
Project Recovery
TV personality Casey Scott has taken the first step. He is confronting his addiction. Now what? Join Casey on his journey to become a better person, one day at a time, new from KSL Podcasts. With the expert help of licensed psychologist, Dr. Matt Woolley, Casey's struggle may remind you of your own. Whether you're addicted to alcohol, drugs, social media or pornography- this podcast won't make you stop. That's up to you. But if you want help, or you want to help someone you love, subscribe for free to Project Recovery wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
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Homeless drugdealer becomes recovery advocate with Logan Adams
Logan Adams (General Manager & Fitness Instructor) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about how growing up in a small town introduced him to drugs at an early age, falling in love with cocaine at the age of sixteen, and being shipped off to Hargrave Military Academy during later years in high school.
Then we dive into Logan's descent into addiction after moving to Mississippi for college, his introduction to opioids following a night where he woke up covered in blood, and how he found himself homeless and selling drugs in Baltimore after abusing heroin.
Lastly, we talk about the darkest moment of his life that would ultimately lead him to finding recovery, as well as the amazing work he's doing at Fit To Recover to help other's continue to live a life of sobriety.
Related Links:
Fit To Recover: https://fit2recover.org/about/our-team/
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Scott Hoffman on his struggles with addiction following his professional ski racing career
Scott Hoffman (ex-US ski team member and NCAA National Champion) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to share some of his favorite memories as a professional skier, the injury that pushed him out of the professional spotlight, and how his acohol abuse began to consume his life.
Scott also talks about losing a marriage to his alcohol consumption, how his fall from grace as a professional skier impacted his mental health after moving back to Utah, and his experience with being in and out of treatment centers.
Then we talk about Scott's year-long prison sentence following a DUI, what led to him finding recovery in prison, and his impact on the recovery community since he turned to living a life a sobriety.
Related Links:
Scott Hoffman bio: https://keystonerecoveryutah.com/about/get-to-know-us/
Keystone Recovery Utah: https://keystonerecoveryutah.com/
Valley Camp Utah: https://www.valleycamputah.com/
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Moana Ofahengaue shares his heartbreaking journey of overcoming addiction
Moana Ofahengaue joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about taking his first shot at 9-years-old, how idolizing the mafia and gangs influenced Moana to create an alter-ego that chased a partying lifestyle, and balancing his wild lifestyle with finding success on the football field.
Then Moana opens up about being offered scholorships to play college football but struggling to give up alcohol, as well as the accident that almost cost him everything.
Moana then talks about what his physical recovery looked like following his accident, how he handled the loss of his identity has a successful football prospect, and his descent into addiction to meth due to the emotional trauma of losing football.
Lastly, we dive into Moana's experiences with being in and out of recovery centers and what he's doing now for the recovery community now that he's find sobriety.
Related Links:
Kairos Recovery & Behavioral Health: https://www.facebook.com/Kairos-Recovery-Behavioral-Health-120985244304385/
Kairos Recovery Run: https://www.facebook.com/events/924121798880917
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Jordon Holdaway on conquering his "Bad Boy" image to find sobriety
Jordon Holdaway (General Manager at The Other Side Builders) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about how The Other Side Academy is changing how convicts, substance abusers and homeless in the community reacclimate with society through personal behavioral change.
Jordon also shares his experiences with learning bad habits while hanging out with the wrong crowd during his elementary years, how he fell in love with the "bad boy" image, and what caused him to chase getting drunk and high throughout his teenage years.
He also talks about his first time using meth in an Arby's parking lot, the start of his criminal behaviors during his twenties, and his struggles with staying sober during his time of drug court.
Lastly, we talk about Jordon's time in prison and how his time at The Other Side Academy changed his life forever.
Related Links:
The Other Side Academy: https://www.theothersideacademy.com/
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Casey Scott on recovery lessons and retelling Leroy "Big Budha" Teo's once in a lifetime episode
Casey Scott opens up this week on some of the most important lessons he's learned throughout his almost five years of recovery and then we retell one of the most amazing stories of recovery that we've had on the show.
Leroy "Big Budha" Teo (Utah Media Personality) joins the show to open up about how physical and emotional trauma he experienced growing up had a severe impact on his mental health, the source of his fearlessness, and the moment he attempted to take his own life after suffering from poor mental health for decades.
Budha also talks about why he had to take a break from his career to focus on his mental health, how he was able to find himself through therapy and becoming a grandfather, and what he's learned during his sabbatical to live a beautiful life and enjoy what he's been able to do in the amazing state of Utah.
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Kimberly Bailey shares her story of overcoming life-altering trauma
Kimberly Bailey (Peer Support Specialist at Corner Canyon Health Centers) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about her experience with alcohol for the first time in high school, turning to substances to numb the trauma of being sexually assaulted at a party, and the events that led to her being sent to prison at twenty-four years old.
Then Kimberly opens up about constantly being in and out of prison due to her rising drug addiction, the struggles she had to deal with in prison, and how having someone who supported her in life pushed her towards recovery.
Lastly, she shares how her life has changed in recovery.
Related Links:
Corner Canyon Health Centers: https://www.cornercanyonhc.com/
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Todd Smith talks about choosing addiction over every other aspect of life
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Todd Smith opens up about how having an alcoholic father pushed him away from substances until he started attending the University of Utah, getting kicked out of college because of his escalating substance abuse, and how partying on the weekends led to a full blown addiction.
Then Todd talks about his addiction began to take over his personal life, getting busted trafficking over 200 pounds of marijuana across the country, and being unable to quit his addiction even after being arrested for trafficking.
Lastly, Todd shares how his addiction pushed him to the point of attempting suicide and surrendering himself to a life of recovery.
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How Sarah Brock learned to love herself after being a single mother who consulted for gangs
In this week's episode, we replay one of our favorite episodes with Sarah Brock who opened up about how her childhood was impacted by her father who struggled with alcohol abuse, growing up in the rave scene as a thirteen-year-old, and how she went from being a seventeen-year-old single mother to a consultant for gangs.
Then Sarah talks about how substance abuse slowly began to take over, how drugs began to derail her life, and why being sent to prison was the best thing that ever happened to her.
Lastly, Sarah opens up about the events that led up her to find God, what her recovery looked like, and how she finally learned how to love herself which was quintessential for her recovery.
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Joseph Call shares his recovery journey so far after being sober for 159 days
Joseph Call joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about how his curiousity for finding his biological father led him to run away from home at thirteen years old, how he adapted to working and living in downtown Portland, and meeting his father for the first time in Ogden as a fourteen year old.
Joseph also opens up about his decision to start using meth to numb the pain he experienced during his time in Portland, how being taken advantage of by an uncle pushed him deeper into substance abuse, and why chronic back pain paired with his addiction led him to the darkest moment in his life.
Then Joseph talks about his decision to seek treatment for his addiction, what Action Recovery has taught him about living a life of recovery, and why he's focused on making a difference by helping others find sobriety.
Related Links:
100 Mile Walk To Wendover: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/100-mile-walk-to-wendover-longest-suicide-prevention-walk-in-the-nation-tickets-559021577587
Action Recovery: https://www.actiontreatment.com/
Izzy's Village: https://www.facebook.com/groups/605018854408332
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Shane Duncan opens up about hiding an alcohol addiction in a small town
Shane Duncan joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about his experience with trying alcohol as a twelve-year-old in a Mormon household, how he started getting introduced to the wrong crowds that introduced him to the partying scene, and being pulled out of high school at seventeen years old to work full time.
Shane also opens up about meeting his wife Mindy, how his drinking began to become a real problem when they moved back to Morgan, UT, and why he started to hide how much he was actually drinking — until it all came crashing down.
