The Way Out Podcast

In this edition of The Way Out I’m beyond honored to bring you my interview with person in long term recovery and host of the Hopeaholics podcast, Chad Carlsen. Chad shares his truly incredible and made for TV journey to and through Recovery with us and all about what motivated him to create and host the Hopaholics Podcast, where Chad found his true calling: Helping people suffering from addiction and mental illness to get the treatment they deserve. When his soon to be son-in-law died of fentanyl poisoning, Chad’s drive to fight the opioid epidemic redoubled. The Hopeaholics is not just a podcast. It’s a movement to conquer a nation’s fentanyl-fueled addiction crisis. The Hopeaholics promote awareness about addiction and mental health, banishing stigma in the process while providing resources to addicted individuals, people struggling with mental illness, and their loved ones. We’re convinced that you’ll be moved by Chad’s recovery journey, enlightened by the serious recovery truth he shares, and inspired by

In this edition of The Way Out I’m honored to bring you my interview with certified personal trainer, model, real estate investor, and Person in long term recovery Jonathan Niziol. An additional word of caution, this episode contains subject matter that may be disturbing, including discussion of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Jonathan shares his journey to and through recovery to this point with us with remarkable honesty and his story is proof positive of two truths we’ve demonstrated many times on this podcast. First, the only true bottom in addiction is when we stop digging, and we don’t need to hit proverbial rock bottom in order to achieve a meaningful, enduring and rewarding recovery. Second and of equal importance, there are many ways to recover, and they are all worth elevating and celebrating, like the therapeutic pathway of Recovery Jonathan followed so listen up. Contact Jonathan: https://www.jonathanniziolofficial.com/

In this edition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with Sober Coach, Podcaster, Researcher, Author, and person in long term sobriety Duncan Bhaskaran Brown. Duncan shares a bit about his journey to and through sobriety with us and a whole lot about how he helps folks reckon with their relationship with alcohol and other substances and behaviors and ultimately move through them to experience all that life can be on the other side of a life that includes problematic substance use and problematic and counterproductive behavior patterns. Duncan does a tremendous job of calling out alcohol specifically for what it is, a known carcinogen, toxin and central nervous depressant. We are not anti-alcohol crusaders here on The Way Out Podcast, rather we aim to illuminate the spectrum that substance use and abuse exists on, and elevate all of the pathways we possibly can to help you Recover and indeed discover the person and life that is waiting for you on the brighter side so listen up. Reach out to Dun

In this edition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with husband, father, person in long term recovery and Author of the book Finding Myself Sober, Dean Anderson. Dean shares his journey to and through Recovery to this point with us with genuine humor, humility and an unmistakable wisdom that can only come from doing the work and practicing certain recovery principles on a daily basis. Dean’s story is proof positive alcoholism and addiction doesn’t discriminate. As we demonstrate often on this podcast, having an idyllic childhood is no guarantee against developing alcohol or substance use disorder despite the high prevalence of trauma and mental health disorders among those of us who identify as persons in Recovery. Dean’s story and his book bring to light key Recovery principles that underlay the 12-Step program of Recovery that are in fact universally applicable to all of us whom are looking for a practical way to implement positive change in our lives as we progress in our individual recov

In this rendition of The Way out Co-host Jason sits down with person in long term Recovery, Greg Greene. An additional word of caution, this episode contains subject matter that may be disturbing, including graphic discussion of drug use and suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Greg shares his story with us from a very open and vulnerable place. A former IV meth user, stints in jails and prisons, and a suicide attempt survivor, he pulls no punches in his sharing, and he even got Jason to share some pretty hard stuff for anyone admit on the air. Indeed, it was a fine opportunity for a couple of men in Recovery to connect and get gut level honest about how some things affected their mental health, as well as how drugs diminished their moral code. As Jason said about this interview and I quote:  “I don't know the last time I said ‘you're telling my story’ to someone so many times!” We hope you come along for the ride as we get to know Gre

In this edition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with actor, producer and author of the new Memoir The Brink, Jaime Andrews. The Brink is a tale so compelling, immersive, and captivating that it couldn’t be anything other than 100% true. This extraordinary coming of age story of one Jaime Andrews is at once hilarious and harrowing, and it will have you racing to reach the stunning climax and finale. I couldn’t help feeling like it was as if I was experiencing every moment right along with her! As absorbing as this book is, what’s even more impressive is her story’s power to connect with readers who may be having or had similar experience and feel like they’re not alone in their experience and Recovery is not only possible but absolutely worth it. The Brink is a worthwhile read in every sense of the word and this here episode is worth every bit of your time and attention so do be sure you listen up. More about Jaime Andrews: http://www.jaimeandrews.com/ Learn more about The Brink: a memoir

In this edition of The Way Out, Cohost extraordinaire Jason has a tremendous interview with an amazing new podcaster, and all around great human being, Kristine Koehn from the Purpose Driven Sobriety Podcast. Kristine is hilarious and charming in her heartfelt delivery sharing her story with us. This episode oozes with recovery wisdom and spiritual truths, and the connection and chemistry Jason and Kristine share is a recipe for an enjoyable and enlightening listening experience, we know you will surely appreciate just as much as we appreciate your ears. So do be sure you listen up.   Contact Kristine at purposedrivensobriety@gmail.com Resources: Purpose Driven Sobriety - Rogue Media Network Donate to Operation Sober Santa at Amazon Gift List Recovery literature (Quit-lit) reccomendation: God on a Harley: Brady, Joan: 9780671536220: Amazon.com: Books Best piece of recovery advice: " It's not about you." Song that symbolizes recovery to Kristine- Rascal Flatts - Changed (Official Video) - YouTube

In this edition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with Sober Living Coach and person in long term recovery, Halima Anderson. Halima shares her journey to and through recovery to this point with us with an infectious humor and frankness that is both relatable and inspiring. A case in point is Halima’s willingness to share that she identifies as a Highly Sensitive Person, which based on my experience on this here podcast is not an uncommon occurrence with those of us who are in Recovery, and understanding this about ourselves can be helpful in understanding why we may feel emotions so intensely, and understand, just like with our addictions, we don’t have to be alone in that experience anymore if we don’t want to and we can in fact turn it into a real asset if we so choose. Halima is proof positive that there’s more than one way to recover and that our collective recoveries have much more common than we may realize so listen up. Contact Halima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halimaranderson Reco

In this rendition of The Way Out I’m ecstatic to bring you my interview with Recovery Advocate and Author of the soon to be released book entitled Slow Dancing with the Devil: A Son's Substance Use Disorder, A Mother's Anguish, Susan Bartz Herrick. I’ve learned that often in life less is more, and this is one of those times. Susan’s message that Substance Use Disorder is not a moral failing, it’s a legitimate and diagnosable disease and Recovery is absolutely possible comes through in such powerful and enlightening fashion that anything I could say on the front end would only serve to diminish her quite salient, much needed, and incredibly well articulated message. So without further ado, Susan shares her and her son’s journey with substance use disorder and recovery, including the heartbreaking death of her Son, who was under no uncertain terms, poisoned as you’ll hear firsthand in the compelling and necessary Recovery discussion that is about to unfold before your very ears so do be sure you listen

In this edition of The Way Out, Co-host extraordinaire Jason brings us a tremendous interview with person in long term recovery Tim Lodgen.Tim works with a number of great recovery organizations and has a story that reminds us that the disease of addiction does not discriminate! By all accounts he should have never ended up with substance use disorder. But it took him into his own personal hell and tore him all the way down. Today, Tim is an international speaker, advocating for PTSD, mental health, and addiction awareness! There’s no doubt you all will appreciate his story, as he tells it so eloquently. The vulnerability and strength come through in a powerful way and we’re so grateful that Tim took the time to share his story on this here episode that’s about to unfold before your very ears so listen up. Contact Tim on Instagram - @tlodgen   Recovery literature (quit-lit) recommendation: Drop the Rock: Removing Character Defects - Steps Six and Seven: P., Bill, Todd Weber, S., Sara: 9781592851614: Amazon.c

