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Why do some of us need other people’s approval so badly—even when we know it’s making us miserable? In this episode of Genuine Life, I sit down with former professional baseball player, coach, author, and performance expert Ricky Scruggs to talk about approval addiction—the need to achieve, perform, people-please, or make ourselves smaller in order to feel accepted. Ricky shares how his own drive to achieve started early and followed him from professional baseball into his career and relationships. Underneath it was something much deeper: the belief that his worth depended on what other people thought of him. As Ricky puts it, “Pride was my dealer and approval was my drug of choice.” We talk about why people-pleasing can feel almost impossible to stop, how childhood wounds and fear of rejection can shape our identity, why perfectionism and achievement never permanently answer the question “Am I enough?”, and what happens when we stop allowing other people to determine our worth. We also get into faith, surrender, authenticity, and how discovering who you really are can free you from constantly performing for acceptance. Ricky is the author of The Champion Within: Overcome Approval Addiction and Compete With Greatness, which uses the framework of baseball to explore identity, purpose, faith, and freedom from approval. Learn more about Ricky and his work at RickyScruggs.com.

Who Are You When Everything Falls Apart with Samantha Norman (Ep. 196) What happens when the life you built, the success you achieved, and the identity you worked so hard to create suddenly begin to fall apart? In this episode of Genuine Life, Samantha Norman, creator of the Who Before What framework, joins us for a conversation about identity, authenticity, faith, leadership, loss, and the courage to stop performing. Samantha shares how she built a successful coaching career around a version of herself that wasn’t truly her—and the devastating series of losses that eventually forced her to confront a much deeper question: Who am I when the things that defined me are gone? We talk about people-pleasing, imposter syndrome, control, addiction, surrender, emotional health, authentic leadership, and why success can still leave you empty when it is built on a false identity. Samantha also shares how losing her mother, marriage, home, and dream job ultimately led her back to God—and how sitting in the silence helped her rediscover her voice, her gifts, and her purpose. If you’re walking through a transition, questioning who you are, or watching an old version of your life fall away, this conversation is a reminder: don’t be afraid of the messy part. It may be where your real life begins.

How Many Versions of Yourself Have You  Created? Austin's Journey from Addiction to Identity (Ep. 195) What if addiction isn't just about drugs or alcohol? What if it's really a search for peace... acceptance... and the feeling that we're finally enough? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Austin Rampt, author of One Last Hit, to explore the deeper issues beneath addiction, shame, people-pleasing, and the lifelong search for identity. We discuss how childhood wounds, false beliefs, and the need for approval can shape our lives long before unhealthy behaviors ever appear. Austin shares his remarkable journey from addiction, relapse, and unimaginable loss to discovering that true healing isn't found in success, sobriety, or striving—it's found in honesty, vulnerability, authentic connection, and learning to embrace who God created us to be. Whether you've struggled with addiction, anxiety, perfectionism, unhealthy relationships, or  the feeling that you're never enough, this conversation offers hope for anyone longing to break free from old patterns and experience lasting transformation. You'll discover why vulnerability is a strength, why connection is essential to healing, and why your past doesn't have to define your future. Most importantly, you'll be reminded that your greatest wounds can become the very place where God begins writing a new story of hope, purpose, and redemption.

Why Do I Keep Losing Myself in Relationships? | Finding Your Way Out of Survival Mode with Amanda Hill Why do so many of us keep repeating the same painful patterns? Maybe you struggle to say no. Maybe you feel responsible for everyone else's emotions. Maybe you constantly question yourself, walk on eggshells around certain people, or wonder why healthy relationships feel so...uncomfortable. The truth is, these patterns don't come out of nowhere. In this conversation, licensed mental health counselor Amanda Hill joins me to unpack what happens when we spend years living in survival mode. We explore how childhood experiences, trauma, unhealthy attachment, and people-pleasing quietly shape our adult relationships—and why so many of us lose sight of who we really are along the way. You'll learn: • Why emotional safety is the foundation of healing • How to recognize unhealthy relationship patterns • Why we often attract relationships that reinforce old wounds • The difference between healthy boundaries and shutting people out • How faith and counseling can work together instead of competing with one another • Practical ways to stop surviving and begin living authentically One of my favorite moments is when Amanda explains that healing doesn't begin by fixing everyone around us—it begins when we slow down long enough to understand ourselves. We also talk about grieving the family we wish we had, learning to stop taking everything personally, and why you can't want someone else's healing more than they do. If you've ever wondered, "Who am I beneath all these survival patterns?" this conversation is for you. Guest: Amanda Hill, LMHC, NCC, BCC 🌐 Connections of Hope: https://connectionsofhope.com 📖 Book: Making Sense of Dysfunction: How to Heal, Take Control, and Move Forward (Available on Amazon) 🎙️ Podcast: Mental Health with Amanda 📧 Contact Amanda: Visit https://connectionsofhope.com for counseling services, podcast links, and contact information.

