April 1, 2025 • 28 mins
In the very first episode of Rooted & Recovered, co-hosts Dan Pyles and Justin Miller lay it all on the table. This isn’t just another recovery podcast—and it’s definitely not watered-down or sugarcoated. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s rooted in the truth of God’s Word.
Dan and Justin share their personal journeys through addiction, brokenness, restoration, and purpose. With powerful testimonies and Holy Spirit-led honesty, they introduce the vision behind Rooted & Recovered: a place where biblical truth meets practical recovery. A space for honest conversation, real hope, and lasting transformation.
This episode also kicks off the excitement for Season One: The 12 Truths Series, where each episode will unpack one of the 12 Steps through a faith-based lens—reminding listeners that recovery isn’t just possible, it’s powerful when Christ is the foundation.
Whether you’re walking through addiction, love someone who is, or just need encouragement for the journey, this podcast is for you.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
This world doesn't hand outhealing.
It offers quick fixes, cheaphighes and empty promises, but
real recovery.
It takes roots.
Roots that dig deep into truth,into identity, into the
unshakeable grace of God.
We're not here to sugarcoat thestruggle.
(00:22):
We've lived it.
Addiction, shame, relapse,regret, but we've also seen
resurrection.
We've seen what happened.
Happens when broken people getanchored in something real
rooted and recovered is morethan a podcast.
It's a battleground for thesoul.
A place where scars tellstories, where scripture speaks
(00:43):
louder than shame, where freedomisn't just a word.
It's a war we win daily.
So if you're tired of surfacelevel answers, if you want truth
that convicts, hope that heals,and conversations that cut
through the noise, you're in theright place.
Welcome to Rooted and Recovered.
Dan (01:08):
Welcome to the first ever episode of Rooted and Recovery.
Guys, I wanna make this.
From the very start that this isjust not another podcast.
This is not a podcast thatyou're gonna be listening to
that's just dry and redundantand boring.
(01:29):
I want this to be a podcast thatis about building a life that
lasts, and I'm.
Honored to have my host with me.
I don't have a co-host.
I have a partner in this wholeprogram, and his name is Justin
Miller and there is just aphenomenal God story how we got
(01:49):
put together.
But Justin man, how are youdoing today, brother?
It's so good to be sitting inthis room with you,
Justin (01:56):
man.
Blessed and highly favored, Dan.
The fact that we're here doingthis, and the way it came about,
it truly just touches my heartand it even, it brings tears to
my eyes almost to think abouthow God could look at somebody
like me.
And think I'm going to use himlike you said, that vessel.
It's just such a beautiful thingthat we get to be and remind
(02:17):
people that recovery is possiblefirst and foremost, but more
than recovery, there is arestoration in Jesus Christ.
There is hope, there is joyunspeakable and full of glory in
Jesus Christ.
And that's what this is about tome, is reminding people of what
that looks like.
And it's not always what wethink it is, but man, it's good
(02:37):
when our eyes are open to it.
Dan (02:39):
Dude, and that is so powerful because you know,
that's why God has put you and Itogether, man, because.
I, I want this podcast and Iknow you do too.
I want it to be about real talk.
I want it to be about biblicaltruth but I want it to be about
practical steps to bring lastingchange for somebody, not just to
(03:01):
get you into the door recovery,but I'm talking about to where
you can be one day behind amicrophone talking to somebody
and sharing the good news ofJesus Christ with somebody.
Before we jump into this though,I've got to Justin.
I've gotta share how rooted andrecovered even came to be and to
(03:21):
let the audience know that thisis a God thing.
I love teaching.
I love ministering to people.
I love sharing the gospel ofJesus Christ and how he can take
a wretch.
As the song Amazing.
Grace says how he took a wretchlike me and brought me to
something better than I evercould.
(03:43):
I love that revelation thatJesus downloads into me, and I
love sharing that with people,and I love people catching that
revelation.
God has been downloading to meto do a podcast for quite some
time, and he really hit me withit.
Last week.
In fact, that's how quick thisis happening, guys.
(04:04):
He hit me with this last weekand downloaded the name rooted
and recovered into my mind.
And then he placed Justin on myheart and.
I knew, I felt through the HolySpirit that God was aligning
this together and allowing andwas going to allow me and Justin
to be able to get together anddo this.
(04:26):
And I remember I went to workthe very next day excited and
was just ready, like Justin,dude, God downloaded something
into my mind, man, I gotta tellyou about this.
Justin, what did you tell me?
Justin (04:41):
The first thing I said was, well, Dan, that's a funny
story because a week before Ihad been joking at work about
you starting a podcast back upand me coming with you and just
talking to pastors about whatrecovery looked like, and in
that moment it was just Godsaying, I did this
Dan (04:58):
for a reason.
And that's what's insane weliterally sat down and it has
just been.
A blast.
We're recording our firstepisode today.
We wanna introduce ourselves toyou.
You know, you know, you know,you hear Dan and you hear
Justin, but I want you to know alittle bit more about us and I
want to introduce my brother inthis mission.
(05:20):
Justin man, if you would youplease just tell everyone a
little bit about yourself andwhy you're passionate about
walking alongside people inrecovery?
Justin (05:32):
This isn't where my story begins, and it's not where
it ends.
But on August 29th, 2004 inTarrytown, Louisiana, Dan, this
was during one of the worststorms in United States history.
Hurricane Katrina.
At this time, I was 21 yearsold.
I was lost, I was broken, I washurting, and I felt alone and.
(05:53):
I stood out in the middle of thestreet, right?
I wasn't allowed to be at mymom's house.
They didn't want me there.
I didn't even want to be there.
That's how bad I had gotten atthis time.
And I offered a challenge toGod.
I said, God, show me what yougot, right?
Because I thought nothing couldhurt me.
You know, 21 years old, you'rebig, you're bad.
You think you've got it allfigured out.
And man, I use that.