In this edition of The Way Out I’m honored and humbled to bring you my interview with Certified peer recovery specialist, Certified Peer specialist, forensic peer support specialist, Host of the Rise up Hour at WFNU Frogtown Radio, WRAP One facilitator, person in long term recovery, and my friend and brother in Recovery Muhannah Kakish. Muhannah sincerely, openly, and unflinchingly delivers us his journey to and through Recovery to this point and his accompanying message that Recovery from substance use disorder and compulsive gambling is possible and totally and utterly worth it. An additional word of warning, this episode contains discussions of sexual violence, self-harm and suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988. One of the most instructive elements of Muhannah’s story is his experience with compulsive gambling after being in Recovery from substance use disorder for a considerable length of time. Many of us have or may encounter a problem with anoth

In this rendition of The Way Out, I’m ecstatic to bring you my interview with two persons in long term recovery and the co-founders of Recess Games, Alex Peacock and Nolan Wright. The mission of Recess Games is to pair those in the community with people in recovery who are seeking healthy avenues to have good clean fun while building a meaningful and purposeful life. The mission of Recess Games is near and dear to our hearts here at The Way Out, as we know how essential connection, community, purpose, and fun are to promoting meaningful and sustainable Recovery. Nolan and Alex each share their respective journeys to and through Recovery to this point with us in the inspirational and candid fashion, which is just the way we like roll here on The Way Out Podcast. Their respective experiences both prior to and in Recovery share much in common and perhaps most instructive is what is unique about their experiences as they entered and traversed their early Recovery. Nolan had a spectacular spiritual experience foll

In this edition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, person in long term recovery and author of several books on addiction and recovery including his newest offering, Mommy's Getting Sober: A children's picture book that also includes a caregiver's guide to talking to kids about addiction Casey Arrillaga. Casey shared his journey to and through recovery in greater depth and about his prior book on an earlier episode of The Way Out, which turned out to be a phenomenal interview so do check the show notes for a handy link to the aforementioned episode. Casey’s newest addition to his recovery literature repertoire fills two important gaps in the quit-lit space. First, it’s a children’s picture book with an accompanying caregiver’s guide that aims, as Casey so eloquently puts it, to aid families in interrupting harmful generational patterns resulting from addiction and alcoholism. Second and as impactful, is

In this edition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with Podcast Host, Sober Coach and Author of Sober Vibes: A Guide to Thriving in Your First Three Months Without Alcohol, Courtney Anderson. Courtney shares her journey to and through Recovery to this point with us in inspiring fashion, which makes sense for a woman who hosts a recovery podcast, wrote a recovery book and started the national sober day movement. Courtney’s book fills a key gap in the quit-lit space in that it focuses on the first 90 days of sobriety, a critical time for anyone who’s beginning their sobriety journey. Her book is very much a field guide and how to manual for your first 90 days, which is all about action, and action my fellow brothers and sisters is what gets us and keeps us sober and of equal importance, well. Actions saved my life in the beginning and keeps me well today, not my brain which was sabotaging me for far too long. One action I know you’ll be glad you took is listening to this tremendous interview w

In this rendition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with engineer, husband, brother, son, Person in long term recovery, and Author of the book Clean: the (mis)adventures of an alcoholic drug addict, Michael Rebellino. Michael shares his journey to and through Recovery to this point with us in humble and honest fashion and about the aforementioned book he authored which offers readers insight into the pain and struggle that is addiction and alcoholism and hope that Recovery is not just possible, it’s absolutely worth it. Micheal’s message to readers is this: Whoever you are and whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone. And there is hope. There is always hope. He truly believes if his story helps even just one person see that and believe that, it’ll all be worth it.  Similarly, this here interview with Michael Rebellino is worth every second of your time so listen up. Contact Michael and learn more about Clean: the (mis)adventures of an alcoholic drug addict: https://www.michaelrebelli

