The Hopeaholics

Latest Episodes:

Breaking The Chains of a 15-Year Addiction with Ali Zansberg | The Hopeaholics Podcast Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Breaking The Chains of a 15-Year Addiction with Ali Zansberg | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful and emotional episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Ali Zansberg opens up about her extraordinary journey through unimaginable pain, addiction, and transformation. From surviving childhood molestation and undergoing heart surgery at just thirteen to enduring years of misdiagnosis, psychiatric medications, and even electroconvulsive therapy, Ali’s early life was marked by confusion and survival. Her struggles spiraled into addiction after a near-fatal bout with liver failure introduced her to opiates, setting off a decade-long battle with substance abuse, arrests, overdoses, and heartbreak. She speaks candidly about the darkness of meth psychosis, the devastating loss of her unborn child during withdrawal, and the torment of suicidal thoughts that followed. Despite it all, Ali’s story takes a turn toward light—through sheer surrender, she finds recovery, purpose, and faith. Now living sober and helping others through her involvement in recovery communities, Ali’s story is a raw and redemptive testament to resilience, hope, and the power of second chances.
#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 - Childhood Trauma and Molestation Confession
00:04:43 - Electroconvulsive Therapy and Misdiagnosis
00:10:24 - Liver Failure and Introduction to Opiates
00:13:10 - First Overdose and FBI Intervention
00:20:04 - Back Surgery and Relapse into Addiction
00:22:12 - Repeated Overdoses and Mother’s Call About Burial
00:24:08 - Meth Psychosis and Calling the Police on Herself
00:25:03 - Court Scene with Police Dog Incident
00:30:36 - Pregnancy and Miscarriage After Kratom Withdrawal
00:31:46 - Suicidal Thoughts on Christmas
00:35:03 - Domestic Abuse and Leaving the Relationship
00:36:12 - Entering Sober Living and Starting True Recovery
00:39:42 - Regaining Career and Purpose Through Sobriety
00:40:56 - Describing Kratom Withdrawal as Worse Than Heroin

Surrender Isn’t Weakness, It’s Freedom with Yeshaia Blakeney | The Hopeaholics Podcast Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Surrender Isn’t Weakness, It’s Freedom with Yeshaia Blakeney | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this thought-provoking and deeply human episode, Yeshaia Blakeney opens up about his journey through addiction, self-destruction, and spiritual awakening with striking honesty and wisdom. Growing up in the chaos of Hollywood, Yeshaia describes feeling emotionally adrift and spiritually disconnected long before drugs entered the picture. What began as an attempt to escape pain and emptiness eventually led him into the darkness of addiction, arrests, and broken relationships. He recounts sitting in a jail cell — the moment he realized, “This isn’t who I am” — and how that breaking point became the foundation of his recovery. Through faith, humility, and an unrelenting search for truth, Yeshaia found that healing wasn’t about willpower, but surrender. He now dedicates his life to helping others rediscover their own humanity, guiding people toward authenticity, connection, and spiritual growth through his work at Recovery Integrity. With disarming vulnerability, he challenges the misconception that sobriety alone is the goal, emphasizing instead that true recovery means finding meaning, love, and purpose beyond the pain. This episode is both a wake-up call and a source of hope — a raw conversation about redemption, faith, and the beautiful struggle of being fully human.
#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:
00:04:11 – Growing Up in Hollywood and Feeling Spiritually Lost
00:06:35 – Experimenting with Drugs and Searching for Meaning
00:09:22 – The Arrest That Forced Him to Face Reality
00:11:10 – Sitting in Jail and Realizing “This Isn’t Who I Am”
00:13:47 – The Turning Point: Finding God Through Desperation
00:16:09 – Learning That Recovery Is a Spiritual, Not Physical, Journey
00:19:42 – Losing Friends to Addiction and Questioning His Purpose
00:23:18 – Discovering the Power of Humility and Surrender
00:26:30 – Becoming a Counselor and Helping Others Heal
00:29:14 – Why Real Change Requires Emotional Honesty
00:32:22 – Redefining Masculinity and the Fear of Vulnerability
00:35:48 – Understanding That Pain Is the Path to Transformation
00:39:03 – “Connection Is the Cure”: The Truth About Addiction
00:41:57 – How Faith and Community Keep Him Grounded
00:44:26 – The Redemption of Purpose: Living to Serve Others

