Sitting with Sean

Alex shares his journey from early substance use in the Midwest to heavy drinking, cocaine, heroin, and meth addiction that eventually led to homelessness, legal trouble, and years of relapse. After multiple trips to rehab and hitting what he calls the true “jumping off point,” Alex realized that getting sober wasn’t the hardest part staying sober was. His turning point came when he began studying mindset, meditation, and neuroscience, discovering that recovery required more than willpower. It required retraining the brain. In this episode, Sean and Alex dive into the science behind addiction, the role of subconscious thinking, why negative thought patterns keep people stuck, and how tools like meditation, breathwork, affirmations, and disciplined habits can help rebuild a life from the inside out. Alex explains how learning to separate yourself from your thoughts, develop awareness, and take intentional action can lead not only to sobriety, but to purpose, peace, and freedom. Now a sober life coach with a high success rate helping others stay clean, Alex uses science-based tools alongside traditional recovery principles to help people create lasting change. This episode is about more than getting sober. It’s about rewiring the mind, finding purpose, and proving that no matter how far you fall, you can rebuild your life one decision at a time.

This episode explores the role of higher power, personal responsibility, and collective consciousness in recovery, while also diving into uncomfortable but necessary conversations about the war on drugs, incarceration, systemic barriers, and how addiction intersects with society, culture, and opportunity. Jeff speaks openly about his lived experience, the realities of prison and reentry, and why recovery requires more than just quitting substances it requires a shift in mindset, environment, and awareness. Sean and Jeff also discuss how distraction, ego, and lack of support keep people stuck, and why consistency, community, and spiritual connection can change the trajectory of a life. From street survival to self-awareness, from prison statistics to personal transformation, this episode blends real talk with deep reflection. This is not just a conversation about recovery. It’s a conversation about freedom, responsibility, and waking up. If you’ve ever felt like the system was built for you to fail, this episode will make you think and remind you that change is still possible.

Rich opens up about growing up in instability, chasing validation, and how alcohol and drugs became both an escape and a way to feel in control. What started as social use quickly evolved into a destructive cycle that impacted his relationships, career, and sense of self. Beneath the surface was a deep struggle with identity, ego, and the constant need to prove himself. As his world narrowed and consequences mounted, Rich found himself at a breaking point physically exhausted, emotionally depleted, and spiritually empty. In this episode, he shares what it was like to finally surrender, to ask for help, and to confront the hard truths he had avoided for years.Now in recovery, Rich talks candidly about rebuilding from the ground up: repairing relationships, redefining masculinity, learning humility, and finding strength in vulnerability. He reflects on how service, accountability, and daily discipline became the foundation of his sobriety and how the life he once thought was over is now more meaningful than he ever imagined. This episode is about letting go of ego, embracing growth, and discovering that recovery isn’t just about staying sober it’s about becoming the person you were meant to be. If you’re struggling to surrender or wondering whether change is truly possible, Rich’s story is one you won’t want to miss.

Jeremy shares his journey from early drinking in Alaska to a devastating back injury that introduced him to prescription opioids fueling a decade-long spiral of alcohol, pills, isolation, and self-destruction. What began as teenage experimentation evolved into full-blown addiction, fractured relationships, and a life that eventually included near-death experiences, arrests, and the crushing weight of hopelessness. After years of white-knuckling attempts at sobriety and convincing himself, he wasn’t “that bad,” Jeremy hit a turning point in the most unexpected way, a phone call made in anger that became a three-hour conversation that changed everything. From that moment forward, he chose a different path. Now six years sober, Jeremy reflects on rediscovering the person he buried beneath addiction the shy, artistic, sensitive kid he once was and learning that vulnerability is strength, not weakness. He opens up about repairing relationships, writing his book An Odyssey of Oddities, and using his story to help others realize that recovery is possible even for the most stubborn, self-sabotaging version of themselves.This episode is about arrogance, accountability, survival, and redemption. It’s about learning that you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy and that sometimes the comeback starts with a single honest conversation. If you’ve ever felt too far gone, too angry, or too broken to change, this one’s for you. To connect with Jeremy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.eichenberger.7

