In this episode of Finding New Waters, host B. Reeves sits down with Bobby Ferguson, founder of Jaywalker Lodge in Carbondale, Colorado, and Alpha 180 in Austin, Texas, for an honest conversation about addiction, sobriety, friendship, and building a meaningful life in recovery. Growing up in New York City, Bobby's early years were filled with independence, adventure, and a party lifestyle that eventually spiraled into addiction. After losing jobs, experiencing repeated consequences, and entering treatment three times, Bobby found himself on a one-way flight to Minnesota. That decision would change everything. Through treatment at Hazelden, Bobby discovered something he had been missing throughout his addiction: genuine human connection. Rather than returning to New York and repeating the same patterns, he stayed in Minnesota, surrounded himself with people in recovery, and began building a completely different life. His experiences eventually inspired him to create Jaywalker Lodge, a recovery program built around a simple but powerful philosophy: recovery should be about creating a life worth living, not merely avoiding substances. Bobby explains why traditional approaches that emphasize fear and consequences often fail to inspire lasting change. Instead, he believes friendship, shared experiences, adventure, service, and community can help people discover the joy of sobriety. Now retired after decades in the addiction treatment field, Bobby reflects on the lessons he's learned about surrender, masculinity, vulnerability, and the importance of showing up for others. He also shares an unexpected challenge: after spending years teaching men how to build meaningful friendships, he's now putting those same principles into practice following his move to Southern California. Bobby and B. explore why so many men struggle with emotional connection, why asking for help requires courage, and how recovery provides an opportunity to become the person you once needed. This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't simply about leaving addiction behind. It's about discovering friendship, purpose, belonging, and the freedom to live fully. Whether you're beginning your recovery journey, supporting someone struggling with addiction, or working in the treatment field, this conversation offers valuable insight into what makes lasting recovery possible. RESOURCES Jaywalker Lodge https://www.jaywalkerlodge.com Alpha 180 https://www.alpha180.com Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.aa.org 🎙️ Watch & Listen Website: www.findingnewwaters.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5Gjw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXw YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn
