The Recovery Couch

BrandonCouch10
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Self-Improvement

Welcome to The Recovery Couch, the podcast where recovery takes center stage. Whether you’re an athlete bouncing back from a tough workout, someone healing from loss, or an addict navigating a recovery journey, this show is for you. Hosted by Brandon Couch—a former athlete trainer, corporate professional, active-duty military member, and recovering addict—The Recovery Couch explores the highs and lows of life’s many recoveries. With firsthand experience in overcoming adversity, Brandon dives deep into what recovery truly looks like in every walk of life. Pull up a seat. Let’s talk recovery.

  1. 5d ago

    273 - Life After Relapse: The Hardest Part of Starting Over | Denny Matthews

    Everybody loves a comeback story. But what people don't always talk about is how hard that comeback actually is. Denny Matthews is back on The Recovery Couch, and this time we're talking about what life looks like after a relapse. After 20 months of sobriety, Denny found himself right back in a battle he thought he'd overcome. Now he's dealing with the emotional aftermath, the loss of his job, serious health struggles, and frustrating insurance delays that are keeping him from getting back into treatment. And he's not pretending any of it is easy. During our conversation, Denny opens up about the shame, depression, isolation, and fear that can come with starting recovery again. We talk about accountability, rebuilding trust, asking for help, and why having people who love you doesn't always make it easy to accept their support. We also have some fun with our This'er That segment before getting into a powerful Finish the Sentence conversation about family, forgiveness, and the future Denny still hopes to build. One thing I want people to understand is this: Just because someone knows what they need to do doesn't mean doing it is easy. If you've ever experienced a relapse, struggled to forgive yourself, or loved someone battling addiction, this conversation is for you. Denny's story is still being written, and I'm grateful he's willing to let us follow along. You always have a seat right here on The Recovery Couch. The Recovery Couch is a True Story Media production.

  2. Oct 19

    272 - Relapse After 20 Months Sober: Denny Matthews' Road Back

    What happens when someone who has spent 20 months rebuilding their life in recovery suddenly relapses? In this deeply personal episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch welcomes back Denny Matthews for his third appearance. But this conversation is different. Just days before recording, Denny relapsed after 20 months of sobriety. What began with physical pain and prescription opioids quickly escalated into heroin and methamphetamine use, leaving Denny struggling with shame, guilt, and the fear that everything he worked for might be lost. Rather than hide what happened, Denny reached out to Brandon and asked to share his story. Together, they have an honest, emotional conversation about the realities of addiction relapse, the power of honesty, and the difficult process of getting back into recovery. Topics discussed include: Relapsing after long-term sobriety Prescription pain medication and relapse risk Shame, guilt, and the fear of starting over The importance of honesty and accountability Recovery support groups, sponsorship, and asking for help The emotional impact of resetting a sobriety date Faith, forgiveness, and spiritual struggles Rebuilding confidence and finding the courage to try again Denny also shares what he believes contributed to his relapse, including becoming comfortable in his recovery and neglecting some of the daily practices that had helped him stay sober. Throughout the conversation, Brandon challenges Denny to recognize that the 20 months he spent sober still matter and that one setback doesn't erase the progress he made. The episode concludes with a conversation about potentially documenting Denny's journey back into recovery through future episodes of The Recovery Couch. This is a story still being written. If you've ever experienced a relapse, struggled with addiction, or watched someone you love fight to stay sober, this conversation is for you. Listen, share your thoughts, and join us in encouraging Denny as he takes his next steps. The Recovery Couch — real conversations about addiction, recovery, faith, and second chances. You always have a seat right here.

