In this episode of the Substance of Faith Podcast, host Rudy Swigart welcomes his longtime friend and spiritual brother, Mike Worley, to share a testimony that has deeply shaped his own faith journey. What unfolds is not just a story about recovery; it's a deep dive into what it means to wrestle with the darkness, to cry out in desperation, and to meet a living God who responds with transformational power.
Mike opens up about his traumatic childhood, early encounters with mental health struggles, and how addiction offered him what seemed like the only way to feel “okay.” From his first drink at nine years old to being introduced to meth at twelve, Mike recounts years lost to addiction, rage, broken relationships, and hopelessness. Yet in the middle of his darkest moment—on his knees in a bedroom, full of despair—something holy broke through.
This episode is more than a testimony; it’s an invitation to the broken, the addicted, and those silently suffering in the shadows. It’s a message to the church to bring recovery out of the back room and into the light. Rudy and Mike also discuss the importance of spiritual leadership marked by vulnerability, how churches can better serve those struggling with addiction, and the impact of leading from weakness.
Key Takeaways:
Addiction often starts as a survival strategy, not rebellion.
True transformation begins when we’re willing to give God everything.
Vulnerability in leadership fosters freedom in community.
Churches must create space for real struggles to be shared and healed.
Recovery is a spiritual process; it begins with surrender, not strength.
Whether you’re battling addiction, supporting someone who is, or leading a church that desires to love people better, this episode is a must-listen. Mike’s journey from bondage to freedom will stir your heart and remind you that no one is too far gone for grace.
“We don’t need perfect leaders—we need honest ones. People want to know you can walk through the storm and still hold onto Jesus.”
Learn more about Rudy Swigart by visiting the following links:
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.
Boysober
Have you ever wondered what life might be like if you stopped worrying about being wanted, and focused on understanding what you actually want? That was the question Hope Woodard asked herself after a string of situationships inspired her to take a break from sex and dating. She went "boysober," a personal concept that sparked a global movement among women looking to prioritize themselves over men. Now, Hope is looking to expand the ways we explore our relationship to relationships. Taking a bold, unfiltered look into modern love, romance, and self-discovery, Boysober will dive into messy stories about dating, sex, love, friendship, and breaking generational patterns—all with humor, vulnerability, and a fresh perspective.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com