Best Kevin Lanning Podcasts (2025)

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OxyContin Turned My Life Into a Nightmare | A Survivor’s Shocking Story 47:31

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1d ago47:31

47:31

At 17, Jerry thought he’d found a party drug that made him feel unstoppable. OxyContin. The blue 160s. The Florida pill mill days. He had no idea what was coming next. Within years, addiction took over his life — and just when he thought he’d escaped it, a motorcycle crash left him literally cut in half. Doctors said he wouldn’t survive. He flatlin…

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I Was a Reality TV Star—and a Raging Alcoholic | How Addiction Took Over My Life 1:05:34

3d ago1:05:34

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Chris Rosburg spent his 20s chasing ego, fame, and the next high — from starring in a Budweiser commercial to being cast in a reality TV show. But beneath the spotlight was an addiction that nearly killed him. In this episode, Chris opens up about the fear of losing his identity when getting sober, his journey through rehab, finding fellowship and …

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"I Was Stripping, Dealing, and Shooting Heroin" | Raw Addiction & Recovery Story 1:18:38

6d ago1:18:38

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Arayelle’s story is one of the most raw and inspiring transformations ever shared on Rise Above. A Boston native, she opens up about growing up in chaos, battling addiction, stripping to survive, and finding herself trapped in toxic relationships. After years of substance abuse, self-harm, and pain, she found healing through faith, therapy, and fit…

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Addiction Lawyer Helps Families Lost in Addiction | Finding Hope & Taking Action 1:02:19

7d ago1:02:19

1:02:19

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, attorney Mark Astor joins host Kevin Lanning to discuss how families can legally intervene to save loved ones battling addiction and mental health struggles. Mark founded The Mental Health & Addiction Law Firm of Florida, a groundbreaking practice that combines legal authority, clinical support, and investiga…

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A Fentanyl Addict's Raw Story of Addiction & How He Found Sobriety 1:18:38

9d ago1:18:38

1:18:38

Jeff Baird’s story is one of survival, truth, and transformation. Put on Adderall at age 5, Jeff spent his entire youth medicated — never learning who he truly was. By 19, he was deep in the South Florida party scene: weed, coke, Xanax, lean, and eventually fentanyl. He was robbed at gunpoint, arrested multiple times, and even flatlined from an ove…

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BATMAN villains play poker (with Lan Pitts) 1:50:20

11d ago1:50:20

1:50:20

Batman: The Animated Series: "Almost Got 'Im" What happens when five of Batman's rogues gallery play a game of cards together? They tell stories about their greatest foe! Comic writer Lan Pitts joins us for this series of vignettes and mini-Batman adventures from Joker, Poison Ivy, Penguin, and Two-Face (Killer Croc just threw a rock at 'im.) We ge…

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Addicted to Roxy: Wall Street Drug Dealer Busted at Ground Zero | $12K/Month Oxy Habit & Sobriety 1:30:02

12d ago1:30:02

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Brian grew up in a strict Brooklyn home, surrounded by addiction, secrets, and death — living next door to a funeral home and watching grief daily. What started as a college experiment with ecstasy in Florence spiraled into a decade of cocaine dealing across New York City, gambling thousands he didn’t have, and a public arrest at the World Trade Ce…

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Hooked on the Needle | The Dark Reality of IV Heroin Addiction 1:34:57

16d ago1:34:57

1:34:57

Jay Mac up in chaos — born to two addicted parents, moving from town to town, finding identity through graffiti, and battling fear and dysfunction from an early age. By high school, he was using cocaine and opiates, and soon after, heroin became his escape.After years lost to addiction, theft, and survival on the streets, Jay rebuilt his life from …

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The alternate scenes of the WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS series finale 33:07

18d ago33:07

33:07

Bonus episode! We just talked about What We Do in the Shadows last week, and we wanted to briefly talk about last year's series finale... which featured three different parody "hypnosis" scenes in the middle of the episode, depending on when and where you watched it. Listen to David learn about and watch these alternate scenes for the very first ti…

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I Lost Everything to Alcohol | Homeless, Addicted & My Journey to Recovery 1:29:29

18d ago1:29:29

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In this raw and honest interview, Riley Whelan opens up about her battle with addiction, multiple relapses, and how she’s found a new life in sobriety.Riley shares about her upbringing, her early exposure to prescription drugs, the spiraling path through college and substance abuse, hitting rock bottom, and the pivotal moments that pushed her towar…

