Episode 149: You Matter (featuring Dean Sikes)
Mon Feb 02 2026
Do you think you matter? Dean Sykes does and brings to the discussion his decades-long mission of helping teenagers understand their worth. Dean shares his personal journey—from experiencing trauma and emotional abandonment to finding healing through forgiveness and authenticity. Together we explore the themes behind his book You Matter, including the importance of self-worth, listening, and being present for those who are hurting. Learn about communication in families, the growing impact of technology on teens, and why active listening is essential for genuine connection.
About the Guest:
Since January of 1993, Dean Sikes has been on the road, communicating words of hope in high schools, Teen Challenge Centers, churches and prisons across America and in nations of the world. To date, he’s spoken at over four thousand three hundred events, sharing the YOU MATTER message with millions of people.
In addition to an active road outreach, the You Matter team is engaged everyday of the year on social media, sharing messages of hope for everyone, everywhere. Over the last two years, the team has had over 165 million views of Dean’s videos online. A published author, to date, Dean has written thirty-three (33) books, all of which serve as follow up resources for teens and their families.
Together with his wife, Lori, the Sikes family make their home in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Links:
Website: https://deansikes.net/
E-mail: contact@deansikes.net
Support the show
Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.
To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com
To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com
Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.
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Do you think you matter? Dean Sykes does and brings to the discussion his decades-long mission of helping teenagers understand their worth. Dean shares his personal journey—from experiencing trauma and emotional abandonment to finding healing through forgiveness and authenticity. Together we explore the themes behind his book You Matter, including the importance of self-worth, listening, and being present for those who are hurting. Learn about communication in families, the growing impact of technology on teens, and why active listening is essential for genuine connection. About the Guest: Since January of 1993, Dean Sikes has been on the road, communicating words of hope in high schools, Teen Challenge Centers, churches and prisons across America and in nations of the world. To date, he’s spoken at over four thousand three hundred events, sharing the YOU MATTER message with millions of people. In addition to an active road outreach, the You Matter team is engaged everyday of the year on social media, sharing messages of hope for everyone, everywhere. Over the last two years, the team has had over 165 million views of Dean’s videos online. A published author, to date, Dean has written thirty-three (33) books, all of which serve as follow up resources for teens and their families. Together with his wife, Lori, the Sikes family make their home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Links: Website: https://deansikes.net/ E-mail: contact@deansikes.net Support the show Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast. To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.