Recovery Vow

Recovery Vow

Recovery Vow is where real talk meets redemption. Every week, host Eric Kennedy dives into raw, unfiltered conversations about addiction, recovery, marriage, and family—with all the messy, beautiful in-between moments too. With a mix of hard truths, humor, and a faith-filled lens, this podcast explores the battles we face and the hope that keeps us going. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just navigating life’s curveballs, Recovery Vow is your honest companion for healing and growth.

  1. 4D AGO

    Sober But Still Unsafe - with Dave Willis

    In this deeply honest episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast… We sit down with Dave Willis, marriage coach, pastor, and co-host of the Naked Marriage Podcast. Dave joins Eric Kennedy to unpack one of the most overlooked foundations of recovery: emotional safety. What starts as a conversation about rebuilding trust quickly reveals something deeper… why even after the addiction stops, the relationship can still feel broken. Eric and Dave take us inside the reality many couples face: the tension at home, the lack of trust, and the quiet distance that replaces connection. From hidden addictions and secrecy to the painful process of rebuilding trust “one drop at a time,” they expose how recovery isn’t just about quitting a behavior… It’s about becoming a safe person again. This episode is a wake-up call: you can be sober and still unsafe. And if your relationship doesn’t feel safe, nothing you build will last. Real recovery isn’t just about changing actions, it’s about showing up with consistency, honesty, and presence… every single day. On This Episode: - Why emotional safety is the true foundation of recovery - How secrecy and unpredictability silently destroy trust - The “bucket vs. drops” analogy that explains rebuilding trust - Why defensiveness and tone can damage more than your actions - The difference between behavior change… and emotional consistency - Five pillars that create real safety in relationships - How small, daily actions rebuild connection over time Connect with Dave and Ashley Willis: Podcast: The Naked Marriage Podcast Socials: @‌daveandashleywillis Connect with us: Socials: @‌RecoveryVow Website: http://recoveryvow.com Email: recoveryvow@gmail.com New episodes every other Monday! Top ways to support this podcast: - Give this video a thumbs up - Subscribe to our channel - Follow us on FB and IG - Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music

    50 min
  2. MAY 5

    When Love is Overshadowed by Fear

    When trust is broken, even a simple touch can feel unsafe. In this powerful and honest episode, Eric sits down with Jeremy Hinote, a counselor and founder of Savannah River Counseling, to unpack what happens when couples try to rebuild intimacy after addiction. What seems like “getting back to normal” can quickly turn into something deeper… learning how to feel safe again. Jeremy breaks down the four layers of intimacy:  Emotional ConversationalExperiential PhysicalMost couples try to fix the last one first. But when trust is broken, even a simple touch can feel unsafe. What once felt like connecting now creates distance. The takeaway is simple. Intimacy is not rebuilt through pressure; it is rebuilt through consistency. Small steady actions. Showing up. Being honest. Creating safety again. When safety returns, connection follows. HIGHLIGHTS: Why your brain shifts into “danger mode” after betrayalThe 4 layers of intimacy most couples ignoreWhy fixing sex first often backfiresThe role of guilt, shame, and broken trustHow small daily actions rebuild connectionWhat emotional safety actually looks likeConnect with Jeremy Hinote: Savannah River Counseling / savannahrivercounseling.com Top ways to support this podcast: 👍 Give this video a thumbs up 🔔 Subscribe to our channel 💬 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music 👩🏻‍💻 Join the Collective! skool.com/recovery-vow