We talk about how Shane's drinking began to affect his physical and mental health, why he was apprehensive to admit that he had a drinking problem, and the events that led him to find recovery with the help of Action Recovery.
Related links:
Action Recovery: https://www.actiontreatment.com/
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Kate Losser talks about finding new life outside of isolation and addiction
Kate Losser (Program Coordinator & Fitness Assistant at Fit To Recover) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about her experience with trying alcohol for the first time, finding her passion for dance, and turning to alcohol to help ease much of her anxiety as a teenager.
We also dive into her decision to drop out of college at 21 years old after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis following a longboarding accident, how a series of events in life pushed her deeper into addiction, and what led her to stay isolated for two months of drinking all day.
Kate also talks about her decision to seek treatment, what she learned about recovery during her stay at Brighton Recovery Center, and how Fit To Recover has helped her find a positive community.
Related Links:
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Zack Chisholm talks about how shame became the root of his addictive behaviors
Zack Chisholm (Ardu Recovery Center & former professional golfer) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to open up about feeling shame as a child, how he used alcohol as a teenager to combat his introverted tendencies, and the events that led him to be disfellowshipped from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while on his mission.
Zack also talks about beginning to numb the pain of his departure from his mission with drugs and alcohol, how his descent into substance abuse cost him his professional golfing career, and the impact that COVID-19 had on his addiction.
We also dive into Zack's rock bottom following a New Year's party in 2021, his decision to go to Renaissance Ranch for recovery, and how he learned to let go of a lot of resentment that he had held in for so many years.
Related Links:
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Mysti Lopez shares how self-destructive behaviors became her drug of choice
Mysti Lopez joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to share her experience with the foster system as a child, how she became addicted to meth after being introduced to the drug by her family, and getting arrested for possession as a 19-year-old mother.
Mysti also opens up about how reuniting with her mother created an atmosphere that pushed her back to addiction, what she went through while using and dealing heroin on the streets, and how she met one of our former guests, Manny Lopez.
We also dive into Mysti's experience with finding a recovery program that helped her overcome years of trauma throughout her life.
To learn more about Papilion, you can visit their official website here: https://www.papilionirc.com/
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Surviving trafficking, sexual exploitation, and drug abuse with January Riggin
January Riggin (Founder of Soap2Hope) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to recall traumatic childhood events she experienced after her parents divorced, turning to drugs and alcohol at an early age to numb the pain, and being trafficked by a biker gang as a 13-year-old.
January also opens up about the events that sent her to prison as a 16-year-old, how her drug use escalated following the loss of a daughter, and why the darkest moment in her life brought forth the idea of Soap2Hope.
You can learn more about January and Soap2Hope at: https://soap2hopeut.com/
Instagram: @soap2hopeut
Facebook: @soap2hope
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The Scotts are winners of BYUtv's — Survivalists!!!
Casey Scott is flying solo this week to give us a behind-the-scenes look at his family's time on Survivalists on BYUtv. He also opens up about using the Survivalist adventure to create a bonding experience with his family and how the Scotts were able to come out victorious.
You can watch the Scott's victory on Survivalists now on BYUtv (season 3, episode 5) at https://www.byutv.org/survivalists.
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Seneca Higley talks about being on top of the world and losing it all to addiction
Seneca Higley joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to open up about how the loss of his mother impacted his childhood, finding success as an auctioneer at an early age, and his sudden descent into addiction after experimenting with opioids.
Then Seneca opens up about losing everything to his addiction, his early attempts at recovery, and how his degrading relationship with his father pushed him to the lowest point in his life.
Seneca also shares the dark reality of being homeless in Los Angeles, the events that helped him find spiritual stability, and repairing his relationship with his father once he committed to a life of sobriety.
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Drew Redd opens up about the dark thoughts that helped him find recovery
Drew Redd (Executive Director of ARDU Recovery Center) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about having a fantastic childhood growing up, how admiration for his brothers influenced his partying throughout high school, and his decision to commit to substance abuse once he had gotten a taste of substances.
Drew also talks about how his addiction began to get him in trouble with the law after he was put on house arrest for hitting a man with his vehicle, meeting the girl who convinced him to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and how his mission impacted his drug use.
Then Drew opens up about how his rock bottom finally forced him to seek recovery after years of substance abuse and what he's doing now as the Executive Director of ARDU Recovery Center.
To learn more about Drew and ARDU Recovery Center, you can visit ARDU's official website.
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Gentry Jones talks about her chapter in "Deserts to Mountains"
Gentry Jones joins the show again to talk about how recovery has been treating her since she told her story over a year ago, finding support and success on social media by telling her story, and
You can grab Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming Our Voice by Jessica Buchanan on Amazon and you can also find Gentry on Instagram and TikTok @lifewithgentry.
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Holly Jones on fighting to get more resources to combat addiction in rural Utah
Holly Jones joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about growing up in a household of free-spirited parents who struggled with their own addictions, the circumstances that led Holly to become the caretaker of the family, and how the stigma of her family's addiction impacted her growing up.
Holly also opens up about losing her father due to his alcohol addiction of 20 years, the challenges that she's faced in her county while advocating for more resources for the recovery community, and some of the amazing projects that she's working on in Tooele, Utah to help support those struggling with addiction and substance abuse.
You can find more information regarding treatment and recovery at The Beacon House.
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Mike Jolley shares how a higher power helped him overcome a life of addiction
Mike Jolley (SOAR) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about being introduced to alcohol at the age of 5 after drinking his father's beer, how he became entrenched in the party scene in his later teenage years, and how his addiction to alcohol flourished as he started to get older in life.
Then we talk about how Mike's personal life began to deteriorate due to his alcohol abuse, how he found himself lying on the floor committing suicide after failing to overcome his addiction, and his choice to pursue a higher power to help him combat his addictive behaviors.
Mike also shares his approach to ultimately living a life of recovery, the joy he finds in helping others overcome their own addictive behaviors to live a sober lifestyle, and how fitness has become a staple in recovery.
You can visit the official School of Addiction Recovery website to learn more about SOAR.
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Amanda and Trevor share their journey of living in recovery to save their family
Amanda and Trevor Butterfield join the show to talk about their experiences with meeting each other in recovery, falling in love while living a sober lifestyle, and the struggles that they had to deal with after they both relapsed together.
We also dive into what their addiction looked like after both having a couple of years of sobriety under their belt, their journey back into recovery together, and how a miscarriage sent them both back into addiction.
Then Amanda and Trevor describe how they've fought for each other, their family, and their sobriety over the years.
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Setting yourself up for success with your New Year's Resolutions
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley talk about the pros and cons of setting New Year's Resolutions, why it's so important to be realistic when thinking of your New Year's Resolution, and the dangers of going into the new year with an all-in mentality to achieve your goals.
We also dive into the differences between process goals and outcome goals, how to pick an accountability partner that can help you stay on track, and why you need to really know yourself in order to set accurate and effective process goals that can help you achieve your outcome goals.
Lastly, we talk about how meditation and mindfulness can be great ways to exercise your brain and find new ways to focus your thoughts.
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Manny Lopez talks about quitting drugs and the gang life to become a better father and find sobriety
Manny Lopez (Papilion Integrated Recovery Center) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about his early childhood where he was in and out of foster homes, abusing and dealing meth at fourteen years old, and being convicted as an adult at seventeen years after shooting a man when a drug deal went wrong.
Manny also talks about how his drug use escalated during his six years in prison, struggling to adapt to the world following his release, and going in and out of prison for the next decade.
Then we dive into Manny's experience with getting out of gang life and finding the fortitude to choose recovery with the help of his young daughter.
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Understanding marijuana's correlation with physical side effects and use to alleviate chronic pain
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley share some very insightful studies surrounding marijuana use including some of the physical side effects that have been correlated to smoking marijuana and how cannabinoid use has been linked to chronic pain.
