Podcast by David Baker
Rise Up: A Recovery Outreach Podcast
Learn about recovery opportunities in Hardin County and hear stories from the recovery community.
Rise Up: A Recovery Outreach Podcast
Latest episodes
01 November 2025
Peer Support and Beyond with Ronald Stricklin
In this episode of the Rise Up Recovery Podcast, David Baker interviews Ronald Stricklin, a certified peer recovery specialist active in Hardin County's recovery scene. Ronald shares insights into his extensive involvement with initiatives like Horizons, a state-funded peer support center, and Adult Teen Challenge. His multi-faceted approach encompasses peer support, personal medicine coach, and mental health coaching, offering individuals varied pathways to recovery. Ronald emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and the abundant recovery opportunities in the community. He calls for greater dialogue among recovery organizations to enhance mental health support in the region.
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10:11
24 September 2025
Rising from the Ashes: Hannah's Journey to Recovery
In this episode, David Baker hosts Hannah Hollingsworth, who shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and redemption. Beginning drug use at 17, Hannah's life spiraled into a series of challenges including homelessness and jail time. Her pivotal moment came through the opportunity to join a drug court program, which helped her confront her past and embrace recovery. She became the first Carroll County female graduate of the program and now mentors others on their path to sobriety. This story offers a powerful insight into the transformative power of community support and personal determination.
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18:42
29 August 2025
From Struggles to Strength: A Glimpse into AA Meetings with Scott Smotherman
This episode of the Rise Up Recovery podcast features Scott Smotherman, a key figure in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) community of Hardin County. Scott recounts the significant role AA has played in his life, helping him navigate through a challenging period and build a foundation for recovery. The conversation delves into the structure and philosophy of AA meetings, emphasizing a welcoming and supportive environment that offers hope to anyone struggling with addiction. Listeners gain insight into the collective strength found within AA, showcasing the powerful impact of shared experiences and mutual support in the journey to sobriety.
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22:33
30 July 2025
Riding from Addiction: Chasity's Journey to Sobriety and Service
This episode of Rise Up Recovery podcast features Chasity Carter, who shares her inspiring journey from addiction to recovery leadership in Hardin County. Her story encompasses early struggles with substance abuse, motherhood at a young age, and ultimately a path to transformation through faith and community support. Chasity and her husband Karl, both in recovery, are now actively engaged in supporting others facing similar challenges. The episode emphasizes the powerful role of community in recovery and details the exciting lineup for the upcoming Recovery Fest, an event designed to connect and uplift those in the recovery community.
00:00
11:43
17 June 2025
18 Years Clean: Mike's Incredible Transformation - Part 3
Through a heartfelt conversation with Mike Emanuel, this podcast explores the intricate layers of addiction and recovery. Mike emphasizes that addiction is not a moral failing, but a complex biopsychosocial issue requiring a holistic approach to treatment. He advocates for addressing the spiritual aspects of recovery, which involve finding purpose, self-worth, and community belonging. By highlighting both the personal and societal dimensions of substance abuse, Mike urges listeners to consider the broader context in which addiction exists and the collective responsibility to create supportive environments for recovery.
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25:12
15 May 2025
18 Years Clean: Mike's Incredible Transformation - Part 2
The podcast episode follows Mike Emanuel's inspiring journey from addiction to becoming a recovery community leader. After rehab, Mike took on the unexpected role of caretaker for a large property in Alabama, where he cultivated a recovery program centered around work, reflection, and nightly campfire discussions on life and faith. Over nine years, his leadership transformed the program from a few individuals to a community of 80, despite dealing with heartbreaking losses. Mike's candid story illustrates the profound impact of community and resilience, alongside the personal sacrifices and emotional complexities involved in addiction recovery support.
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17:35