The Hopeaholics

Latest Episodes:

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction as a Family w/ Rafael & Nodia | The Hopeaholics Podcast Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction as a Family w/ Rafael & Nodia | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this emotionally charged episode, Rafael and Nodia sit side by side to share a raw, multi-generational story of addiction, denial, fear, and ultimately healing. What begins as Rafael’s attempt to escape the shadow of his past and Nodia’s effort to prove control through drinking spirals into cocaine, meth, psychosis, DUIs, hospitalizations, and moments where death or prison felt inevitable. Together, they recount confrontations, crashes, paranoia, and the terrifying realization that the same disease was quietly repeating itself within their family. Through brutal honesty, they unpack the pain, resentment, and misunderstandings that once defined their relationship, and how recovery reshaped everything. This episode goes far beyond sobriety—it’s a powerful testament to accountability, forgiveness, and the life-changing impact of choosing recovery not just for yourself, but for the people you love most. It captures the fear of watching someone you love disappear and the hope that comes when they finally ask for help. Their conversation reveals how recovery can reopen communication that once felt impossible. It also shows how shared vulnerability can rebuild trust where silence and anger once lived.
#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:
00:06:06 – “I Swore I’d Never Be Like My Dad”
00:08:27 – Cocaine Enters His Life Right Before Christmas
00:09:40 – Snorting Cocaine Before a Solo Night Drive
00:11:18 – Lost on the Freeway While High and Euphoric
00:13:31 – Armed, Paranoid, and Convinced People Were After Him
00:17:52 – Parents Show Up and the Secret Is Over
00:18:35 – Selling His Businesses to Go to Rehab
00:19:44 – Finding Out He’s Having a Baby While in Rehab
00:23:59 – Smoking Crystal Meth for the First Time
00:25:49 – Trapped in a Dark House With a Naked Stranger
00:35:52 – Found Wandering the Streets in His Underwear
00:53:36 – First Drink Ends in the Hospital
00:54:38 – Second Hospitalization Sparks Resentment
00:57:37 – Crashing Into a Jail Gate During a DUI
01:01:26 – First DUI at 21 Years Old
01:02:29 – Suicidal Thoughts After Second DUI
01:04:09 – Nearly Hitting a Bus While Drunk
01:11:28 – Finally Saying “Yes” to Treatment
01:38:51 – Father Says He’s Finally Getting to Know His Daughter
01:40:05 – Realizing Her Father Was Only Trying to Help

“HEROIN ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE” w/ David Cohen | The Hopeaholics Podcast Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

“HEROIN ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE” w/ David Cohen | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, a raw and unfiltered story of survival takes center stage as David Cohen shares the gripping truth of his journey through addiction, chaos, and redemption. From forging prescriptions on Windows 95 to surviving a near-fatal heroin overdose that left him in a coma for days, his life spiraled through crime, crack houses, and moments where death felt inches away. But through unimaginable lows came a turning point—one sparked by family intervention, a gritty county-funded rehab, and a candlelit meeting that hit him with the same force as his first high. David’s transformation from a young man chasing destruction to a clinical leader helping others fight the same battle is nothing short of extraordinary. This episode delivers gut-wrenching honesty, dramatic moments, and the undeniable proof that recovery is real, possible, and powerful. Tune in to hear how grit, grace, and relentless willingness can pull someone from the darkest depths into a life of purpose. His story is a reminder that no one is too far gone to rise again. If you need hope, this episode delivers it in every minute.
#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:
00:19:38 – David’s Heart Stops After First Heroin Injection
00:20:12 – David Wakes Up From a 4–5 Day Overdose Coma
00:14:25 – Creating Fake Prescriptions Using Windows 95
00:17:11 – Shooting Up a Friend First to “Test” New Drugs
00:18:25 – Sliding From Pills Into Heroin and Crack Addiction
00:21:41 – Car Radiator Explodes While He’s High, Dealers Run
00:22:28 – Using His Broken Car as a “Mobile Office” to Get High
00:22:40 – Returning to Find His Car Stripped and Eventually Gone
00:23:08 – Father Confronts Him: “You’ve Changed So Much… We Don’t Know What to Do”
00:24:40 – Mother Bravely Tells Her Boss Her Son Is a Heroin Addict
00:25:58 – Candlelight AA Meeting Hits Him Like His First High
00:26:17 – David Realizes He Must Recover With Hardened Ex-Convicts
00:28:59 – Relapse Into Black Tar Heroin After Moving to Venice
00:29:25 – Waking Up Beside a Mysterious Man Who Tells Him to Go Home
00:30:26 – Returning Home in Psychosis With Only 10 Days Clean

