Steve Ward Breaking CHAINS and Finding Hope in Recovery

In this heartfelt episode of the Dead America Podcast, host Ed Watters sits down with Steve Ward, founder of Steps Ministries, to explore addiction, recovery, spirituality, and the power of honest connection. Steve shares his story as a former “high‑functioning alcoholic”—a phrase he uses to open conversations about hidden addiction, identity, and the myth that outward success equals inner stability.

Steve explains how he began drinking at 15, how alcohol shaped his identity, and why so many people function for years while quietly falling apart. His recovery journey eventually led him to launch Steps Ministries eight years ago, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people break free from destructive patterns through empathy, humility, and practical life skills.

At the center of his work is the CHAINS framework:

Compulsive Habits

Addictions and Idols

Negative Self‑Talk

This simple but powerful model helps people understand the roots of their struggles and begin the process of healing.

The conversation dives into:

Why recovery meetings work

The difference between judgment and empathy

Finding a higher power and Steve’s journey to belief in the God of the Bible

Church hurt, hypocrisy, and the dangers of prosperity gospel culture