#10
From Narcotics to Recovery: Colonel Steven Maxwell
3/24/26
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1:05:44
ABOUT THE EPISODE
In Episode 10 of 365 Proof by Defining Wellness, Daniel Phyfer and Courtney Milan sit down with Colonel Steven Maxwell, a 30-year public service veteran and current leader in corrections investigations, for one of the most eye-opening conversations yet. Colonel Maxwell brings a rare perspective shaped by decades on the front lines of narcotics enforcement, leadership, and public health. What he reveals is hard to ignore: the drug landscape has evolved, the risks are higher than ever, and the threat is closer to home than most people realize.
This episode dives deep into the shift from plant-based drugs to synthetic substances like fentanyl, how “harmless” products like gummies and gas station supplements are being used to mask deadly compounds, and why addiction today looks completely different than it did even a decade ago. From children being exposed earlier than ever, to the dangers of unregulated products like kratom, this conversation exposes the reality families are facing right now.
But this isn’t just about the problem, it’s about the solution.
Colonel Maxwell shares powerful insight on leadership, self-accountability, and the importance of seeing people beyond their worst moments. He unpacks the connection between mental health, addiction, and environment, and challenges listeners to think further upstream, where real change begins.
You’ll also hear:
- Why detox is not treatment and where the system is falling short
- The role of communication, parenting, and early intervention
- What law enforcement is seeing across Mississippi communities right now
- How stigma, misunderstanding, and lack of education continue to cost lives
- Why “loving yourself enough to show up” might be the most important message of all
This episode is raw, honest, and urgent, but it’s also grounded in hope. Because as Colonel Maxwell says, “As long as the flag is flying, we’re winning.”
If you care about your family, your community, or the future of the next generation, this is a conversation you need to hear.
#365ProofPodcast #DefiningWellness #StevenMaxwell #DanielPhyfer #CourtneyMilan #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #FentanylCrisis #KratomAwareness #SubstanceAbuse #PublicHealth #Leadership #RecoveryJourney #Mississippi #CommunityHealth #AudioAlchemyProductions
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.
Meet The Hosts
Daniel Phyfer is the Director of Business Development for Defining Wellness Centers, where he oversees all business development and marketing functions — from outreach and strategic partnerships to brand growth and community engagement. He blends his personal recovery journey with professional expertise to support people searching for a new way of life — whether they’re just beginning or rebuilding along the way. Daniel’s work is rooted in connection, authenticity, and a genuine belief that recovery is possible for anyone willing to reach for it.
Courtney Milan
Alumni Director
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1:28:05
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1:08:57
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Episode #: The Next Right Step: Faith, Recovery, Leadership & Finishing Well with Robert Green
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1:31:15
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.
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