The Hopeaholics

Latest Episodes:

Patrick Belliveau & Ryan Burgio: Gambit's AI Tool to Fight Addiction | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Patrick Belliveau & Ryan Burgio: Gambit's AI Tool to Fight Addiction | The Hopeaholics Podcast

Dive into a powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast with Pat and Ryan, the visionary founders of Gambit, a company revolutionizing conversational AI to tackle real-world challenges like addiction and mental health support. This episode explores their journey of building the world’s first AI tool designed to provide 24/7, non-judgmental guidance for those battling addiction, their loved ones, and anyone seeking personal growth. Pat, five months sober after a struggle with alcohol that nearly cost him his business and life, shares raw moments, like choosing to engage with their AI instead of a bottle of bourbon, finding solace in its empathetic responses. Ryan, who never faced addiction himself, reveals how Gambit’s AI helped him navigate tough conversations to support Pat, strengthening their partnership and deepening his understanding of the disease. Driven by the tragic loss of a loved one to fentanyl, their mission at GambitCo—blending cutting-edge technology with human-like empathy—aims to transform lives.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Check out the website we made with Gambit:
https://www.chaddict.com
https://www.askevamarie.com
Visit https://gambitco.io/ to learn more about this software & how they're revolutionizing what it means to seek help in the mental health & addiction treatment industry.
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:
00:05:01 - Sharing Sobriety Struggles and Need for Constant Support
00:06:24 - Emphasizing Non-Judgmental Support in AI Tool
00:07:10 - Highlighting AI’s Role in Scaling Support for Recovery
00:12:48 - Confronting Drinking’s Impact on Business Partnership
00:13:37 - Using AI Tool to Understand Addiction Communication
00:14:26 - Learning to Preserve Strengths in Recovery Process
00:15:33 - Recognizing AI’s Value for Supporting Loved Ones
00:18:51 - Choosing AI Chat Over Drinking Bourbon
00:19:20 - Feeling Validated by AI’s Non-Judgmental Response
00:23:04 - Describing Emotional Depth in Building AI Personalities
00:31:32 - Redirecting Urges Through AI Conversation
00:32:22 - Reflecting on Lack of Off-Switch in Addiction
00:34:13 - Advocating for Environmental Changes in Support
00:35:10 - Finding Personal Growth Through AI Interaction
00:44:28 - Recalling Sobriety Turning Point After Confrontation

Stephen "Riggy Marz" Melnick: The Medicine of Music | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Stephen "Riggy Marz" Melnick: The Medicine of Music | The Hopeaholics Podcast
From a privileged upbringing in a musical, artsy family in Pasadena to a decades-long battle with addiction, Stephen shares his harrowing journey through heroin, meth, and fentanyl, surviving over 50 overdoses, including a devastating one on his son’s birthday that left him confronting the profound impact of his actions on his family. Now, at 38, with three months sober as of April 2025, Stephen opens up about the cycles of relapse, the transformative power of the 12 steps, and the pivotal role music plays in his recovery. Signed to The Orchard/Sony ATV, he channels his pain and hope into his art, creating authentic tracks that resonate with those fighting their own demons. Tune in to hear how Stephen turned his darkest moments—marked by jail, loss, and near-death experiences—into a higher purpose, inspiring others to find light in the chaos of addiction.
#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:
00:04:22 - Relapsing After Three Years of Sobriety
00:05:14 - In and Out of Recovery Since Age 15
00:06:28 - Finding Hope Through 12-Step Work
00:06:58 - Surviving Nine Fentanyl Overdoses
00:08:08 - Transitioning from Heroin to Crack Use
00:09:05 - Relapses Tied to Relationships and Kratom
00:10:27 - Struggling with Compulsive Behaviors
00:14:10 - Expulsion from Boarding School for Drug Use
00:15:18 - First Exposure to AA at Age 15
00:17:39 - Music Career Taking Off in Sobriety
00:26:05 - Realizing Impact of Actions on Family
00:30:06 - Surviving Over 50 Overdoses
01:00:47 - Valuing Artistic Independence
01:02:34 - Seeking Longevity Over Trends
01:04:48 - Music as Healing Therapy
01:06:33 - Staying Authentic in Art
01:11:10 - Sponsoring Others in Recovery
01:12:26 - Reflecting on Relapse and Redemption

