The Cup of Joe Show

From Animal House to a Window of Willingness: Trey R.’s Recovery Road

What happens when your dream is to live like John Belushi in Animal House—and you actually pull it off?
For Trey R., that dream became a nightmare of alcohol and drug addiction. In this raw and deeply moving episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Trey shares his rollercoaster of a journey: from growing up a devout Christian and drinking alone at 16, to nearly dying of alcohol poisoning at 17, to chasing the high across the country with Widespread Panic.
Despite becoming a successful attorney, Trey’s addiction cost him everything—his marriages, his career, and ultimately, his self-worth. He opens up about the darkest corners of his life, including the moment he realized his only “friends” were the ones he paid: bartenders, dealers, and strippers. But just when it seemed all was lost, a window of willingness opened… and his drug dealer drove him to an AA meeting.
Hear how Trey rebuilt his life not once, but twice, after an 8-year relapse—through prayer, meditation, and service. This isn’t just a story about addiction and recovery—it’s about spiritual rebirth, second chances, and the quiet power of surrender.
🎧 Whether you're in recovery, love someone who is, or just need a reminder that redemption is possible, this episode is a can’t miss.
👉 Listen now. Follow, like and share for more stories that heal.
🌟 Looking for daily encouragement and inspiration? Visit our friends at Daily Ponderables — your source for strength, hope, and reflection 365 days a year.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

From Bootcamp to Cockpit: Lon W.’s 45 Years Sober

4th of JULY SPECIAL EPISODE
I was 17, just a kid—but I knew if I didn’t change, I would have ended up (unalive) like my older brother… or locked up like my younger one. AA saved my life—and it’s followed me across the world ever since.
What does 45 years of sobriety really look like? Meet Lon W.—a proud veteran, a commercial airline captain, and a man whose life was transformed by recovery at just 17 years old. Born in Marion, Iowa, Lon got sober in 1979 and never looked back. He’s flown helicopters in the Army, fighter jets in the Air Force, and commercial planes for the past 25 years—but no matter where life has taken him, “the hand of AA” has always been there.
In this powerful 4th of July episode, Lon shares how addiction shaped his family, with one brother lost to an overdose and another who spent years behind bars before finding sobriety. You’ll hear his stories from bootcamp at Fort Sill to recovery service in Japan. This isn’t just a sobriety narrative—it’s a tale of resilience, redemption, and living a life of purpose.
Whether you’re sober, seeking hope, or simply love a raw and inspiring transformation story, this one will stay with you long after the credits roll.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.
 

Mission Recovery Jim F.: A Marine’s Hardest Battle Yet

4th of JULY SPECIAL EPISODE
🎙️In this powerful episode of The Cup of Joe Show, we’re joined by Jim F.— a decorated U.S. Marine who served his country with honor from 1968 to 1995—commanding battalions, hunting down cartel leaders, and even serving at the Pentagon. During his decades in uniform, alcohol never had a grip on him—his sense of duty was too strong.
But after retiring, he faced a mission unlike any other: battling alcoholism. In civilian life, daily drinking crept in. Jim thought he could quit anytime—until he actually tried. What followed were two stints in rehab, multiple relapses, and a life-changing realization: the strength that served him in war wouldn’t save him from addiction. What would? Surrender.
💬 “I led Marines through war zones… but I couldn’t lead myself out of a liquor bottle—until I learned that surrender isn’t defeat.”
Tune in for a story of resilience, transformation, and the hope that waits on the other side of surrender.
👉 Hit play, follow, and share—it might just save a life.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

No Off Button: Katie V. and a Life Restored

My little God worked for 10 years—then I realized I needed a bigger one.
In this deeply personal episode of The Cup of Joe Show, host Joe V. sits down with a guest who also happens to be his amazing wife, Katie V.—a woman whose journey through addiction, mental illness, and emotional breakdowns led her to a life built on recovery, connection, and faith.
Katie’s story begins in childhood, where undiagnosed mental illness showed up as extreme behavior, zero boundaries, and a life lived without an “off switch.” As addiction took root, so did the devastating cycle of short-term control followed by even deeper lows. Rock bottom wasn’t a moment—it was a series of misaligned desires and painful opportunities.
Through Medicated Assisted Recovery and the life-changing power of AA, Katie found fellowship among a group of young people who welcomed her as she was. Her first sponsor, Nancy, became a spiritual guide who helped her not just work the 12 Steps—but learn how to teach them to others.
After nearly a decade clean, Katie faced another battle: a breakdown that taught her emotional sobriety was just as essential as physical. Today, Katie lives with gratitude for a life restored—stronger in faith, deeper in service, and anchored in recovery.
🎙️ If you or someone you love is seeking redemption, direction, or just a reason to keep going—this conversation might be the spark you need.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

Jason D. - What The Hell Is Wrong With Me?