In this episode, Sean sits down with Daniel Gospodarek, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in men’s mental health and trauma, to explore both his professional work and his deeply personal recovery journey. Daniel opens up about surviving a traumatic brain injury at just 17 years old, waking from a coma to a life marked by brain fog, emotional dysregulation, rage, exhaustion, and the long, lonely road of relearning how to function in a body and mind that no longer felt familiar. Daniel shares what recovery truly looked like: months of ICU care, speech and physical therapy, crushing fatigue, sensory overload, and the emotional toll of realizing that life wouldn’t simply “go back to normal.” Through grit, patience, and an unwillingness to give up, he rebuilt himself piece by piece graduating with his class, redefining his future after military service was no longer an option, and eventually finding purpose in helping others heal. The conversation expands into men’s mental health, trauma, and why so many men suffer in silence. Daniel explains how trauma shrinks our lives, how anger and numbness become survival tools, and why therapies like EMDR and somatic experiencing can help reconnect men to their bodies, emotions, and sense of vitality. Together, Sean and Daniel explore the importance of flexibility, learning when to stay guarded and when to soften so men can show up more fully for their families, relationships, and themselves.This episode is a reminder that healing is not about erasing the past, but about learning how to regulate, reconnect, and reclaim life after adversity. Daniel’s story stands as proof that even after profound trauma, it’s possible to build meaning, purpose, and a life rooted in presence. This is Recover Outloud at its core honest stories, deep healing, and the courage to live, feel, and heal out loud.

Joshua continues his journey by unpacking the unraveling of his identity after losing his music scholarship, the descent into full-blown meth addiction, and what it was like growing up in relentless chaos where manipulation, abuse, and dysfunction were normalized. He speaks candidly about how addiction reshaped his sense of reality, blurred the line between normal and abnormal, and led him into isolation, violence, and moments where he no longer wanted to live. This episode doesn’t shy away from the darkest chapters; homelessness, breaking into houses to survive, a failed suicide attempt, and the moment Joshua finally cried out for help without knowing what would come next. What followed wasn’t an instant redemption, but a slow, resistant, and deeply human process of healing inside a long-term recovery program where connection, conversation, and simply being seen became the medicine. Joshua shares how sitting in hallways with other broken people taught him how to feel again, how contentment arrived quietly while cleaning bathrooms, and how recovery eventually opened doors he never planned to walk through becoming a counselor, prison chaplain, and advocate for meeting people where they are. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear, recovery looks different for everyone, and even the most painful parts of our story can become the very things that shape who we are meant to be. This is Part 2 not just of a story but of a life reclaimed, out loud.

In this deeply honest conversation, Sean sits down with Sam Ghanem, entrepreneur, comedian, mindset coach, and person in recovery to unpack a life shaped by early trauma, relentless self-expectation, and years of silently carrying pain behind a polished exterior. Sam shares what it was like growing up in an abusive household, leaving home at a young age, and learning how to survive by performing, achieving, and serving others while slowly losing connection with herself. Sam opens up about how addiction didn’t look the way people expect it to. It showed up as networking events, drink tickets, high performance, late nights, and the illusion of being “functional.” As success and chaos collided, alcohol became a way to numb emotional depth, silence intuition, and keep moving forward without ever slowing down long enough to feel. Eventually, the cost became undeniable financial collapse, physical illness, spiritual exhaustion, and a moment where staying alive required one last, conscious choice. What makes this episode especially powerful is Sam’s perspective on recovery. She speaks candidly about unconventional healing, spiritual intervention, and how comedy became a lifeline not just as an art form, but as a mirror. Through humor, storytelling, and community, Sam found a way to process trauma, measure her healing in real time, and reconnect with parts of herself that had been buried for decades. Together, Sean and Sam explore what it means to live in the light, challenge stigma around addiction, and redefine recovery as presence, honesty, and alignment. This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to look broken to be struggling, that there is no one-size-fits-all path to healing, and that your life can change the moment you decide to stop running from yourself. This is a conversation about courage, self-reclamation, and learning how to truly live out loud.

