Get a Grip Podcast

In this powerful and unfiltered interview, Charles Straley sits down with Louis and Aaron to share a life story shaped by addiction, trauma, foster care, prison, and ultimately redemption.Born to alcoholic parents and placed into foster care at a young age, Charles was forced to grow up fast—taking care of households that weren’t his, surviving violence, and navigating loss most kids couldn’t imagine. By 12 years old, he was drinking daily, catching cases, and spiraling into a life of crime that would eventually lead to prison, heroin addiction, homelessness, and repeated overdoses.This episode traces Charles’s journey from:childhood abuse and foster careearly criminal charges and incarcerationyears of alcohol and heroin addictionliving and working inside trap housesoverdosing daily and running from parole…to a turning point marked by spiritual collapse, unexpected legal grace, and ultimately rebuilding his life and gaining custody of his son.This is not just a story about addiction—it’s a story about survival, accountability, and the possibility of change, no matter how deep the bottom feels.Viewer discretion advised: This episode contains discussions of addiction, violence, incarceration, and overdose.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.#getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglives

In this raw, unflinching conversation, Louis sits down with Mya Kiskaden to walk through a life shaped by trauma, survival, and the long shadow of addiction. Mya opens up about being sexually assaulted by her grandfather at a young age and how that early violence set her on a destructive path marked by daily drinking as a teenager and spiraling substance use. She shares the physical and emotional toll of becoming a mother far too young, enduring serious health complications, multiple surgeries during pregnancy, and the heartbreak of losing a baby years later. The loss of her brother to an overdose becomes a breaking point, followed by prescriptions that turned into dependence, a failed marriage, and a descent into depression and addiction. Mya recounts relationships with addicts and abusers, being assaulted while under the influence, chasing chaos through dating apps, and sinking deeper into cocaine, acid, crack, and meth. She describes what overdoses look like, what constant use does to the body and mind, and how love and loyalty kept her tied to a violent partner who drank heavily, beat her, trafficked her for drug money, and was later revealed to be a registered sex offender. Through stories of abuse, sleepless weeks, hospital beds, and using even on the edge of major surgery, Mya paints a dark portrait of how grief, trauma, and addiction fed each other. This episode is not easy to hear, but it is brutally honest, a testimony to how deep the fall can be and what it takes to claw your way back toward sobriety and survival.
🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.#getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglives

In this unforgettable episode, Louis sits down with Jeremy Harrell, a U.S. military veteran whose life took a shocking and surreal turn after he returned home from serving his country. What begins as a story about service, sacrifice, and trying to do the right thing quickly unfolds into one of the most unbelievable cautionary tales you’ll ever hear.After spending time deployed in Iraq, Jeremy came home hoping to rebuild his life and continue serving—this time by helping others. Instead, he found himself fired while navigating the VA system, struggling to reintegrate, and facing the harsh realities many veterans know all too well. Refusing to give up, Jeremy did what few people would dare to do: he started a nonprofit organization aimed at making a difference where institutions had failed.The organization wasn’t fringe or ignored—it was so impactful that it was even recognized and selected by the History Channel, a moment that should have marked validation and success. But instead of praise and support, Jeremy’s nonprofit drew the attention of VA agents. What followed was almost unimaginable: he was issued a summons related to his nonprofit, charged with a Class C federal felony, and ultimately found himself incarcerated in federal prison.In this raw and eye-opening conversation, Jeremy breaks down how a veteran trying to serve his community ended up locked up by the very system meant to support him. He shares what it was like to go from Iraq to federal custody, how quickly life can unravel, and what this experience taught him about power, bureaucracy, and resilience. This is not just a story about prison—it’s about purpose, injustice, and the cost of standing up when the rules aren’t made for people like you.This is a true 1-of-1 story—one that raises serious questions about how veterans are treated, how nonprofits are policed, and how easily good intentions can turn into life-altering consequences. You won’t hear anything like this anywhere else.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.#getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglives

Drake Phillips grew up surrounded by wealth in Beverly Hills, but behind the gates and privilege was an emotionally absent father and a deep sense of rebellion that would shape the course of his life. In this episode, Louis sits down with Drake to unpack how a childhood that looked perfect from the outside led him down a dark and dangerous path. Drawn to the streets at a young age, Drake was initiated into a gang, introduced to drugs early on, and quickly found himself living a double life that spiraled out of control. As charges began stacking up, he fled to Mexico, believing he could outrun his past. Instead, he became a chameleon—blending in, moving fast, and fueling his survival with heavy cocaine use while navigating an unforgiving underworld. But running only works for so long. After stepping on the wrong toes, Drake was brutally beaten and thrown into a Mexican prison, where survival became a daily battle. Extradited back to the United States, his chaos followed him to Columbus, Ohio, where one night would nearly end his life when unknown men abducted him and attempted to saw off his leg. This raw, unfiltered conversation explores trauma, identity, addiction, violence, and the cost of chasing escape instead of healing—making Drake’s story a powerful reminder that pain doesn’t care how you were raised, and survival often comes at a terrifying price.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastFor Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:📩 Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.#getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglives

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Aaron sits down with Louis for a raw, unfiltered conversation about mental health, grief, and survival.Louis opens up about the profound impact of losing both of his parents and how that loss reshaped every part of his life. He speaks candidly about the mental health struggles that followed — from overwhelming grief and isolation to panic attacks, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts — and the quiet, exhausting battle of trying to keep going when everything feels heavy.This isn’t a polished or sugar-coated conversation. It’s an honest look at what it means to live with grief long after the world expects you to have “moved on.” Louis shares what those darkest moments felt like, how his mind turned against him at times, and how panic and fear would appear without warning. Together, Aaron and Louis explore how loss can change your sense of identity, your relationships, and your understanding of yourself.At the same time, this episode is about survival, vulnerability, and connection. Louis reflects on what helped him endure — the small moments, the people who showed up, and the slow, uneven process of learning how to live with pain instead of running from it. Aaron creates a space that allows the conversation to unfold naturally, asking thoughtful questions and holding space for honesty without judgment.This episode is for anyone who has:Experienced deep loss or griefStruggled with anxiety, panic attacks, or intrusive thoughtsFelt alone in their mental health journeyNeeded to hear that they are not broken for feeling the way they do⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of mental health struggles, suicidal ideation, grief, and panic attacks. Please take care while watching and step away if you need to.If this conversation resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. Talking about mental health openly matters — and sharing stories like Louis’s can help break the silence that keeps so many people suffering quietly.If you or someone you know is struggling right now, consider reaching out to a trusted person or a mental health professional. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you’re outside the U.S., local crisis resources are available in many countries.💬 Let us know in the comments what this episode meant to you, and consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.❤️ If you found this conversation meaningful, like, subscribe, and join us for more honest discussions that matter.
🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and unfiltered episode, Louis sits down with Kevin Dye for a raw conversation about survival, addiction, crime, loss, and redemption. Kevin opens up about growing up in chaos and being exposed to addiction at a young age, watching his family struggle while trying to find his own identity in an unforgiving environment.The conversation dives deep into Kevin’s relationship with his brother and how addiction ran through their lives, shaping decisions that would follow them for decades. Kevin shares the moment he first crossed the line into using himself, and how quickly that escalated into reckless behavior that put his life and others at risk. From heavy drinking and drug use to dangerous choices behind the wheel, Kevin doesn’t hold back on the reality of how dark things became.Kevin recounts stories from the streets that reveal how he became deeply involved in dealing, navigating dangerous environments, cutting people off, and surviving situations that easily could have ended his life. He talks about discovering new territories, learning how the game worked, and the mindset that allowed him to justify his actions while ignoring the damage being done.One of the most emotional parts of the conversation comes when Kevin reflects on the moment he realized he had a serious problem, and how meeting his future wife while she was still living on the streets became a turning point in his life. He explains how he tried to restart, convincing himself he could change the rules by selling to the trap instead of the user, and the false sense of control that came with that thinking.Kevin also speaks on the reality of the drug world at higher levels, including the danger faced by kilo dealers and the violence tied to cartel involvement. With shocking honesty, he breaks down how he became known for his cooking skills, earning a reputation that brought both money and attention, but also intensified the risk and consequences.The episode continues with stories of riding dirty, constantly looking over his shoulder, and eventually reaching the breaking point that led him toward recovery. Kevin shares deeply personal moments, including being confronted by his son, finding his brother in devastating conditions, and the chain reaction of events that caused everything in his life to collapse.This is not a glorified story of crime or drugs. It is a cautionary, human account of how addiction can consume generations, destroy families, and convince people they are in control when they are not. Kevin’s honesty sheds light on the long road to accountability, recovery, and rebuilding a life from the ground up.A must-watch conversation about consequences, survival, and the possibility of change when everything seems lost.
🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this episode, John Ross sits down with Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes to share his story with honesty, perspective, and hard-earned clarity. John walks through his early exposure to drugs and alcohol, growing up around addiction, and the choices that led him to drinking heavily by 14 and experimenting with substances at a young age. He reflects on his first experiences with Xanax and the blackout fueled by rage that became a turning point in his life. The conversation explores his first arrest, time spent in county jail, relapse, and the cycle of consequences that followed. John also opens up about rebuilding, navigating probation, confronting a gambling addiction that left him over $100,000 in debt, and learning from the losses. This episode isn’t just about how things fell apart—it’s about accountability, survival, and the awareness that comes from hitting bottom and choosing a different direction.🎧 Time Stamps00:01:30 – Introduction to Ritalin00:03:30 – Doing Adderall at a young age00:05:00 – Growing up with a mother smoking crack00:07:30 – First time smoking weed00:11:30 – Drinking alcohol at 1400:12:30 – Passing out drunk in the snow at 1400:14:00 – First introduction to Xanax00:17:00 – Doing Suboxone before church00:20:15 – First arrest00:23:00 – Robbing a man with a wad of cash (first felony)00:28:00 – Xanax blackout00:29:00 – Flashes of rage (HOOK)00:38:00 – What county jail is really like (ends ~42:00)00:49:30 – Cheeking meds for ramen (Louis closing blinds)00:55:00 – Going back to jail00:59:30 – Relapse and working with his P.O.01:02:00 – Gambling addiction: making money, then losing it all01:06:00 – $100,000 in debt at Hollywood Casino01:09:30 – Wrapping up🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Louis sits down with Kyle Darby for one of the craziest, rawest, and most brutally honest conversations ever recorded on the pod. Kyle opens up about his chaotic past, from breaking into his dad’s safe as a kid to the night cops stormed into his house and the spiral that followed. He dives into the infamous M3th story, how he once got people strung out without even realizing the long-term damage, and how h3roin and X4nax became his drugs of choice while a dirty doctor kept the prescriptions flowing. Kyle talks about getting high with his dad, cutting his dad’s 80 in half, and the surreal moment he snorted his baby mom’s ex-husband’s ashes—yes, really—which became one of the craziest hooks in podcast history. He breaks down how he accidentally snorted cremains, shares his most intense OD story, and reflects on relapsing after three years of sobriety. This episode is wild, heartbreaking, darkly funny, and ultimately human—an unfiltered look at addiction, family, and the chaos that shaped Kyle’s life. “Snorting Cremains” might be the thumbnail, but the conversation runs much deeper than shock value. Buckle up.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and unfiltered interview, Bianca opens up to Louis and Aaron about a life shaped by chaos, survival, and resilience. She begins with the shocking revelation that her father once stole an ATM machine and the moment she discovered he was a crack dealer, a discovery that set the tone for the instability she grew up in. Her own struggles started early—popping bottles of Seroquel, being introduced to crystal meth at just seventeen, and then finding out she was pregnant with twins while still using. The turbulence only intensified when she learned she was pregnant again just two months after giving birth. She shares the heartbreaking reality of her daughter being born addicted, followed by her son’s withdrawal from Subutex, and how losing her father triggered a devastating relapse. After being hospitalized from a bad dose, she spiraled deeper, eventually becoming homeless and meeting Matt, who later vanished after she became pregnant—leaving her to also discover she had contracted STDs. Her story hits a gripping peak as she describes living in a trap house and suddenly going into labor there. Bianca goes on to recount Matt’s wild stories about her and Kendra, the mysterious “purple rocks,” and how she met Josh, eventually giving birth to her daughter amid the chaos. From getting raided to sleeping in a Red Ryder wagon inside a storage unit, her survival became a day-to-day battle. She describes blowing her stimulus check during a hotel bathroom party, drinking heavily and injecting between her toes and fingers, and explains how acquiring needles—sometimes by putting on scrubs to look legitimate—became an addiction of its own. Her story is a spiraling, brutal, and gripping journey through addiction, trauma, and the darkest corners of survival.
🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippod...👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Louis and Aaron sit across from Joe Haag in a quiet studio, microphones on, the soft hum of the equipment blending into the background as Joe prepares to share the kind of story most people spend their lives trying to hide. But Joe isn’t hiding anymore. For him, honesty has become a lifeline.Joe grew up in a neighborhood where survival came before childhood. The streets were loud, unpredictable, and soaked in the kind of chaos that becomes normal only when you’re too young to know any different. In Joe’s family, alcohol wasn’t just present—it was inherited. Addiction ran through generations like an unbroken thread, and Joe learned early on that everyone coped with pain in their own ways. Unfortunately, the examples he saw were almost all destructive.By the time he reached his teens, drugs and alcohol were part of his daily reality. Not because he wanted to rebel, but because using felt like the only way to quiet the noise inside his head. The fear, the anger, the sadness—substances made all of it disappear, at least for a moment.But fast moments turn into lost years. And for Joe, the spiral was quick.What makes Joe’s story remarkable isn’t the fall—it’s the rise. Somewhere in the chaos, he found the strength to walk into a recovery room and ask for help. That choice changed his entire life. What followed were 13 years of sobriety. Thirteen years of rebuilding trust, repairing relationships, and learning how to live without the crutch he’d relied on for so long. Joe became the kind of person others in recovery looked up to: steady, strong, and proof that long-term sobriety was possible.But addiction is patient. It waits.Joe admits the signs that led up to his relapse were there long before he picked up again. The meetings he stopped going to. The emotions he started stuffing down. The quiet belief that after 13 years, maybe—just maybe—he was “cured.” He wasn’t. No one is. And one moment of vulnerability was all it took for him to slide back into a darkness he thought he’d outgrown.Relapse is heartbreaking, especially after more than a decade of sobriety. But Joe refuses to let shame write the ending to his story. Today, sitting with Louis and Aaron, he has three months clean. Three months of early mornings, honest conversations, hard truths, and painful growth. Three months of fighting—sometimes minute by minute—against a disease that never really goes away.What makes Joe’s story powerful isn’t that it’s perfect. It’s that it’s real. He’s proof that addiction doesn’t discriminate, that recovery isn’t linear, and that no matter how far someone falls, they can get back up.Joe is back on the path, one day at a time—sometimes one breath at a time—doing whatever it takes to reclaim the life he fought so hard to build. And as Louis and Aaron listen, it’s impossible not to feel the strength behind his words. Joe isn’t just surviving anymore.He’s learning to hope again.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Louis and Aaron sit across from Joe Haag in a quiet studio, microphones on, the soft hum of the equipment blending into the background as Joe prepares to share the kind of story most people spend their lives trying to hide. But Joe isn’t hiding anymore. For him, honesty has become a lifeline.Joe grew up in a neighborhood where survival came before childhood. The streets were loud, unpredictable, and soaked in the kind of chaos that becomes normal only when you’re too young to know any different. In Joe’s family, alcohol wasn’t just present—it was inherited. Addiction ran through generations like an unbroken thread, and Joe learned early on that everyone coped with pain in their own ways. Unfortunately, the examples he saw were almost all destructive.By the time he reached his teens, drugs and alcohol were part of his daily reality. Not because he wanted to rebel, but because using felt like the only way to quiet the noise inside his head. The fear, the anger, the sadness—substances made all of it disappear, at least for a moment.But fast moments turn into lost years. And for Joe, the spiral was quick.What makes Joe’s story remarkable isn’t the fall—it’s the rise. Somewhere in the chaos, he found the strength to walk into a recovery room and ask for help. That choice changed his entire life. What followed were 13 years of sobriety. Thirteen years of rebuilding trust, repairing relationships, and learning how to live without the crutch he’d relied on for so long. Joe became the kind of person others in recovery looked up to: steady, strong, and proof that long-term sobriety was possible.But addiction is patient. It waits.Joe admits the signs that led up to his relapse were there long before he picked up again. The meetings he stopped going to. The emotions he started stuffing down. The quiet belief that after 13 years, maybe—just maybe—he was “cured.” He wasn’t. No one is. And one moment of vulnerability was all it took for him to slide back into a darkness he thought he’d outgrown.Relapse is heartbreaking, especially after more than a decade of sobriety. But Joe refuses to let shame write the ending to his story. Today, sitting with Louis and Aaron, he has three months clean. Three months of early mornings, honest conversations, hard truths, and painful growth. Three months of fighting—sometimes minute by minute—against a disease that never really goes away.What makes Joe’s story powerful isn’t that it’s perfect. It’s that it’s real. He’s proof that addiction doesn’t discriminate, that recovery isn’t linear, and that no matter how far someone falls, they can get back up.Joe is back on the path, one day at a time—sometimes one breath at a time—doing whatever it takes to reclaim the life he fought so hard to build. And as Louis and Aaron listen, it’s impossible not to feel the strength behind his words. Joe isn’t just surviving anymore.He’s learning to hope again.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this gripping episode, Aaron and Louis sit down with Mike Justice — a man whose life spiraled into chaos before he was even old enough to drive legally, and whose journey from destruction to transformation is nothing short of unbelievable.Mike opens up about getting his first DUI at just sixteen years old, the charges stacking up, and the early signs of a life already slipping out of control. He talks candidly about the passive suicidal thoughts that haunted him as a kid, thoughts that eventually escalated into a shocking moment where he attempted suicide by cop — an event that could have ended everything.What came next only added layers to the chaos. As a teenager, Mike found himself sitting in county jail, and when his mom tried to “rescue” him, she did it in the only dysfunctional way she knew — by driving drunk straight to the jail to break him out. His story keeps building as he recounts walking away from a drunk driving wreck without a scratch, a moment that should have woken him up but only fueled the belief that he was untouchable.Eventually, that mindset landed him in prison, where he received shelf time and had to adapt fast to survive. Mike breaks down the mentality he had on his first day behind bars, the fear he hid, and the tough exterior he believed he needed. But it wasn’t until he met a prison counselor who saw through him — someone who connected deeply with his story — that things began to shift.Mike describes the most powerful moment of his entire life, a turning point that changed the direction of everything that came after. Even with interruptions and setbacks, including moments where filming had to be cut, Mike’s honesty never wavered as he led into his final, emotional message.This episode is raw, intense, and unforgettable. And yes — Mike tells the full story behind the moment he calls:“What Happened When I Tried to Take a Cop’s Gun Out of Its Holster.”You do not want to miss this one.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Kee Brown — a young woman whose life story moves at the speed of a disaster she somehow survived. From childhood struggles to back-to-back tragedies, Kee’s journey into f3ntanyl addiction is as raw and gripping as it gets.Kee starts strong, diving straight into the chaos of her upbringing and the early life experiences that shaped her. The conversation quickly takes a heartbreaking turn when she recounts watching her boyfriend get killed right in front of her — a trauma that sent her life spiraling into places she never imagined.She explains how she first encountered f3ntanyl by accident, thinking she was simply using cocaine, and then breaks down the dangerous practice of “shotgunning fetty,” revealing how users try to reduce its potency just to survive the high. Kee goes on to describe how she made money selling f3ntanyl, how her own use escalated to an unimaginable seven grams a day, and why she never crossed the line into shooting up. Her breakdown of what daily life looks like at that level of addiction is brutally honest and almost unbelievable.Kee’s story takes another devastating turn as she talks about losing a second boyfriend while she was still barely into adulthood. The accumulation of grief, trauma, and addiction created a storm she almost didn’t survive.She then opens up about the darkest moment of her life, when her gun jammed during an attempted suicide — a chilling twist of fate that led to a deep reflection on what a human life is worth, including her own. That moment became the start of her realization that she wasn’t meant to die, not like that, not then.As the interview unfolds, Kee talks about the chaos of withdrawal, the nonstop phone calls, the pressure, and ultimately the moment she locked herself in a hotel room for a week to detox alone. It was the fight of her life — and somehow, she made it out.This is Kee Brown — uncut, unfiltered, and unforgettable.An episode you won’t be able to stop thinking about.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with someone who truly embodies the definition of “old school.” Kathy Williams—once a hard-living criminal alcoholic—has now been sober for nearly four decades, and her journey is nothing short of unbelievable.Kathy grew up in a world where chaos felt normal, and the madness only intensified when she met her first husband. He wasn’t just dabbling in crime—he was running from police on a regular basis, dragging Kathy into a lifestyle she never planned on living. What started as standing by her husband quickly turned into participating in the same wild, reckless behavior. And with every police chase, every lie, every slammed door, her drinking escalated. Alcohol became her escape, her comfort, and eventually her downfall.As her marriage crumbled, Kathy tried to climb out of the hole—but the insanity wasn’t done with her yet. While working her job, she found herself entangled with a client’s brother, a man whose presence felt like a whirlwind compared to the storm she was escaping. Three weeks after meeting him—three weeks of excitement, instability, and red flags she didn’t want to see—Kathy married him. That decision would send her into another chapter of turmoil that even she couldn’t have predicted.From bar fights and blackouts to dangerous decisions and losing everything she thought she controlled, Kathy’s life spiraled into a level of chaos that would have destroyed most people. But instead, her story took a turn. Through pain, consequences, and moments of clarity that came only after she hit her own version of bottom, Kathy clawed her way toward sobriety. And once she got clean, she stayed clean—year after year, decade after decade.Nearly 40 years later, Kathy Williams sits with Louis and Aaron not as the woman she used to be, but as a living testament to resilience, accountability, and the power of recovery. Her story is raw, gripping, unbelievable in parts—and absolutely inspiring.And trust us… you’ll want to listen until the very end to hear how this one turns out.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Aaron and Louis sit down with Kendra Mertz, whose childhood and early adulthood played out like scenes straight from Breaking Bad. Kendra grew up in a home where meth wasn’t just nearby — it was everywhere. The chaos, the chemical smell, the secrecy, and the constant fear of police lights at the end of the driveway were all part of her daily reality. One of the most unforgettable moments in her story comes when law enforcement discovered the trailer her family was living in. Officers surrounded the property, waiting on a warrant, unsure of what they would find inside. And in the middle of that storm, Kendra was pregnant with twins.Kendra never set out to harm her children, but addiction doesn't care about intentions. Despite her efforts to quit, despite the guilt that tore her apart, she found herself exposing not one, not two, but three pregnancies to meth and other drugs. Each time she promised herself she would stop. Each time the addiction pulled her back. She tried to get clean for her kids, for her family, for everyone else — but it never lasted. It wasn’t until she finally decided to do it for herself that everything changed. That was the moment she broke the cycle.Her road to recovery wasn’t a neat or easy journey. It was full of setbacks, dangerous situations, moments of deep shame, and a long climb to rebuild the pieces of her life. But once Kendra made the decision to fight back, she fought with everything she had. Slowly, she earned her sobriety, her stability, and her sense of purpose.Today, Kendra stands on the opposite side of the system that once chased her. She has become a respected parole officer — not just any officer, but one who is known for her compassion, her strength, and her ability to connect with people still trapped in the lifestyle she escaped. She’s living proof that people can rise from the absolute lowest points in life and come back stronger than anyone believed possible. Now she uses her story, her scars, and her hard-earned wisdom to help others climb out of the same darkness she once called home.Kendra Mertz isn’t just surviving — she’s helping others survive too. Her journey is a testament to resilience, redemption, and the power of choosing a new path, no matter how deep the past has buried you.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and emotional episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Katie Szabo from Youngstown, Ohio, whose story is one of unexpected turns, heartbreak, and redemption. Katie grew up never knowing her father, but she was raised by her mother—a brilliant and hardworking woman employed by NASA—who did everything she could to provide her daughter with a stable and loving home. Katie’s childhood and early adult years were filled with normalcy and success. She was a bright student, a dependable friend, and someone who seemed to have her life completely together.

For nearly thirty years, everything appeared steady—until one day, a switch flipped. Around the age of 30, Katie met a man she would later marry, and together they set out on what seemed like a dream life. With money from a settlement from a previous job, they traveled the country in an RV, camping along the coasts and chasing adventure from state to state. From the outside, it looked like freedom. But behind the smiles and scenic photos, Katie was struggling. Her life began to spiral into on-and-off sobriety, emotional chaos, and instability that slowly eroded everything she had built.The relationship became increasingly toxic and violent, eventually drawing Katie into the court system. It was there that her world truly came crashing down—she lost custody of her children, a heartbreak that still drives her to this day. Shortly after, she spent a month in jail, where everything finally caught up to her. In that time, away from the noise and destruction, the lightbulb came on. She saw her life for what it had become and realized she had the power to change it.When Katie walked out of jail, she stepped into a new chapter—one defined by recovery, reflection, and rebuilding. Today, she is not only sober, but also fighting to regain custody of her children and to prove every day that transformation is possible. She uses her experience to help others who are still trapped in the cycle of addiction and despair, showing them that recovery isn’t just about getting clean—it’s about finding yourself again.Katie’s story is a raw and inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, redemption, and love. From the open roads of her past to the uphill climb of her present, she continues to fight—with courage, with faith, and with hope. Her journey reminds us all that no matter how far we fall, there’s always a way back, and the fight for what matters most is never over.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and emotional episode, Aaron and Louis sit down with Amber Rabold, a woman whose life has been anything but ordinary. Amber’s story begins in the rough neighborhoods of north Columbus, where she grew up sharing a single room with her family—four people crammed together just trying to survive. From a young age, chaos and instability were all she knew. Her parents, both struggling with alcoholism, passed down more than just their habits—they passed down a legacy of pain, confusion, and addiction.Amber’s life took a dark turn early on.

At only nine years old, she discovered drugs and alcohol, and what started as curiosity quickly became her way of escaping reality. She describes it as “love at first high,” the feeling that took her away from the constant noise and hurt of her world. But that escape came with a heavy cost.

As she got older, her addiction tightened its grip, pushing her deeper into a life of survival and desperation.By her teenage years, Amber found herself chasing money the only way she thought she could—stripping. What started as a means to get by soon became an all-consuming lifestyle. The fast money, attention, and adrenaline made it easy to ignore the pain she was hiding. But when the club lights dimmed and the music stopped, Amber was left facing the same demons she had been running from since childhood. Eventually, that life led her even further down, selling herself just to feed her addiction and survive another day.Amber’s story is raw, real, and filled with the kind of honesty that stops you in your tracks. She opens up about the lowest moments—the loneliness, the shame, and the times she thought she wouldn’t make it out alive. But this story isn’t one of tragedy—it’s one of redemption.

Through hard work, recovery, and a newfound sense of purpose, Amber has completely transformed her life. Today, she stands proud, clean, and stronger than ever, using her past to help others find hope in their darkest moments.Tune in to hear Amber’s incredible journey from addiction and survival to freedom and healing—a reminder that no matter how far you fall,

recovery is always possible.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

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In this emotional and eye-opening episode, hosts Aaron Garnes and Louis Essig sit down with Josh Hively, a man whose story of addiction, pain, and redemption will leave you speechless.Josh opens up about his life — a childhood that seemed picture-perfect on the surface. He grew up in a loving family, played sports, and excelled in school. From the outside, Josh looked like the kind of kid destined for success. But beneath that normal exterior, something darker was beginning to take hold. When he first tried alcohol, he discovered something that made him feel invincible — free from fear, worry, and insecurity. It wasn’t just a drink to him; it was an escape, a way to numb the parts of himself he didn’t understand.As time went on, Josh’s drinking spiraled out of control. What started as casual use with friends became an obsession — a way of life. Pills soon followed, deepening the chaos and pulling him further away from the person he once was. His life became a cycle of blackouts, broken promises, and regret. Family relationships suffered, his potential slipped away, and the consequences piled up.Eventually, Josh found himself standing in a courtroom — four DUIs deep, facing the very real possibility of a prison sentence. It was a breaking point. The walls had finally closed in, and there was nowhere left to run. But what could have been the end for Josh became the beginning of something new. It was in that moment facing the harsh reality of what his addiction had done — that he made the decision to take recovery seriously.What followed was not easy. It took years of hard work, honesty, and humility. Josh had to rebuild everything from the ground up — his trust, his relationships, his sense of purpose. Through recovery, he found a new way to live, one built on gratitude and service. Today, Josh uses his past not as a source of shame, but as a message of hope. His story proves that no matter how far down addiction takes you, there is always a way back.This episode is a raw and powerful look at how addiction doesn’t discriminate — it can touch anyone, even those who seem to have everything going for them. Josh’s transformation from a seemingly never-ending alcoholic to a man living a life of purpose will inspire anyone who listens.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and powerful episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Alex Butt, a man whose journey from a normal upbringing to the chaos of addiction shows just how fast life can spiral out of control — and how strong a person has to be to fight their way back.Alex grew up in what most would call a normal household. He wasn’t born into dysfunction or addiction. But like so many, he was drawn to the fast life of the streets — the rush, the danger, the illusion of control. Everything changed the day he tried his first Xanax. It was love at first taste — a feeling that numbed everything and made the world feel easier. But that love quickly turned toxic.What started as a way to feel calm turned into full-blown chaos. DUIs followed, along with a string of crimes that kept pushing Alex deeper into the system. But the spiral didn’t stop there. He began selling drugs — not in some back alley, but at the airport, where he worked, dealing to co-workers, his boss, and even his child’s mother. The lines between right and wrong blurred until there weren’t any left.Before long, Alex found himself caught in a violent triangle of people, fueled by drugs, jealousy, and desperation — a mess that exploded into a brawl that could have ended much worse. Not long after, an unpaid ticket landed him back in jail, a place that had become far too familiar. But this time was different. Facing a felony, Alex had no more excuses, no more “one more chances.” He was at a crossroads — keep going and lose everything, or finally fight to turn it all around.And he did.Alex made the decision to change his life for good. He got clean, stayed committed, and started to rebuild from the ground up. Today, he works at a treatment center, dedicating his life to helping others who are fighting the same battles he once did. His story is proof that no matter how many times you fall, you can always get back up.This episode is packed with emotion, honesty, and redemption. Alex opens up about his darkest moments, the insanity of his choices, the pain of facing consequences, and the freedom he’s found in recovery.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful episode, hosts Aaron and Louis sit down with Dan Vanwallsen, a man whose life took a sharp turn from a normal childhood into the darkness of addiction — and eventually, into a life dedicated to helping others heal.Dan didn’t come from chaos. He didn’t grow up surrounded by addiction or crime. In fact, his childhood was nothing out of the ordinary. But addiction doesn’t discriminate, and for Dan, it started with curiosity — and ended in chains.Heroin entered his life quietly, the kind of thing you think you’ll only try once. But the drug’s grip was fast and unforgiving. To avoid withdrawal and keep functioning, Dan transitioned to methadone — believing it would be his lifeline. Instead, it became another prison. Methadone ruled every day of his life, controlling his decisions, his movements, and his future. It was a ball and chain he dragged behind him for years.Dan’s story is packed with heartbreaking lows and near-fatal mistakes — moments when he couldn’t see a way out and wondered if this was how his story would end. But somewhere in that struggle, something changed. Dan refused to let addiction write the final chapters of his life.Through brutal honesty, support, and an unbreakable will, Dan broke free. He detoxed. He rebuilt. He transformed. And now, he doesn’t just celebrate his own sobriety — he works in recovery, using the pain he survived to guide others out of the same darkness.This episode is unfiltered and packed with emotion — a deep dive into:• How a good childhood can still lead to addiction• The quiet traps heroin and methadone set• The brutal process of getting clean for real• The mission Dan now lives out every day helping othersToday, Dan is proof that no matter how far drugs take you, there is always a way back. His journey is a reminder that recovery isn’t just possible — it’s worth every single fight.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippod.cast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, host Louis sits down with James Witherspoon, a man who grew up in the tough streets of Detroit and knows firsthand what it feels like to be underestimated. As a kid, James was bullied relentlessly. He never felt like he fit in, never felt like he was enough. But unlike many who struggle early, James didn’t dive into addiction right away. He didn’t start drinking until he was 18… and when he did, he fell in love fast.That love quickly turned toxic. James experimented with other substances, but alcohol always had the tightest grip. No matter how many times he tried to break free, it dragged him back to his knees — again and again. His journey is filled with setbacks, painful lessons, and moments where he wasn’t sure he would survive.But James did more than survive — he transformed. Today, he is the Clinical Director at a treatment facility, helping men and women just like him find hope, healing, and a new life beyond addiction. His story is proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your future and become someone you’re proud of.This episode dives deep into the struggles, the turning points, and the powerful comeback of a man who refused to stay down. James’s honesty and strength make this one of the most uplifting conversations you’ll hear.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

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In this moving and eye-opening episode, Louis Essig steps into an 8th-grade classroom with one mission — to tell the truth. Not the sugarcoated version, but the real, gritty, and painful truth about drug addiction and how it completely derailed his life.Louis grew up with every opportunity in front of him. He was a bright student, earned good grades, and was active in sports. From the outside, he looked like a kid destined for success — someone who had it all together. But behind the smiles and achievements, Louis began making choices that would slowly unravel everything he once valued. What started as “just trying it once” turned into a full-blown addiction that would steal years of his life, destroy relationships, and leave him homeless on the west side of Columbus, Ohio.Standing in front of these middle school students, Louis doesn’t hold back. He shares the raw details of how addiction doesn’t care who you are — it doesn’t matter where you come from, how smart you are, or what kind of family you grew up in. He talks about the pain, the fear, the hopelessness, and the reality of living every day just trying to survive. But he also shares something else — hope.Today, Louis is using his past to change the future. He travels to schools and communities, speaking directly to young people about the choices that can change everything. He educates them on what can happen when drugs and alcohol become a part of their lives — not just the health risks, but the legal consequences, the felony convictions, and the lifelong challenges that come with those decisions.But more than that, Louis shows that recovery is possible. He’s proof that no matter how far you fall, there’s always a way back. His honesty, emotion, and passion captivate every student in the room, leaving them with a powerful message: one decision can change everything — for better or for worse.This is more than just a talk. It’s a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that addiction doesn’t start in a dark alley — it often starts in a classroom, at a party, or with a friend’s offer. And Louis Essig is here to make sure these kids hear the truth before it’s too late.Watch as Louis turns his pain into purpose, his struggle into strength, and his story into a message that could save lives.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and unforgettable episode, Louis sits down with Josh Nugent, a man whose journey through addiction, chaos, and near-death experiences is as harrowing as it is inspiring. Josh grew up in the gritty streets of Detroit, where instability and addiction were a part of daily life. His father, a hardworking man who fell victim to alcoholism, eventually lost his job, forcing the family to uproot their lives and move to Columbus in search of a new start. But instead of finding stability, Josh found himself spiraling deeper into darkness.

At a young age, he began experimenting with drugs—starting with bath salts and K2, chasing that first high that would quickly turn into an uncontrollable obsession. What began as curiosity soon morphed into addiction, and Josh’s life descended into total chaos.

He tells Louis about the wild, dangerous, and often life-threatening situations that followed—violent fights, dangerous drug deals, and moments where he stared down the barrel of a gun, unsure if he would make it out alive. Every high came with a cost, and every escape led him closer to destruction. The drugs took everything from him—his peace, his safety, his sanity—and yet, somehow, he survived.Josh’s story is one of unimaginable darkness but also unbelievable strength.

Even in his lowest moments, something inside him refused to quit. He talks about the turning points—the moments when he realized that if he didn’t change, he wouldn’t live much longer. The process of getting clean wasn’t easy. It took humility, pain, and the courage to face everything he’d been running from.

Through his recovery, Josh found not just sobriety but purpose. He discovered a calling to help others who were still trapped in the same darkness that almost killed him.Today, Josh Nugent works at a correctional facility, using his past as a powerful tool to reach those who feel hopeless and lost. He connects with inmates and addicts on a level most people never could—because he’s lived it. He knows what it’s like to lose everything, and he knows what it takes to rebuild. His mission is simple but profound: to show others that no matter how far you’ve fallen, redemption is always possible.

