In this week’s Circle of Chairs Conversation, I sit down with someone who truly embodies the power of redemption and the beauty of recovery—Ashlee Crouse.

Ashlee’s story is a testimony of purpose and what can happen when we step outside of ourselves and are of service with others. She also inspires through her journey of entrepreneurship and her love of photography.

After years of addiction, she was delivered and transformed by her faith in Jesus. Since then, she’s never looked back. Today, she’s a wife, mom, dog mom, and entrepreneur in long-term recovery. She’s also the founder of The Mustard Seed Studios in South Knoxville—a creative space that helps others share their stories through photography and podcasting.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Ashlee serves as the Faith-Based Community Coordinator for the State of Tennessee, partnering with churches and organizations around addiction, mental health, and healing. She’s not just building a business, she’s building community, helping others bloom where they’re planted.

In our conversation, we talk about:

• What it really means to be “delivered”
• How faith can change everything—even your career path
• Why storytelling is such a powerful tool in recovery
• The role of churches in helping people heal
• How Ashlee balances entrepreneurship, ministry, and motherhood

Ashlee’s mission is simple yet profound: to help others turn pain into purpose. One story, one photo, one soul at a time.

Visit her work at themustardseedstudios.com

Let’s keep pulling up more chairs.

Each week, I’m honored to share these real, raw, and redemptive conversations with women who are shaping the future of recovery. Ashlee is just the beginning.

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Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.