To learn more about the studies talked about in this week's episode you can visit the official websites here:
Buzz Kill: Lung Damage Looks Worse in Pot Smokers
Cannabinoid-based medications for pain
Less Than Third of Americans Aware of Cancer Risk From Alcohol
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Sequan Kolibas explains how exploring her self-worth gave her the strength to find sobriety
Sequan Kolibas joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to share her experience with addiction and substance abuse starting from the moment she was born addicted to Phencyclidine (PCP) due to her mother's use while she was pregnant with Sequan.
doing acid at thirteen years old, and how a toxic relationship with her mother reinforced Sequan's drug use.
The moment she found out that she was HIV positive, how that impacted her relationships, and the mental struggles she had to cope with following her diagnosis.
Sequan also shares her experience with attempting to get sober, how her current partner helped her see the power in spreading awareness surrounding her situation, and how welcoming sobriety finally made a difference in her road to recovery.
You can learn more about Sequan or Hope on Ttapp by visiting Hope on Ttapp's official website here: https://www.hopeonttapp.com/
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Vicky Cordova on overcoming addiction that stemmed from depression and isolation
Vicky Cordova joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about how growing up in a family that frequently hosted parties introduced her to alcohol at the age of five, the highs and lows that came with working at a local bar in Logan, Utah, and learning to relax after stressful work shifts with alcohol.
Then we talk about how motherhood impacted Vicky's alcohol consumption throughout the years, her struggles with depression while experiencing isolation once she became a mother, and the moment she realized that she needed to change her drinking habits in order to live a better life for herself.
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Deepening your relationship with your body awareness through body scan meditation with Dr. Matt
In this week's episode, we replay one of our favorite episodes with Dr. Matt Woolley who dives into a couple of different ways that body scanning can help bring mindful focus towards pain points throughout our bodies before diving into a 10-minute meditation that you can use to help be more mindful throughout the day.
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Cade Cooper opens up about how his children and his faith sparked his recovery
Cade Cooper joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to open up about growing up as a perfectionist with an "all or nothing" attitude, the impact that his mindset had on his youth when he started abusing substances, and how being introduced to pornography sent him to a dark place as a young adult.
We also talk about Cade's experience with going on an LDS mission to Hawaii once he graduated, how the loss of his father sent him into a downward spiral of depression, and the struggles he dealt with trying to get sober.
Lastly, Cade shares how his children taught him about God and helped him find sobriety after years of trauma.
You can learn more about Cade and his journey by checking out his YouTube channel Gettin Your Life Back with Cade Cooper
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Dr. Bryce Herrera on normalizing addiction as a human experience
Dr. Bryce Herrera (Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW & Psychiatric Program Specialist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about his inspiration behind pursuing social justice, why working in addiction recovery can be so fulfilling, and his past work with treating veterans who suffer from substance abuse.
Then we talk about the process of being admitted to Huntsman for detoxing, the most difficult and rewarding aspects of working in addiction recovery, and some of the amazing services that HMHI offers.
To learn more about Huntsman Mental Health Institute, you can visit their website or call them at 801-583-2500.
You can also reach out to Bryce directly at 801-558-9456 or at bryceherreralcsw@gmail.com
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Brad Shreeve opens up about how driving under the influence completely saved his life from addiction
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Brad Shreeve to talk about Brad's experience with dealing with addiction in his 40s, how his introduction to opioids began his downfall into substance abuse, and the moment he started chasing the high of substances.
Then Brad opens up about the first time he decided to go to a dealer to fuel his addiction, how being thrown in jail for driving under the influence completely changed his mindset towards his substance abuse, and what his life looks like now once he's found recovery.
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Sammi Anderson on overcoming addiction and breast cancer to become a recovery advocate
Sammi Anderson (Chief Operations Officer at Meridian Outcome Enhancements) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley in this week's episode to open up about some of the struggles that she experienced growing up with a father who was addicted to alcohol, dealing with depression at the age of thirteen, and why she feels that drugs saved her life when she was a teenager.
Then Sammi shares her descent into addiction throughout her twenties, being in and out of the criminal system due to her drug abuse, and what pushed her to finally get the treatment she needed to get sober.
Sammi also opens up about being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer while in recovery, the ways that her diagnosis helped reinforce her recovery, and how she's rebuilt her relationship with her father over the years.
Lastly, we dive into what recovery looks like for Sammi after finding sobriety.
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Sara Archuleta opens up about growing up with her father struggling with addiction
In this week's episode, we're joined by Christian Smith again as well as his daughter Sara Archuleta to talk about what her family life was like growing up with a father who was struggling with addiction, learning to cope with her feelings of love and hate towards her parents while they were battling the effects of substance abuse, and how trips to county prisons became commonplace for the family.
Sarah also shares how she and the family started to rebuild their relationship with Christian after he began his road to recovery following years of addiction, substance abuse, and lying.
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How addiction and substance abuse has made an impact on Sgt. Spencer Cannon's life
In this week's episode, we replay one of our most informative stories featuring Sgt. Spencer Cannon, who opens up about the day he pulled over one of our previous guests, Jessica Butterfield, how law enforcement is adapting to new challenges with substance abuse and addiction, and how the stigma of addiction is changing.
Then Spencer opens up about how addiction has impacted his own family, the day he found his son drunk and passed out on the side of the road, and why the recovery community is so special to him.
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Patrick Williams comes back to talk about the benefits of openly sharing your recovery journey
Patrick Williams joins the show again to recap his addiction journey, how he's used social media to help connect with others who are living a sober lifestyle, and some of the struggles he's faced while trying to date due to the stigma surrounding addiction.
You can find Patrick on Instagram at @ptrickwill, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/patrick.williams.1829, and on TikTok at thebachelorslife.
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From full-blown addict to the The Road Drummer with Scott Schwarz
Scott Schwarz (@TheRoadDrummer_) to talk about finding his passion for music while growing up, some of the struggles he experienced while starting his own record label in Eugene, OR, and how giving up on his dream of being successful in the music industry led him down a path of addiction.
Then Scott opens up about the ways that his addiction began to affect his relationships, his descent into becoming a habitual liar to cope with his addiction, and his journey into recovery.
Lastly, we dive into Scott's passion of playing live music and his transformation into being The Road Drummer.
You can find Scott on Instagram at theroaddrummer_ or on Facebook at TheRoadDrummer8.
You can also learn more about pharmacies in Utah that carry Naloxone rescue kits by following the link here: http://www.utahnaloxone.org/utah-pharmacies-with-naloxone-rescue-kits/
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Melissa Catmull Shares Her Struggles With Battling An Eating Disorder And Opioid Addiction
In this week's episode, Dr. Matt Woolley and Casey Scott address the comments surrounding marijuana addiction from a previous episode, as well as hear from Melissa Catmull, who struggled with an eating disorder early on in her teenage years, how it began to impact the way she viewed herself.
Then Melissa talks about adapting to a life without an eating disorder as she began to excel in life as a parent and wife, how injuries she gained while running led to an introduction to opioids, and her descent back into an eating disorder once she tried to quit her addiction to opioids.
Lastly, Melissa shares how she has found active recovery for her addiction and what she's doing to help incorporate self-help practices that can keep her living a healthy lifestyle — both physically and mentally.
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How Cass and Paulus found clarity though breathwork to create the framework of their recovery
This week we'll be retelling the stories of Cass and Paulus from Inner Alchemy who open up about their experiences through partying as 19-year-olds, the moment they realized they had to change their lifestyle, and buying a motorcycle and moving to Mexico to travel and gain a better understanding of how to manage their addictions.
