Month, host Brandon Couch explores the power of personal testimony in the healing journey. Your Story Matters is a reminder that every voice carries weight, every experience has value, and every struggle can be transformed into hope for someone else. Brandon unpacks how sharing openly…
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Episode #203 - Finding Strength in Adversity with Taja King
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25:57In this episode of The Recovery Couch, host Brandon Couch sits down with Taja King, a motivational speaker, author, and life coach who has turned her deepest challenges into a source of strength and inspiration. Growing up as a military brat and navigating both disability and family dysfunction, Taja learned to lean on humor, creativity, and faith …
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Breaking Cycles
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2:34Addiction doesn’t just affect individuals—it weaves itself into families, communities, and generations. In this National Recovery Month episode of Voices of Recovery, we take a hard look at the cycles of pain, trauma, and substance use that keep people trapped. Through stories of resilience, we explore how recovery offers the power to rewrite the n…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Vulnerability
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2:37Vulnerability can feel terrifying, but it’s also where true healing begins. In this National Recovery Month episode of Voices of Recovery, we dive into the power of being real—opening up about our struggles, mistakes, and fears instead of hiding behind masks. Through stories of recovery, we see how vulnerability builds trust, deepens connection, an…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Prison to Purpose
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3:13From prison walls to a life of purpose—this National Recovery Month episode of Voices of Recovery explores how even our darkest chapters can be transformed into powerful testimonies of hope. We reflect on the hard lessons learned behind bars and the resilience it takes to rise from brokenness into calling. Host Brandon Couch shares pieces of his ow…
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Episode #199 - Janelle Martin - "A Mother's Fight for Her Daughter"
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1:00:57In this intimate conversation, Janelle Martin opens up about her daughter’s addiction and recovery—and the healing work that followed. She shares the shock of discovery, the weight of trauma on their family, and the slow, courageous repair that came through vulnerability and open communication. We explore how seeing both the parent’s and the child’…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Shame
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2:05Shame is one of the heaviest chains in addiction—and one of the hardest to break in recovery. In this National Recovery Month episode of Voices of Recovery, we take an honest look at how shame isolates, silences, and convinces us we are unworthy of healing. Through personal stories and reflections, we uncover how facing shame head-on can open the d…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Behind the Pages of Recovery
2:27
2:27
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2:27This episode pulls back the curtain on how recovery stories are written, refined, and released to the world. Host Brandon Couch explores the craft—and the courage—behind telling the truth. If you’re carrying a story that could help someone else take the next step, this conversation is your nudge to start. Subscribe, share with a friend in recovery,…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - Sharing Stories
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2:29In this special National Recovery Month edition of Voices of Recovery, we highlight the power of storytelling as a tool for healing and hope. Every story of recovery is unique, yet each one carries the same heartbeat—courage, resilience, and the belief that transformation is possible. In this episode, we hear from individuals who bravely share thei…
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Voices of Recovery - National Recovery Month - What Recovery Really Means
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2:49September is National Recovery Month, and in this special Voices of Recovery episode, we dig deep into the heart of what recovery really means. Recovery is more than just sobriety—it’s about freedom, healing, and rediscovering purpose. Through real stories and heartfelt reflections, this episode explores the different layers of recovery: breaking c…
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Episode #194 - From Struggle to Strength: Maddie's Story
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46:20In this inspiring episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch sits down with Maddie Andrews to hear her powerful story of resilience, faith, and recovery. Maddie opens up about her early experiences with trauma, the struggles of navigating dual diagnosis, and the impact that family dynamics had on her journey through substance use and mental healt…
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In the final episode of Progress Over Perfection, we bring the series full circle with one simple reminder: progress is the point. Over the past episodes, we’ve dismantled the myth of perfection, talked about setting boundaries, explored the power of gratitude, and leaned into grace over guilt. Now, as we wrap up, Brandon Couch reflects on the bigg…
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Gratitude has the power to shift our perspective, even in the hardest seasons of recovery. It doesn’t erase the struggle, but it reminds us that progress—no matter how small—is worth celebrating. In this episode of Progress Over Perfection, Brandon Couch explores the role of gratitude in breaking cycles of shame, slowing down the pressure to perfor…
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Progress Over Perfection - Boundaries Build Freedom
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2:42In recovery and in life, it’s easy to confuse boundaries with restrictions. But the truth is, healthy boundaries aren’t walls that keep us trapped—they’re guardrails that keep us safe and free. In this episode of Progress Over Perfection, Brandon Couch unpacks why setting boundaries with ourselves, our time, and even with others is essential to rea…
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Shame has a way of pulling us into a cycle that feels impossible to escape. One mistake leads to guilt, the guilt fuels shame, and the shame pushes us back toward the very behaviors we’re trying to leave behind. In this episode of Progress Over Perfection, Brandon Couch unpacks the destructive nature of the shame spiral and how it keeps us stuck in…
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Episode #188 - From Brokenness to Healing: Jay Miller's Story
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52:19In this powerful episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch sits down with Jay Miller to hear his remarkable journey from addiction, homelessness, and brokenness to redemption and purpose. Jay opens up about the lasting impact of early exposure to pornography, the struggles that followed his divorce, and the pain of a long battle with sexual addi…
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Progress Over Perfection - The Comparison Trap
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2:32
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2:32Nothing steals joy and progress faster than comparison. In recovery—and in everyday life—it’s easy to measure ourselves against others: their milestones, their pace, their victories. But comparison always leaves us feeling behind, not enough, or like we’ll never catch up. In this episode of Progress Over Perfection, Brandon Couch unpacks the danger…
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Recovery already demands courage, patience, and resilience—but the loudest battle often comes from within. The inner critic whispers lies about who we are, what we’re capable of, and whether we’ll ever measure up. Left unchecked, it fuels shame, self-doubt, and the pressure to be perfect. In this episode of Progress Over Perfection, Brandon Couch c…
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Progress Over Perfection - Critics Don't Count
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2:59
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2:59In recovery—and in life—it’s tempting to let the voices of critics define our worth. Whether it’s outsiders who don’t understand the journey, or internal voices fueled by shame and doubt, critics will always have something to say. But as Theodore Roosevelt once reminded us, it’s not the critic who counts—it’s the one in the arena. In this episode o…
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Progress Over Perfection - Permission to Be Human
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2:39In recovery, it’s easy to fall into the trap of expecting ourselves to always get it right—to never slip, stumble, or feel weak. But the truth is, being human means making mistakes, feeling emotions, and facing setbacks along the way. In this episode of Progress Over Perfection, Brandon Couch reminds us that recovery isn’t about flawless performanc…
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Episode #183 - Redemption Through Faith: Rob Lohman's Journey
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1:05:07In this conversation, Rob Lohman shares his powerful journey from addiction to recovery, emphasizing the role of faith, community, and personal transformation. He discusses the challenges he faced, including multiple rock bottoms, and how a divine intervention led him to sobriety. Rob highlights the importance of building a supportive community and…
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Progress Over Perfection - Small Wins Matter
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2:26Recovery is not about giant leaps—it’s about small, steady steps forward. In this episode of Progress Over Perfection, we explore the power of celebrating small wins and why they matter more than we think. Every victory, no matter how small, builds momentum and strengthens resilience. Instead of waiting for perfection or huge breakthroughs, we lear…
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Guilt has a way of chaining us to our past, replaying mistakes until we start to believe they define us. In this episode, we talk about choosing grace over guilt—learning to see ourselves through the lens of compassion instead of condemnation. Recovery is hard enough without carrying the extra weight of shame, and grace gives us the freedom to grow…
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Progress Over Perfection - Myth of Perfection
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3:11In this episode, we challenge the false idea that recovery—or life—requires flawless execution. The myth of perfection keeps us stuck in shame, fear, and unrealistic expectations. Together, we unpack where this pressure comes from, why it’s so destructive, and how to replace it with grace and self-compassion. Recovery isn’t about spotless records o…
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In this episode, we talk about letting go of the constant pressure to “get it all right” in recovery. Too often, we push ourselves to meet unrealistic expectations, forgetting that growth takes time. Exhale is a reminder to ease up, breathe, and find balance in the daily grind. We explore how releasing the need to be perfect allows space for grace,…
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Some people break under pressure—but others are forged in it. In this episode of Inside the Fire, Brandon Couch reflects on the seasons of pain, loss, and struggle that didn’t just test him—they shaped him. From addiction and prison to rebuilding his life, Brandon shares how every hardship became a refining fire, burning away what was holding him b…
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Episode #177- Brezz's Journey Through Addiction and Recovery
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54:01In this powerful episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch sits down with Brezz, whose journey from a childhood surrounded by trauma and addiction to a life of purpose is nothing short of inspiring. Brezz opens up about the impact of his father’s addiction, his own struggles with substance use, and the deep losses that shaped his path—including …
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Sobriety is just the beginning. In this episode of Inside the Fire, Brandon Couch shares how recovery became more than simply staying clean—it became a call to live with intention, passion, and purpose. He reflects on the shift from surviving each day to actively building a life worth living, one that aligns with his faith, values, and calling. Thi…
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Broken trust is one of the deepest wounds caused by addiction—and one of the hardest things to rebuild. In this episode of Inside the Fire, Brandon Couch shares the emotional reality of trying to earn back trust with loved ones, while also learning to honor his own progress in recovery. Before the amends, before the reconciliation, there’s a powerf…
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In this brutally honest episode of Inside the Fire, Brandon Couch reflects on the moment he stopped running and started facing the truth—about his addiction, his pain, and the damage left in his wake. No more excuses. No more denial. Just the raw reality of who he had become and the deep need for change. Facing the Truth is about the courage it tak…
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