Exploring Life & Business with Brandon Couch of True Story Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Couch.

Hi Brandon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story didn’t start in a place most people would expect for someone doing this kind of work today. I’m a U.S. Air Force veteran, and on the outside, there were seasons of my life that looked stable—even successful. But internally, I was battling addiction, unresolved trauma, and a growing sense of emptiness that I didn’t know how to face.

That led me down a path of substance abuse, broken relationships, and eventually prison. There was a point in my life where I truly believed that was just going to be my story—that I had gone too far, made too many mistakes, and that this was simply how it would end.

But everything began to change when I encountered God in a real and personal way. Not religion, not behavior modification—but a genuine spiritual awakening. That’s where my recovery truly began. It wasn’t overnight, and it wasn’t easy, but it was real. I started doing the internal work—healing, taking accountability, and rebuilding my life from the ground up.

Today, I’m the founder of True Story Media and the host of The Recovery Couch, where I share not only my story but create space for others to share theirs. I’ve written a memoir, Step 4: A Journey Through Addiction, and I now speak, coach, and build platforms centered around recovery, faith, and transformation.

I am also the president of True Story Recovery Foundation, which is a non-profit that focuses on healing through storytelling, community outreach and events, and veterans in recovery.

If I had to sum it up, my life is a picture of redemption. What once felt like the end of my story became the foundation for my purpose. Now, everything I do is about helping others realize that no matter how far gone they feel, there is still a way back—and more than that, there’s a way forward.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been a lot of real struggles along the way—some external, but many internal.

One of the biggest has been learning how to trust people again. After everything I went through, and the ways I both hurt others and was hurt myself, trust didn’t come naturally. It’s something I’ve had to rebuild slowly and intentionally.

Honesty has also been a challenge. Not just telling the truth—but being fully transparent about the parts of my life that I’m not proud of. There’s a level of vulnerability that comes with that, especially when your story becomes public, and that hasn’t always been easy to step into.

Rebuilding my life in my 40s has been another hurdle. Starting over at a stage when many people feel established can be humbling. Financially, professionally, and personally—it’s required patience, discipline, and a willingness to embrace the process rather than rush the outcome.

And probably one of the hardest realities has been coming to grips with the damage I caused in my relationships. Addiction didn’t just affect me—it impacted the people closest to me. Accepting that I played a role in losing meaningful relationships has been painful. Some have been restored, others haven’t, and learning to live with that tension has been part of the journey.

At the same time, those struggles have shaped me. They’ve taught me humility, accountability, and the importance of living differently moving forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I operate through two aligned platforms: True Story Media, LLC, and the True Story Recovery Foundation. At the core, both exist to do one thing—create space for real stories that lead to real healing.

Through True Story Media, I produce and host The Recovery Couch, a faith-based podcast centered on raw, unfiltered conversations around addiction, trauma, mental health, and redemption. I also speak publicly, create digital content, and provide coaching focused on recovery, identity, and transformational growth. My background—both academically and through lived experience—allows me to bridge the clinical, practical, and spiritual aspects of recovery in a way that resonates with a wide audience.

The nonprofit arm, the True Story Recovery Foundation, expands that mission by focusing on access. We work to provide recovery support, storytelling initiatives, and community-based resources for individuals who may not otherwise have them—especially veterans and those coming out of incarceration or crisis.

What sets my work apart is authenticity. I’m not speaking from theory alone—I’m speaking from lived experience. I’ve been on both sides of addiction and recovery, and I don’t shy away from the hard parts of that story. There’s no performance in what we do. People connect with it because it’s real.

I’m most proud of the brand we’ve built around that idea—that when you offer people a space to be real, you offer them a space to heal. That’s not just a tagline for us, it’s the standard. Whether it’s a podcast episode, a speaking engagement, or a one-on-one conversation, the goal is the same: create an environment where honesty is safe and transformation is possible.

What I want readers to know is that this isn’t just content—it’s impact-driven work. We’re building platforms, partnerships, and programs that don’t just tell stories, but help change lives.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is actually pretty simple—just being outside, playing, and feeling free. Whether it was riding bikes, being with friends, or just being present in the moment, there was a sense of innocence and peace that I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.

Looking back, what stands out most is that feeling of freedom—before life got complicated, before the weight of choices and consequences set in. It’s a reminder to me now of what I’m ultimately trying to get back to and help others find in their own way—not a return to childhood, but a return to peace, purpose, and being fully present.

In a lot of ways, that memory still shapes me. It reminds me that underneath everything we go through, there’s still something pure and worth fighting for.

Pricing:

• Speaking Engagements: Starting at $1,500 per event (Customized keynotes, recovery-focused talks, faith-based events, and workshops
• Coaching Programs: $300 for a 6-week program (Includes 6 total hours of one-on-one coaching focused on recovery, identity, and personal growth)
• Podcast Sponsorships (The Recovery Couch): * Starting at $300/month (Includes brand mentions and promotional placement across episodes and short-form content; expanded tiers available)
• Nonprofit Support (True Story Recovery Foundation): * Donations accepted at any level (Funds support recovery resources, storytelling initiatives, and community outreach programs)
• Buy “Step 4: A Journey Through Addiction” https://square.link/u/dkLDKHyi?src=sheet

Contact Info:

• Website: www.recoverycouch.com or www.brandoncouch.com
• Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/@RecoveryCouch