The Hopeaholics

Latest Episodes:

Wendy Grijalva: How Victim Shaming Changed Everything | The Hopeaholics Podcast Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Wendy Grijalva: How Victim Shaming Changed Everything | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Wendy Grijalva delivers a raw and inspiring exploration of her journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery. Wendy, celebrated for her impactful presence at a "Recover Out Loud" event, shares her story with vulnerability, detailing a childhood marked by feeling like the "black sheep" in a stable middle-class family, early physical development at age 9 that led to harassment, and a traumatic incident at 11 where she witnessed a fatal accident, sparking deep guilt. Her adolescence spiraled into rebellion, with her first heavy drinking and pregnancy in ninth grade, followed by a loss of her musical talents due to substance use. Wendy candidly discusses her struggles with perfectionism, fear of failure, and self-harm, which fueled her addiction, and the profound loss of her partner George to suicide, which left her grappling with blame and unresolved amends. In recovery, she embraces a spiritual practice centered on six pillars—breathing, gratitude, intentions, meditation, mindful movement, and eating—while emphasizing "progress not perfection" and the power of affirmations to rewire her mindset. Now transitioning to teaching meditation in recovery centers, Wendy sees her calling in helping others find peace through self-care, turning her pain into purpose. The episode weaves humor, raw emotion, and spiritual insights, highlighting the importance of humility, trust in a higher power, and service in overcoming addiction, making it a powerful testament to resilience and healing.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:18 - Overall Philosophy: Progress, Humility, and Service
00:03:49 - Struggles with Perfectionism, Fear of Failure, and Self-Harm
00:05:05 - Learning Humility in Recovery
00:05:54 - Daily Spiritual Practices: The "Six Pillars"
00:07:35 - Power of Words and Affirmations in Recovery
00:09:33 - "Act As If" in Recovery and Character Defects
00:12:06 - Loss of Musical Passion Due to Substance Use
00:13:12 - Impact of Mother’s Alcoholic Upbringing on Family Dynamics
00:13:33 - Early Childhood and Feeling Like the "Black Sheep"
00:15:37 - Developing Early and Facing Teasing/Harassment
00:16:47 - Traumatic Witness to a Fatal Accident at Age 11
00:18:07 - Ditching School and Early Negative Experiences
01:32:42 - Transition to Teaching Meditation in Recovery Centers
01:43:40 - Loss of Partner George to Suicide
01:50:31 - Turning Pain into Purpose for Others

Wade Muhlhauser: Plugged INTO Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Wade Muhlhauser: Plugged INTO Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this gripping episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, the CEO of Plugged In Recovery, Wade Muhlhauser, shares his remarkable journey from homelessness and a 20-year struggle with opioid addiction to founding a network of 14 sober living homes and a treatment center in Arizona. Wade candidly discusses his chaotic childhood in foster care, shaped by his father’s meth addiction, and his own spiral into alcoholism and OxyContin dependency, driven by a delusion that painkillers boosted his performance, inspired by artists like Lil Wayne. He reflects on multiple relapses, the transformative power of faith, and how divine timing and key relationships fueled the creation of Plugged In Recovery. Now working alongside his redeemed father, Wade’s story underscores the universal potential for recovery, the need for extended treatment stays, and his vision to spark a ripple effect in the recovery community, making this episode a powerful ode to resilience and redemption.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:04:00 - From Homelessness in Arizona to CEO
00:07:16 - Essence of Recovery and Comeback Stories
00:10:41 - Purpose as Rent for Sobriety
00:11:18 - Early Life Trauma and Family Addiction
00:13:03 - Childhood in Foster Care and Meth Exposure
00:15:15 - First Drink and Progression to Pills
00:18:03 - High School Struggles and First Relapse
00:24:00 - Multiple Relapses and Treatment Attempts
00:45:00 - Building Plugged In Recovery Sober Livings
00:58:06 - God's Role in Business Success
01:08:57 - Transition to Treatment Center and Legacy

