CROSSTALK PODCASTS

Caitlin's story is one of resilience, pain, and profound transformation. Born into an alcoholic home and labeled the family's "problem child," Caitlin struggled with intense anxiety from a young age. Her early life was overshadowed by physical symptoms of stress, family denial, and the silent pressure of feeling fundamentally flawed. Her journey into addiction escalated quickly, beginning with med...

In this powerful episode, we meet Shari and Marguerite, two extraordinary women whose personal struggles with addiction nearly destroyed their lives. From picture-perfect facades to devastating lows, their stories reveal the hidden truths behind the masks they wore. Shari battled drugs, alcohol, gambling, and multiple suicide attempts, losing herself in a cycle of addiction, while Marguerite spent...

From Partying to Purpose: Zach Clark’s Journey to Recovery Zach Clark had it all—a loving family, a great upbringing, and a future in sports. But what started as innocent partying quickly turned into a relentless chase for the next high. In college, alcohol fueled his weekends, and soon, cocaine and Adderall became part of the equation. By his mid-20s, his life had spiraled into heroin use and cra...

Growing up in a loving family outside of New York City, Matt Williams had everything he needed—supportive parents, a good home, and endless possibilities. But behind the surface of a normal childhood, something darker was brewing. Undiagnosed ADHD made it hard for him to focus, and as a teen, he discovered a thrill in getting away with things—starting with alcohol. What began as sneaking drinks at...

Dr. Harold Jonas grew up feeling like a failure—struggling with self-worth, addiction, and a toxic family dynamic. Introduced to drugs at a young age, he quickly spiraled into a life of crime, heroin dependency, and repeated run-ins with the law. He tried to escape through relationships, business ventures, and even a rushed marriage in Las Vegas, but the cycle of addiction continued to pull him ba...

In this episode of Crosstalk Podcast , we welcome Eric Weber—also known as Bow Tie—a leading addiction counselor with 25 years of experience in mental health, addiction recovery, and behavioral disorders. From working in correctional facilities to treating patients at Karen Treatment Centers, Eric has seen addiction from every angle. Today, he reveals the hard truths about addiction, relapse, and...

Meet Sarah Frias , a former nurse who found herself battling IV drug addiction, facing near amputation, and spiraling into a deep, dark place. For years, she believed she was only a good nurse when using pills. But addiction took her further than she ever imagined—until she found the strength to turn her life around. Sarah grew up struggling with identity, always trying to fit in. Her addiction jo...

John Driscoll, CEO of the Caron Treatment Center, has spent decades fighting the addiction crisis. From his early days working in a Chicago homeless shelter to leading one of the nation’s top recovery centers, John shares the lessons he’s learned, the heartbreaking losses, and the victories that make it all worth it. In this episode, John talks about addiction as a brain disease, the importance of...

Meet Craig Robinson, a successful attorney whose life took a dramatic turn due to addiction. Craig shares his extraordinary journey of overcoming cocaine and alcohol dependency, navigating career setbacks, and rebuilding his life with resilience and hope. Craig’s story begins with a “normal” childhood and a promising career in law, but substance use spiraled out of control, leading to job losses,...

Meet Tamara, a veteran and mental health counselor whose life has been a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. From a childhood shaped by addiction in her family to her own battles with substance abuse, Tamara’s journey is filled with profound lessons on grief, loss, and the strength it takes to start over. In this episode, Tamara shares how addiction affected her early life, f...

Meet Taylor Baim, a personal trainer and recovering addict who has overcome immense personal challenges, including family turmoil, the loss of a close friend, and his own struggles with shame and self-acceptance as a gay man. Taylor opens up about his tumultuous upbringing, marked by his parents' separation, a chaotic family dynamic, and early exposure to alcohol and drugs. He recounts how his sub...

Lauren’s story is one of resilience, loss, and rediscovery. Born in El Paso, Texas, Lauren seemed to have a loving and supportive family, but hidden beneath the surface were unaddressed traumas that led her down a path of eating disorders, alcoholism, and self-doubt. In this episode, she shares how childhood insecurities and family dynamics shaped her addiction journey, eventually leading to DUIs,...