Then we talk about the idea of being human and how understanding that you don't have to be perfect all the time helped Cass overcome a lot of internal struggles that she was dealing with.
Paulus also opens up about what it took for him to overcome his alcohol abuse, his introduction to meditation, and why he decided to begin working on being mindful and practicing breathwork.
Lastly, Cass and Paulus share their work with breathwork and how it can help create clarity within ourselves.
You can find Cass and Paulus on Facebook at Inner Alchemy Living and online at http://www.inneralchemyliving.com/home.
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Catlin Lorito opens up about her descent into an addiction to marijuana during the pandemic
Catlin Lorito joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley this week to share her recovery journey that started initially with battling depression and anxiety following the divorce of her parents, how she found comfort in being with friends with the "stoner" crowd, and her descent into chaos after she started abusing alcohol and partying.
We also dive into Catlin's decision to fall into heavy marijuana use once the pandemic began to take over the country to cope with the anxiety she was experiencing, how her marijuana use slowly pushed her to the brink of suicide, and her decision to pursue recovery through Pinnacle Recovery here in Utah.
Lastly, Catlin shares how her life has changed after starting her road to recovery and the impact that Fit To Recover has had on her living a life of sobriety.
To learn more about Fit To Recovery, you can visit their website here: https://www.fit2recover.org/
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Why getting into a flow state can lead to longer focus and lasting accomplishments
Dr. Matt Woolley is solo this week while Casey Scott is out on a business trip and we dive into inspirational stories of recovery, the nine factors associated with the state of flow, and how achieving flow can lead to deeper concentration and lasting accomplishments in and out of recovery.
You can learn more about Faces and Voices of Recovery at https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/
You can also find the books talked about in this week's episode below:
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
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Savannah Eley on overcoming her own demons to help our rural communities struggling with addiction
Savannah Eley (Service Coordinator at StepOne Service Castleview Hospital) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about her experience with feeling segregated from a community that was predominantly religious growing up in Carbon County in Utah, her experience with abusing prescription medicine to help combat postpartum depression that she was experiencing following the birth of her first child, and how she and her ex-husband started losing homes and cars due to spending her money on drugs.
Savannah also shares how her family was torn apart by drugs, some of her lowest lows throughout her addiction, and the moment that pushed her over the edge and led to her finally finding sobriety after years of abuse.
We also dive into the work that she's doing to help provide resources for rural communities that are seeking treatment and what her sobriety looks like five years after the dark days of her addiction.
You can learn more about Castleview by visiting their website https://www.castleviewhospital.net/ or you can go to https://www.curetheconversation.org/ to find resources in your area.
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Jordan Lee on his transition from dealing drugs to living a life of recovery
Jordan Lee (Director Of Marketing And Business Development for Deer Hollow Recovery) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to share his experience with getting expelled from school in middle school for possession of drugs, selling drugs as a teenager instead of attending school, and his dark reality of being a lonely, homeless teenager addicted to hard drugs.
Jordan also opens up about his decision to pursue recovery after struggling with addiction as a teenager, being introduced to the idea of religion, and becoming addicted to pain medication while on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We then dive into Jordan's interactions with the Mexican drug cartel while buying and selling pain medication, the events in his life that pushed him towards a lifetime of recovery, as well as his introduction to Deer Hollow Recovery.
To learn more about Deer Hollow Recovery you can visit deerhollowrecovery.com.
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BONUS: Aubri Devashrayee raises awareness on nicotine addiction and the dangers of vaping
In this bonus episode, Casey Scott talks with Aubri Devashrayee (Media Coordinator of Tobacco Prevention and Control Program for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services) about the dangers of tobacco and the reality that so many people face while being addicted to nicotine.
Aubri also shares great resources that WayToQuit.org provide for those looking to quit their smoking habit, as well as why vaping has become such an addiction for our youth, and why we need to start a conversation with our children about the dangers of vaping.
To learn more about different ways to quit smoking tobacco, you can visit Way To Quit or you can also learn more about the dangers of vaping at See Through The Vape.
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Recovery is better than you could ever imagine...but it's not easy
In this week's episode, Casey Scott is flying solo and opens up about being told "I'm proud of you" as well as sharing some messages from some of our listeners.
He also talks about why it's important to accept that you're an addict in order to hold yourself accountable and the joy of focusing on doing the next right thing.
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Yvonne Rodgers shares how an abusive partner left her disabled and demanding change
Yvonne Rodgers joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to share how a tumultuous relationship with an ex-husband created a tense atmosphere for her family throughout the years, adapting to the reality that her son had become addicted to meth, and experiencing firsthand domestic abuse that would ultimately leave her permanently disabled in her right arm.
Yvonne also opens up about being held at gunpoint by a former husband and her mission for raising awareness surrounding domestic abuse.
If you or someone you know may be in an abusive relationship you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or you can contact the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
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Shay Mitchell talks about finding recovery for herself and accepting the reality of being an addict
Shay Mitchell joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to share her recovery journey that started early on in her childhood with a father who suffered from addiction, how she began to develop anxiety from unaddressed traumatic experiences growing up, and the relief she felt from the moment she tried alcohol for the first time.
Shay also opens up about how her addiction began to flourish throughout various moments in her life during her early twenties, her decision to use alcohol as a bandaid for postpartum depression following the birth of her second child, and how the COVID-19 pandemic sent her to the deepest depths into her addiction.
We also dive into Shay's admission to the fact that she was an alcohol addict, building connections with other people living in recovery that helped support her own sobriety, and the steps that she's taking to secure recovery in her own life.
To learn more about Shay, you can find her on Instagram @ShaySober or on the web at shaysober.com.
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The impact that optimism has on recovery with Casey and Dr. Matt
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley talk about some of our favorite episodes throughout the past couple of years, a letter that came in for Casey, and optimism's role in recovery.
Then we dive into the three P's to defeat cognitive distortions, how optimism creates the seen for motivation and change, and the path to learning to be optimistic.
You can find all of the resources talked about during the show below:
Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change
Positivity: Optimism, Resilience, Confidence and Motivation
Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
Authentic Happiness -
Corey Markisich and Ryan Decker share their recovery journeys and their work at Wasatch Recovery
Corey Markisich (Executive Director of Wasatch Recovery) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to open up about how anxiety affected his childhood, experimenting with Oxycontin in high school with his friends, and how abusing pain medication led to getting arrested for participating in a major drug ring.
Then Ryan Decker (Marketing Director of Wasatch Recovery) joins the show to talk about his family's history with mental illness and addiction, how being introduced to weed and alcohol in high school evolved into spending $400 a day on pain medication over the course of a decade, and how addressing trauma at Wasatch Recovery turned into finding his passion for recovery.
Lastly, we dive into how Wasatch Recovery is making an impact in the world of recovery throughout the state.
To learn more about Corey and Ryan or Wasatch Recovery, you can visit https://wasatchrecovery.com/
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Ryan Brown talks about taking his life back after addiction had taken everything from him
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Ryan Brown to talk about how Ryan's perfectionist attitude throughout his time in high school helped him avoid experimentation with substances, spending two years in Hong Kong on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and checking the boxes of creating a happy and successful future for himself.
Then Ryan shares his introduction to substances after breaking his back while snowboarding, how his use of oxycontin began to become excessive, and his struggles with sobriety and addiction over the years.
Lastly, we dive into Ryan's decision to finally seek permanent recovery after his addiction took away his kids and his wife, his experience with receiving so much support for his decision to seek help, and how he's giving back to Utah's recovery community.
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How "keeping the plates spinning" can hinder our personal growth as we get older
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley talk about the importance of changing our behaviors to make long-lasting and positive improvements in life, and why the phrase, "Addiction does not discriminate", is such a monumental idea to understand to avoid discrimination against those who are struggling with substance abuse.