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A Mother’s Fight to Save Her Addicted Daughter | Healing, Letting Go, and How She Finally Got Sober 1:41:38

19d ago1:41:38

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Brandi Mac is a nurse practitioner, a mother, and a survivor of trauma. Her daughter battled addiction for years—cycling in and out of treatment, relapsing nine times, and nearly losing her life. But what finally saved her wasn’t another rehab.In this powerful interview, Brandi shares the truth about parenting through addiction, breaking toxic fami…

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How Sobriety Transformed My Life After Addiction | Therapist Shares Recovery & Trauma Healing Tools 1:16:42

22d ago1:16:42

1:16:42

Ryan Soave joins me on Rise Above to share his powerful story of 17 years in sobriety and the lessons he’s learned as a therapist helping others heal from addiction, trauma, and the human condition. We dive into: The fear and courage of sharing your story publicly Why mental health and addiction exist on a spectrum The importance of learning to sit…

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Inside a Heroin Addict’s Dark Journey in Kensington | Robbing Family, Jail & Getting Sober 1:02:12

24d ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Michael Zallie’s story is one of unimaginable pain, loss, and redemption. Growing up in Philadelphia, Michael faced tragedy when his sister took her own life—an event that haunted him for decades. That trauma, combined with addiction to alcohol, pills, heroin, and meth, spiraled him into years of chaos: 13 rehabs, jail time, robbing his own family,…

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WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS flips into a reality TV show (with Matt Bruneau-Richardson) 1:57:36

25d ago1:57:36

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What We Do in the Shadows: "Go Flip Yourself" Bad news?! Matt Bruneau-Richardson (from Tiny Siren Animation) joins to discuss the reality TV spin of of the mockumentary style show What We Do in the Shadows. We celebrate this series' queerness, alongside its horror and comedy while also talking about the history of home renovation programs, what the…

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From Surf Prodigy to Crack Houses & Prison | Insane Addiction Story 1:12:28

26d ago1:12:28

1:12:28

By Kevin Lanning

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Hooked on Heroin & Homeless in Detroit | From Opioid Addiction & Jail to 10 Years Sober 1:12:40

28d ago1:12:40

1:12:40

Nick’s story is one of the most raw and inspiring transformations you’ll ever hear. Once homeless on the streets of Detroit, sleeping in dumpsters and abandoned boats, Nick’s addiction to cocaine, pills, and heroin led him to DUIs, high-speed police chases, jail time, and near-death experiences.But after hitting rock bottom, he found recovery, rebu…

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I Was Shooting Heroin With My Mom Living in a Tent | Jail, Homelessness & How I Got Clean & Sober 1:35:19

1M ago1:35:19

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Joey Gandee’s story is one of the rawest journeys you’ll ever hear. Growing up in small-town Ohio, Joey had what looked like a “normal” childhood—but addiction does not discriminate. He went from playing varsity sports to selling weed in 9th grade, living in his car while raising his younger brother, and eventually using heroin with his own mother …

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I Was Living in Hotels Snorting Meth & Drinking Vodka All Day | Bubba Sparxxx Opens Up on Addiction & Recovery 1:17:29

1M ago1:17:29

1:17:29

Bubba Sparxxx (Warren Mathis) opens up like never before about his rise to fame, the dark years of addiction, and his path to recovery.From topping the charts with Ugly and Ms. New Booty to battling alcoholism, opiates, meth, and even suffering a mini-stroke, Bubba’s story is raw, real, and inspiring. In this interview, he shares: How addiction nea…

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Inside a Binge Drinker’s Double Life on Cocaine & Alcohol | Rock Bottom, Jail & 13 Years of Sobriety 58:42

1M ago58:42

58:42

Jennifer Kazilionis sits down with me to share her raw and unfiltered story of addiction, chaos, and ultimately, recovery.From growing up in Portland, Maine, to an abusive relationship, cocaine use, and two DUIs that landed her in jail, Jennifer’s path was filled with self-destruction and pain. With the help of treatment, sober living in Florida, a…

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ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING goes silent 1:53:09

1M ago1:53:09

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Only Murders in the Building: "The Boy from 6B" It's one of the smartest takes on a silent episode when the murder mystery dramedy takes on the perspective of its deaf character Theo (James Caverly)! We get into how a series headlined by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez could actually exist, and how its stylized take on the genre allowe…

