Recovery Lab

Episode #138 - Harbor House

In Episode 138 of Recovery Lab, David Sugg sits down with Dedria Black, Executive Director of Harbor House Chemical Dependency Services, Jacqueline Lampley, Assistant Executive Director, and Chris Bates for a powerful conversation about the real work of recovery in Mississippi.
With Brynn at home caring for a sick family this week, the discussion dives deep into the mission of Harbor House, a long-standing treatment organization that has been serving individuals battling substance use disorders for more than 50 years. The conversation explores how Harbor House supports men and women in recovery through residential treatment, co-occurring disorder care, MAT support, veteran services, peer support, and transitional programming.
This episode also takes an honest look at the growing challenges facing people in recovery today, including homelessness, trauma, re-entry after incarceration, lack of permanent housing, and the stigma surrounding addiction treatment. Dedria and Jacqueline share how Harbor House is working to become a fully trauma-informed organization, not only for clients, but also for the staff who carry the weight of this work every day.
Chris Bates offers insight from the board level, while David shares a deeply personal connection to Harbor House and the life-changing impact it had on his own family.
This is a moving conversation about dignity, hope, recovery, and what it means to truly meet people where they are.
 
#RecoveryLab #AddictionRecovery #HarborHouse #SubstanceAbuseRecovery #MentalHealth #TraumaInformedCare #MAT #Sobriety #RecoveryPodcast #MississippiRecovery #AddictionTreatment #HopeInRecovery #CoOccurringDisorders #VeteranRecovery #SoberLiving
 
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions. 

Episode #137 - From Northeast Jackson to New Life: Daniel Phyfer on Shame, Surrender, and Showing Up

Welcome back to The Recovery Lab, where we dive deep into the struggles, victories, and hope that stem from recovery: no shame, no judgment, just truth, grace, and inspiration.
On Episode 137, it’s just Brynn and Daniel in the studio today, as David Sugg is out sick. Feel better soon, brother.
Today’s guest is Daniel Phyfer, a man who has told his story publicly, felt the weight of that vulnerability, and kept showing up anyway. Daniel grew up in Jackson, went to Prep, and came up in what he calls the “Northeast Jackson bubble”, a world full of pressure, image management, and the exhausting need to be somebody for everybody else. Underneath the humor and the “cool kid” persona was fear, insecurity, perfectionism, and a deep discomfort in his own skin.
Daniel walks us through how early drinking, daily marijuana use, and eventually pills became the way he learned to cope, until addiction took everything. He opens up about grief he never processed, including the overdose death of his college roommate, the shame spiral that followed, and the moment his life hit a terrifying breaking point: flipping his truck on I-55 after a night out and realizing his first thought was finding his pills before the cops arrived.
From there, Daniel shares what it looked like to go to treatment, relapse, and finally surrender in long term recovery. He talks about the work that changed him: high accountability, mirror work, learning how to accept unconditional love, processing grief, and building real relationships for the first time. He also shares how returning home and immersing himself in the recovery community became the foundation for everything that followed.
Now, years sober, Daniel works in the treatment field at Defining Wellness, and he gets brutally honest about the reality: working in treatment can be consuming, even dangerous for your own recovery, if you stop doing the things that got you well. You’ll hear a powerful conversation on boundaries, delegation, honesty in recovery, what treatment centers get wrong, why transparency matters, and why “people trust people” more than brands.
The episode closes with one of the realest parts of the whole conversation: parenting in recovery, learning how to communicate in a way he never could as a kid, and the hope that his boys will grow up knowing they can talk about what they feel without shame.
If you’re struggling, if someone you love is struggling, or if you’re sober and quietly exhausted trying to hold it all together, this episode is for you.
Guest contact: Daniel Phyfer is on social platforms under his name, and you can reach him by email at daniel@definingwellness.com 
#RecoveryLabPodcast #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #TwelveSteps #AA #NA #RecoveryCommunity #Surrender #Healing #TraumaRecovery #GriefInRecovery #MentalHealth #Treatment #DefiningWellness #ParentingInRecovery #MississippiRecovery #JacksonMS #Hope #OneDayAtATime
 
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions. 

Episode 136 (PART 1): From “Garden Variety Drunk” to Recovery Advocate with Kirk Hartley

On part 1 of episode 136 of the Recovery Lab Podcast, David Sugg, Brynn Knox, and Daniel Anderson welcome Kirk Hartley to the Audio Alchemy studios for a heartfelt and honest conversation about long term sobriety and service.
Kirk humbly describes himself as “just an ole garden variety drunk and junkie,” but his story tells a much deeper story of transformation and purpose. Sober since July 6, 1986, Kirk shares the journey that carried him from the early days of recovery into decades of meaningful work helping others find their way.
Kirk began his career at COPAC in 1988 as a therapist, later becoming the Adventurer Based Therapy Ropes Course Director in 1989. He moved into marketing in 1993 and served as Marketing Director from 1995 through July 2012. After a wide range of experiences in the years that followed, Kirk retired in October 2022.
Retirement has not slowed him down. Today, Kirk remains deeply committed to the recovery community through active involvement with the Madison Ridgeland Group and by reaching out to men who are seeking freedom from addiction.
This episode is a powerful reminder that long term recovery is built on gratitude, humility, and consistent service to others.
We couldn’t carry the message without the support of our community. Today’s podcast is brought to you by Fondren Recovery Homes in Jackson, Mississippi. 
#RecoveryLabPodcast #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryCommunity #AARecovery #SoberLife #MadisonRidgeland #HopeInRecovery #AudioAlchemy #DoTheWork
 
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions. 
 

