Get a Grip Podcast

Latest Episodes:

My Mom Cooked Meth & I OD’d on Fentanyl at 13 | How I Survived Addiction & Abuse | Ep 200 Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Victoria Lombardo for an incredibly raw and emotional conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, family dysfunction, abusive relationships, and finding a way forward after unimaginable loss.

Victoria's story begins with a childhood surrounded by addiction and abuse. She opens up about growing up while her mother was involved in methamphetamine use and the traumatic experiences that shaped her from a young age. At just 13 years old, Victoria survived an overdose after unknowingly taking fentanyl that had been contaminated with another substance.

As she got older, the trauma continued. Victoria shares disturbing experiences involving people she trusted, sexual abuse, and a suicide attempt at a Christian festival. She also discusses entering an abusive relationship and how those experiences affected her choices and her understanding of what a healthy relationship should look like.

Despite everything she had been through, Victoria pursued an education in dental assisting and tried to build a future for herself. But cocaine and other drugs began taking over. She shares some unbelievable stories about using drugs with family members, selling drugs through a drive-through, and one bizarre incident involving a glove that ended up in a quesadilla and eventually in the hands of a homicide detective.

Her addiction eventually became a family affair, with Victoria describing how she and members of her family were using drugs together. Meanwhile, her relationship became increasingly dangerous, including an incident where she was awakened by her boyfriend choking her and holding a gun to her head.

After reaching a breaking point, Victoria's family staged an intervention—even though addiction was affecting multiple members of the family. That moment ultimately helped lead her toward treatment and recovery.

But just as Victoria reached one year clean, she experienced another devastating loss: the death of her mother.Today, Victoria reflects on everything she survived, how she continues to move forward, and what she wants people struggling with addiction and trauma to know.

This is a powerful conversation about survival, addiction, abuse, family, grief, and the strength it takes to rebuild your life.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

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I Was 8 Years Sober From Heroin... Then My Doctor Prescribed Me Klonopin & I Almost Relapsed | Ep 199 Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes turns the microphone around and interviews co-host Louis Essig about a chapter of his life he never expected to experience.

After years of sobriety from heroin addiction, Louis thought he had put his darkest days behind him. Then he landed what he considered his dream job and was prescribed benzodiazepines (benzos). What began as a legitimate prescription quickly became something much more difficult to control.

Louis opens up about the reality of benzodiazepine dependence, including the brutal withdrawal symptoms, restless legs, and the consequences that followed as his prescription began spiraling out of control. He explains how addiction can take unexpected forms—even after years of sobriety—and why being clean from one substance doesn't necessarily make someone immune to another addiction.

The episode also explores how Louis' benzo use became intertwined with gambling. What started as another outlet eventually created its own set of consequences, including getting caught gambling at a Pennsylvania casino.

Louis shares what it was like trying to detox from benzos on his own, the mistakes he made along the way, and the moment he realized he needed to take responsibility for what was happening.

In a unique twist, Aaron flips the script and puts Louis in the interviewer's seat, forcing him to confront some difficult questions about his experience and what he wants others to learn from it.

This is a brutally honest conversation about relapse, prescription medication, cross-addiction, gambling, and the reality that recovery is an ongoing journey.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

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Shooting Meth, Stealing Cars & Homeless in Cincinnati | Ep 199 Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Catherine White for a raw and unfiltered conversation about meth addiction, life on the streets, crime, homelessness, and the difficult journey toward recovery.

Catherine opens up about her childhood and the experiences that eventually led her toward substance use. When meth entered her life, things quickly began to change. She shares what happened when she progressed to shooting meth for the first time and how addiction began taking control of her decisions and relationships.

Her story takes another devastating turn when her boyfriend receives a life sentence for two murders. As Catherine's addiction continued to escalate, she became involved in stealing cars, including one incident where she discovered a gun inside a stolen vehicle. She also talks about stealing from UDF and facing a felony charge as the consequences of her addiction continued to pile up.

Catherine discusses her attempts at sober living and what life was really like trying to stay clean while still battling the pull of addiction. She also shares the story of leaving sober living, ending up in a rundown hotel, and stealing a running vehicle that she kept for an entire month.

The conversation doesn't shy away from the realities of addiction and homelessness. Catherine talks openly about the drugs she was using, how addiction affected her life, and what it was like trying to survive while homeless in Cincinnati.

Most importantly, Catherine shares where she is today and the lessons she has learned from everything she's been through. Her story is a reminder that even after addiction takes you to some of the darkest places imaginable, recovery and change are still possible.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

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How I Became a "Career Criminal" After Meth & Heroin Took Over My Life | Ep 197 Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Robbins for a raw conversation about growing up in crime, meth addiction, multiple prison sentences, and what it takes to finally break free from a life on the streets.

Andrew's struggles began at an early age. By just 14 years old, he was sentenced to juvenile detention for aggravated robbery, setting him on a path that would lead to years of incarceration and addiction. He reflects on how one decision after another pulled him deeper into the criminal justice system and made prison feel like a normal part of life.