The Bottle Almost Took Everything with Kristine Koontz | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

The Bottle Almost Took Everything with Kristine Koontz | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this raw and deeply emotional episode, Kristine Koontz shares her courageous journey through chaos, addiction, loss, and redemption with an honesty that grips you from the start. Growing up amid abuse, instability, and emotional neglect, Kristine found her first escape in alcohol at just thirteen years old — a drink that made her feel “normal” for the first time. What began as weekend partying spiraled into decades of dependency, self-destruction, and denial, even as she built a life as a wife, mother of three, and businesswoman. She opens up about the toll of her drinking: the crumbling of her marriage, the affair that shattered her family, and the painful moment her children turned away in shame. As her addiction deepened, Kristine describes hitting rock bottom — alone in her condo, shaking, suicidal, and drinking herself toward death until her ex-husband found her and rushed her to the hospital. Through multiple relapses and painful realizations, she finally surrendered, walking into an AA meeting that changed everything. Her transformation is one of faith, humility, and rebirth — a testament to the 9% of addicts who make it out alive. Today, Kristine speaks with radiant gratitude and strength, using her story to help others break free from the shame, secrecy, and isolation of addiction. Her message is clear and powerful: you can come back from anything if you let God, grace, and truth lead the way.
#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:
00:07:15 – Growing Up in Chaos and Abuse
00:08:12 – Her Father’s Violence and Emotional Trauma
00:09:13 – Praying for Her Homeless Brother
00:10:13 – Finding Escape in Alcohol at Thirteen
00:12:02 – High School Hangovers and the Party Girl Life
00:13:24 – Getting Into Speed and Toxic Relationships
00:16:41 – Realizing Perfectionism Is Self-Destruction
00:21:05 – Marriage, Motherhood, and the Illusion of Control
00:23:06 – The Drinking That Tore Her Family Apart
00:25:29 – The Affair and Losing Her Children
00:29:20 – Alone, Withdrawn, and Suicidal
00:31:11 – Her Husband’s Tears and the Doctor’s Warning
00:35:01 – Detoxing in the Hospital and Denial
00:37:10 – The Woman Who Inspired Her to Seek Recovery
00:39:01 – Relapse, Rock Bottom, and a Moment of Clarity
00:44:12 – Walking Into AA and Finally Understanding
00:45:15 – The Power of Surrender and Spiritual Healing
00:46:26 – Gratitude, Faith, and Finding Purpose in Recovery

Two Mothers, Two Sons, One Epidemic: Katrina Simmons & Kristi Kastler | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Two Mothers, Two Sons, One Epidemic: Katrina Simmons & Kristi Kastler | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this deeply emotional and unforgettable episode, Katrina Simmons and Kristi Kastler open their hearts to share the devastating realities of losing their beloved sons, Dylan and Devan, to fentanyl and addiction. Katrina begins by recounting Dylan’s early years, the warmth of his personality, and the gradual unraveling of his life after moving away from home. She describes the torment of watching her son slip through her fingers despite desperate attempts to save him, the sleepless nights filled with fear, and the haunting phone call that confirmed her worst nightmare. Through immense grief, Katrina speaks of finding solace in faith—believing Dylan is finally at peace—and even hearing his voice in moments of prayer reminding her, “I took it too far, Mom.” Kristi then shares her journey as a mother fighting for Devan’s life, recalling how his addiction began when he was injected with heroin at just fifteen years old. She recounts the heartbreak of the night before his death, the helplessness of being turned away from treatment programs, and the emotional toll of watching her son battle a disease that consumed him. Together, these two mothers bring raw truth and humanity to the growing fentanyl epidemic, exposing the cracks in the system, the stigma families face, and the enduring pain of loss. Yet amid the heartbreak, their voices carry a message of faith, resilience, and love—a call to action for awareness, compassion, and change, and a testament to the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.
#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:
00:02:46 – Katrina Begins Telling Dylan’s Story
00:04:12 – The Double Suicide That Shattered Their Family
00:05:19 – Watching Dylan’s Life Spiral After Moving Away
00:08:12 – The Call That Confirmed Fentanyl Took Her Son
00:09:08 – Losing Herself Trying to Save Him
00:11:48 – The Day Dylan Passed Away
00:12:23 – Finding Faith and Accepting Dylan Is at Peace
00:18:09 – Hearing Dylan’s Voice Say “I Took It Too Far, Mom”
00:21:35 – The Fight to Get Him Help During the Fentanyl Era
00:22:26 – Remembering Their Final Beach Walk Together
00:28:59 – Kristy Begins Telling Devan’s Story
00:38:51 – Devan Is Injected with Heroin at Fifteen
00:41:06 – The Night Before Devan’s Death
00:43:14 – The Rehab That Couldn’t Take Him Back
00:51:00 – “Devan Hated Being an Addict But Loved Drugs”