We also dive into finding the balance of understanding how far we've come but not letting it define who we are and who we can be, as well as, finding inspiration for change by looking to others who have learned from their past and improved their lives.
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Amy Harris on finding the courage to live a life of recovery — one day at a time
Amy Harris joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about growing up in a party household, having her first alcoholic beverage as a child, and how she was introduced to the idea that alcohol could be used to calm the chaos in her life during her teenage years.
Then Amy opens up about the struggles she experienced becoming a parent as a 17-year-old, meeting her first husband, and the decision to move to Richfield, UT, which triggered anxiety and excessive substance abuse.
We also talk about the pain she experienced following the passing of her husband due to a plane crash, how it led her to rely on substances to cope with the hardship she was dealing with at the time, and Amy's decision to lean into the idea of being an addict.
Lastly, Amy talks about the moment she realized that she had to commit to a life of recovery and pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
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Riley Loosemore shares his unforgettable journey to recovery
Riley Loosemore (Peer Recovery Coach at USARA) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about how his abusive father leaving his family as a child created a hole in his life, being introduced to substances during his high school years, and how he became a father of 3 by the age of 19.
Riley also opens up about his introduction to crystal meth while running and gunning, spending 72 hours in jail as a murder suspect, and how running from the police in Ogden left him homeless for four years.
Then we talk about his attempts at getting help for his addiction throughout the years, his constant struggles with substance abuse continuing to creep back into his life, and the moment that changed his life with the introduction of Valley Camp, a recreation and rehabilitation center in Utah.
Lastly, Riley shares how he's helping others find their own road to recovery by spreading awareness of substance addiction as a Peer Recovery Coach with USARA.
You can also learn more about Riley and USARA at https://www.myusara.com/
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How The Village Effect aims to help young teens with Bryan Hedin and Rob Eastman
Bryan Hedin (Executive Director of Renaissance Ranch) and Rob Eastman (Eastman Fitness & Wellness) join Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley in a bonus episode this week to talk about how "The Village Effect" can provide an atmosphere that helps many families address many of the factors that could build the framework for substance abuse and addiction for teens and young teens.
To learn more about The Village Effect you can visit their website at https://villageeffectut.com/
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Bryan Hedin opens up about getting honest about his addiction in order to find recovery
Bryan Hedin (Executive Director of Renaissance Ranch) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley this week to talk about struggling with his identity during his teenage years, his fear of not amounting to anything in life, and the relief from the anxiety that he felt after getting drunk for the first time.
Then we dive into Bryan's transition into abusing Oxycontin daily, how he began to justify lying to others and himself following an attempted mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the events that built up resentment towards religion.
Bryan also shares how his substance abuse began to escalate over a decade, to the point of contemplating suicide, how he found the passion for sobriety, and how Renaissance Ranch became a pillar of recovery for him.
To learn more about Bryan Hedin or Renaissance Ranch, you can visit their website here: https://renaissanceranch.net/
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Angelique Richards on developing her identity to overcome addiction
Angelique Richards joins the show to talk about many of the contributing factors that built up the framework for addiction including getting married young to appeal to societal expectations, dealing with extreme anxiety after losing her identity due to marriage at a young age, and the stress that came with having a daughter at such a tumultuous time.
Then Angelique opens up about how her panic evolved into depression, becoming dependent on medication to help ease her anxiety and depression, and the harsh reality of overdosing.
We also dive into how she began to experiment with deeper levels of substance abuse, the moment she knew she needed to seek out help for her addiction, and the empowerment that came with healing through many of the feelings that she was trying to avoid.
Lastly, Angelique shares what she's working on now with her business, Leakd, appearing on "The Big D", an explosive dating competition series, and living an amazing life of recovery.
You can learn more about Angelique and her business on Instagram at @leakd._ and https://www.leakd.site/.
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Jared Shaw on overcoming pain pill addiction to create "Recovery Strong"
Jared Shaw (Recovery Strong) joins the show to talk about struggling to find his identity in a big family growing up, how he learned that underage drinking would come with very serious consequences after getting ticketed for being intoxicated, and the moment he realized he could get away with abusing pain pills during his senior year.
Jared also shares his experience with becoming addicted to Oxycontin, how it began to deteriorate what he had begun to work for as a young college student at Utah State University, and the work he put into his recovery to find sobriety for two years.
Then we dive into Jared's eventual relapse following the passing of his grandfather, hitting rock bottom after experiencing early onset liver failure, and the inspiration behind "Recovery Strong".
To learn more about Recovery Strong, you can visit their website here: https://recoverystrong.com/
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Transforming the lives of incarcerated and returned citizens with Travis Richey
Travis Richey (Entrepreneur, Advisor, and Motivational Speaker) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to share his story of growing up with a father who was an organized crime boss and addicted to heroin, being forced to take on the role of protector within the family, and how he was being groomed to take over the family business.
Then Travis talks about learning how to take care of himself both physically and mentally during a mission to Spokane, WA, succeeding in the financial industry, and how improper transactions got him sent to prison for two years.
We also dive into Travis' work educating the prison community with his organization, AccomplishED Ventures, and how he's focused on making a positive change for those who have been incarcerated.
To learn more about Travis and AccomplishED Ventures, you can visit their website here: https://www.accomplishedventures.org/
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Curtis G. Marsh on what it took for him to rise above the chaos
Curtis G. Marsh (President of Capital Growth Management Inc.) joins Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley to talk about Curtis's upbringing in Utah and how the idea of being forced to be a perfect person laid the framework for addiction to flourish once he became successful at a very early age.
Curtis also opens up about beginning to abuse alcohol to fit in with his peers, compounding his alcohol abuse with drug abuse, and spending 30 days in jail in 2008.
We also talk about what Curtis learned from his time in jail, how it has shaped his recovery moving forward, and the power that he's found in redefining CHAOS to help empower his life to the fullest.
You can purchase Curtis Marsh's book Rising Above: Business Leaders Going Beyond Boundaries to Grab Success here: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Above-Business-Leaders-Boundaries/dp/1985756013
You can also view his Tedx talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/curtis_marsh_rise_above_the_chaos
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Frank Jameson explains his state of mind that freed him from his addiction
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Frank Jameson (Executive Director - SOAR) to talk about how moving to Sun Valley, a small town in Idaho as a kid, helped shape his party persona as he got older.
Then we talk about how moving back to California to attend USC pushed Frank's substance abuse deeper once he got out of the small-town environment. As well as, how his addiction became so overwhelming that he attempted to take his own life.
He also shares how the ups and downs he experienced with spending the next 5 years in and out of rehab and the lowest point of his addiction when he almost lost his foot due to drug use.
To learn more about Frank and the work SOAR is doing for the recovery community, you can visit their website here: https://schoolofaddiction.org/
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Casey Scott is coming back to TV
Casey Scott is flying solo for this week's episode and he opens up about how his recovery has helped him give back to the recovery community, as well as the announcement that Casey is going to be coming back to TVs in the mornings for the next month.
Tune into KSL in the mornings from 5am - 7am.
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Portia Louder opens up about overcoming addicting and prison to find redemption in life
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Portia Louder to learn about her childhood growing up in a small town in southern Utah, how having a child as a teenager made a major impact on her personal development, and becoming physically addicted to pain pills in her early twenties.
Portia also opens up about meeting the love of her life and the moment she knew that her addiction had gotten out of control after experimenting with meth.
Then we talk about the events that led up to Portia's seven-year sentence to prison for mortgage fraud, how she was able to grasp the reality of her situation, and finding the freedom and power required to take ownership of her life.
