For today’s special bonus episode, Judd welcomes meditation teacher and entrepreneur Jesse Israel to Behind the Armor—discussing the natural cycles behind the beginnings and endings we all walk through. Jesse begins the conversation by leading us through a grounding meditation—drawing attention to the body, breath, and environment—which sets the tone for the conversation.

Together, Judd and Jesse dive into some of the common myths about meditation, but the heart of the episode centers on how to embrace the closing of life chapters well. Judd chooses to share about his impending divorce and the emotional tumult of major life shifts, asking Jesse how to ritualize milestones like letting go of past identities. In turn, Jesse highlights his experience with The Big Quiet and underscores the importance of grieving, crying, and letting go of shame to open space for new energy.

The episode concludes with Jesse encouraging Judd to write his own closure letter and invite others to bear witness—anchoring endings in ceremony and moving into new beginnings with presence, clarity, and energetic readiness.

5 Lessons from the Episode:

Mindfulness myth: Meditation isn’t about emptying the mind—it's about practicing awareness when thoughts arise.

Lead by being: Your transformation is the most effective invitation for others to follow.

Ritual closure: Monumental endings deserve ritual—a letter, a ceremony, public acknowledgment.

Trust cycles: Past experiences show that trust and letting go pave the way for new growth.

Cultivate the soil: In transitions, focus on nourishing yourself—the flower blooms in its season.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Guided Meditation & Introduction
01:20 Debunking Meditation Myths
04:42 Teaching Meditation & Building Habit
10:00 Recognizing Cycles & Honoring Endings
14:33 How Jesse Closed The Big Quiet
19:25 Ceremony & Grief in Transitions
24:15 Overcoming Attachment & Fear
27:26 Anchoring Intuition & Trust
29:41 Cultivating Soil Between Chapters
32:47 Advice for Crafting Closure & Ceremony

For this seventh and final installment in our addiction series, Rich Soza joins Judd for an unflinching conversation about addiction, redemption, and the role human connection plays in recovery. What begins as a lighthearted reflection on rehab antics quickly gives way to a vulnerable account of relapse, pain, and the moment Rich faked his own death to escape his emotional reality.

The episode explores how Rich and Judd's friendship was forged in the trenches of rehab—but the most powerful part of the story begins when Rich, in the depths of alcoholism and despair, calls Judd pretending he only has four weeks to live. Judd's unwavering presence—flying cross-country to take Rich to Disney World and arranging for his detox—becomes a literal life-saving moment. Rich later opens up about the psychological and emotional pain that brought him there, revealing how shame, loneliness, and fear can drive someone to such lengths. This is more than a story about addiction; it’s a message for anyone who’s ever felt like giving up. It’s about how connection, even at its most fragile, can be the thread that pulls someone back from the edge.

5 Lessons from the Episode

Authentic connection: Real relationships built on honesty and vulnerability can save lives.

Choose daily joy: Happiness isn’t automatic—it’s a conscious decision made each day.

Consistency matters: Small, repeated actions—like affirmations—can rebuild a shattered identity.

There’s always help: Even at your lowest, there are people willing to show up if you reach out.

Purpose heals: Helping others gives our pain meaning and becomes the foundation for lasting recovery.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Choice to Be Happy
01:28 First Meeting at Rehab
04:28 Bonding Over Sand and Salsa
07:55 The Ferrari in Rehab
11:31 Living Together Post-Rehab
13:33 Relapse and Reflection
18:13 Faking Death and the Cry for Help
25:16 Facing the Edge
29:10 The Disney World Intervention
36:33 Bacteria, Hospitals, and a Real Brush With Death
43:10 A Year of Silence and the Breaking Point
45:38 The Life-Saving Phone Call
50:04 The Connection Cure Begins
52:24 From Darkness to Daily Light
54:21 Sharing the Message Forward
56:36 Final Words for Those on the Edge

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Spirituality, sobriety, and self-discovery collide on episode six of our addiction series as Judd sits down with ministry leader Victoria Washington. During their moving conversation, Victoria opens up about her upbringing in a home shaped by diverse religious backgrounds—from routine church visits to the teachings of Marianne Williamson. Feeling unanchored, she embraced new age spirituality, seeking empowerment and control.

But beneath the surface, Victoria wrestled with deep dissatisfaction. Her turning point came through sobriety—starting with a supernatural prompting to fast from alcohol, followed by a powerful encounter with God's love that forever changed her. Judd, on the cusp of fatherhood, grapples with what spiritual legacy he wants to pass to his son. The honest exchange between Victoria and Judd examines questions about religious freedom versus guidance, the role of discipline in spiritual growth, and how divine order can bring peace and clarity.

5 Lessons from the Episode:

Free will matters: Choosing God isn’t forced upon us—it’s a daily, conscious act of love and trust

Sobriety is just the start: Recovery begins with letting go, but real peace comes through surrendering to God and His plan

Children need a direction: Leaving kids to find their own way without spiritual guidance can cause confusion—discipleship starts at home

Faith is lived, not imposed: Mirroring a relationship with God as a parent provides a template more powerful than instruction

God meets us personally: Transformation often comes when we ask honest questions and remain open to divine answers

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Choosing God’s Will Over Ours
02:00 Judd’s Early Religious Experiences
03:17 Is Faith Necessary for Sobriety?
05:16 Victoria’s Spiritual Upbringing
08:43 A Stroke Scare and Sobriety Wake-Up Call
12:04 Discovering Christ Through Fasting
13:08 Beyond Spiritual Awakening: A Revival
14:24 Faith as an Anchor in Parenting
16:22 Guiding Children Spiritually Without Force
19:39 Learning God’s Commandments as Protection
22:21 Mirroring Faith as a Parent
24:53 The Power of the Holy Spirit in Everyday Moments
27:57 Faith, Relationships, and Discipleship in Parenting
30:48 Discipling Through Daily Life
31:10 A Prayer for Trust and Guidance

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