And I go back to that becausewhile that may have been one
(06:15):
moment in my life, it was kindof a metaphor for my entire
life.
It was the same storm, differentday.
I was lost, I was lonely.
I was broken and hurting everyday of my life.
And it eventually led to me.
Looking at some pretty serioustime.
Dan, and I'm a pastor, and sothe fact that God uses me still
amazes me.
But if you would've known mefive, six years ago and I told
(06:37):
you I was gonna church onSunday, you said you're lying to
get outta work, Justin.
But I found myself in WilliamsonCounty jailhouse during Covid,
and I got told that I waslooking at six to 10 years and.
That I was being held into courtwith no bond.
And I remember coming back to mycell, and in this moment it was
during Covid, so there was nophones.
(06:59):
I couldn't call my mom and dadand yell at'em.
But you know, for what they haddone to me my whole life, I
couldn't.
Call my lawyer and tell him howbad a job he'd done.
There was also nobody in thecell with me, so I couldn't even
sit there and vent about allthese things.
There was no tv, no books, andno Bible.
It was just me and Dan.
(07:20):
Can I tell you something,brother?
In that moment, I broke evenmore than I thought I could.
Right?
I came to the end of me and inthat moment I had a son whose
mom had already been taken fromthis world and.
I just remember thinking, I hateme.
I remember that feeling of just,I hate everything about me.
And I started to cry and itwasn't a oh, poor pity party,
(07:41):
Justin, and another cryingmoment.
Everything's wrong.
It wasn't a woe is me.
It was a man.
My whole life's a lie, cry.
Everything I put my trust in upuntil this moment has failed me
and never paid back anythingthat I gave to it.
I just hated everything aboutme.
And I don't know, you ever hadone of those moments, okay?
(08:03):
God spoke and it wasn't in anaudible voice, but when you know
that, you know.
And with every ounce of who Iwas, from the tips of my
fingertips, to my hair, to myfeet, I felt God say, but I
still love you, Justin.
And he said that to me in mysoul, there was a peace that I
had never known in that moment.
And I remember the first phonecall.
(08:23):
We weren't supposed to get phonecalls.
I remember saying, I gotta callmy mom.
So I called her and I said, mom,what's John three 16?
And so I sat there in the jailcell on my top of my lunchbox
with the tip of my fork andcarved John three 16.
For God so loved the world.
In that moment, I realized thathe so loved the world and he
wanted me to go love the worldthe same.
(08:45):
And that's why I want to dothis.
That's why I wanna remind peoplethere's hope.
Because you might not be in aprison cell, but you're in a
prison of addiction.
You're in a prison of juststruggle and depression and
anxiety, and I'm here to tellyou there's freedom and God so
loved the world so that youcould have everlasting life and
life more abundantly, and that'sfound in Jesus Christ.
(09:06):
And that's why I'm excited aboutthis dance so that we can get
that message out there.
What about you?
Dan (09:12):
Dude, I just.
I feel the Holy Spirit justsitting in his room talking with
you right now about it.
You know, we share a verysimilar story.
Mine wasn't in a jail cell butmine was in a jail cell that I
created in my own home.
I struggled 14 years family withan opioid and benzo addiction, I
(09:35):
know what it's like to be atrock bottom.
I know what it's like to loseeverything.
I know what it's like to watchyour family just disown you and
turn their back on you and walkaway from you and tell you that
you're never gonna amount tonothing.
Tell you that you're alwaysgonna be a junkie, tell you that
(09:58):
you're a waste of life, and thatthey're.
Family is better off withoutyou.
I've seen what it's like whenyour wife walks out the front
door with your children andyou're sitting there staring at
yourself in the mirror andyou're looking at this mess.
Guys, I'm six foot one.
I was down to 140 pounds.
I was up to a$700 a week drughabit.
(10:21):
And I seen for the first timewhat addiction had stolen from
me.
Guys, I know what it's.
And just like you, Justin, Iheard the voice of the Lord that
day.
Nobody will ever convince methat I didn't.
I heard the Lord speak to methat day in that bedroom and
said, damn, when are you goingto give it to me?
(10:42):
Amen.
When are you going to give it tome?
And it took me a minute, family.
I'm not gonna lie to you andtell you that I threw the dope
away and I walked into a churchimmediately.
But a few weeks later, October16th, 2016, I walked into a
church in West.
Frankfurt, Illinois.
I walked in that front door.
I didn't care what the sermonwas, I didn't care what the
(11:05):
program was.
I didn't care who I offended.
I didn't care whose way I gotin.
Justin, I had one mission andone mission only buddy.
And that was to touch the hymnof his garment because I knew
that one touch from the master,my life would never be the same
again.
Family, and I'm telling you.
(11:25):
Eight years later, I am rootedand I am recovered.
Was it an easy journey?
No.
Did I have a lot of ups anddowns?
Yes.
Did I fall and crash and burn?
Yes.
But his grace is sufficient.
Family because where I'm weak,that's where he's at.
His strongest, that's where heis at his best, and that's why I
(11:49):
am so excited about thispodcast.
Justin, is not to share warstories.
I'm here to talk about the otherside of addiction.
Yes, I struggled 14 years withan addiction, but I wanna tell
people the goodness of God andhow he.
Can restore.
That's why I'm doing thispodcast.
(12:10):
Justin, you didn't tell anybodywhat you do for a living and the
name of your church.
Share that real quick before wemove on.
Justin (12:16):
First and foremost, what I do for a living is I live for
God.
My life now is turned over tohim completely and fully.
Like you said, Dan, I don'talways live up to that.
I'm still a sinner saved bygrace, but his grace is
sufficient.
You know, brother Dan told mesomething when I first started.
So I work for take action todayas a certified peer recovery
(12:36):
specialist, and it's reallyallows me to still remind myself
what Jesus has taken me from andit gives me a chance to share
that love of Christ that so manypeople don't get the feel
because we don't want to workwith the least of these.