In this raw and powerful episode of Crosstalk, host Corey Raven sits down with long-time friend Henry Jay to dive into his journey from a promising young athlete to battling addiction and ultimately finding recovery. Henry opens up about growing up in Westchester, his passion for baseball, and how early exposure to alcohol planted the seeds for a long struggle ahead. Henry shares how addiction too...

Meet Josh, a recovering alcoholic and former inmate who overcame a life of addiction, criminal activity, and despair to build a life of purpose and service. In this powerful episode, Josh shares his raw and unfiltered story, offering a rare glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of addiction recovery. Josh’s story begins in a chaotic childhood filled with poverty and dysfunction, leading to a pat...

Eric Bricker, a therapist based in East Boca, Florida, shares his extraordinary journey from a marketing student with no clear path to becoming a mental health advocate specializing in grief, trauma, and addiction recovery. With decades of experience helping individuals and families, Eric’s story offers a rare look at the human side of therapy. From an early fascination with psychotherapy inspired...

Meet Jeanette, a resilient woman who overcame years of substance abuse, including struggles with alcohol, opiates, and Xanax, all while maintaining a high-powered job. Her story reveals the stark contrast between a polished exterior and the chaos within. Jeanette shares her journey, from an idyllic childhood in Brooklyn to her descent into addiction, including life-threatening overdoses and withdr...

In this powerful episode, Rich Pagano opens up about his journey as a father navigating the devastating impact of his son Nick's addiction and the profound loss that followed. A professional drummer and music producer, Rich shares the emotional highs and lows of raising a child who struggled with identity, mental health, and substance use. Rich recounts the early signs of Nick’s struggles with anx...

Millie shares her incredible story of resilience and recovery after years of battling addiction. From growing up in an alcoholic family to hitting rock bottom after years of substance abuse, Millie recounts her journey of finding hope, rebuilding her life, and inspiring others through recovery. Her story is a testament to the power of surrender and faith. Hear an inspiring story of transformation...

In this episode, Matt opens up about his experiences growing up after the loss of his father on 9/11 and how trauma led him down the path of addiction. Matt describes the moments that brought him to his lowest point and the journey to reclaiming his life through recovery. Listeners will gain valuable insight into the courage it takes to rebuild and find purpose after addiction. Access the full sho...

In this episode, meet Dr. Robb Kelly, an esteemed addiction specialist who went from homelessness to helping others reclaim their lives. With a childhood marked by trauma, Dr. Rob spiraled into severe alcoholism, eventually losing everything. Through a powerful transformation and a spiritual awakening, he embraced neuroscience-backed methods to aid his recovery. Now, as the founder of the Robb Kel...

In this episode, our guest bravely shares their story of overcoming a hidden but powerful addiction journey. Growing up in a high-achieving family, they seemed to have it all together—until the challenges of perfectionism, early trauma, and a battle with alcohol and anorexia took over their life. Our guest takes listeners through their early struggles, from their first encounters with alcohol and...

Lori’s story is one of transformation—growing up in a stable yet transient household, she found herself swept into a life of alcoholism later in life. As a mother, she maintained a perfect facade, but behind closed doors, her addiction grew. Lori recounts her life, from watching her husband battle alcoholism to falling into her own hidden drinking habits once her children left home. After a life-t...

In this powerful episode of Crosstalk Podcasts, we sit down with Dr. Barry Ryman as he shares his incredible journey from addiction to recovery. Barry opens up about his early life growing up in South Florida, his first encounter with drugs at a young age, and how his substance abuse spiraled out of control, leading him to hit rock bottom. Through family interventions and his own commitment to rec...

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Joey’s story is one of struggle, survival, and ultimate redemption. Growing up in Philadelphia, his early introduction to alcohol led him down a path of addiction, which impacted his modeling career and personal life. After battling Crohn’s disease and multiple surgeries, Joey found himself trapped in a cycle of addiction. However, his journey to recovery began in 2018 when he sought professional...