Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Ep 1413 | Nashville Couldn’t Free Me From Addiction, but Jesus Did: Ben Fuller’s Story

September 3, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Ben Fuller walked into a Nashville church in 2019 with beer on his breath, holes in his boots, and a cocaine addiction he had carried 1,250 miles from Vermont. Thirty seconds later, standing under an exit sign, he felt what he describes as "a warm blanket from heaven" wrap around his shoulders. He had never heard the gospel before. He had never felt that kind of love. And in that moment, he knew he would sing about Jesus for the rest of his life. Seven years later, he is sober, engaged, and touring with Casting Crowns and Zach Williams—not because Nashville fixed him, but because, as he puts it, "Jesus was a swear word, and now He's my Savior."

The Vermont Years: Hiding in Plain Sight

Fuller grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont, a state he describes as "very independent" and where "Jesus is a swear word." He was the only son, expected to work hard and keep his emotions locked down. His father never said "I love you." The family motto was: "Get it together. Wipe those tears up and get back out there." Fuller learned to hide his struggles in plain sight. He threw 20,000 hay bales each summer, played football, and was team captain. On the outside, he had it together. On the inside, he was broken.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 Ep 1413: Nashville Couldn’t Free Me From Addiction, but Jesus Did: Ben Fuller’s Story
  • 2 (00:48) **Welcome & Opening Banter** - The Robertson family welcomes Ben Fuller to the studio, sharing stories about meeting him on a flight and at San Quentin prison.
  • 3 (10:18) **Meeting at San Quentin Prison** - Zach and Ben share their powerful experience ministering at San Quentin, including a miraculous baptism.
  • 4 (19:03) **Ben’s Authenticity Recognized** - Zach affirms that Ben is the real deal — the same passionate for Jesus in the green room as on stage.
  • 5 (20:19) **Ben Begins His Testimony** - Ben introduces his story: from a dairy farm in Vermont to the grip of addiction, then to Jesus.
  • 6 (24:28) **First Encounter with Addiction** - Ben describes trying cocaine in high school and how it led to a 14.5-year cycle of substance abuse.
  • 7 (26:15) **The Wake-Up Call That Didn’t Stick** - Ben lost his best friend to fentanyl in December 2017, but stopping on his own power didn't last.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Christian artist Ben Fuller opens up about the secret addiction that followed him all the way to Nashville, even as he began building the music career he thought would finally make him happy. Ben recounts the devastating loss that forced him to confront where his life was headed and the unexpected church invitation that changed everything. Jase, Al, and Zach connect Ben’s story to their own experiences with Phil, fatherhood, and growing up in a generation where men rarely expressed affection. Ben also reveals the recent breakthrough with his dad that finally gave him the words he wanted to hear for most of his life.


In this episode: Genesis 9; Psalm 91; Romans 10:9; James 4:7-8; John 6:68; Psalm 139; 1 Corinthians; Revelation 12:11


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“Unashamed” Episode 1413 is sponsored by:


https://trees.com/ - Get an additional 20% OFF with code UNASHAMED at checkout

https://myphdweightloss.com - Find out how Al lost 80+ pounds. Visit the website or call 864-644-1900 and mention "Al Robertson" to get 2 weeks free in the program!


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Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/show/3LY8eJ4ZBZHmsImGoDNK2l


Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts.


Chapters

00:00 Ben Fuller’s Surprise Flight to Louisiana

04:25 Jase & Ben’s Unlikely First Meeting

09:25 Willie’s San Quentin Baptism Mishap

14:15 Uncle Si Takes Over San Quentin

19:30 Ben Fuller’s Hidden Struggle

26:25 Addiction Follows Ben to Nashville

30:20 Ben Lands a Gig at Tootsie’s

34:10 One Church Invitation Changes Everything

38:20 Ben Encounters Jesus for the First Time

47:35 Ben’s Dad Finally Says “I Love You”

53:17 Breaking the Cycl

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