But one of my first days in thetruck, me and Dan was riding
together and he said, brother,he goes, his mercies are new.
Every morning.
(12:58):
Every morning.
And that stuck with me, and thatchanged my mindset of how I
started dealing with people andeven with myself at times.
Because Dan, you know, like yousaid, it can be rough at times.
And there's a whole populationof people out there.
There's a whole generation ofpeople who don't understand that
God's grace is sufficient.
That's why we do this.
(13:18):
That's why I'm here is to remindpeople like, Hey, he is enough.
Yes, these programs, they aregreat.
They are good, but you can findwhat you need in Christ that you
can't get anywhere else in thisworld.
Dan (13:30):
Man, that is so powerful too because, you know, I've got
the privilege and honor familyto be able to work alongside
Justin.
I'm a certified peer recoveryspecialist too for take action
today.
I don't get to really work withparticipants anymore.
I'm now the director of program,so I help create and establish
and maintain the programs thatwe offer at take action today.
(13:53):
But.
I enjoyed my time as a peerrecovery specialist, and I enjoy
my time now getting to helppeople.
You know, I this is how goodrecovery is.
Family.
If you would've told me eightyears ago that I would be.
Number one, literally about sixmonths away from graduating with
(14:14):
my Master's in clinicalpsychology, about to pursue a
doctorate program preaching asthe executive pastor at
Community of Faith Church.
My family back, bro.
I have my wife, I have mychildren back.
My house is a home.
I'm established.
I, you know, am I perfect?
(14:34):
No, nobody is, dude.
But his mercies are new.
Every single morning, just likeyou said.
And that is the beauty of rootedand recovered.
Not just to be recovered, but tobe rooted in Christ.
Why Justin?
Because the storm is coming,bro.
There is a storm coming and it'scalled life Dude.
(14:57):
It's going to sucker punch youin the face.
It is going to gut punch you,and we got to be rooted into
something.
And that's what this wholepodcast is about, man, you know,
I'm.
Thankful man, and I'm honored tobe able to do this with you.
But as we kind of move along andtransition along, Justin, what
can the listeners expect withthis podcast?
(15:20):
Man, I know we said at thebeginning that this ain't gonna
be, this ain't gonna be yourordinary, boring podcast, but
what can the listeners expect,man?
Justin (15:30):
So.
I know earlier you asked what Idid.
I'm also a Pastor Dan at EzraChurch of God in West Frankfurt.
What they can expect is just twoguys who love God, who love his
word, who love His grace, butmore importantly are loved by
him.
It's two guys just talking aboutwhat he can do.
Like you said, Dan, I now have arelationship with my son.
(15:53):
I have a relationship with myfather, with my stepfather, with
my mom, things, and as you get.
As we go along this journey,you'll get to hear more about
that when we start talking aboutthe steps and the things that
we're going over.
But guys, this is just gonna belife on life's terms.
Just because I'm a pastordoesn't mean that everything's
great and grand and gravy.
(16:14):
I still deal with the same dailystruggles as everybody else.
And guys, it doesn't matter.
The mission field is the worldout there.
And so what this is to me is aplace to spread that hope and
remind people that there arepeople out there.
Who understand and wanna walkwith you.
Dan (16:33):
Real stories, man, real struggles, but more importantly,
real hope.
That's what I want people,Justin, to be able to expect
when they listen to us weekly.
I don't want fluff.
I'm not here to feed you sugar.
(16:53):
I'm here to feed you the truth.
I'm here to feed you what theBible says.
And the Bible offers you and Ihope, and that's what people
need more than ever, man.
When I was in addiction, Justin,I didn't need another feel.
Good story.
I didn't need another pat on theback saying, go tiger.
Go.
I needed hope, bro.
(17:13):
I needed real hope.
I needed to talk to somebody.
I didn't need somebody, dude,turning to page 34 in a book and
telling me what to do.
I needed to little look somebodyin the eyeballs that's been
there, done that, seen that, gottheir name carved in that tree
over there, walked the same pathI did, and be able to offer me
(17:34):
hope.
Dude.
Honest conversations thatchallenge and inspire, man,
that's what this whole thing isgonna be about, and it's gonna
be on the foundation of Biblicaltruth.
Justin (17:47):
And that's what the only foundation we need to build
upon, in my opinion.
Too many times.
You, like you said, Dan, I'm notlooking for fluff, I'm not
looking for feel good.
I want the truth.
When I was in my addiction, Ihad enough people telling me it
was gonna be okay.
I needed somebody telling me Ineeded to change.
And that's what this is about,that change that can happen when
(18:08):
you live by that biblical truth.
When you look to that biblicaltruth and the hope that's found,
because it's easy to tellsomebody, this too shall pass,
but when you've actually seen itpassed, then it means something.
A word spoken in season.
Is good is what the Bible tellsus, and that's what this is
about.
(18:28):
Speaking a word in season forsomebody that's going through
that troubled time, that's goingthrough, that's that recovery
that people don't talk about.
That's not drugs and alcohol.
'cause drugs and alcohol is apart of it, but we recover from
life.
We recover from trauma.
You asked me what I recoverfrom.
It's from a lifetime of baddecisions that I still have to
(18:49):
look at the consequences dailybecause God may have forgiven
me, but I still have to walkthis road out.
But I walk it out rooted inChrist.
I'm built upon that foundationand it's changed my outlook on
everything, and that's what thisis about to me.
Dan (19:04):
So powerful, man.
I mean, just.
To be rooted in Christ.
And like you said, man, that youknow, it's so much more than
being recovered from drugs andalcohol or porn addiction or
whatever.
And we are not here to downplaythat.
We celebrate that with you.
But guys, we gotta be honestwith ourselves.
There's so much more to recoverythan that because if I don't
(19:27):
know how to be a.
Dad, I'm not recovered Justin.
If I don't know how to be ahusband, I'm not recovered.
If I don't know how to be aproductive member of society,
I'm not recovered.
