What if the most powerful gift you give your kids isn’t perfection, but honest hope? We open up about telling our children the truth about past addiction—where the line sits between healthy vulnerability and harmful oversharing—and why the goal is to serve their hearts, not our egos. This is a candid, faith-filled look at scars versus open wounds, how to protect innocence without hiding redemption, and the practical ways parents can model change at home.
We dig into the stigma that still shadows recovery and how wise transparency can guard opportunities while breaking shame. Instead of sensational “war stories,” we talk about age-appropriate truth: the younger the child, the lighter the detail, but the same steady message of responsibility, healing, and grace. You’ll hear simple, real-life practices for building trust—apologizing when we blow it, keeping the same standards for ourselves that we set for our kids, and letting consistency do the heavy lifting. We explore how daily habits become the loudest testimony: patience under pressure, integrity with money, kindness in conflict, and perseverance when life gets tight.
If you’ve wondered when not to share, we lay out clear checkpoints: don’t hand your child an open wound, don’t dump trauma to relieve your own pain, and don’t trade their innocence for a dramatic confession. Instead, aim for a redemptive arc that points to growth and makes your home a safe place for their questions and struggles. The past doesn’t vanish, but it can be transformed into wisdom that strengthens the next generation—hope, not horror; truth, not spectacle.
If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review with one takeaway you’ll try at home. Your feedback helps the message reach more families ready to lead with honesty and hope.

Welcome to Rebuilding Life After Addiction. I’m Justin Franich — I’ve led recovery programs, pastored churches, and walked hundreds of men into real transformation. This podcast gives you the tools, truth, and straight talk to rebuild your life through Jesus. Let’s jump in.

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