From Hopelessness to Healing — Jonah’s Inspiring Path of Growth, Faith, and Recovery
In RRP Episode 86 – Jonah’s Journey Continues, Peter reconnects with a familiar and beloved guest — Jonah W, whose story first touched listeners in RRP Episode 16: Jonah W’s Journey of Resilience, Courage, and the Transformative Power of Recovery. Joined this time by guest host and Real Recovery Podcast board member Colette, the conversation picks up more than a year later to see just how far Jonah’s recovery journey has carried him.
From once struggling to hold a shelter bed to now living independently, maintaining a full-time job, nurturing a loving relationship, and even raising his first pet — a kitten named Gizmo — Jonah’s life has become a testament to transformation through consistency, community, and courage.
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A Life Transformed
When Jonah first shared his story, he was ten months sober and beginning to find his footing. Today, he has surpassed two years in recovery — and what was once survival has become a full, purposeful life. Jonah reflected on the early fear that he might “never get better,” only to discover that showing up, doing the work, and trusting the process could build a life worth living.
He now lives independently in his own apartment — a place filled with gifts and memories from those who supported him along the way. “My apartment represents the love and care people have for me,” Jonah shared. “I was the throwaway for so long. Now I go home and see love reflected everywhere.”
The Gift of Hopelessness
Jonah calls “hopelessness” the turning point that saved his life — that moment when he no longer knew how to keep going and finally became willing to ask for help. “The hopelessness saved my life—it got so dark before the dawn. I didn’t know how to stop, but I got so much more than I ever expected.”
Through faith, community, and the daily principles of recovery, Jonah transformed that hopelessness into hope, growing into a self-supporting, compassionate person eager to serve others.
Building Stability and Purpose
Jonah now works full-time at Whole Foods, where he’s earned promotions and even “team member of the month.” He shares how gratitude, honesty, and hard work have reshaped his life. “I’m fully self-supporting now,” he said, describing the joy of paying rent on time and having health insurance for the first time.
His life is structured around daily spiritual routines, meetings, and sponsorship. “Recovery isn’t something I do — it’s who I am,” Jonah explained. From his morning readings and gratitude lists to mentoring others, he lives the program as a way of life.
Love, Service, and Connection
In this powerful conversation, Jonah and Colette reflect on how connection and accountability sustain long-term recovery. Jonah shares how relationships once marked by chaos have evolved into bonds built on honesty, forgiveness, and love.
Whether it’s caring for Gizmo, sponsoring others, or bringing flowers “just because,” Jonah’s story reflects a deeper truth: that healing comes from giving back and showing up for life — one day at a time.
Jonah’s continued growth shows that recovery isn’t about returning to who we were — it’s about becoming who we’re meant to be. From hopelessness to healing, his story proves that perseverance, gratitude, and community can transform even the darkest beginnings into a life filled with purpose and peace.
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#RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryJourney #AddictionRecovery #CourageToChange #ResilienceAndHope #TransformationThroughRecovery #HopeAndHealing @AnotherChanceRehab
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Revisiting RRP Episode 16 – Jonah W’s Journey of Resilience, Courage, and the Transformative Power of Recovery as We Prepare to Catch Up with Jonah Almost a Year and a Half Later
In RRP Episode 85 – Jonah Revisited, Julie and Peter return to one of the most memorable and heartfelt stories ever shared on the Real Recovery Podcast. Originally aired in June 2024 as RRP Episode 16 – Jonah W’s Journey of Resilience, Courage, and the Transformative Power of Recovery, this episode captured the raw honesty of a man navigating the early stages of transformation. Jonah’s courage to face his pain and rebuild his life in recovery moved listeners across our community and continues to inspire new audiences today.
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As we revisit Jonah’s story, we prepare to reconnect with him in next week’s all-new episode to hear how his journey has unfolded a year and a half later. His reflections on life, purpose, and recovery remind us that healing is not a destination—it’s an ongoing act of courage and faith.
Looking Back on Jonah’s Original Story
When Jonah first joined the podcast, he spoke candidly about the darkness of addiction, the chaos that led him to surrender, and the hope he found through community and service. His story reflected the essence of what Real Recovery stands for—honesty, humility, and the courage to begin again.
