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    RRP Episode 80 – Lance Orton: A Journey of Faith, Recovery, and Service at City Team

    From the streets to service, Lance’s story shows how faith and giving back can transform lives.

    ​In episode 80 of the Real Recovery Podcast, we welcome Lance Orton, whose powerful testimony is a beacon of resilience and redemption. Once caught in addiction and homelessness, Lance found healing through faith, mentorship, and recovery. Today, as part of City Team, he dedicates his life to helping others find hope and a path forward.
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    From Struggles to a Turning Point
    Lance’s story begins with years of addiction and time on the streets. He reflects on the pain and hopelessness that defined his early years, but also on the pivotal moments when he realized that change was possible. For Lance, faith became a foundation for healing and direction.
    The Power of Mentorship and Community
    A critical part of Lance’s journey was the guidance of mentors who supported him during his most vulnerable moments. Their encouragement helped him believe in himself when he struggled to see a way out. This support system was vital in keeping him grounded and committed to recovery.
    Links to Websites Discussed:
    “Faith gave me the strength to change, but serving others gave me the purpose to keep going.”
    ​– Lance Orton
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    City Team: Meeting Needs, Offering Hope
    Lance shares how City Team not only provided him with practical help like food and shelter, but also the spiritual and emotional support he needed to rebuild his life. Today, City Team continues to serve countless individuals who are walking the same difficult path Lance once traveled. Their programs provide holistic support, focusing on recovery, stability, and long-term transformation.
    Living a Life of Service
    Now in a leadership role, Lance is giving back to the very community that once carried him through his darkest days. By serving others, he has found lasting purpose. His reflections remind us that recovery is not only about personal change, but about becoming a source of strength for others.
    ​Lance’s story is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and community. From the streets to service, his journey with City Team illustrates that no one is beyond hope, and that serving others can bring meaning and healing. His message resonates with all who are seeking a way forward: transformation is possible.
    ​Listen to Lance’s incredible story by visiting this link. To explore more inspiring recovery journeys, check out our blog post.
    Looking ahead, we invite you to join us at the Oregon Recovers Walk for Recovery on September 27th. The Real Recovery Podcast will be there in person, and we’d love for you to stop by our booth, connect with Julie and Peter, and share your own experiences. Your stories are the heart of what we do, and we can’t wait to capture more voices of hope and resilience at this incredible community event.
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    Click to join Walk for Recovery

    Portland Walk for Recovery 2025
    ​Visit our booth!
    Saturday, September 27th 2025 • 10:00am - 2:00pm
    ​    Pioneer Courthouse Square - Portland, OR
    #RealRecoveryPodcast #AddictionRecovery #CityTeam #FaithAndRecovery #RecoveryJourney #HopeAndHealing #CommunitySupport #SobrietyStories @CityTeam
  • Published on

    RRP Episode 79 – Amber & Bo Part Two: Building a Foundation Through Struggle and Hope

    How love, faith, and resilience transformed chaos into recovery and healing

    ​In this second part of her story, Amber is joined by her husband, Bo, to continue the journey that began in episode 78. Together, they open up about finding each other in the depths of addiction, the separation of prison time, and the resilience it took to build something real. Their conversation is raw, honest, and filled with the kind of hope that only comes from walking through the fire.
    ​Meeting in Chaos
    Amber and Bo first crossed paths during Amber’s last relapse, in the middle of a life defined by chaos, drugs, and survival. Despite the darkness around them, they both felt an immediate sense of safety when they were together. What began as a connection in addiction soon revealed the foundation of something much stronger.
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    Building Through Separation
    When Bo was incarcerated, the relationship faced its greatest test. Instead of falling apart, Amber and Bo used that time to communicate through letters and visits, laying the groundwork for a healthier partnership. Amber shares how she reached her breaking point in jail, dropped to her knees, and asked God to guide her, marking a turning point in her recovery.
    The Power of Structure and Support
    Both Amber and Bo highlight the role that structure and community played in their healing. Oxford House became a place of accountability and consistency, providing the framework they needed to sustain recovery. They also speak about the importance of individual growth before being able to build something lasting together.
    ​A Family and a Mission
    Now parents and leaders in the recovery community, Amber and Bo are committed to breaking generational cycles of addiction. Bo reflects on his role as Executive Director of Oregon Recovers, emphasizing the need for advocacy, community power, and hope. Their story shows how resilience, faith, and honesty can change not just individual lives, but the lives of entire families and communities.
    Links to Websites Discussed
    “We had to grow individually before we could build something real together.”
    ​ — Amber
    ​Amber and Bo’s journey reminds us that recovery is not just about abstaining from substances but about building a new way of life. Their story of love, struggle, and resilience offers hope to anyone who has felt lost in chaos, proving that healing and transformation are possible when we walk the path together.
    ​Looking ahead, we invite you to join us at the Oregon Recovers Walk for Recovery on September 27th. The Real Recovery Podcast will be there in person, and we’d love for you to stop by our booth, connect with Julie and Peter, and share your own experiences. Your stories are the heart of what we do, and we can’t wait to capture more voices of hope and resilience at this incredible community event.
    Picture

