“Every life worth living is a story worth telling.” Born into chaos, Mike Smith, author of “The Gutter Gospel" shares his personal memoir that speaks about addiction, mental health, desperation, and redemption. His mission has led to providing services and bringing awareness to military veterans. Based on his own memoir, “I had a supportive wife, a new job, and a baby at home, yet the ache in my soul wouldn’t go away.” Mike joins this episode to share about his story, talk about some of the work he is doing, and how we can build better connections.

About the Guest:

Mike Smith is the gritty, no-frills voice behind The Gutter Gospel, a raw and powerful memoir that dives headfirst into the trenches of addiction, redemption, and self-discovery. With unflinching honesty and a poet’s soul, Mike captures the reality of life on the edge, offering readers both a cautionary tale and a story of hope. Mike Smith's story is one that truly resonates. As a former homeless veteran, he has faced unimaginable struggles, battling both mental illness and addiction. His memoir, The Gutter Gospel, is not just a recount of his life; it is a testament to resilience and the power of hope. Mike shares the raw truth of his experiences, giving voice to those who often go unheard.

Links:

Website: https://theguttergospel.com

Book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gutter-gospel-mike-smith/1138119074

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Family members and loved ones who have been impacted by someone’s substance use have often tried several different approaches, solutions, and efforts to “fix the problem.” The efforts and attempts were not short in supply; and yet often family members and loved ones identify feeling frustrated when things haven’t changed. Sometimes we have to look at what’s in our hands and reflecting on what we thought may have been a solution is only digging us further down into the problem. Amber Hollingsworth joins this episode to talk about how she has spent 20 years helping families navigate the paths of addiction and highlights the platform she uses to help educate and provide resources. Her YouTube channel, “Put the Shovel Down” offers a catalogue of videos for family members and loved ones to help do just that, and navigate some of the messy parts of addiction.

About the Guest:

Amber has spent the past 20 years helping families navigate the messiest parts of addiction, and through her Hope For Families Recovery Center and her YouTube channel Put The Shovel Down, she’s become a steady guide for over 700,000 followers dealing with this struggle every day.

Amber believes families don’t have to sit on the sidelines and wait for someone to “hit bottom.” Her approach is practical and compassionate, centered on early, strategic intervention. She provides families with real tools to communicate, set boundaries without ultimatums, and move from conflict and enabling to genuine support. Whether it’s about reaching someone in denial, handling functional alcoholism, or knowing when to step back for your own well-being, Amber’s insights are drawn straight from decades on the front lines.

She also knows how addiction fractures family dynamics, and teaches families how to rally together as a team instead of being pitted against each other. Her "Invisible Intervention" approach offers an alternative for those burned out by confrontational models, showing how subtle shifts and empathy can prompt lasting change.

https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/Amber

Put The Shovel Down - YouTube

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Would riding hundreds of miles on a bicycle lead to sobriety from alcohol use? In Sherry Hoppen’s “Sober Cycle: Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time” she describes her journey through alcoholism and recovery. As she pedalled her way through, she dealt with vulnerability, shame, and isolation of hiding her secret of alcohol use. Listen as she talks about the family perspective, what her journey on the bike taught her, whether or not she still rides today, and the passion she shares in helping others.

About the Guest:

Sherry Hoppen has lived in West Michigan her entire life, and has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Internationally, she has never lived more than five miles from her childhood home. She worked in various areas of a pregnancy care ministry for over ten years, first as a volunteer then as an employee. She and her husband have three adult children and four grandchildren and love being active in whatever they do. As empty nesters, they enjoy cycling and finding new trails to explore together. Sherry is an avid reader who loves writing, decorating, and time spent on Michigan’s beautiful beaches.

Sherry launched She Surrenders in 2016, a ministry designed to encourage freedom from addiction with Biblical truths, a deepening relationship with the Lord, and the fellowship found in a healing community.

Website: www.SheSurrenders.com

https://www.selahhouserecovery.org/

Sober Cycle: Amazon.com: Sober Cycle (Second Edition): Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time: 9781951310899: Sherry Hoppen: Books

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.