As he got older, drugs became a major part of that lifestyle. Andrew shares the shocking story of using an entire gram of methamphetamine the very first time he tried it, a decision that accelerated his addiction almost immediately. He opens up about his first prison sentence, the violent realities of incarceration, and some of the most unforgettable things he witnessed behind bars.

Eventually, addiction escalated even further as he transitioned to intravenous drug use. Andrew discusses how much methamphetamine and heroin he was using every day, the physical and mental toll it took, and why escaping addiction felt nearly impossible.

Even after serving time, the cycle continued. He explains how he found himself back in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic and what it truly means to be labeled a "career criminal." More importantly, he challenges that label by sharing how recovery gave him the opportunity to rewrite his story.

Today, Andrew uses his past to encourage others who believe they're beyond saving. His message is proof that no matter how many mistakes you've made, your future doesn't have to be defined by your past.

This episode is a powerful conversation about addiction, incarceration, accountability, and redemption.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

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I Believe My Brother's Passing Was Covered Up... Then I Lost Myself to Coke & Perc 30's | Ep 196 Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Army veteran Andrew Robbins for a heartbreaking conversation about military service, family loss, addiction, and finding hope through faith and recovery.Andrew's journey began with a childhood that led him to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he hoped to build a meaningful future.

During his service, a parachuting accident left him seriously injured, introducing him to prescription opioid painkillers that would unknowingly change the course of his life.After leaving the military, Andrew returned home only to discover that his brother was battling a severe heroin addiction. As his family struggled to help him, Andrew watched addiction consume someone he loved. He shares the emotional toll of opening his home to his brother, witnessing overdoses firsthand, and the financial devastation addiction caused.The conversation takes a tragic turn as Andrew recounts the disappearance of his brother, filing missing persons reports, and the agonizing months of uncertainty before his brother was finally found. He opens up about learning how his brother died, reading the toxicology report, and the overwhelming grief that followed.

Unable to cope with the loss, Andrew's own addiction spiraled. Cocaine eventually gave way to counterfeit Percocet pills, and his life quickly unraveled. He discusses leaving a successful career, hitting rock bottom, and realizing he could no longer continue living the way he had.

Andrew shares how faith, the support of his church community, and a commitment to recovery helped him rebuild his life after unimaginable loss. Today, he uses his experiences to encourage others who are grieving, struggling with addiction, or searching for hope.This is a powerful conversation about loss, resilience, forgiveness, and discovering purpose after tragedy.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links and Merch: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

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📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

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I Was a Minister's Wife... Then I Started Selling Myself for Oxy 30s | Ep 195 Aug 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Kimberly Ferrizzi for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, faith, betrayal, and finding lasting recovery after losing everything.

Kimberly's story begins with what appeared to be a picture-perfect life. She married her grade-school sweetheart, who went on to become a minister, and together they built a family and a future. But behind closed doors, a prescription for migraines would unknowingly open the door to a devastating opioid addiction.

She shares how legitimate pain medication slowly became an obsession, leading her to manipulate prescriptions, seek out pill mills during the height of the opioid epidemic, and learn dangerous ways to misuse medications. As her addiction intensified, Kimberly found herself making choices she never imagined—including exchanging sex for pills and eventually selling herself simply to avoid withdrawal.

Kimberly speaks candidly about the humiliation, desperation, and emotional toll addiction took on her family. From stealing her own children's allowance to being arrested on Christmas Eve after her husband reached his breaking point, she reveals just how far addiction pushed her from the person she once was.

Even after entering treatment, the challenges didn't stop. Kimberly discusses navigating inappropriate situations during recovery, rebuilding her life from the ground up, and eventually finding love again while immersed in the biker community. She also reflects on the difference between simply abstaining from drugs and truly embracing recovery.

Today, Kimberly is living proof that redemption is possible. She shares the lessons she's learned, how recovery transformed every aspect of her life, and why she continues to tell her story to give hope to others still struggling.

This episode is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn't discriminate—and that no one is beyond the reach of recovery.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

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How I Lost My Leg, Started Selling Carfentanil & Got Addicted to Percs | Ep 194 Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Quan White for an unbelievable conversation about violence, addiction, incarceration, and finding purpose after surviving experiences that most people could never imagine.Quan;s story begins with unimaginable childhood trauma. At just a young age, he witnessed his mother shoot his father multiple times—an event that forever changed the course of his life. Growing up surrounded by violence, survival quickly became the only way he knew how to live.

As he entered the streets, Quan became caught in a cycle of crime and retaliation. He shares how he ended up facing an attempted murder charge, the dangers of living by the "no-snitch" code, and why street rules often create even more tragedy instead of protecting anyone.Not long after leaving prison, Quan survived another life-altering event when he was shot in the femoral artery. He opens up about nearly dying, almost accidentally shooting responding police officers during the chaos, and ultimately losing his leg as a result of his injuries.

The conversation also dives into the rise of prescription opioid addiction, pill mills, counterfeit pills, fentanyl, and the devastating impact these drugs have had on communities. Quan speaks candidly about selling dangerous substances, witnessing the deadly consequences of addiction, and the emotional burden of knowing how many lives were affected.He also reflects on a fatal car accident that changed his perspective, the crimes that led to more than five years in prison, and some of the unforgettable experiences he endured while incarcerated.