In this edition of The Way Out returning contributor NickWarnke, myself and cohost Jason bring you an illuminating and instructive discussion on Shadow Work in Recovery. A quick note about the subject matter and content of this episode. Specifically, some specific memories about childhood sexual trauma were discussed. I edited out some of the most graphic content, for everyone’s protection as one of the specific memories evoked was mine and Jason shared a memory of his own. The memory I shared has been on my heart and mind of late, which is coming up in a season of significant change for your truly. Still please be advised this episode does contain some brief descriptions of sexual trauma. There’s a whole lot else in this episode including a great explainer of what Shadow Work is, why it’s helpful for us in Recovery, our personal experiences around Shadow Work in our individual recoveries, and some practical information about how to start your own Shadow Work journey so listen up. Shadow Work Resources: Healt

In this rendition of The Way Out I’m ecstatic to bring you my interview with person in long term recovery and loyal listener of this podcast, CC. CC shares his journey to and through Recovery to this point with us with an enthusiasm and candor that’s as relatable as it is inspiring. As most of you well know by now, we here at The Way Out Podcast are tireless advocates that all pathways to Recovery are valid and worth elevating. CC recovered through Smart Recovery, which as we learn has many parallels to the 12 Steps and indeed other recovery pathways. One of the biggest recovery truths that came out of CC’s recovery story is that in many ways we have a relationship with our substance of choice, one that in one way or another starts out at least in part beneficially. Maybe we like the way we feel when we use it better than when we don’t. Maybe it numbed emotional or physical pain or both. For some, like yours truly and certainly CC and maybe you too, the relationship turns toxic and the pain and suffering it i

In this rendition of The Way Out I’m pleased to bring you my interview with Person in long term recovery, Sober Mom Advocate, writer, and Certified Recovery Coach Celeste Yvonne. As a certified recovery coach, Celeste works with women around the world who want to connect the dots between motherhood and self-fulfillment; exploring all that awaits when we seek a better way. Celeste shares her journey to and through Recovery to this point with us with the candor and wisdom that is without question the result of the hard work she’s put into her Recovery. A Recovery that has been at once imperfect and beautiful, full of struggle, success, pain, healing, joy, and true growth as a Sober Mom who reckoned with her own relationship with alcohol and now Recovers Out Loud and helps other Moms Reckon with their own relationship with alcohol and get on a path of sobriety and overall wellness so listen up. Contact Celeste Yvonne and learn more about her new book It's Not About the Wine: Why moms use alcohol to manage bu

In this rendition of The Way Out I’m beyond excited to bring you my interview with Person in long term Recovery and Chief Operating Officer of Wellness in the Woods, Dan L. Dan shares his on his journey to and through recovery to this point, about the great work Wellness in the Woods and Recovery in the Woods is doing in the Recovery Community in Minnesota, including but not limited to a peer support warm line, virtual peer support, and Recovery in the Woods meetings all facilitated and ran by people with lived experience with either mental health diagnoses, substance use disorder, or both. These services fill a critical space in the continuum of wellness and recovery services that are not addressed by formal substance use disorder treatment organizations, otherwise known as treatment centers and exists along side mutual aid groups like 12 Step & Smart Recovery meetings. Dan also shares about the pathways and tools that were and continue to be instrumental in his Recovery, not the least of which is WRAP o

In this edition of The Way Out I’m honored to bring you my interview person in long term recovery, yoga teacher, and Author of the soon to be released book "Recovery with Yoga: Supportive Practices to Transcend Addiction" Brian Hyman. Brian shares his journey to and through Recovery to this point with us in an extremely instructive and relatable way with an emphasis on the pathways and practices that launched and continues to be the foundation of his recovery, specifically working the 12-Steps and Yoga. Perhaps one of the most poignant quotes extolled by Brian in our discussion is when he said, “I did all the things that were suggested because it was time to save my life”. I relate to that sentiment in the most intimate way, and I bet many of you do too. There is so much recovery and spiritual wisdom in the interview that’s about to unfold before your very ears that I know you all are just going to enjoy the living heck out of it so I’m going to do you all a favor and shut my yapper and let my discu