What if the darkest spiral of your life became the spark for your greatest transformation? Meet Jason D., a man who drank himself to oblivion starting at 25, lost his first marriage to the bottle, and battled a family legacy of alcoholism—until September 26, 2019, when he and his wife said enough. Now sober for over five years, Jason’s raw, no-filter story of recovery will hit you like a shot of adrenaline—whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or just crave a jaw-dropping tale of human grit. A devoted husband, father of five, and grandfather to a growing crew, Jason’s journey from a colorless, dry existence to a life exploding with purpose (thanks to the 12 steps and a nod to Chuck C.’s A New Pair of Glasses) is your next obsession. Tune into The Cup of Joe Show as Jason unpacks how he traded blackout nights for a spiritual awakening—without the preachiness.
Subscribe, like, and share now—because if Jason can claw his way back from the edge, what’s stopping you?
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. 

Jimmy M. - 34 Years Sober and Helping the Ones Nobody Wants

"Blackouts at 23. Divorce at 44. A graveside amends that set him free."
On this soul-stirring episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Jimmy M., sober for 34 years, unveils a journey from blackout drunk to a lifeline for the overlooked. At 23, the 12 Steps yanked him from chaos to purpose, but at 21 years sober, a crushing divorce dragged him back to the edge—until he rediscovered the steps he’d let slip. With raw honesty, Jimmy shares the amends that healed a childhood wound he inflicted, the graveside forgiveness that unshackled him, and the wisdom of “Big Book Eddie” that keeps him going. Now, he pours his life into helping others rise, proving recovery isn’t a finish line—it’s a call to serve. Whether you’re in the trenches, lifting up a fighter, or craving a redemption story that echoes, this episode is yours. 
🎧 Hit play now, like, subscribe, and let Jimmy's 34 years of grit and grace inspire you! 
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. 

Arrested, Addicted, and Awakened: Alex Z.’s Journey to Sobriety

From Shooting Meth to Sitting Under an Oak Tree, Don't Miss The Awakening That Saved His Life! 
Abandoned by his father, Alex Z. grew up seeking approval from older men caught up in drugs and alcohol. His path led to homelessness, jail cells, rehabs, and the darkest corners of addiction. But when his entire family was arrested, Alex hit a level of hopelessness even he couldn’t outrun.
Under an old oak tree at Bridges of Hope, he faced the truth: “All my best thinking landed me here.” That’s when he finally surrendered to recovery, the 12 steps, and a higher power. Today, Alex is sober, married, raising a blended family, and expecting another child in August.
🎧 Don’t miss this raw and powerful story of desperation, surrender, and redemption—only on The Cup of Joe Show.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. 

Keys to the Kingdom: Chris E.’s Path Through Love, Loss, and Recovery

Once standing with an ax in his hand and hate in his heart… today, he stands with a broken heart and hope in his soul.
🎙️In this emotional episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Chris E. shares his powerful journey from fear, addiction, and violence to faith, healing, and heartbreaking loss. Born in England and now a proud U.S. citizen, Chris has been sober since June 2, 2016—but not without walking through fire.
He shares about the night he threatened his beloved wife Janet with an ax during an alcoholic rage—a rock bottom that led him to the 12 Steps and a new spiritual life. As the two of them built a life in recovery through AA and Al-anon, tragedy struck: in late 2024, Janet lost her life in a car accident. Through tears and truth, Chris shares how his recovery community and faith are helping him navigate grief while staying sober.
To close, Chris offers his moving recitation of “The Keys to the Kingdom,” a passage that has become his hallmark in AA meetings—and a beacon of hope for others.
👉 For those in recovery, those who love someone in recovery, and anyone seeking the courage to heal—this story will stay with you.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.

From War to Wisdom: Marvin S. and 22 Years of Spiritual Sobriety

MEMORIAL DAY SPECIAL EPISODE
What if one weekend in jail could rewrite your entire life?
In this episode, meet Marvin S., a Vietnam Veteran sober for over 22 years, whose journey from the chaos of war and the ashes of a liquidated business to a deep spiritual awakening will leave you speechless. Once the heartbeat of the Park 40 Club, Marvin’s tale of resilience, faith, and hard-won wisdom is a lifeline for anyone in recovery, supporting a loved one, or addicted to stories of human triumph.
🎙️ Hit play now—because this is the spark your soul’s been waiting for. Subscribe, share, and join a community that’s hooked on hope.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Released Every Thursday at Noon.

Jack F. – A Spiritual Risk Taker’s Journey

"9/11 wreckage. Booze to bury it. Faith that dug him out."
On this powerhouse episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Jack F.—U.S. Marine veteran and retired cop—lays bare 11 years of sobriety forged in the fires of unimaginable pain. From the front lines of September 11, 2001, to decades in law enforcement, Jack carried burdens most can’t fathom, drowning them in drink until the bottle became his only shield. But when the weight crushed him, a turning point struck—faith became his anchor, pulling him into recovery not just to survive, but to honor the life he’d been spared. Dubbed a “Spiritual Risk Taker,” Jack’s story of God-driven redemption is a battle cry for anyone wrestling demons, standing by a warrior, or hooked on tales of grit and grace. 
🎧 Tune in, like, and subscribe for an inspiring story of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of faith.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time.