Alive & Sober

Progress Over Perfection

In this episode of Alive & Sober with Reno Collier, Reno is joined by Arnie Cole for a raw, honest conversation about faith, recovery, and the power of community. Reno shares his journey from addiction to finding hope in Jesus, addressing the common criticism that faith is just another addiction—and why he’s unapologetic about it. Drawing from Romans 1:16, Reno and Arnie discuss the importance of not being ashamed of the gospel and how a relationship with Jesus can fill the void left by addiction. They explore the challenges of recovery, the need for safe spaces, and the value of progress over perfection. Listeners will hear real stories of struggle, redemption, and the ongoing process of healing, emphasizing that no one is beyond hope or redemption.Take action with the 4 R’s:Read: Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”Reflect: Consider how shame and fear can hold you back in recovery and faith. How does knowing you’re not alone change your perspective?Respond: Pray, “God, thank You for loving me even in my brokenness. Help me to trust You, find strength in community, and never be ashamed of the hope I have in Jesus.”Reveal: Share your story or a word of encouragement with someone who’s struggling. Let them see the difference faith and community have made in your life.Tune in to hear how Reno, Arnie, and the Alive & Sober community are building a place where broken people can find hope, support, and a path to lasting change.Keywords: Reno Collier, Arnie Cole, Alive & Sober, Christian recovery, sobriety, faith and addiction, Romans 1:16, gospel, community support, overcoming shame, Jesus, real recovery stories, hope, redemption, progress not perfection, spiritual growth, Bible, prayer, testimony, addiction recovery, Christian podcast, sober living, mental health, finding purpose, healing, support group, faith journey, inspirational stories

What Real Recovery Actually Looks Like

In this episode of Alive & Sober with Reno Collier, Reno dives deep into the journey of rebuilding a life after addiction, focusing on how faith and surrender to Jesus can restore what was lost. Reno shares personal stories of recovery, emphasizing that true transformation goes beyond just quitting drinking—it’s about letting God heal and rebuild every part of you. Drawing from the promise in Joel 2:25, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten,” Reno explores how God doesn’t just heal wounds but restores the whole person, brick by brick. Listeners will hear about the power of the 12 steps, the importance of spiritual growth, and the hope that comes from seeing real change reflected in the eyes of loved ones.Read: Take time to read Joel 2:25 and reflect on God’s promise of restoration.Reflect: Consider what areas of your life feel broken or lost, and how God might be inviting you to let Him rebuild them.Respond: Pray, “God, thank You for Your promise to restore what I’ve lost. Help me trust You with my pain and let You rebuild my life, one day at a time.”Reveal: Share your story of restoration with someone who needs hope, or offer encouragement to someone struggling with addiction.Keywords: addiction recovery, Christian sobriety, Reno Collier, faith and addiction, Jesus restores, 12 steps, Joel 2:25, spiritual growth, sobriety podcast, hope after addiction, Christian recovery, rebuilding life, God’s restoration, Alive & Sober

Why Your Past Makes You Powerful

In this episode of Alive & Sober with Reno Collier, Reno dives deep into the power of brokenness and how God uses our weaknesses to shine His light. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Reno shares personal stories of recovery and the importance of broken people helping other broken people. He explains how those who have faced the darkest moments often become the strongest sources of hope and compassion for others. Reno emphasizes that our scars don't disqualify us—they equip us to help others on their journey.Read: Open your Bible to 1 Corinthians 12:9 and reflect on God's promise that His grace is enough, especially in our weakest moments.Reflect: Think about times when your own struggles have allowed you to connect with and support others. How has God used your brokenness for good?Respond: Pray, "Dear God, help me see how my weaknesses can show Your light. Use my story to bring hope to others. Thank You for loving me. Amen."Reveal: Share your story with someone who may be struggling, offering hope and encouragement from your own experience.If no one told you they love you today, Reno does. Tune in for honest conversation, encouragement, and practical steps to let God use your story for good.Keywords: Reno Collier, Alive & Sober, Christian recovery, 1 Corinthians 12:9, faith and sobriety, hope in brokenness, testimony, grace, overcoming addiction, Christian podcast, recovery stories, spiritual growth, prayer, Bible reflection, helping others, step 12, sobriety support