Satch Selden: Surviving The Mirror and Embracing Yourself | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Satch Selden: Surviving The Mirror and Embracing Yourself | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this riveting episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Satch Selden, a resilient advocate for recovery with ten years of sobriety as of March 6, 2015, lays bare his transformative journey from a harrowing battle with heroin addiction to confronting a life-threatening eating disorder, offering profound insights into the intersections of addiction, trauma, and self-worth. Adopted into a supportive family by his biological aunt after his heroin- and crack-addicted biological mother gave him up, Satch grew up with material abundance but grappled with deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, exacerbated by his experiences as a gay man navigating transactional relationships and a past as an escort. His addiction led him to 27 rehab stints, culminating in a near-fatal overdose in a San Angelo motel, where a pivotal moment of maternal support sparked his commitment to sobriety. Despite achieving a decade of sobriety, Satch faced a new challenge with a severe eating disorder, losing 30 pounds dangerously and requiring a 60-day residential treatment program in October of the previous year, followed by a four-month intensive program, where he confronted body dysmorphia and learned to reframe his self-perception through therapy and 12-step principles. Now a professor in the recovery field and a beacon of hope, Satch shares his story with raw honesty, detailing how his gastric sleeve surgery complications in 2022 nearly cost him his life, yet fueled his determination to embrace nourishment and fitness healthily, guided by a steadfast sponsor and a vibrant sober roommate who infuses his life with humor and support.
#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:
00:01:13 - Celebrating Ten Years Sober
00:03:04 - Eating Disorder Threatening Sobriety
00:04:25 - Losing 30 Pounds Dangerously
00:05:28 - Linking Body Dysmorphia to Addiction
00:06:50 - Checking into Eating Disorder Treatment
00:08:13 - Uncovering Adoption-Related Trauma
00:10:26 - Questioning Worth in Relationships
00:12:10 - Caught Exercising Secretly in Treatment
00:13:11 - Feeling Like a Newcomer Despite Sobriety
00:16:00 - Recommitting to Service Work
00:20:40 - Surviving a Near-Fatal Heroin Overdose
00:22:21 - Mother’s Support Ignites Sobriety
00:28:17 - Facing Life-Threatening Surgery Complications
01:04:16 - Balancing Gym and Eating Disorder Recovery
01:08:17 - Reframing Irrational Thoughts
01:14:50 - Reconnecting with Sober Roommate
01:19:16 - Finding Solution in Mixed AA Meetings
01:24:15 - Embracing Worthiness Through Nourishment

Adam Jablin: Harnessing Compulsions to Fuel Passions | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Adam Jablin: Harnessing Compulsions to Fuel Passions | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Adam Jablin, a recovery advocate, author, and creator of the Rewiring Addiction Loops Masterclass, shares his transformative journey from addiction to nearly two decades of sobriety, offering raw insights into overcoming personal struggles and embracing spiritual growth. Growing up as the self-described “fat kid” in New Jersey and later Boca Raton, Florida, Adam faced relentless bullying that fueled his extroverted, people-pleasing personality and eventual descent into substance abuse, starting with alcohol and escalating to speed by eighth grade, which temporarily masked his insecurities by transforming him into the “most attractive kid” in ninth grade. Despite achieving outward success with a multimillion-dollar business and family life, Adam’s internal turmoil led to a profound emotional rock bottom, marked by existential despair and a confrontation with his ex-wife, who orchestrated a life-changing intervention with professional Michael Walsh. At the Hanley Center, Adam’s encounter with a Catholic Priest and a striking UV light demonstration of invisible fingerprints sparked a spiritual awakening, shifting his view of God from an angry, judgmental figure to a loving force, aligning with his Jewish roots and newfound belief in a compassionate higher power. Now, with 19 years of sobriety, Adam channels his experiences into his New York Times bestselling self-published book, co-authored with his mentor, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with 56 years sober, and inspires others through his masterclass, emphasizing tools like “move a muscle, change a thought” to quiet the negative inner voice and live in alignment with pure motives.
#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:
00:02:01 - Mind, Body, Soul Approach to Recovery
00:03:09 - Finding a Loving God in Recovery
00:05:06 - Growing Up as the Fat Kid
00:06:47 - Gratitude for Childhood Struggles
00:08:26 - Overcoming the Fat Kid Complex
00:09:12 - Moving to Florida and Body Image Struggles
00:09:45 - Transforming Through Fitness
00:10:52 - Early Substance Use with Older Kids
00:11:34 - Crossing the Line into Addiction
00:12:45 - Early Drug Use and Weight Loss
00:16:07 - High-Functioning Addiction
00:18:07 - Facade of Success Hiding Inner Pain
00:18:51 - Hitting Rock Bottom Emotionally
00:19:55 - Entering Hanley Center for Treatment
00:20:43 - Intervention by Ex-Wife and Michael Walsh
00:21:00 - Learning About Spiritual Fitness
00:22:37 - Meeting Father Ron Bhatia
00:24:18 - Spiritual Awakening with UV Light Demonstration
01:13:01 - New York Times Bestselling Book
01:14:04 - Shifting View of Success to Internal Fulfillment
01:16:00 - Gratitude for Not Getting What He Deserves
01:18:55 - God Tracks Heart, Not Time
01:24:54 - Quieting the Negative Inner Voice
01:26:27 - Move a Muscle, Change a Thought
01:30:17 - Listening to the Quiet Voice of Love

