Recovery On-Air

Today on Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with Tom Fay, founder of Gambit Recovery and a national advocate for ethical sober living. After years lost in addiction and surviving a life-altering suicide attempt, Tom got sober in 2010  and never looked back. What started as personal survival turned into a mission to raise the standards of recovery housing across the country. With over 14 years in the behavioral health field, Tom has helped shape policy, launch treatment housing programs, and fight for accountability in an industry that impacts thousands of lives.

This week on Recovery On-Air, we sit down with Carrie Masters, CEO of St. Joseph the Worker, whose life story is a powerful testament to resilience and forward momentum. Raised in a home impacted by addiction and hardship, Carrie faced overwhelming challenges early in life including being left to care for herself and her siblings as a teenager and becoming a single mother at 20. Rather than becoming another statistic, Carrie built an extraordinary career, rising from receptionist to Chief Operating Officer at LGE Design Build before stepping into nonprofit leadership. Today, she leads St. Joseph the Worker in empowering unhoused and low-income individuals to find stability through employment. Carrie shares how perseverance, service, and purpose shaped her journey and why simply “keeping moving forward” can change everything.

In this powerful episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with Gordon James, a seasoned PR professional and the founder of his own PR company. A company that Crossroads now works with. Gordon shares his inspiring story of struggling with alcohol during a time when heavy drinking was the norm, even in high-powered circles. Gordon opens up about his time spent as a drinking buddy with George W. Bush and how he even did PR for his father during his presidency, all while battling his own addiction. During an era when “drinking was just what you did” after work, Gordon's personal struggles with alcohol began to take a serious toll on his life. It wasn't until he discovered the 12-step rooms that he found the path to recovery. With the help of a sponsor and a commitment to sobriety, Gordon now celebrates over 20 years of sobriety.

Brian McKew has been sober since April 10, 1994, a milestone that reflects more than three decades of commitment to recovery, growth, and service. On Recovery on Air, Brian shares his personal journey to offer hope and insight, emphasizing the lasting role of fellowship, recovery literature, self-help, and therapy in maintaining both physical and emotional sobriety. His message is rooted in lived experience and a deep belief that recovery is not just possible, but sustainable with the right support and tools. Professionally, Brian is a seasoned entrepreneur, mentor, and educator with more than 40 years of experience in business. He is the CEO and owner of the Academy of Nail Technology in Phoenix, a family-owned institution he has helped guide for nearly two decades. Often described as the Academy's “big-picture thinker,” Brian brings strategic vision, practical problem-solving, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. He holds a master's degree in business and is known for cutting through obstacles to help students and professionals map clear, achievable paths forward. His approach, both in recovery and in life, is grounded in honesty, curiosity, and the belief that transformation is always within reach. https://www.academyofnails.net/

In this deeply inspiring episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with Jason Schechterle, a retired Phoenix police officer whose life was forever changed in an unimaginable way. On March 26, 2001, Jason's patrol car was struck at high speed and burst into flames, leaving him with severe burns over more than 40% of his body and a long, grueling road to recovery. Despite facing countless surgeries, emotional upheaval, and life-altering change, Jason found a way to live with gratitude, resilience, and purpose. Today, he travels the country as an inspirational speaker, sharing his story of survival, transformation, and the profound joy he's found in life after tragedy.

In this uplifting episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with online personality Jaron Lyle to talk about his journey through addiction and into sobriety. Jaron shares how getting sober didn't mean losing his personality. In fact, it helped him find it. Through TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms, Jaron has built a large following by being unapologetically himself: silly, energetic, and passionate about life. His content sends a powerful message: sobriety doesn't have to be boring.

Host Christin Day sits down with Angelo Lopez, who found himself caught up in the legal system at a very young age, turning 18 in a juvenile detention center. While locked up, Angelo found an escape through books and education, learning all he could about psychology, philosophy, and more. He found recovery through education and lived experience and now works to carry a positive message to others seeking recovery.

In this inspiring episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin sits down with Jesse Messer, who shares his incredible journey from incarceration to recovery. With the help of the Second Chance Program, Jesse found sobriety while behind bars and has since turned his life around in remarkable ways. Today, Jesse is the co-host of the Outlaws to Advocates podcast and works at Horizon Recovery, where he helps kids and adolescents overcome substance abuse and mental health challenges. Jesse's story is a powerful reminder that no matter how dark the past may seem, it's never too late to turn things around and make a difference.

In this heartfelt episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin sits down with her husband, Ian Day, to dive deep into his journey from small-town dreams to the challenges of addiction. Ian shares how his athletic aspirations were derailed by drugs and alcohol, and how he eventually found a new path in the world of tattooing. Through candid conversation, Ian opens up about the struggles he faced, the turning points in his recovery, and the hard-won lessons he's learned along the way. Today, Ian is living a life of sobriety and is focused on his family, his career, and his passion for helping others.

In this powerful episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with Erin Dolby, a former Ms. Arizona whose life took a devastating turn when addiction pulled her far from the world of pageants and into survival mode. Erin opens up about the painful realities of her addiction, including the dangerous situations she found herself in and the lengths she had to go to just to get by.

Host Christin sits down with Daniel Busch, star of the hit TV show Love After Lockup, to discuss his journey through addiction, his struggles to maintain a relationship while in the midst of his battle, and the powerful transformation he's experienced since getting sober. Daniel opens up about his challenges while being in the spotlight, the impact of addiction on his personal life, and how his relationship dynamics were affected during his darkest moments.

In this eye-opening episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin sits down with Jason Keller, an attorney whose battle with addiction led him down a dangerous path. One that ultimately landed him in a jail cell for bringing drugs to inmates. Jason shares his remarkable story of self-destruction, the consequences of his choices, and how he hit rock bottom before making the decision to turn his life around. Now in recovery, Jason reflects on the lessons he's learned, the people who helped him along the way, and the steps he's taken to rebuild his life and find purpose beyond his past.

In this powerful episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin sits down with Tony Johnson for an emotional and deeply honest conversation about his journey to sobriety. Tony opens up about the trials and tribulations that led him to finally make the life-changing decision to get sober. From the struggles that nearly broke him to the moments of clarity that pushed him forward, Tony's story is a raw reminder of the courage it takes to choose recovery and the beauty that comes with rebuilding a life with intention and purpose.

Host Christin sits down with Jerry Sheridan, the Sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, to discuss the intersection of substance abuse, mental health, and law enforcement. Sheriff Sheridan shares his unique perspective on how addiction often intersects with the criminal justice system and how mental health challenges can impact both individuals and communities. He also opens up about his own personal experiences, revealing how addiction has affected his loved ones and the steps he takes to prioritize self-care as a leader in a high-pressure environment.

In this powerful episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin sits down with Peggy Hernandez, founder of J&M, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the devastating impact of fentanyl overdoses. Peggy's journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and unwavering commitment to making a difference after losing both of her sons to fentanyl.

Host Christin Day sits down with Bex Cox and Ashley Walton for an unforgettable conversation. The trio shares laughs, jokes, and deep stories, as Ashley opens up about her own recovery journey and the powerful role yoga has played in her life. Together, they dive into the incredible work they're doing to bring yoga into prisons, offering inmates a chance to heal through mindfulness, movement, and self-awareness.

Our very first visual episode! Host Christin sits down with Brock Bevell, a former police officer whose life changed after an on-duty accident led to addiction. Now in recovery, Brock shares his journey and his mission through The Fentanyl Project—where he connects with addicts on the streets, offering hope and recording real, raw conversations to help others find their way out.

Bex shares the deep challenges she faced growing up — including loss, pain, and the search for purpose — and how those experiences ultimately led her toward a life in recovery. Through the 12 Steps, yoga, and holistic healing practices, Bex found a new path to peace and purpose. Now a certified yogi, she's helping others do the same as one of the visionaries behind Crossroads' EVIC outpatient program, which blends yoga, art therapy, and other creative modalities to support recovery in non-traditional yet deeply meaningful ways.

Christin sits down with Robyn, a woman who has turned her childhood trauma into a powerful force for good. Robyn's early years were filled with immense pain and hardship, but through resilience, therapy, and self-compassion, she has rebuilt her life. Today, she's living a life of calm and peace, focused on helping others find their own path to healing.

At just 17, Patricia Plum's life changed forever. Under the influence, she ran a stop sign — and a tragic accident claimed a life. Charged as an adult, she spent 6 years in prison.

Christin and Jane sit down to discuss how rock music can be instrumental in the journey of addiction recovery. After experiencing the loss of her son due to alcoholism, Jane started Rock Recovery Charities, which specializes in a range from music therapy programs at treatment facilities to interviews of legendary rock musicians and entertainers who have triumphed over their own battles with addiction. Jane has her own podcast and can be found on all streaming platforms at Rock Recovery Podcast!

Christin and Cassie sit down to talk about a trials and tribulations of drug use at an early age. What began as experimentation soon became isolation—and then darkness. In this powerful conversation, she shares how her parents' divorce, early exposure to substances, and years of struggle shaped her path. Today, as part of Monument Recovery, Cassie uses her story to bring hope and guidance to others. A raw, real, and inspiring journey you won't forget.

In this episode, Christin sits down with Kristin Kline, founder of Convicted Comeback—a fitness-based movement that's transforming lives inside Arizona's jails. Kristin shares her incredible journey through addiction, incarceration, and ultimately recovery, and how she discovered fitness as a lifeline while behind bars. Now, through Convicted Comeback, Kristin returns to the very facilities she was once locked up in—bringing hope, movement, and empowerment to incarcerated women through fitness classes and mentorship.

We had the honor of sitting down with Antony Payne from The Embers Recovery—and trust us, this is one you don't want to miss. Antony shares his raw and powerful journey through addiction, healing, and purpose—and how The Embers Recovery is transforming lives through connection, communication, and real-life skills. Recovery doesn't have to be complicated. It just needs a strong foundation. Tune in now to get inspired and learn more about how one man's vision is lighting the path for so many others.

In this powerful episode, Christin sits down with Rick Mitchell, Executive Director of the Homeless ID Project, a nonprofit that helps individuals experiencing homelessness obtain crucial identification documents like state IDs and birth certificates—services that are often the first step toward housing, employment, and recovery. Rick shares moving stories from the front lines, explains why something as simple as an ID can be life-changing, and discusses how his organization helps over 15,000 people each year—all at no cost to the individuals they serve.

In this episode Christin sits down with a special guest for a candid and heartfelt discussion about addiction, healing, and the path to lasting recovery. Every story is unique—but the themes of hope, strength, and transformation are universal.

Christin and leaders from Crossroads outpatient discuss the unique features, services, and support offered at each location, as well as the growing need for accessible outpatient treatment options. Whether you're curious about what outpatient looks like or you're looking to take the next step in your own recovery, this episode sheds light on the incredible work being done every day across our outpatient network. Tune in to hear how these programs are changing lives and offering hope for long-term recovery.

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Lindsay Taylor, author, advocate, and mother, whose life was forever changed when her 19-year-old son tragically passed away from a Fentanyl overdose. Lindsay shares the raw and emotional journey of navigating grief, finding purpose in pain, and how she turned unimaginable loss into a mission to help others.

in this powerful and deeply human episode, Michelle opens up about the night that changed everything, the guilt she carried for decades, and the long journey toward healing. Now free, Michelle is dedicating her life to helping other women transition out of incarceration—women who, like her, often carried the invisible weight of trauma behind bars. From learning how to use a smartphone to navigating a world that moved on without her, Michelle's bravery goes far beyond survival.

Tune in to hear this lawyers miraculous story of barely surviving a random knife attack in college, to prosecuting some of the worlds most dangerous criminal gangs. Josh opens up about his own struggles with addiction after the knife attack and how nowadays, he dedicates most of his practice to defending addicts in legal trouble. Don't miss this powerful episode that highlights resilience, redemption, and the deep impact of turning pain into purpose.

In this compelling episode, Christin sits down with actor and advocate Todd Bridges, best known for his role on Diff'rent Strokes, for an unforgettable conversation about addiction, recovery, and life in the public eye. Todd opens up about the intense challenges of navigating fame while battling addiction, shares wild and honest stories from his journey, and reflects on how recovery transformed his life. From childhood stardom to becoming a voice of hope, Todd's story is powerful, raw, and inspiring.

Kaleigh and Christin sit down to talk about addictions of all sorts, not just substances. Kaleigh specializes in equine therapy, which is a therapeutic approach that involves interactions between patients and horses to promote emotional growth, healing, and learning. See has seen countless ex-inmates and addicts start to heal from trauma thanks to the interactions with these horses and counselors.

In this powerful episode, Christin sits down with Jenn Cullen—an inspiring woman working in the recovery field whose journey is nothing short of remarkable. From battling addiction to becoming a beacon of hope for others, Jenn opens up about the raw realities of her past and the incredible transformation that followed.

William of Desert Cove Recovery, and Christin sit down to talk about how common the story of feeling excluded and lonely as an adolescent leads to substance abuse. William tells a harrowing tale of slipping down a dark path until he found redemption and recovery in Arizona.

Christin and Robert sat down to explore the real challenges of rebuilding a life from the ground up — from navigating societal barriers to embracing the power of transformation and second chances. Their stories highlight what true perseverance looks like and the courage it takes to rewrite your future. This episode offers a powerful perspective on life after prison that you won't want to miss.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ron Allesi from Desert Recovery Centers as he shares his journey through addiction and the experience, strength, and hope that has shaped his recovery. Ron's story is one of resilience, transformation, and the lessons learned along the way. Tune in for an honest and heartfelt conversation about overcoming addiction and finding a new way forward.

Joel Sutton from New Freedom and Christin discuss Joel's powerful story. He describes how he had a rocky childhood, surrounded by prostitution and drug abuse. Although, through the power of equine therapy, service commitments, and connection with other recovering addicts, Joel turned his life around after prison. He continues to help and advocate for inmates getting out of the prison system and showing them that recovery is possible.

Jeremy, from Sanctuary Recovery and the “Outlaws Podcast”, talks with Christin about “self-imposed destruction.” He also talks about how getting into trouble as a kid was a way to cope with his surroundings, with his first stay at a behavioral health institution at 7 years old. After a tumultuous childhood and young adulthood, Jeremy learned to love himself and others in prison, of all places. Now, he works on bridging the gap between healthcare and corrections and brings relapse prevention classes back into the prisons.

Erik Miller is a co-host of the Formally Intoxicated podcast and fitness enthusiast. Erik and Christin talk about how not everyone recovers the same. Erik initially found recovery through crossfit and advocates programs such as “Barbell Saves” and “The Phoenix.” He currently brings a fitness class into the jails and has set a goal to bring the same classes into Arizona prisons. Tune in to hear about how to get plugged into recovery!

Tracy works at Let's Go Recovery, which is an organization dedicated to helping men and women on their continued sobriety journey, by providing a plethora of resources to those in the relentless pursuit of recovery. He started drinking at a young age and despite appearances, his life was falling apart. He encourages discovering what truly fulfills you in life and embracing the present moment with gratitude and intention.