Getting Used To Saying NO with Justin Wenzel | The Hopeaholics Podcast Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Getting Used To Saying NO with Justin Wenzel | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this highly anticipated return to The Hopeaholics Podcast, Justin Wenzel sits down for an incredibly open and transformative conversation about self-worth, personal growth, and the journey he’s been on since his last appearance. Known for his bold transparency and massive impact on social media, Justin dives deep into the emotional work he’s spent the last year doing — from facing codependency and people-pleasing patterns to learning how to show up authentically in relationships, friendships, and business. He reflects on the challenges that shook him, including a frightening medical and legal scare, and shares how these moments pushed him toward a higher level of accountability and emotional maturity. Justin also talks about his ever-growing online platform, where he promotes mental health awareness, fitness, intentional dating, and personal development, along with the brand partnerships and lifestyle content his audience has come to love. His return brings a new level of honesty, growth, and clarity, making this episode an inspiring deep dive into evolving as a man, rebuilding confidence, and choosing a life rooted in honesty and purpose.
#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:
00:01:08 – Justin Returns to the Hopeaholics Podcast
00:14:13 – Learning to Approach People from Childhood
00:28:34 – Passing Out in Jail and Waking Up in an Ambulance
00:32:48 – Obsessive Thoughts and the Beginning of Separation
00:56:13 – Justin Reveals He’s Actually Extremely Shy
00:57:23 – Raised to Network and Initiate Conversations
00:57:55 – Meeting His Girlfriend Through Instagram
00:59:12 – Building a Healthy Long-Distance Relationship
01:14:43 – “You Never Know Who Will Change Your Life”
01:15:57 – The Descendants T-Shirt Story That Led to a Friendship
01:27:51 – Venn Diagram of Relationships: “Your Shit, His Shit, Our Shit”
01:28:32 – Viral Photoshoot and Going Public with His Relationship
01:28:53 – “She’s Exactly What I’ve Always Wanted in a Woman”
01:29:04 – Building His Brand on Transparency

How a DUI Left Him Stranded in the Desert w/ Patrick Overholt | The Hopeaholics Podcast Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

How a DUI Left Him Stranded in the Desert w/ Patrick Overholt | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Patrick Overholt shares his deeply personal journey through addiction, loss, trauma, and redemption. From rising as a gifted young athlete to facing career-ending injuries, legal troubles, and the devastating loss of his mother, Patrick opens up about the darkest moments that shaped him. He speaks with raw honesty about the chaos of addiction, the spiritual disconnection that followed his grief, and the pivotal turning points that forced him to confront his reality. Patrick also dives into the creation of Good Time Golf, a sober community he built that unexpectedly grew into a lifeline for hundreds of people seeking connection, accountability, and purpose. His story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, that community matters, and that even the most painful experiences can lead to something meaningful. This episode offers hope, inspiration, and proof that transformation is always within reach. Patrick’s resilience shows how powerful change can be when someone finally decides to show up for themselves. His message resonates with anyone who knows what it feels like to fall short, get back up, and try again. You won’t want to miss this emotional and uplifting conversation.
#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 - Growing Up in Utah Feeling Out of Place
00:05:28 - Getting a Baseball Scholarship
00:11:09 - First Pain Pill Experience After Elbow Surgery
00:14:06 - Playing With His Baseball Heroes
00:20:37 - Liver Transplant Decision for His Mom
00:21:55 - His Mom’s Final Days
00:17:06 - Addiction Explodes During Independent Ball
00:27:11 - Driving Drunk Into the Desert
00:28:23 - Highway Patrol Rescues Him
00:23:35 - Turning Away From God
00:24:22 - First DUI
00:31:57 - One Year Sober and Joining Aftercare
00:32:39 - Starting “Good Time Golf”
00:36:51 - Ex-Wife’s Addiction and Violence Revealed
00:39:08 - Hurting Loved Ones Through Addiction