Ocean Eagle: Embracing Our Traumas Through Breathwork | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Ocean Eagle: Embracing Our Traumas Through Breathwork | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this riveting episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Ocean Eagle, a recovery advocate, author, and breathwork facilitator, shares his profound journey from a traumatic childhood to over 25 years of sobriety and spiritual awakening. Born in Palo Alto and raised across California and Texas amidst the chaos of alcoholic parents, Ocean survived a violent upbringing marked by his father’s abuse and the loss of his brother to a tragic car accident at 22. After totaling four cars and earning three DUIs by age 25, Ocean hit rock bottom, triggered by a confrontation with his father’s disapproval during a quadruple bypass recovery. This pivotal moment led him to Alcoholics Anonymous in Burbank, where a heartfelt embrace from a stranger sparked his commitment to sobriety at 30. Now 56, Ocean has transformed his pain into purpose, having facilitated 16 women’s and veterans’ retreats, authored seven books, including The Gift of Desperation, and developed a powerful breathwork practice to help others heal trauma. He candidly discusses overcoming three sober divorces, raising four children, and embracing his spiritual calling as “Ocean Eagle,” a name gifted during a transformative retreat. Ocean’s message, “Judging mistakes hides life’s beauty,” resonates as he guides others to balance masculine and feminine energies and release past wounds.
#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:
00:01:15 - Childhood Trauma and Moving to Texas
00:02:07 - Brother’s Death in Car Accident
00:02:30 - Achieving Sobriety with Mother
00:03:14 - Struggles with DUIs and Addiction
00:04:18 - Brother’s Violent Past and Death
00:05:24 - Healing Through Emotional Work
00:06:16 - Leading Women’s and Veterans’ Retreats
00:08:25 - Cord-Cutting Ceremony for Father
00:09:20 - Hitting Rock Bottom with Father
00:10:11 - First AA Meeting and Embrace
00:14:07 - Owning Role in Three Divorces
00:16:27 - Pain Thresholds in Recovery
00:18:06 - Sponsor’s Tough Love Approach
00:20:02 - Connecting Through Vulnerability
00:23:19 - Marrying into Toxic Second Marriage
00:25:01 - Strained Relationship with Daughter
00:26:17 - Transforming Trauma into Superpower
00:27:20 - Witnessing Father’s Abuse of Mother
01:08:48 - Spiritual Awakening as Ocean Eagle
01:14:44 - Ecstatic Dance and Emotional Release
01:25:03 - Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energies
01:28:11 - Addressing Pornography’s Harmful Impact

Sunnie Ray: sMothered in Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Sunnie Ray: sMothered in Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholic Podcast, Sunnie Ray, a dynamic reality TV personality, entrepreneur, author, and passionate advocate for recovery and animal welfare, opens up about her extraordinary journey through addiction, trauma, and triumph. Best known for her heartfelt appearance on TLC’s sMothered, where she highlighted her close relationship with her mother, Eva, Sunnie has built a multifaceted career as a stand-up comedian, radio host, and the host of The Sunnie Ray Show on Amazon, produced by Nerd Thug Radio. Having survived two overdoses before age 21 and battled postpartum depression exacerbated by prescription drugs like Xanax, Sunnie faced multiple relapses before achieving sobriety on Valentine’s Day—a milestone she credits to divine timing. This pivotal moment inspired her to write a book, released on her sobriety anniversary, and to establish Rewind, a nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare. Raised in a household blending three major religions—Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam—Sunnie grappled with a sense of isolation and childhood trauma that shaped her early years, including incidents that left her in fear. Despite enduring profound losses, including the suicide of a friend of 24 years and multiple deaths linked to substance abuse, Sunnie’s resilience shines through as she channels her experiences into advocacy, making recovery relatable and inspiring.
#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:
00:02:46 - Struggles with Sobriety and Shame
00:04:36 - Podcast’s Role in Recovery
00:05:33 - Cutting Off Toxic Relationships
00:06:33 - Choosing Sobriety on Valentine’s Day
00:08:33 - Impact of Shane’s Message
00:09:17 - Rejection from Other Podcasts
00:16:19 - Childhood Religious Divide
00:17:45 - Childhood Trauma and Fear
00:20:05 - Feeling Like an Outsider
00:20:49 - Surviving Overdoses
00:21:36 - Postpartum and Prescription Drugs
00:28:40 - Judgment of Addicts
00:54:21 - Writing Her Book and Sobriety Milestone

