The Loving Leverage Podcast

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Food can look harmless next to porn, alcohol, or gambling. That is exactly why it so often becomes the quiet replacement after a man gets sober. We see it all the time at Valiant: a man starts doing the hard work of recovery, and a new pattern shows up. Rigid dieting. Constant snacking. The sugar that took the place of the whiskey. The behavior changes, but the nervous system is still chasing relief.

Drew sits down with Vanessa Scaringi, PhD, CEDS-C and Kathryn Garland, LCSW-S, CEDS-C, co owners of CALM Counseling...

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Discovery doesn't only hurt. For many partners it shakes their sense of reality, safety, and trust in their own judgment. And for years, the helping world told those partners they were part of the problem.

Jeanne Vattuone has spent her career changing that. Jeanne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified sex addiction therapist and supervisor, a certified partner trauma therapist, cofounder of Willow Tree Healing and Recovery in Santa Rosa, California, and coauthor of the workbook Finding the Way Through. She's also a longtime leader and board member of...

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Love can look heroic while it quietly keeps the cycle alive. When someone we love is stuck in addiction, the instinct is to fix, cover, explain, and cushion the consequences. But what if the most loving move is to stop rescuing?

Drew is joined by Ian and Roxcy Brown, co founders of Iron Ridge Recovery in Texas, the first intensive outpatient program in the state built specifically for men with compulsive sexual behavior. Here's the tension at the center of this conversation. On one side, a man saying, in so many...

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The hardest part of getting a man into treatment is rarely finding the right program. It's the moment a smart, successful, "I'm fine" kind of man starts negotiating for control while the people who love him are running out of hope.

This is the first Mondays with Michael, a bonus series on The Loving Leverage Podcast that drops on Mondays whenever there's a conversation worth sharing. Every Monday, Drew Powell and Valiant Living founder Michael Dinneen, LCSW, CSAT-S get on a call that is supposed to be about business. It always...

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On paper, Jeff Hatch's early twenties looked like a highlight reel. All-American at Penn, third round pick by the New York Giants, a million dollar contract. What nobody saw was the kid underneath who'd learned to hide, and then the injuries, the prescriptions, and the alcohol that quietly took over. Jeff got sober in 2006 and spent years helping other men find recovery. Then in 2019, in a very public way, it all came apart again.

Jeff doesn't skip that chapter. He walks right through it. Today he's a Certified High Performance Coach...

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Love can sound soft until it starts telling the truth. That’s the heartbeat behind our rebrand to the Loving Leverage Podcast, and it’s why we believe boundaries can be one of the most compassionate tools in addiction recovery. When addiction is running the show, everyone gets pulled into the same exhausting loop: promises, bargaining, secrecy, shame, and the constant attempt to “manage” what can’t be managed alone. We want a better way forward for addicts and for the families who are trying to survive the fallout.

We’re joined by Va...

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"My husband is a narcissist." It's one of the most common things families say when they call for help. But is it true narcissism, or something else entirely?

In this episode, Drew sits down with Dr. Alexandra Repke, a licensed psychologist who specializes in personality disorders and their overlap with addiction. Recorded live at the Hope for Healing conference by Lit Path, this conversation unpacks the blind spot that keeps some people stuck no matter how much treatment they get.

Dr. Repke explains the difference between a personality issue...

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The most damaging myth about recovery is that it is mainly about stopping something. We believe it is about building something: a life where you can handle stress, emotions, relationships, and uncertainty without reaching for old patterns. That is why I sat down with Melissa, our Director of Wellness, to unpack the Five Pillars of Wellness that shape the daily rhythm of Valiant: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellness. This framework is not fluffy or abstract. It is a simple way to rebuild your relationship with yourself from the inside out, one...

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Complex case management sounds like paperwork until you see what it really is: the difference between a client staying engaged or falling through the cracks. We bring together a roundtable of experienced leaders in addiction treatment and recovery to talk candidly about what “complex” looks like now and why it keeps evolving. We get into whole-person care, family systems, trauma, and the real-world barriers that show up the moment someone tries to step down in the continuum of care. 

We also dig into the clinical patterns we’re seeing more often, includi...

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Prayer can feel like a talent you either have or you don’t. If you’ve ever sat in a 12-step meeting, heard the Lord’s Prayer, and realized you’re just repeating words without connection, you’re not alone. Drew Powell sits down with his close friend Matt Smallbone, a pastor, former touring musician, and the author of The Prayer Experiment: How Praying Like Jesus Realigns Everything, to talk about a surprising path back to honest, grounded prayer.

Matt tells the story behind his “experiment”: stepping into a preaching series on the Lord’s...

