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What happens when the thing you call “fun” is actually the start of a spiral and the only way out is surrender? Sherry sits down with Megan Oliver for an unfiltered story of addiction, motherhood, and faith-based recovery.   A church testimony becomes the divine interruption that breaks denial and points her toward long-term residential recovery at Blue Monarch. Megan explains how recovery becomes a full identity shift from “not enough” to "new creation." Listen for the moment she describes the life she believes God saved her from and the life she now gets to live with her three boys.  If this story gives you hope, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more women who feel alone can find the next step toward healing. -  Megan Oliver grew up as an “adult kid,” being enabled in ways that left her navigating adulthood with a childlike mindset. This created challenges as she worked to understand what it truly meant to grow up, take ownership, and build a stable life.  As a mother of three, she is committed to creating a safe, loving, and stable environment for her children.  Her journey truly transformed at Blue Monarch, where she not only found healing but also learned what it means to mature, take responsibility, and step fully into adulthood. Today, she has the privilege of serving at Blue Monarch, walking alongside women and children as they navigate their own journeys.  Connect with Megan Facebook Links mentioned bluemonarch.org About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

The thing you’re most afraid to say out loud might be the very thing that sets you free. In this special episode of the She Surrenders Podcast we take a peek into the Aligned Conference – the first ever faith-based Christian recovery conference for women. We closed out our three days together with a panel where I was joined by my dear friends Christy Osborne, Jon Seidl, Caroline Beidler, and Ericka Andersen.  We had a few questions prepared, but what unfolded was so much more than a panel discussion. We go straight to the ache so many Christian women carry in silence: the desire to be fully known and the fear that if anyone sees the whole story, we’ll be rejected.  If you’re wrestling with secrecy, fear, or the question “Is God inviting me to bring this into the light?” press play.  Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more women can find this community.  -- Connect with our panel guests Christy Osborne: Love Life Sober Jon Seidl: jonseidl.com Caroline Beidler: carolinebeidler.com Ericka Andersen: erickaandersen.com About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

Surrender isn’t giving up. It’s finally telling the truth about what’s not working, and letting God rebuild what you could not fix by force. We’re kicking off Season 8 with Katie, the very first graduate of Selah House Recovery, sharing her raw and hopeful story of alcohol, fear, faith, and freedom. Katie talks about how addiction often grows slowly for women who “look fine” on the outside. We talk openly about the decision to choose inpatient treatment, the stigma that tries to label it as leaving your family, and why a structured 30-day environment can be a gift rather than a “bubble.” We dig into the difference between quitting for a stretch and being done done, including what active repentance looks like when you want real change. We also get practical about relapse prevention and daily routines: protecting morning time with God, avoiding the scroll, journaling, prayer, and building a toolbox you can actually use when life hits hard.  If you’re looking for Christian sobriety, faith-based addiction recovery, or a women’s rehab story that’s honest without being hopeless, this conversation is for you.  Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a next step, and leave a review, then tell us: what do you need to surrender today? -  Katie is a wife, mom, and woman in recovery who has learned that some of life’s hardest seasons can also become the most meaningful. Her faith and her own journey through addiction and recovery have shaped the way she sees people—with compassion, honesty, and a whole lot of grace. She has a heart for walking alongside others, sharing what she’s learned, and creating space for real conversations about faith, recovery, family, and the beautifully imperfect process of becoming who God created us to be. About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

A head-on collision started a battle Tasha Williams wasn't prepared for: prescription pain medication that didn’t just numb broken bones, but also silenced years of buried fear, grief, and trauma. When relief feels like rescue, the line between treatment and opioid addiction can disappear fast. In this episode Tasha traces her story back to childhood domestic violence and the vow she made at nine years old to never be hurt again.  If you need hope for yourself or someone you love, listen through to the end, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more women searching for Christian addiction recovery and opioid recovery can find it.  Episode Mentioned Ep 61 | Faith, Perseverance, and Transformation: The Inspiring Journey of Susan Binkley and Blue Monarch Blue Monarch Website - Tasha Williams is a 41-year-old woman who knows what it means to fight—and to win daily! After surviving the chokehold of addiction, Tasha's been walking in freedom for 8 years through Jesus Christ. She is a proud mom of two “semi-grown” kids—Nevaeh (20) and Maleak (19)—who keep her grounded, grateful, and praying a little extra. Tasha serves as the Director of Residential Life at Blue Monarch, where she has the honor of walking alongside women as they rewrite their stories—because she knows firsthand that your past doesn’t disqualify you, it prepares you. Somewhere between morning coffee and leaning on God for everything, she's learned He still restores, still redeems, and still uses imperfect people to do powerful things—and she's living proof.  Instagram: @tashawilliams127 Facebook: Tasha Williams About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