Kristina Padilla: A Rainbow Person’s Journey to Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Kristina Padilla: A Rainbow Person’s Journey to Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this engaging episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Kristina Padilla, a passionate recovery advocate and dual doctorate candidate, who shares their compelling journey from gang involvement and personal challenges to becoming a transformative figure in mental health and addiction recovery. Kristina discusses their experiences with domestic violence, coming out as a same-gender-loving person, and raising their daughter through artificial insemination, while advocating for diverse recovery pathways, including their innovative concept of metaphysical recovery. They also highlight their advocacy work, including lobbying in Washington, DC, for improved addiction treatment policies and addressing systemic issues like insurance delays and unethical rehab practices, delivered with charisma and a call for non-judgmental, human-centered support.
#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:
00:03:03 - Navigating Dating and Identity
00:06:45 - Addressing Domestic Violence and Accountability
00:09:42 - FBI Citizens Academy and Anti-Trafficking Advocacy
00:12:42 - Sharing Marriage and Divorce Experience
00:13:52 - Journey to Parenthood via Artificial Insemination
00:16:48 - Educational Achievements and Career Path
00:19:25 - Coming Out and Early Gang Involvement
00:20:47 - Encountering Past in Prison Work
01:05:41 - Proposing Metaphysical Recovery Pathways
01:15:15 - Lobbying for Policy Change
01:22:36 - Critiquing Unqualified Rehab Operators

Sonny Von Cleveland: Vocalizing Our Pain to Heal | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Sonny Von Cleveland: Vocalizing Our Pain to Heal | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Sonny Von Cleveland—a man who turned a life marked by profound trauma into a beacon of hope and redemption. From a childhood scarred by molestation beginning at age three, a felony charge at seven, and a harrowing prison sentence at 16, Sonny’s story is one of survival against unimaginable odds. He opens up about enduring a violent prison environment, including a brutal assault in his first week, and how he adopted a gang mentality to survive, only to face a pivotal moment in solitary confinement in 2004 after a drug-fueled crime spree landed him back behind bars. A mentor’s persistent question—“Why are you so angry?”—sparked a 19-month transformation, teaching Sonny emotional intelligence, forgiveness, and the power of vocalizing pain through writing forgiveness letters and reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Emerging from prison in 2016 at age 35, Sonny built a music career, signed with Ferocious Records, and later pivoted to YouTube success, only to face new challenges, including betrayal and the loss of his channel. Now married to a woman he met through a podcast, Sonny runs Frisky Business, the only cat café in the Coachella Valley, and the Von Cleveland Foundation, while speaking at schools and juvenile halls to break cycles of abuse. He shares his upcoming 22-city U.S. tour, “Conversations of Redemption,” starting July 1, where he’ll explore city traumas and invite people to share their stories, partnered with Operation Light Shine to combat child sex abuse material. This episode is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience, showing that no matter how dark the past, healing is possible through vulnerability and purpose.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #addictionrecoverypodcast #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:
00:02:34 - Feeling Trapped in a Cycle of Crime
00:03:02 - Traumatic Childhood and Early Abuse
00:04:16 - Strained Relationship with His Mother
00:05:09 - Early Criminal Record at Age Seven
00:07:00 - Brother’s Downward Spiral and Separation
00:08:02 - Prison Trauma and Survival Tactics
00:10:35 - Chaos in Privatized Youth Facility
00:12:12 - Mentored by a Seasoned Criminal
00:13:23 - Betrayal by Brother and Son’s Mother
00:16:21 - Turning Point in Solitary Confinement
00:18:45 - Learning Emotional Intelligence
00:19:28 - Writing as a Healing Tool
00:21:15 - Crafting Genuine Forgiveness Letters
00:23:24 - Teaching “Thinking for a Change” Program
00:25:32 - Leaving the Gang Life
00:40:20 - Music Career and Temptations
00:42:58 - YouTube Success and Relationship Struggles
00:45:24 - Meeting His Wife and Building a New Life
00:48:11 - Founding the Von Cleveland Foundation
00:49:46 - Upcoming 22-City Healing Tour
00:52:13 - Partnering with Operation Light Shine