And that's what this podcast isabout.
It's not so much the addiction,it's the other side of
addiction, and it's finding it.
(19:47):
In the hope and the help ofJesus Christ.
And I'm excited, man, about ourupcoming series.
Guys, we are gonna jump rightinto it with a 12 week series on
the 12 steps.
And the reason that I wanted.
To do that is because, you know,and it's hard to find statistics
(20:08):
for it, Justin, but I mean, whenyou look at aa, when you look at
na when you look at CelebrateRecovery you know, and the list
goes on and on, there are somany support groups that utilize
a 12 step, and I figured what agreat way to kick this first
season one off than literallygoing step by step, going
(20:31):
through the 12 steps, but.
Using it as a biblical approach?
Justin (20:36):
Well, and that's the thing I don't think many people
understand.
It began as a biblical approach.
So what we're doing is we're notcreating something new, Dan, to
me, we're just taking back whatGod's given and putting it where
it belongs in his glory and hisgrace and his mercy.
And that's why I'm excitedbecause so many people fail to
realize that they're living outbiblical truths.
(20:58):
On a daily basis by taking thesesteps.
And maybe you're here and you'venever done a 12 step group, but
can I tell you something, Dan?
If you're living how the Bibletells you and that's your path
to recovery, guess what?
You're walking those steps outdaily and that's what we're
gonna get into to helpChristians realize that this
isn't about some new age worldlything.
(21:20):
This is the Bible placed inwords and making it where we can
Dan (21:24):
understand it.
So powerful too.
And that's why, man, I amexcited about this because, and
I'm, we're starting guys.
We are literally starting atstep one.
And I, you know, I cannot waitto get into that.
But guys, I mean, we got ha wehave so much that we want to
(21:45):
share with you.
Not that we have all theanswers, not that, you know,
we've got it all figured outbecause Justin said, just a few
moments ago.
Guys, I'm learning something newevery single day.
But here's the deal, guys.
Rooted and recovered.
It's not just a podcast, Justin,it's a community.
(22:07):
and that's what we are here todo.
That is the mission of rootedand recovered.
It's not just a.
Kick out a weekly podcast.
It's to build a community oflike-minded people who literally
has Jesus Christ at the centerof their life, leading them and
guiding them all the way.
(22:28):
And we're building a space,Justin, where we can be real.
Where we can ask those toughquestions and where we together,
me, Justin, the listener, theaudience where we can walk this
journey together, because guys,this is something I learned a
long time ago.
Freedom is not found inisolation.
(22:52):
It's built in community.
Justin (22:55):
You know, as you was talking, Dan, like you said, I
feel the Holy Spirit here withus.
A verse came to mind.
Galatians six, to bear oneanother's burdens and so fulfill
the law of Christ.
That's what this is about.
It's not just about me and Dantalking for 20 minutes.
It's about people understandingthat we are here for support.
We want to know your, we wannaknow your victories.
(23:17):
If you want to share yourstruggles, we want to know that
because that's what it's about.
Living for Christ is being therefor one another.
That community, like Dan talkedabout, and it's not.
Just a community.
It's a forever family in Christthat we're
Dan (23:30):
welcome to.
So powerful Justin, and thankyou so much for sharing that
guys.
That's why it is so vital thatyou like and subscribe and share
this podcast because guys, thewhole podcast is gonna be built
just like that.
We are coming with excitement.
We are coming with.
Energy, we are coming to standup against the devil because me
(23:54):
and Justin are tired of seeingthe enemy of addiction rip
families apart.
I'm sick and tired of watchingmoms and dads lose their sons
and daughters.
I'm sick.
Sick and tired of watching sonsand daughters lose moms and
dads.
I'm sick and tired of watchingcommunity members lose vital
(24:16):
people in the community becauseaddiction enough is enough.
We put our feet down.
We speak the name of Jesus overthis, and you need to join us
with us.
You need to be in this movementwith us.
You need to be praying with usand seeking the face of God with
us, that when this podcast hits.
The air that somebody that needsto hear this podcast hears it.
(24:40):
If you've got a family member athome and they're struggling with
addiction or they're new inrecovery, get them connected
with us like and subscribe.
Go to Facebook and like ourFacebook page, rooted in
recovered.
Send us a message.
Share your testimony.
Post a prayer request.
We will pray with you.
(25:01):
If you have given your life toGod, share that.
We want to celebrate that withyou.
We want to be there with you tosupport you and guide you.
But as we get ready to wrap thispodcast up guys, because we, I
could keep going on and on.
Tune in next week as we kick offseason one, episode one of the
(25:24):
12 truth series.
When I can't, God.
Can Justin, do you got anythingthat you want to close with,
brother?
Justin (25:34):
No, honestly I'm just excited about this, Dan.
I can't wait to see where thisis going because I can already
tell.
Guys, like Dan said, this isn'tgonna be your normal podcast.
This isn't scripted.
You're going to hear us pull upverses on our phone as we're
talking.
That brings stuff to memory.
And look, maybe you're here andDan talked about, if you're an
addiction or you know somebody,but maybe you're here and you
(25:55):
have that family member and youjust want to know what they're
going through, this is for youbecause this is two people who
know Christ.
This is two pastors who areliving the word, who are held
above reproach.
Getting real, raw and honest andsaying, I.
Guys, life can be hard at times,but we have a savior who is
(26:16):
willing to meet us wherever weare.
We just gotta be willing toreach out and touch that
garment, like Dan said.
And it's not a one and donething, it's an every day I reach
out to touch that garment.
So guys, I'm excited for seasonone.
I'm excited to see what God'sgot and I can't wait to talk to
you guys next week.
Dan (26:33):
Justin, what a perfect way to close it out, brother.
Guys, we are so glad you're hereand we can't wait to kick off
the 12 Truth series, step one,when I can't.
God can the first episode dropsoon, guys.
So stay tuned.