To learn more about Portia you can read about her life in her book which can be found on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Louder-Compassionate-Journey-Through-ebook/dp/B09JFGPP28 or visit her website here: http://lawsunbroken.com/dev/
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Reboot: How a drunk driver changed Sarah Frei's life forever
As more listeners come to the podcast, we want to introduce them to stories that they might not have heard yet. That's why we want to retell a story that impacted us more than we could have ever imagined...
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Sarah Frei and her dad Greg, to recount the accident on July 30, 2020, in Logan County that caused her to become paralyzed after being hit head-on by a drunk driver and how she ended up having to have her legs amputated due to the accident.
Then she talks about how she's been able to stay so positive after the crash, the support she's received all throughout the state of Utah, and how she's been able to adapt to life following the accident.
Lastly, Sarah opens up about how she's been able to stay so optimistic, why her family has been so important throughout the past year, and the source of her optimism.
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How Al-Anon equipped Miriam S with the tools to cope with a loved one's addiction
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Miriam S. (PI Coordinator - Al-Anon) to talk about growing up with a loved one who was suffering from drug addiction, how her first experience with Al-Anon completely shocked her, and the role that faith plays in developing tools that can help keep us grounded.
We also dive into Miriam's struggles with the shame that she felt when coping with her loved one's addiction, how Al-Anon introduced her to a community that could relate to what she was experiencing, and the tools that she gained from Al-Anon to cope with her loved one's addiction in her life.
You can learn more about Al-Anon and the work that they are doing in the world of recovery by visiting their website here: http://utah-alanon.org/
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Leroy "Big Budha" Teo opens up about his struggles with mental health throughout the years
Leroy "Big Budha" Teo (Utah Media Personality) joins the show to open up about how physical and emotional trauma he experienced growing up had a severe impact on his mental health, the source of his fearlessness, and the moment he attempted to take his own life after suffering from poor mental health for decades.
Budha also talks about why he had to take a break from his career to focus on his mental health, how he was able to find himself through therapy and becoming a grandfather, and what he's learned during his sabbatical to live a beautiful life and enjoy what he's been able to do in the amazing state of Utah.
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Every moment is a chance to start again with Rob Woolsey
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Rob Woolsey to share how adrenaline became his first addiction at an early age, experimenting with heavy drugs all throughout high school, and the moment he decided to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the hopes of curbing his addiction.
Then Rob opens up about how a back injury introduced him to opioids, how it began to affect his family life and marriage, and what he learned from his first stint in rehab.
Rob also talks about how going through a divorce sent him to the darkest depths of his addiction, how a conversation with his son planted the seeds of recovery in his mind, and the steps he had to take to finally recognize the framework of what a successful life of recovery looks like for him.
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Becky Tuttle opens up about some of her darkest moments during her experience with alcohol abuse
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Becky Tuttle to talk about a horrible first night of trying alcohol when she was a teenager, her experience working with troubled youth during college, and her struggles with alcohol during her early twenties.
Then Becky opens up about how marriage and starting a family helped her initially cut back on her alcohol use, how moving to a small town sent her further into addiction, and the moment she realized her alcohol abuse had become a problem.
Becky also shares her lowest low during her addiction, how she was able to finally start seeking help, and some of the ways that lessons that she learned from her substance abuse have made her a better person today.
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Aimee Clements-Hadfield opens about the amazing work that she is doing with Hearten House
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Aimee Clements-Hadfield (Hearten House) to talk about growing up being the pseudo-mom in a family that suffered from addiction, how she learned about disease models while attending family therapy, and when she learned about her passion for helping others.
Then we dive into the unfortunate passing of Aimee's brother, how managing her grief reinforced her decision to pursue a master's program in social work, and why she was originally apprehensive about becoming a therapist.
Aimee also shares some of the amazing work that she is currently doing with Hearten House. To learn more about Aimee or Hearten House, you can visit their website here: https://heartenhouse.com/
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Smith Alley opens up about why it's time to stand up against bullying and harassment
Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Smith Alley (the Live Life Bigger foundation) again to talk about how bullying pushed him into depression, why he decided to turn towards pornography to mask the pain of the mental health problems he was dealing with, and his perspective on how bullying has changed even during his time in school.
Then we talk about the recent passing of Drayke Hardman due to suicide after he was bullied, how technology is shifting the impact of bullying, and all of the ways that Smith is trying to raise awareness for mental health through his Live Life Bigger foundation.
Lastly, Smith opens up about the mental health and suicide awareness concert on June 11th at the Dee Events Center in Ogden, UT.
To learn more about different ways to stop bullying visit https://www.stopbullying.gov/ and to find out about the work that Smith and his foundation are doing visit https://www.livelifebigger.org/
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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Randy Palmer shares how addiction has helped him find his passion for helping others
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Randy Palmer (Owner of Family Council Recovery) to talk about how a normal and consistent childhood took a turn for the worst once he began to experience anxiety attacks. Randy opens up about how a tooth surgery introduced him to Lortab and how the prescription initially helped ease his anxiety.
Then Randy opens up about how a failed relationship pushed him even further into addiction where he would continue to navigate the world of illegal prescription medication. He shares some of his darkest moments during his addiction and what ultimately led to him seeking out recovery options.
Lastly, Randy talks about what has led him to spend his time helping others live healthier lives.
To learn more about Randy and Family Council Recovery, you can visit their website here: https://familycouncilrecovery.com/
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Kristina Bradford opens up about how abuse and addiction has shaped her life throughout the years
In this week's episode, Casey and Dr. Matt are joined by Kristina Bradford to talk about the struggles that she overcame as a teenager after getting kicked out of her house, how she began to abuse heavy drugs to cope with the pain she was feeling, and some of the ways that her childhood impacted her emotional connections with people in her life.
Then Kristina opens up about experiencing emotional abuse during a previous relationship, how she found out about her partner's solicitation of prostitutes, and some of the signs to watch out for when it comes to a partner's infidelity.
Lastly, Kristina shares a few of the simple ways we can raise awareness surrounding pornography awareness within our youth.
To learn more about Kristina, you can check out her Instagram @KristinaJoWellness.
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Sam Wellman describes how alcohol abuse became part of his daily routine
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Sam Wellman (Fit To Recover) to talk about his experience with experimenting with substances during college, why getting blackout drunk became a routine for him, and how his addiction sent him down a spiral into sickness and darkness.
Sam also shares his mindset of drinking every day until he died, why his routine got even worse once he began working at a treatment facility, and how the COVID-19 pandemic pushed him to the brink of death.
Lastly, we dive into Sam's decision to surrender for help and what his road to recovery has looked like over the past two years.
To learn more about Sam and Fit To Recover, you can visit their website here: https://fit2recover.org/
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Debbie Nelson talks about the impact that amino acid treatment made on recovery from addiction
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Debbie Nelson (Marketing and PR Specialist at Maple Mountain) to talk about how previous trauma in her life led her to begin abusing Adderall and alcohol to help cope with the pain, how her substance abuse ultimately started to cause her to blackout, and the signs that she received that began to help shape her recovery.
She also dives into how amino acid recovery introduced her to a lifestyle that could help alleviate some of the issues that contributed to her addiction, what treatment with amino acids would look like, and the ever-evolving world of recovery modalities.
To learn more about Debbie or Maple Mountain, you can visit their website here: https://maplemountainrecovery.com/
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Exploring the dark side of substance abuse with Cameron Jackson
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Cameron Jackson (Podcast Host - The Other Side of Hell) to talk about how smoking a cigarette at twelve years old introduced him to the darker side of substances, his experience with his on-and-off marijuana use, and why he justified abusing pain pills due to a back injury.
Cameron also opens up about his descent into addiction to pain pills, how his abuse began to transition to every aspect of his life, and the moment he realized he was in trouble after trying to stop his abuse.
