F#CK THE STIGMA

In this episode of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Madisun to share her raw and deeply personal story of growing up in the foster care system. She opens up about the trauma she experienced, from the neglect and abuse by her father to the painful realities of living in group homes. Madisun speaks candidly about how addiction shaped parts of her journey and how diffic...

In this episode of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Jimmy, known to many as "Jimmy Who Am You," for an open and refreshingly light-hearted conversation about his journey through addiction and into recovery. Jimmy, who has gained recognition for his ability to find humor in even the darkest parts of his past, shares his story of progressive addiction — starting with w...

In this episode of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Aaron Hall, also known as Sun Hat Kid, returns to the FTS Podcast after a year and a half to share how he's been coping with and owning his autism, OCD, and FASD diagnoses. He opens up about dealing with online criticism, what his struggles actually look like behind the scenes, and how he’s continued to grow through...

In this episode of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Big Faith — a Christian rapper from Los Angeles with a story that’s as real as it gets. Growing up surrounded by street life, Big Faith was once caught up in the same cycle that traps so many. But after seeing the darkness and emptiness that came with it, he made a decision to shift his path. Fueled by a love for hi...

In this episode of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with guest Alex for an open and honest conversation about anxiety, addiction, recovery, and the impact of toxic relationships. Laisha and Alex share what triggers their anxiety, how they cope with it, and their personal perspectives on addiction and the recovery journey. They also dive into how toxic relationships shaped their...

We’re joined by Noah Thompson, the winner of American Idol Season 20, as he opens up about his journey from a small-town kid to a national sensation. Noah shares his deeply personal experience of growing up with both parents battling addiction, becoming a father at just 19 years old, and the whirlwind of competing on one of the biggest stages in the world. He also speaks candidly about the grief o...

We’re joined by Michelle Hammer, the founder of Schizophrenic NYC, a clothing and lifestyle brand dedicated to spreading awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding schizophrenia. Michelle shares her personal journey of being diagnosed, what her schizophrenic symptoms were, and how she navigated paranoia and hallucinations. She opens up about the realities of living with schizophrenia, the misco...

FTS sat down with Lillo Brancato, best known for his roles in A Bronx Tale and The Sopranos. Joining us from Yonkers, New York, Lillo opens up about his struggles with addiction, the choices that led to his high-profile burglary case, and the tragic events that resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer—landing him behind bars for years. He shares raw, unfiltered insights on how addiction...

The hosts of The Journey & FTS Podcast dive into the struggles of addiction, the relentless feeling of never having enough, and the deep grief that comes with losing loved ones—both those who have passed and those still alive but distant. We explore how vices fill the void, the emotional toll of addiction, and the complex ways grief manifests in our lives. Whether you're in recovery, have lost...

Izzy is back on the F The Stigma podcast for a follow-up after our first interview in 2022. She opens up about her relapse, the challenges she faced, and how she felt sex work was her only way to survive. She shares how getting baptized and embracing Christianity completely changed her life. Now sober, Izzy has left addiction and sex work behind and has even published a poetry book. Izzy's Socials...

Stephanie King, a nationally certified interventionist, shares her deeply personal journey into the world of addiction recovery. Stephanie opens up about the heartbreaking loss of her husband to alcoholism and how that tragedy led her to dedicate her life to helping others break the cycle of addiction. She shares her insight into how addiction is truly a family disease, affecting not just the indi...

Jake Moscato, a former D1 football player whose dreams were shattered by a career-ending back injury. He opens up about his journey from athlete to filmmaker, influencer, and motivational speaker. Jake shares his intense battle with panic attacks—going from daily hospital visits for three months to finding complete peace. He reveals how discovering faith and embracing Christianity saved his life a...

For our very first episode of Season 2 of the FTS podcast, our very own Director of Content Creation; Laisha Martinez shares her experience with Stigma, Trauma, Alcoholism, Addiction, and how she is now in active recovery. FTS Medication Assistance Program | Apply today : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/rx-assistanceDonate to support! : https://www.fthestigma.com/pages/donatePod links : Spotify |...

In Episode 73 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Drew LaBoon, the owner of four treatment centers across the country, who is dedicated to transforming addiction treatment and advocating for industry reform. Drew shares his personal journey to sobriety, opening up about the struggles he faced and the roadblocks that nearly derailed his recovery. He also...

In Episode 72 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Jimmy from the H.O.F.F.A. Foundation to share his inspiring journey of resilience and transformation. Jimmy opens up about his experience in the music industry, where the fast-paced lifestyle and widespread substance use played a significant role in his struggles with addiction. He discusses the challenges of chron...

In Episode 71 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Shelly, a courageous advocate who turned her personal tragedy into a mission of hope. Shelly shares the story of losing her brother to a heroin overdose laced with fentanyl—a devastating moment that changed her life forever. Through her grief, she found strength and purpose, launching a nonprofit in her brother's n...

In Episode 70 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Jasper, a trans man, to share his deeply personal journey. Jasper opens up about his identity and the challenges he has faced, delving into the effects of the current political climate on the queer and trans community. He reflects on the influence of religion in his life, the complexities of coming out, and his jou...

In Episode 69 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Layne to dive deep into her personal journey navigating the challenges of OCD, the impact of COVID-19 on her mental health, and her path to overcoming an eating disorder. Layne shares candidly about how her need for control influenced her struggles and how she’s found ways to heal and thrive. Join us for this heart...

In Episode 68 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Indiyah who shares her personal story of losing her brother to an overdose. She talks about the stigma and shame she faced in the aftermath, how she’s navigated her grief, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Indiyah also offers valuable insights on how we can better support people dealing with addiction an...

In Episode 66 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Caitlin, a Baltimore local, to discuss her journey with mental health and the stigma that comes with it. Caitlin shares her deeply personal experience with bipolar disorder, opening up about her first bipolar episode and the challenges that followed. Together, they explore the stigma around addiction, the impact it...

In Episode 66 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha sits down with Eliza Foltz from Pretaa to share her powerful story. Eliza opens up about her experience with methadone maintenance, the challenges of slowly tapering off the medication, and her perspective on the recovery debate—what does "recovery" truly mean? She also delves into her personal struggles with DCFS (Department of Children...

In Episode 65 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha sits down with host of 'The Horror Virgin' podcast Todd Schlosser for an in-depth conversation on the complexities of creativity, imposter syndrome, and the struggles of living authentically. Todd opens up about the grief of losing his brother and how therapy played a crucial role in his healing journey. Also touching on...

In Episode 64 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha sits down with Nik Kellerman for an honest, open, and casual conversation about where they are right now in their mental health journey. They dive deep into the challenges of dealing with the loss and grief of a close friend, the role of spirituality in healing, and the ways they both cope with life’s ups and downs. They also di...

In Episode 63 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha sits down with Rick Glass, a Marine Corps veteran who shares his journey of overcoming alcoholism and finding healing through the use of medical marijuana. Rick opens up about his struggles with PTSD and how traditional treatments fell short, leading him to explore cannabis as a medicinal alternative. Now a passionate advocate,...

In Episode 62 of the "Fuck the Stigma" podcast, host Laisha sits down with Ed Dannettel, the founder of the nonprofit "SoberLivin." Together, they explore the impactful work SoberLivin is doing to provide crucial resources to individuals new to recovery or seeking help. Ed shares the inspiring story behind the founding of SoberLivin, its mission, and the vital support it offers...