The Other Side of Addiction

This Episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com The God Aspect What if the worst day of your life became the beginning of your greatest purpose? In this deeply moving episode of Through The Storm Podcast, I sit down with Dave Cloutier to discuss the life-changing accident that nearly claimed his life at just 24 years old. Trapped on a snow-covered road, bleeding heavily, unable to speak because of a collapsed lung, Dave prayed silently in his mind. In that desperate moment, he heard a voice that would forever change his life: "Meet Me as a boy or a man." Dave would spend 18 days in an induced coma and 31 days in the hospital, losing his leg but gaining something far greater—a completely different understanding of God, Jesus, and the purpose behind life's greatest trials. As someone who also lost a leg later in life, this conversation hit me on a deeply personal level. It wasn't just an interview—it was two men discovering that what looked like the end of the story was actually where God began writing a new chapter. Together, we explore what it means to surrender, to trust God in the middle of unimaginable pain, and to discover that our greatest tragedies can become the very things that draw us closer to Him. We also discuss one of the most thought-provoking questions Dave now asks himself every day: "When I look in the mirror, is the person looking back my enemy... or my ally?" That single question has the power to change how we see ourselves, our struggles, and the lives we're capable of living. This isn't simply a conversation about surviving trauma or living with limb loss. It's about identity. Faith. Perspective. Redemption. It's about recognizing that sometimes God doesn't remove the storm—He walks through it with us, shaping us into the people we were always meant to become. If you've ever questioned God's plan, struggled through loss, or wondered how purpose can emerge from pain, this episode is a reminder that our greatest trials don't have to define us—they can refine us. Dave's story is proof that even in our darkest moments, God is still present, still speaking, and still working. Sometimes He doesn't change our circumstances right away... He changes our hearts in the middle of them. Because sometimes God doesn't remove the storm—He walks through it with us. And when we choose to walk with Him, we discover a strength, a peace, and a purpose we never knew existed.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com What happens when the person everyone depends on is the one silently falling apart? In this powerful episode of Through The Storm, I sit down with Keith A. Cole, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran, retired CPA, author, and follower of Jesus Christ. Keith's life is one of incredible strength, sacrifice, and service. He survived combat in Vietnam, was wounded three times, lost both of his parents at a young age, became the legal guardian of his two teenage siblings at just 23 years old, built a successful business, and spent decades carrying responsibilities that most people could never imagine. But beneath the strength was a man carrying invisible wounds. Keith shares how years of grief, trauma, responsibility, and self-reliance eventually led him into burnout—not because he was weak, but because he believed he had to carry everything alone. Together we explore a truth that so many people need to hear: Being strong doesn't always get you where you need to be. Many of us look like we're doing just fine on the outside while quietly fighting battles on the inside. We convince ourselves that asking for help is weakness, that pushing harder is the answer, and that everyone else comes before us. Keith reminds us that burnout rarely announces itself. It doesn't always come through failure or collapse. More often, it arrives after years of faithfully carrying burdens without rest, recognition, or relief. We also talk about the life-changing moment when Keith stopped relying solely on his own strength and surrendered his life, his pain, and his struggles to Jesus Christ. That surrender became the beginning of true healing. Throughout our conversation, we discuss: The hidden weight of trauma and grief. Why toughness alone cannot heal emotional wounds. The difference between surviving and truly living. The importance of trusted relationships and community. God's invitation to exchange exhaustion for His peace. Why asking for help is one of the strongest things we can do. One message stood out above all the others: We were never created to fight our battles alone. Whether you're battling addiction, burnout, loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply carrying the weight of life, this conversation is a reminder that there is hope. God doesn't expect us to carry every burden by ourselves. He often works through faith, community, and people who are willing to walk beside us. As Keith so beautifully reminds us: "Toughness can carry you, but it can't heal you." If this episode encourages you, please share it with someone who may be carrying more than they're letting others see. Remember... Storms aren't sent to stop us. They're sent to reveal us. So don't run from the storm. Walk through it... Because that's where strength is built, hope is restored, and purpose is found. Let's Walk Toward Hope Together. https://recoverybyfaith.com/ [email protected]

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com What if one of the most addictive substances isn't illegal... but sitting in our pantry? In this eye-opening episode of Through The Storm, I sit down with Michael Collins, founder of SugarAddiction.com and widely known as The Original SugarFreeMan. Michael has been completely sugar-free for more than 36 years and has dedicated his life to helping people break free from processed food and sugar addiction. During our conversation, we explored the hidden epidemic of sugar addiction and how deeply it impacts our physical, emotional, and mental health. Michael explained how excessive fructose consumption is contributing to alarming health issues—including fatty liver disease in children as young as five years old. It's a wake-up call for all of us. We also talked about the "sugar blues," the powerful cravings that keep people trapped in an endless cycle, and the illusion of control that so many experience. Just as with other addictions, many people believe they can stop anytime they want—until they realize how difficult that really is. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that addiction doesn't always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes it isn't alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Sometimes it's the foods we consume every single day without questioning their effects on our brains, our bodies, and our emotions. Whether you're struggling with sugar yourself, trying to improve your health, or simply curious about how food affects the brain, this episode offers practical insights, hope, and a fresh perspective on recovery. Because healing isn't just about removing what hurts us... it's about understanding why we reach for it in the first place. "Addiction doesn't care what the substance is. It cares that something outside ourselves has become our source of comfort, escape, or control." https://quitsugarsummit.com/ https://www.facebook.com/QuitSugarNow/ The Last Resort Sugar Detox Guide: Learn How to Quickly and Easily Detox from Sugar and Stop Cravings Completely https://amzn.to/3Iv1L7k https://www.youtube.com/@SugarAddiction https://www.facebook.com/groups/sugardetox.sugaraddiction.supportgoup https://x.com/SugarDetox https://www.instagram.com/realsugarfreeman/ https://www.tiktok.com/@sugardetox https://www.pinterest.com/sugaraddictionsupport/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mike-collins-57a5628a/ Through The Storm Podcast Helping people navigate addiction, trauma, grief, mental health, and life's toughest storms—one honest conversation at a time.