    Click to join Walk for Recovery

    Portland Walk for Recovery 2025
    ​Visit our booth!
    Saturday, September 27th 2025 • 10:00am - 2:00pm
    ​    Pioneer Courthouse Square - Portland, OR
    Listen to Bo’s Story here: https://mdcr1.com/29
    Listen to Amber & Bo’s story here: https://mdcr1.com/79
    Read the full blog post here: https://mdcr1.com/79b
    #RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryJourney #AddictionRecovery #FamilyHealing #Resilience #OregonRecovers @4DRecovery
  • Published on

    RRP Episode 78 – Amber’s Journey Part One: The Roots of Chaos and the Fight for Hope

    A story of childhood trauma, addiction, and the first steps toward honesty

    In this episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, we begin the first of a two-part conversation with Amber Brison. Amber takes us back to her childhood, opening up about the chaos, abuse, and instability that marked her early years. Her raw honesty reveals how trauma shaped her identity, led her to seek escape through substances, and pulled her into destructive cycles of relationships and survival.
    Amber’s Background and Early Struggles
    Amber grew up surrounded by instability and abuse. From a young age, she felt unsafe in her home and carried trauma that would follow her into adulthood. These painful beginnings created patterns of self-doubt and survival that set the stage for her struggles with addiction.
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    ​Turning Points and Coping Through Substances
    As she grew older, Amber began using substances as a way to silence the pain of her past. Drugs and alcohol became both an escape and a trap, pulling her further away from her true self. Her story illustrates how trauma and addiction often go hand in hand, feeding each other in a cycle that feels impossible to break.
    Cycles of Destructive Relationships
    Amber reflects on how her relationships mirrored the abuse she had already experienced. Instead of healing, she found herself caught in cycles of toxicity, further deepening her sense of loss and disconnection from who she was.
    ​Facing the Breaking Point
    By the time she reached her lowest points, Amber describes feeling like she had completely lost herself. Yet in these moments, there were also glimmers of truth—moments where she recognized the need to face her reality and begin a journey of accountability.
    “Recovery begins when we tell the truth — even when it hurts.” — Amber
    ​Amber’s story in part one is not yet about the victory of recovery, but about the courage to confront pain and speak truth. Her willingness to share openly reminds us that healing often begins in the darkest places. Part two, airing next week, will continue her journey and reveal how she began to rebuild her life in recovery.
    #RealRecoveryPodcast #RecoveryJourney #AddictionRecovery #TraumaRecovery #HopeAndHealing #SobrietyStories
  • Published on

    RRP Episode 77 – Emily F.: Breaking Cycles, Building Hope

    Emily’s journey through struggle, resilience, and the power of community in recovery.

    In this episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, Emily F. shares her courageous story of breaking free from the cycles of addiction that ran through her family. With honesty and heart, she opens up about her struggles, the turning point that led her toward recovery, and the role of community and peer support in her healing.
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    A childhood marked by addiction
    Emily’s story begins in a home where addiction shaped much of her early life. Growing up surrounded by its challenges, she carried those struggles into her own journey, confronting unhealthy patterns that felt inescapable.
    ​The weight of her own struggles
    As she moved into adulthood, Emily turned to substances herself, repeating the very cycles she had witnessed. Recognizing the growing consequences was painful, but she bravely shares that it became the catalyst for her eventual transformation.
    The turning point
    Emily recalls the moment of clarity when she realized something had to change. It wasn’t easy—recovery never is—but she leaned into that moment of decision and sought the support she needed.
    Links to Websites Discussed
    ​“Recovery means I don’t have to repeat the past — I get to create a new future.” – Emily F.
    Finding strength in community
    Recovery for Emily has been defined not only by personal determination but also by the support of others. She describes the essential role that community and peer connections played in helping her find stability, belonging, and hope.
    Breaking generational cycles
    Today, Emily is committed to living differently and building a life grounded in resilience and service. Her journey reminds us that healing is not just about overcoming the past—it’s about creating a new future and inspiring others to believe that recovery is possible.
    ​Emily’s story is a testament to the truth that recovery is never a solitary journey. It takes courage, community, and the willingness to break cycles that have held generations captive. Her message is clear: no matter where you come from, it is always possible to start again.
    #RecoveryJourney #BreakingCycles #RealRecoveryPodcast @4DRecovery @AnotherChance @SkylarRay
  • Published on

    RRP Episode 76 – Chris G.: From the Streets to Sobriety – A Journey of Resilience

     From addiction to service: Chris shares the lessons and tools that sustain his sobriety.

    In Episode 76 of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter sit down with Chris G. to hear his story of addiction, relapse, and ultimately finding a path through recovery. Chris opens up about the struggles he faced, the turning points that kept him going, and the ways service, connection, and humility continue to shape his sobriety.
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    Chris’s Early Struggles
    Chris describes the years he spent in active addiction, how substances impacted his relationships, and the cycles of relapse he went through before beginning to find stability. His honesty highlights the reality of how challenging it can be to stay in recovery without community and accountability.
    Lessons in Humility and Surrender
    One of the themes Chris shares is learning humility—accepting help, following guidance from others in recovery, and admitting that he couldn’t do it alone. Surrendering his way of doing things was a turning point that allowed him to start building consistency and trust in his life again.
    “One of the most beautiful things that I've experienced in recovery… is being able to use obstacles and turn them into opportunities. I often say that one of the huge benefits of recovery is learning how to alchemize obstacles into opportunities.”
    – Chris G.​
    The Role of Service
    Chris emphasizes that service has become a cornerstone of his recovery. Whether it’s showing up at meetings, supporting newcomers, or giving back to the community, he finds that helping others keeps him grounded and reminds him of where he came from.
    Staying the Course
    Recovery for Chris is not about perfection but about persistence. He discusses practical tools that help him stay on track—routine, accountability, and the willingness to start again when he stumbles. His story is a reminder that recovery is built day by day, one decision at a time.
    Chris’s story illustrates the power of humility, service, and perseverance in recovery. His honesty about setbacks and his commitment to giving back show that even through challenges, lasting sobriety is possible when we stay connected and engaged in the process.
    #RecoveryJourney #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #FromStreetsToSobriety #RealRecoveryPodcast @4DRecovery @TrueColorsRecovery
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    RRP Episode 75: Navigating Online and Real-World Recovery — Alex G’s Journey to Authentic Connection

    Bridging Digital and In-Person Support to Find True Belongin

    In Episode 75 of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter welcome Alex G., whose story exemplifies how recovery communities—whether virtual or face-to-face—can be life-changing. Alex shares his path from isolation and internal struggle to finding meaningful connection through a blend of online support groups and in-person meetings. His journey sheds light on the evolving landscape of recovery and how hybrid models are offering people new avenues to authentic belonging.
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    ​Early Struggles and Searching for Connection
    Growing up, Alex often felt out of place, battling internal conflicts around his identity while navigating substance use. Like many, he turned to alcohol and drugs in an attempt to feel connected, yet found himself increasingly isolated. His story echoes a common theme in recovery: the deep human need for authentic connection and the pain of not knowing where to find it.
    ​Discovering Community Through Online Recovery
    Alex’s turning point came when he discovered the Lunch Bunch and Extended Family AA Online community. Virtual meetings became a critical lifeline, offering him a space where he felt seen and accepted. He speaks about how these online spaces allowed him to engage in recovery while managing feelings of anxiety and overwhelm that sometimes came with traditional in-person settings.
    “Recovery isn’t about choosing between online or in-person—it’s about finding spaces where you can be your authentic self and knowing you belong.”
    — Alex G
    ​The Power of Hybrid Recovery Models
    While online meetings provided an accessible entry point, Alex emphasizes the importance of balancing virtual support with in-person interactions. For him, hybrid recovery isn’t just a convenience—it’s essential. Service commitments, coffee meet-ups, and face-to-face fellowship became pillars in his recovery foundation, teaching him the value of “showing up” and building trust through consistency.
    ​Finding Authentic Connection Through Service
    Service work played a pivotal role in Alex's journey. By volunteering to host meetings and reaching out to newcomers, he transformed his own sense of purpose. “Recovery isn’t just about staying sober. It’s about being part of something bigger and giving back,” he shares.
    Advice for Newcomers: "Your People Are Out There"
    For those feeling disconnected, Alex offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Keep showing up, whether it’s online or in person. Your people are out there.” His journey is a reminder that recovery is not one-size-fits-all and that the right community can be found in unexpected places.
    ​Alex G’s story is a testament to the transformative power of hybrid recovery communities. His path from isolation to connection illustrates that whether online or in-person, what truly matters is finding spaces where you can show up as your authentic self. His experience challenges the old notion of recovery being confined to physical rooms, opening doors for a more inclusive and flexible approach.
    ​Listen to Alex’s full journey by tuning in to RRP Episode 75. For more inspiring stories and resources, visit our blog.
    #RealRecoveryPodcast #HybridRecovery #RecoveryJourney #AuthenticConnection #PeerSupport #OnlineRecovery #CommunityMatters @ExtendedFamilyAA @LunchBunchAA