Then Cameron talks about how important his older brother was when deciding to get help for his addiction, his mindset when he began going to rehab, and what he's doing to stay on the road to recovery.
To learn more about Cameron and his podcast you can visit: https://theothersideofhellpodcast.com/
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Whitney Cordova shares her journey out of addiction and the role Action Recovery Group played in her recovery
In this week's episode, Casey Scott is joined by Whitney Cordova (Action Recovery Group) to talk about having a pretty normal childhood growing up in Ogden, UT but experimenting with alcohol at 12 years old. She also opens up about getting addicted to Oxycodone after suffering a back injury and her first experience with withdrawals after trying to get off of them.
Whitney also shares her descent into addiction that stemmed from her injury and how it quickly turned into her abusing heroin and other substances.
She also dives into what her rock bottom looked like and how a choice of either recovery or jail helped her get on the right track to recovery. Lastly, we talk about some of the amazing things that Action Recovery Group is doing to help support the recovery community.
To learn more about Whitney and Action Recovery Group, you can visit their website here: http://actiontreatment.com/
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The shocking experiences that led Casey Tucker to a life of addiction and mental illness
In this week's episode, we revisit one of Project Recovery's most powerful episodes featuring Casey Tucker.
Casey talks about how physical and mental abuse as a child eventually led him to hang out with the wrong crowd, taking drugs as a teenager, getting sent to a youth correctional facility, joining a gang, and getting beaten to the brink of death.
Then he describes how his addiction had officially pushed him to the edge which ultimately led to him shooting himself in an attempt to end his life. We also dive into how he eventually got clean and what he is up to now after struggling with addiction for so long.
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Being a better you in the new year
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley discuss the ways they prefer to look at change and how it relates to ourselves as the new year approaches.
Casey talks about being a better you instead of a new you, and Matt discusses why he doesn't like when people use the term "Broken" when referring to themselves.
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Stephanie Ross reveals her emotional journey to a 10-year recovery
This week, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by guest Stephanie Ross who has been in recovery for 10 years.
Stephanie's story covers her upbringing that and her addiction at an early age up to and past the passing of her mother which ultimately lead to her successful transition to recovery.
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Jim Morgan opens up about spending years trying to outrun his addiction
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Jim Morgan (Action Tech at Action Recovery Group) to talk about his first experience with alcohol to try and fit in with new friends after he moved to Ogden at twelve years old, being unable to stop drinking once he started in high school, and his decision to move to Nevada to try and outrun his alcoholism.
Then Jim opens up about the legal troubles that ultimately put him in prison for over 100 days, his transition from abusing drinking to using pain pills and heroin, and what led to him finally getting sober after contemplating suicide.
To learn more about Jim and Action Recovery Group you can visit their website here:
http://actiontreatment.com/ -
Jordan Burningham opens up about his life of addiction and Diamond Tree Recovery
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Jordan Burningham (Owner/Executive Director of Diamond Tree Recovery) to talk about how his mental health began to deteriorate following a basketball injury while he was in high school, his decision to abuse pain medication to address both physical and mental trauma, and how his chemical dependency began to transition into a full-blown addiction.
Then Jordan shares how his addiction began to spiral out of control leading him to begin abusing all different kinds of drugs, what his rock bottom looked like, and the turning point that allowed him to turn to a life of recovery.
Jordan also talks about his decision to start Diamond Tree Recovery and how they are approaching individualized recovery.
To learn more about Jordan and Diamond Tree Recovery, you can visit their website here:
https://diamondtreerecovery.com/ -
Casey's NC trip, mental health statistics during the pandemic, and the rise of telemedicine
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley talk about Casey's recent trip to North Carolina, getting asked whether or not he could have a beer during his trip, and what he's learned that has helped him throughout his recovery over the past couple of years.
Then we talked about Casey being able to get rid of his interlock device in his car that he constantly had to breathe into, some mental illness statistics that have started to come out from COVID-19, and how telemedicine has helped so many people during the pandemic.
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Non-traditional options to treat mental illness with Dr. Howard Weeks
In this week's episode, Dr. Matt Woolley is joined by Dr. Howard Weeks MD, MBA (Chief Medical Officer at Pathlight Mood and Anxiety) to talk about the relationship between psychology and psychiatry in the recovery process, how medications that typically help promote positive recovery hasn't evolved throughout the years, and the rise of ketamine to treat mental illnesses and pain.
Then we dive into how Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used today to help treat severe mental illnesses, some of the common misconceptions behind these types of treatment options, and the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses.
To learn more about Dr. Week's work with Pathlight, you can visit their website here: https://www.pathlightbh.com/
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Ian Acker shares his recovery journey and the inspiration behind Fit to Recover
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Ian Hacker to talk about the inspiration behind creating Fit to Recover, why he never felt good enough growing up, and how seeing a close friend pass away in front of him created a lot of untreated trauma during his teenage years.
Ian always dives into his experience with abusing alcohol and pain medication to cope with his anxiety and trauma, the moment he realized that he needed to make a change as he was sitting in a jail cell, and why he decided to commit to service and helping others find recovery through Fit to Recover.
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How to safely attend holiday parties without putting your recovery at risk
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley open up about the dangers that pornography has on our youth, how parents can openly talk about the reality of pornography within our culture, and why we need to be better at preparing our children for the hardships that they'll face in the real world.
Then we talk about different ways to safely attend holiday parties while you're in recovery and how to easily get out of situations easily if you find yourself in a risky spot.
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Gentry Jones on how finding her purpose in life has helped stabilize her recovery
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Gentry Jones to talk about not feeling like she belonged in fifth grade following her parent's separation, how it led to her experimenting with alcohol when she was in seventh grade, and why her abuse evolved when she began attending college.
Then we dive into Gentry's decision to go to a recovery center after getting alcohol poisoning, how becoming a mother helped her curb her alcohol abuse, and when she realized that she had a very serious problem.
Gentry also opens up about how turning to social media helped her tackle some of the problems that she was dealing with internally, why a lapse doesn't have to be a relapse, and how finding her purpose has helped her place in recovery.
To learn more about Gentry and what her recovery looks like now, you can look her up on Instagram: @lifewithgentry
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Tyler Gould talks about the life-changing events that helped him find sobriety
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Tyler Gould to talk about his experience growing up in a traditional Utah household, getting kicked out of school for selling his ADD medication, and the events that led him to "chase the high" at fifteen years old.
Tyler also shares his experience with moving away from his family for his actions, being introduced to even more addictive substances, and how his life began to spiral out of control due to his addiction.
Then he dives into his decision to move to Hawaii, finding his passion for playing music, his attempts at recovery while abusing substances, and how the unfortunate passing of his sister led to him meeting his wife and allowed him to stay motivated to pursue recovery.
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Dan Fosmark on abusing substances to numb physical and emotional pain
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Dan Fosmark to talk about growing up in a great household with a loving family but struggling to cope with a couple of shoulder injuries that derailed his hopes of playing football. He also dives into his experience with medications during his time as a collegiate shot-putter while battling depression.
Then Dan opens up about dealing with physical ailments following his surgeries and using substances to help numb the pain and the mental struggles he was dealing with at the time. He also describes his experiences with rehab, the feeling of constantly falling short, and the hopelessness that came with being homeless.
Lastly, we talk about Dan's recovery and what he's been up to since he's been sober over the past year and a half.
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Chris Hill opens up about what it took to finally find recovery from years of meth abuse
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Chris Hill to talk about Chris's experience drinking alcohol at a young age, how his parent's divorce opened the floodgates for his substance abuse, and the first time he tried meth at seventeen.
Chris also opens up about some of the struggles that he faced during his addiction to meth, the events that led up to his arrest for possession, and his experience with trying to quit his substance abuse after not being able to completely kick the addiction.