Why Isolation Is So Dangerous in Recovery

Join Reno Collier on Alive & Sober as he dives into the power of community in recovery, focusing on why isolation is so dangerous for those struggling with addiction. Reno shares personal stories about loneliness, the urge to hide, and how addiction thrives in darkness. He highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support your journey, even when you feel unworthy. Today’s episode centers on Hebrews 10:24-25, encouraging us to stir one another up to love and good works.Read: Open your Bible to Hebrews 10:24-25 and consider how it speaks to the need for connection and encouragement in recovery.Reflect: Think about times when you’ve felt isolated or tempted to withdraw. How did that impact your recovery or mental health? What changes when you reach out to others?Respond: Pray, asking God to help you break free from isolation, to bring supportive people into your life, and to give you the strength to encourage others on their journey.Reveal: Take action by reaching out to someone today—go for a walk, attend a meeting, or simply check in with a friend in recovery. Show them they’re not alone, and let your support be a living example of today’s message.If you’re struggling with loneliness or the urge to isolate, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and that healing happens in community. Listen in for practical encouragement, biblical wisdom, and a heartfelt prayer to help you stay connected and sober.Keywords: Reno Collier, Alive & Sober, addiction recovery, Christian sobriety, Hebrews 10:24-25, power of community, overcoming isolation, sobriety support, faith-based recovery, mental health, prayer for recovery, staying sober, recovery encouragement, Christian podcast, support in addiction, recovery community

Hope for the One Who Thinks It’s Too Late

In this episode of Alive & Sober with Reno Collier, Reno dives deep into the powerful truth that no one is ever too far gone for redemption. Sharing his own struggles with addiction, anxiety, and feelings of unworthiness, Reno encourages anyone who feels like they've blown it one too many times. He unpacks Romans 5:8, reminding us that "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Reno discusses how God’s love reaches us in our darkest moments, and that redemption is for those who fall, not for those who pretend to have it all together.Read: Open your Bible to Romans 5:8 and read about God’s unconditional love and grace.Reflect: Think about times you’ve felt unworthy or too far gone. How does knowing Christ died for you, even at your lowest, change your perspective?Respond: Pray along with Reno, asking God to help you feel His love and to show you the way back, no matter how far you feel you’ve strayed.Reveal: Share your story or this message with someone who needs hope, showing them that God’s love and redemption are for everyone.If you’re struggling with addiction, depression, or feeling like you’re beyond forgiveness, this episode is for you. Reno’s honest testimony and encouragement will remind you that God meets you right where you are, and you still have a story and hope. If no one told you they love you today, Reno does—and more importantly, so does God.Keywords: Reno Collier, Alive & Sober, Christian recovery, addiction, redemption, Romans 5:8, hope, faith, sobriety, testimony, God’s love, mental health, prayer, encouragement, Bible study, spiritual growth, Christian podcast

How Faith Holds You When Addiction Breaks Your Family

In this powerful episode of Alive & Sober with Reno Collier, Reno sits down with Char Cole for an honest and moving conversation about addiction, loss, and hope. Char shares her family's journey through the pain of losing a child to addiction and the challenges of supporting another son through his own struggles with substance abuse. Together, they discuss the realities of recovery, the importance of community, and the role of faith in healing. Char opens up about the impact of grief, the therapeutic value of finding purpose, and how her relationship with God has sustained her through unimaginable hardship. Reno and Char also talk about the importance of honesty, vulnerability, and supporting others who are walking similar paths.Read: Take time to read James 4:8, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." Reflect: Consider how God meets us in our deepest pain and how faith can provide strength and comfort in the darkest times. Respond: Pray, "God, help me to trust You in my struggles and to find hope and healing in Your presence. Give me the courage to be honest with myself and others, and to support those who are hurting." Reveal: Reach out to someone who may be struggling with addiction or grief. Share your story or simply offer a listening ear, demonstrating the love and compassion that God has shown you.Keywords: addiction recovery, faith and sobriety, grief and healing, family and addiction, Christian recovery, Reno Collier, Char Cole, overcoming loss, support for parents, honest conversations, hope after loss, sobriety journey, mental health, spiritual growth, Alive & Sober

How to Let Go Without Losing Hope | Proverbs 3:5–6

In this episode of Alive & Sober with Reno Collier, Reno dives deep into the challenge of letting God be God, especially when it comes to the lives of those we love. Reno shares personal experiences from his work in recovery, exploring the struggle to surrender control and trust God’s plan, even in the face of loss and pain. The verse of the day, Proverbs 3:5-6, reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and let Him direct our paths. Reno reflects on the human tendency to bargain, beg, and try to fix others, and how true peace comes from releasing the illusion of control and believing that God sees what we cannot.Take action with the 4 R’s:Read: Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”Reflect: Consider where you might be holding on too tightly to the outcomes in others’ lives. How can you trust God more fully with those you love?Respond: Pray, “God, help me surrender my need for control. Remind me that you love those I care about even more than I do. Give me peace to trust your plan, even when I don’t understand.”Reveal: Show your trust in God by encouraging someone else who is struggling to let go. Share your story or this message to help them find comfort in God’s care.Listen as Reno offers honest insight, encouragement, and a heartfelt prayer for anyone struggling with the pain of letting go. If you need a reminder that you are loved and that God is in control, this episode is for you.Keywords: Reno Collier, Alive & Sober, Christian recovery, letting go, trusting God, Proverbs 3:5-6, faith, surrender, grief, hope, prayer, Bible study, spiritual growth, recovery podcast, Christian encouragement

Is It Okay to Be Angry with God?

Join Reno Collier on Alive & Sober as he dives into the tough topic of trusting God when we’re angry. Reno shares his personal journey from a surface-level faith to a deeper, more honest relationship with God, exploring how it’s okay to bring our real emotions—including anger—to Him. Using Psalm 13:1-2, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?”, Reno reflects on the questions we all have when life doesn’t make sense and encourages listeners to be honest with God, knowing He can handle our frustrations and doubts.Read: Open your Bible to Psalm 13:1-2 and read about David’s honest questions to God.Reflect: Think about times you’ve felt angry or let down by God. How did you respond? What would it look like to bring those feelings to Him honestly?Respond: Pray along with Reno—“Dear God, there is so much we don’t understand, and anger is a real emotion, but thank you for loving us through it. When we feel like you cheated us or left us hanging, please help us remember your unwavering love and forgiveness. We need you always, but especially when we crash out. We love you and we thank you for loving us. Amen.”Reveal: This week, share with someone how you’ve wrestled with God in tough times and how being honest with Him has helped you grow in faith.Listen to Alive & Sober with Reno Collier for real talk about faith, honesty, and building a genuine relationship with God. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes that help you grow in your spiritual journey.Keywords: Reno Collier, Alive & Sober, Christian podcast, trusting God, anger at God, Psalm 13, faith journey, honesty with God, spiritual growth, Bible reflection, prayer, Christian encouragement, sobriety, recovery, real faith, Christian living

Trusting God When You Feel Nothing | Psalm 34:18

In this episode of Alive & Sober with Reno Collier, Reno dives deep into the feeling that silence from God can sometimes feel like abandonment. Using Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit," Reno shares his personal experiences of seeking God during times of pain, confusion, and anger. He discusses the struggle of trusting God’s presence even when you can’t feel Him, and the importance of faith when answers don’t come right away. Reno reminds listeners that God is never too busy for us, and that silence doesn’t mean absence—God is always near, especially in our hardest moments.Read: Open your Bible to Psalm 34:18 and reflect on its promise that God is close to the brokenhearted.Reflect: Think about times when you felt alone or unheard. How can you trust that God is still with you, even in silence?Respond: Pray, “God, help me to trust that You are near, even when I can’t feel You. Strengthen my faith and help me surrender to Your love.”Reveal: Show someone else God’s love today by reaching out to someone who may feel alone or abandoned, reminding them they are not alone.If you need encouragement to keep believing when you feel nothing, or want to know how to hold on to faith in silence, this episode is for you. Remember, God is nearer than your fear, and you are loved.Keywords: Reno Collier, Alive & Sober, Christian podcast, Psalm 34:18, faith in silence, God’s presence, brokenhearted, spiritual encouragement, trusting God, prayer, Bible reflection, Christian recovery, hope, surrender, God’s love, overcoming loneliness

You’re Carrying Too Much—Give It to God

Join Reno Collier on Alive & Sober as he explores the powerful message behind Psalm 55:22—“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” In this heartfelt episode, Reno shares personal stories and relatable analogies about the weight we try to carry for those we love, and the importance of trusting God with the burdens that are too heavy for us. Discover why trying to shoulder someone else’s struggles can leave us overwhelmed, and how surrendering those burdens to God brings true relief and strength.Read: Dive into Psalm 55:22 and consider what it means to truly cast your burdens on the Lord.Reflect: Think about the loads you’re carrying for others. Are you trying to take on more than you’re meant to? How can you trust God with the things that feel too heavy?Respond: Pray along with Reno—“Dear God, give us the wisdom to recognize that you are the fixer, and we are your instruments. Help us not to overload ourselves, so we can be a light to others. Thank you for loving us. Amen.”Reveal: Show someone else the truth of this passage by sharing your own story of letting go and trusting God, or by encouraging a friend who’s struggling under a heavy load.Listen to Alive & Sober with Reno Collier for honest conversation, spiritual encouragement, and practical steps to live lighter and trust deeper. Keywords: Reno Collier, Alive & Sober, Christian podcast, Psalm 55:22, cast your burdens, faith, trust God, letting go, spiritual encouragement, Christian community, prayer, Bible study, recovery, hope, inspiration