From Prisoner to Purpose: Breaking Cycles Through Faith, Recovery, and Hope with Kelsey Harris (Ep. 193)  What does it take to break the cycle of addiction, trauma, and incarceration? In this powerful episode of the Genuine Life Podcast, I'm joined by author, speaker, and prison minister Kelsey Harris for an honest conversation about recovery, redemption, and the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Kelsey shares her remarkable journey from a childhood marked by addiction, violence, and chaos to years of meth addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. She opens up about the deeper wounds beneath addiction, the moment she encountered God during her recovery, and how faith transformed not only her sobriety but her identity. Together, we discuss why addiction is often a symptom of deeper pain, the importance of healing trauma, replacing lies with God's truth, and learning to see ourselves through the lens of Scripture rather than shame. We explore practical tools for recovery, healthy relationships, boundaries, emotional healing, and the hope that comes from walking in community and trusting God's plan. Kelsey also shares the vision behind The Girl on Fire Life-Skills Workshop, a seven-week, faith-based program she co-created with Teresa Nickell to help women break cycles of abuse, addiction, and incarceration while discovering their God-given identity and purpose. Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for hope, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that no one is beyond God's grace and that every story can be redeemed. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why addiction is often rooted in unresolved trauma. The difference between sobriety and true freedom in Christ. How changing your thinking changes your life. Why healthy relationships and boundaries are essential for recovery. How God replaces shame with purpose and hope. Practical encouragement for anyone struggling with addiction or supporting someone who is. Connect with Kelsey Harris 📖 Book: Touching Fire 🌐 Website: https://kelseyjharris.com

The Day I Chose Recovery Over Death — and Never Looked Back (Ep 192) In this raw and deeply inspiring episode of Genuine Life Recovery, Sean Beem shares the powerful story of how he escaped a life shaped by trauma, addiction, violence, depression, and hopelessness — and found lasting freedom through recovery, faith, and purpose. Raised around alcoholism, drugs, biker culture, and chaos, Sean’s life spiraled into years of partying, arrests, anxiety, and self-destruction. By age 27, despite living in beautiful Hawaii, he found himself sitting on a beach contemplating suicide, convinced he could never escape addiction or the pain inside his mind. But one decision changed everything. Sean opens up about the moment he walked into his first AA meeting, the people who helped save his life, and how over 26 years of sobriety transformed him into a mentor, husband, man of faith, and correctional officer helping others trapped in addiction and trauma find hope again. This conversation dives deep into mental health, childhood wounds, recovery, faith, prison culture, healing, codependency, renewing the mind, and the life-changing power of helping other people. If you feel stuck, broken, overwhelmed, or beyond redemption, this episode is proof that healing is possible — and your story is not over yet.  Powerful Podcast Highlights The moment he sat on a beach in Hawaii ready to end his life How one AA meeting changed the course of his entire future Growing up surrounded by addiction, violence, and trauma Why recovery is about healing the mind — not just quitting substances What working inside Folsom Prison taught him about hope and human brokenness How faith, sobriety, and helping others gave his life purpose Why no one heals alone — and asking for help changes everything The powerful truth: your past does not have to become your future

The Slow Fade Nobody Talks About (Ep. 191) What happens when addiction slowly rewires your identity, relationships, thinking, and sense of self — and grace still finds you anyway?  In this powerful episode of Genuine Life Recovery, author, speaker, and ministry leader Nikole Thompson shares her raw testimony of surviving methamphetamine addiction, pornography, destructive relationships, sexual brokenness, shame, and emotional chaos before discovering lasting healing through faith, recovery, and transformation. Nikole and her husband have spent years serving in ministry across the country — from church planting in New Orleans to Celebrate Recovery leadership, prison outreach, and helping people rebuild their lives after addiction and trauma. In 2021, she released her book 50 Shades of Truth, a deeply honest account of her journey from darkness to freedom. Now celebrating nearly 20 years free from methamphetamine and the destructive lifestyle surrounding addiction, Nikole speaks openly about mental wellness, identity, recovery, spiritual healing, toxic influences, and the slow compromises that can quietly pull people away from themselves and those they love. This episode is honest, emotional, hopeful, and deeply encouraging for anyone struggling with addiction, shame, anxiety, codependency, pornography, identity confusion, or hopelessness. No matter how far gone you feel, healing is possible. Find out more here!  Talking Points / Episode Highlights The “slow fade” into addiction and destructive thinking How trauma and culture shape identity Meth addiction and the chaos that followed Pornography, shame, and mental health struggles Recovery, healing, and rebuilding a marriage The connection between media, mindset, and emotional wellness What true freedom and restoration look like Celebrate Recovery and ministry after addiction How faith transformed her life and family Her book 50 Shades of Truth and why she wrote it Hope for anyone battling addiction or identity struggles Learning to rebuild your life one healthy decision at a time

You Don’t Have a Mental Health Problem… You Have an Identity Problem (Ep. 190) What if nothing is “wrong” with you—but something deeper is off? In this episode of Genuine Life, I sit down with Dr. Eric Moyer and we go straight to the root of what so many of us are dealing with right now—the identity piece underneath anxiety, addiction, burnout, and people-pleasing. Because a lot of us have spent years trying to fix behaviors without ever asking who we’re actually operating from, and if your identity has been shaped by trauma, approval, fear, or survival, then even when you’re doing everything “right,” it’s still going to feel unstable. We talk about the Four P’s—principles, perspectives, purposes, and priorities—and how they quietly drive everything in your life, why so many people feel stuck in the same patterns, and what it actually looks like to begin changing from the inside out without forcing it or beating yourself up. This isn’t about saying something is wrong with you—it’s about finally understanding why things haven’t been working and how to rebuild something solid. If you’ve ever thought “why do I keep ending up here?” this one will hit home. Website: https://redeemingidentity.com Book: Redeeming Identity: Restoring the Heart of God’s Design

How to Live the Serenity Prayer - Step By Step (Ep. 189) This short (blast from the past) solo episode is being shared between guest episodes as a quick, meaningful pause for reflection. It’s based on one of the most-watched and most-resonant videos on my YouTube channel, and I wanted to make it available here as a Genuine Life episode for anyone who may need it. In this conversation, I talk about the Serenity Prayer, acceptance, courage, and the power of focusing on what we can actually change. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by trying to control things that aren’t in your hands, this episode is for you. Sometimes the most healing thing we can do is slow down, let go, and take one honest step forward. I hope this short episode gives you encouragement, clarity, and a little peace in the middle of your day.

God Doesn’t Plant Seeds He Doesn’t Intend to Grow: Breaking Approval Addiction & Learning to Lead (Ep. 188) What if the reason you don’t feel loved… is because the real you has never been fully seen? In this powerful episode, with relationship coach and author Lionel Moses, we unpack the connection between approval addiction, imposter syndrome, and leadership—and how so many of us are showing up in life, relationships, and even faith from a place of insecurity rather than identity. When we don’t truly love or know ourselves, we perform. We people-please. We lead reactively. And deep down, we wonder why love never quite reaches us. But here’s the truth: God doesn’t plant seeds He doesn’t intend to grow. Through honest conversation and real-life insight, we explore what it means to stop striving for approval and start leading from authenticity—rooted in who God says you are. This episode dives into healing the fear of not being enough, breaking cycles of over-performing, and learning to trust that what God has placed inside you is intentional, purposeful, and meant to flourish. If you’ve ever felt like an imposter, struggled to feel truly loved, or questioned your ability to lead—this conversation will meet you right where you are and gently call you higher. This episode features relationship coach and author Lionel Moses, whose book The Marriage Seed: How to Cultivate Relationships You Desire and Deserve explores how to build deeper, more authentic connections in every area of life.

In this powerful episode of Genuine Life, I talk with Emmy-nominated filmmakers Kay and Murray Sumner, creators of the award-winning documentary Survivors. After losing their son Josh—a gifted musician—to opioid addiction, the Sumners turned unimaginable grief into purpose. Through their film and mission, they’re working to break the stigma, raise awareness, and save lives in the midst of the opioid/fentanyl crisis. This conversation goes beyond headlines. It reveals the truth about addiction—how it can impact any family, how quickly things can spiral, and why awareness and honest conversations matter now more than ever. You’ll hear: The real story behind their son Josh and the inspiration for Survivors How addiction often begins in unexpected ways The devastating impact of fentanyl in today’s world Why breaking the stigma can save lives And where hope, healing, and purpose can still be found This episode is heartbreaking, eye-opening, and ultimately uplifting—it's a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light can still break through. 🔗 Learn more and watch the film: https://www.notonemoretime.com/ ​You can watch the award-winning Survivors documentary for FREE on YouTube or Tubi. It is also available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime. For the latest news on the opioid crisis in America, please follow @NotOneMoreTimeNonProfit on Instagram.

