He felt a void he thought alcohol could fill—turns out, it was a God-shaped hole.
In this unforgettable episode of The Cup of Joe Show, Doug R. takes us from the military bases of Hawaii to the chaotic streets of addiction—and ultimately, to a life of purpose and peace. Doug grew up in a home shaped by secrecy and survival, with a father in military intelligence and a heart that never quite fit in. By high school, he was the party guy, selling drugs, getting arrested, and trying to silence the storm inside with booze and bravado.
But behind the chaos were whispers of something more: a childhood mentor named Mr. Denny who introduced him to spiritual principles, and fleeting moments of clarity that pierced the darkness. Still, the spiral continued—until his mother’s heart-wrenching words and a 12-step intervention at a dope house became the catalyst for change.
At just 23, Doug began what he calls the “loneliest walk” toward his first 12-step meeting. What he found wasn’t just sobriety—it was surrender, connection, and a life beyond anything he imagined. Doug reminds us that recovery isn’t about changing the world around us—it’s about transforming the person within.
👉 Like, follow, and share this episode with anyone searching for light in the dark.
🌟 Visit the Daily Ponderables — delivering hope, humor, and healing every single day.
The Cup of Joe Show explores the journey of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction—one story, one conversation, and one step at a time. New Episode Every Thursday at Noon.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.