Letting Go (Episode 3 - Archive)

Letting Go (Episode 3 - Archive)

What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? This conversation from Relational Recovery takes a very everyday moment—parenting—and uses it to show how hard it can be to loosen your grip on control. Host Wes Thompson shares a simple but honest scene with his nine-year-old daughter, Stella, who is learning to handle new emotions like frustration and “salty” attitudes. After a conflict, she asks to be left alone.

Wes steps out, closes her door, and prays, “God, I trust that you're a better dad than me and that you love Stella more than I do.” It’s a short line, but it captures the heart of the episode: accepting that love and care don’t always mean being in charge. Co-host Austin Hill brings in his own family story.

With three daughters in or near their teens, he and his wife are dealing with “heavy conversations” and decisions that carry real consequences. Austin admits he could talk about these worries endlessly, processing every angle to feel like nothing is missed. His wife, on the other hand, prefers fewer, focused conversations. Learning to stop before he feels finished, and to trust that “God has my kids more than I do,” becomes his version of letting go.

Across their chat, you’ll hear a gentle challenge for anyone in recovery who thinks, “If I was there, everything would be okay.” The hosts name that urge for what it is—a grasp for control wrapped in care and fear. They also point out how many unhealthy behaviours come from chasing comfort in the wrong way.

For those walking through addiction recovery, faith-based or otherwise, this episode offers a relatable look at releasing control, sitting with discomfort, and trusting that you don’t have to fix everything to be a loving parent, partner, or friend. Where might you need to let go a little too?