Today, Quan has chosen a different path. He discusses rebuilding his life, overcoming the obstacles of recovery, and why he continues to share his story to warn others about the realities of street life and addiction.

This is a powerful conversation about accountability, survival, redemption, and second chances.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

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My Twin Brother & I Were Born Addicted to Crack, Abused, and Human Trafficked | Ep 193 Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Kaylee Ferren for one of the most heartbreaking and inspiring stories ever shared on the show. From being born addicted to crack cocaine to surviving years of severe abuse, exploitation, addiction, and trafficking, Kaylee's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Kaylee and her twin brother entered the world already battling the effects of prenatal drug exposure and developmental challenges. Instead of finding safety, she endured unimaginable abuse throughout her childhood while living in foster care. She shares the horrific conditions she survived, the failures of the adults who were supposed to protect her, and the lasting trauma those experiences created.After eventually being removed from that environment, Kaylee continued to struggle with the emotional scars of her childhood. She opens up about self-harm, juvenile detention, and the mental health challenges that followed years of abuse.

As a young adult, drugs became a way to numb the pain.What began with marijuana quickly escalated to crack cocaine, leading Kaylee into a devastating cycle of addiction. After reconnecting with her biological mother, more family trauma surfaced, sending her even deeper into substance use. Eventually, her addiction left her vulnerable to being exploited and trafficked, forcing her into situations no one should ever have to endure.

Kaylee courageously shares how addiction and trafficking became intertwined, the violence she experienced, and the difficult choices she made simply to survive. She also discusses entering treatment, surviving an overdose, relapsing after leaving recovery, and what finally helped her break free from the cycle.

Today, Kaylee is rebuilding her life and using her story to bring hope to others who have experienced abuse, addiction, or exploitation. Her message is proof that even after unimaginable trauma, healing and recovery are possible.This is an emotional conversation about survival, resilience, and the power of never giving up.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

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From 6 DUIs on Quaaludes to Shooting Cocaine & Stealing From My Family's Business | Ep 192 Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Troy Sierer for a remarkable story of addiction, family, redemption, and long-term recovery.

Troy's addiction began during his junior year of high school when he was introduced to Quaaludes, a drug that quickly took control of his life. What started as experimenting with pills soon spiraled into a pattern of reckless behavior, including multiple DUIs before he was even out of his early twenties.

While working alongside his father in the family pizza business, Troy appeared to be building a successful future. Behind the scenes, however, addiction continued to escalate. He opens up about stealing from the family business, progressing to intravenous cocaine use, and the devastating impact addiction had on the people who loved him most.

Troy shares the shocking reality of injecting cocaine and crack cocaine, the desperation that comes with severe addiction, and the heartbreaking moment his father discovered his drug use. Faced with an ultimatum, Troy chose addiction over family, stealing from his father and disappearing before eventually reaching the point where he knew something had to change.

The conversation explores the moment surrender finally became possible, what early recovery looked like, and how Troy built a life that has stood the test of time. He also discusses the daily practices that helped him maintain sobriety, the principles he lives by, and how he endured the heartbreaking loss of his wife while remaining committed to recovery.

Today, Troy uses his experience to inspire others, proving that no matter how many mistakes you've made, it's never too late to rebuild your life.

This is a powerful conversation about accountability, forgiveness, and the life-changing power of recovery.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

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I Traveled the World to Escape Heroin... Just to Find Meth & Fentanyl | Ep 191 Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Chris Tudor for an incredible story of addiction, world travel, relapse, and the realization that no matter where you run, you can't outrun yourself.

Chris' struggles began early with juvenile detention and behavioral issues that hinted at a lifetime of chasing the next escape. After spending time at a recovery center as a young person, he believed he could leave addiction behind—but the patterns continued to follow him into adulthood.

Following his first felony stop, Chris enlisted in the U.S. Army hoping to build a better future. Instead, he found that his addictive behaviors simply shifted into different areas of his life. After leaving the military, he joined a traveling sales team before eventually building a successful career growing marijuana.On the outside, life looked promising—but behind the scenes, alcoholism and opioid addiction were taking over.

Chris shares how prescription OxyContin changed everything, leading him down what many knew as the "OXY Highway" before heroin completely consumed his life. In a desperate attempt to escape addiction, he moved to Detroit—once known for its massive heroin market—believing a change of scenery would somehow fix the problem.

When that didn't work, Chris took his search for sobriety across the globe.

From obtaining a work visa in New Zealand and experiencing opioid withdrawal on an international flight, to getting a DUI overseas and traveling through Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia in search of a fresh start, Chris discovered that geography couldn't solve what addiction had created.

After returning to Ohio, his addiction became even more severe. He survived a fentanyl overdose, hit rock bottom after nodding off around his daughter, and eventually found himself homeless while using both methamphetamine and fentanyl.Chris shares what finally led him to treatment, the lessons he learned from years of running from addiction, and why true recovery only began when he stopped trying to escape himself.This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't about finding a new place—it's about becoming a new person.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.