In this episode, Sean is joined by Jayme Ethridge, whose journey through addiction is inseparable from years of trauma, domestic violence, homelessness, and the quiet erosion of self-worth. Jayme doesn’t tell her story to shock she tells it to tell the truth. A truth about how addiction rarely begins with drugs, but with pain, silence, and learning to accept harm as normal. Jayme reflects on growing up around dysfunction, surviving abusive relationships, and how the need to numb emotional pain slowly turned into full-blown meth addiction. She speaks candidly about the illusion of control, the rationalizations we tell ourselves to survive another day, and how addiction gradually takes everything identity, safety, motherhood, and hope until there’s almost nothing left. But this episode is not just about how far things fell. It’s about the moments that changed everything: being homeless, standing at the edge of giving up entirely, and the unexpected lifelines that appeared when she was finally willing to stop running. Jayme shares how recovery didn’t arrive as a miracle, but as a series of uncomfortable choices accepting help, sitting with pain, rebuilding trust, and learning how to live without chaos. Together, Sean and Jayme explore the ripple effect of recovery, the responsibility that comes with telling your story, and why living “out loud” can be the difference between isolation and connection. They discuss motherhood after addiction, the weight of guilt, the slow rebuilding of relationships, and how healing becomes possible when honesty replaces shame. This episode is for anyone who feels trapped by their past, overwhelmed by their mistakes, or convinced they’ve gone too far to come back. Jayme’s story is proof that even after rock bottom, there is still room for growth, purpose, and a future built on truth rather than survival. This is Recover Outloud at its core real stories, real healing, and the reminder that hope doesn’t disappear just because things get dark.

In this deeply raw and honest episode of Recover Outloud, Sean sits down with John Devine, an Army veteran and professional wrestler, to unpack the long, complicated road from combat to civilian life—and what it takes to survive it. John shares his journey growing up in a multi-generational military family, serving as a combat engineer in Afghanistan, witnessing civilian casualties that still haunt him, and navigating the mental health collapse that followed his transition out of the Army. He opens up about PTSD, the failures of the military-to-civilian transition process, the fear and isolation many veterans face, and how professional wrestling became the outlet that ultimately saved his life. This episode explores: Combat trauma and the unseen weight of civilian casualties The brutal reality of transitioning out of the military PTSD, survival mode, and living on the edge The VA system, entitlement guilt, and asking for help Finding purpose after service How wrestling became a lifeline, not just a career This is a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, fatherhood, and refusing to give up—even after a heart attack, medical retirement, and years of silent struggle. It’s a reminder that recovery doesn’t always look like sobriety alone—sometimes it looks like finding the thing that keeps you alive. Listener discretion advised. If you’re struggling, especially as a veteran, you are not alone—and there is a way forward. To connect with John: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnthedivine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdevine1985

In this powerful episode of Recover Outloud, Sean sits down with Dr. Robb Kelly, a neuroscientist, behavioral specialist, and recovered alcoholic, to dismantle one of the biggest myths in recovery: that addiction is about the substance. Dr. Rob shares his journey from childhood trauma, homelessness, and repeated near-death experiences to becoming a global authority on addiction, alcoholism, and brain-based healing. Together, they dive deep into the neuroscience of alcoholism, the role of the hypothalamus, why willpower fails, and how trauma, not alcohol, is the true driver of relapse. This episode explores: Why alcoholism is fundamentally different from addiction How childhood trauma rewires the brain Why “just stop drinking” doesn’t work The placebo effect of alcohol and craving relief The failures of one-size-fits-all recovery models Holistic, brain-based approaches to lasting healing This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about identity, responsibility, personal power, and what it actually takes to heal—not manage—alcoholism. Challenging, provocative, and deeply honest, this episode invites listeners to rethink everything they’ve been told about recovery. Listener discretion advised. If you’re struggling, know this: it was never about the alcohol, and there is a way forward. To Connect with Dr Robb: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drrobb.kelly.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrobbkelly Web: https://robbkelly.com/

In this episode of Recover Outloud, Sean sits down with Julie May, founder and host of The Ridiculously You Podcast, for a deeply human conversation about addiction, mental health, identity, and learning how to love yourself without conditions. Julie shares her journey through perfectionism, food addiction, suicidal ideation, toxic relationships, and the hidden pressure of appearing “put together” while silently falling apart. Together, they explore how addiction isn’t limited to drugs or alcohol, how trauma and stress live in the body, and why healing often starts with radical self-acceptance rather than shame. This episode dives into: Addiction beyond substances, including food, habits, and control The danger of wearing masks while suffering internally How stress, trauma, and perfectionism fuel mental health struggles The connection between nutrition, inflammation, and brain health Boundaries, nervous system regulation, and conscious behavior change Why connection—not perfection—is the antidote to addiction This is a conversation about choosing life in moments when everything feels unbearable, honoring the body as part of recovery, and finding joy by embracing even the “ridiculous” parts of who you are. Listener discretion advised. If you’re struggling, you are not alone—and healing doesn’t require you to become someone else. To connect with Julie: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.may.524 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridiculouslyyou Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@RidiculouslyYou⁩  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MNsP8bWZdZsWtrOpEaEJh?si=3f0f6e8c14744b09