In this vivid and important episode of Genuine Life Recovery, I’m joined by writer Christopher Carazas, author of the memoir Now That I’m Still Here: A Memoir of Ruin and Resurrection. Christopher shares the story of how a life that looked successful on the outside slowly collapsed under the weight of psychological abuse—and how he fought his way back after reaching the brink. From the outside, his life looked awesome. He worked around the world in places like Haiti, Mali, and Madagascar, building a career in international development. But privately, he was caught in a cycle of psychological and emotional abuse within his marriage. In this conversation, we talk about how abuse often doesn’t start in overt ways. We delve into the cycle of psychological abuse and how it moves—subtle shifts, small manipulations, and moments of control that gradually become normal. Over time, the danger becomes harder to recognize, and many people find themselves living inside something they never would have accepted at the beginning. Christopher also shares how trauma doesn’t simply disappear when the situation ends. The body and mind can continue carrying those survival patterns long after the danger is gone. Diagnosed with autism later in life, he reflects on how autism shaped his self-esteem, relationships, and what he was experiencing.  Most importantly, this episode is about hope—leaving, healing, and rebuilding a life after surviving the unimaginable.

Feeding Tube to Freedom:  A Story of Sobriety, Surrender, & Miraculous Healing (Ep. 185).  What do you do when survival mode becomes normal — and pain just feels like part of who you are? In this powerful episode of Genuine Life Recovery, I sit down with Sara Kelsey to talk about a life marked by chronic illness, medical trauma, foster care, deep grief, and years of binge-drinking that felt more like coping than addiction. For decades, Sara lived with gastroparesis and a feeding tube doctors said would be permanent. Behind the scenes, alcohol became a way to quiet the emotional noise — until the shame and consequences became impossible to ignore. Then came a turning point.  Sara and her husband chose sobriety together, changing the trajectory of their marriage and family. Not long after, faith became real and personal. She was baptized in 2025 — not just as a symbol of sobriety, but of surrender. And in a moment that even doctors couldn’t explain, healing came in a way she never saw coming. This conversation is honest, vulnerable, and full of hope. Because recovery isn’t just about behavior — it’s about letting God meet you in the middle of the mess. If you’re wondering whether freedom is possible for you — this one’s for you.

Gutter Gospel: A Story of Hope from the Hardest Places (Ep.184) Mike Smith joins me, a veteran whose life story is a raw, honest testimony of addiction, mental illness, homelessness, and ultimately, redemption. Mike takes us deep into his journey — from growing up with trauma, battling substance abuse and suicidal attempts, to finding hope through faith and a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. This episode is about real recovery, real pain, and real grace. Mike shares how brokenness shaped his life, how the “gutter” became the place where God met him, and why our stories matter more than our scars. His message is simple but powerful: no one is too far gone, and healing is possible. Mike is the author of Gutter Gospel: The Road to Redemption, a memoir that dives even deeper into his story and the power of testimony. Today, Mike speaks openly to encourage those who feel stuck, lost, or overwhelmed by addiction, trauma, or mental health struggles. If this episode resonates with you, Mike welcomes connection and conversation. You can reach him directly at TheGutterGospel.com. This is a story of faith, recovery, and hope — straight from the gutter to redemption.

Redeemed, Not Defined  by my Past—  Breaking Every Chain (Ep. 183) What happens when childhood survival turns into adult addiction-and God steps in with redemption?     In this episode of Genuine Life Recovery, Russell Ramos shares his powerful story of growing up in instability, carrying unhealed wounds into adulthood, and eventually finding freedom through recovery, surrender, and faith. Raised in an environment shaped by fear, confusion, and emotional chaos, Russell learned early how to survive—but those same coping skills later led him into addiction and broken identity. Through the recovery process and a life-changing encounter with God, Russell began to experience healing that went deeper than sobriety. In this conversation, he opens up about trauma, addiction, shame, grace, and what it truly means to break free from the chains of the past. His story is honest, hopeful, and deeply encouraging for anyone who feels stuck, discouraged, or unsure if real change is possible. This episode is for those navigating addiction recovery, healing from childhood wounds, or seeking spiritual freedom. Russell’s journey is a reminder that your past does not define you, healing is possible, and redemption is real. You are not too broken. You are not alone. Freedom is available.