    32 min
  3. APR 20

    The Pain That Gave Me Purpose with Tanner Smith

    In this deeply inspiring episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast… Eric Kennedy sits down with Tanner Smith and his parents, Nicci and Mark, a family whose journey through autism, faith, and resilience has transformed not just their lives, but thousands of others. What began as fear, uncertainty, and a life-altering diagnosis turned into a story of purpose, growth, and unexpected impact. Tanner shares his journey from early struggles with communication to becoming a confident, independent young man traveling the world, meeting celebrities, and inspiring audiences everywhere. But behind the spotlight is a family that fought through years of confusion, emotional breakdowns, and relentless effort just to reach a place many take for granted. Mark and Nicci open up about the moment everything changed, the diagnosis that shattered their expectations, the financial and emotional weight that followed, and the silent battles they faced as parents trying to do everything right. From therapy sessions at the kitchen table to redefining their marriage and roles, their story is raw, real, and filled with moments that will truly inspire. On This Episode: The life-changing autism diagnosis that reshaped an entire familyThe emotional reality of parenting through uncertainty and fearHow Tanner went from limited communication to global impactThe truth about marriage under pressure and staying as a teamWhy purpose matters more than “fixing” the problemThe unseen struggles families with autism face, and why they need supportConnect with us: Socials: @‌RecoveryVow Website: http://recoveryvow.com Email: recoveryvow@gmail.com New episodes every other Monday. Top ways to support this podcast: 👍 Give this video a thumbs up 🔔 Subscribe to our channel 💬 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music

    53 min
  4. APR 6

    The Addiction to Success

    In this powerful episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast… We sit down with Kenny Stoddart, a former cybersecurity executive turned recovery advocate and mental health coach whose life looked successful on the outside, but was quietly unraveling beneath the surface. From high achievement and global success to addiction, shame, and a life-altering cancer diagnosis… Kenny’s story is one of breaking, rebuilding, and finally becoming the man he was always meant to be. Kenny takes us back to a defining moment being expelled from school and carrying that hidden shame for years. That unresolved identity followed him into a high-performing career, where success and alcohol became dangerously intertwined. What looked like confidence and achievement slowly turned into exhaustion, decline, and a cycle he couldn’t escape. What followed wasn’t just recovery it was transformation. From entering treatment and embracing the process, to surviving stage three prostate cancer, to now building a mission-driven life helping others through addiction and identity struggles. Kenny didn’t just rebuild his life… he redefined it. On This Episode: The hidden shame that silently shaped Kenny’s identity for yearsHow high achievement and addiction can exist at the same timeThe “grace in the mirror” moment that changed everythingWhy trying to fix addiction alone keeps people stuckThe dangerous gap between wanting help… and actually taking actionSurviving cancer during recovery — and what it revealed about mindsetHow Kenny is now helping high performers rebuild their lives from the inside out Connect with Kenny Stoddart: TikTok: @‌ironmindkenny Website: Executive Advisor / High-Performance Coaching LinkedIn: Ken Stoddart Connect with us: Socials: @‌RecoveryVow Website: Recovery Vow Email: recoveryvow@gmail.com   New episodes every other Monday. Top ways to support this podcast: 👍 Give this video a thumbs up 🔔 Subscribe to our channel 💬 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music

    39 min
  5. MAR 25

    The Hidden Addiction Behind Productivity

    In this eye-opening episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast, Eric sits down with Dr. Ann Tsung, a triple board-certified physician, former NASA flight surgeon, and expert in performance neuroscience who helps leaders stop sacrificing their health and peace in the name of success.Dr. Ann shares how her work with astronauts, physicians, and high-performing entrepreneurs led her to a powerful realization about time, energy, and the addictive pull of constant productivity. From identifying the “time prisoner” mindset to exposing the false freedom of always staying busy, she breaks down the hidden ways people chase dopamine through work, phones, achievement, and control.What makes this conversation so powerful is how practical it becomes. As Eric opens up about his own struggle to sit still, put the phone down, and find peace outside of motion, Dr. Ann offers a new framework for recovery. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone who feels exhausted, overstretched, or afraid of the quiet.On This Episode:• Dr. Ann’s journey from NASA flight surgeon to helping leaders achieve sustainable peak performance• The 5 stages of time freedom and how to identify where you are• Why overworking and over-optimizing can become their own form of addiction• Eric’s honest struggle with stillness, white space, and the fear of slowing down• How dopamine, phones, and productivity keep people stuck in survival mode• What “zone of genius” means and why it matters for recovery and purpose• How sleep, chronotypes, and flow blocks can help you reclaim peace and energyConnect with Dr. Ann Tsung: anntsungmd.comSocials: @anntsungmdConnect with us: Socials: @RecoveryVow Website: recoveryvow.com Email: recoveryvow@gmail.comNew episodes every Monday.Top ways to support this podcast: Subscribe to our channel Share this episode with someone who needs it Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music