Welcome to Rooted and Recovered.
(26:56):
Let's get to work.
You are not just surviving.
You are becoming, becomingrooted in truth, becoming
recovered by grace, and becomingthe person God always knew you
could be.
Thanks for joining us on Rootedin Recovered.
If this episode stirredsomething in you, don't keep it
(27:17):
to yourself.
Share it, live it, let it takeroot.
We'll see you next time righthere where scars become
testimonies and hope rises fromthe ashes.
This world doesn't hand outhealing.
It offers quick fixes, cheaphighes and empty promises, but
real recovery.
It takes roots.
Roots that dig deep into truth,into identity, into the
unshakeable grace of God.
We're not here to sugarcoat thestruggle.
(00:22):
We've lived it.
Addiction, shame, relapse,regret, but we've also seen
resurrection.
We've seen what happened.
Happens when broken people getanchored in something real
rooted and recovered is morethan a podcast.
It's a battleground for thesoul.
A place where scars tellstories, where scripture speaks
(00:43):
louder than shame, where freedomisn't just a word.
It's a war we win daily.
So if you're tired of surfacelevel answers, if you want truth
that convicts, hope that heals,and conversations that cut
through the noise, you're in theright place.
Welcome to Rooted and Recovered.
Dan (01:08):
Welcome to the first ever episode of Rooted and Recovery.
Guys, I wanna make this.
From the very start that this isjust not another podcast.
This is not a podcast thatyou're gonna be listening to
that's just dry and redundantand boring.
(01:29):
I want this to be a podcast thatis about building a life that
lasts, and I'm.
Honored to have my host with me.
I don't have a co-host.
I have a partner in this wholeprogram, and his name is Justin
Miller and there is just aphenomenal God story how we got
(01:49):
put together.
But Justin man, how are youdoing today, brother?
It's so good to be sitting inthis room with you,
Justin (01:56):
man.
Blessed and highly favored, Dan.
The fact that we're here doingthis, and the way it came about,
it truly just touches my heartand it even, it brings tears to
my eyes almost to think abouthow God could look at somebody
like me.
And think I'm going to use himlike you said, that vessel.
It's just such a beautiful thingthat we get to be and remind
(02:17):
people that recovery is possiblefirst and foremost, but more
than recovery, there is arestoration in Jesus Christ.
There is hope, there is joyunspeakable and full of glory in
Jesus Christ.
And that's what this is about tome, is reminding people of what
that looks like.
And it's not always what wethink it is, but man, it's good
(02:37):
when our eyes are open to it.
Dan (02:39):
Dude, and that is so powerful because you know,
that's why God has put you and Itogether, man, because.
I, I want this podcast and Iknow you do too.
I want it to be about real talk.
I want it to be about biblicaltruth but I want it to be about
practical steps to bring lastingchange for somebody, not just to
(03:01):
get you into the door recovery,but I'm talking about to where
you can be one day behind amicrophone talking to somebody
and sharing the good news ofJesus Christ with somebody.
Before we jump into this though,I've got to Justin.
I've gotta share how rooted andrecovered even came to be and to
(03:21):
let the audience know that thisis a God thing.
I love teaching.
I love ministering to people.
I love sharing the gospel ofJesus Christ and how he can take
a wretch.
As the song Amazing.
Grace says how he took a wretchlike me and brought me to
something better than I evercould.
(03:43):
I love that revelation thatJesus downloads into me, and I
love sharing that with people,and I love people catching that
revelation.
God has been downloading to meto do a podcast for quite some
time, and he really hit me withit.
Last week.
In fact, that's how quick thisis happening, guys.
(04:04):
He hit me with this last weekand downloaded the name rooted
and recovered into my mind.
And then he placed Justin on myheart and.
I knew, I felt through the HolySpirit that God was aligning
this together and allowing andwas going to allow me and Justin
to be able to get together anddo this.
(04:26):
And I remember I went to workthe very next day excited and
was just ready, like Justin,dude, God downloaded something
into my mind, man, I gotta tellyou about this.
Justin, what did you tell me?
Justin (04:41):
The first thing I said was, well, Dan, that's a funny
story because a week before Ihad been joking at work about
you starting a podcast back upand me coming with you and just
talking to pastors about whatrecovery looked like, and in
that moment it was just Godsaying, I did this
Dan (04:58):
for a reason.
And that's what's insane weliterally sat down and it has
just been.
A blast.
We're recording our firstepisode today.
We wanna introduce ourselves toyou.
You know, you know, you know,you hear Dan and you hear
Justin, but I want you to know alittle bit more about us and I
want to introduce my brother inthis mission.
(05:20):
Justin man, if you would youplease just tell everyone a
little bit about yourself andwhy you're passionate about
walking alongside people inrecovery?
Justin (05:32):
This isn't where my story begins, and it's not where
it ends.
But on August 29th, 2004 inTarrytown, Louisiana, Dan, this
was during one of the worststorms in United States history.
Hurricane Katrina.
At this time, I was 21 yearsold.
I was lost, I was broken, I washurting, and I felt alone and.
(05:53):
I stood out in the middle of thestreet, right?
I wasn't allowed to be at mymom's house.
They didn't want me there.
I didn't even want to be there.
That's how bad I had gotten atthis time.
And I offered a challenge toGod.
I said, God, show me what yougot, right?
Because I thought nothing couldhurt me.
You know, 21 years old, you'rebig, you're bad.
You think you've got it allfigured out.
And man, I use that.
And I go back to that becausewhile that may have been one
(06:15):
moment in my life, it was kindof a metaphor for my entire
life.
It was the same storm, differentday.
I was lost, I was lonely.
I was broken and hurting everyday of my life.
And it eventually led to me.
Looking at some pretty serioustime.
Dan, and I'm a pastor, and sothe fact that God uses me still
amazes me.
But if you would've known mefive, six years ago and I told
(06:37):
you I was gonna church onSunday, you said you're lying to
get outta work, Justin.
