Austin sits down with Matt — founder and leader of The Way Recovery in Crossville, TN — for a collab episode that goes deep on addiction, recovery, the love of the Father, and one of the most arresting personal testimonies we've ever had on the show.

In this episode:

• What The Way actually is: five recovery homes, a 24/7 prayer house inside an old theater, and a coffee shop run by people in active recovery
• Why most recovery programs are either "all clinical" or "all spiritual" — and why neither is enough
• The "both/and" model that's actually working
• "Our big thing is: how can we help you?" — invitation vs. the pitchfork
• Matt growing up in the Bible Belt without really knowing Jesus
• Falling through the cracks of his own family
• The first drink that filled the hole — and the slow descent that followed
• Watching his brother Jake find Jesus while Matt stayed resentful
• January 18, 2025: waiting to go to jail, sitting in his mom's living room, The Chosen playing on the TV
• The overwhelming conviction: "Wait. Maybe it's me."
• Feeling content for the first time in his entire life
• "It's not your fight to have" — for families of people in addiction
• "Surrender is simple. You just have to admit you need help." — for people still in it
• How the Church can actually show up for people in recovery

If you have someone you love in addiction, if you're in it yourself, or if you've ever wondered what real transformation looks like — this one will preach.

Hosted by Austin. Keep Jay in prayer through his recovery.

Listen on every platform: linktr.ee/midtownpodcast Learn more about The Way: thewayrecovery.org (or search "The Way Recovery" on your podcast app)

In this episode, Hayden opens up about hitting rock bottom at 18, the moment he felt Jesus for the first time during an evening devotion, his baptism, the bumpy road of early recovery, and what it means to leave the bubble of a recovery home and step back into the real world.

If you're in the middle of your own darkness right now — this one's for you.

Jimmy shares how he was called to preach at just 17 years old, experienced radical encounters with God, led revivals, preached internationally… and then slowly drifted away into addiction, isolation, and destruction.

After years of running from God, losing himself, and ending up in jail — everything changed.

👉 In this episode, we talk about:

• Being called to preach at 17 years old
• Growing up around addiction
• Encountering Jesus for real
• Radical deliverance from drugs overnight
• Leading revivals & preaching in India
• Drifting away from God slowly
• Living a hidden double life
• Addiction, jail, and losing everything
• Finding purpose and identity again
• Why God still uses broken people

This episode is for anyone who feels like they’ve gone too far, messed up their calling, or ruined their future.

👉 God still restores people.

🎧 Follow The Way Podcast for more real conversations on faith, addiction recovery, and transformation.

Austin shares how a random encounter at work led to a life-changing relationship with Jesus — and how that moment eventually turned into a growing movement impacting hundreds of people.

From leading small Bible studies to building a community of over 1,000 people, this episode dives into what real faith, unity, and surrender actually look like.

👉 In this episode, we talk about:

• Hitting rock bottom and encountering Jesus
• How one conversation changed everything
• Starting a Bible study with zero experience
• Growing a community from 4 people to 1,000+
• What true unity in the Church really means
• Religion vs. relationship with Jesus
• Learning to trust God without having all the answers
• Letting go of control and following His voice

This episode is for anyone who feels called to more — but doesn’t know where to start.

👉 You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just say yes.

🎧 Follow The Way Podcast for more real conversations on faith, recovery, and transformation.

Jennifer shares her story of addiction, jail, and recovery — but more than that, she shares what it looks like to walk through unimaginable loss and still choose faith.

After losing her child, her faith was tested in ways most people will never understand… but she didn’t walk away from God — she ran toward Him.

👉 In this episode, we talk about:

• Addiction and hitting rock bottom
• Going to jail and entering recovery
• Finding peace in the middle of chaos
• Faith being tested through loss
• Wrestling with anger toward God
• Choosing to run TO God instead of away
• Staying consistent in recovery and faith
• Finding purpose in helping others

This episode is for anyone who has experienced loss, grief, or feels like life has hit harder than they can handle.

👉 You’re not alone — and God hasn’t left you.

🎧 Follow The Way Podcast for more real conversations on faith, recovery, and transformation.

Logan opens up about starting drugs at just 12 years old, living in addiction for years, going in and out of jail, and struggling with relapse even after encountering God.