In this episode of Recover Outloud, Sean sits down with Jasmine Bootle, host of Everybody’s Addicted, for a raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction, recovery, and the damage caused by rigid labels and one-size-fits-all solutions. Jasmine shares her lived experience with alcohol and opioid addiction, growing up under crushing perfectionism, surviving trauma, navigating grief, homelessness, and finding stability through Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Together, Sean and Jasmine unpack why traditional recovery models don’t work for everyone, how stigma keeps people sick, and why healing requires compassion, education, and multiple pathways—not judgment. This episode dives deep into: Why labels like “alcoholic” can be harmful instead of healing The reality of MAT, Suboxone, and harm reduction How trauma, perfectionism, and family dynamics fuel addiction The gaps in healthcare, recovery education, and overdose prevention Why recovery is about what you’re doing now, not who you used to be This is an honest, human conversation about survival, resilience, and redefining recovery on your own terms. No glamorization. No shame. Just truth, empathy, and hope. Listener discretion advised. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone—and there are more paths to healing than you’ve been told.

In this heartfelt and powerful episode, Sean sits down with Hollis Versyp, a Marine veteran and close friend whose recovery path mirrors his own. Hollis shares his journey from a disciplined military career to the grip of alcoholism, a devastating DUI that resulted in felony charges, and the painful self-reckoning that followed. From early drinking in Texas fields to the heavy drinking culture of the Marine Corps, Hollis opens up about the patterns that led him into crisis, and the moment he woke up facing charges that could have ended everything. Hollis walks us through his entry into Veterans Therapeutic Court, a program that challenged him, humbled him, and ultimately reshaped his life. Though he initially entered court to save his rights, not for recovery, he discovered purpose, vulnerability, and the strength in asking for help. Together, Sean and Hollis reflect on the tragedy of losing a fellow veteran in the program, the importance of connection, and the mental and emotional tools that helped them both rebuild from the inside out. Today, Hollis honors his recovery through service, healthy community, and the clean-and-sober softball world that welcomed him with open arms. His story is a reminder that recovery is not just about avoiding another drink, it’s about becoming the person you were always meant to be. To connect with Hollis: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollisv IG: https://www.instagram.com/hollipop2183

This special Christmas episode of Recover Outloud is a little different, and a lot more meaningful. Sean is joined by his daughter, Emma, coming to you live from Germany, where she and her family are stationed overseas. Together, they share a genuine, unscripted conversation that blends holiday spirit, family connection, and curiosity about the world beyond our own backyard. From comparing German Christmas traditions to American ones, to wandering Christmas markets, tasting chocolate-covered apples, and experiencing centuries-old architecture, Emma offers a fresh perspective on what the holidays look like abroad. Along the way, they laugh about classic Christmas movies, debate Home Alone theories, dive into German folklore like Krampus, and even take a detour into pop culture and Stranger Things theories, because real conversations don’t always stay on script. At its core, this episode is about connection. About staying close despite distance. About pride, growth, and watching a child step into their own voice and confidence. It’s reflective, lighthearted, curious, and deeply human, everything the holidays are meant to be. So take a breath, slow down, and spend a little time with us this Christmas Eve. Whether you’re with family, missing someone you love, or navigating the season in recovery, this episode is a reminder that connection can cross oceans, and that sometimes the best gifts aren’t wrapped at all. 🎁 Merry Christmas from Recover Outloud. ❤️ Much love, and Happy New Year.

In this gripping and inspirational episode, Sean sits down with Joe Gallagher, a former musician turned sauce entrepreneur, whose story captures the raw truth of addiction, survival, and spiritual rebirth. Joe opens up about his early struggles with self-worth, the escapism he found in alcohol and pills, and the traumatic moments that shaped his spiral, including being kidnapped in the Bahamas, a near-fatal crash during Grammy consideration, and an attempted murder charge that forced him to confront the reality of his addiction. With honesty, humility, and a surprising sense of humor, Joe walks listeners through the darkest years of his life: suicide attempts, psych wards, violence, and losing the identity he once wrapped in his music career. But he also shares the turning point, how a 12-step program, deep surrender, and willingness to change led him toward forgiveness, spiritual connection, and a new life built on service, purpose, and integrity. Today, Joe is the founder of Chef Giuseppe’s sauce brand, a business born from recovery meetings, faith, and the desire to help others. His journey from ego to empathy, from chaos to calling, is proof that no matter how far addiction takes you, there is always a path back to life, hope, and purpose. This episode is a testament to redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of recovery. To Connect with Joe: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/apastioli