Phil "Wildcard" Andrade: Spitting Truth After Rock Bottom | The Hopeaholics Podcast #264 Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Phil "Wildcard" Andrade: Spitting Truth After Rock Bottom | The Hopeaholics Podcast #264
Phil Andrade, known as Wildcard, for a raw and inspiring conversation about his journey from addiction to artistic triumph! A rapper and filmmaker with a 20-year career, Phil shares how his love for music was ignited by influences like Oingo Boingo, Black Sabbath, and Guns N’ Roses, shaped by his creative upbringing and his grandfather’s encouragement to write poetry and stories. From his turbulent teens, marked by anger, expulsion from school, and a national TV appearance as an alcoholic at 16, to his struggles with paranoia and addiction in the LA rap scene and Spokane, Washington, Phil’s story is one of grit and redemption. He recounts haunting moments, like picking up the “Suicide King” card in a trap house, which became a symbol of his past life, and how sobriety has unlocked a new level of creativity, with monthly singles and music videos that inspire others to stay clean. Phil also opens up about the profound impact of his music, with fans crediting him for their own sobriety journeys, and his mission to honor loved ones lost to addiction, like Kim, whose name lives on in his work. Packed with humor, heart, and real talk about recovery, this episode explores the power of following your intuition, taking action on dreams, and creating your own reality.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:01:57 - Explanation of Nickname Wild Card
00:04:17 - Connection with Ricky Mars and LA Rap Scene
00:04:32 - Moving to Spokane and Life There
00:05:09 - Loving Spokane and Music Acceptance
00:09:10 - Longevity in Music Career
00:09:13 - Falling in Love with Music and Early Influences
00:10:17 - Sent to Boys Home and National TV Appearance
00:10:52 - Family Background and Anger Issues
00:13:26 - Early Addiction to Alcohol and Progression
00:45:40 - Impact of Music on Sobriety Journeys
00:46:16 - Message Through Art and Following Dreams

Adam Larkin: Taking the Sober Risk | The Hopeaholics Podcast Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Adam Larkin: Taking the Sober Risk | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this inspiring episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, hosts Natalie and Chad welcome back Adam Larkin, a recovering addict turned entrepreneur, who shares his transformative journey from a 17-year struggle with opioid and benzodiazepine addiction to building a thriving life of sobriety and purpose. Adam details his pivotal "God thing" moment in Kentucky, where he discarded drugs and committed to recovery, leading to detox, sober living, and learning construction in Indiana. He discusses the success of his clothing brand, GITT Apparel, now in 41 states and three continents, inspired by the motivational phrase "Get in the Truck." Adam also highlights his sobriety date of May 7, 2019, his fiancée’s new women’s treatment center in Harlan, Kentucky, and his upcoming projects, including a podcast and autobiography titled To Hell and Back: From Addiction to Acceleration. Through candid reflections on his traumatic past, including a fatal car accident at 19, and his current roles as Chief Marketing Officer for New Hope Counseling and Recovery and a social media consultant, Adam’s story underscores resilience, the power of positive influences, and the importance of giving back, culminating in his plans for the fourth annual GITT Recovery Celebration, where he’ll give away a car to someone in early recovery.
Check out GITT Apparel:
https://www.gittlive.com/
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:49 - The Origin of "Get in the Truck" and Entrepreneurial Shift
00:04:06 - Rock Bottom and Decision to Get Sober
00:04:30 - Detox and Early Recovery Challenges
00:06:27 - Sober Living and Life Rebuild
00:07:35 - Sobriety Date and Family Background
00:08:08 - Traumatic Car Accident and Addiction Trigger
00:13:16 - Maintaining Sobriety Through Positive Activities
00:18:03 - Meeting His Fiancée and Her Influence
00:45:41 - Future Plans: Podcast and Autobiography
00:46:46 - Advocating for Himself and Expunging Record
00:58:06 - Fourth Annual GITT Recovery Celebration