Episode #135, A Heart to Serve: Paxton Peters and the Front Lines of Recovery in Jackson, MS

On Episode #135 of the Recovery Lab Podcast, David Sugg, Brynn Knox, and Daniel Anderson sit down with someone who quietly carries an enormous impact in the Jackson recovery community, Paxton Peters.
As the office manager of Jackson Mississippi’s AA Central Office, Paxton has been a steady voice, a listening ear, and a compassionate guide for hundreds, if not thousands, of people searching for hope. Every phone call answered, every meeting connected, every conversation held represents another opportunity to help someone step out of darkness and into light.
In this powerful conversation, Paxton shares what it truly means to serve on the front lines of recovery. He talks about the weight and privilege of being a first point of contact for those reaching out for help, the importance of community, and how simple acts of compassion can change the trajectory of someone’s life.
If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at an AA Central Office, or if you need a reminder that steady, faithful service makes a profound difference, this episode will encourage you.
Hope is alive in Jackson, Mississippi, and Paxton Peters is one of the reasons why.
 
#RecoveryLab #PaxtonPeters #JacksonMSRecovery #AASupport #SoberLife #RecoveryCommunity #HopeInTheDarkness #AddictionRecovery #ServiceWork #MississippiRecovery
This episode is brought to you by Fondren Recovery Homes in Jackson Mississippi, offering budget friendly sober living close to restaurants and 12 step meetings for anyone seeking safety, structure and support in early recovery.
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions. 

Episode #134: Reaching the Next Generation, Healing Trauma and Addiction with Hall Ratcliffe of Capstone Wellness

In this episode of Recovery Lab, David Sugg, Brynn Knox, and Daniel Anderson sit down with Hall Ratcliffe, Marketing Outreach Director at Capstone Wellness, a treatment center dedicated to adolescents and young adults ages 14 to 28.
Together, they dive into the unique challenges today’s young people are facing, from trauma and addiction to the deep impact of family systems and generational patterns. Hall shares how Capstone approaches healing from the inside out, walking alongside both clients and families to create lasting change, not just short term sobriety.
This conversation is honest, practical, and full of hope for parents, professionals, and anyone who cares about the next generation. If you’ve ever wondered what effective, compassionate treatment really looks like, or how to support a young person who’s struggling, this episode will open your eyes and encourage your heart.
Because recovery is not just about stopping a behavior, it’s about rebuilding a life.
#RecoveryLabPodcast #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #TeenRecovery #YoungAdultRecovery #TraumaHealing #FamilySystems #SobrietyJourney #HopeAfterAddiction #CapstoneWellness #PodcastCommunity #DanielAnderson #BrynnKnox #DavidSugg
This episode is brought to you by Fondren Recovery Homes in Jackson Mississippi, offering budget friendly sober living close to restaurants and 12 step meetings for anyone seeking safety, structure and support in early recovery.
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #133: From Surviving to Living, Healing Trauma, Addiction, and Finding Real Freedom with Jessica Chapman Lott, LCSW

What if recovery wasn’t just about getting by, but about finally living a life you don’t feel the need to escape from?
In Episode 133 of Recovery Lab, David Sugg, Brynn Knox, and Daniel Anderson sit down with therapist Jessica Chapman Lott, LCSW, for a powerful and compassionate conversation about what true healing really looks like.
Jessica works with people who are exhausted from carrying everything alone. The ones battling addiction, trauma, anxiety, chronic relapse, and deep self doubt. The ones who look fine on the outside but feel stuck on the inside. Her approach goes beyond symptom relief. She helps clients uncover the root issues, challenge old patterns, and build lasting change so they can move from surviving to truly living.
Together, we talk about:
Why asking for help feels so hard, especially for the strong ones
The connection between trauma and addiction
Breaking cycles of relapse and self sabotage
Codependency, relationships, and learning healthier boundaries
How therapy creates a safe space to be seen, heard, and supported
What “living life on life’s terms” actually means in recovery
If you’ve ever wondered whether real change is possible for you, this episode is a reminder that hope is still on the table.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. You just have to be willing to take the next step.
Connect with Jessica Chapman Lott
Free 15 minute consultation available
📞 (601) 539-4430
💲 $100 per session
Accepts insurance
Works with individuals and couples
Specialties include addiction, substance use, trauma, anxiety, depression, dual diagnosis, relationship issues, gambling, sexual addiction, life transitions, spirituality, and more.
#RecoveryLabPodcast #AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthMatters #TherapyWorks #SubstanceUseRecovery #HopeAndHealing #MississippiMentalHealth #CounselingSupport #SobrietyJourney #HealingIsPossible #PodcastLife
 
This episode is brought to you by Fondren Recovery Homes in Jackson Mississippi, offering budget friendly sober living close to restaurants and 12 step meetings for anyone seeking safety, structure and support in early recovery.
 
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions. 

Episode 132: Looking Back and Moving Forward

In this Recovery Lab conversation, David Sugg, Brynn Knox and Daniel Anderson reflect on their highs, lows and lessons of 2025. David celebrates 16 years of sobriety, and the group talks openly about what growth, challenges and community support looked like over the past year. They also share the hopes and goals shaping their lives and recovery journeys in 2026.
This episode is brought to you by Fondren Recovery Homes in Jackson Mississippi, offering budget friendly sober living close to restaurants and 12 step meetings for anyone seeking safety, structure and support in early recovery.
#RecoveryLabPodcast #SobrietyJourney #SoberCommunity #SoberLiving #RecoveryIsPossible #MississippiRecovery #JacksonMS #FondrenRecoveryHomes #OneDayAtATime #YearInReview #GoalsFor2026 #SoberSupport #AddictionRecovery #SoberWins #SoberLife #RecoveryStrong #16YearsSober #SoberStories #RecoveryPodcast #SoberInMississippi #CleanAndSober #StaySober #SoberWarrior #SoberGoals
 
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #131 - Finding Balance: Jay Carr on Recovery, Movement, and Mind-Body Awareness

In episode number 131 of the Recovery Lab Podcast, hosts David Sugg, Brynn Knox, and Daniel Anderson sit down with Mississippi native Jay Carr to explore his remarkable journey of recovery and self-awareness.
 
Jay brings a singer’s approach to fitness, wellness, and efficiency of movement. With degrees in Vocal Performance from Mississippi College and Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, along with certifications in Personal Training, Corrective Exercise, and Life Coaching, Jay combines art, science, and mindfulness in his work. His decades of study in The Alexander Technique have shaped his philosophy on posture, body awareness, and the deep connection between physical and emotional healing.
 
This conversation dives into how recovery and movement intersect, offering practical insights on how awareness, alignment, and intention can help us live more grounded and balanced lives.
 
Connect with Jay:
 
https://www.instagram.com/jaycarr?igsh=dWg4ZDEyenM2ZTRs
 
IG @jaycarr
 
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions in Madison, Mississippi.
 
#RecoveryLabPodcast #AudioAlchemyProductions #JayCarr #MindBodyConnection #AlexanderTechnique #WellnessJourney #RecoveryCommunity #MississippiPodcasts #HealingThroughMovement #SelfAwareness

Episode #130 - Strength That Lasts: Performance, Recovery and Meaning with Jordan Jones

In episode 130, David Sugg and Daniel Anderson sit down with Jordan Jones, Founder and CEO of Holos. With 20 years of service as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Jordan has seen firsthand how high-stress environments shape and strain the mind, body and spirit. Today, he works with military personnel, first responders, executives, and other high-performance professionals to help them build true resilience, recover well, and sustain their well-being over the long haul.
In this conversation, Jordan shares practical insight on stress regulation, discipline, self-awareness and what it means to perform at a high level without losing your sense of identity or purpose. The discussion invites listeners to slow down, reconnect to what matters, and develop strength that does not fade when life gets heavy.
Connect with Jordan Jones:
Email: jjones@holos.training
Website: https://holos.training
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-jones-a15565388/
#HolosTraining #PerformanceAndResilience #SpecialForcesVeteran #RecoveryTools #HumanPerformance #StressManagement #MentalHealthMatters #SustainableStrength
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #128: From Settlement to Solutions Rep Sam Creekmore on Opioid Funds, Ibogaine, and Serving Our Heroes

Daniel Anderson and David Sugg welcome Mississippi State Representative Sam Creekmore to Recovery Lab for a candid and forward looking conversation about mental health and addiction in Mississippi. Rep Creekmore shares what is actually happening with the state’s opioid settlement money, how it is being allocated, the priorities on prevention, treatment, recovery supports, and accountability, and where he believes the most impact can be made.
 
We also dive into his work exploring ibogaine as a potential tool in the recovery toolkit, why he believes Mississippi should consider innovative and evidence informed approaches, and the guardrails needed to keep people safe. Rep Creekmore opens up about his passion for supporting veterans and first responders, the barriers they face, and practical ways policy can meet them where they are.
 
If you care about bringing fresh thinking to the mental health and addiction crisis while honoring what already works, this episode is a grounded and hopeful look at how Mississippi can lead with compassion, data, and courage.
 
What you will hear:
How opioid settlement dollars are being used across prevention, treatment, and recovery
The case for evaluating ibogaine responsibly and what safeguards are essential
Policies that can better serve veterans and first responders
Why shaking off outdated thinking matters and how to build a more responsive system
 
Listen, share, and be part of the change.
 
#RecoveryLabPodcast #SamCreekmore #DanielAnderson #DavidSugg #Mississippi #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #OpioidCrisis #OpioidSettlement #HarmReduction #Ibogaine #Veterans #FirstResponders #RecoveryCommunity #BehavioralHealth #InnovationInRecovery
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.