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A mother and daughter getting sober at the same time sounds inspiring, until you hear what it actually takes: naming the family patterns, setting real boundaries, and staying in the room for the hard conversations. I’m joined by Sherry Young and Julie Hurley to talk about how addiction shows up inside a family system and how recovery becomes possible when we stop performing “fine” and start telling the truth. Their story spans early drinking, blackout shame, high-functioning denial, and the moment consequences finally force clarity.

We dig into rebuilding trust after...

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What happens when faith falls apart in ways sobriety alone cannot fix?

In this episode, a former pastor who found himself disqualified and starting over sits down with Anglican priest and author Father Chad Jarnigan for an honest conversation about losing and rediscovering faith.

This is not a polished, theological discussion. It is a grounded, real exploration of what it looks like when your relationship with God no longer works the way it used to.

Together, they unpack spiritual deconstruction and reconstruction in plain language, especially for...

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Most people try to love addiction out of someone, and it quietly turns into enabling. We wanted a more honest approach, so we hosted a live roundtable called Loving Leverage with clinicians, family advocates, and people in recovery to talk about the question families live inside every day: when does support help, and when does it keep someone stuck?

We dig into what “loving leverage” actually looks like on the ground, from detox realities to long-term recovery. You’ll hear why repeated threats without follow-through backfire, how “relational influence” differs from control, a...

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The most dangerous part of process addiction often isn’t what people can see, it’s what shame does in the dark. We sit down as a host, a betrayed partner, and a clinical forensic psychologist to map the real terrain of sex addiction recovery, betrayal trauma, and the moment families realize that weekly therapy and willpower aren’t enough. If inpatient rehab sounds “extreme,” we unpack why treatment can still be life or death when the risk is spiraling secrecy, escalating behavior, and suicidality driven by exposure and self-hatred.

We also get p...

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Most recovery podcasts keep a safe distance between interviewer and subject. This episode doesn't. Our host, Drew Powell, sits down with his own wife, Jamie, to talk about what his addiction and betrayal did to her life, her sanity, and their family. It's uncomfortable because it should be.

This isn't about redemption arcs or tidy endings. Jamie talks about the moment she stopped protecting him from consequences, stopped managing his recovery, and started asking: "What do I need?" They walk through the chaos of early disclosure, the terrifying decision to pursue...

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Your phone isn’t just a screen anymore, it can function like a casino that follows you everywhere. We bring back gambling addiction expert Chris Anderson for a timely, clear-eyed talk about microbetting, sports betting, and the new wave of problem gambling that’s exploding through constant ads, instant payouts, and real-time prop bets. Chris explains why the core addiction hasn’t changed, but the product has: faster play, smaller time gaps, more bets per minute, and easier ways to load money make the “gambling drug” more concentrated than ever.

We also get b...

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We share an unflinching look at pornography addiction as a counterfeit path to presence and how surrender, regulation, and community create real change. Tyler opens his story, breaks down brain science, and shows couples how to rebuild safety without linear timelines.

• the link between fear, dysregulation and porn use
• why willpower fails under fight or flight
• addiction as unmet needs seeking relief
• regulation skills for grounding and presence
• early exposure, secrecy and escalation risks
• marriage myths about sex solving compulsion
• how shame and betrayal create a painful loop...

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What if the person who “has it all together” is carrying a secret that’s slowly dismantling their life? We sat down with Dr. Stephanie to unpack sex addiction without euphemisms or moralizing—how it hides, why it’s misdiagnosed, and what real recovery looks like when shame no longer runs the show.

We trace the path from early trauma to skewed arousal templates, showing why a “high sex drive” is not the same as compulsion. Dr. Stephanie walks through clear, addiction‑style criteria you can actually use, plus the questions most therapists...

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Your gut knows before the facts arrive. That’s where this story begins: a widow and mom who rebuilt her life, fell in love, and then felt the quiet signal that something was wrong. What followed wasn’t a straight line to healing. It was a maze of gaslighting, a painful trio of discoveries, and the realization that love alone can’t cure compulsive sexual behavior.

We walk through the exact moments that changed everything: the financial paper trail that made denial impossible, the decision to step out of detective mode, and th...

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Ever felt the pressure to be “on” every waking minute? We sat down with Rabbi and therapist Gary Katz to unpack the quiet cost of spiritual leadership: how constant likability, role-based identity, and unspoken expectations can turn faith into performance and push leaders toward secrecy. Gary opens up about his own crash into sex and love addiction, the spiral into substances, and the slow rebuild that followed—rooted in a radical idea: spiritual progress beats spiritual perfection.

Across our conversation, we map the terrain of process addictions and intimacy disorder in clear...

