Recovery On-Air

In this powerful episode, Shannon Lee Hayes gets brutally honest about her journey through alcoholism and drug addiction, from shoplifting on graduation day and getting a DUI to losing custody of her kids, cycling through abusive relationships, and ending up in a trap house before drug court and treatment gave her another chance at life. She shares how sending each child to different caregivers broke her heart, how meth and heroin became ways to numb shame and guilt, and how a sponsor, a short but brutal relapse, and the death of a close friend finally pushed her into real honesty about her disease. Shannon talks about being diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety, choosing not to medicate, and instead walking through therapy, life‑recovery steps, and a deepening relationship with Jesus to face childhood trauma, grief, and the secrets that kept her sick. She also opens up about reconnecting with her now‑adult children , staying rooted in church and recovery, and how writing out what she wanted in herself led her to the man who became her husband—proof that, after everything, true love, faith, and a healthy, “chaotic in a good way” life are possible.

Lee Begay was a loving mom and successful dental professional whose life slowly unraveled as alcohol and drugs took over. What began as “just having fun” turned into DUIs, domestic violence, meth and heroin, trap houses, and the heartbreaking decision to let others raise her children so they could be safe.Through drug court, treatment, deep honesty with her sponsor, and a growing relationship with God, Lee’s rock bottom became the starting point of a new life. Today, she is one of our very own at Crossroads—leading the women’s Extension facility and serving as Program Coordinator—using her story to walk other women from shame and chaos into freedom, faith, and purpose.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Lee Yaiva, a proud Hopi leader from the Village of Soongopavi, who shares his journey from homelessness and substance abuse to becoming a nationally recognized CEO and advocate. Grounded in his identity and driven by purpose, Lee speaks openly about overcoming struggle, breaking cycles, and creating pathways to healing for Native communities. Now leading in behavioral health and recovery, he is committed to bringing real change not only to reservations but also to Native and underserved communities across Phoenix. This episode is a story of resilience, culture, and what’s possible when we choose to heal and rise.

In Episode 148 of Recovery On-Air, Jared Blaine shares how he rebuilt his life by turning pain into purpose through music and the freedom of the open road. What began as a struggle with sobriety became a powerful journey of healing, where writing music and riding motorcycles gave him a new way to cope, connect, and stay grounded. Now involved in Celebrate Recovery and riding with the AZ Misfits motorcycle group, Jared has found brotherhood, structure, and a deeper sense of meaning. His story is a raw reminder that recovery isn’t one path—it’s about finding what keeps you alive, inspired, and moving forward.#RecoveryOnAir #RecoveryIsPossible #HopeDealer #Sobriety #Testimony #TeamGod #CommunityStrong #RecoveryJourney #TogtherAZ #MusicTherapy

In this episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with Barbara Brown, publisher of Together AZ, a monthly newspaper dedicated to connecting people with recovery resources across Arizona. Since its launch in 1991, when addiction and mental health were rarely talked about openly, Together AZ has worked to break stigma and provide hope to those struggling in silence. With 33 years in recovery, Barbara continues to be a passionate advocate, ensuring real help reaches real people. Tune in for a conversation about awareness, community, and the power of sharing recovery resources.

In this episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with Marci Cagen, whose journey is a powerful story of redemption and spiritual transformation. After escaping addiction and an abusive relationship in her early twenties, Marci made the courageous choice to seek help — a decision that changed her life forever. Through recovery, faith, and spiritual practices, she turned her pain into purpose. Today, Marci shares her passion for healing through movement, breath, and energy work, helping others reconnect with themselves and find their own path to recovery.This episode is a reminder that healing is possible, and no one is ever too far gone. You can find her website at marcicagen.com.

Our very own Kimberly Hardin, Community Liaison for Crossroads, sits down with host Christin Day from Recovery On Air for a powerful and heartfelt conversation. Kim opens up about the deep pain of losing her ex-husband, the father of her three children, to cirrhosis of the liver and the strength it took to mentally prepare herself to get her kids back after battling addiction. Her story is raw, real, and rooted in resilience. Today, Kim stands as a testament to what healing, faith, and hard work can do. She is not only walking in her purpose but pouring back into the community she once needed. Kimberly Harden is truly a huge asset to the Crossroads family, and we are beyond grateful for the light she brings to others walking the same path.

This episode is one you don’t want to miss. Host Christin Day had the honor of sitting down with Cheyenne Martinez, a powerful woman from the Hopi Tribe, whose story is the definition of resilience, redemption, and hope. Cheyenne shares her journey from being addicted to meth to becoming a therapist helping others find healing. In May 2025, she graduated with her Master’s in Social Work, proving that no matter where you start, your story doesn’t have to define where you end up. We talk about the real-life challenges she faced along the way — her two children being raised by her parents on the reservation while she fought for her recovery, becoming pregnant during school, giving birth to a premature baby two months early, and juggling work, internship, and long days in the NICU. Through every obstacle, Cheyenne refused to quit. Today she is almost four years sober and thriving. She now works as a therapist at Imagine Therapy, and she also volunteers with A Place for Hannah, a nonprofit that serves justice-impacted women both inside and outside the prison walls. Her story is raw, honest, and deeply inspiring — proof that no matter how dark the past may be, redemption and purpose are possible.

In this episode of Recovery On-Air, host Christin Day sits down with Kenneth McKinley of Childhelp, a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing and treating child abuse. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Arizona, Childhelp has spent decades providing advocacy, prevention programs, treatment services, and resources for children and families affected by abuse. Kenneth shares the mission behind Childhelp and the vital work the organization does every day including operating the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, which offers confidential crisis support, guidance, and resources 24 hours a day to those in need.

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. 💔➡️💪But that wasn’t the end of her story. Today, Patricia is a licensed social worker who has turned her pain into purpose, helping others heal and grow. Her journey is one of resilience, redemption, and undeniable hope. 🌟🙌🎙️ In this moving episode of Recovery on Air, Patricia opens up about rebuilding her life, finding her calling, and becoming a beacon of inspiration to countless others.#RecoveryWorks #LeadAHappyLife #TheCrossroadsInc #SobrietyStars #YouCanDoThis #Crossroads #Podcast #Pod #Recovey #InspireOthers #RecoveryPodcast #RecoveryOnAir 

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.