Inside a Soldier’s Fight Beyond the Battlefield w/ Carter | The Hopeaholics Podcast Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Inside a Soldier’s Fight Beyond the Battlefield w/ Carter | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Carter shares an unfiltered and deeply moving journey through addiction, trauma, recovery, and personal transformation. From growing up in a turbulent environment to joining the military at a young age, Carter takes listeners through the intense realities of war, including life-changing firefights, the emotional weight of leadership, and the psychological aftermath that followed him home. After leaving the service, he spiraled into addiction, navigating years of darkness, denial, and dangerous dependencies. But through recovery, self-reflection, and a willingness to step outside his comfort zone, Carter found purpose, faith, and a new way to live. His story is raw, honest, and filled with moments that highlight the resilience of the human spirit—offering hope to anyone battling their own demons or searching for a second chance. This episode explores the courage required to rebuild your life from the ground up and the importance of supportive communities in healing. Carter’s experience serves as a reminder that recovery is not linear, but it is possible, and that even the most painful moments can spark transformation. Tune in for an inspiring, emotional, and eye-opening conversation that will stay with you long after it ends.
#interview #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:
00:18:25 - Early Life & Meeting His Stepdad
00:19:22 - Joining the Military & 9/11 Story
00:21:57 - First Deployment to Iraq
00:23:02 - Becoming a 240 Bravo Machine Gunner
00:24:01 - Getting Corrected on Rules of Engagement (“Carter motherfucker…”)
00:31:43 - First Traumatic Contact in Combat
00:32:24 - Frustration with Enemy Tactics (Using Schools/Religious Sites)
00:33:07 - Involuntary Extension & Leadership Role
00:34:33 - First Firefight Story (Saving His Lieutenant & Sgt)
00:42:39 - Story of Ambush During Iraq Snowstorm
00:44:48 - Addiction Progression After Leaving Military (“Carter hit me”)
00:57:21 - Feeling Welcomed in Recovery Meetings
00:59:04 - First Meeting as a Newcomer (Introduced as “Carter”)
01:09:40 - Carter Describes His Current Routine (Texting 30 Dudes Daily)
01:16:00 - Becoming a Secretary in Recovery (False Motivation to True Motivation)

The “Blanket of Love” That Changed Everything w/Geoffrey Blaylock | The Hopeaholics Podcast Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

The “Blanket of Love” That Changed Everything w/Geoffrey Blaylock | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, we dig deep into the wild, emotional, and brutally honest life story of Geoffrey Blaylock, tracing his path from a childhood marked by Tourette’s and isolation to the gang-ridden streets where he searched for identity, connection, and escape. Geoffrey opens up about the first moments drugs entered his life, how heroin slowly rewired everything he thought he could control, and the dangerous world he got pulled into—crime, violence, homelessness, and the kind of chaos most people don’t survive. He also shares the spiritual encounter that stopped him in his tracks, the breaking point that forced him to confront who he’d become, and the long, uncomfortable rebuild through detox, recovery, self-awareness, and learning to lead others. It’s raw, gripping, and vulnerable, offering a rare look into not just addiction, but what it takes to claw your way back from absolute rock bottom.
#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:
00:03:20 – Why Awareness Matters in Addiction
00:05:57 – His Instinct to Protect Others
00:29:24 – Childhood Pain and Isolation
00:30:56 – Joining a Punk Rock Gang
00:34:46 – Reconnecting With Old Neighborhood Friends
00:36:00 – First Time Trying Heroin
00:40:48 – Realization He’s Physically Addicted
00:41:27 – Getting Connected to Major Dealers
00:55:13 – How Prison Culture Shaped Him
01:00:00 – Robbing Dealers to Survive
01:05:27 – Heroin Stopping Working
01:07:41 – Homelessness and Hitting Bottom
01:09:24 – Entanglement With Motorcycle Club
01:10:46 – Powerful Spiritual Encounter
01:14:58 – Finally Asking for Help
01:20:22 – Becoming a Leader in Recovery
01:21:27 – Emotional Breakdown That Changed Him

What Eating Disorders Don’t Tell You with Karina Chandler | The Hopeaholics Podcast Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

What Eating Disorders Don’t Tell You with Karina Chandler | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Karina Chandler shares an extraordinary journey of resilience, vulnerability, and transformation. Opening up about her long battle with an eating disorder, complex PTSD, childhood trauma, substance use, and a harrowing medical crisis involving encephalitis and toxic mold exposure, Karina reflects on the years she spent suffering in silence while maintaining the appearance of a functioning professional and mother. She speaks candidly about how addiction, shame, and secrecy intertwined with her past, the collapse of her marriage, and her eventual rebuilding from the ground up as a single parent. Today, Karina finds strength in recovery, fitness-based community support, spirituality, and service, and she discusses how these practices not only helped her heal but also reignited her passion for helping others. This episode offers a raw, deeply human look at survival, self-discovery, and the courage to reclaim one’s life.
#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:
00:13:39 – First Purge and Feeling “Powerful”
00:13:52 – Realizing the Eating Disorder Took Over Her Life
00:14:09 – Considering Surrendering to the Disorder While Driving
00:16:30 – Drinking at 17 and Being Introduced to Alcohol at Age 8
00:17:12 – Meeting Her Addicted Father for the First Time
00:17:29 – Her Father Showing Her Off Without Ever Making Amends
00:20:17 – Losing Her Developmentally Delayed Sister
00:24:20 – Working in a Prison Facility While Her Eating Disorder Spiraled
00:25:02 – Drinking, Binging, Purging, and Drunk Driving as a Daily Cycle
00:30:53 – Becoming a Clinical Director While Secretly Drinking Nightly
00:31:26 – Losing Her Career and Driving Uber Just to Survive
00:50:39 – Getting Her Second DUI After Months of Isolation
00:51:52 – Board Told Her She Must Get Sober to Restore Her License
00:53:01 – Sharing Trauma Stories While Climbing a Mountain in Recovery
01:07:06 – Crying While Realizing Her Pain Now Helps Others Heal

"I Was Homeless for a Decade… and Still Survived" w/ Sean Speck | The Hopeaholics Podcast Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

"I Was Homeless for a Decade… and Still Survived" w/ Sean Speck | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this intense and deeply personal episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Sean Speck opens up about a journey that few survive—years of addiction, homelessness, relapse, medical trauma, and ultimately, an unexpected path to redemption. Sean takes us through the harsh reality of smoking weed at 14, graduating high school addicted to meth, getting kicked out at 19, and spending nearly a decade homeless on the streets of Riverside. He talks openly about the first time he used a needle, the psychosis that consumed him, waking up in an industrial complex without his colostomy bag, and the terrifying moment doctors told him alcohol had destroyed his colon. Sean describes the collapse of his life as he relapsed again, eating 45–75 gas-station “heroin” pills a day, taking a “one-time” hit of heroin that pulled him right back into the cycle, and being forcibly taken to detox as his fiancée fought to save his life. But he also shares the moment everything shifted—calling from a park saying he was done, begging God to remove the obsession, reconnecting with his daughters, and learning to rebuild his life through honesty, humility, and real recovery. This episode is raw, vulnerable, heartbreaking, and absolutely inspiring. It's a reminder that even after years of darkness, there is still hope, still redemption, and still a way forward.
#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:
00:03:21 – High school addiction spirals: meth, pills, and hiding it from everyone
00:05:26 – Getting kicked out at 19 and starting life on the streets
00:06:18 – First time he tried heroin while homeless in Lake Elsinore
00:07:43 – Nearly a decade homeless in Riverside, stuck in the cycle
00:10:15 – The first time he ever used a needle and how everything changed
00:12:30 – Waking up in an industrial complex missing his colostomy bag
00:13:13 – Breaking down in a park and calling for help, “I’m done”
00:16:55 – Eating 45–75 gas-station “heroin” pills every day
00:17:47 – A “one time” heroin hit that turned into full relapse
00:19:08 – Fiancée orders friends to “kidnap” him into detox
00:20:14 – The moment Sean begged God to remove the obsession
00:21:27 – Doctors explain alcohol destroyed his colon
00:24:42 – Waking up with a colostomy bag at 30 years old
00:27:11 – Drinking again just one week after colon surgery