Then Chris talks about how his worst experiences with meth, the night that almost cost him everything including his life, and his decision to finally go to Renaissance Ranch.
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The Role of Faith in Recovery - A General Conference special
In this bonus episode that originally aired on KSL Newsradio for the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last weekend, we talk about the role of faith in recovery with special guest, Todd Sylvester.
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Todd Sylvester shares how a lemonade stand helped him find the road to recovery
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Todd Sylvester to talk about how his all-or-nothing mentality began to fuel his success in high school basketball but also began to plant the desire for addiction as he began to party on the weekends.
Then Todd opens up about how his partying completely got out of control during his senior year, losing his scholarship because of his partying ways, and donating all of his money to a little girl at a lemonade stand changed his life forever.
You can learn more about Todd at his website here: https://toddinspires.com/
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Susan Peterson shares how the Sobriety Foundation is changing lives in the recovery community
In this bonus episode, we are joined by Susan Peterson (Secretary/Treasurer - Sobriety Foundation) to talk about how addiction has impacted her family and the amazing work that the Sobriety Foundation is doing for the recovery community in Utah.
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Cameron Marshall shares how addiction and heroin sabotaged his life for so long
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Cameron Marshall to talk about growing up in a small town and experimenting with Meth at the age of 12, how addiction has plagued his family since he was born, and why his relationship with his mother deteriorated due to her addiction.
Then he opens up about moving to St. George to live with his dad to pursue a more stable environment, continuing to party while in St. George, and the events that led him to use heroin as a 16-year-old.
Cameron also talks about how his addiction to heroin evolved as he got older, the moment he realized that he needed to get sober, and his six-month-long experience with a Scientology-ran recovery center, only to go back to heroin years later.
Lastly, Cameron opens up about not being able to see his daughter being born while he and his baby's mother were in jail and what finally clicked for him to find the road to recovery.
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Evan Done talks about the amazing resources available right now for National Recovery Month
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Evan Done (Development Director with USARA) to talk about all of the amazing resources that USARA offers for those who are interested in recovery, what the stages of care look like for someone and some of the amazing events that USARA has planned for this month.
To learn more about the amazing work that Evan and USARA are doing for the world of recovery, you can visit their website at: myusara.com
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Overcoming addiction and finding clarity through breathwork and meditation with Cass and Paulus
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Cass and Paulus from Inner Alchemy to talk about their experiences through partying as 19-year-olds, the moment they realized they had to change their lifestyle, and buying a motorcycle and moving to Mexico to travel and gain a better understanding of how to manage their addictions.
Then we talk about the idea of being human and how understanding that you don't have to be perfect all the time helped Cass overcome a lot of internal struggles that she was dealing with.
Paulus also opens up about what it took for him to overcome his alcohol abuse, his introduction to meditation, and why he decided to begin working on being mindful and practicing breathwork.
Lastly, Cass and Paulus share their work with breathwork and how it can help create clarity within ourselves.
You can find Cass and Paulus on Facebook at Inner Alchemy Living and online at http://www.inneralchemyliving.com/home.
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Danny Deaton shares the lessons that led him down a road of addiction
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Danny Deaton (founder of Living Proof Recovery) to talk about his first time trying alcohol as a middle schooler, how he felt that he had found a feeling he'd been searching for his whole life after trying oxycontin, and how his addiction began to evolve as he grew up.
Then Danny opens up about how his opioid use forced him to spend 28 days in rehab, why he never took rehab seriously, and how two seltzers caused him to relapse after tasting recovery.
Danny also talks about the car accident that changed his life, why his brother and father helped him find the road to recovery, and why he decided to start Living Proof Recovery to help others find their own sobriety.
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How the body scan meditation can promote body awareness with Dr. Matt
In this week's episode, Dr. Matt Woolley is flying solo while Casey is out and we dive into a couple of different ways that body scanning can help bring mindful focus towards pain points throughout our bodies before diving into a 10-minute meditation that you can use to help be more mindful throughout the day.
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Travis Whittaker opens up about finding his identity through recovery
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Travis Whittaker (Vice President Of Clinical Outreach at True Recovery) to talk about how playing basketball growing up filled a void in his childhood, why an injury introduced him to opioids, and how began to chase the feeling he had the first time he took an opioid.
Then Travis opens up about the self-destructive ways that he was sabotaging himself, some of the worst times in his addiction, and what his rock-bottom looked like.
We also dive into the process that Travis went through in order to achieve his twelve years of recovery, how his relationship with his wife and his son has evolved thanks to his sobriety, as well as his work as an interventionist.
To learn more about Travis and his work as an interventionist you can visit the Living Recovery website here: https://livingrecoveryinterventions.com/about/
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Cullen Easter talks about his desire to help raise awareness for opioid abuse through OpiCure
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Cullen Easter (President and co-Founder of OpiCure, Professional cyclist, Registered Nurse at UofU Health) to talk about finding his passion for helping others after struggling to find his place as a young adult, how he started to use alcohol to cope with life's hurdles, and how cycling helped him channel some of those emotions that pushed him to drink.
Then Cullen talks about how recovery helped fuel his drive to co-found OpiCure.org, a foundation that raises awareness of opioid abuse, redefining best
practices for addiction recovery, and devoting resources to affect positive change in
the Utah community.To learn more about the work that Cullen is doing or to find more resources about OpiCure, you can visit their website at OpiCure.org.
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Randy Burton talks about how hitting rock-bottom helped fuel his passion for MMA
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Randy Burton to talk about how his father's abandonment led him to experiment with marijuana at an early age, the decisions that led him to sell all of his possessions to pay for heroin, and how he found himself homeless and losing everything due to his addiction.
Randy then opens up about what his rock-bottom looked like, overdosing on meth twice within 24 hours, and how honesty and connection have helped him find sobriety.
Lastly, we talk about how MMA has helped Randy focus on understanding his spirituality and keep him focused on his own path of recovery.
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Bo Walker talks about how coming up in the party and DJ culture became his addiction
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Bo Walker (Program Staff at Chateau Recovery and Radio DJ) to talk about growing up in New Orleans, adapting to the party culture within the city, and how his drinking got out of control early in his radio career.
Then Bo opens up about how the more successful he became as a radio DJ, the more his addiction began to skyrocket. He also talks about his experience in recovery, and how his work with therapy helped him address some of the contributors that forced him down the road of addiction.
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Why our thoughts impact behaviors on a deeper level than you would think
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt take some time to catch up and talk about Casey's vacation in Mexico, some of the teaching opportunities that Casey ran into while in Mexico when it comes to recovery, how our thoughts can directly affect our behaviors, and some of the best lessons you could ever learn while in sobriety that will help you focus on your recovery.
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Dr. Rod Gardner opens up about the scary realities of addiction and why it doesn't discriminate
This week we'll be revisiting our interview with Dr. Rod Gardner while Casey is out on vacation!
In this week's episode, Casey Scott and Dr. Matt Woolley are joined by Dr. Rod Gardner, DDS, to discuss how he began to experience anxiety at a very young age and how it led to him being self-conscious about himself growing up. Rod also recalls the first time he tried alcohol and how he immediately felt like it would fix his anxiety.
Then he talks about having his first child with his wife and his decision to become a dentist. Rod also describes how his anxiety began to flare up during graduate school.
Rod also talks about writing his own prescriptions and how he began to abuse prescription pills. We also talk about his stints in rehab and how Rod immediately went back to his addiction.
We also dive into his time in prison and jail after being charged with multiple felonies and how he was able to find his peace at his rock bottom.
Lastly, Rod discusses the steps he's taken to stay sober since overcoming his addiction and what it felt like to get his dental license back.