Who We Are

Our Team Members

Matthew Dale Bauersachs MSW

Founder, Executive Director

Matt Bauersachs is the Founder and Director of Operations for Learn to Live Recovery LLC. Matthew graduated with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUe) in May 2019. While attending SIUe he was elected President of the Student Social Work Association and he was the Service Award recipient. He has accumulated over four years of substance abuse treatment experience at Preferred Family Healthcare. Matthew has been sober since January 3, 2011 which gives him almost thirteen years of sobriety and first-hand experience. He also graduated with his master’s degree in Social Work from Saint Louis University in December 2020. Matthew is passionate about recovery and the impact it can have on a person’s life. Matthew’s philosophy of recovery is to “learn to live again” which allows residents to learn about themselves, live with a positive mindset focused on self-improvement, and find a recovery path that does not just produce long term recovery, but overall happiness and success in life.

Taylor Stewart BA, MHA

Director of Operations

Taylor Stewart MHA, Miss Stewart is our Program Coordinator here at Learn to Live Recovery. Her function with us is implementing policies and procedures and managing administrative tasks. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology as well as a Master’s in Health Administration. Taylor has seven years of experience working in the substance abuse field, having done work in direct care, case management, substance use counseling, and now program coordinating. Taylor is passionate about using her strengths and skills to help others live a better life.

David O’Neill BA

Program Coordinator

David O’Neill O’Neill is the Resident Coordinator at Learn to Live Recovery. David has a communications degree from Rockhurst University. David has over 14 years of recovery experience taking men through the
12-steps. David has over 5 years of substance abuse treatment experience under his belt as well. David is passionate about recovery and sharing what he has learned along the way in his own recovery journey. David also is an accomplished life coach, helping others find the motivation to make necessary changes in their lives. He also, is a trained Recovery Coach through the CCAR program. David specializes in working with young men and has had a lot of success doing so. With his combination of practical experience and clinical experience he could not be a better fit for Learn to Live Recovery.

Craig Perry

Resident Coordinator

Craig Perry is the Resident Coordinator. Craig was the first resident of Learn to Live Recovery and is a proud example of what Recovery can do in your life. He uses his life experience in and out of recovery to support residents finding their way to long-term recovery.

John Palmer

John Palmer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University. He is a certified Recovery Coach Professional and a certified Recovery Coach Trainer. He began his career in the substance use disorder and mental health field in New Haven, Connecticut at what is now Turnbridge. He worked with a small group of individuals to build a long-term
residential program for young adults and held various positions during his time there, among them Executive Director, Director of Professional Development, and Director of Family Services. Regardless of his role, John continued to be involved with direct client care through the conduct of skills groups on such topics as healthy coping mechanisms, triggers to relapse, relapse prevention, and recovery education, while always communicating the importance of simultaneous and successful treatment of substance use disorder and mental health diagnoses. In recovery since 2007, John brings a relatable mix of information and experience, contributing to his success in helping clients and families understand changing roles and responsibilities as a family member moves into recovery.

Health and Happiness Found in Hermann By Bradley Irwin

Learn to Live Recovery is best described by its name. It is a sanctuary of recovery where one can find themselves again, or possibly for the first time, in order to learn to live a healthy, sober life with direction and purpose. On the other hand, its a house full of men trying to get their act together and have a great time in the process. I can say that I experienced both in my time in the hills of Hermann. When I came to Missouri from California, I was petrified at the notion of being trapped in a house full of midwestern degenerates for an undetermined amount of time, and rightfully so, but in hind sight, I would not trade the months I spent at Learn to Live for anything. The skills and perspective I garnered in my time living in the care of the Learn to Live staff has imbued a confidence in myself, and my recovery, that I could not have imagined beforehand. It is difficult to describe what it is like having this team of caring, thoughtful professionals on your side to guide each step you take through your personal recovery. At first, its a much needed helping hand, but eventually, at least for me, they become a new family of support for whom you want to succeed. I am proud that they are proud of me and the direction I am headed in life. I am proud of the confidence they have in me and I will cherish their guidance and friendship for the rest of my life. Now, enough of about the amazing staff and how they have radically changed my life, lets talk about the real people who make Learn to Live Recovery live up to its name, the guys in the house.

The biggest attribute this program has to offer is camaraderie. You have a group of men who all struggle with similar issues and we are all plopped into the same house up on a hill trying to figure out how to scratch the same itch. I used to describe my recovery as a boat thats been at sea for two decades and if you want to help get her to port, you have to listen to me, because I am the captain of this ship so only I know what kind of waters she can handle. Well, when I was shipwrecked in Hermann, I didn’t know it at the time but my boat got inundated with new crew members, however, without them I wouldn’t have ever gotten off the beach and onto a course for calmer waters. A very important part of recovery is creating a sober network and it can be easily found at Learn to Live. Not everyone is going to be best friends with everyone but the bonds you form in this house are invaluable.

They are the stepping stones to creating a life of meaning and joy without the vices that tore us down for so long. I am honored to have joined the ranks of LTL alumni and, with ten months of sobriety under my belt and a new lease on life, I am currently in school studying Behavioral Health with the intention to pursue a PhD in therapy and substance abuse counseling in order to follow in the footsteps of the people at Learn to Live Recovery who helped me get to this place in my life. A place where tomorrow is not a question of how, or even whether or not, I will survive, but where tomorrow is another welcomed opportunity to continue to improve my life so I can help others one day. You can find a better, healthier way to enjoy life, and Learn to Live is the perfect place to do that with the right combination of support from friends and, what might come to feel like, family. Oh, and if you don’t like people, theres also a dog on staff that will listen to you, but only when he wants to.
Best regards,

from a grateful, recovering alcoholic and addict, Bradley Steven Irwin