She Surrenders - The Podcast

Sherry Hoppen

She Surrenders is where we talk about faith, addiction, and women all in the same place. Sherry’s 10-year struggle with alcohol ended in surrender to God and a 1,000-mile bike trip. There is an easier way! Sherry started She Surrenders out of a place of needing to find other women of faith struggling with their secrets of addiction. Her heart is to share everything about recovery and what it looks like to surrender to God and the life He calls you to live. Whatever you struggle with, you are in the right place to find encouragement and comfort that you are not alone. We all have our stuff.  Its about time we learn from each other and share our stories of surrender and the joy that can be found in a life living in recovery as a woman who loves the Lord.

  1. MAR 1

    EP 75 | Jon's Story: Sobriety Isn't Enough

    What if alcohol isn’t the core problem—but escape is? We sit down with Jon Seidl, author of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, to unpack a bracingly honest journey from cultural drinking to quiet day buzzes, from a bestselling book high to an aching low, and a night in Miami that tore the blinders off. Jon doesn’t glamorize a bottom; he shows how subtle compromises pile up when success fades, old wounds whisper, and numbing feels easier than feeling. If you’ve ever asked why sobriety can feel flat or why white-knuckling fades, this conversation offers a clearer target and practical tools for the long haul. Freedom grows when we stop numbing, tell the truth, and let God fill what alcohol only muted. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more people find a path to lasting recovery. - Jonathon M. Seidl (Jon) has been telling stories his whole life. In fact, he’s written over 10,000 posts in his lifetime, first after helping start a successful news website and then as the editor in chief of the popular nonprofit I Am Second. He writes and speaks all across the country on the power of storytelling, radical vulnerability, faith, mental health, and addiction. His first book, Finding Rest, became a bestseller in several categories and a top 100 book on Amazon. His latest book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, is his radically vulnerable story of being the Christian who became an alcoholic, his climb out of addiction, and how others can break free from all of life’s entanglements. Shortly after its release, the book became the top new release in addiction recovery on Amazon. He lives in Frisco, TX, with his wife and two young children. He holds a Masters in Theological Studies from Southwestern Seminary.  Connect with Jon Instagram @jonseidl ChristianAlcoholic.com  About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    48 min
  2. FEB 15

    EP 74 | Stephanie's Story: How Confession, Community, And Courage Broke Alcohol’s Grip

    Some stories find their turning point in the unlikeliest moment—like a hungover Sunday when a single sermon about confession cuts through the noise. That’s where Stephanie’s path shifted from white-knuckle control to honest surrender, and the difference changed everything. We walk through her early years in Wisconsin where football and drinking were inseparable, the college chaos that ended in a mandated detox, and the AA meeting that cracked denial. Then comes a quieter chapter and a slow slide back through “sophisticated” wine culture. She describes the hidden labor of moderation, the work events that exposed the gap between her values and her actions, and the shame of representing faith in public while self-destructing in private.  If this story resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help more people find a path to freedom.  - Stephanie Ziebell is a wife, mom of four, and the Chief Legal Officer of a financial institution, who once believed she had to “hold it all together” while privately struggling with alcohol. Her recovery began when she stopped asking if her drinking was “bad enough” and started listening to what God was asking of her.   Connect with Stephanie Instagram and Facebook: @radiantinbattle About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    46 min
  3. FEB 1

    EP 73 | Ericka's Story: Faith, Freedom, And Freely Sober

    What if surrender was the beginning of real freedom, not the end of it? Ericka Andersen—journalist, author, wife, and mom—joins us to share how she rethought alcohol through the lens of faith and rebuilt a life that’s joyful, clear, and deeply connected. Her new book, Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith, offers important insights on how women’s relationships with alcohol are shifting as they grapple with increased pressures at home and work, and her approach wisely utilizes faith as a recovery tool without positioning it as a cure-all.  This is a candid, hope-filled conversation for anyone sober curious, stuck in the cycle, or longing to support someone they love. Tap play to learn concrete tools, hear hard-won wisdom, and feel seen in your questions. If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more faith-based recovery stories, and leave a review so others can find their way to freedom too.  Episode referenced: EP | 53: Sobriety Through Spirituality - Ericka Andersen is a journalist whose writing has appeared in Christianity Today, World Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. She is the author of Leaving Cloud 9 and Reason to Return: Why Women Need the Church and the Church Needs Women. She lives with her husband and two children in Indianapolis, Indiana. Connect with Ericka Instagram: @ericka_andersen Website: erickaandersen.com  Get the book: freelysober.com Get her free Sober Curious Guide: sobrietycurious.com About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    45 min
  4. JAN 18

    EP 72 | Amber's Story: Healing After Life Falls Apart

    A single break changed everything. Amber thought discipline would keep life in order—straight A’s, strict faith, and hours of exercise that looked healthy from the outside. When a double pirouette ended with a broken foot, the illusion shattered. What followed wasn’t instant perfection but a new kind of honesty about addiction, control, and the slow work of healing with God at the center.  Together we unpack what addiction can look like beyond substances—perfectionism, productivity, and legalism—and how to step out of their shadow with tools that actually help. Amber talks about the community that sustains her, the spiritual mentorship that keeps her grounded, and her calling as an author creating faith-based resources on anxiety, depression, and recovery.  If you’re craving a story that names hard things and still points to hope, this conversation is for you. Listen, share with a friend who needs courage today, and if the message resonates, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find a path toward faith-led recovery and real-world healing.  - Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.  Connect with Amber Instagram: @amberginterauthor Facebook: Amber Ginter Author Podcast: Authentically Amber Learn more about the Mental Reset: A Christian Co-Ed Retreat for Anxious Hearts here.  About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    26 min
  5. JAN 4

