The Recovery Couch

BrandonCouch10

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. MAY 12

    247 - From Lies to Identity: Spiritual Renewal, Purpose, and Walking in Truth with Renee Swasey

    In this powerful, faith-filled conversation, Brandon Couch sits down with Renee Swasey, author of Refined for Revival: Your Purpose in God’s Plan, to explore what it truly means to live in alignment with God—not performance, not religion, but real relationship. Renee shares how identity is often shaped by the world, addiction, and past experiences—and how true transformation begins when we separate who we are from what we’ve done. Together, they unpack the concept of the “dominion mandate,” the dangers of living in self-reliance, and why so many people remain stuck in cycles of addiction, shame, and spiritual stagnation. This episode dives deep into: How the enemy distorts identity through lies and conditioning Why renewing your mind is critical for recovery and spiritual growth The difference between living for yourself vs. co-laboring with God Breaking free from addiction by replacing false fulfillment with truth The importance of obedience, stepping off the sidelines, and living with purpose Practical encouragement for anyone starting over with nothing but a desire for change Renee also speaks directly to those coming out of addiction, prison, or broken circumstances—offering a clear path forward rooted in Scripture, surrender, and daily relationship with God. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a call to step out of the old patterns, renew your mind, and walk in the identity God already gave you.   Keywords: Faith, Addiction Recovery, Identity in Christ, Spiritual Growth, Mental Health, Purpose, Renewal, Obedience, Christian Living, Transformation   Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. Be sure to share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that their past does not define their purpose.   Guest Info: Renee Swasey is the author of Refined for Revival: Your Purpose in God’s Plan, a book designed to stir the Holy Spirit and deepen your relationship with God through truth, Scripture, and spiritual alignment.

    36 min
  2. APR 20

    243 - From International Drug Smuggler to Kingdom Builder: Thomas’ Radical Redemption

    Thomas’ story is nothing short of extraordinary. Once living as an international drug smuggler, his life spiraled through addiction, prison, and homelessness—until a powerful encounter with Christ changed everything. In this episode, Thomas shares how faith became the turning point that redefined his identity and purpose. What once was a life marked by destruction is now one committed to service, as he leads charitable efforts focused on helping the homeless and restoring dignity to those often forgotten. This conversation dives deep into the reality of spiritual transformation, the role of community and mentorship in recovery, and how surrendering to God can turn even the darkest past into a mission-driven future. If you’ve ever wondered whether true change is possible—this episode is your answer. Key Themes Spiritual transformation through Christ Breaking cycles of addiction and incarceration From survival to service: building charities for the homeless The power of community, mentorship, and accountability Turning pain into purpose Action Takeaways Seek out strong, faith-based community and mentorship Distance yourself from environments that pull you backward Use your past as fuel—not shame—to help others Anchor your recovery in faith and service Keywords (SEO) faith, addiction recovery, prison transformation, charity work, Christian testimony, homelessness, spiritual renewal, personal growth

    41 min
  3. APR 13

    242 - From Injury to Inspiration: Benjamin Buckland's Faith-Driven Recovery Journey

    Benjamin Buckland shares his journey through a severe injury, chronic pain, and his faith-driven approach to healing and purpose. This episode explores resilience, spiritual growth, and the power of gratitude amidst suffering.   Keywords - CRPS, chronic pain, faith, recovery, spiritual journey, hope, healing, depression, gratitude, perseverance Key topics Benjamin's accident and diagnosis with CRPS The mental and spiritual impact of chronic pain The role of faith and gratitude in healing Practical tools for managing pain and relationships The importance of honesty and hope in suffering Takeaways Faith provides hope beyond physical healing. Gratitude shifts focus from pain to purpose. Honest acknowledgment of struggles fosters resilience. God's timing is different from ours, but always purposeful. Sharing your story can inspire others in their journey. Sound Bites "God used her to speak to me in that moment." "Thanking God for waking me up changed everything." "God is still good, even in pain." Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:20 - The Accident and Initial Injury 02:20 - Diagnosis of CRPS and Its Challenges 04:46 - The Odds and Emotional Impact of CRPS 06:41 - Learning About CRPS and Its Nickname 07:04 - Mental Health and Spiritual Encounters 08:42 - God's Intervention and Past Experiences 09:33 - Endurance and Hope in Pain 12:16 - Faith, Gratitude, and God's Timing 14:38 - Relationships and Limitations 22:47 - Using Pain for Purpose and Writing 24:43 - Surrendering to God's Plan for Healing 28:04 - Living with Purpose Despite Pain 32:59 - Final Words of Encouragement and Faith Resources Psalm 139 Romans 5-8 CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) The Recovery Couch Podcast True Story Recovery Foundation

    36 min
  4. APR 6

    241 - Breaking the Illusion of Perfection with Jen Schneeman | Finding Peace in the Chaos

    What if the life that looks “perfect” on the outside is actually masking chaos within? In this powerful episode of The Recovery Couch, I sit down with Jen Schneeman—a trauma-informed nervous system specialist, researcher, and co-founder of REAL Human Performance—to unpack the illusion of perfection and the hidden cost of constantly striving to prove our worth. Jen shares her deeply personal journey of having her identity wrapped up in achievement, performance, and “doing.” On paper, she had success. To others, she looked confident. But internally, she was battling relentless self-criticism, chronic pain, and a dysregulated nervous system stuck in survival mode. She opens up about the cycle so many of us know too well: GO… GO… GO… collapse… and repeat. Not once—but four times—before finally breaking through burnout and reclaiming her inner peace. Without a trusted guide to connect the dots, Jen had to lean into her own lived experience and decades of scientific understanding to rewire her nervous system. What she discovered changed everything. In this conversation, we dive into: The illusion of perfection and how it fuels anxiety and burnout Nervous system regulation and why it’s key to emotional healing How chronic stress impacts mental health, identity, and peace Practical tools to overcome chaos, burnout, and internal overwhelm Building self-trust, resilience, and a sense of “enoughness” Jen also shares the heart behind the SCAR program—a science-backed framework designed to help individuals regulate their nervous system, increase self-compassion, and reduce stress long-term. Today, Jen lives with more peace, flow, and freedom—not because life is perfect, but because she’s no longer trying to be. If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, anxiety, or feeling like you’re never enough… this episode will give you practical tools and a new perspective on healing. You always have a seat, right here, on The Recovery Couch.

    57 min

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.

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