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The week Grace packed for college, Drew packed for rehab. What followed wasn’t a neat redemption arc, but a raw, practical path: loving leverage, clear boundaries, impact letters, and the slow re-growth of trust. We open with a feelings check—fear, shame, anger, gladness—then trace the hardest choice Grace made: asking her dad not to be part of move-in so she could protect her heart and he could face reality. That boundary didn’t just hold a line; it helped save a family.

Grace shares how college became her lifeline...

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December can light up old wounds as quickly as it lights the tree. We invited Dr. Jake Smith Jr. of Plumline to help us turn holiday triggers into a plan for presence, connection, and real growth. Together we unpack why family dynamics can collapse time in the brain, why anger is never alone, and how the eight core feelings give you a simple language to name what’s true and meet your needs without handing your heart to the room.

We walk through affect labeling step by step—name the feeling, find...

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Healing doesn’t happen in perfect sync, and that’s okay. We explore tandem recovery with Brooke, our family advocate who coaches partners and parents through the messy, courageous work of rebuilding trust and balance after addiction. Think of a tandem bike: sometimes you steer, sometimes you push from behind, and either way the goal is shared direction. Brooke brings clear, compassionate guidance on how families can stop rescuing, start feeling, and move forward together without losing themselves.

We dig into emotional responsibility and the difference between healthy care and control. You’...

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The path through addiction and betrayal trauma isn't linear – it's messy, painful, and often seems impossible to navigate. In this raw and honest conversation, we sit down with a spouse whose husband went through the Valiant program to hear the story from her perspective.

She doesn't hold back as she describes life before treatment: the exhaustion of overfunctioning, the unpredictability of living with active addiction, and the constant fear of the next discovery or disclosure. For nearly a decade, she weathered cycles of betrayal, attempted repair, and eventual relapse that left he...

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Ever been told that “real” trauma work should leave you wrung out and wrecked? We take that myth apart and show a different path—one built on careful pacing, body awareness, and tiny changes that add up. With training across EMDR, IFS, neurofeedback, and trauma‑sensitive yoga, our guest guides a live Internal Family Systems demo that turns abstract ideas into a concrete experience you can feel.

We start by swapping “triggers” for trailheads and using a simple life satisfaction check to find where to begin. A tight chest and tense shoulders op...

The moment a loved one enters addiction treatment, a parallel journey begins for the entire family. In this eye-opening conversation, Brooke—family group facilitator at Valiant Living—shares wisdom gained from both professional expertise and personal experience with addiction's devastating impact on families.

Brooke introduces the powerful concept of "parallel recovery," explaining how both the person with addiction and their family members need healing—but must travel their own paths. "Parallel recovery is this idea that we both need healing, but we don't heal side by side," she explains, using the metaphor of two cyclists riding next to eac...

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What if the opposite of addiction isn't sobriety, but connection? Scott Davis, Chief Clinical Officer at Valiant Living, opens up about this profound truth and much more in our latest episode, sharing wisdom gained from years of guiding men through recovery.

With vulnerable honesty, Scott addresses how we can find peace during tumultuous times by seeking authentic connection rather than isolation. "The best thing you can do is limit your social media," he advises, suggesting instead that we reach for human connection that transcends political divisions and touches something deeper – our sh...

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Recovery isn't a solo journey—it's a family transformation. This profound conversation with addiction specialists Madison Burke and Henry Maxwell from Maxwell Recovery Services reveals how the healing process must extend beyond the individual to encompass the entire family system.

Madison shares her personal story of using substances to escape reality after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12. Her recovery journey illuminated how addiction manifested not just in substances but in relationships and work—"it ran through my veins in everything that I did." Henry describes his path from IV hero...

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Everyone carries internal narratives that shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world. These stories—often formed in childhood and reinforced through years of living—can either liberate us or keep us trapped in cycles of shame, fear, and self-doubt.

In this powerful conversation, Michael Dinneen and Drew Powell dig deep into how these narratives influence our recovery journeys. Dinneen vulnerably shares his ongoing struggle with a "younger son" identity despite 33 years of sobriety and significant professional success. "How much hustle I've gone into in my own life," he reflects, "has...

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What does an effective intervention truly look like? Beyond the dramatic portrayals in television shows lies a thoughtful, compassionate approach that Stephen Wilkins has perfected over more than two decades as a certified clinical interventionist.

Stephen takes us behind the scenes of what he calls "interventions with integrity," revealing a process that begins long before the actual confrontation. The preparation involves seven to eight hours with family members, carefully crafting letters that affirm love rather than simply highlighting damage. "An intervention letter is about how much I love you, happy memories...