Caleb Watson: Suffering in Silence | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Caleb Watson: Suffering in Silence | The Hopeaholics Podcast
On this compelling episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Caleb Watson, a 31-year-old Army veteran, former lineman, and lymphoma survivor who has battled cancer twice. Caleb shares his journey from a challenging childhood marked by poverty and his mother’s addiction to becoming a stepfather to three children and father to one, navigating the pressures of providing for his family while grappling with heavy drinking to cope with stress and silence inner turmoil. He candidly discusses the toll of maintaining a tough facade, crying alone on Nova Road in Saint Cloud, Florida, to shield his wife and kids from his pain, and the pivotal realization that vulnerability strengthened his marriage. Caleb reflects on how his mother’s grit shaped his resilience, enabling him to quit drinking, survive cancer, and transition from lineman work to coaching, reclaiming time with his family. Through his viral social media presence, Caleb inspires others with his sobriety journey, emphasizing the power of positive perspective, gratitude, and community support in overcoming life’s darkest moments.
#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:
00:04:50 - Becoming a Stepdad and Meeting His Wife
00:07:01 - Transitioning to Lineman Work and Drinking Culture
00:08:18 - Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
00:12:18 - Pivotal Childhood and Cancer Diagnosis Moments
00:14:11 - Linking Alcohol to Cancer Recurrence
00:16:30 - Initial Cancer Diagnosis Reaction
00:19:50 - Hiding Pain to Protect Family
00:23:40 - Importance of Vulnerability in Marriage
00:25:59 - Regretting Missed Moments with Kids Due to Drinking
00:50:34 - Admiring His Mother’s Grit Through Addiction
00:53:34 - Grit from Childhood Shaping His Resilience
01:01:17 - Handling Social Media Hate with Positivity
01:03:09 - Inspiring Sobriety Through Social Media
01:13:37 - Quitting Lineman Job for Coaching

Jennifer Foote: Embracing The Higher Power | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Jennifer Foote: Embracing The Higher Power | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Jennifer Foote, a resilient survivor celebrating five years of sobriety. Recorded at the Hope by the Sea treatment facility, Jennifer shares her transformative journey from a life gripped by alcohol addiction to one of strength and purpose. She recounts her initial resistance to rehab, sparked by a family intervention led by her sister, a judge, and her pivotal decision to extend her stay from 25 to 105 days to solidify her recovery. Jennifer opens up about critical moments, including a frightening incident at rehab where Chad’s compassionate intervention kept her grounded, and her son’s overlapping treatment at the same facility, facilitated by her advocacy and Chad’s support. She candidly discusses post-rehab challenges, such as a dangerous relationship with a fellow rehab peer that led to threats and her empowerment through learning to shoot for self-defense. Jennifer also reflects on her sister’s unwavering support, her reinstatement in the oil and gas industry, and a reconciliatory trip to South Africa. With humor and vulnerability, she addresses ongoing concerns, like her son’s depression after his father’s passing and her commitment to sobriety by viewing alcohol as poison.
#thehopeaholics #redemptionepisode #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:
00:02:11 - Sobriety Milestone
00:02:25 - Chad’s Support in Crisis
00:04:18 - Arrival at Rehab
00:09:11 - Son’s Overlapping Treatment
00:09:21 - Initial Resistance to Rehab
00:12:47 - Repaying Kindness
00:14:03 - Sister’s Support and Naltrexone
00:14:50 - Career Reinstatement
00:15:45 - Thirteenth Stepping Mistake
00:17:45 - Facing Threats and Resilience
00:23:30 - Learning to Shoot
00:28:41 - Sister’s Intervention
00:30:04 - South Africa Trip
00:33:02 - Son’s Struggles Post-Loss
00:34:14 - First Drink and Blackouts
00:51:48 - Maintaining Sobriety
00:54:08 - Avoiding Recovery Coaching Risks

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