How Did I Achieve 49 Years of Recovery with Cleve Bell and Misty Buck

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders. I’m your host, Cleve Bell, and today I’m joined by Misty Buck, the marketing lead at Riverside House, as I begin to reflect on a remarkable 49-year recovery journey.

Recovery is a lifelong process, and today marks the beginning of a series where Cleve shares the hard-earned lessons, experiences, and spiritual truths that have shaped his path. This first installment focuses on what he calls “the introduction”—the moment you finally acknowledge how uncomfortable you are with where you are in life, and realize that change is not only necessary but possible.

Tune in as Cleve walks you through the early steps of transformation, offering hope, honesty, and inspiration for anyone ready to start their own recovery journey.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] The introduction: the first step towards recovery.

[3:47] How and where am I?

[4:04] What do I do now?

[4:35] Misty talks about the idea and challenges of acceptance.

[7:10] How do you keep yourself out of the “judgment bag”? Humility is the key.

[9:03] Grow where you are planted.

[10:16] Words have a tremendous impact on our lives, depending on how we use them.

[10:50] Start with yourself.

[11:46] The only one I can influence is myself.

[12:41] How to find a new source of inspiration.

[14:51] Finding the good in yourself.

[17:15] Cleve shares his perspective about self-help programs.

[20:23] Cleve shares his first experience at a AA meeting.

[21:40] Celebrate Recovery, a place where you can be both spiritual and honest.

[22:42] Misty shares her thought on the self-help format.

[23:07] Misty talks about her book: Athlete Mental Health Playbook: A guide to mental wellness for athletes

[25:43] One of the most difficult aspects of Cleve’s recovery was asking for help.

[27:30] Drugs and addiction now and five decades ago.

[28:27] “Drugs were a symptom of my problem.”

[29:21] “God Always had his hand on me, I just did not realize it.”

[31:32] An attitude of gratitude.

Learn More About Riverside House:

Riverside House is a nonprofit, government, and faith community partner. We have been active agents of change and sustained progress in the Miami area for more than three decades, helping tens of thousands walk a straight path into refashioned, sober, and spiritually upright lives as free citizens.

At Riverside House, we provide a critical relief valve during the transition of offenders from confinement to community. Our teams of well-credentialed and committed professionals support each man and woman who enters our doors in their unique, personal path to rehabilitation and recovery.

We are in the business of second chances, and we know that the consideration we extend to those most in need must be holistic in nature. We address the total person — mind, body, and spirit, attuned to the moral and material needs we all share.

"… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

To learn more visit riversidehouse.org

Reach out to Riverside House:

Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job?

We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.