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com Sharing Without Shame With Donna Marston When someone we love struggles with addiction, it's easy to believe that if we just love them enough, help them enough, or sacrifice enough, we can save them. The truth is, addiction doesn't just affect the individual—it slowly begins to consume the entire family. In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Donna Marston, founder of Sharing With Out Shame®, Family Recovery Support Specialist, author, and speaker. After years of trying to rescue her own son from addiction, Donna discovered one of the hardest lessons a parent can learn: You can't love someone into recovery—but you can change how you respond. Together we explore the emotional toll addiction takes on parents, spouses, and loved ones, and why so many of us unknowingly lose ourselves while trying to save someone else. One of the most personal moments of our conversation came when I shared something a former co-host once said to me: "Al, you're addicted to your spouse's addiction." At first, those words were difficult to hear. But looking back, he was absolutely right. When someone we love is struggling, their addiction often becomes our addiction. Our thoughts revolve around them. Our emotions depend on them. Our lives become centered around trying to fix what only they can choose to change. Donna explains how unhealthy helping—although rooted in love—can actually keep us trapped alongside the person we're trying to help. She shares practical ways to establish healthier boundaries, remain connected, and love without losing ourselves in the process. This conversation isn't about giving up on those we love. It's about learning that healthy love looks different than enabling. It's about replacing shame with understanding. And it's about discovering that our own healing matters too. If you love someone battling addiction, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and that taking care of yourself isn't selfish...it's necessary. Because sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone isn't rescuing them... It's allowing both of us the opportunity to heal. Donna Marston Founder, Sharing Without Shame® Certified Recovery Support Worker Family Recovery Strategist Author | Speaker | Podcast Host www.sharingwithoutshame.com Free Guide: 5 Boundaries & Breakthroughs https://swos.sharingwithoutshame.com/5-boundaries www.sharingwithoutshame.com

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacademy.com "Pain may have written the first chapter of your story, but suffering doesn't have to write the rest." What if one of the greatest breakthroughs in your life wasn't about eliminating pain... but changing your relationship with it? In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Thomas Thatcher From The Tack Philosophy to explore one of the most important distinctions we can make in our healing journey—the difference between pain and suffering. Pain is real. Pain is the event. It's the loss, the betrayal, the diagnosis, the addiction, the trauma, or the unexpected storm that enters our lives. Suffering is everything we attach to that pain. It's the stories we replay, the "what ifs," the blame, the resentment, the guilt, and the meanings we create that keep us trapped long after the original event has passed. Thomas shares the powerful metaphor from his book, The Tack, reminding us that many of us continue to sit on the emotional "tack" of our past—not because we're forced to, but because we've unknowingly become attached to the story surrounding it. We also dive into the three dials that shape our experience: • Language – We are beings of language. The words we use and the meanings we assign to life's events become the stories we live. • History – Too often we continue living from our past instead of creating our future. Healing begins when we stop allowing yesterday to define tomorrow. • Biology – Our bodies remember what our minds try to forget. Understanding how our biology responds to stress and trauma gives us the awareness to respond differently instead of simply reacting. Throughout our conversation, Thomas reminds us that awareness creates choice. When we become aware of the stories we've been telling ourselves, we gain the freedom to write new ones. This episode isn't about pretending pain doesn't exist. It's about recognizing that while pain may be unavoidable, suffering doesn't have to be permanent. If you've ever found yourself stuck in resentment, replaying old wounds, or wondering why you can't seem to move forward, this conversation offers a fresh perspective that can help you step into greater peace, responsibility, and emotional freedom. Key Takeaways: • Pain is the event; suffering is the meaning we continue to give it. • Awareness creates the opportunity for different choices. • Our language shapes our reality. • We don't have to remain prisoners of our past. • Personal responsibility isn't about blame—it's about reclaiming our freedom. • Healing begins when we stop rehearsing our pain and start creating a new future. As I often say, storms aren't sent to stop us—they're sent to reveal us. Sometimes the greatest storm isn't what happened to us. It's the story we've continued telling ourselves afterward. I hope this conversation helps you let go of what's been keeping you stuck and reminds you that there is always another step forward. thetackphilosophy.com #ThroughTheStormPodcast #PainVsSuffering #ThomasThatcher #HealingJourney #MentalHealth #EmotionalHealing #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #Recovery #Hope #Healing #Purpose #Growth #WalkThroughTheStorm