But I found myself in WilliamsonCounty jailhouse during Covid,
and I got told that I waslooking at six to 10 years and.
That I was being held into courtwith no bond.
And I remember coming back to mycell, and in this moment it was
during Covid, so there was nophones.
(06:59):
I couldn't call my mom and dadand yell at'em.
But you know, for what they haddone to me my whole life, I
couldn't.
Call my lawyer and tell him howbad a job he'd done.
There was also nobody in thecell with me, so I couldn't even
sit there and vent about allthese things.
There was no tv, no books, andno Bible.
It was just me and Dan.
(07:20):
Can I tell you something,brother?
In that moment, I broke evenmore than I thought I could.
Right?
I came to the end of me and inthat moment I had a son whose
mom had already been taken fromthis world and.
I just remember thinking, I hateme.
I remember that feeling of just,I hate everything about me.
And I started to cry and itwasn't a oh, poor pity party,
(07:41):
Justin, and another cryingmoment.
Everything's wrong.
It wasn't a woe is me.
It was a man.
My whole life's a lie, cry.
Everything I put my trust in upuntil this moment has failed me
and never paid back anythingthat I gave to it.
I just hated everything aboutme.
And I don't know, you ever hadone of those moments, okay?
(08:03):
God spoke and it wasn't in anaudible voice, but when you know
that, you know.
And with every ounce of who Iwas, from the tips of my
fingertips, to my hair, to myfeet, I felt God say, but I
still love you, Justin.
And he said that to me in mysoul, there was a peace that I
had never known in that moment.
And I remember the first phonecall.
(08:23):
We weren't supposed to get phonecalls.
I remember saying, I gotta callmy mom.
So I called her and I said, mom,what's John three 16?
And so I sat there in the jailcell on my top of my lunchbox
with the tip of my fork andcarved John three 16.
For God so loved the world.
In that moment, I realized thathe so loved the world and he
wanted me to go love the worldthe same.
(08:45):
And that's why I want to dothis.
That's why I wanna remind peoplethere's hope.
Because you might not be in aprison cell, but you're in a
prison of addiction.
You're in a prison of juststruggle and depression and
anxiety, and I'm here to tellyou there's freedom and God so
loved the world so that youcould have everlasting life and
life more abundantly, and that'sfound in Jesus Christ.
(09:06):
And that's why I'm excited aboutthis dance so that we can get
that message out there.
What about you?
Dan (09:12):
Dude, I just.
I feel the Holy Spirit justsitting in his room talking with
you right now about it.
You know, we share a verysimilar story.
Mine wasn't in a jail cell butmine was in a jail cell that I
created in my own home.
I struggled 14 years family withan opioid and benzo addiction, I
(09:35):
know what it's like to be atrock bottom.
I know what it's like to loseeverything.
I know what it's like to watchyour family just disown you and
turn their back on you and walkaway from you and tell you that
you're never gonna amount tonothing.
Tell you that you're alwaysgonna be a junkie, tell you that
(09:58):
you're a waste of life, and thatthey're.
Family is better off withoutyou.
I've seen what it's like whenyour wife walks out the front
door with your children andyou're sitting there staring at
yourself in the mirror andyou're looking at this mess.
Guys, I'm six foot one.
I was down to 140 pounds.
I was up to a$700 a week drughabit.
(10:21):
And I seen for the first timewhat addiction had stolen from
me.
Guys, I know what it's.
And just like you, Justin, Iheard the voice of the Lord that
day.
Nobody will ever convince methat I didn't.
I heard the Lord speak to methat day in that bedroom and
said, damn, when are you goingto give it to me?
(10:42):
Amen.
When are you going to give it tome?
And it took me a minute, family.
I'm not gonna lie to you andtell you that I threw the dope
away and I walked into a churchimmediately.
But a few weeks later, October16th, 2016, I walked into a
church in West.
Frankfurt, Illinois.
I walked in that front door.
I didn't care what the sermonwas, I didn't care what the
(11:05):
program was.
I didn't care who I offended.
I didn't care whose way I gotin.
Justin, I had one mission andone mission only buddy.
And that was to touch the hymnof his garment because I knew
that one touch from the master,my life would never be the same
again.
Family, and I'm telling you.
(11:25):
Eight years later, I am rootedand I am recovered.
Was it an easy journey?
No.
Did I have a lot of ups anddowns?
Yes.
Did I fall and crash and burn?
Yes.
But his grace is sufficient.
Family because where I'm weak,that's where he's at.
His strongest, that's where heis at his best, and that's why I
(11:49):
am so excited about thispodcast.
Justin, is not to share warstories.
I'm here to talk about the otherside of addiction.
Yes, I struggled 14 years withan addiction, but I wanna tell
people the goodness of God andhow he.
Can restore.
That's why I'm doing thispodcast.
(12:10):
Justin, you didn't tell anybodywhat you do for a living and the
name of your church.
Share that real quick before wemove on.
Justin (12:16):
First and foremost, what I do for a living is I live for
God.
My life now is turned over tohim completely and fully.
Like you said, Dan, I don'talways live up to that.
I'm still a sinner saved bygrace, but his grace is
sufficient.
You know, brother Dan told mesomething when I first started.
So I work for take action todayas a certified peer recovery
(12:36):
specialist, and it's reallyallows me to still remind myself
what Jesus has taken me from andit gives me a chance to share
that love of Christ that so manypeople don't get the feel
because we don't want to workwith the least of these.
But one of my first days in thetruck, me and Dan was riding
together and he said, brother,he goes, his mercies are new.
Every morning.
(12:58):
Every morning.
And that stuck with me, and thatchanged my mindset of how I
started dealing with people andeven with myself at times.
Because Dan, you know, like yousaid, it can be rough at times.
And there's a whole populationof people out there.
There's a whole generation ofpeople who don't understand that
God's grace is sufficient.
That's why we do this.
