When Hope Found Me | Eric Stephens' Story

When Hope Found Me | Eric Stephens' Story

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation follows Eric Stephens as he shares how addiction, depression and a near-fatal suicide attempt eventually led him into a daily, vibrant walk with Jesus.

You’ll hear Eric talk openly about years of heavy drinking and crystal meth use, stealing from his boss, wrecked relationships and the night he tried to end his life by taking “every drug that I had trying to kill myself that night.” He credits his now-wife Kelly, his boss Earl, and a rehab programme with pushing him into a corner where surrender became the only real option.

The episode doesn’t shy away from the messy bits: detox rage, shame, the lure of drugs, and the painful impact on those around him. Eric explains how working through a 12-step process, fully confessing his past and praying, led to a radical change in his desires. He describes waking up with his depression gone, his joy restored and even the track marks on his arms no longer visible.

From there, his focus shifts to discipleship, community and life groups at WRC, where he now stewards small groups and pours his story into other men. Jared keeps the tone relaxed and honest, mixing light humour (including talk of coffee and AI-made content) with serious questions about sonship, addiction, anxiety and what it means to truly make Jesus “Lord”, not just “Saviour”.

The style is conversational, raw and very Christ-centred, aimed especially at men wrestling with addiction, shame or feeling “too far gone,” but helpful for anyone curious about faith and recovery. If you’re wondering whether God could really meet you in your darkest moments, Eric’s journey might be the nudge you need to ask that question for yourself — what would surrender look like in your life today?