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"I Was Throwing Up Blood and Still Drinking" | Alcoholic Seizures, Hopelessness & How I Got Sober 2:07:31

1M ago2:07:31

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Karina’s story is raw, unfiltered, and powerful. From growing up as a cheerleader with early signs of heavy drinking, to panic attacks and daily withdrawals, she spiraled into isolation, suicide attempts, and repeated hospital visits.Her first rehab didn’t stick—she left planning to “drink normally” again. But after seizures, ICU stays, and liver f…

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Harvey Weinstein Assaulted Me at 16 | Alcohol Abuse, Xanax Addiction, Weinstein Trial and Getting Sober 1:08:03

1M ago1:08:03

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Kaja’s story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and hope.At just 14 years old, she was thrust into the world of international modeling, traveling across Europe and facing impossible standards. By 16, she encountered Harvey Weinstein for the first time—an experience that left deep scars and would be repeated again at 19.In this raw and powerful inter…

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Blackouts, Shame & the Illusion of Control | The Brutal Reality of Alcoholism 50:51

1M ago50:51

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Jennifer grew up in a chaotic household with an alcoholic parent and perfectionist pressure driving her from a young age. Her journey took her from being a nationally ranked bowler on scholarship to the wild world of college sororities, drinking, and cocaine-fueled chaos.What began as casual partying quickly spiraled into blackouts, toxic relations…

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I Smoked Myself Into a Crack Psychosis | 33 Felonies, 3 Raids, 40 Year Prison Sentence, Sobriety 1:20:54

1M ago1:20:54

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Richard's story is one of the most gripping tales of addiction, crime, and redemption ever told on this channel. By the age of 18, he had already served prison time for burglary. Over the next two decades, he racked up 33 felony convictions, became known as one half of the “Dynamic Duo” of cr@ck-addicted brothers in Palm Beach County, and lived in …

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TV shows that grew the beard 47:25

2M ago47:25

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Bonus episode! We just talked about jumping the shark last week... so we decided to chat about our favorite instances of TV shows doing the opposite! We talk about the concept of "growing the beard" -- moments when shows that started out rocky improved and became their best selves. We get into Star Trek, RuPaul's Drag Race, The X-Files, Bojack Hors…

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Coming Off Adderall Was the Worst Experience of My Life | My Brutal 15 Year Addiction to Stimulants 1:06:20

2M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Izzy opens up about her 15-year battle with Adderall and how quitting cold turkey changed her life forever. From being put on ADHD medication at just 12 years old to building a fast-paced career as a hairstylist powered by stimulants, she shares how the drug shaped her identity, destroyed relationships, and disconnected her from her true self.After…

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I Caught My Wife Cheating, Blacked Out & Landed in Prison | Domestic Violence, Prison & Sobriety 1:05:18

2M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Carl Stone spent over 30 years in law enforcement—respected, decorated, and seen as a protector. But behind closed doors, he was quietly unraveling. Haunted by childhood trauma, daily exposure to horrific crimes, and suppressed mental health struggles, Carl turned to alcohol to cope. Then one day, everything came crashing down.In this raw and unfil…

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Inside a Police Officers Brutal Addiction to Painkillers | Addiction, PTSD, Brain Trauma & Recovery 1:23:43

2M ago1:23:43

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Hal Hughes had the perfect life: a loving wife, four kids, a successful career in law enforcement, and a reputation as a local hero. But everything changed the day he was violently attacked on the job—an incident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and a slow-burning descent into darkness.In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Hal opens up…

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My Mugshot Was Everywhere: The Brutal Consequences of a DUI 52:32

2M ago52:32

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Leticia grew up in a tight-knit Brazilian-American community in Danbury, CT. One night out with friends—“just two drinks”—became a life-changing DUI at 0.08. In this raw conversation, she breaks down what actually happens after the arrest: getting pulled over twice in minutes, the breath test, court, fines and fees, a year-long program, and install…

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HAPPY DAYS jumps the shark 1:37:54

2M ago1:37:54

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Happy Days: "Hollywood, Part 3" You've heard the phrase "jump the shark." But what about the episode that created it? We're talking the hugely popular 1970s sitcom about the 1950s -- Happy Days, and the Hollywood beach vacation three-parter and pseudo-Jaws riff that led to Henry Winkler's Fonzie waterskiing over a shark... and defining "TV shows go…