(13:18):
That's why I'm here is to remindpeople like, Hey, he is enough.
Yes, these programs, they aregreat.
They are good, but you can findwhat you need in Christ that you
can't get anywhere else in thisworld.
Dan (13:30):
Man, that is so powerful too because, you know, I've got
the privilege and honor familyto be able to work alongside
Justin.
I'm a certified peer recoveryspecialist too for take action
today.
I don't get to really work withparticipants anymore.
I'm now the director of program,so I help create and establish
and maintain the programs thatwe offer at take action today.
(13:53):
But.
I enjoyed my time as a peerrecovery specialist, and I enjoy
my time now getting to helppeople.
You know, I this is how goodrecovery is.
Family.
If you would've told me eightyears ago that I would be.
Number one, literally about sixmonths away from graduating with
(14:14):
my Master's in clinicalpsychology, about to pursue a
doctorate program preaching asthe executive pastor at
Community of Faith Church.
My family back, bro.
I have my wife, I have mychildren back.
My house is a home.
I'm established.
I, you know, am I perfect?
(14:34):
No, nobody is, dude.
But his mercies are new.
Every single morning, just likeyou said.
And that is the beauty of rootedand recovered.
Not just to be recovered, but tobe rooted in Christ.
Why Justin?
Because the storm is coming,bro.
There is a storm coming and it'scalled life Dude.
(14:57):
It's going to sucker punch youin the face.
It is going to gut punch you,and we got to be rooted into
something.
And that's what this wholepodcast is about, man, you know,
I'm.
Thankful man, and I'm honored tobe able to do this with you.
But as we kind of move along andtransition along, Justin, what
can the listeners expect withthis podcast?
(15:20):
Man, I know we said at thebeginning that this ain't gonna
be, this ain't gonna be yourordinary, boring podcast, but
what can the listeners expect,man?
Justin (15:30):
So.
I know earlier you asked what Idid.
I'm also a Pastor Dan at EzraChurch of God in West Frankfurt.
What they can expect is just twoguys who love God, who love his
word, who love His grace, butmore importantly are loved by
him.
It's two guys just talking aboutwhat he can do.
Like you said, Dan, I now have arelationship with my son.
(15:53):
I have a relationship with myfather, with my stepfather, with
my mom, things, and as you get.
As we go along this journey,you'll get to hear more about
that when we start talking aboutthe steps and the things that
we're going over.
But guys, this is just gonna belife on life's terms.
Just because I'm a pastordoesn't mean that everything's
great and grand and gravy.
(16:14):
I still deal with the same dailystruggles as everybody else.
And guys, it doesn't matter.
The mission field is the worldout there.
And so what this is to me is aplace to spread that hope and
remind people that there arepeople out there.
Who understand and wanna walkwith you.
Dan (16:33):
Real stories, man, real struggles, but more importantly,
real hope.
That's what I want people,Justin, to be able to expect
when they listen to us weekly.
I don't want fluff.
I'm not here to feed you sugar.
(16:53):
I'm here to feed you the truth.
I'm here to feed you what theBible says.
And the Bible offers you and Ihope, and that's what people
need more than ever, man.
When I was in addiction, Justin,I didn't need another feel.
Good story.
I didn't need another pat on theback saying, go tiger.
Go.
I needed hope, bro.
(17:13):
I needed real hope.
I needed to talk to somebody.
I didn't need somebody, dude,turning to page 34 in a book and
telling me what to do.
I needed to little look somebodyin the eyeballs that's been
there, done that, seen that, gottheir name carved in that tree
over there, walked the same pathI did, and be able to offer me
(17:34):
hope.
Dude.
Honest conversations thatchallenge and inspire, man,
that's what this whole thing isgonna be about, and it's gonna
be on the foundation of Biblicaltruth.
Justin (17:47):
And that's what the only foundation we need to build
upon, in my opinion.
Too many times.
You, like you said, Dan, I'm notlooking for fluff, I'm not
looking for feel good.
I want the truth.
When I was in my addiction, Ihad enough people telling me it
was gonna be okay.
I needed somebody telling me Ineeded to change.
And that's what this is about,that change that can happen when
(18:08):
you live by that biblical truth.
When you look to that biblicaltruth and the hope that's found,
because it's easy to tellsomebody, this too shall pass,
but when you've actually seen itpassed, then it means something.
A word spoken in season.
Is good is what the Bible tellsus, and that's what this is
about.
(18:28):
Speaking a word in season forsomebody that's going through
that troubled time, that's goingthrough, that's that recovery
that people don't talk about.
That's not drugs and alcohol.
'cause drugs and alcohol is apart of it, but we recover from
life.
We recover from trauma.
You asked me what I recoverfrom.
It's from a lifetime of baddecisions that I still have to
(18:49):
look at the consequences dailybecause God may have forgiven
me, but I still have to walkthis road out.
But I walk it out rooted inChrist.
I'm built upon that foundationand it's changed my outlook on
everything, and that's what thisis about to me.
Dan (19:04):
So powerful, man.
I mean, just.
To be rooted in Christ.
And like you said, man, that youknow, it's so much more than
being recovered from drugs andalcohol or porn addiction or
whatever.
And we are not here to downplaythat.
We celebrate that with you.
But guys, we gotta be honestwith ourselves.
There's so much more to recoverythan that because if I don't
(19:27):
know how to be a.
Dad, I'm not recovered Justin.
If I don't know how to be ahusband, I'm not recovered.
If I don't know how to be aproductive member of society,
I'm not recovered.
And that's what this podcast isabout.
It's not so much the addiction,it's the other side of
addiction, and it's finding it.
(19:47):
In the hope and the help ofJesus Christ.
And I'm excited, man, about ourupcoming series.
Guys, we are gonna jump rightinto it with a 12 week series on
the 12 steps.
And the reason that I wanted.
