The Way Out Podcast

In this installment of the Way Out we give you a truly rare and extraordinary opportunity to hear both sides of the proverbial war on drugs. We hear from the point of view of the undercover cop, who dedicates his life to the often dangerous and clandestine world of informants, drug dealers, and addicts – and how that can color their perception of those who suffer from addiction and alcoholism. Then, we hear from the addict, who didn’t intend to become one, but nonetheless finds himself in a knock down drag out battle with opioid addiction, even turning to selling narcotics to feed his growing and out of control addiction. The kicker you ask? The addict turned dealer and the thrill seeking undercover cop is the same person – and that’s just the start of what is genuinely an incredible story of a man who at one point has to make the ultimate split second decision as a police officer, finds himself growing to hate the addicts and dealers he’s chasing, and ultimately becomes one himself – that is the story of Bro

This week our unfailing superstar co-host Jason has a truly raw and authentic interview with his friend and fellow in recovery, Robyn Wyttenback. Robyn talks about her Recovery path which has been riddled with pain and adversity. She has overcome losing her children, a devastating addiction, self-destructive codependency, and every kind of abuse you could possibly imagine. Despite these seemingly insurmountable odds she has achieved meaningful and lasting recovery to the tune of 4 years, has reunified with her kids and has dedicated her life to them and to sharing the message of hope for recovery so listen up. If you'd like to reach out to Robyn here is her contact info - rrwytt75@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

In this edition of The Way Out we have 2 spectacular guests sharing some genuine and downright legit experience, strength, and hope. Laura and Tom are the Mother Son duo behind the new book Unraveled, and are both now in long term recovery from alcoholism and addiction. Laura and Tom’s stories are inextricably intertwined and one of family alcoholism and addiction, followed by meaningful and enduring recovery. The dueling perspectives of Mother and Son while in the throws of addiction and coming into lives of Recovery are at once refreshing and revealing, and most certainly provide ample hope and reason to believe that we can indeed break the cycle of addiction through the miracle that is 12-Step recovery so Listen Up. Unraveled by Laura and Tom Boldt: https://unraveledthebook.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

In this rendition of the The Way Out our ever-reliable co-host Jason has a wonderfully enlightening interview with Mindset Coach Phil Garrie.  Phil shares with us his own experience battling mental illness and suicidal ideation and how he has learned to transcend his own struggles with mental illness, as well as how he became inspired to start helping others do the same so listen up Phil's Facebook group- Positive Energy Phil (facebook.com) On Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/positiveenergyphil/ Phil's YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg3eliJz-OKPAK2EECJlO7A?view_as=subscriber Phil's podcast(also available on other platforms) https://open.spotify.com/show/2gVi01qoZoykXwtb2FLzVX Best piece of advice= Love Yourself Book recommendations= 7 habits of highly effective people - Stephen Covey You can put yourself next on the list - Louise Hay Song that reminds Phil of his own recovery- 'Sunny days' by Lighthouse --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message S

In this installment of the way out we have a tremendous interview with our new friend Tierni M. Tierni’s story is not unlike that of many of us who have wrestled with addiction and alcoholism. Tierni’s early childhood was marked by unexpected tragedy, fueling an overwhelming combination of anxiety and depression which led an eating disorder and ultimately substance use – and for Tierni Alcohol became the solution that made everything better. And as so often is the case it absolutely works until it stops working absolutely and turns into what can ultimately be, as Tierni learned firsthand, a fatal progression. Tierni shares her true tale of alcoholism and at long last recovery with us in only the way she can; genuinely and authentically – complete with all of the warts of imperfections, failures, and losses. That’s the beauty of Tierni and her story – it’s not polished up and clean, with a fairy tale ending. It’s a work in progress, it’s flawed and imperfect, and there’s things that she doesn’t have back – YET

In this edition of The Way Out our intrepid and talented co-host Jason has a profoundly personal and powerful interview with Judge Dyanna Street. Judge Street is the person that chose to give Jason another chance at life by awarding him a downward departure in his felony case in lieu of 98 months in prison. You'll get to know her as a person and get a rare opportunity step inside the mind of a judge. We learn what challenges and rewards come from doing this type of work, as well as hearing lots of powerful personal stories from her career So listen up. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

In this rendition of The Way Out we have two truly remarkable guests with one incredibly powerful message, that true and lasting recovery is possible – if you’re willing to do the necessary and yes, often hard work. Sean McCann and Andrea Aragon are each at once disarming and enchanting  and are not just husband and wife, but also a compelling example of love, perseverance, and the embodiment of what a relationship can look like coming out the other side of the devastating toll alcoholism and addiction can wreak on a marriage. You might know Sean from his days with Great Big Sea and indeed you’d be well served to give a listen to his solo material, and believe me when I tell you, you won’t have to listen to Andrea long to understand why Sean adores her so. We talk a just a wee bit about the book they co-wrote, One Good Reason, and a whole lot about shedding shame, speaking our truth, and leaning into the difficult and essential work that leads to enduring and meaningful recovery not to mention a truly sp