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"Once I Shot Heroin, It Was GAME OVER" | My Dark Descent Into Addiction 1:07:27

2M ago1:07:27

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Carla grew up in a loving home in Boston with a supportive family and big dreams of becoming a teacher. But one party after high school changed everything. She took her first Percocet—and what followed was a devastating spiral into opiate addiction, heroin, and eventually shooting up. In this gripping episode, Carla opens up about stealing $100,000…

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Chevy Chase RAW & UNCUT | Hollywood Stories, Wild Years & Untold Moments 27:34

2M ago27:34

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Chevy Chase, the legendary star of Saturday Night Live and the National Lampoon’s Vacation films, sits down for a rare and unfiltered conversation about his life, career, and sobriety. From growing up in New York and Woodstock, to breaking into comedy with Lorne Michaels, to navigating sudden fame and unforgettable fan encounters, Chevy opens up li…

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A Heroin Addict's SHOCKING Descent | D1 Football Full Scholarship, Prison Time, Homelessness & His Road to Recovery 1:14:47

2M ago1:14:47

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Jordan was a promising D1 football recruit with full-ride offers—until a torn ACL and a bottle of painkillers changed everything.What started as surgery recovery turned into full-blown addiction: Oxy, Perc 30s, heroin, Subutex, and eventually shooting drugs with horse syringes stolen from Tractor Supply.From robbing his grandma’s wedding ring… to a…

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Reairing: ROSEANNE does Roseanne without Roseanne (with Kevin) 1:20:19

2M ago1:20:19

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Roseanne: "An Officer and a Gentleman" We're revisiting this early episode of Gimmicks from 2022 with new commentary! To start, David shares some personal lore related to this very Gimmicks episode, and Derek talks a little about the controversy of the ending of The Conners. Then, we present the original episode where Kevin from May the Power Prote…

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I Started Smoking Crack at 17 | Drug Addiction Story, Family Tragedy & Sobriety Recovery Journey 59:54

2M ago59:54

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Chris Lavin's life is almost too extreme to believe.Abused as a child. Locked in a box for days. Smoking crack and running a car scam at 17. He made millions, lost it all, then lost the only thing he truly loved—his son. He held a gun to someone’s head, and almost pulled the trigger. Twice. But something stopped him.This is not just a story of surv…

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The Needle Became My Addiction | From OxyContin to Shooting Heroin & Facing 8 Years in Prison 1:24:13

2M ago1:24:13

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He went from a small-town baseball player with a bright future… to shOOting heroin in New Jersey, smuggling bricks of dope through airports, and facing eight years in prison.In this raw and unfiltered interview, Flip shares how his life spiraled from painkillers and partying in the restaurant industry to becoming a full-blown IV drug user. This is …

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I Was a Head Football Coach and a Raging Alcoholic | The Day I Lost Everything 1:13:13

2M ago1:13:13

1:13:13

Chris Hirschfield was a high school football coach on top of the world—winning state championships, raising two kids, and leading one of Georgia’s most promising teams. But behind the success was a man silently battling addiction. After a devastating DUI, Chris lost everything—his job, his reputation, and his sense of self.In this raw and emotional…

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Addicted to Heroin at 17 | Trap Houses, Overdose, Jail & How She Got Clean and Sober 1:02:27

2M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

Jaclyn Buntic opens up about her harrowing journey through addiction, starting with pain pills and Xanax at 16, leading to heroin and meth by 18. She shares how growing up in a dysfunctional household, bouncing between homes, and dating someone in a trap house sent her spiraling into drug use. Her first IV heroin injection was administered by her g…

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Inside the BRUTAL Psychosis of a Bipolar Drug Addict 1:19:52

2M ago1:19:52

1:19:52

David Funes’ life spiraled from a strict Christian upbringing into a world of manic highs, drug-fueled nights, white-collar crime, and a $3.7 million FBI investigation. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a suicide attempt and mental hospital stay, David’s story is one of chaos, shame, addiction, and ultimately — redemption. #RiseAbovePodcast #Bi…

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My Addiction Wasn’t Just Heroin, It Was the Needle | Jail, Heroin & My Fight for Survival 1:10:39

2M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

Destiny's story is one of unimaginable pain and powerful transformation. Molested as a child, abandoned by her mother, and raised in dysfunction, she battled self-worth issues from an early age. After a blackout car accident nearly claimed her life, she spiraled deeper—eventually overdosing multiple times, spending 10 months in jail, and shooting u…

