There is a possibility for redemption and for forgiveness and recovery. And that all of us have been chosen to be here, that we were created, that we were birthed, that we are God's children. And that we all fit within this society one way or another. And that I always say to people, "Please never give up hope." I understand your frustration. I understand your anger. I understand your disappointment. I understand all that. My parents went through that. My sister, my brothers went through it. You know, it took my parents three years till they really believe that I was clean, sober, and I was a different man. And if I wasn't equipped properly, I would have come out of recovery and said, "Well, I'm all clean, like everything's forgiven. Let's move on." Well, it takes a long time to deal with the hurt, the shame and all of the things that you have to make amends with.

Please note: the full episode covers topics such as addiction, mental health, sexual abuse, and suicide, so it may not be suitable for all audiences.

Elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, Mayor Dan Carter is serving his second term as Mayor of Oshawa.

However, you wouldn’t expect this based on the way his story started out - from the death of his mother when he was an infant to a series of painful childhood events that led to a life of addiction and living on the streets, he was near death before he got clean and sober, finding faith in God along the way.

Mayor Carter takes his role as Mayor of Oshawa to heart and feels blessed that he has been given a second term to serve and help people in his community. He is committed to leading in a way that will bring out the best in all of us and be the light that brings hope, optimism, and pride to this great city.

In this episode, Mayor Dan Carter shares his amazing personal story, his favourite passages of Scripture, his love for serving the community, and how God has helped him throughout his life.