This week the best recovery podcast co-host in the business, Jason has an outstanding interview with veritable Recovery Powerhouse Sherry Gaba. Sherry Gaba is a licensed clinical social worker, Psychotherapist, Life Coach, and Certified Recovery Coach specializing in individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy as well as the editor of Recovery Today Magazine. Sherry was the go-to expert for Dr. Drew Pinsky’s Celebrity Rehab show on VH1 and later on the spin-off, VH1’s Sober House as well as Celebrity Rehab’s Sex Addiction. As you’ll soon discover, Sherry frames addiction and codependency as two sides from the same coin, indeed codependency has a lot more in common with addiction than we might think. We get to know Sherry, learn a lot from her about her life's work, addiction, and codependency, as well as how we can identify and overcome it so #Listenup Sherry's books FREE E-BOOK! "The truth about codependency" plus quiz https://wakeuprecovery.com/codependency-quiz/ The Law of Sobriety: Attracting pos

In this edition of The Way Out we’ve got Holly Wilson; a Woman in long term recovery and the founder of Women's Recovery – a Treatment and Recovery Center for Women. Holly shares her story and journey through alcoholism and into long term recovery openly, honestly, and with a singular goal – that her story might inspire others to seek and achieve enduring and meaningful recovery. From early childhood trauma and battles with perfectionism, over-achieving, and self-harm to a bonafide battle with alcoholism, and a profound moment of clarity followed by honest the transformational work embodied in the 12 Steps - Holly’s story indeed has it all. Without question she’s an absolute treasure and talking recovery with a dynamo like Holly makes for tremendous recovery radio – so listen up. Women's Recovery Treatment and Recovery Center https://www.womensrecovery.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This week our intrepid recovery podcast co-host Jason has a tremendous interview with Duane Fletcher – a person in long term recovery with nearly 8 years of continuous sobriety and co-host and co-creator of the Our Recovery Life Video Series on YouTube, which like this here podcast, features incredible recovery stories and recovery topics to inspire and enhance recovery. Duane’s story is an extremely powerful and all too familiar one of childhood instability, abuse, trauma, with a through line of chaos and wicked battle with addiction that even in sobriety proved to be a formidable adversary. Duane shares his story in particularly relatable and down to earth fashion and in a way to that is chalked full of hope for those who are still struggling. Through his remarkable journey to and through addiction and into recovery, Duane gives us plenty of recovery and spiritual wisdom we all can apply to our own recovery so Listen Up. Best piece of advice: "Build and use your support network. You are not alone!" Book Re

We’re back with another enlightening and valuable edition of our Recovery Power Topic Series. The topic dejour? Success and Recovery. Anyone who’s ever happened upon a recovery based social media group doesn’t have to look for too long or very hard to find folks highlighting their accomplishments in and out of recovery. Fact is folks do that in recovery meetings quite frequently too; and to that end a big part of 12 Step recovery is centered on celebrating length of sobriety milestones which seems magnified on social media often with corroborative evidence of what life was like pre recovery and what it’s like now in recovery in the form of the ubiquitous pre and post sobriety side by side pic with how much time has been spent sober, sometimes down to the minute. Now no doubt this can show real and honest hope that in fact recovery IS possible AND your cohost and I have certainly produced our own iterations of this very phenomenon in hopes that someone might just see it and think if THAT guy can do it – maybe,

This edition of The Way Out features a story unlike any other we’ve told before. Author, speaker, person in long term recovery and reformed serial bank robber Don Cummins shares his incredible journey to recovery with us with remarkably true humility and candor. For Don this is a story, ultimately, of coming home after spending what seems like more than a lifetime lost and unwell in mind, body, and spirit. Don’s story is poignant and striking evidence that we can and do recover from seemingly hopeless circumstances and indeed proof positive that no matter who we are and how severe our individual case of addiction and or alcoholism is, we don’t ever have to drink or use again – provided we are willing to do a little work. So strap yourselves in, Way Out Casters – you’re about to go on one awe inspiring, heartfelt, and wild ride with one heck of a happy ending courtesy of our new friend Don Cummins – so Listen Up. More about Don & Contacts: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/don_cummins Website: https://don-c

In this installment of The Way Out we’ve got author of the upcoming book, Alcohol Matrix and PHD holder Dustin Dunbar. Much is made of and discussed in recovery circles about the problems that lie within us and how those problems increase our susceptibility, severity, and recovery to alcoholism and addiction. There’s little doubt that adverse childhood experiences, trauma, mental health diagnoses, and arguably even genetics play a role in the chances an individual may become addicted to alcohol or any other substance at some point in their life. What perhaps doesn’t often get enough attention and discussion, is how addictive these substances, and in this case alcohol in particular, actually is. It seems we give alcohol a pass and think of it in a very different way than we do other addictive substances – often faulting the individual who’s become addicted for the problem – and none of it on a toxic substance that anyone can become physically dependent if they consume enough of it for long enough. Maybe becaus

