Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” For Georgia native Michael Tyson, that trial and suffering started early. A tough upbringing found him growing up relatively poor and lacking much direction. By his mid-teens, he ended up in real trouble, eventually entering the juvenile justice system for the first time at the age of 15. Years of turmoil lay ahead, and after aging out of that system that had largely shielded him from the pain and spiral of addiction, he found himself battling a life that was headed toward destruction. Over time, he eventually experienced healing and recovery, with his relationship with God, his wife Crystal, and his community of friends providing much-needed support along the way. Soon after, he found steady income, benefits, and an identity working in the coal mines of Southern Illinois. But a sudden firing coupled with growing burnout and a search for purpose launched him in a new direction. Today, he finds himself in graduate school while leading Take Action Today, a non-profit faith-based recovery community organization that has flourished from a few volunteers meeting in a community park a year ago to three and soon to be four community resource centers and a staff of 15 professionals serving the needs of those struggling with addiction and lack of community in Southern Illinois.Hear Mike’s inspiring story in episode #8: RECOVERY.Reach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming Undone is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyJBrooks. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.