Alicia is a Crossroads employee and case manager at Crossroads West. Christin and Alicia discuss how not everyone recovers the same. Alicia used MAT services (Medically Assisted Treatment), such as Suboxone, to get her back on the straight and arrow. However, she is a strong advocate of a well-rounded treatment, using such modalities as therapy, 12 step programs, Reiki, MATs, Etc. Alicia is now watching as all “The Promises” of the 12 step program are materializing in her life as she grows in her recovery.

Ryan Thornell, Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR), is a respected and innovative leader with two decades of correctional leadership experience. Christin and Ryan sit down to talk about the positive changes and reimagining of Arizona's correctional and reentry programs. This includes bringing in volunteers for peer support, medically assisted treatment (MAT) regimens, and programs/activities to properly prepare people for life after prison.

100 episodes and we reflect back on the growth of Crossroads and all the changes!

Tune in to hear Christin and Susan talk about their turbulent upbrings and why true addicts oftentimes can't successfully practice “controlled drinking.” Susan became pregnant for the first time at 14 years old and started drinking around the same time. After years of alcohol and drug abuse she started going to church and forming connections with other Christians. Now, Susan is the successful CEO of Beyond Fear To Freedom, which provides to aid to many women in crisis and much needed support.

Ileana sits on Crossroads' board of directors and is a huge advocate of many different types of recovery. Christin and Ileana talk about how recovery is a journey. She struggled with her mental health long after she did the 12 steps but through therapy, energy centering, and other self-improvement techniques, she was able to blossom into the positive individual she is today. No matter how an individual chooses their recovery path, one of the most important things is to “clear the wreckage of the past.”

Blake and Christin talk about how he had a career in entertainment/music and that scene introduced him to drugs and partying at a young age. This started the spiritual warfare within himself. Blake talks about how when he is “selective” about his recovery, he stayed unwell and discontent. Finally, when he made God central to his program he started to successfully recover. Now Blake has gotten back into creating music and art and co-hosts his own podcast called “Formally Intoxicated.”

George and Christin talk about how George struggled to reintegrate into civilian life after his time in the Marine Corp. This eventually led to heavy alcohol and drug use and a prison sentence. At first, he hated his situation and had some of his darkest days. However, eventually George looked within for change and began helping others as well. Now George's true passion is helping others reintegrate after serving a prison sentence. George currently works as an Outreach Manager at New Freedom, who's goal is to advocate for those coming back into society.

Dan has been serving in ministry since 1988 and was ordained in 1995. He joined the staff of Pure Heart in 2000 and has been the Senior Pastor since 2005. Dan is the co-founder of School Connect which serves over 1000 public schools in 7 cities in 6 different states. He is the co-founder of Resilient Church Conference, equipping the local church to be trauma informed. He also is the chairman of Better Together Family of churches, uniting churches across greater Phoenix area and helping pastors finish strong. Crossroads has an outpatient program on Pure Heart's campus and we have a wonderful and productive partnership. Pastor dan is married and has 5 amazing kids, 2 of whom were adopted from parents addicted to Methamphetamine.

Tune in to hear how as the Regional Clinical Director at M.I.K.I.D- Mentally Ill Kids in Distress, Suma oversees the quality of clinical services for children and families affected by mental illness and trauma. M.I.K.I.D. does great work in the community for vulnerable minors and adults, ensuring they have the tools needed for a healthy, successful, and happy life.

Listen in to hear Dominica Rose and Christin talk about how drug addiction and alcoholism is a progressive illness. What first started off being fun and experimental for Dominica, quickly turned into an unstoppable addiction for her. Dominica eventually found the 12 steps and talks about the “HOW” of the program. Meaning, being Honest, Open-Minded, and Willing is one of the pillars to getting and staying sober.

Tune in to hear Tony Johnson's redemption story and complete change of thinking. Growing up, he always thought as a man, he could not show any emotion. After starting AA/NA programming in prison, he realized that recovery means becoming vulnerable and owning up to our past. Tony is now the director of admissions at Apex Recovery Center and according to him, in a “unique position to get people into a safe place.”