Inside the Mind of a Compulsive Gambler with Louis Ruggiero | The Hopeaholics Podcast Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Inside the Mind of a Compulsive Gambler with Louis Ruggiero | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this gripping episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Louis Ruggiero lays everything on the table as he shares his unbelievable journey through addiction, gambling, destruction, and redemption. From the moment he first sat at a blackjack table at just 15 years old and turned $200 into $9,000, Louis became hooked on the rush—a rush that would ultimately cost him over $10.2 million, countless relationships, and nearly his life. He opens up about his battles with opioids, alcohol, and gambling, his public downfall after a headline-making arrest in New York City, and the years of chaos that followed as he spiraled deeper into addiction while trying to hold onto a facade of success. Louis paints a vivid picture of the highs of Vegas suites, private jets, and massive wins, followed by the devastating lows of broken promises, debt, and suicidal thoughts. Yet through all the pain, he found redemption in recovery—turning to Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and the 12-step program to rebuild not only his sobriety but his sense of purpose. Now, nearly a year sober from gambling and years clean from drugs and alcohol, Louis is using his platform and his podcast Nothing’s Off the Table to shine a light on the realities of addiction and the hope found in recovery. His story is brutally honest, deeply human, and serves as a reminder that no matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to change, heal, and rise again.
#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:
00:03:01 - Early Gambling Beginnings
00:05:10 - First Rehab and Substance Use
00:08:03 - Arrest and Public Scandal
00:11:24 - Friend’s Murder and Relapse
00:13:18 - Intervention and Trip to Sierra Tucson
00:14:26 - Move to LA and First Real Sobriety
00:15:25 - Making Money and Relapse into Gambling
00:17:05 - Losing $10.2 Million
00:18:20 - Vegas Escapades Begin
00:22:04 - Covid Collapse and Drinking Again
00:25:12 - Cirque Lodge and Colombia Spiral
00:29:49 - Fired and Hitting Rock Bottom
00:31:02 - Family Cuts Him Off
00:33:02 - Sobriety and New Sponsor
00:34:23 - Gambling Relapse During Sobriety
00:35:12 - Suicidal Thoughts and Confession
00:38:58 - Gamblers Anonymous and Financial Honesty
00:42:11 - Launching Podcast and Raising Awareness
00:44:39 - Making Amends and Working at Family Restaurant
00:45:03 - Balancing AA and GA Recovery
00:46:44 - Commitment to 12-Step Program and Spiritual Growth

Losing a Father to Addiction and Finding Purpose with Angie Nunez | The Hopeaholics Podcast Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Losing a Father to Addiction and Finding Purpose with Angie Nunez | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Angie Nunez shares her deeply personal journey of loss, healing, and spiritual awakening. Born and raised in the Bronx to Dominican parents, Angie reflects on her upbringing, cultural roots, and the challenges of growing up in a tight-knit immigrant family. She opens up about losing her father to addiction after his long battle with opioids and cancer, revealing how his passing inspired her to create her own show, Sins of My Father, to honor his story and shed light on the struggles of addiction and generational pain. Angie speaks candidly about her grief and the process of finding strength through self-awareness, spirituality, and faith. She discusses how her spiritual journey helped her reconnect with her father’s memory, embrace her shadow self, and release shame through forgiveness and understanding. The conversation also explores her marriage, motherhood, and her husband’s transition from military life to rediscovering purpose through service and compassion with their project A Meal with Humanity, which brings food and dignity to the homeless in New Jersey. Through vulnerability and resilience, Angie’s story embodies love, transformation, and the belief that even through loss, healing and light can emerge.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie
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Timestamps:
00:01:39 - Growing Up in the Bronx
00:07:17 - Losing Her Father to Addiction
00:08:19 - The Birth of “Sins of My Father” Podcast
00:09:46 - Grieving and Healing Journey
00:22:43 - Feeling Guided by Her Father’s Spirit
00:33:54 - Marriage, Communication, and Healing
00:34:58 - Husband’s Struggles After the Marines
00:35:18 - “A Meal with Humanity” Project
00:41:27 - Grandfather’s Hospital Experience
00:43:04 - Witnessing Death and Trauma
00:44:24 - Spiritual Awakening and Meditation
00:45:22 - Reconnecting with Her Father Through Spirituality
01:20:14 - Closing and Reflections on Her Journey

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