The Man Who Robbed Banks and Found God in a Cell: Julian Miller | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

The Man Who Robbed Banks and Found God in a Cell: Julian Miller | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful and deeply emotional episode, Julian Miller shares his remarkable journey from crime and chaos to redemption and purpose. Once a young man lost to the streets, Julian recounts the pivotal moments that defined his life — witnessing his cousin’s death at ten years old, falling into addiction, and ultimately making the desperate decision to rob a bank that landed him in prison. What began as a story of destruction turns into one of grace and transformation, as Julian reveals how incarceration became his awakening. Inside Rikers Island, amid withdrawal and despair, he found faith, discipline, and a renewed sense of identity. Through scripture, writing, and reflection, he reshaped his future, emerging not only sober but spiritually alive. Today, Julian uses his story to mentor youth, inspire students through poetry, and speak hope into the lives of those still trapped in cycles of pain and poor decisions. His testimony is a raw and inspiring reminder that no matter how dark your past, redemption is always possible when faith and purpose take hold.
#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:
00:07:46 – Witnessing His Cousin’s Death at Age Ten
00:09:20 – Getting Kicked Out and Drawn Into the Streets
00:17:50 – Robbing a Bank and the Dye Pack Explosion
00:21:50 – The Burning Money and Desperation After the Robbery
00:27:55 – Realizing Prison Was a Blessing in Disguise
00:28:58 – The Horror of Withdrawal in Rikers Island
00:29:58 – Finding Purpose Through Self-Improvement in Prison
00:38:05 – Reconnecting With Faith and Surviving Shootings
00:40:36 – Learning to Control Anger Through Scripture
00:41:55 – Remembering the “What Would Jesus Do” Mindset
00:50:51 – Discovering Poetry and Speaking Opportunities
00:52:16 – Inspiring Students With His Poems
00:58:04 – Teaching High Schoolers the Importance of Purpose
01:00:13 – Using Motivation and Faith to Transform His Life

Filling the Gap betwen Faith and Science with Dr. Angela Claffey | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Filling the Gap betwen Faith and Science with Dr. Angela Claffey | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode of The Hopeaholic Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Angela Claffey, a licensed forensic psychologist, mental health advocate, and survivor whose journey from pain to purpose is nothing short of extraordinary. Angela candidly shares her early battle with anorexia, depression, and suicidal thoughts as a young teenager, a struggle that nearly claimed her life at just 14, and how a miraculous encounter with a neighborhood boy set her on a lifelong mission to bring hope to others. She discusses how these harrowing experiences inspired her to establish The Well Counseling Center, supporting individuals with severe mental health challenges such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, and eating disorders, as well as Hunger Girl Ministries, which empowers young women to seek spiritual and emotional fulfillment beyond society’s unrealistic beauty standards. Throughout the episode, Angela explores transformative concepts like “rage helping,” shadow work, internal family systems, and faith-based recovery, bridging the gap between clinical psychology and spiritual healing, while sharing her personal journey of overcoming anorexia, embracing surrender and grace, and discovering how faith transformed her from a skeptic into a believer in redemption and restoration.
#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:
00:00:59 – Introduction & Greeting
00:01:14 – How Angela Met the Podcast Hosts
00:03:10 – “Rage Helping” and Founding The Well Counseling Center
00:03:51 – Her Suicide Attempt and Saving Experience at Age 14
00:06:04 – Hopelessness and Mentorship for Teens
00:07:57 – Anorexia, Faith, and Finding Healing
00:14:19 – Grace, Recovery, and “Eat and Stay Thin”
00:23:42 – Overcoming Anorexia and Founding “Hunger Girl Ministries”
00:28:09 – Body Image, Addiction, and Control
00:31:48 – Becoming a Forensic Psychologist
00:36:42 – Therapy, Vulnerability, and Shadow Work
00:42:17 – Internal Family Systems & Shadow Work Explained
00:44:10 – Learning to Receive Help and Healing Through Vulnerability
00:49:30 – Advice for People Struggling with Mental Illness
00:53:45 – How Pain Can Be Transformed into Purpose