Richard Macias: The Warpath to Redemption | The Hopeaholics Podcast Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Richard Macias: The Warpath to Redemption | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Growing up in San Bernardino County, Richard was exposed to alcohol as early as five years old, leading to years of substance abuse, run-ins with the law, and a lifestyle that strained his marriage and family. His breaking point came the day he returned home to find his wife and children gone—a moment that drove him to his knees in desperate prayer and sparked his complete surrender to sobriety. From there, he channeled his addictive tendencies into fitness, faith, and personal growth, losing over 100 pounds, rebuilding trust with his wife—who also embraced sobriety—and transforming their home into one free from alcohol. In this conversation, Richard shares how he turned his redemption into a mission, founding Warpath Fitness to help men break destructive cycles through health, accountability, and mindset work. Raw, honest, and deeply inspiring, his story shows that no matter how dark the past, a life of purpose, discipline, and lasting change is possible.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICS for 10% off!
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:06 - Born in Santa Monica, Raised in San Bernardino
00:04:22 - First Drink at Five, Liking the Altered Feeling
00:05:15 - Progression to Weed at Age 12
00:06:10 - Trying Cocaine at Age 15
00:08:00 - Joining Marines at Age 18
00:12:05 - Multiple DUIs and Relapses
00:13:45 - Rock Bottom with Fentanyl Overdose
00:15:20 - Recovery Through 12-Step Program
00:17:55 - Music Career as Riggy Marz
00:25:00 - Rebuilding Life Through Sobriety and Music
00:29:30 - Finding Purpose in Recovery Community
00:32:15 - Training at Gym to Support Mental Health
00:35:02 - Partnering with Rain Warriors for Fitness Program
01:06:15 - Planning Collaborative Music Projects

Gabe Cohen: Creating a Legacy Through Lived Experience | The Hopeaholics Podcast Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Gabe Cohen: Creating a Legacy Through Lived Experience | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Gabe, a former convict turned recovery warrior whose unrelenting passion to save lives has transformed communities and inspired his powerful book, a guide for building recovery organizations from the ground up. Starting with no experience, no money, and no building, Gabe’s journey from addiction’s grip to founding a thriving nonprofit in Colorado is a testament to resilience, faith, and the belief that helping just one person can change the world. He shares raw stories of overcoming relapse risks after years of sobriety, securing his first grant to expand services, and partnering with prisons to support inmates’ recovery, all while navigating the challenges of nonprofit management and board conflicts that tested his resolve. Gabe’s spiritual awakening and “it’s only a moment” mindset shine through as he discusses balancing family time with his mission to serve, from mentoring youth to traveling 200 miles to reach those in need. His book, born from lessons learned through trial and error, offers a roadmap for anyone dreaming of starting a recovery community, with plans to expand his impact through global consulting. Tune in for an inspiring, faith-fueled story of redemption, practical wisdom for recovery advocates, and a call to dream big and serve boldly, proving that one person’s purpose can ignite hope worldwide.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICS for 10% off!
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:01:40 - Introducing Book as Guide for Recovery Organizations
00:02:25 - Inspired to Write Book to Help Others in Recovery
00:03:09 - Overcoming Addiction with Spiritual Awakening
00:04:37 - Starting Nonprofit with No Experience or Funding
00:06:12 - Facing Relapse Risk After Years of Sobriety
00:08:22 - Building Community Center for Youth and Recovery
00:12:09 - Learning Nonprofit Management Through Trial and Error
00:15:47 - Securing First Grant to Expand Recovery Services
00:18:34 - Partnering with Prisons to Support Inmate Recovery
00:23:18 - Emphasizing Faith as Core to Personal Healing
00:27:30 - Navigating Board Conflicts in Nonprofit Growth
00:35:58 - Advocating for Peer Support in Addiction Recovery
00:50:43 - Planning to Transition into Recovery Consulting
01:02:12 - Feeling Trapped by Grant Demands and Family Time

Kristen Domke: Military Mental Health is Broken | The Hopeaholics Podcast Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Kristen Domke: Military Mental Health is Broken | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this deeply emotional and brutally honest episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, we sit down with Kristen Domke—an Air Force veteran, personal trainer, and survivor—whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. Kristen opens up about the emotional toll of serving in the military, including multiple deployments, witnessing unimaginable trauma, surviving military sexual assault, and battling intense mental health struggles that led to multiple suicide attempts. Her story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and redemption. After years of numbing pain through alcohol, losing her identity as a military police officer, and feeling completely alone, Kristen finally reached a breaking point—and then, miraculously, a breakthrough. Through intensive treatment, therapy, a renewed connection with faith, and the support of a recovery community, Kristen found the strength to rebuild her life and start healing from the inside out. She talks candidly about how hard it was to ask for help, what recovery really means beyond just sobriety, and how fitness, faith, and setting boundaries helped her find purpose again.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICS for 10% off!
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:59 - Joining the Air Force at 19 After College Struggles
00:04:09 - Serving as Security for President Obama in Africa
00:07:57 - Advocating for Herself in Mental Health Treatment
00:09:34 - Facing Family Loss and Addiction Challenges in Ohio
00:18:36 - Retraining as a Physical Therapy Assistant
00:24:38 - Achieving Sobriety at Behavioral Health Facility
00:27:30 - Embracing Recovery and Advocacy Through Faith
00:28:44 - Finding Strength in a Supportive Faith Community
00:32:08 - Working with a Direct Sponsor for Accountability
00:35:58 - Processing Trauma Through EMDR Therapy
00:50:43 - Turning Pain into Purpose to Help Others
00:58:03 - Rediscovering the Will to Live in Recovery
01:06:33 - Celebrating Four Months Sober on March 20, 2025
01:10:59 - Planning a New Business Venture Post-Military

