by The Way Ministries
Dr. Sam McMasters got clean at 19. He's now 38 years sober and has spent four decades building addiction recovery programs in some of the most underserved communities in the country — including a decade-long harm-reduction project in Houston, Texas, working with active drug users through syringe programs and street-level outreach. His philosophy: you can't help people from a distance. You have to meet them where they are. And even then, the statistics are brutal — 85% of people walking into treatment don't believe recovery is actually possible for them. In this episode, Sam and Austin talk about what the "mess before the message" looked like for Sam, how his faith has grown over nearly four decades of sobriety, why addiction is a spiritual disease that no purely clinical approach can fix, and what his sponsor told him that he still carries today. This is one of the most grounded, quietly wise conversations we've had on The Way. The Way Podcast — stories of recovery, faith, and second chances.
Bob Stubblefield was a functional alcoholic by junior year of high school — honor roll, sports, academic scholarship to UT. Then he found drugs, failed out, lost his deferment, and got drafted to Vietnam. When he came back, the spiral continued: failed marriage, nightclubs, criminal behavior, and a night that ended with him beaten half to death by police, waking up in a locked psychiatric unit. June 6th, 1984. That was the last day he drank or used. He's been sober 41 years. What followed is extraordinary. A community service sentence at a halfway house accidentally launched a 40-year career in addiction treatment. He and Austin's father became business partners and spent decades building treatment centers across Tennessee — deliberately placing them in small towns and Medicaid communities that every other company ignored. And Bob has been tested. Vietnam PTSD. Two heart attacks. Bladder cancer. His stepson died, leaving behind two children. His wife Cathy battled cancer for ten years, went into remission, then it came back — she passed away at home surrounded by friends who had no idea that morning would be her last. Bob walked out of her room into a house full of people who loved him. He describes it as God's direct provision. Through all of it, he never picked up. This is the conversation about how — and why. The Way Podcast — stories of recovery, faith, and second chances.
Andrew Parrott was 14 the first time he did cocaine — and instantly knew he'd found something that made the pain stop. What followed was years of violent addiction, five high schools, and a December night in Tucson in 1999 where he overdosed, woke up, reached for a gun, and was interrupted by a phone call from his sister calling from London. That call connected him to a 12-step hotline. A stranger told him to walk to the nearest McDonald's. He was passed through a chain of people he'd never met, who detoxed him in their apartment over three days — for free. His first clean day was December 21st, 1999. He hasn't had a drink or drug since. Now 26+ years sober, Andrew is the founder of Logic Marketing — a company he built from scratch during the early days of digital marketing, riding a bike to three jobs and betting on a medium nobody understood yet. He's also the man who got the call from YouTube star Danny Duncan about a kid named Hayden — a broken addict bailed out of jail for a YouTube skit — and helped turn it into a real rescue through The Way. This is a conversation about addiction, redemption, entrepreneurship, and a faith that took over a decade to find. One of the most honest episodes we've done.
What if everything we've been treating as a clinical problem is actually a spiritual one? 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)
Hayden spent most of his teenage years in and out of juvie, jail, and homelessness — wandering the streets of Florida in active addiction and convinced the world was better off without him. Then a YouTube creator randomly paid his bond, a stranger named Andrew put him on a plane, and somehow Hayden ended up at The Way in Crossville, Tennessee. 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.
This episode of The Way Podcast is one of the most powerful redemption stories we’ve shared yet. 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.
This episode of The Way Podcast is a powerful conversation about purpose, calling, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life. 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.
This episode of The Way Podcast is one of the most emotional and powerful conversations we’ve had. 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.
This episode of The Way Podcast is one of the most raw and honest testimonies we’ve shared yet. 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.
This episode of The Way Podcast shares a powerful and relatable story of drifting from God, falling into addiction, and finding purpose on the other side. 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.