Join Louis and Josh for an intense, emotional, and deeply human conversation about addiction, survival, and the fight to reclaim your life. This episode doesn’t shy away from the ugly truths—the chaos of meth addiction, the violence of the streets, and the scars that never fully fade—but it also celebrates the beauty of recovery and the strength it takes to transform pain into purpose. Josh’s story is living proof that no matter where you come from or what you’ve done, it’s never too late to rise.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links:

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In this powerful and brutally honest episode, Louis sits down with Brett Wilder, a man whose story of rebellion, addiction, and ultimate redemption is nothing short of extraordinary. Brett opens up about growing up in a deeply religious household with strict, rule-bound parents.

What was meant to guide him instead became the fuel for his rebellion. By the time he turned eighteen, Brett decided to taste the world for himself—and that first encounter with alcohol and weed opened a door he would spend years trying to close. What started as experimentation quickly spiraled into chaos, leading Brett down a dark and destructive path ruled by addiction.It wasn’t long before Brett found himself in the grip of a crippling crack cocaine habit—one that consumed every thought, every dollar, and every piece of dignity he had left.

He describes the desperation with haunting detail: breaking the crack stem and cutting his own lips just to get one more hit, one more moment of escape from the pain that had become his reality. His days blurred together in a haze of hopelessness, self-destruction, and spiritual torment.

The harder he tried to stop, the deeper he sank, until it seemed there was no way out.But Brett’s story didn’t end there. In the midst of his darkness—when he had lost everything—he experienced a moment of divine intervention that would change his life forever. Brett says it was Jesus Christ Himself who reached into his chaos and pulled him out.

That encounter broke the chains of addiction and gave him a new purpose. Today, Brett is an evangelist and revivalist, traveling to share his testimony and help others confront and cast out the demons that hold them captive. He speaks with conviction, passion, and gratitude, knowing firsthand that no one is too far gone to be redeemed.Join Louis and Brett Wilder for an unfiltered conversation about rebellion, addiction, and spiritual awakening.

This episode dives deep into the painful realities of crack addiction and the miraculous transformation that followed. It’s a raw, emotional journey through the lowest valleys of human experience to the highest peaks of faith and freedom—a testament to the power of grace, deliverance, and the strength of a man who refused to let his story end in darkness.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this gripping and emotional episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Kaytie Adams, a woman whose life has been a rollercoaster of heartbreak, addiction, and redemption. Kaytie’s story begins in childhood, when her mother left her between the ages of four and five — a moment that would shape the rest of her life. Left in the care of her father, a police officer, Kaytie grew up in a home filled with structure and discipline, but also with deep emotional scars from abandonment and confusion.

As she got older, life took a darker turn. What started as a tense custody battle spiraled into emotional turmoil, chaos, and rebellion. Kaytie’s pain found its outlet in addiction, and she began using substances to fill the void left behind by years of instability and loss. Before long, she found herself caught in a world she never imagined — stripping to survive and chasing highs that only dragged her further down.The lifestyle that came with dancing only intensified her addiction.

Nights blurred into mornings, and soon Kaytie was IV-using any drug she could get her hands on. Her world revolved around the next fix, and in the depths of her addiction, she even found herself pushing away the people who mattered most — including her own children. The woman who once dreamed of a normal, loving life was now fighting demons she couldn’t control.But this story doesn’t end there. After years of struggle, heartbreak, and self-destruction, Kaytie made the brave decision to change.

She faced her addiction head-on, endured the pain of withdrawal, and began the long road to recovery. Today, she’s clean, healthy, and living a life she once thought was impossible. She’s reunited with one of her children, building a beautiful, stable, and loving life — one grounded in gratitude, honesty, and hope.In this episode, Kaytie opens up about the reality of her past — the loneliness of childhood, the chaos of addiction, the darkness of the strip club scene, and the strength it took to climb her way back. Her story is a raw and inspiring reminder that no matter how far you fall, redemption is always possible.This conversation is unfiltered, emotional, and real. Louis and Aaron guide Kaytie through her journey with empathy, humor, and insight, revealing not just a story of recovery — but one of rebirth.

If you’ve ever felt lost, hopeless, or trapped by your past, this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

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In this raw, deeply moving episode, host Louis Essig sits down with Dani McManis, a woman whose story challenges everything you think you know about addiction. Dani wasn’t the type to experiment with hard drugs or chase the next high — for most of her life, she stayed far from that world. But somewhere along the way, what started as casual drinking turned into a full-blown battle with alcohol that nearly destroyed everything she loved.Dani’s descent into alcoholism was slow at first — a drink to take the edge off, another to unwind, then a few more to forget. Before long, alcohol became the center of her world, controlling her mind, her choices, and her future. She tried to manage it, to hide it, to justify it — but the truth was, it was breaking her down piece by piece.Then came a moment that changed everything: Dani found out she was pregnant. Filled with love, fear, and hope, she wanted desperately to stop drinking for her unborn child. She entered rehab, determined to turn her life around — but addiction isn’t something that releases its grip easily. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t stop.When her baby was born, the child went through painful withdrawals — an unthinkable reality for any mother. But through strength, faith, and perseverance, something miraculous happened. The baby pulled through, healthy and strong. That moment marked a powerful turning point for Dani — a wake-up call that this life wasn’t over, and that redemption was still possible.Today, Dani is sober, thriving, and part of what she calls a miracle of a family. She’s living proof that no matter how deep the struggle, it’s never too late to fight your way back. Her honesty, humility, and courage to share her truth make this one of the most heartfelt and inspiring conversations we’ve ever had.This episode isn’t just about addiction — it’s about love, motherhood, second chances, and the human spirit’s unshakable will to heal. Dani’s story will make you feel every emotion, from heartbreak to hope, and remind you that even the darkest chapters can lead to the most beautiful new beginnings.If you or someone you love has battled addiction, this is a must-watch. Tune in, listen closely, and remember — miracles do happen.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and emotional episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Katie Szabo from Youngstown, Ohio, whose story is one of unexpected turns, heartbreak, and redemption. Katie grew up never knowing her father, but she was raised by her mother—a brilliant and hardworking woman employed by NASA—who did everything she could to provide her daughter with a stable and loving home. Katie’s childhood and early adult years were filled with normalcy and success. She was a bright student, a dependable friend, and someone who seemed to have her life completely together.For nearly thirty years, everything appeared steady—until one day, a switch flipped. Around the age of 30, Katie met a man she would later marry, and together they set out on what seemed like a dream life. With money from a settlement from a previous job, they traveled the country in an RV, camping along the coasts and chasing adventure from state to state. From the outside, it looked like freedom. But behind the smiles and scenic photos, Katie was struggling. Her life began to spiral into on-and-off sobriety, emotional chaos, and instability that slowly eroded everything she had built.The relationship became increasingly toxic and violent, eventually drawing Katie into the court system. It was there that her world truly came crashing down—she lost custody of her children, a heartbreak that still drives her to this day. Shortly after, she spent a month in jail, where everything finally caught up to her. In that time, away from the noise and destruction, the lightbulb came on. She saw her life for what it had become and realized she had the power to change it.When Katie walked out of jail, she stepped into a new chapter—one defined by recovery, reflection, and rebuilding. Today, she is not only sober, but also fighting to regain custody of her children and to prove every day that transformation is possible. She uses her experience to help others who are still trapped in the cycle of addiction and despair, showing them that recovery isn’t just about getting clean—it’s about finding yourself again.Katie’s story is a raw and inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, redemption, and love. From the open roads of her past to the uphill climb of her present, she continues to fight—with courage, with faith, and with hope. Her journey reminds us all that no matter how far we fall, there’s always a way back, and the fight for what matters most is never over.

🔥 Expect emotion.

Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and brutally honest episode, Louis sits down with Chris, a man who has endured some of the darkest corners of addiction, incarceration, and survival. Chris opens up about a life that spiraled out of control at an early age—drugs, violence, and a series of bad decisions that ultimately landed him behind bars.From the moment he entered prison, Chris found himself surrounded by the same chaos he thought he’d left on the streets. Drugs were everywhere—pills, Suboxone, K2, and heroin—smuggled in through every imaginable way. What shocked him most wasn’t just the availability, but how deeply addiction had its grip even behind locked doors. He describes watching men trade their meals, their clothes, and sometimes even their dignity just to get high. The gangs ran the flow, guards often turned a blind eye, and getting clean inside felt almost impossible.But for Chris, prison also became the place where he hit his lowest—and began to rebuild. After years of chasing dope and running from himself, he finally reached a breaking point. It was in a small cell, sick from withdrawal and tired of living the same cycle, that he decided something had to change. With time, faith, and sheer determination, Chris began to pull himself out of the darkness.Now, years later, he’s sober, free, and learning to live life on his own terms. He opens up about the mental and emotional toll of incarceration, the temptations that never truly disappear, and what it really takes to start over when society has already written you off.Join Louis and Chris for a raw conversation about the harsh realities of drugs inside prisons, the fight for recovery in a broken system, and the hope that can still be found on the other side of pain. This isn’t just a story about survival—it’s about redemption, resilience, and the power of choosing a different path when the odds are stacked against you.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and unforgettable episode, host Louis sits down with William Shiells from Columbus, Ohio, to hear a story that’s as chaotic as it is inspiring.William grew up with anger boiling inside him. As a kid, he didn’t always know how to channel it—one time smashing his own car windshield with a baseball bat for no reason other than the rage he carried. That anger and recklessness soon bled into substance use. He started with marijuana and mushrooms, but the trouble didn’t stop there. Before long, the law was involved, and William’s life began to spiral.Addiction took hold fast. William overdosed so many times he lost count, waking up again and again to EMTs pulling him back from the brink with Narcan. Each revival wasn’t enough to stop him—only another chance to sink deeper. He was homeless, living out of a car, consumed by the chase for the next high. His desperation was so intense that he escaped multiple institutions, one time climbing a fence topped with razor wire, leaving him cut open and bleeding everywhere—all just to get high again.And yet, somehow, William made it out alive. Today, his story is one of redemption. After finding sobriety, he not only worked in recovery but rose to become the director of a facility helping others climb out of the same darkness. Now, he’s building a new life, working construction, and most importantly, staying clean and sober.This conversation is gritty, honest, and inspiring. William opens up about his past rage, the depths of his addiction, the countless overdoses, and the blood he left on razor wire in the name of drugs. But he also shares the hope, healing, and redemption that define his life today.Don’t miss this powerful episode—subscribe and turn on notifications to hear how William Shiells turned his chaos into clarity, and how he’s proving every day that recovery is possible.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links:

⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this emotional and eye-opening episode, host Louis Essig sits down with Jeremy Garber from Columbus, Ohio—a man whose story reaches from the chaos of the 1980s and 90s into the battles he still fights today.

Jeremy’s life was marked by trauma before he even understood what the word meant. Both of his parents were alcoholics, and when they divorced on Thanksgiving Day—while Jeremy was only 3 years old—the pain of that moment stuck with him forever. His mother remarried another alcoholic, and while the chaos swirled around him, Jeremy went to live with his grandmother. But even there, addiction was never far away. At just six years old, Jeremy was fetching beers for his mom and her friends—and sneaking sips for himself. By the time most kids were learning their ABCs, Jeremy was already becoming an alcoholic without even realizing it.As he grew older, the story only got darker. Weed became part of his teenage years, and soon crack cocaine entered the picture. Crack quickly took everything from him—his stability, his hope, and nearly his life. Yet Jeremy never fully gave up. He managed to put together five solid years of sobriety, proving to himself that a better life was possible.But addiction doesn’t let go easily. After those years sober, Jeremy relapsed, finding himself once again face-to-face with the demons he thought he had beaten. Today, sitting down with Louis, Jeremy is brutally honest about where he’s at—four months sober and once again climbing back on the horse, fighting every single day to win his life back.This conversation is raw, real, and a reminder that recovery isn’t always a straight line. Jeremy’s courage to share not just his victories but also his struggles makes this one of the most important and relatable episodes yet.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this gripping episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Jamey Snodgrass, whose life story sounds almost unbelievable—yet every detail is real.Jamey’s childhood unraveled the day his father said he was stepping out for milk and never came back. That single moment of abandonment set the stage for years of hardship. His mother, lost to crack addiction, could offer no safety net, leaving Jamey to raise himself on the streets.It didn’t take long for the chaos around him to pull him in. Addiction followed quickly, and with it came stints in jails and institutions, each one darker than the last. The danger was relentless: Jamey survived two separate house fires, one of which cost him part of his ear. Every time it seemed life couldn’t throw more at him, it did.Yet against all odds, Jamey is still here. Alive. Sober. Rebuilding. His story isn’t just about surviving addiction—it’s about surviving life itself. From the heartbreak of a vanished father to the terror of flames and the grip of drugs, Jamey’s journey shows the strength it takes to keep moving forward when the world keeps trying to take you down.This conversation is raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable. Jamey opens up about abandonment, addiction, the fires that nearly killed him, and the hard-won sobriety that finally gave him a second chance.Today, Jamey stands as living proof that miracles are real and that no matter how many times life tries to break you, it’s always possible to rise again.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful episode, host Louis sits down with Johnny Jermani, a Detroit-area rapper whose life has been shaped by the streets, music, and the constant pull between the two.Johnny grew up in the heart of Detroit, where lessons about survival came early. His father, a product of the same unforgiving environment, taught him the ways of the street when he was just a kid. Those lessons made Johnny wise beyond his years—how to hustle, how to read people, how to stay one step ahead—but they also set him on a dangerous path that few escape.Music was always in his blood. Even as a teenager, Johnny’s rhymes carried the raw energy of his neighborhood, and before long he became a respected name in Detroit’s underground rap scene. But staying out of trouble was never easy. “If you break the law, trouble will find you,” he says—and for Johnny, it found him again and again. Drugs, robberies, and the relentless pull of the streets led to numerous prison numbers, each sentence a reminder of how hard it is to leave the past behind.Yet through every setback, the music never left him. Behind prison walls he kept writing, honing his craft, and dreaming of a different life. When he finally walked free, Johnny made a promise to himself: to dedicate everything to his art and carve out a future defined by beats and lyrics instead of crime and chaos.Today, Johnny is pouring every ounce of himself into music with the hope of making it out of the hood and inspiring others to chase their own way forward. He’s a testament to the power of talent and perseverance in a city where dreams and danger often share the same block.This conversation is raw, intense, and unforgettable. Johnny opens up about his childhood under his father’s tough guidance, the street lessons that shaped him, the prison bids that tested him, and the passion for hip-hop that ultimately gave him a way forward.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful episode, host Louis and Aaron sits down with Devon Rodgers, a man whose life has taken turns so wild you’d think they were scripted.Devon’s early years looked ordinary, but everything changed when he entered foster care at a young age. He bounced from home to home, never knowing what stability really felt like. In that instability he was introduced to drugs, and during a stay in Philadelphia he first encountered opiates—a moment that would set the course for years of struggle.What started as experimentation quickly became dependence, and before long Devon was using exclusively pressed “30s” laced with fentanyl. His life became a blur of risk and chaos, full of situations so extreme they sound unbelievable. Time after time he found himself on the brink, and how he made it out alive is nothing short of miraculous.But Devon did make it out. Against all odds, he fought his way back from the edge, leaving fentanyl behind and rebuilding a life he once thought was impossible. Today he is sober, grounded, and devoted to the family he loves and cares for—a life defined by purpose instead of survival.This conversation is raw, gripping, and unforgettable. Devon opens up about foster care, addiction, and the near-death experiences that shaped him, while sharing the hope and determination that finally set him free.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Join hosts Aaron and Louis for a gripping, no-holds-barred conversation with Travis Hall, a man whose life has been a rollercoaster of pain, survival, and hard-won redemption. Travis grew up in a tough environment where trouble seemed to lurk around every corner. From the very first time he smoked weed, he says he felt like a “junkie,” instantly hooked on chasing the next high and the escape it offered. What began as a teenage experiment quickly became an all-consuming way of life.Then came the accident that would change everything. A devastating ATV crash left Travis fighting for his life and ultimately cost him his right arm, forcing him to face the world in a way few of us can imagine. Yet instead of slowing down, addiction tightened its grip. He soon found himself homeless, sleeping wherever he could and hustling to survive—even with one arm and nowhere to call home. His days blurred into nights of desperation, and the dream of a normal life seemed impossibly out of reach.But this story is far more than tragedy. It’s about resilience, courage, and the stubborn strength of the human spirit. Today, Travis is clean, sober, and determined to build a life he once thought was gone forever. He’s living proof that no matter how brutal the past or how many times you fall, it’s never too late to rewrite your future and inspire others along the way.Aaron and Louis dive deep into every chapter of Travis’s journey: the rough childhood that shaped him, the near-death accident that should have stopped him, the desperate years of addiction and street life, and the powerful choices that finally led him to freedom and hope.If you’ve ever wondered whether true transformation is possible—if you’ve questioned whether someone can claw their way back from the lowest of lows—this is the story you need to hear. Travis’s unflinching honesty will leave you moved, motivated, and reminded that redemption is always within reach.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this inspiring solo episode, host Louis sits down with Chrissie Mackie, whose life took a dramatic turn from small-town band nerd to full-blown battle with the bottle.

Chrissie grew up in a loving, ordinary household and spent her school years immersed in music, proudly embracing her “band nerd” identity. But when she left for college, everything shifted. What began as casual drinking to fit in soon became an all-out war with alcohol—nights blurred by blackouts, bar fights, and a relentless spiral she couldn’t escape.

The heartbreak deepened when Chrissie’s mother passed away from cancer without warning. The sudden loss sent her reeling. Grief and destructive habits consumed her, and she feared she’d never break free of the same demons that had already stolen so much. Friends and family worried, but nothing seemed to reach her.

Then, in a dimly lit bar on an ordinary night, something extraordinary happened: a line from Good Will Hunting cut through the noise and hit her like lightning. That single movie quote became the spark that saved her life. Chrissie walked out of the bar and never looked back, determined to build something better.

Today, Chrissie is not only sober—she holds a master’s degree and dedicates her career to helping others fight the same battles she once faced. Her journey is a testament to resilience, the power of unexpected inspiration, and the truth that change is always possible.

This conversation is raw, honest, and unforgettable. Chrissie’s story proves that even in the darkest moments, hope can arrive in the most surprising ways and lead to a future brighter than you ever imagined.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this moving episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Ashley Arick, whose story shows both the devastating grip of addiction and the incredible power of redemption.Ashley grew up with a decent upbringing, surrounded by the kind of support and stability many would think could keep her safe.

But even with that foundation, her life took a sharp turn into chaos. What should have been a normal path forward instead became a nightmare as drugs and alcohol consumed her world.After years of battling addiction, Ashley fought her way into sobriety. She not only got clean but also began working at a recovery center, helping others find the same freedom she had discovered.

On the outside, her life looked like a picture of success and redemption.But then, one day, Ashley relapsed. Instead of reaching out, she felt forced to hide it from the world, carrying the secret while continuing to live a double life. That weight nearly broke her, but it also became a turning point.Today, Ashley is sober again—and stronger than ever. She has dedicated her life to helping other addicts and alcoholics, using her story to prove that recovery isn’t about perfection, but about honesty, persistence, and never giving up.

This interview is raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring. Ashley opens up about her decent upbringing, her spiral into addiction, her relapse in secrecy, and her powerful comeback. Her story is proof that no matter how many times you stumble, you can always stand back up and find a new purpose.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this gripping episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Lindsay Wren, whose life reads like the script of a crime thriller—but every word of it is real.Lindsay’s journey into addiction began with methadone, but things quickly escalated. After overdosing, she found herself pulled deeper into chaos, turning to crack cocaine.

That choice eventually put her in the middle of a major drug bust, and her life spun further out of control. When she discovered dilaudid, she made the switch to shooting it—pushing her further into a lifestyle of risk and desperation.At one point, Lindsay was literally running from her reality—spending eight months on the run, caught in a cycle of fear and survival.

The chaos reached new levels when she and her husband began using up to 180 Xanax bars a day. What started as a way to cope turned into a living nightmare, leaving them dependent on the drug just to keep from seizing. Xanax wasn’t just another chapter in her addiction—it became the drug that changed her life forever.And yet, through it all, Lindsay is still here. Against the odds, she found the strength to step away from the darkness, to fight for her life, and to begin building a future free from the chaos of her past.

This episode is raw, shocking, and one of the most intense interviews we’ve done to date. Lindsay’s willingness to open up about the darkest parts of her addiction—her overdose, her time on the run, the drug bust, and the unimaginable grip of Xanax—makes her story unforgettable.Lindsay’s journey is proof that even in the middle of total destruction, there is still a way forward, and there is still hope.

🔥 Expect emotion.

Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and gripping episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Brandon Somers, a man whose life has been defined by chaos, crime, and destruction—until recently. Born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio, Brandon never knew a life without crime. From an early age, the streets shaped him, and breaking the law became second nature.What started as trouble in his youth turned into a full-blown cycle of crime and addiction. Brandon’s rap sheet is long—so many different crimes that he lost count along the way. By the time most people were building their futures, Brandon was serving time in juvenile prison—not once, but twice. That pattern carried over into adulthood, leading him to prison a total of nine times. Each stint behind bars was another reminder of how deep he was trapped, but nothing seemed to break the cycle.Until one day, Brandon hit the point of exhaustion. He was too tired to keep living the same destructive life, too tired to keep hurting himself and everyone around him. That weariness became his turning point. Instead of giving up, Brandon made the choice to change—and for the first time in his life, he’s sober, rebuilding, and stepping into the man he was meant to be.This interview is one of the most powerful yet. Brandon opens up with unflinching honesty about his years of crime, addiction, and prison sentences, while also sharing how he finally found the strength to escape the cycle. His journey is chaotic, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring—a movie-like spiral with an ending filled with hope.Brandon’s story proves that no matter how many times you fall, no matter how lost you seem, redemption is possible.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this explosive episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Harry Paige, whose story could easily be the script of a dark Hollywood drama. On paper, Harry had everything he needed. Growing up with two sisters in a stable, loving family, he never went without—food on the table, a roof over his head, and parents who cared. But what looked like a safe childhood quickly gave way to a world of danger and destruction.Introduced to drugs at a young age, Harry’s path started with curiosity but rapidly turned into something far darker. When Harry lost his son to a drunk driving accident, he turned to crack cocaine. It wasn’t just another drug—it was the one that consumed him. From the first hit, Harry was hooked, and his life began to spiral in ways no one could have predicted. He stole from the very people who had given him everything. Lies piled on lies, chaos followed him everywhere, and the boy who once had it all became unrecognizable.Like scenes ripped from a movie, Harry’s life unraveled—addiction dragging him deeper into desperation with each day. Every decision seemed to lead further into destruction, every moment another chapter in a story that felt destined for tragedy.But somehow, Harry rewrote the ending. Against all odds, he found the strength to stop running from himself and face the truth. His journey into recovery wasn’t easy, but it gave him something greater than he ever imagined: freedom, clarity, and the chance to give back. Today, Harry stands as proof that no matter how far someone falls, there is always a way back.This is not just another interview—it’s one of the most gripping, raw, and unfiltered conversations we’ve ever recorded. Harry’s honesty about his spiral into crack addiction and the pain it caused will shock you, move you, and inspire you all at once.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Bryce Sparks, a man whose life could have been the script of a tragedy—but instead turned into a story of resilience, redemption, and hope.Bryce’s upbringing was anything but easy. From a young age, he carried pain and struggles that no child should have to endure. By the time most kids were thinking about prom or graduation, Bryce was already deep in the grip of heroin addiction. What started as a way to escape his circumstances quickly grew into a monster that controlled his every move. When the heroin would run out, Bryce swore he’d never touch fentanyl—but like so many caught in the cycle of addiction, desperation pushed him further than he ever thought he’d go.Drugs, crime, and broken trust consumed his life. The odds were stacked against him, and most would have bet he wouldn’t make it out alive.But Bryce proved them wrong. Against all odds, he didn’t just survive—he found a way to change. Through grit, resilience, and the willingness to fight for something better, Bryce got sober and discovered a new purpose. Today, he uses his story to give back, helping others who are still trapped in the same nightmare he once lived.This conversation is raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring—and it just might be one of the best interviews we’ve ever done. Bryce’s honesty about his tough childhood, his battle with heroin and fentanyl, and ultimately his fight to rebuild his life makes this episode unforgettable.This isn’t just a story of recovery—it’s living proof that no matter how dark someone’s past may be, there is always a way forward, and there is always hope for a new beginning.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Bryan Sparks, a man whose story feels like it could have been pulled straight from a tragic movie—but with an ending filled with hope and redemption.Bryan’s life took a dark turn at just 13 years old when he faced a trauma no child should ever have to endure: finding his best friend dead from an overdose. That heartbreaking moment set the tone for years of chaos, pain, and survival. From there, Bryan’s journey spiraled into a life consumed by drugs, crime, and broken trust. His addiction eventually landed him behind bars, staring at prison walls and wondering if this was all his life would ever be.But against all odds, Bryan fought his way back. He didn’t just survive—he completely transformed his life. Through grit, resilience, and the willingness to change, Bryan found sobriety and a new purpose. Today, he dedicates his time to giving back, using his scars and hard-earned wisdom to guide others who are still trapped in the same darkness he once lived in.This conversation is raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring—and it just might be one of the best interviews we’ve ever done. Bryan’s honesty about his prison time, his battles with addiction, and his path to freedom makes this episode unforgettable.This isn’t just a story of recovery—it’s proof that no matter how broken someone’s past may be, redemption is always possible, and there’s always hope for a new beginning.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Devin Nunamaker, a man whose story takes us deep into the chaos of early addiction and the hope of true recovery. Devin was first introduced to drugs at just 12 years old, starting with what seemed harmless but quickly spiraling out of control. By 13, he was already using heroin—an unimaginable reality for someone barely entering their teenage years.

From that point on, Devin’s life became a blur of institutions, jail cells, and near-death experiences. He spent years wondering what was wrong with him, trying to figure out how he could possibly break free from the grip of addiction. Each attempt at change only seemed to lead him deeper into the cycle, leaving him more lost, broken, and questioning if there was ever a way out.

But today, Devin’s story has taken a new turn. For the first time in his life, he is truly getting sober at House of Hope, a local rehab facility where he’s learning to rebuild from the inside out. With honesty and raw emotion, Devin shares what it was like to grow up in addiction, the countless mistakes and struggles along the way, and the surprising moments of clarity that kept him hanging on.

This episode isn’t just about addiction—it’s about redemption, survival, and the fight to finally reclaim a life once thought lost. Devin’s journey is a reminder of how deep the hole of addiction can go, but also how powerful recovery can be when a person is ready to embrace it.