To do that is because, you know,and it's hard to find statistics
(20:08):
for it, Justin, but I mean, whenyou look at aa, when you look at
na when you look at CelebrateRecovery you know, and the list
goes on and on, there are somany support groups that utilize
a 12 step, and I figured what agreat way to kick this first
season one off than literallygoing step by step, going
(20:31):
through the 12 steps, but.
Using it as a biblical approach?
Justin (20:36):
Well, and that's the thing I don't think many people
understand.
It began as a biblical approach.
So what we're doing is we're notcreating something new, Dan, to
me, we're just taking back whatGod's given and putting it where
it belongs in his glory and hisgrace and his mercy.
And that's why I'm excitedbecause so many people fail to
realize that they're living outbiblical truths.
(20:58):
On a daily basis by taking thesesteps.
And maybe you're here and you'venever done a 12 step group, but
can I tell you something, Dan?
If you're living how the Bibletells you and that's your path
to recovery, guess what?
You're walking those steps outdaily and that's what we're
gonna get into to helpChristians realize that this
isn't about some new age worldlything.
(21:20):
This is the Bible placed inwords and making it where we can
Dan (21:24):
understand it.
So powerful too.
And that's why, man, I amexcited about this because, and
I'm, we're starting guys.
We are literally starting atstep one.
And I, you know, I cannot waitto get into that.
But guys, I mean, we got ha wehave so much that we want to
(21:45):
share with you.
Not that we have all theanswers, not that, you know,
we've got it all figured outbecause Justin said, just a few
moments ago.
Guys, I'm learning something newevery single day.
But here's the deal, guys.
Rooted and recovered.
It's not just a podcast, Justin,it's a community.
(22:07):
and that's what we are here todo.
That is the mission of rootedand recovered.
It's not just a.
Kick out a weekly podcast.
It's to build a community oflike-minded people who literally
has Jesus Christ at the centerof their life, leading them and
guiding them all the way.
(22:28):
And we're building a space,Justin, where we can be real.
Where we can ask those toughquestions and where we together,
me, Justin, the listener, theaudience where we can walk this
journey together, because guys,this is something I learned a
long time ago.
Freedom is not found inisolation.
(22:52):
It's built in community.
Justin (22:55):
You know, as you was talking, Dan, like you said, I
feel the Holy Spirit here withus.
A verse came to mind.
Galatians six, to bear oneanother's burdens and so fulfill
the law of Christ.
That's what this is about.
It's not just about me and Dantalking for 20 minutes.
It's about people understandingthat we are here for support.
We want to know your, we wannaknow your victories.
(23:17):
If you want to share yourstruggles, we want to know that
because that's what it's about.
Living for Christ is being therefor one another.
That community, like Dan talkedabout, and it's not.
Just a community.
It's a forever family in Christthat we're
Dan (23:30):
welcome to.
So powerful Justin, and thankyou so much for sharing that
guys.
That's why it is so vital thatyou like and subscribe and share
this podcast because guys, thewhole podcast is gonna be built
just like that.
We are coming with excitement.
We are coming with.
Energy, we are coming to standup against the devil because me
(23:54):
and Justin are tired of seeingthe enemy of addiction rip
families apart.
I'm sick and tired of watchingmoms and dads lose their sons
and daughters.
I'm sick.
Sick and tired of watching sonsand daughters lose moms and
dads.
I'm sick and tired of watchingcommunity members lose vital
(24:16):
people in the community becauseaddiction enough is enough.
We put our feet down.
We speak the name of Jesus overthis, and you need to join us
with us.
You need to be in this movementwith us.
You need to be praying with usand seeking the face of God with
us, that when this podcast hits.
The air that somebody that needsto hear this podcast hears it.
(24:40):
If you've got a family member athome and they're struggling with
addiction or they're new inrecovery, get them connected
with us like and subscribe.
Go to Facebook and like ourFacebook page, rooted in
recovered.
Send us a message.
Share your testimony.
Post a prayer request.
We will pray with you.
(25:01):
If you have given your life toGod, share that.
We want to celebrate that withyou.
We want to be there with you tosupport you and guide you.
But as we get ready to wrap thispodcast up guys, because we, I
could keep going on and on.
Tune in next week as we kick offseason one, episode one of the
(25:24):
12 truth series.
When I can't, God.
Can Justin, do you got anythingthat you want to close with,
brother?
Justin (25:34):
No, honestly I'm just excited about this, Dan.
I can't wait to see where thisis going because I can already
tell.
Guys, like Dan said, this isn'tgonna be your normal podcast.
This isn't scripted.
You're going to hear us pull upverses on our phone as we're
talking.
That brings stuff to memory.
And look, maybe you're here andDan talked about, if you're an
addiction or you know somebody,but maybe you're here and you
(25:55):
have that family member and youjust want to know what they're
going through, this is for youbecause this is two people who
know Christ.
This is two pastors who areliving the word, who are held
above reproach.
Getting real, raw and honest andsaying, I.
Guys, life can be hard at times,but we have a savior who is
(26:16):
willing to meet us wherever weare.
We just gotta be willing toreach out and touch that
garment, like Dan said.
And it's not a one and donething, it's an every day I reach
out to touch that garment.
So guys, I'm excited for seasonone.
I'm excited to see what God'sgot and I can't wait to talk to
you guys next week.
Dan (26:33):
Justin, what a perfect way to close it out, brother.
Guys, we are so glad you're hereand we can't wait to kick off
the 12 Truth series, step one,when I can't.
God can the first episode dropsoon, guys.
So stay tuned.
Welcome to Rooted and Recovered.
(26:56):
Let's get to work.
You are not just surviving.
You are becoming, becomingrooted in truth, becoming
recovered by grace, and becomingthe person God always knew you
could be.
Thanks for joining us on Rootedin Recovered.
If this episode stirredsomething in you, don't keep it
(27:17):
to yourself.
Share it, live it, let it takeroot.
We'll see you next time righthere where scars become
testimonies and hope rises fromthe ashes.
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