Behind the Citgo

What actually changes a community? In this episode, Commissioners Mike Forte and Marty Cooke sit down to talk about the power of citizen‑led solutions and why government works best as a guardrail, not the driver.
Both commissioners share openly about addiction, recovery, personal responsibility, and second chances, including Forte’s 40 years of sobriety and Cooke's decades of public service. Together, they trace the grassroots origins of Christian Recovery Centers, the volunteers who built it from fourteen beds in the cornfields, and the network of community‑driven efforts that followed: drug court, the Anchor Initiative, Narcan access, and nearly 200 sheriff’s office volunteers.
The heart of the conversation: Brunswick County thrives because its people lead — and government comes alongside, not above.
If you care about recovery, community leadership, or the future of Brunswick County, this episode hits deep.#BehindTheCitgo #BrunswickCounty #RecoveryCommunity#CitizenLedChange #AddictionRecovery #ChristianRecoveryCenters#PublicServants #CommunityLeadership #HopeInAction#GrassrootsImpact #NorthCarolinaStories #CultureShift#SecondChances #PersonalResponsibility #RecoveryJourney

Josh sits down with Jeremy Gunn — business owner, community leader, and a powerful advocate for second‑chance hiring — for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on Behind the Citgo. Jeremy opens up about his six‑and‑a‑half‑year sobriety journey, the moment of clarity that changed everything, and how that transformation reshaped the way he leads his company today.
This episode digs into what recovery really requires beyond treatment: meaningful employment, mentorship, structure, accountability, and a community that refuses to give up on people. Jeremy breaks down his approach to hiring individuals coming out of recovery programs, the systems he uses to support them, and the unexpected challenges of leading a workforce filled with people fighting for a new life.
From workplace culture to relapse cues, from leadership philosophy to redemption, this conversation is a masterclass in compassionate business ownership and believing in people before they believe in themselves.
If you care about recovery, leadership, second chances, or building healthier communities, this episode hits with depth, honesty, and heart.#BehindTheCitgo #RecoveryCommunity #SecondChanceHiring #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #Leadership #WorkforceDevelopment #RecoveryFriendlyWorkplace #HumanDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #TransformationStory #RedemptionIsReal #RecoveryPodcast #LifeAfterAddiction #HopeInAction #AccountabilityAndGrace #RealRecovery #SecondChances #HealingJourney #RecoverySupport

What does real change look like when justice, accountability, and recovery collide? In Episode 16, we sit down with Raymond Wood, Senior Chaplain of the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and Director of the Brunswick County DWI Drug Court Program — a leader who has been serving this community long before most people knew what “recovery work” really meant.
This conversation dives into the heart of what actually transforms people inside the justice system:
what judicial compassion looks like in real life
why accountability is not punishment — it’s a lifeline
how structure, routine, and evidence‑based treatment create the turning point
the truth about motivation, relapse, and long‑term recovery
stories of mothers, fathers, and families who rebuilt their lives through the hardest seasons
Raymond breaks down the core philosophy behind the program:
“We can’t make anyone recover. But we can give them every tool, every opportunity, and every reason to choose a different road.”
If you’ve ever wondered how real transformation happens inside a DWI Drug Court, how people rebuild after addiction, or what hope looks like at the intersection of justice, faith, and recovery — this episode is your blueprint.#BehindTheCitgo #DrugCourt #RecoveryJourney #BrunswickCounty #AddictionRecovery#JudicialCompassion #AccountabilityAndGrace #EvidenceBasedTreatment #SecondChances#DWIRecovery #FaithAndRecovery #CommunityHealing #TransformationJourney#NorthCarolinaRecovery #ReentrySuccess #ChooseRecovery #RecoveryStories #HopeAndHealing

Four people in recovery sit down for a raw, honest conversation about what relapse really looks like — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. They break down the subtle warning signs, the isolation, the ego, and the internal battles that start long before the first use.
You’ll hear real stories of mental relapse, dangerous self‑talk, fantasizing the “first blast,” and the moments when community steps in and refuses to let someone disappear. One guest said, “I relapsed before I ever left the house.” Another shared, “People were banging on my door. They wouldn’t let me die in silence.”
This episode is for anyone in relapse, afraid to come back, supporting a loved one, or searching for hope and purpose. If you need a reminder that your story isn’t over, this conversation is for you.
#BehindTheCitgo #RecoveryJourney #RelapsePrevention #AddictionRecovery #FaithAndRecovery #SoberCommunity #HopeAndHealing #YouAreNotAlone

Three seasoned leaders in Christian recovery sit down for one of the most honest conversations you’ll hear about the real cost of helping people rebuild their lives. From setting healthy boundaries to navigating betrayal, burnout, spiritual warfare, and the emotional weight of leadership, this episode goes straight to the heart of what it means to serve on the front lines.
Wes, Jim, and Josh share what it truly looks like to lead men out of addiction while carrying their own burdens. They unpack why helping hurts sometimes, how to discern between a wolf, a goat, and a sheep, and why boundaries protect not just leaders—but entire communities.
They also open up about the hidden battles leaders often face in silence: unrealistic expectations, depression, loss, and the pressure to carry more than God ever asked them to. As Wes vulnerably shared, “I experienced some suicidal depression… I knew it was spiritual warfare. I just needed someone to pray with me out of it.”
This episode is for anyone in ministry, recovery leadership, nonprofit work, or anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the beauty and burden of walking with people through transformation. Raw. Honest. Necessary.#BehindTheCitgo #HardestLessonsInRecovery #RecoveryLeadership #ChristianRecovery #FaithBasedRecovery #AddictionRecovery #Boundaries #MinistryLife #BurnoutPrevention #SpiritualWarfare #LeadershipLessons #NonprofitLeadership #FaithAndHealing #Testimony #HopeInChrist #WeDoRecover #ChristianPodcast #RecoveryPodcast #ServantLeadership #HealingJourney

In this powerful conversation, Josh sits down with Dr. Gary Nelson to explore self governance as a pathway to freedom — in families, communities, and in personal recovery. Drawing from decades of global work in community systems, Dr. Nelson breaks down why true self governance begins not with self‑interest, but with serving the aspirations of others. As he says in the episode, “Self governance rightly understood… means not starting with me, but starting with you.”
Together, they unpack how modern culture has drifted toward transactional self‑interest, why dependence is often created by design, and how reclaiming responsibility restores dignity and purpose. Dr. Nelson shares stories from Romania, South Carolina, and his own life that illuminate the universal human desire for meaning, trust, and community. “We know better than we do,” he reminds us — a call to return to the values that make freedom possible.
This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of faith, science, recovery, and community transformation — and why the pursuit of who we want to become matters more than the circumstances we face today.#SelfGovernance #CommunityBuilding #RecoveryJourney #AddictionRecovery #FaithAndScience #ReciprocalAltruism #PersonalFreedom #LeadershipDevelopment #VeteranRecovery #BehindTheCitgo #GaryNelson #PurposeDrivenLife #CommunityHealing #SystemsChange #PathwayToFreedom

🎙️ Episode 12: Honorably Discharged Into Addiction — with Jason Gaver
Behind the Citgo Podcast
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Navy veteran Jason Gaver for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what so many service members silently battle after coming home. Jason opens up about the emotional crash that follows honorable service — the loss of identity, the overwhelming shift from military structure to civilian life, and how addiction becomes an easy escape when purpose suddenly disappears.
From running a flight deck crew in one of the most dangerous environments in the world… to standing in a Walmart asking for a job… to navigating a society that has no idea what you’ve carried or survived…
Jason’s story exposes the invisible wounds veterans bring home and the resilience required to rebuild from the ground up.
He shares the moment everything changed — when his wife looked at him and said, “No more. You gotta do something.” And the next morning, he walked into the VA and said the hardest words of his life: “I need help.”
We also explore:
Why veterans are so vulnerable to addiction after discharge
The collapse of community and identity after leaving the military
The pressure to “just be normal” when nothing feels normal
How PTSD, anxiety, and isolation fuel substance use
The lifesaving power of veteran‑to‑veteran connection
How service dogs like Woodro help veterans regulate anxiety and emotional overload
If you’re a veteran, love a veteran, or want to understand the challenges they face, this is an episode you won’t forget.

Discover how communities are being reshaped, families strengthened, and individuals empowered at every stage of life. In this inspiring episode, human services leader Karen Calhoun—with more than 30 years of experience—shares how ASPIRE evolved into a breakthrough intervention for social services, marginalized youth, and people in recovery.
From reducing foster care placements to helping young adults earn trade certifications, to supporting individuals rebuilding their lives after addiction, ASPIRE offers a powerful, evidence‑informed pathway to well‑being, agency, and long‑term success.
 
⭐ What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How ASPIRE reduced foster care entries and strengthened family stability
The customized model that helped marginalized youth (ages 16–24) earn HVAC and electrical certifications
How ASPIRE was redesigned to support recovery, motivation, self‑efficacy, and holistic health
Why blending faith, science, and community leadership drives lasting transformation
Karen Calhoun’s journey shaping human services across North Carolina
If you’re passionate about community impact, leadership, recovery, youth empowerment, or faith‑informed practice, this conversation will resonate deeply.#ASPIRETool #SocialServices #YouthEmpowerment #RecoveryJourney #FaithAndScience #HumanServices #FosterCarePrevention #AddictionRecovery #CommunityImpact #LeadershipDevelopment #Wellbeing #MotivationAndMindset #SpiritualHealth #BehavioralHealthcare #ProsperousLife #PodcastEpisode #FaithBasedRecovery