This week I have a thought provoking and unbelievably instructive interview with Life Coach and fellow podcaster, Dennis Berry who is also in long term recovery from addiction and alcoholism. Dennis and I illuminate incredibly important topics that can transform your recovery and life. We talk about purpose in giving, the awesome power of meditation, quieting and calming that funky brain of ours, and truly nurturing our mind, bodies, and spirits with physical, mental, and spiritual actions and activities so that we can truly be living in the present and be living our true purpose so listen up. Contact Dennis Berry! www.DennisBerry.net The Funky Brain Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-funky-brain-podcast/id1483992134 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-way-out-podcast/support

This edition of The Way Out can be summed up by answering a very compelling question: What happens when you’re a life coach and you find yourself in the middle of your very own life crisis that reveals a critical obstacle that’s been preventing you from truly connecting with the people you’re trying to help? The answer my brothers and sisters is you go about the business of healing yourself first; which is precisely what our very special guest, Alyssa Rocco, went about the business of doing as soon as the true nature of her predicament was uncovered. As a life coach, often the presumption is this person has all the answers and furthermore has it all figured out. As we’ll learn however, this isn’t really how life coaching works. No, life coaching is at it’s core a process of allowing the individual on the receiving end of the coaching relationship to get honest about what they are truly seeking, and working with their coach to remove the barriers to achieving that end goal – whatever that might be. As it turns

In this installment of The Way Out we have some serious addiction care and research brain power coming at you by way of Dr. Harshal Kirane, a Medical Doctor, Addiction Psychiatrist and the Medical Director of Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research. Dr. Kirane’s passion and sincere desire is to put in the work to bring the still suffering the best of what we presently know in addiction care, as well as continue advance pertinent research in order to improve care and produce better outcomes for a greater number of those afflicted with the disease of addiction. We dive into important and relevant subject matter in and around the diagnosis and treatment of addiction as well as the genetic and biological predispositions and manifestations of this disease that is still so deeply misunderstood and stigmatized by society at large. Indeed, we’ll learn about how our genetic makeup, childhood experiences, and yes, our very own brains affect our likelihood of becoming addicted and how that addiction manifests in our

In this installment of the Way Out we bring you an enchanting interview with Entrepreneur, former CEO, and Author of “Chasing the High”, Michael G Dash. In long term recovery from both gambling and drug addictions, Michael takes us for a ride through his tumultuous foray into and out of addiction, which included an Adderall infused, six-year legal battle with a former business partner. Through the 12 Steps and a combination of the transformational power of EMDR and FLOW; Michael came out the other side a changed person; which he argues is NOT as difficult as we often want to make it out to be. Michael insists the idea that change is hard is a counterproductive and self-fulfilling prophecy whereby we convince ourselves that change is hard before we have begin to do the work of change; and meaningful change begins by doing something different, something positive one day at a time. That’s a concept I wholeheartedly embrace as the day at a time mindset is very much at the heart of 12 Step Recovery. Michael challe

In this edition of The Way Out we’re back with a serious recovery power topic – The Dangers of Idolizing Others in Recovery. The working title of this episode was a skosh more sensational, but I digress. The desire to pedestalize others who seem to be working the perfect recovery program, or that appear to living the good life because of sobriety is quite natural. We hear phrases like stick with the winners, and to a large extent that’s sage advice. What becomes dangerous, is when we raise these recovery rock stars to demigod like status in our own minds – that’s when the balance has officially tipped precariously too far in the wrong direction. I got better, indeed, most of us got better by finding the people that had what we wanted and applying what worked for them to our own programs of recovery. Some of those things stuck and worked like spiritual and recovery magic while others fell by the wayside due to inefficacy or lack of relevance. When we enable others to be launched into recovery super stardom, or

In this rendition of the The Way Out we have Tim Moon, a frequent listener of The Way Out Podcast who has been in long term recovery from alcoholism for over 2 years. Tim writes about his recovery and spiritually transformative experiences for the website contemplative light, as well as his own website, quantum recovery. Tim’s journey through alcoholism and into recovery is marked by two distinct spiritual experiences, one rooted in religion early in adulthood and another much later as part of his recovery from alcoholism which was firmly rooted in the 12 Steps. The contrast between these two experiences in relation to Tim’s relationship to The God of His Understanding, and the spiritual work involved in the later experience highlight a central truth – faith without works is dead. Both of Tim’s spiritual experiences were quite profound in their own right; the later was infused with transformative action centered in spiritual principles designed to straighten out the relationships held with God, Self, and othe

In this installment of The Way Out Jason’s got a spectacular interview with Author, and person in long term recovery and dual diagnosee, Marques Marchand. Growing up in the 80’s, Marques endured his share of family dysfunction and adversity and like so many of us found drugs and alcohol to be quite the suitable escape from not only the strife within the family, but also his bi-polar II disorder which he wouldn’t discover until well into sobriety. Sober at 22, Marques’ story is a welcome reminder that we don’t have to drink and use for decades to fully qualify as alcoholics or addicts. Indeed, as his recovery journey unfolds, we come to understand what sobriety without working a program of recovery can be like – and how profoundly we can change, grow and truly transform when we start applying fundamental spiritual principles and sound behavior change on a foundation of sobriety. Listening to Marques share his road to true recovery is like sitting with an old friend in Recovery share their story, complete with