What if addiction isn't who you are, but merely what's distracting you from your true purpose? In this transformative conversation, Mark Cain shares his powerful journey from the depths of alcoholism—including a life-threatening withdrawal seizure—to founding Spiritual Sobriety and authoring "Letters from Hope: Freedom from Addiction."

Mark's approach shatters traditional recovery paradigms by rejecting permanent labels like "alcoholic" that keep people trapped in shame-based identities. Instead, he offers a healing pathway centered on reclaiming our true identity as children of God. "We don't need to be fixed, we need to be found," Mark explains, capturing the essence of his recovery philosophy.

The conversation reveals how Mark's innovative book uses letters to personify different aspects of addiction, allowing readers to externalize their internal battles. Particularly eye-opening is the letter from "Bottling Booze," where alcohol itself confesses its sinister intentions: "I make you believe you need me...even as I lead you towards a tragic end." This format creates powerful moments of recognition for those struggling with substance use.

Mark's five-module "Journey to Freedom" program begins with a deceptively simple question: "Why do you want to be sober?" Through his "seven whys" technique, participants discover their true motivation—their superpower against relapse. For Mark, this was realizing he didn't want his young daughter to grow up fatherless as he had. The program continues through mindset reframing, thought navigation, intentional living, and harnessing prayer's power.

Whether you're personally struggling with addiction or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers a fresh perspective and practical tools for lasting freedom. As Mark reminds us, "The enemy will use whatever he can to distract you from your purpose,"—but through spiritual reconnection, we can reclaim the life we were created to live.

More Info at https://spiritual-sobriety.com/

If you or someone you know is in crisis and at risk of self-harm, please call or text 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline.

To contact us directly send an email to Dan@10-42project.org or call 515-350-6274
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The mental health landscape for first responders reveals a stark coastal-interior divide. While California boasts specialized treatment facilities and innovative approaches, Midwest officers often travel cross-country seeking the same level of care. This reality frames our candid conversation with law enforcement professionals from both regions who share their personal healing journeys.

EMDR therapy emerges as a powerful tool in the first responder mental health toolkit. Our California-based guest describes her initial skepticism—"I'm going to hold these little pad things and they're going to vibrate?"—before experiencing profound breakthrough moments processing her field training officer's suicide and other career traumas. Through approximately 10-12 sessions, she found herself able to drive past triggering locations without the overwhelming emotional response that once controlled her.

Perhaps most valuable is the honest discussion about recovery's non-linear nature. "When you have a fall, it feels like you fall all the way to the bottom," one participant shares, before explaining how each setback in recovery actually comes from a higher starting point than the last. This perspective shift offers hope to those feeling discouraged by occasional backslides in their healing journey.

The conversation tackles the uncomfortable yet crucial topic of checking on fellow officers. Despite the professional culture of stoicism, our guests emphasize that simply showing up without perfect words makes all the difference. "People don't need you to show up with all the answers... they just need somebody who understands and is willing to listen."

For first responders contemplating reaching out for help, the message couldn't be clearer: Do it now. As one participant puts it, "If you already feel like you're at the bottom, therapy can either help you or keep you the same. So why not try?" Whether through peer support programs, professional therapy, or connecting with colleagues who understand, taking that first step opens the door to healing that ripples through every aspect of life.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and at risk of self-harm, please call or text 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline.

To contact us directly send an email to Dan@10-42project.org or call 515-350-6274
Visit our website! 10-42project.org
Check us out on social media!
Youtube: @1042project
Facebook: www.facebook.com/1042project
Instagram: 1042_project

The silent epidemic ravaging our first responder community takes center stage in this raw, unfiltered conversation with Jess, an 18-year law enforcement veteran from California. Her story unfolds against a backdrop of unimaginable loss – five officer suicides in her jurisdiction within a devastatingly short timeframe, including colleagues she worked with daily. Despite California's relative wealth of resources for first responder mental health, the deadly stigma surrounding help-seeking remains deeply entrenched.

What makes this conversation uniquely powerful is Jess's perspective as a female officer navigating the male-dominated world of law enforcement. She articulates the distinct challenges women face in the profession while offering crucial insights into how gender influences trauma processing. As both she and her husband serve in law enforcement while raising their children, Jess reveals how parenthood fundamentally transformed her emotional responses to traumatic calls involving kids – creating a vulnerability that many officers struggle to acknowledge.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when exploring the physical manifestations of trauma. Jess describes feeling distinct sensations in her chest when triggered, while fellow guest Jake identifies a knot in his stomach as his body's early warning system. These somatic responses represent critical early intervention opportunities that many first responders miss until they're already in crisis. Their candid sharing offers listeners practical tools for recognizing their own trauma responses before they become overwhelming.

Perhaps most hopeful is Jess's observation about the newest generation of officers coming through the academy where she teaches. Unlike their predecessors, these recruits demonstrate a refreshing willingness to discuss mental health concerns openly – potentially transforming department cultures from within as they advance in their careers.

Whether you're a first responder, love someone who is, or simply care about the well-being of those who protect our communities, this conversation offers rare insight into the true cost of service and the urgent changes needed to support those who sacrifice so much. Listen, share, and join the 10-42 Project's mission to break the stigma around first responder mental health before we lose another hero to suicide.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and at risk of self-harm, please call or text 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline.

To contact us directly send an email to Dan@10-42project.org or call 515-350-6274
Visit our website! 10-42project.org
Check us out on social media!
Youtube: @1042project
Facebook: www.facebook.com/1042project
Instagram: 1042_project