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When Dan Griffin found himself carving "F YOU" into his arm as a teenage boy who hadn't hit puberty, he wasn't just acting out—he was experiencing the profound disconnect between his authentic self and society's expectations of manhood. This pivotal moment led to a lifelong journey of understanding what he calls "the water we swim in"—the invisible but powerful gender conditioning that shapes how men experience everything, especially recovery.

Drawing from 30 years of sobriety and expertise in men's trauma work, Griffin articulates a revolutionary perspective on masculinity that offers hope...

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Have you ever considered that addiction isn't just about substances? Beneath the surface of many addictive behaviors lies something profoundly misunderstood—process addiction. Join host Drew Powell as he sits down with therapists Dan and Jill from Valiant Living to unpack this complex topic with remarkable candor and expertise.

"The drug is between your ears," explains Dan, highlighting how process addictions like sex addiction, gambling, internet/gaming, and shopping create the same neurological pathways as substance use, but the source is your own brain producing dopamine. This fascinating conversation reveals why th...

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"I'll have four years in June," Chris tells us, a milestone that seemed impossible when he was consuming 1.75 liters of alcohol daily and taking shots before even getting in the shower for work. His journey through addiction's darkest depths—including two stays in intensive care on life support—to lasting recovery offers both hope and unflinching honesty about the transformation process.

The turning point came during what Chris describes as a "fourth dimension" experience, where he felt himself floating above his body while someone else made the call for help. This supe...

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The addictive patterns that tear relationships apart can actually become the path to deeper connection when partners learn to face them together. In this deeply moving episode, couple therapists Lana Isaacson and Jason Polk share professional wisdom and personal experiences about the complex journey of recovery within committed relationships.

They introduce the concept of "the addiction dance"—those unconscious, destructive patterns couples unknowingly co-create that keep them trapped in cycles of disconnection. Both therapists candidly discuss their own experiences with addiction and family systems, demonstrating ho...

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Michael Wagner sits across from host Drew Powell, his nervous energy palpable despite 45 years of sobriety under his belt. There's a beautiful vulnerability as Wagner reveals the painful tapestry of his past – growing up with an alcoholic, mentally ill mother whose unpredictable violence shaped his early years. The moment he shares how he broke his infant son's leg during a drunken fall down the stairs, still keeping the tiny cast as a reminder, the room feels charged with honest reflection.

What makes Wagner's testimony so powerful is that even at 82, he co...

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Unlock the secrets to inner peace and present living in this engaging episode of the Valiant Living podcast! Join us as we dive into mindfulness, connecting with our true selves, and uncovering the transformative power of meditation. Our hosts guide you through personal journeys and explorations of various mindfulness practices that can easily be integrated into your daily routine. 

Discover how simple acts of awareness can drastically improve your mental health and emotional well-being. We discuss the common misconceptions about meditation and show how being present doesn't have to feel daunting. W...

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Discover how spirituality can be a lifeline in the journey of recovery as we share powerful narratives of rebirth and transformation. This episode of the Valiant Living Podcast features Ryan, a dedicated leader within the Free Recovery Community. He opens up about his personal path to sobriety, which began on January 7th, 2013, and highlights the critical role that faith played in overcoming addiction. Alongside Ryan, I recount my own experiences as a United Methodist pastor struggling with alcohol addiction and the moment my wife's intervention propelled me towards a newfound clarity and purpose.<...

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After years of immersing himself in the world of professional sports, Glenn Hadley had to face the truth about his identity beyond the tennis court. His journey from a chicken farm in East Texas to the highest levels of professional tennis is more than just a tale of athletic triumph; it's a story of personal growth and self-realization. Join us as Glenn shares the profound challenges that come with being defined by a single identity and the transformative power of understanding oneself beyond achievements and titles.

Glenn's story takes an intriguing...

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What happens when a life of perfectionism and control spirals into a battle with alcoholism? Join us as we explore this profound transformation with Sherry Young, a leader in addiction recovery who reveals her personal journey from unexpected addiction to inspiring resilience. Sherry recounts her pivotal moment attending her first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting after a series of car accidents, a step that marked the beginning of a life-saving recovery process. Her candid story offers a beacon of hope, emphasizing the power of surrender and community support for those facing similar struggles.

...

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Supporting loved ones in crisis is no easy feat, and in this thought-provoking episode of the Valiant Living podcast, I, Drew Powell, open up about my personal experience alongside special guest Jackie Brewster. We share the heartfelt journey of helping my wife, Jamie, through a tumultuous period of emotional turmoil while I was in rehab at Valiant Living. Jackie and her husband, Steven Brewster, were pillars of strength and compassion for Jamie, providing her with a safe haven when she needed it most. Our conversation dives into the crucial elements of creating a...