Michael Henderson: Cultivating The Wolfpak Mentality | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Michael Henderson: Cultivating The Wolfpak Mentality | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Dive into the awe-inspiring journey of Michael Henderson, a true titan of resilience who turned life’s darkest moments into a blazing legacy. Once a powerhouse automotive executive commanding ten collision centers and millions in revenue, Michael faced a seismic stage three testicular cancer diagnosis that shook his world. Undaunted, he battled excruciating pain, grueling five-hour daily chemo sessions, and a life-threatening blood clot in his jugular, all while keeping his struggle hidden from colleagues to remain the steadfast provider for his family. Forged in a childhood without parents, navigating life among relatives, and stepping up to take custody of his younger sister, Michael cultivated an unstoppable “lone wolf” mentality that powered his “it’s only a moment” philosophy to conquer adversity. At 45, this life-altering disruption sparked a fearless vision to abandon his high-flying career and launch WolfPak, a family-fueled brand that skyrocketed from a garage to the iconic former Hurley building in Costa Mesa. With his wife mastering Adobe Illustrator to craft stunning bag designs, his daughters creating the iconic wolf logo and shining as brand models, and his eight-year-old son growing up amidst SpongeBob-branded creations, Michael’s family turned his dream into a global sensation. WolfPak’s innovative, personalized bags—born from his daughters’ passion for self-expression—carry not just gear but powerful stories of triumph, resonating with athletes and dreamers worldwide. From teaching himself e-commerce through relentless YouTube and podcast binges to celebrating WolfPak’s first order (a lone wolf patch) and outpacing competitors in just five years, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in grit and vision. His rallying cry—“Don’t stop; take action daily to seize your dreams, no matter the odds”—will ignite your soul and push you to chase your purpose with unwavering courage.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Use code HOPEAHOLICS for 10% off to join the WolfPak!
https://www.wolfpak.com
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:01:11 - Explaining Wolf Pack Name from Personal Story
00:02:29 - Receiving Stage Three Cancer Diagnosis
00:03:23 - Ignoring Initial Cancer Symptoms for Months
00:05:29 - Processing Diagnosis in Gym Parking Lot
00:06:07 - Adopting "It’s Only a Moment" Mindset
00:07:10 - Enduring Grueling Chemo and Blood Clot
00:08:10 - Keeping Cancer Secret from Work
00:14:01 - Developing Lone Wolf Mentality in Childhood
00:15:18 - Taking Custody of Younger Sister
00:21:09 - Questioning Life’s Purpose Post-Diagnosis
00:23:18 - Creating Personalized Wolf Pack Bags
00:27:12 - Daughter Designing Wolf Pack Logo
00:31:06 - Facing No Orders After Website Launch
01:13:36 - Highlighting Athletes’ Hardship Stories
01:14:18 - Encouraging Persistence in Chasing Dreams
01:17:55 - Introducing "Face Your Demons" Bag
01:46:08 - Urging Listeners to Take Action Daily

Paul Hutchinson: How Do We END Child Trafficking? | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Paul Hutchinson: How Do We END Child Trafficking? | The Hopeaholics Podcast