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Valedictorian Turned Addict: Inside His Secret Life of Drugs & Overdoses 1:08:31

2M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

Chandler was a bright kid — valedictorian, pre-med student, academic scholarships. But beneath the surface, addiction was brewing. From his early battles with leukemia to his first drink at 11, the seeds were planted early. College became a war zone: psychedelics, alcohol, Xanax, and eventually cocaine took over his life. He overdosed multiple time…

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Reairing: KING OF THE HILL does a disturbing psychological thriller (with Tommy Proffitt) 2:00:23

2M ago2:00:23

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King of the Hill: "Pigmalion" We're revisiting this early episode of Gimmicks from 2022 with new commentary! First, David shares his love for Peggy Hill, while Derek talks about the transition from caution to unambiguous excitement over the impending revival of King of the Hill. Then, we present the original episode where Tommy Proffitt (Distant Ec…

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The Dark Side of Alcoholism | Half a Gallon of Fireball a Day 1:08:13

3M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

He grew up in a small Mississippi town, hiding trauma, abuse, and addiction behind sports, work, and alcohol. By his 40s, he was drinking half a gallon of Fireball a day, facing divorce, and trapped in generational dysfunction.In this raw conversation, he opens up about:Surviving childhood abuse and fearHis first drink at 9 years oldThe downward sp…

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Incest Survivor | Raised in a House of Horrors 1:00:53

3M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Tina survived the unthinkable. Molested by the man she thought was her father. Raised in a home of violence, secrecy, and fear. Then, decades later, she uncovered a chilling family secret — her real father was her grandfather. In this raw, emotional episode of Rise Above, Tin shares her journey through childhood trauma, the military, motherhood, an…

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I Was a Teacher—and a Raging Alcoholic | How I Lost Everything 1:01:16

3M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

Matt grew up in a loving home in Westchester, NY—but alcohol and cocaine nearly destroyed everything he built. From blackouts and bartending in Florida to getting strip-searched at Gun Club Jail, Matt reached his breaking point. What followed was a powerful journey through recovery, multiple relapses, deep therapy, and ultimately transformation.In …

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Alcohol Was My Freedom Until It Destroyed Everything – The Dark Side of Addiction 58:55

3M ago58:55

58:55

Keesha’s journey is one of resilience, heartbreak, and purpose. After battling alcoholism, losing her husband to a drug overdose, and raising twins alone, she turned her pain into a mission — helping teens and families struggling with addiction and mental health.In this powerful interview, Keesha shares:How she got sober after years of destructive …

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Addicted to Fentanyl: Inside a Stripper’s Life of Chaos and Survival 42:17

3M ago42:17

42:17

Brittany’s life spiraled from anxiety-filled childhood to a devastating descent into addiction. After surviving sexual coercion in high school, she turned to stripping, entered an abusive relationship, and was introduced to fentanyl. Soon, she was homeless, living in a van with her dealer, surrounded by children watching their parents shoot up, and…

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Fentanyl Nearly Killed Me: The Darkest Days of Addiction and the Fight for Survival 1:13:31

3M ago1:13:31

1:13:31

In this raw and unfiltered interview, Matt Stoddard opens up about his journey through addiction, from his traumatic childhood to a life spiraling out of control with pain pills, OxyContin, and Fentanyl. He shares his darkest moments, including playing "Russian roulette" with his life, hitting rock bottom, and finding his way to recovery. With brut…

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I Started Shooting Heroin at 16 | Childhood Abuse, Baker Acted & How I Finally Got Clean & Sober 1:03:53

3M ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Ben was s*xually abused at age 10 by a trusted camp counselor. That trauma led him to heroin by 16, methadone addiction, and eventually losing custody of his son. But through God's grace, relentless 12-step work, and a fierce desire to help others, Ben got clean—and stayed clean for 14 years. In this raw interview, he shares how he went from shooti…

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Reairing: DEAD END does a climactic rock opera (with Doug Fink) 2:32:56

3M ago2:32:56

2:32:56

Dead End: Paranormal Park: "Phantom of the Theme Park" We're revisiting this early episode of Gimmicks from 2022 with new commentary! To start, David remembers the "nightmares" that led him to Dead End: Paranormal Park, and Derek laments the cancelation of this groundbreaking series. Then, we present the original episode where Doug Fink sings his o…