    EP 71 | Annetta's Story: From Darkness To Deliverance

    What if the moment you feared most became the doorway to freedom? That question sits at the center of Annetta’s story, a raw, hope-filled journey from childhood abuse and fifth-grade drinking to daily use, goth weekends, and a desperate plea on a skateboard that landed her at the door of AA.  Listen for the turning points, stay for the practical hope: how surrender can transform not just habits but identity. If this story encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find faith-based recovery that lasts.  - Annetta Caldwell is a wife, mother, dancer, and author passionate about sharing God's faithfulness. A Texas native, she trained in dance and ministry with Youth With A Mission, where she met her husband, Ryan. They moved to Virginia in 2007, where they’ve raised their seven children. Annetta now teaches others to worship through dance and shares her testimony through writing and speaking, helping others find freedom through God’s redemptive power.  Connect with Annetta: Ftfministries.org   Purchase her book: Caught About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    27 min
  6. 12/21/2025

    EP 70 | Molly's Story: Beauty From Brokenness

    What if the darkest chapter of your life could become the raw material for something beautiful? Molly joins us to share a rare, vulnerable account of moving from childhood sexual trauma and years of substance use to a grounded, faith-centered life where recovery is real and creativity heals. Her story isn’t a tidy turnaround; it’s a slow, steady walk out of confusion and into clarity, backed by scripture, community, and the kind of grace that keeps showing up. If this moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find their way to the same hope.  - Molly Cherry spent years running from herself—using addiction, manipulation, and self-destruction to numb what she didn’t know how to face. But what she was really running from was the pain Jesus wanted to heal. Her escape led to broken relationships, mental hospitals, trauma, and moments when her family almost had to live without her. Yet in her darkest place, God’s grace found her. Jesus didn’t shame Molly—He rescued her, rebuilt her, and showed her real freedom. Molly's recovery is not just her story—it’s His, and proof that no one is too far gone for redemption.  Connect with Molly: On Facebook: Art for One's Self On Instagram: @yesterdayagain About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    34 min
  7. 12/07/2025

    Ep 69 | Janessa's Story: The Joy of Surrender

    When a spine infection stole her twenties, prescriptions promised relief but quietly rewired everything. In this episode, Janessa walks us through the years between her first Percocet high to a life rebuilt on surrender—forty pills a day, fentanyl patches, interventions, and the moment she chose honesty over hiding. This is not a neat redemption arc but a gritty, luminous one. If you’ve ever wondered whether real freedom is possible after years of medicating pain, this conversation offers both candor and hope. It’s about finding a safe room where people understand and trusting God to do the heavy lifting.  Press play, share this with someone who needs a way out, and if this story moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s one thing you’re ready to surrender today? - Janessa Baar is a survivor, mentor, and advocate for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. After overcoming years of pain medication and fentanyl addiction, she celebrates over 11 years of sobriety and now dedicates her life to helping others find hope and healing. A former business owner, Janessa sold her company to start an outreach program in Honduras, where she served from 2018 to 2023.  With a background marked by trauma, loss, and resilience, Janessa brings raw honesty and compassion to conversations about recovery, faith, and rebuilding life after addiction. Today, she mentors through local ministries and the Big Brother Big Sister program, offering encouragement to those walking the same difficult road she once traveled. About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    31 min
  8. 11/23/2025

    Ep 68 | Jaycie's Story: From Self-harm To Healing

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of self-harming behavior.  In this episode, we hear from Jaycie on the exact day she celebrates three years sober. She shares her brave, unfiltered account of how anxiety, family trauma, and isolation fed addiction and self-harm that almost swallowed her future — and how faith and community stitched it back together.  From denial, self-blame and looking for her worth in toxic relationships, Jaycie shares how a simple moment of surrendering her life to Jesus started her journey from the depths of addiction to a life of freedom.   If you've ever wondered whether faith-based recovery can heal your deepest doubts and pain, this conversation offers the hope of restoration.   Listen, share with a friend who needs hope, and if this story moved you, subscribe and leave a review so others can find their way to freedom too.  - Jaycie Kantrud is 29 years old and lives in the land of 10,000 lakes — Minnesnowta! Once a girl bound by rejection, anxiety, and addiction, she gave her life to Jesus inside a Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge treatment center and her life has never been the same. She is now 3 year sober and living a life she only ever dreamed of. All Glory to God!  You can follow her on Instagram @jayciekantrud About the She Surrenders Podcast: On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.    Help us reach more listeners: like, subscribe, review, and share.  Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.

    53 min

Trailers

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

She Surrenders is where we talk about faith, addiction, and women all in the same place. Sherry’s 10-year struggle with alcohol ended in surrender to God and a 1,000-mile bike trip. There is an easier way! Sherry started She Surrenders out of a place of needing to find other women of faith struggling with their secrets of addiction. Her heart is to share everything about recovery and what it looks like to surrender to God and the life He calls you to live. Whatever you struggle with, you are in the right place to find encouragement and comfort that you are not alone. We all have our stuff.  Its about time we learn from each other and share our stories of surrender and the joy that can be found in a life living in recovery as a woman who loves the Lord.

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