Paul Hutchinson, a former real estate tycoon turned global anti-child trafficking advocate whose courageous journey inspired the hit film Sound of Freedom. Once a billionaire managing over $20 billion in assets with a lavish lifestyle marked by ego, greed, and addiction, Paul’s life took a dramatic turn when he was recruited to fund and lead a historic child rescue mission in Colombia, saving 124 children in a single day. Over a decade, he spearheaded over 70 undercover operations across 15 countries, confronting the darkest corners of humanity while grappling with his own inner demons. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Paul opens up about his past as “Paul f***ing Hutchinson,” living a life of excess with mansions, private jets, and parties, until a transformative healing retreat using psilocybin helped him confront childhood trauma and rebuild his spiritual connection, moving him from self-destruction to purpose-driven service. He shares alarming truths about the U.S. as the world’s top consumer of child pornography, the link between unhealed trauma and addiction, and how most traffickers were once victims themselves. Offering hope, Paul emphasizes practical solutions like daily prayer with loved ones to strengthen relationships and actionable steps to break generational curses, urging listeners to heal the “hell out of humanity” to end the demand for exploitation. Through his Child Liberation Foundation and Liberating Humanity platform, Paul continues to rescue children, advocate for trauma recovery, and guide others toward spiritual alignment.

Get your copy of "The Sound of Freedom: True Stories that Inspired the Film" here:
https://www.soundoffreedombook.com/
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:03:07 - First Major Child Rescue in Colombia
00:05:23 - Sound of Freedom Combines Eight Missions
00:09:22 - Past Driven by Ego and Lust
00:10:41 - Greed and Lust Fuel Trafficking
00:16:03 - Tense Delay During Sting Operation
00:18:05 - Vow to Fight Child Trafficking
00:24:47 - Prayer in Haiti to Find Children
00:29:18 - Stats on Childhood Sexual Abuse
00:36:03 - Trauma Linked to Addiction
00:44:04 - Healing Retreat for Personal Change
00:47:40 - Psilocybin Aids Trauma Healing
00:50:31 - Ripple Effect of Actions Realized
01:01:10 - Healing Perpetrators to Stop Trafficking
01:12:00 - Daily Prayer Strengthens Relationships

Dr. Sayeh Beheshti: Unveiling the Conscious Feminine | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Sayeh Beheshti: Unveiling the Conscious Feminine | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Sit down with Dr. Sayeh Beheshti, a psychiatrist whose extraordinary path from Silicon Valley software engineer to mental health advocate will inspire and uplift. Born in Iran, she immigrated to the U.S. at 16 after the Iranian Revolution and war closed universities, forcing her family to seek educational opportunities abroad. Facing cultural shock and emotional struggles, she leaned on her family’s resilience, later pivoting from a tech career—halted by a disabling repetitive strain injury—to medicine, where she discovered her true calling in psychiatry during medical school rotations. Dr. Beheshti opens up about the burnout she faced battling insurance companies’ restrictive policies while treating addiction for over a decade, sharing heartbreaking realities of the fentanyl crisis that claims lives daily, like the Stanford student who unknowingly took a laced Adderall. Her passion for conscious feminism shines through as she discusses her upcoming books, which explore restoring balance between feminine and masculine energies to heal individuals and societies, addressing how suppressed emotions fuel addiction and how awareness can break these cycles. With a spirituality rooted in the statistical marvels of genetics, she advocates for simple, powerful practices like five daily conscious breaths and intentional self-love acts—such as savoring a coffee outdoors or journaling—to ground listeners in their bodies and foster inner peace.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:01:35 - Transitioning from Software Engineering to Medicine
00:03:57 - Discovering Passion for Psychiatry
00:05:15 - Describing Abusive Medical School Work Hours
00:08:00 - Gaining Intuitive Diagnostic Skills
00:10:08 - Recalling Emotional Struggles as a Teenage Immigrant to the U.S.
00:12:09 - Entering Software Engineering Due to Silicon Valley’s Influence
00:13:17 - Fleeing Iran for Educational Opportunities After Revolution
00:16:24 - Introducing Conscious Feminism
00:19:22 - Explaining Shadow Behaviors Like Silent Treatment
00:25:37 - Advocating Compassionate Responses to Online Hate
00:29:52 - Defining Feminine and Masculine Energies
00:35:34 - Linking Suppressed Emotions to Addiction
00:37:14 - Expressing Burnout from Insurance Companies’ Barriers
00:49:14 - Finding Spirituality in Science
01:02:34 - Recommending Daily Conscious Breaths and Self-Love Practices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected