In Episode 19 of 365 Proof by Defining Wellness, Daniel Phyfer and Courtney Milan welcome longtime friend, colleague and recovery advocate Ruth Ann Rigby for a candid conversation about survival, surrender and a life devoted to serving others.

With 29 years in long-term recovery, Ruth Ann shares how growing up in a family affected by addiction, enduring traumatic experiences and reaching a personal breaking point ultimately led her to treatment. She reflects on the acceptance, spiritual surrender and willingness to follow direction that became foundations of her recovery.

Now the chief development officer of Capstone Wellness and a co-founder of First Responders of Mississippi, Ruth Ann has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families find the right care when they need it most. The conversation explores the distinctive challenges first responders face, the importance of family involvement, the narrow window for connecting someone with treatment and why genuine human connection remains essential in behavioral healthcare.

Honest, heartfelt and filled with Ruth Ann’s unmistakable humor, this episode is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible—and that keeping it means giving it away.

Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In Episode 18 of the 365 Proof Podcast by Defining Wellness, Daniel Phyfer, Courtney Milan, and Carly Caver welcome Tracey Trigg, founder and CEO of Loving Through His Eyes, a Mississippi-based nonprofit dedicated to helping women heal from trauma, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking.

Tracey courageously shares her journey from childhood sexual abuse, shame, bullying, and a severe stutter to surviving multiple armed robberies, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, isolation, and suicidal thoughts. For years, fear controlled her life and left her feeling as though she had no voice. Through faith, community, Celebrate Recovery, and a willingness to confront the pain she had carried for decades, Tracey began reclaiming her identity, confidence, and purpose.

She also explains how mission work in Liberia and the Philippines helped shape her calling to advocate for people who feel unseen and unheard. That calling eventually led her from California to Mississippi, where she founded Loving Through His Eyes.

The conversation explores human trafficking awareness, online grooming, the vulnerability of children and teenagers, the relationship between trauma and addiction, and the importance of creating safe, long-term recovery environments. Tracy shares her vision for a residential program where women can receive trauma-informed care, participate in art, dance, equine, and faith-based recovery programs, develop practical life skills, continue their education, and gradually prepare for independent living.

The episode also highlights the immediate needs of Loving Through His Eyes, including renovations, heating and air-conditioning work, flooring, contractors, financial support, church partnerships, volunteers, and community members willing to help transform the property into a safe and restorative home.

This is a powerful conversation about survival, faith, healing, human trafficking prevention, and what can happen when someone who once felt voiceless chooses to become a voice for others.

Content notice: This episode includes discussions of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, armed violence, human trafficking, suicidal thoughts, trauma, and addiction.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, exploitation, or trafficking, reach out to a trusted person, qualified professional, local law enforcement agency, or an appropriate crisis support organization. You deserve to be heard, protected, and supported.

Follow the 365 Proof Podcast by Defining Wellness for more honest conversations about mental health, addiction recovery, trauma, faith, resilience, and finding purpose through lived experience.

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What does lasting recovery really look like after the substances are gone?

In Episode 17 of the 365 Proof by Defining Wellness podcast, Daniel Pfeiffer welcomes his longtime friend, Phil Nutt, Director of Marketing and Admissions at Choice House in Boulder, Colorado. Together, they share an honest conversation about addiction, trauma, family dynamics, the Twelve Steps, therapy, faith, and the lifelong process of healing.

Phil opens up about his journey from growing up in Mississippi, through active addiction and treatment, to building a life centered on purpose and helping others recover. Daniel and Phil also explore perfectionism, shame, inner child work, healthy boundaries, recovery in the Deep South, and why connection, authenticity, and vulnerability are essential for lasting change.

Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of mental health and personal growth, this episode offers hope, practical wisdom, and a powerful reminder that healing is possible. Recovery isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming honest, connected, and willing to keep growing, one day at a time.

Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this episode of 365 Proof by Defining Wellness, Daniel Phyfer and Courtney Milan sit down with Dr. Avni Patel, board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Mississippi Psychiatry and Wellness.

Dr. Patel shares her journey from growing up in Columbia, Mississippi, to building a thriving psychiatric practice dedicated to serving her home state. She reflects on the path that led her to psychiatry, the importance of addressing mental health stigma, and the role lifestyle, trauma, grief, and connection play in long-term healing.

The conversation explores addiction recovery, social media’s impact on mental health, the unique challenges faced by high achievers, sports psychiatry, and why one of the most powerful tools in treatment is simply listening.

At the heart of this episode is a simple but powerful message: healing begins when you’re willing to bet on yourself.

Produced by Daniel Anderson of Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this powerful conversation, Daniel Phyfer and Courtney Milan sit down with Robert Green, founding pastor of Fondren Church, husband, father, leader, and one of Mississippi’s most respected voices on faith and community.

Robert shares his journey from Starkville to college ministry, meeting his wife Susan, and ultimately taking the leap of faith to plant Fondren Church. Together, they explore what it means to trust God when the path ahead is uncertain, the risks involved in building something meaningful, and the challenges of leading with humility and integrity.

The conversation dives into the intersection of faith and recovery, including:

• Why surrender is often the hardest step in recovery and life
• The relationship between spirituality and the 12 Steps
• Mental health, addiction, and how the church's response has evolved
• Leadership, pressure, and learning to finish well
• Pain, betrayal, forgiveness, and resilience
• Raising children, taking risks, and trusting God's plan
• The difference between groaning to God and grumbling about God
• Why community and connection are essential for healing

Throughout the episode, Robert shares practical wisdom, personal stories, and timeless truths that resonate whether you're in recovery, leading a team, raising a family, or simply navigating life's challenges.

This episode is a reminder that none of us have all the answers. We're all just fellow travelers learning to trust, grow, and take the next right step.

Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In episode 14 of the 365 Proof Podcast by Defining Wellness, Daniel Phyfer and Courtney Milan sit down with Heather Lary, Director of Referral Relations and Marketing at The Carpenter’s Shed in Monroe, Louisiana.

Heather shares her journey from special education and pharmaceutical sales into the mental health and recovery field, where she now helps young men ages 16 to 20 find structure, purpose, accountability, and direction.

This conversation dives into the struggles facing young men today, including THC use, online gambling, lack of life skills, family system challenges, school issues, and the need for real mentorship. Heather explains why labels are not always helpful, why young men need more than just clinical treatment, and how coaching, community, fitness, education, spirituality, and accountability can help them rebuild their lives.

This episode is a powerful reminder that young men are not broken, they are still becoming. With the right support, structure, and love, change is possible.

Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In episode 13 of the 365 Proof Podcast, Courtney and Carly sit down with Ray Coleman, Director of Communications for Mississippi Veterans Affairs, for a powerful conversation about leadership, crisis communication, public service, and honoring Mississippi’s veterans.

Ray shares his journey from sports broadcasting to state government, the pressure of communicating during high-stakes situations, and how Mississippi Veterans Affairs serves veterans through benefits assistance, veterans homes, cemeteries, and community support. This episode is a reminder that every veteran has a story worth hearing, a life worth honoring, and benefits they have earned through service.

Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

#365ProofPodcast #VeteransAffairs #MississippiVeterans #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveryAndPurpose #Leadership #PublicService #MississippiPodcast #AudioAlchemyProductions

Episode 12 of 365 Proof by Defining Wellness brings a raw and eye-opening conversation with Robert McCaslin and Patrick Cheney of Alta Loma Transformational Services.

This episode pulls back the curtain on a side of mental health most people don’t understand, severe mental illness, psychosis, and what happens when traditional systems fall short. Robert and Patrick break down the gap between short-term stabilization and real, long-term healing, and how Alta Loma is creating something different, a place where people aren’t just managed, but rebuilt.

The conversation dives into the reality of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and complex mental health conditions, and challenges the all-or-nothing thinking around “success.” It’s not just about diagnoses or labels, it’s about stability, purpose, connection, and giving people a real shot at life again.

There’s also an honest look at risk, faith, and what it takes to walk away from comfort to build something that actually matters. From early recovery to fatherhood, from burnout to purpose, this episode reminds you that growth is messy, slow, and worth it.

If you’ve ever wondered what real mental health care should look like, or if someone in your life is struggling beyond what quick fixes can handle, this one will stick with you.

This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

#365Proof #DefiningWellness #MentalHealth #Recovery #AltaLoma #Psychosis #BipolarDisorder #Schizophrenia #AddictionRecovery #Healing #Purpose #LongTermRecovery #FathersInRecovery #Growth #AudioAlchemyProductions