Exposure of our sin can lead to shame and isolation, but Jesus responds by drawing near. On today's episode with author Laura Smith, we talk about her book Brave Woman, Mighty God and why the long-ago stories of women in the Bible still speak directly to faith-based recovery today.  If you’ve ever felt disqualified by addiction, weighed down by guilt, or afraid that God is tired of you, this conversation offers a steadier truth: Jesus is not looking for a reason to condemn you. He is moving toward you with mercy and power. If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more women can find faith-based addiction recovery support and the promises of a new life with God. -  Laura L. Smith is a speaker, podcaster and best-selling author who has written fifteen books including Brave Woman, Mighty God, The Urgency of Slowing Down, and Holy Care for the Whole Self. Smith is passionate about tearing down lies, so we can live in Christ’s truth. She lives in the picturesque college town of Oxford, Ohio, with her husband and one of their four young adult kids. There you’ll find her running the wooded trails, teaching a local Bible study, shopping at the Saturday morning farmer’s market, or going on a sunset walk. You can find more about her at www.laurasmithauthor.com  Connect with Laura Website Instagram: @laurasmithauthor Substack Book: Brave Woman, Mighty God About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

Can a desperate middle of the night prayer save your life? We sit down with Sam and Noelle Borgia as they share their story of a 20-year addiction that nearly ended in death before a 2:33 AM surrender to God changed everything.  Sam and Noelle speak honestly and vulnerably about Sam's slide into addiction, the challenges of medication-assisted treatment, and how easy it is to lose hope even when someone truly wants to change. Noelle shares what it’s like to stand in faith when everyone around you says, “Run.”  We talk healing, reconciliation, the “get-to” life of recovery, and how their book Silence The Lion and Shattered Mirror Ministries now serve people in programs and prisons across the U.S.  Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find faith-based addiction recovery stories that point to real freedom. - After battling drug addiction (opioids, heroin, crack, suboxone) and spinning his wheels trying to get clean for 20 years, Sam Borgia tried to end his life with an overdose. Noelle had filed for divorce (still believing that the Lord would step in!), he lost his job, his health was suffering, and he had lost everything and gave up. He was left with a 5% chance to live on life support. 12 days into his hospital stay, he had an encounter with the Lord that changed EVERYTHING. Since that day, he has never used it again, and we have devoted our lives to sharing the good news that there is power in the name of Jesus to break EVERY chain. We are the founders of Shattered Mirror Ministries and authors of Silence the Lion: Wage War on Addiction and Win Connect with Sam and Noelle www.shatteredmirrorministries.com Facebook: Silence the Lion Facebook: Noelle Morabito Borgia Facebook: Sam Borgia About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

Something happens when alcohol is no longer the price of admission to friendship. We’ve watched it in our online communities and in recovery rooms, and we’re ready to bring it to a bigger space: The Aligned Conference, a Christian alcohol-free women’s conference happening September 22–24, 2026 in Holland, Michigan, right by Lake Michigan. Sherry Hoppen (She Surrenders and Selah House Recovery) and Christy Osborne (Love Life Sober, sobriety coach) share why we chose the word aligned, and why it fits whether you’re sober-curious, stuck in the gray area, or years into recovery. We talk honestly about surrender, letting go of guilt and shame, and the real reason so many women still feel a gap even after they stop drinking: they’re trying to heal alone. You’ll also hear practical conference details so you can actually plan this. We cover conference dates, travel tips, and more! We also introduce our first round of speakers and the kind of testimony-driven, Jesus-centered encouragement you can expect. Listen, then share this with a woman who needs a safe place to grow in Christian sobriety. Subscribe, leave a review, and send it to a friend who’s ready to step away from alcohol and step toward community. - Get more information for the Aligned Conference here! About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