Tune in to hear Devin’s wild, heartbreaking, and inspiring story—from his troubled childhood to his first steps toward freedom today.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Step up to the plate for a powerful and raw conversation with hosts Aaron and Louis as they sit down with Brent King, a former all-star ball player whose life took a turn no one expected. Brent grew up with talent, discipline, and a future full of promise on the field—but behind the glory, darkness was waiting. At just 13 years old, he slipped into the grip of opiates, a choice that would alter the trajectory of his entire life.It wasn’t long before Brent’s addiction pulled him into the streets, and his world changed forever. He experienced his first SWAT raid as a teenager, getting arrested while the entire town watched in shock. That moment was only the beginning of a vicious cycle of addiction, arrests, and chaos that followed him for years.But Brent’s story doesn’t end in tragedy—it’s one of redemption and resilience. Today, Brent has rebuilt his life and taken all the pain, lessons, and scars from his past and turned them into fuel to help others. He now works at House of Hope Treatment Facility, walking alongside men and women who are where he once was. Using his lived experience, Brent gives people the guidance, hope, and strength they need to believe recovery is possible.This interview dives deep into the raw realities of addiction—the highs, the lows, the consequences, and ultimately the miracle of recovery. Brent’s story is a testament that no matter how far someone falls, there is always a way back.Tune in as Aaron and Louis uncover the real-life journey of a hometown athlete turned advocate, and discover how one man’s battle with addiction became the foundation for helping countless others find freedom.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this unfiltered and fast-moving episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Amanda Bosley, a woman whose story is a wild ride through survival, struggle, and ultimate redemption. Amanda grew up caught between chaos at home and the hard realities of life on the streets, where every day felt like a gamble. She learned quickly how to navigate danger, adapt to unpredictable situations, and keep going when most would have given up.Her journey took a darker turn when she fell into the grip of opiates. The high quickly became a prison, and when Amanda realized she couldn’t handle the spiral any longer, she turned to Suboxone, thinking it would be her way out. For 14 years, Suboxone was a constant in her life — but the storm didn’t stop. The drama, the danger, and the mayhem followed her like a shadow.Through all the chaos, Amanda fought her way toward something better. Kicking Suboxone wasn’t just a decision — it was a battle that tested every ounce of her strength and willpower. Today, she’s not only sober, she’s thriving — living proof that even after years of turbulence, you can take back control and create a life worth living.This conversation is raw, real, and at times even funny, as Amanda opens up about her wildest moments, the lessons she learned the hard way, and the mindset that keeps her moving forward. From rock bottom to an inspiring new chapter, Amanda’s story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the human capacity for change.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to leave behind years of addiction, rebuild your life, and finally find peace, this is the episode to watch.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this electrifying episode, Aaron and Louis sit down with Ben Sheets—a man whose life has been anything but ordinary. Ben grew up in an affluent neighborhood, the picture-perfect student-athlete with a bright future ahead. But behind the trophies and the smiles, trouble was brewing.It started innocently enough—just weed and alcohol at first—but Ben’s thirst for the next high quickly escalated to opiates. Before long, he was stealing from the very people who loved and trusted him, burning bridges and burying himself deeper in addiction’s grip.Then came the day that should have ended it all. A surge of electricity—powerful enough to kill—shot through his body, a jolt that could have been his last moment on Earth. But somehow, Ben survived. And that wasn’t the only close call in his wild and dangerous journey.Today, Ben is a completely different man—sober, grateful, and truly happy. He opens up about the highs, the lows, and the unthinkable moments that shaped his path. This is a story of privilege, destruction, survival, and redemption that will leave you stunned.If you think you’ve heard it all, think again.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In one of the rawest and most jaw-dropping episodes to date, Louis sits down with Patrick McCombs—a man whose life began in chaos and spiraled into the darkest corners of addiction, crime, and prison politics.By the age of six, Patrick had already been exposed to sex and drugs—thrust into a world no child should ever experience. With no real sense of safety or guidance, he grew up fast and hard. What followed was a storm of street life, robberies, and eventually time behind bars. But prison wasn’t just about doing time—for Patrick, it became a dangerous game of survival. Targeted by other inmates, he was forced to "check in" and navigate the brutal unwritten rules of prison life.But the story doesn’t end there.Today, Patrick is a man on a mission. Clean, sober, and creating content that peels back the curtain on the realities of addiction and incarceration, he’s using his voice to reach others still trapped in the cycle he escaped. His story is gritty, painful, and brutally honest—but it’s also one of transformation, self-respect, and redemption.If you're into real stories with no sugarcoating, this episode will hit you in the gut and stick with you long after it ends.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastPatricks Socials:Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@packyvisionstvFaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19Z5KrzQVw/?mibextid=wwXIfrYouTube: https://youtube.com/@UC3Svnty1X6uAy2MT4XWmOgg 👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and revealing episode, Aaron and Louis sit down with Tony Newton—a man whose journey into addiction started in the quiet backwoods but spiraled into chaos that took him to the brink of destruction.

Tony grew up in a decent, hardworking family in the sticks, with no early signs that he’d one day become trapped in a cycle of addiction, crime, and incarceration. But when Oxycontin entered his life, everything changed.What began as casual use quickly turned into full-blown dependency.

Tony talks about how the pills stopped working and how that hunger led him down darker roads—smoking heroin, stealing from anyone who would trust him, and doing whatever it took to avoid the pain of withdrawal. From breaking into houses to sleeping in trap spots, Tony’s life became a blur of mugshots, jail cells, and near-death experiences.Now, with just over 90 days clean, Tony is starting to see a glimmer of hope. He shares the struggles of early recovery, the moments of clarity behind bars, and what’s finally different this time.

This isn’t just a story about rock bottom—it’s about grit, truth, and the early days of building something real.Tune in for a conversation that’s unfiltered, emotional, and brutally honest. Whether you’re in recovery, know someone who is, or just want to understand what it’s really like out there, Tony’s story will hit you hard—and leave you rooting for his redemption.
🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!

Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠⁠

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this deeply moving and thought-provoking episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with the extraordinary Melroe—a woman with a story unlike any other. Born into trauma and chaos, Melroe opens up about her earliest memories of pain, confusion, and the challenges of growing up in an environment that left deep emotional and spiritual scars. She shares how her traumatic childhood shaped not only her survival instincts but also her entire worldview.Melroe doesn’t just reflect on the past—she explains how those early life experiences unlocked something powerful within her. Now a practicing psychic, she uses her gift to help others heal and connect. In a captivating twist during the episode, Melroe offers live psychic readings for both Louis and Aaron, revealing hidden truths and emotional breakthroughs in real time.This episode is raw, mysterious, and unforgettable—an exploration of pain, resilience, and the unseen forces that guide us. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, Melroe’s journey and her intuitive insights will leave you questioning what’s possible.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Aaron and Louis sit down with a true legend of the Cleveland recovery community—Don Matis Jr.. Known throughout the city and beyond as a living example of resilience, wisdom, and raw honesty, Don’s story is unlike anything you’ve heard before.Don’s journey into addiction began shockingly early—at just 10 years old, he was already snorting glue, unknowingly stepping onto a path that would wind through the darkest corners of the Cleveland drug scene for decades.

From the gritty streets of the Midwest to far-off corners of the world, Don’s life became a whirlwind of chaos, crime, and survival. But somewhere along the way, he found a spark—one that would grow into nearly 40 years of uninterrupted sobriety.Don doesn’t just talk about recovery—he embodies it. In this episode, he shares stories that will shake you, inspire you, and stay with you. From witnessing the slow death of his old self to experiencing the kind of personal transformation most people only dream of, Don opens up about what it really means to rebuild a life from ashes.

But even in sobriety, life hasn’t spared Don from pain. In one of the most heartbreaking parts of his story, Don talks openly about the brutal murder of his wife, and how he managed to walk through that unthinkable trauma without picking up a drink or a drug. His strength, his spiritual insight, and his unwavering dedication to helping others make him not just a survivor, but a mentor to thousands and a pillar in the community.Whether you're in recovery, know someone who is, or just want to hear the kind of story that reminds you what humans are capable of, this episode is a must-watch. Strap in—this is raw, real, and unforgettable.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Dans Socials:

https://stonedonhappiness.comhttps://www.instagram.com/stonedonhappiness

From high school halls to hospital beds, jail cells, and the edge of death—Alex Panzera’s story is one of brutal honesty, quiet resilience, and the relentless fight to stay alive.In this gripping and emotional episode, we dive into the life of Alex, who first experimented with OxyContin at just 15 years old. What began as a casual escape quickly unraveled into a nightmare. Within a few short years, Alex was fully consumed by heroin addiction, chasing a high that always left him lower than before. As his world spiraled out of control, the drugs weren’t enough—and alcohol soon joined the picture, leading to a vicious, all-consuming run with the bottle that nearly cost him everything.For years, Alex existed in survival mode—burning bridges, numbing pain, and losing himself one hit at a time. He masked the chaos with a smile, kept secrets buried under layers of intoxication, and slowly slipped away from the person he used to be. But even in the darkness, something inside him refused to give up. Rock bottom wasn’t a single moment—it was a pattern, a slow-motion collapse that demanded a new way of living or an early grave.Now newly sober, Alex is doing what many don’t see: the hard, daily work of rebuilding. He’s showing up—raw, vulnerable, and willing to face the damage, the trauma, and the wreckage head-on. His story isn’t wrapped in a bow; it’s messy, painful, and ongoing. But that’s what makes it powerful.In this episode, Alex opens up about his first experiences with opioids, the destructive grip of heroin, and the false comfort alcohol offered at his lowest points. He reflects on the people he lost, the lies he lived, and the strength it takes to finally say, "I want more from life."This isn’t just another addiction story—it’s a front-row seat to the beginning of a comeback. Whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or just need a reminder that transformation is possible, Alex’s journey will leave you inspired, humbled, and filled with hope.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.