But this story isn’t about perfection — it’s about persistence, grace, and learning to walk with God daily.

👉 In this episode, we talk about:

• Starting addiction at 12 years old
• Feeling different and trying to “fit in”
• Being labeled the problem and living it out
• Jail, court cases, and hitting rock bottom
• Encountering God in a faith-based program
• Relapse after spiritual breakthrough
• Why recovery isn’t a one-time decision
• The power of accountability and community
• Learning to depend on God daily

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, keeps falling back, or wonders if real change is even possible.

👉 You are NOT too far gone.

🎧 Follow The Way Podcast for more real stories of faith, recovery, and transformation.

Pastor Jordan Case opens up about growing up in church, slowly walking away, and how one decision led him into addiction. After losing everything — his family, his identity, and his direction — he hit a breaking point that changed his life forever.

Now, he’s leading others and walking in his calling.

This episode is for anyone who:

• Grew up in church but feels far from God
• Is struggling with addiction or identity
• Feels disqualified because of their past
• Knows they’re called to something more

👉 In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up in church but drifting away
• The slow progression into addiction
• The exact moment addiction took over
• Losing family, identity, and purpose
• Hitting rock bottom and choosing change
• The role of community and accountability
• Discovering God’s calling into ministry
• Overcoming shame and feeling “unqualified”

This is a story of redemption, purpose, and the truth that God can use anyone.

🎧 Follow The Way Podcast for more real conversations on faith, recovery, and transformation.

Jedidiah shares his journey from a broken childhood, addiction, prison, and even being paralyzed… to experiencing miraculous healing and true freedom through Christ.

This is more than a recovery story — it’s a story of God’s grace, second chances, and the reality that no one is too far gone.

If you or someone you know is battling addiction, this episode is proof that freedom is possible.

👉 In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up in a broken home
• Being excommunicated and turning to addiction
• Years of drug use, prison, and military life
• Nearly dying and becoming paralyzed
• Experiencing healing through prayer
• The moment everything changed
• Finding purpose through Jesus and recovery

This is one of the most powerful testimonies we’ve shared yet.

🎧 Follow The Way Podcast for more real stories of recovery, faith, and transformation.

George shares his powerful story of addiction, redemption, and recovery. After years of struggling with drugs, alcohol, and legal trouble, his life reached a turning point that would change everything.

Following a life-changing arrest and a decision to enter a halfway house, George began a journey of radical transformation that would eventually lead to nearly four decades of sobriety and a lifelong mission helping others recover.

Today George has spent decades working in addiction treatment, helping build recovery programs and treatment centers across Tennessee while continuing to serve people battling addiction.

In this episode we talk about:

• Growing up around addiction • How drugs and alcohol became a solution to deeper problems • The moment that changed everything • The power of radical life change in recovery • Lessons from 38 years clean • Building treatment programs that help people find freedom • Advice for young entrepreneurs and people starting over

This conversation is full of wisdom about recovery, faith, leadership, and the power of transformation.

Billy shares his powerful story of growing up surrounded by substance abuse, falling into addiction himself, and eventually losing control of his life through drugs, crime, and prison sentences.

After years of destruction and darkness, Billy found himself completely broken—until one moment changed everything.

Through recovery, faith, and a relentless pursuit of freedom, Billy’s life began to transform. Today he serves as a counselor and leader helping others overcome addiction and find hope in recovery.

In this conversation, Billy shares:

• His battle with addiction and prison • The moment he realized he needed help • How recovery meetings changed his life • Encountering God in the middle of recovery • How he went from addiction to becoming a licensed counselor • The importance of community and hope for those still struggling

If you or someone you love is battling addiction, Billy’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation and recovery are possible.

For years, Matt struggled with addiction while believing he was a “functioning addict.” As the consequences grew more severe, he found himself in one of the darkest moments of his life—crying out to God with a desperate prayer.

What happened next changed everything.

In this conversation with his brother Jake, Matt shares the story of his addiction, the moment he encountered Jesus, and how that transformation led to the creation of The Way Ministries, a Christ-centered recovery community now serving men and women across Tennessee.

Today The Way houses dozens of people in recovery and continues to grow as lives are restored through faith, discipleship, and community.

This episode sets the foundation for the podcast and the heart behind it: sharing real testimonies of freedom, redemption, and the transforming power of Jesus.