Connecting with God & Getting Sober with Jennifer Sprenger | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Connecting with God & Getting Sober with Jennifer Sprenger | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Jennifer Sprenger — founder and CEO of The Bella Abby & Ava Handbag Boutique — shares her remarkable story of redemption, faith, and transformation. Once caught in the depths of addiction, Jennifer battled meth dependency, incarceration, and the painful separation from her children. In her darkest moments, she turned to God and prayed for a second chance — and He answered. Through unwavering faith and commitment to recovery, Jennifer rebuilt her life from the ground up, creating a thriving business named after her three daughters: Bella, Abby, and Ava. Today, her luxury handbag boutique has locations in Newport Beach and Santa Rosa, working closely with celebrities and reality TV stars. Beyond the glamor, Jennifer’s true success lies in her spiritual rebirth and her mission to show others what God and recovery can do. Her story is one of perseverance, faith, and the power of transformation through divine grace.
Follow Jennifer and check out her bags here: https://www.instagram.com/bellaabbyava__/?hl=en
#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:
00:05:37 - Reflecting on Past Struggles as a Young Mother
00:06:18 - Emotional Moment with Daughter at the Emmys
00:11:35 - Addiction and Arrest Story
00:16:01 - Breakdown and Spiritual Surrender in Jail
00:19:03 - Faith and Redemption
00:25:05 - Reuniting with Her Children
00:28:17 - Finding Purpose Through Faith (Scripture Revelation)
00:30:20 - Her Mother’s Death
00:32:05 - Renewed Mission to Expand Her Faith Radio Network
00:33:10 - From Jail to Business Success

Robbing From Loved Ones with Scott Schafer | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Robbing From Loved Ones with Scott Schafer | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Scott Schafer delivers an unflinchingly honest and deeply moving account of his journey from professional athlete to addict, and ultimately to a man living a life of gratitude and purpose. Drafted by the New York Mets out of high school, Scott’s dreams were derailed after multiple injuries and surgeries led to an addiction to painkillers that spiraled into years of dependence on Adderall, meth, and heroin. He recounts his devastating fall from a promising baseball career to life on the streets, describing the loneliness, desperation, and loss that consumed him. Through moments of rock bottom, jail time, and treatment, Scott found the strength to surrender, rebuild, and embrace recovery. He reflects on the mentors and programs that guided him, the faith that grounded him, and how service to others became his new purpose. Today, Scott shares his life in Texas, where he works at Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen and continues to inspire those in recovery with his contagious positivity. He also opens up about his relationship with his wife, whose own journey through addiction and healing has strengthened their love and mutual commitment to growth. With honesty, humor, and heart, Scott’s story is a testament to resilience, redemption, and the unshakable power of hope.
#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:
00:04:04 - Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen
00:08:24 - Beginning of Addiction
00:09:28 - Baseball Ends and Downfall Begins
00:11:26 - Homelessness and Drug Use
00:15:51 - Relapse and Recovery
00:32:38 - Working as a Bartender in Sobriety
00:35:13 - Meeting Sunny
00:37:55 - Relationship and Sobriety with Sunny
00:41:25 - Expressing Love and Support
00:42:03 - Defending His Wife
00:57:18 - Sponsorship and Mentorship
01:09:28 - Faith and Relationship with God
01:10:57 - Baseball Career Discussion
01:12:43 - Baseball Career and Identity
01:14:58 - Lesson from the Cop (Losing Identity)
01:15:51 - Life After Sports
01:18:48 - Sober Sommelier
01:21:35 - Closing and Gratitude

