HopeDealer Movement

03/10/2026

Should you date in early recovery… or wait a year?

This might be one of the most controversial topics in recovery.

Some people say:
👉 “Wait a year.”
👉 “Get a plant first.”
👉 “You’ll ruin your sobriety.”

But is that always true?

In this episode of Better Life in Recovery, we get real about:
• Why so many relationships crash in early sobriety
• What boundaries actually look like
• Faith-based vs clinical perspectives
• Emotional maturity and sobriety
• Becoming the person you’d want to date

If you’re in recovery…
If you love someone who is…
Or if you’ve ever rushed into a relationship trying to fix yourself…

This conversation is for you.

Because the truth is — if you don’t like who you are yet, no relationship is going to fix that.

🎧 Listen here: https://youtu.be/E6fj6hVo7Ss

Let’s talk:
Did you wait before dating in recovery?
Do you think people should?

Is it a bad idea to date in early recovery? Should you really wait a year?In this episode of the Better Life in Recovery Podcast, David and Josh get honest a...

03/03/2026

He was facing 35 years in prison.

Today, he’s a father in long-term recovery who says the greatest gift of his life is simply… peace.

In this week’s episode of the Better Life in Recovery Podcast, Chris shares his journey from childhood trauma and PTSD to treatment court, surrender, and building a life worth living.

One line from his daughter says it all:

“Dad, please don’t ever go back to zero.”

If you’re in recovery, seeking recovery, love someone who’s struggling, or work in the mental health field — this conversation is for you.

Recovery is real. And it’s possible.

🎧 Listen here: https://youtu.be/ArWvODOa7lA

If this speaks to you, share it with someone who needs hope today.

What does recovery really look like after trauma, war, addiction, and facing 35 years in prison?In this powerful episode of the Better Life in Recovery Podca...

02/24/2026

What if the hardest thing you’ve ever walked through…
was actually preparation?

In this week’s episode of the Better Life in Recovery podcast, we talk about what it really means to be a Hope Dealer.

Not the hashtag.
Not the trendy phrase.
But the lived-out version.

We talk about:

• Burning your life down and rebuilding
• Victim → Survivor → Thriver
• Real accountability
• Addiction vs dependence
• Faith, recovery, and purpose
• Why your story might be someone else’s survival guide

If you’re in recovery…
If you love someone who is…
If you work in mental health or substance use…

This conversation is for you.

Your story is your gift.

Go listen. And if it hits you, tell us your biggest takeaway. 👇

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

02/17/2026

Not everyone’s recovery looks the same — and that doesn’t make it wrong.

This episode is a powerful, honest conversation about harm reduction, medication, stigma, and what it really means to meet people where they are. No judgment. No absolutes. Just truth, compassion, and lived experience.

If you’ve ever felt caught in the middle of these conversations, this one is for you.

🎧 Listen here: https://youtu.be/yWjlkBKKvpM

Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all — and this conversation proves it.In this powerful episode of the Better Life in Recovery | Hope Dealer Podcast, host David ...

02/10/2026

Recovery is real — and it’s worth it. 💙
In this episode of Better Life in Recovery, two people share their honest journeys through addiction, recovery, and restoration. This conversation is for anyone who’s struggling, supporting someone they love, or working in the recovery or mental health field.
If you’ve ever wondered if real change is possible… it is.
And it’s not too late.
🎧 Watch the full conversation below ⬇️
https://youtu.be/RUb_cAKZi7k

02/03/2026

I’ve been to too many funerals.
I’ve sat with too many parents in hospital rooms.
And I’m tired of watching compassion disappear from the conversation.
This video isn’t about politics.
It’s about people.
It’s about keeping human beings alive long enough to find hope, healing, and recovery.
Harm reduction saves lives.
Narcan saves lives.
Compassion saves lives.
If you love someone who’s struggling — or if you work in mental health or recovery — this message matters.
https://youtu.be/cvnCuZO8sxM

01/27/2026

Recovery is real — and it’s more than just being clean or sober.
In this powerful conversation, Ryan Hampton sits down to answer 10 honest questions about addiction, recovery, and what it actually takes to build a life worth staying sober for. From opioid addiction that began with a prescription, to homelessness, overdoses, and ultimately long-term recovery, this episode offers hope, truth, and clarity for:
People in recovery
People searching for recovery
Families who love someone struggling
Mental health & substance use professionals
This is not a “rock bottom” story.
This is a story about connection, recovery housing, purpose, and asking for help.
https://youtu.be/ohfMhtaSuZI
🎧 If you or someone you love is struggling, this conversation matters.
⏱ Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Welcome to Better Life in Recovery
01:12 – Why Ryan Started Using (Prescription Opioids & Pill Mills)
05:10 – Overdoses, Homelessness & Losing Everything
07:45 – Why “Rock Bottom” Isn’t Required for Recovery
11:30 – What Recovery Really Means (Beyond Abstinence)
16:45 – Recovery Housing: The Missing Piece
22:40 – Good vs Bad Recovery Housing & NARR Standards
28:10 – What Helped Most in Early Recovery
33:00 – Music, Meetings & Staying Connected
38:45 – Recovery Capital & Building a Life Worth Protecting
47:20 – The Gifts of Recovery
50:05 – If He Could Go Back: One Message to His Past Self
52:00 – Final Reflections & Hope
🔗 Connect & Learn More
🌐 Website: https://betterlifeinrecovery.com
📘 Facebook: Better Life in Recovery
🐦 Twitter/X:
More about Ryan Hampton:
Ryan Hampton is an Author. Advocate. Non-profit community leader. Dog lover. Friend. Person in long-term recovery, est. 2/2/15.
Links
Learn More
ryanhampton.org
Twitter
twitter.com/ryanforrecovery
Instagram
instagram.com/ryanjhampton
Facebook
facebook.com/addictionxamerica

Recovery is real — and it’s more than just being clean or sober.In this powerful conversation, Ryan Hampton sits down to answer 10 honest questions about add...