  3. Oct 12

    271 - Do We Really Believe in Second Chances? | Addiction, Prison & Redemption

    Everybody loves a redemption story. But what happens when the person asking for a second chance has a criminal record, a history of drug addiction, or a past that makes people uncomfortable? In this powerful episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch challenges society's attitudes toward addiction recovery, incarceration, forgiveness, and second chances. As a recovering addict, convicted felon, U.S. Air Force veteran, author, and Christian, Brandon knows firsthand what it means to take responsibility for past mistakes while trying to build a different future. But here's the question: If we believe people can change, why do we keep defining them by who they used to be? Through personal experiences, uncomfortable questions, and biblical examples from Mark 2:17 and Acts 9, Brandon examines the difference between accountability and condemnation, the barriers people face after prison and addiction treatment, and the responsibility Christians have to extend the grace they preach. This conversation explores addiction stigma, criminal justice rehabilitation, rebuilding trust, finding employment after incarceration, Christian forgiveness, and why genuine redemption isn't measured by wealth, success, or public recognition. Brandon also delivers a challenge to people in recovery: second chances don't eliminate accountability. Real change requires honesty, responsibility, consistency, and actions that demonstrate a different way of living. The question isn't simply whether people deserve second chances. It's whether we're willing to help make those second chances possible. Whether you're rebuilding your life after addiction, supporting someone in recovery, navigating the consequences of a criminal record, or wrestling with what forgiveness really means, this episode is for you. Listen, share your perspective, and help us continue the conversation about recovery, faith, accountability, and redemption.

  4. Oct 5

    270 - Lazarus, Come Out: What John 11 Teaches Us About Addiction & Recovery

    What if getting sober is only the beginning? In John 11, Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb. Lazarus is alive again — but he's still wrapped in the grave clothes he was buried in. That hit me hard. Because that's what recovery has looked like in my own life. Jesus brought me back to life, but getting sober didn't automatically remove the shame, resentment, fear, pride, guilt, survival instincts and old ways of thinking that addiction had wrapped around me. In this episode of The Recovery Couch, I walk through the story of Lazarus and the parallels I see between John 11, addiction and recovery. We talk about addiction living in darkness, becoming spiritually dead, Jesus meeting us in the middle of our wreckage, the difference between sobriety and recovery, and why we need other people to help us remove the "grave clothes" we can't always see ourselves. Because getting sober got me out of the tomb. Recovery has been learning how to stop living like I'm still in it. Jesus says: Come out. Take off the grave clothes. Let him go. That's more than sobriety. That's freedom. This is The Recovery Couch with Brandon Couch — honest conversations about addiction, recovery, faith and second chances. You always have a seat right here on The Recovery Couch.

  5. Sep 28

    269 - Learning Together - Hallucinogens & Psychedelics Explained: LSD, Mushrooms, DMT, PCP & More

    What are hallucinogens and psychedelics, how do they affect perception, and why have humans used them for thousands of years? In this episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch continues the Learning Together series with an educational examination of hallucinogens and psychedelics. We explore psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, mescaline, DMT, LSD, PCP, morning glory seeds, nightshade plants, nutmeg, and mace, along with concepts such as altered perception, synesthesia, tolerance, psychological dependence, and the unpredictable nature of psychedelic experiences. We also look at the history behind these substances—from ancient ceremonial practices to LSD and the psychedelic movement of the 1960s—and discuss why understanding their effects and risks matters in addiction and recovery education. This episode is intended strictly for educational and informational purposes and does not encourage the use of illicit substances. 📖 Check out Brandon Couch's book, Step 4: A Journey Through Addiction, and remember: You always have a seat right here on The Recovery Couch.

  6. Sep 21

    268 - From Life-Threatening Diagnosis to Invictus Gold | David Jarvis on Resilience & Recovery