In this powerful and refreshingly blunt episode, Sean sits down with Martha Burich, a longtime educator, AA volunteer, jail mentor, and woman in long-term recovery who brings truth without sugar-coating. Martha dives into her early life of feeling unwanted, the drinking patterns that derailed her education, and the hard-won lessons that helped her rebuild her life into one of service, purpose, and emotional maturity. With equal parts humor, candor, and compassion, Martha breaks down the “bondage of self,” the excuses addicts cling to, the importance of working the steps, and why emotional responsibility is the backbone of sustained sobriety. She also shares profound stories from her work inside jails and treatment centers, stories of relapse, redemption, tough love, and miracles that only happen when someone refuses to quit. This episode is a masterclass in accountability, growth, and the raw truth of what recovery really requires. If you need a wake-up call delivered with heart, wisdom, and decades of lived experience, Martha’s story is one you’ll never forget. To connect with Martha: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marthaburich IG: https://www.instagram.com/martha.burich Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@marthaburichparenting⁩  Web: https://marthaburich.com

In this deeply moving episode, Sean sits down with Abby Anderson, a survivor, creator, and fierce advocate for recovery, community, and compassion. Abby opens up about her journey from early childhood trauma, addiction, abusive relationships, and repeated cycles of pain, to finding sobriety, rebuilding her life, and reclaiming her purpose. Abby shares the truth behind her story: surviving assault, navigating dysfunctional family dynamics, losing her father, and trying to outrun her pain through alcohol and drugs. She talks about the breaking point that finally pushed her toward treatment, the friends who stepped in, and the moment she realized recovery had to begin now, not later. Together, Sean and Abby explore: The early roots of addiction and the coping mechanisms born from trauma How sexual abuse and toxic relationships fueled her spiral The stigma around “what counts” as recovery The power of community, volunteering, and service work Breaking the cycle of guilt, shame, and self-blame Boundaries, self-worth, and redefining happiness Why turning pain into purpose is a choice made every day Abby also opens up about her advocacy work, her business “Abby Does It,” her Creative Expressions certification, and her mission to help others heal through art, connection, and compassion. Her honesty, insight, and resilience make this a powerful reminder that recovery is not a straight line, it’s a rebirth. This episode is raw, uplifting, and a testament to choosing life, hope, and healing, even after the darkest chapters. If you’re struggling, this conversation is a reminder: You are loved. You are worthy. You are worth it.To connect with Abby: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbey.anderson.151288

Pull up your chair and listen in as host Sean Young sits down with Steve Feldman, founder of Radical Recovery and a person thriving in long-term recovery. In this episode, Steve shares his powerful story of addiction, the depths he once faced, and the redemption that followed. From years lost to substance use to a renewed life of faith, purpose, and service, Steve’s journey embodies transformation from the inside out. Now, as he builds Radical Recovery, a faith-based, multifaceted recovery program, Steve is redefining what healing can look like, bridging spirituality and practical growth for people from all walks of life. This conversation is raw, real, and radically hopeful. To connect with Steve: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.feldman.54540 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicalrecovry Web: https://radicalrecovry.com

Join host Sean Young as he sits down with Abby Moreira, a sister in recovery with a story that shines light on resilience, faith, and community. In this episode, Abby opens up about her struggles with addiction, what finally led her to get sober, and how she found recovery in one of the most isolating times, the pandemic. She shares her unique experience of getting sober when the world was shut down, how virtual meetings became her lifeline, and how her perspective on connection and sobriety has evolved since then. This episode is a reminder that even in isolation, hope can find its way in and recovery can take root anywhere. To connect with Abby: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abby.girl82 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbalicious._.adventures

Get comfortable outside with a blanket and a warm beverage as host Sean Young sits down with Jonathon Scott — former Division I athlete, mental health survivor, and recovery speaker. In this heartfelt episode, Jonathon opens up about his battles with mental health, the impact it’s had on his family, and the journey that led him into recovery. He speaks candidly about the daily challenges he still faces and the tools he uses to navigate them, proving that strength isn’t about never falling, but about always finding a way to rise. This is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear — and that vulnerability is where true resilience begins. To connect with Jonathon: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/JonathanScottSpeaks