01/08/2026

What if recovery and harm reduction aren’t enemies—but allies?
In this powerful episode of the Better Life in Recovery Movement Podcast, host David Stoecker sits down with Christy Booth, a person in long-term recovery and a new advocate for harm reduction. Together, they unpack the tension and overlap between abstinence-based recovery and harm reduction approaches—challenging stigma, exploring real stories, and finding compassion in the gray areas.
If you’ve ever wondered how recovery, relapse, justice reform, and harm reduction connect—this conversation will change how you see it.
🎧 Watch now to learn:
https://youtu.be/4rDwogfIzfc
What harm reduction really means
Why honest conversations about use are essential
How our justice system punishes symptoms instead of healing people
The importance of meeting people where they are—without shame or judgment
For more recovery related resources, please visit www.betterlifeinrecovery.com
⏱️ Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Intro: Welcome to the Better Life in Recovery Podcast
01:15 – Meet Christy Booth: From Recovery to Harm Reduction Advocate
03:00 – The Moment Everything Changed: The Drug Policy Alliance Conference
05:50 – What Harm Reduction Really Means
09:20 – Decriminalization and Shifting Perspectives
13:40 – The Racist Roots of Drug Policy
18:00 – Honest Conversations and Removing Shame
23:10 – The Problem with Treatment Courts and Forced Recovery
28:00 – Can Harm Reduction and Recovery Coexist?
34:10 – Why “Any Positive Change” Matters
39:30 – What Parents Need to Know About Harm Reduction
45:00 – The Real Goal: Helping People Stay Alive Long Enough to Heal
51:00 – Bridging the Divide: Compassion Over Judgment
55:30 – Final Thoughts: Finding Unity in the Recovery Community

11/18/2025

This week on the Better Life in Recovery: Movement Podcast, David Stoecker sits down with Carla Perry, a woman whose story of addiction, trauma, faith, and redemption will move you to your core.

From childhood abuse and decades of addiction to finding peace, purpose, and faith — Carla shares how she went from “dealing dope to dealing hope.”

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, this story is a reminder that recovery is real, and it’s amazing.

https://youtu.be/cWhJoi-wdw0

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video to spread hope and awareness!
🎧 Subscribe for more real recovery stories and conversations that matter.

If you are looking for more recovery supports, visit www.betterlifeinrecovery.com

This week on the Better Life in Recovery: Movement Podcast, David Stoecker sits down with Carla Perry, a woman whose story of addiction, trauma, ...

11/11/2025

In this episode, host David Stoecker dives into The Locker Room — a powerful analogy for life, recovery, and personal growth. Whether you’re new to recovery, supporting someone who is, or a professional in the mental health field, this episode will challenge, inspire, and equip you to live your best life.

Discover how to build your recovery team — your higher power, your coach, your teammates, and your game plan — so you can move from surviving to thriving.

Because recovery isn’t just real — it’s amazing. 💪✨

https://youtu.be/wCtWmwLts-M

If you are looking for recovery resources, please visit our site at www.betterlifeinrecovery.com

Welcome to Better Life in Recovery – Hope Dealer Movement! In this episode, host David Stoecker dives into The Locker Room — a powerful analogy for life, rec...

11/04/2025

Are you ready to transform lives—starting with your own? In this episode of the Better Life & Recovery – Hope Dealer Movement podcast, David Stoecker shares powerful lessons from national trainings on community organizing and the core traits every recovery leader needs.

Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or working in the mental-health field, you’ll learn why listening matters more than lecturing, how to set SMART recovery goals, and why empathy, integrity, and strategy create lasting change.

Recovery is real—and amazing. Discover how to build a stronger community and a stronger you.

https://youtu.be/5KCD2yM4--Q

🔔 Subscribe for weekly hope and practical tools: https://www.youtube.com/-Hope
💬 Share your thoughts or recovery story in the comments—your voice could inspire someone today.

⏱️ Chapters / Timecodes

0:00 – Welcome & why this podcast exists
1:18 – Lessons from national community-organizing training
6:40 – The power of listening over lecturing
11:55 – Recovery enhancement vs. relapse prevention
16:30 – 8 Key Attributes of a Community Organizer
24:05 – Empathy & unconditional positive regard
31:10 – Lifelong learning and strategic thinking
39:20 – Setting SMART (Recovery) Goals
47:55 – Passion, persistence & building the right team
55:10 – Integrity and doing the right thing when no one’s watching
1:02:00 – Final encouragement: start small, stay steady

Are you ready to transform lives—starting with your own? In this episode of the Better Life & Recovery – Hope Dealer Movement podcast, David Stoecker shares ...

11/03/2025

As we acknowledge , let’s shine a light on the urgent need to address, end, and prevent homelessness among people living with mental or substance use disorders, and support those affected. Learn more: samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources