What if your lowest moment was actually the beginning?

In this powerful episode of the Breakaway Talk Podcast, Donald Palmer shares his raw addiction recovery testimony—from growing up as a pastor’s kid to becoming trapped in addiction, homelessness, and a cycle he calls “the circle.”

After being shot in both legs and facing the possibility of never walking again, Donald encountered God in a moment that changed everything. What looked like the end became the start of a faith-based recovery and redemption story.

Today, Donald serves in homeless and street ministry, helping others break free from addiction and rediscover their identity and dignity.

This is more than a story—this is proof that recovery is a choice, and no one is too far gone.

Chapters:

01:23 A Pastor’s Kid in the Hood

05:58 The Circle of the Projects

07:57 The Night of the Shooting

09:52 A Gospel Moment: Coming Home13:14 Finding New Circles of Support

16:14 Living on Mission: Helping Others Recover

19:04 Reversing the Curse, Breaking Cycles

20:32 Restoring Dignity Through Kindness

25:38 Building Ministries in Hard Places

34:04 Consistency and Faithfulness

36:10 A Word for the Younger Generation

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What does it mean to be truly seen?In this episode, we sit down with Gary from Belfast to talk about growing up unseen, the cost of invisibility, and the healing that comes when someone — and ultimately God — sees you.From life on the Shankill Road to working with Breakaway kids in Tennessee, Gary shares how the ache to be seen is universal. We explore the biblical story of Hagar in Genesis 16, where God reveals Himself as El Roi — “The God Who Sees Me.” It’s a name given not by a king or prophet, but by a marginalized woman in the wilderness.This conversation is about:• The power of being seen• The tragedy of growing up invisible• Why God notices the overlooked• How being seen can change a lifeIf you’ve ever felt forgotten, dismissed, or invisible — this episode is for you.Scripture: Genesis 16Theme: Being Seen | El RoiWant to talk to Gary? Contact us: info@breakawayoutreach.comChapters:(01:00) Introduction(02:10) Tennessee Swag in Belfast UK(03:03) Experiencing My First Mission Trip(05:48) Growing Up in a Divided Community(10:25) Protestants vs. Catholics(12:15) Searching for Meaning on the Wall(15:27) Blessed Are the Peacemakers(22:02) The Universal Ache to Be Seen(27:56) The Power of Being Seen by God(29:32) A Theology for the Overlooked(32:52) A Broken Woman, A Living HopeIf this conversation resonated with you, Jimmy’s new book "Dancing With the Manatees" continues that same journey — exploring identity, longing, and what it means to be truly seen. Get FREE samples here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJ18MXP4►Visit BREAKAWAY online: https://www.breakawayoutreach.com/►View all BREAKAWAY subscriptions: https://linktr.ee/breakawayoutreach►Like BREAKAWAY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakawayout►Follow BREAKAWAY on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/breakawayOUT►Follow BREAKAWAY on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakawayoutreach/►Follow BREAKAWAY on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakawayoutreach►Email BREAKAWAY: info@breakawayoutreach.com#bible #ElRoi #TheGodWhoSees #ChristianTheology #TheologyPodcast #Genesis16 #Hagar #GodWhoSeesMe #ChristianIdentity #FeelingUnseen #SeenByGod #FaithAndIdentity #ChristianTestimony #Belfast #ShankillRoad #NorthernIreland #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualHealing #GodSeesTheOverlooked #BiblicalTheology #ChristianEncouragement #TraumaAndFaith #FindingIdentity #BreakawayMinistry #FaithAndBelongingPodcast theme music by Transistor.fm.

A Celebrate Recovery Story

In this heartfelt episode, Jimmy sits down with Uncle Chaz to explore a redemptive journey that began in the wreckage of addiction, family dysfunction, and brokenness. Chaz reflects on a chaotic youth marked by barroom upbringing, fights, car crashes, and run-ins with the law—years fueled by fear, shame, and insecurity. But his story takes a turn when, at 23 and on the brink of despair, he cries out to God for help. What follows is a powerful testimony of grace: a journey through recovery, redemption, and rebuilding a life on faith and accountability.

Today, Chaz lives as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather—proof that even the most fractured stories can be rewritten by God’s mercy. Through honest reflection and humor, Jimmy and Chaz reveal how healing takes root when we face our pain, seek help, and allow Christ to repair what’s been broken. Their shared past becomes a story of hope for anyone trapped by shame, addiction, or generational wounds—a reminder that God specializes in turning our lowest moments into legacies of love and restoration.

Chapters:

(01:17) Introduction

(03:29) The Plymouth Duster Miracle

(07:49) Childhood Shame & Insecurities

(10:34) The Boy Growing Up in a Bar

(12:59) A Childhood With No Structure

(14:36) Fists, Fears, and a Troubled Youth

(16:52) Little League Coaches and Weed

(18:07) Arrested and Released

(22:37) A Defining Moment

(31:09) Fighting for Those Who Can't Fight

(33:49) The Road to Recovery

(40:34) Fatherhood and Adoption

(47:46) Repairers of the Breach

(52:12) How to Get Help

Get Jimmy's book "God Uses Broken People" here:https://www.amazon.com/God-Uses-Broken-People-Unqualified-ebook/dp/B0DK43JMCG/

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#RecoveryJourney #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #SoberLiving #RecoveryCommunity #OneDayAtATime #CleanAndSober #NarcoticsAnonymous #AlcoholicsAnonymous #NARecovery #AACommunity #12StepRecovery #SoberLife #HealingJourney #FreedomFromAddiction #CelebrateRecovery

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