    45 min
  6. FEB 23

    Yes, You Can Find Love in Recovery

    On this episode of the Recovery Vow Podcast, host Eric Kennedy sits down with two very special guests — Zack Straughn and Katherine Straughn — and their story comes full circle in the most beautiful way. Katherine first joined the podcast in February 2025. Zack followed in May 2025. At the time, they each shared their individual journeys of recovery — stories marked by honesty, growth, and transformation. What no one fully saw coming? They would later find love in each other… and get married. In this heartfelt conversation, Eric brings them together to talk about what it looks like to build a relationship in recovery. Both Zack and Katherine are in recovery, but their struggles don’t define them — they are defined by resilience, faith, commitment, and love. Their story is a powerful reminder that recovery doesn’t disqualify you from a beautiful future. It doesn’t mean you have to walk alone. Healing and healthy love are possible. Together, they open up about: - Finding love while doing the hard work of recovery - Building trust, vulnerability, and spiritual intimacy - Navigating relationship dynamics with sobriety at the center - Why recovery is part of their story — but not the whole story If you’ve ever wondered whether lasting love is possible after addiction, this episode is for you. Connect with us: 📲 Socials: @RecoveryVow 🌎 Website: recoveryvow.com 📧 Email: recoveryvow@gmail.com New episodes every Monday. Top ways to support this podcast: 🔔 Subscribe to this podcast 💬 Share this episode with someone who needs it 🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music or watch on YouTube

    53 min
  7. FEB 16

    From Gang Life to Saving Lives: How Recovery Can Change Everything

    In this powerful episode of The Recovery Vow Podcast, Eric sits down with AJ—Director of Community Engagement at End Overdose, a nonprofit on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis—who is turning his past into purpose. AJ shares how he went from gang life, prison, and heavy drug use to four years of sobriety and a mission to save lives. Growing up in a violent, addiction-fueled environment in California, AJ followed a path that led to meth, opioids, incarceration, and a terrifying moment when he thought his life would end in a shootout with police. But a moment of clarity—and the voice of his 12-year-old son asking him to “work on your problem”—changed everything. Now, AJ is boots-on-the-ground equipping communities across the U.S. with the tools to prevent overdose deaths. Through End Overdose, he helps train everyday people to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, administer naloxone (Narcan), and act with confidence in life-or-death situations. Because sometimes saving a life starts with being prepared. On This Episode: • From gang life and prison to purpose-driven recovery • Surviving addiction and an intentional overdose • The scariest moment that forced him to face reality • How his son became the reason he chose treatment • What naloxone (Narcan) is and how it saves lives • How YOU can get free overdose prevention training • Why everyone—not just addicts—should carry naloxone Connect with End Overdose: 🌐 endoverdose.net 📱 Instagram: @end.overdose Connect with us: 📲 Socials: @RecoveryVow 🌎 Website: recoveryvow.com 📧 Email: recoveryvow@gmail.com New episodes every Monday.

    31 min
4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Recovery Vow is where real talk meets redemption. Every week, host Eric Kennedy dives into raw, unfiltered conversations about addiction, recovery, marriage, and family—with all the messy, beautiful in-between moments too. With a mix of hard truths, humor, and a faith-filled lens, this podcast explores the battles we face and the hope that keeps us going. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just navigating life’s curveballs, Recovery Vow is your honest companion for healing and growth.

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