Resilience Through Routine and Faith
Jonah described building his recovery through daily structure: prayer, meetings, service, and gratitude. Those small acts of consistency became the foundation for his stability and peace. His willingness to give back to others and share his experience became a cornerstone of his ongoing transformation.
Why This Episode Matters Now
Revisiting Jonah’s journey gives us the chance to reflect on how far recovery can take us when we stay connected, humble, and grateful. His story continues to serve as a reminder that change begins with surrender—and that even the hardest beginnings can lead to lives filled with purpose and hope.
Next week, Julie and Peter sit down once again with Jonah for an all-new conversation, diving into what has changed, what has endured, and how his recovery continues to evolve nearly a year and a half later.
“I get to love my little life today… and my life is worth living.” – Jonah W
Jonah’s original story remains one of the Real Recovery Podcast’s most powerful examples of transformation. Revisiting it before hearing where he is now invites listeners to witness the full arc of his journey—from despair to hope, and from hope to lasting recovery.
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#RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryJourney #AddictionRecovery #ResilienceAndHope #TransformationThroughRecovery #CourageToChange #HopeAndHealing @4DRecovery
How compassion, science, and spirituality come together to transform recovery.
In this powerful episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter sit down with Pete Kerns, President and CEO of Serenity Lane—Oregon’s respected nonprofit treatment center founded by his father, Dr. Tom Kerns, in 1973.
From his three decades in law enforcement, including nine years as Eugene’s Police Chief, to his leadership at Serenity Lane, Pete’s journey reflects a lifelong dedication to service and healing. Together, the hosts and Pete explore the science of recovery, the importance of family and community, and the hope that drives every step of the recovery journey.
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A Father’s Vision and a Family Legacy
Pete shares the deeply personal story behind Serenity Lane’s beginnings. His father, Dr. Tom Kerns, lost his own father to alcoholism when he was just fifteen. That experience inspired him to dedicate his medical career to helping others recover from addiction. Working alongside counselor Sam Graves, Dr. Kerns opened Serenity Lane in May 1973 in a converted fraternity house near the University of Oregon.
What started as a humble beginning became one of Oregon’s most trusted treatment centers. Today, Serenity Lane’s main campus sits on fifteen peaceful acres in Coburg, where more than 70,000 people have received treatment since the organization’s founding.
Integrating Mental Health and Recovery
Drawing on his background in public safety, Pete observed early on how addiction and mental health are closely connected. Under his leadership, Serenity Lane now offers integrated mental-health services across its outpatient clinics, guided by addiction medicine specialists and clinical psychologists.
“Many people struggle with both,” Pete explains. “We want to make sure they can address both their behavioral health and substance use while in our care.”
This approach reflects a growing understanding that true recovery involves the mind, body, and spirit—and that long-term healing comes from addressing every part of a person’s well-being.
The Science of Healing the Brain
Pete shares one of the most striking lessons from modern neuroscience: addiction literally rewires the brain. Using functional MRI scans, researchers can see how certain neural pathways remain active even decades into recovery.
Yet the hopeful news, Pete says, is that the brain can heal. Practices like meditation, prayer, and service—long central to programs like AA—help rebuild and strengthen the prefrontal cortex, where emotion regulation and self-control reside. “These spiritual and reflective practices actually help the brain recover,” he notes, connecting scientific insight with timeless recovery wisdom.
A Whole-Person Approach to Treatment
At Serenity Lane, treatment is far more than detox. The program combines medical care, clinical counseling, and wellness activities that nurture both body and spirit. Clients experience a mix of:
Each element reinforces the others, creating a supportive environment where clients can rediscover strength, balance, and hope.
Facing Relapse and Building Resilience
Pete acknowledges that recovery is not a straight line. “About 85 percent of relapses happen in the first year after treatment,” he explains. “It takes time for the brain to rewire, and people need continued structure and support during that period.”
Serenity Lane addresses this challenge through extended care, sober-living partnerships, and family education programs that teach loved ones how to support recovery without enabling old habits. “Families must heal together,” Pete emphasizes. “When they learn how addiction affects the brain and relationships, everyone has a chance to recover.”
