Recovery Podcast

Volunteers of America

We are a ministry of service, walking alongside those seeking healing—body, mind, and spirit. The Recovery Podcast now brings you one powerful episode each month, featuring real stories, honest conversations, and hope-filled insights for anyone pursuing a transformed life. Our goal is to inform, engage, and inspire every listener. Subscribe on your favorite platform and catch a new episode each month. 

  1. OCT 16

    79 - Joy Copeland

    Joy Copeland was born in Orange County, California, and raised in Texas as the youngest of four daughters. Often feeling out of place, she leaned into humor to stand out and embraced the identity of the “good kid,” hoping it would earn her belonging. Her faith began early—baptized at six and raised around Christianity—but over time, that faith became transactional: “If I’m good, God will give me what I want.” Music became her safe haven. She excelled at the oboe and earned a college scholarship, but once in college, Joy's life began to unravel. She turned to drinking, drugs, and relationships to fill a growing void, all while her mental health declined. After a terrifying rollover accident and hearing the haunting words, “It would’ve been better if you were dead,” Joy realized how far she’d strayed from her path. Her turning point came from an unexpected invitation to a Bible study. A church sign that read “Come as you are” caught her eye—and her heart. Through that church, Celebrate Recovery, and a loving community, she slowly rebuilt her relationship with God and found freedom from shame. The women in recovery reminded her: “That’s not who you are—that’s what you did.” Now serving as the Pastoral Care Coordinator at VOA Northern Rockies, Joy walks alongside others on their recovery journeys. From music scholarships to worship on the chapel keyboard, Joy's story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes God doesn’t kill your dreams—He just rewrites them into something better.

    41 min
  2. SEP 18

    78 - Allen Durham

    In this powerful episode, we hear from Allen Durham, Business Development team member at VOA Northern Rockies, as he shares his deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and faith. Allen began drinking and using drugs at a young age—it was all around him. What started as fun quickly turned into a 17-year battle that led him through four treatment programs. The final one, at VOA Northern Rockies, came at the recommendation of a prosecuting attorney—and it became the turning point. Raised in church by a faithful mother, Allen drifted far from God during his darkest moments. “I didn’t have hope, love, or faith,” he says. But while sitting alone in a trailer, God met him. That moment changed everything. “Christ touched my soul,” he recalls. Recovery wasn’t easy. Learning to be honest with himself and connect with others took time and daily discipline. Allen shares that what makes a person isn't how far they fall—it's how they rise again. And he continues rising, one day at a time. He reflects on: The lifelong nature of recovery and transformationThe importance of surrendering your whole life, not just parts of itWhy community and environment matter—“Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future”How God uses our weaknesses as strengthFinding hope, purpose, and practical wisdom in faith, especially in the book of James💬 “If you feel like you’re too broken to change—there is hope for you. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it. If you do it as easy, your life will be hard. If you do it as hard, your life will be easy.”

    32 min
  3. JAN 23

    72 - JR Booker

    In this powerful episode of the Recovery Podcast, host Nick Angeloff sits down with JR Booker, who shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery. JR opens up about his struggles with gaining trust from others after a turbulent past, including time spent in prison for attempted murder. He recounts the harrowing experience of nearly losing his life due to a brutal beating while incarcerated and the profound impact it had on him. JR discusses the personal tragedies he faced, including the loss of his marriage, and reveals the moment of clarity he experienced when he heard a voice from God guiding him onto a new path. Now, working with VOA’s ministry, JR is committed to helping others navigate their own recovery journeys. Contact Us: For further information, support, or inquiries, you can reach out to us at Ministry@VOANR.org or call 1-866-Get-2-VOA. Explore more about Volunteers of America Northern Rockies at VOANR.org. Donate to Support: If you're moved by our conversations and the impactful work we do, consider contributing to our cause. Your support helps us make a difference in the lives of those on the journey to recovery. To learn more, please visit our website at www.voanr.org. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: We recognize the importance of mental health. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please call the 988 Lifeline. It provides 24/7 free and confidential support. --- At Volunteers of America Northern Rockies, we engage those we serve with an intentional focus that meets needs, educates, uplifts, and inspires. We also recognize how much we all need to hear positive stories of lives transformed. That’s why we created the Recovery Podcast. Recovery Podcast is a collection of interviews designed to share stories of recovery and faith from Volunteers of America Northern Rockies past and present. It is our honor to share them with a belief they will enlighten and encourage. From amazing testimonies of hope to educating around serving our community in need, our podcast will inform, engage, and inspire.  Many of our leaders are among the top professionals in their field, navigating their teams through the changing landscape of human services. In the coming months, we’ll hear interviews from many of them, sharing their expertise in the world of addiction treatment, homeless services, veteran support, moral injury and so much more. We also have a diverse portfolio of partners who have joined forces with us to provide practical self-care education and spiritual direction and helped bring a deeper understanding of what it means to be true servant leaders. We will bring you special interviews with many of our current and past partners, offering insight into how they helped us grow, and we trust it will help many of you as well.  Today’s music is courtesy of the Free Music Archive. This week you heard tunes by Ketsa who also composed our theme music.

    37 min
5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

We are a ministry of service, walking alongside those seeking healing—body, mind, and spirit. The Recovery Podcast now brings you one powerful episode each month, featuring real stories, honest conversations, and hope-filled insights for anyone pursuing a transformed life. Our goal is to inform, engage, and inspire every listener. Subscribe on your favorite platform and catch a new episode each month.