82. Living to Die - Part 1 (w/ Brandon and Cary Sanders)

In this two-part episode Paul and Kathryn sit down with Brandon Sanders and his wife Cary Dawn Sanders to trace their journeys from deep addiction to life in recovery. Brandon shares a harrowing childhood—witnessing his mother’s murder, growing up in foster care, and battling decades of substance use—while Cary describes how nursing and pain medication led to her own long struggle with addiction.

Topics include multigenerational addiction, early trauma, homelessness, relapse, violence and shame, the false comforts of substances, and the moments that planted seeds of faith. Both guests are candid about failures and the hard work of recovery, and they reflect on the challenges and rewards of healing from such broken pasts.

The episode also highlights the role of faith and community in recovery — Brandon and Cary’s encounter with Christ, Brandon’s eventual forgiveness of his father, and their work as executive directors of Wings of Life. Expect honest storytelling, practical insight on stigma and recovery, and a message of hope and restoration for listeners seeking a path out of addiction.