What if alcohol isn’t the core problem—but escape is? We sit down with Jon Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, to unpack a bracingly honest journey from cultural drinking to quiet day buzzes, from a bestselling book high to an aching low, and a night in Miami that tore the blinders off. Jon doesn’t glamorize a bottom; he shows how subtle compromises pile up when success fades, old wounds whisper, and numbing feels easier than feeling. If you’ve ever asked why sobriety can feel flat or why white-knuckling fades, this conversation offers a clearer target and practical tools for the long haul. Freedom grows when we stop numbing, tell the truth, and let God fill what alcohol only muted. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more people find a path to lasting recovery. - Jonathon M. Seidl (Jon) has been telling stories his whole life. In fact, he’s written over 10,000 posts in his lifetime, first after helping start a successful news website and then as the editor in chief of the popular nonprofit I Am Second. He writes and speaks all across the country on the power of storytelling, radical vulnerability, faith, mental health, and addiction. His first book, Finding Rest, became a bestseller in several categories and a top 100 book on Amazon. His latest book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, is his radically vulnerable story of being the Christian who became an alcoholic, his climb out of addiction, and how others can break free from all of life’s entanglements. Shortly after its release, the book became the top new release in addiction recovery on Amazon. He lives in Frisco, TX, with his wife and two young children. He holds a Masters in Theological Studies from Southwestern Seminary.  Connect with Jon Instagram @jonseidl ChristianAlcoholic.com  About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

Some stories find their turning point in the unlikeliest moment—like a hungover Sunday when a single sermon about confession cuts through the noise. That’s where Stephanie’s path shifted from white-knuckle control to honest surrender, and the difference changed everything. We walk through her early years in Wisconsin where football and drinking were inseparable, the college chaos that ended in a mandated detox, and the AA meeting that cracked denial. Then comes a quieter chapter and a slow slide back through “sophisticated” wine culture. She describes the hidden labor of moderation, the work events that exposed the gap between her values and her actions, and the shame of representing faith in public while self-destructing in private.  If this story resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more people find a path to freedom.  - Stephanie Ziebell is a wife, mom of four, and the Chief Legal Officer of a financial institution, who once believed she had to “hold it all together” while privately struggling with alcohol. Her recovery began when she stopped asking if her drinking was “bad enough” and started listening to what God was asking of her.   Connect with Stephanie Instagram and Facebook: @radiantinbattle About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

What if surrender was the beginning of real freedom, not the end of it? Ericka Andersen—journalist, author, wife, and mom—joins us to share how she rethought alcohol through the lens of faith and rebuilt a life that’s joyful, clear, and deeply connected. Her new book, Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith, offers important insights on how women’s relationships with alcohol are shifting as they grapple with increased pressures at home and work, and her approach wisely utilizes faith as a recovery tool without positioning it as a cure-all.  This is a candid, hope-filled conversation for anyone sober curious, stuck in the cycle, or longing to support someone they love. Tap play to learn concrete tools, hear hard-won wisdom, and feel seen in your questions. If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more faith-based recovery stories, and leave a review so others can find their way to freedom too.  Episode referenced: EP | 53: Sobriety Through Spirituality - Ericka Andersen is a journalist whose writing has appeared in Christianity Today, World Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. She is the author of Leaving Cloud 9 and Reason to Return: Why Women Need the Church and the Church Needs Women. She lives with her husband and two children in Indianapolis, Indiana. Connect with Ericka Instagram: @ericka_andersen Website: erickaandersen.com  Get the book: freelysober.com Get her free Sober Curious Guide: sobrietycurious.com About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

A single break changed everything. Amber thought discipline would keep life in order—straight A’s, strict faith, and hours of exercise that looked healthy from the outside. When a double pirouette ended with a broken foot, the illusion shattered. What followed wasn’t instant perfection but a new kind of honesty about addiction, control, and the slow work of healing with God at the center.  Together we unpack what addiction can look like beyond substances—perfectionism, productivity, and legalism—and how to step out of their shadow with tools that actually help. Amber talks about the community that sustains her, the spiritual mentorship that keeps her grounded, and her calling as an author creating faith-based resources on anxiety, depression, and recovery.  If you’re craving a story that names hard things and still points to hope, this conversation is for you. Listen, share with a friend who needs courage today, and if the message resonates, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find a path toward faith-led recovery and real-world healing.  - Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.  Connect with Amber Instagram: @amberginterauthor Facebook: Amber Ginter Author Podcast: Authentically Amber Learn more about the Mental Reset: A Christian Co-Ed Retreat for Anxious Hearts here.  About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

What if the moment you feared most became the doorway to freedom? That question sits at the center of Annetta’s story, a raw, hope-filled journey from childhood abuse and fifth-grade drinking to daily use, goth weekends, and a desperate plea on a skateboard that landed her at the door of AA.  Listen for the turning points, stay for the practical hope: how surrender can transform not just habits but identity. If this story encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find faith-based recovery that lasts.  - Annetta Caldwell is a wife, mother, dancer, and author passionate about sharing God's faithfulness. A Texas native, she trained in dance and ministry with Youth With A Mission, where she met her husband, Ryan. They moved to Virginia in 2007, where they’ve raised their seven children. Annetta now teaches others to worship through dance and shares her testimony through writing and speaking, helping others find freedom through God’s redemptive power.  Connect with Annetta: Ftfministries.org   Purchase her book: Caught About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

What if the darkest chapter of your life could become the raw material for something beautiful? Molly joins us to share a rare, vulnerable account of moving from childhood sexual trauma and years of substance use to a grounded, faith-centered life where recovery is real and creativity heals. Her story isn’t a tidy turnaround; it’s a slow, steady walk out of confusion and into clarity, backed by scripture, community, and the kind of grace that keeps showing up. If this moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find their way to the same hope.  - Molly Cherry spent years running from herself—using addiction, manipulation, and self-destruction to numb what she didn’t know how to face. But what she was really running from was the pain Jesus wanted to heal. Her escape led to broken relationships, mental hospitals, trauma, and moments when her family almost had to live without her. Yet in her darkest place, God’s grace found her. Jesus didn’t shame Molly—He rescued her, rebuilt her, and showed her real freedom. Molly's recovery is not just her story—it’s His, and proof that no one is too far gone for redemption.  Connect with Molly: On Facebook: Art for One's Self On Instagram: @yesterdayagain About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

When a spine infection stole her twenties, prescriptions promised relief but quietly rewired everything. In this episode, Janessa walks us through the years between her first Percocet high to a life rebuilt on surrender—forty pills a day, fentanyl patches, interventions, and the moment she chose honesty over hiding. This is not a neat redemption arc but a gritty, luminous one. If you’ve ever wondered whether real freedom is possible after years of medicating pain, this conversation offers both candor and hope. It’s about finding a safe room where people understand and trusting God to do the heavy lifting.  Press play, share this with someone who needs a way out, and if this story moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s one thing you’re ready to surrender today? - Janessa Baar is a survivor, mentor, and advocate for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. After overcoming years of pain medication and fentanyl addiction, she celebrates over 11 years of sobriety and now dedicates her life to helping others find hope and healing. A former business owner, Janessa sold her company to start an outreach program in Honduras, where she served from 2018 to 2023.  With a background marked by trauma, loss, and resilience, Janessa brings raw honesty and compassion to conversations about recovery, faith, and rebuilding life after addiction. Today, she mentors through local ministries and the Big Brother Big Sister program, offering encouragement to those walking the same difficult road she once traveled. About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of self-harming behavior.  In this episode, we hear from Jaycie on the exact day she celebrates three years sober. She shares her brave, unfiltered account of how anxiety, family trauma, and isolation fed addiction and self-harm that almost swallowed her future — and how faith and community stitched it back together.  From denial, self-blame and looking for her worth in toxic relationships, Jaycie shares how a simple moment of surrendering her life to Jesus started her journey from the depths of addiction to a life of freedom.   If you've ever wondered whether faith-based recovery can heal your deepest doubts and pain, this conversation offers the hope of restoration.   Listen, share with a friend who needs hope, and if this story moved you, subscribe and leave a review so others can find their way to freedom too.  - Jaycie Kantrud is 29 years old and lives in the land of 10,000 lakes — Minnesnowta! Once a girl bound by rejection, anxiety, and addiction, she gave her life to Jesus inside a Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge treatment center and her life has never been the same. She is now 3 year sober and living a life she only ever dreamed of. All Glory to God!  You can follow her on Instagram @jayciekantrud About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @selahhouserecovery, on Facebook @selahhouserecovery, and online at www.selahhouserecovery.org.