Ep. 180 - Despiration In Denver: Jaerden's Journey of Recovery
Sun Jan 18 2026
Summary:
In this episode, host Jared Miller engages in a candid conversation with fellow recovery advocate Jaerden, who shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery. The discussion begins with Jaerden recounting his chaotic early life, marked by family struggles and substance abuse that escalated from marijuana to harder drugs like OxyContin and heroin. He reflects on the pivotal moments that led him to a life of crime, including a series of pharmacy robberies driven by desperation and addiction. After facing significant legal consequences, including time in jail and prison, Jaerden's path takes a turn when he enters a treatment program that offers him the support and community he desperately needed. As the conversation unfolds, Jaerden emphasizes the importance of accountability, community, and the willingness to embrace change. He discusses the challenges of early recovery, including the struggle to reconnect with his emotions and the ongoing journey of self-discovery. Through his experiences, he highlights the significance of mentorship and the power of sharing one's story to inspire others. The episode concludes with a message of hope, underscoring that recovery is a continuous process that requires commitment, openness, and the courage to face one's past.
Takeaways:
-"I was always the compassionate individual, but addiction took me away from that person completely."
-"I realized that just because you get clean doesn't mean you're cured."
-"I want to see the light come on within other individuals that so simply existed within me because I was willing."
-"You have to fully relearn who you are when stepping into recovery."
-"Your mess can become your message."
-"It's okay to show some vulnerability and peel the layers back."
-"I made a commitment to give five years to this journey."
-"You can always go back to your old life, but why would you want to?"
-"Every experience I walk through, if I remain teachable, I can learn something from each individual I’m trying to help."
"There's hope and faith out there; your message can be turned into a message for others."
Chapters:
00:00 Recording Challenges and Introductions
00:35 Introducing Jared: A Case Manager's Perspective
01:58 Trusted Resources for Recovery
03:48 Life Before Addiction: Childhood Reflections
09:06 The Impact of Family Dynamics
16:14 The Shift to Substance Use
24:33 The Descent into Addiction
29:24 Navigating Drug Court and MAT
38:39 Rock Bottom and the Plan for Change
41:00 The Descent into Addiction
45:41 Facing the Consequences
50:19 The Turning Point in Jail
55:59 Entering Treatment and Finding Community
01:00:12 The Journey of Recovery Begins
01:09:13 Building a New Life in Recovery
01:18:06 The Ongoing Process of Healing
More
Summary: In this episode, host Jared Miller engages in a candid conversation with fellow recovery advocate Jaerden, who shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery. The discussion begins with Jaerden recounting his chaotic early life, marked by family struggles and substance abuse that escalated from marijuana to harder drugs like OxyContin and heroin. He reflects on the pivotal moments that led him to a life of crime, including a series of pharmacy robberies driven by desperation and addiction. After facing significant legal consequences, including time in jail and prison, Jaerden's path takes a turn when he enters a treatment program that offers him the support and community he desperately needed. As the conversation unfolds, Jaerden emphasizes the importance of accountability, community, and the willingness to embrace change. He discusses the challenges of early recovery, including the struggle to reconnect with his emotions and the ongoing journey of self-discovery. Through his experiences, he highlights the significance of mentorship and the power of sharing one's story to inspire others. The episode concludes with a message of hope, underscoring that recovery is a continuous process that requires commitment, openness, and the courage to face one's past. Takeaways: -"I was always the compassionate individual, but addiction took me away from that person completely." -"I realized that just because you get clean doesn't mean you're cured." -"I want to see the light come on within other individuals that so simply existed within me because I was willing." -"You have to fully relearn who you are when stepping into recovery." -"Your mess can become your message." -"It's okay to show some vulnerability and peel the layers back." -"I made a commitment to give five years to this journey." -"You can always go back to your old life, but why would you want to?" -"Every experience I walk through, if I remain teachable, I can learn something from each individual I’m trying to help." "There's hope and faith out there; your message can be turned into a message for others." Chapters: 00:00 Recording Challenges and Introductions 00:35 Introducing Jared: A Case Manager's Perspective 01:58 Trusted Resources for Recovery 03:48 Life Before Addiction: Childhood Reflections 09:06 The Impact of Family Dynamics 16:14 The Shift to Substance Use 24:33 The Descent into Addiction 29:24 Navigating Drug Court and MAT 38:39 Rock Bottom and the Plan for Change 41:00 The Descent into Addiction 45:41 Facing the Consequences 50:19 The Turning Point in Jail 55:59 Entering Treatment and Finding Community 01:00:12 The Journey of Recovery Begins 01:09:13 Building a New Life in Recovery 01:18:06 The Ongoing Process of Healing