    David Jarvis went from serving 21 years in the British Army to facing a life-threatening Type 1 diabetes diagnosis—and then winning a gold medal at the Invictus Games. In this episode of The Recovery Couch, David shares how resilience, accountability, and adaptability helped him navigate some of the biggest transitions of his life. After being medically discharged from the British Army, David found himself struggling with identity, direction, and what came next. Then, while training for the 2023 Invictus Games, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and told he had been dangerously close to losing his life. Instead of abandoning his goal, David decided to raise the bar: he was going to win gold. David and Brandon discuss what resilience actually looks like when life changes unexpectedly, including: Why taking one simple action can break through overwhelm The difference between resilience and “prosilience” Rebuilding your identity after a major life transition Why accountability matters when rebuilding your life Turning mistakes into learning opportunities Building sustainable habits brick by brick Financial literacy and life after major setbacks How David's lessons apply to addiction recovery Why adding the word “yet” can completely change your mindset David explains that resilience isn't one heroic act. It's the accumulation of small actions—and when adversity arrives, the question becomes: What can I do next? Whether you're recovering from addiction, transitioning out of the military, dealing with a health diagnosis, rebuilding financially, or simply trying to figure out what comes next, this conversation is about learning how to move forward when life doesn't go according to plan. Subscribe to The Recovery Couch for real conversations about addiction, recovery, mental health, resilience, faith, personal growth, and second chances. Podbean / Spotify / Apple Podcasts Description What happens when the life you've known for more than two decades ends—and you have to figure out who you are and what comes next? David Jarvis served 21 years in the British Army before being medically discharged and beginning an entirely new chapter of his life. While preparing for the 2023 Invictus Games, another challenge arrived: a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis that doctors told him had come dangerously close to taking his life. Instead of walking away from the Games, David set an extraordinary goal—win gold. And he did. In this episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon and David explore resilience, accountability, adaptability, identity, financial recovery, life transitions, and what David calls “prosilience”—not simply surviving adversity, but using it as an opportunity to raise the bar. They also connect David's experiences directly to addiction recovery and the reality of rebuilding a life after everything has changed. David's message is simple: you don't have to solve your entire life today. Take the next step. Lay the next brick. Keep moving forward. The Recovery Couch — real conversations about recovery, resilience, mental health, personal growth, and second chances.

  7. Sep 18

    267 - What Really Causes Addiction? It’s Not Just About the Drug

    What really causes addiction? When we talk about addiction, we often start with the substance—heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, marijuana, or something else. But focusing exclusively on the drug can cause us to miss a much bigger question: Why did that person need to escape in the first place? In this episode of The Recovery Couch, Brandon Couch explores the underlying causes of addiction, including trauma and emotional pain, genetics and family influences, early exposure to substances, and social and environmental pressures. He also examines how unresolved experiences can influence emotions, triggers, relationships, and behavior—and why understanding what's underneath substance use doesn't mean removing personal responsibility. Responsibility and compassion don't have to compete with each other. Recovery requires accountability and change. But people are also more than their worst coping mechanisms. Maybe instead of only asking, “What's wrong with you?” we should also ask: “What happened—and what do we do from here?” Because sometimes the substance isn't the beginning of the story. And thankfully, addiction doesn't have to be the end of it either. 🎙️ The Recovery Couch — real conversations about addiction, recovery, mental health, faith, resilience, and second chances. Your story isn't over. You always have a seat right here.

  8. Sep 14

    266 - Recovery Isn’t Boring: You’re Just Not Used to Peace | Denny Matthews

    Denny Matthews returns to The Recovery Couch to talk about something people rarely associate with sobriety: actually enjoying life again. Now 18 months sober, Denny shares how close he came to death before entering treatment, what surrendering to God looked like for him, and how recovery has helped him rebuild relationships, rediscover his personality, and find gratitude in the simple things he once overlooked. Brandon and Denny also discuss changing people, places, and things, sexual triggers, honesty in recovery, sober support networks, faith, relapse, and why connection with other people in recovery matters. Denny leaves listeners with a powerful perspective for anyone who thinks sober life feels boring: Don’t mistake peace for boredom. When you've spent years surrounded by chaos, peace can feel unfamiliar. Recovery requires daily work—but life on the other side can be happy, meaningful, and free. If you’re struggling with addiction, early sobriety, or wondering whether recovery is worth it, this conversation is for you.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Recovery Couch, the podcast where recovery takes center stage. Whether you’re an athlete bouncing back from a tough workout, someone healing from loss, or an addict navigating a recovery journey, this show is for you. Hosted by Brandon Couch—a former athlete trainer, corporate professional, active-duty military member, and recovering addict—The Recovery Couch explores the highs and lows of life’s many recoveries. With firsthand experience in overcoming adversity, Brandon dives deep into what recovery truly looks like in every walk of life. Pull up a seat. Let’s talk recovery.

Information

  • Creator
    BrandonCouch10
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Recovery Couch