Finding Hope After the Unthinkable with Nat Suckley | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Finding Hope After the Unthinkable with Nat Suckley | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Nat Suckley shares one of the most heartbreaking and inspiring stories ever told on the show. From losing his wife in what was described as “the most brutal murder in Corpus Christi history” to later losing his son to an overdose on his 24th birthday, Nat opens up about unimaginable pain, addiction, and the long road to healing. He talks about how trauma shaped his life, how faith and recovery at The Bridge to Recovery saved him, and how forgiveness ultimately set him free — even toward the man responsible for his wife’s death. Today, Nat is sober, grounded, and helping others heal as chairman of The Bridge’s board, proving that no matter how dark life gets, recovery and redemption are always possible.
#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:
00:02:22 – Parents Kick Him Out at 19
00:04:11 – “Overnight I Was a Drug Addict”
00:06:03 – “Alcohol, Drugs, and the 80s Nightlife Took Over My Life”
00:09:16 – Finds Out His Wife Was Murdered
00:10:08 – “Most Brutal Murder in Corpus Christi History”
00:13:51 – Son’s Psychotic Break and Overdose on His 24th Birthday
00:15:13 – “I Went Back to Work After My Son Died — I Felt Nothing”
00:19:36 – Enters The Bridge to Recovery (2014)
00:20:44 – “For the First Time, I Felt Safe in AA”
00:25:26 – “I Wanted to Kill the Man Who Murdered My Wife”
00:28:19 – “The Forgiveness Prayer That Changed My Life”
00:29:17 – Becoming a Grandfather and Fearing Happiness
00:34:07 – “The Goldfish Prayer” Helps Him Through Grief
00:35:21 – Becomes Chairman of The Bridge’s Board of Directors
00:36:47 – Rebuilding a Relationship with His Late Wife’s Parents
00:49:00 – “I Thought My Son Saw Me as a Coward for Not Taking Revenge”
00:51:17 – Hosts Reflect on the Power and Hope in His Story

Through the Lens of an Addict’s Sister: Stephanie Balber | The Hopeaholics Podcast Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Through the Lens of an Addict’s Sister: Stephanie Balber | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Stephanie Balber shares her emotional journey of growing up with a sister battling heroin and fentanyl addiction. She opens up about the pain, chaos, and heartbreak her family endured—from discovering her sister dealing drugs at her wedding to catching her using on Christmas night—and the toll it took on her as a sibling and daughter. Through Nar-Anon meetings, therapy, and hard-won self-awareness, Stephanie learned that her parents had become “addicted to her sister’s addiction” and that healing required setting boundaries and finding her own peace. Turning her pain into purpose, she created a clothing brand inspired by resilience and recovery. This episode is a raw, honest look at addiction, family, and the courage it takes to heal out loud.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarie
GET YOUR COMEBACK RAD MERCH HERE:
https://www.instagram.com/c0mebackrad/?hl=en
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:
00:10:09 – “My Parents Are Addicted to My Sister’s Addiction”
00:13:35 – Strength and Sensitivity Through Trauma
00:18:16 – “My Rock Bottom Has a Basement”
00:35:34 – Sister Arrested for Fentanyl and Burglary Tools
00:39:17 – Discovering Sister’s Heroin Use During Honeymoon
00:43:10 – “I’m Not Helping Her Anymore”
00:45:03 – Sister’s Baby Taken by CPS
00:47:01 – Catching Sister Using Drugs on Christmas
00:49:09 – Seven Years of Silence and Custody Battle
01:23:19 – “I Planned My Sister’s Funeral in My Head”
01:24:33 – “You’re Not Alone”
01:25:11 – “She Hoped I Would Die to Stop the Pain”
01:28:57 – “Backbones and Boundaries” Clothing Reveal

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