Hope for Everyone Who Walks Through the Door
Whether someone is seeking treatment for themselves or a loved one, Pete says the message is simple: there is hope.
“Recovery is absolutely possible,” he shares. “From the moment you enter our property, you’re met with compassion—not judgment. The possibility for a healthy, meaningful life is right in front of you.”
Julie and Peter close the conversation by reflecting on the courage it takes to reach out for help—and how stories like Pete’s remind us that recovery isn’t a destination, but a daily practice rooted in honesty, connection, and love.
#RealRecoveryPodcast #SerenityLane #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #HopeAndHealing #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #RecoveryIsPossible
A powerful story of surrender, honesty, and finding peace after relapse.
In Episode 83 of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter sit down with Joe, whose story embodies the painful truth and powerful hope of recovery. Joe opens up about his long struggle with addiction, the chaos it brought into his life, and the humbling path toward clarity and redemption. His journey takes listeners deep into the heart of relapse, self-doubt, and ultimately the courage to start again.
From Addiction to Awakening
Joe’s story begins in familiar territory — experimenting with substances at a young age and watching those choices grow into something far more destructive. He recalls how quickly addiction consumed his life, destroying relationships and leaving him emotionally and spiritually broken. At his lowest point, Joe admits he had lost everything that mattered — but that loss became the beginning of something new.
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The Turning Point
After repeated relapses and the crushing guilt that followed, Joe finally faced a truth he had avoided for years: recovery begins with honesty. He describes the deep shame that often silenced him and the relief that came when he finally asked for help. This willingness to be open, to admit powerlessness, became the first step toward lasting change.
Faith and Community in Recovery
Joe speaks candidly about finding faith as the anchor that guided him out of darkness. Through prayer, connection, and accountability, he discovered a sense of peace and purpose that addiction had stolen. Community became essential to his healing — giving back, listening to others, and staying honest with himself. For Joe, recovery became less about avoiding the past and more about living truthfully in the present.
Words of Hope
His message to others is simple but profound: relapse doesn’t mean failure. Each new beginning is another chance to grow, to learn, and to become the person you were always meant to be.
Joe’s journey from chaos to clarity shows that no one is beyond redemption. His story is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the unbreakable strength of the human spirit. For anyone struggling or starting over, his words offer hope — that no matter how many times you fall, recovery is always waiting when you’re ready to rise.
Listen to RRP Episode 83 – From Chaos to Clarity: Joe’s Path to Redemption now at https://mdcr1.com/83, and explore more inspiring stories of hope and healing on our blog.
#RealRecoveryPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #HopeAndHealing #FaithInRecovery #ResilienceAndHope #SoberLiving #CommunitySupport @4DRecovery
A powerful day of unity, resilience, and voices of hope in downtown Portland.
In this episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter take listeners inside the Oregon Recovers Walk for Recovery at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland. As both sponsors and participants, they captured the energy, connection, and heartfelt stories that made this event unforgettable.
A Community Gathering for Recovery
Julie and Peter reflect on the growth of the Oregon Recovers Walk, noting the crowds, the surge of participating organizations, and the joy of seeing friends of the podcast showing up in support. From kids proudly wearing their Real Recovery Podcast shirts to people sharing how much the show means to them, the day was filled with meaningful moments of encouragement.
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Bo Brinson, Executive Director of Oregon Recovers, set the tone, emphasizing collaboration and the importance of bringing people together to face the addiction crisis. His words captured the mission of the walk: to build community power, promote pride in recovery, and remind everyone that recovery is possible.
Voices from the Recovery Community
The Walk featured a lineup of voices that highlighted the depth and diversity of recovery stories:
The Oregon Recovers Walk was more than an event—it was a vivid demonstration of community, resilience, and the collective strength that drives recovery forward. Julie and Peter captured the heart of the day, bringing listeners stories of hope, unity, and determination.
Listen to this inspiring episode now: https://mdcr1.com/82
Read more about the stories we share: https://mdcr1.com/82b
#RealRecoveryPodcast #OregonRecovers #WalkForRecovery #RecoveryCommunity #HopeAndHealing #GTD #ForaHealth #ThePeerCompany @OregonRecovers @4DRecovery @GTDGoTheDistance
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