I AM REDEMPTION - PODCAST

He nearly died from alcohol. Then he picked up a paintbrush. In this raw and unfiltered episode of I Am Redemption, Austin muralist and speaker Jon McKenzie shares the brutally honest truth about hitting rock bottom, blacking out in alleys, and waking up with his heart giving out. From near death to live art shows and massive murals, Jon’s story proves that recovery is messy, powerful—and f***ing...

Meet Reyn Harpole — a youth pastor who breaks every stereotype. He’s gauged and tatted, a viral voice on TikTok, and deeply committed to showing people the raw, real love of God. In this powerful episode, Reyn opens up about: 🛠️ Growing up the son of parents in a biker gang 🙏 Watching God transform their lives — and his 👶 How he and his wife foster newborn babies born addicted to drugs, helping...

Shawn and Xande first crossed paths at this year’s Austin Marathon, where Xande took home a huge prize. Now, they’re teaming up to bridge the worlds of Jiu-Jitsu and endurance running, proving that mental toughness transcends sports. In this episode, Xande drops game-changing wisdom on overcoming adversity, the mindset of a champion, and his vision for the future of martial arts and endurance spor...

Jacob Kline (J-Kline) is living proof that you can come back from the darkest depths. Once trapped in the cycle of fentanyl addiction, overdosing FIVE times in a row, Jacob has transformed his pain into purpose. Now a rising hip-hop artist and a relentless force in the recovery world, he’s taking his story to the stage, performing live, coaching others out of addiction, and proving that redemption...

Part 2 of our conversation with the legendary Radio Man, he's taking us deep into the incredible journey! From growing up in Brooklyn and his childhood struggles to the origin of his iconic love for his bike, this episode is packed with heartfelt and jaw-dropping stories He also shares his unforgettable Hollywood experiences—playing a pimp alongside Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man, receiving a watch f...

🚨 From Homelessness to Hollywood Stardom: Meet Radioman 🎬 You’ve seen him in movies with Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, and George Clooney — but who is Radioman? In this episode of the I Am Redemption podcast, we sit down with Radioman, the legendary NYC street icon who went from homelessness to Hollywood fame just by showing up. With over 300 film and TV cameos, he’s a living, br...

Chef Dan Kennedy exploded during quarantine, serving up viral food content — but behind the scenes, he was waging war on his own mind. In this raw and intense episode of I Am Redemption, Dan opens up for the first time about his brutal fight with severe anxiety and depression, growing up in gritty Philadelphia, and how therapy and running became his lifelines. He talks about his love for hip-hop,...

Frank Parisi makes his explosive return to I Am Redemption for a second appearance, and he’s got a lot to say. In this unfiltered conversation, Frank shares his incredible journey—from growing up in the gritty streets of New York City, surrounded by organized crime, to surviving substance abuse, and ultimately receiving a life-saving heart transplant. Now, as a best-selling author of Embrace Abund...

Former US Airman Trip O'Connell takes us the ride of how the legendary Mr. Make-Go-Boom came to be! From blowing shi!t up for the military, to star-studded club scenes of Vegas and LA. He’s seen it all — rubbing elbows with Hollywood's biggest names, and seeing some WILD stuff along the way. But now, he’s on a mission to help rebuild communities by fostering unity. With a unapologetic approach, Tr...

Get ready for an insane ride with Alexis Royal on I Am Redemption! From living the high-stakes, dangerous world of a gangster to being trapped in the claws of meth, Alexis has seen it all. But her story is far from over. With RAW determination, and the love of her son, she fought back against the odds and transformed into a successful business woman and powerhouse. Watch as Alexis bares it all—her...

In today’s eye--poppier episode of I Am Redemption, Damian Owl shares his shocking journey from the depths of addiction and chronic relapses to smashing ultra marathons and bulking up with over 50lbs of muscle! 💪 After hitting rock bottom, Damian turned to the gym, running, community, and an unshakable WILL to rebuild his life, he was fresh out of treatment and ready to take on the world. Watch a...

Trip Ilson didn’t just survive addiction, he came back and DESTROYED his limits. Host of the Ain't Dead Yet podcast and a man in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse, Trip just CONQUERED his first brutal 100-mile ultra-marathon. This isn't just some "comeback" story. In this raw and sckack ya in the mouth episode of I Am Redemption, Trip takes you deep into his darkest battles, his relentless...

You won’t believe Amy Lauren’s story adopted, hit by a car and told she’d never walk again, trapped in the cycle of hardcore substance abuse, and even by a group of men against her will for days with others. Against all odds, she turned her life around to become a marathon runner and nurse, using her experiences to save others’ lives. This gripping episode of I Am Redemption dives deep into her un...

Get ready for an intense, jaw-dropping episode of I Am Redemption as Lance Risher returns to tell his harrowing story of drug addiction, near-death encounters, and the wild ride that almost destroyed him. This episode is not for the faint of heart—Lance pulls no punches as he opens up about his battles with heroin, pills, and cocaine, and how he clawed his way out of the abyss to rebuild his life....

Drew Haas, the $1 million champion of Outlast Season 2 on Netflix, joins the I Am Redemption podcast to share his incredible story of survival, strategy, and personal transformation. From the brutal Alaskan wilderness to life after the win. In this powerful episode, Drew Haas opens up about more than just his Outlast victory. He shares his personal experience of supporting a family member battling...

How does hitting rock bottom ignite a passion for helping others? Skye Hilton, a recovering heroin and fentanyl addict, shares her powerful story of resilience, creativity, and purpose. From battling addiction and surviving numerous relapses to being banned from all payment apps, Skye has turned her life around by channeling her artistic talents into making a difference. As the founder of New Obse...

Transformative conversation is what we are all about here at I Am Redemption! Jude Hickey, a true Austin icon and former Executive Director of Austin YMCA, joins Shawn Livingston to shed light on the LGBTQ+ experience and educate us all. With years of dedication to building community and bringing people together, Jude’s perspective is one you won’t want to miss. How has someone impacted your under...

This week host Shawn Livingston sits down with renowned bodybuilding coach Austin Stout. Known for his expertise in fitness, nutrition, and mindset, Austin shares his journey of transformation and the powerful lessons he’s learned while helping others unlock their full potential. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, an aspiring bodybuilder, or simply seeking motivation, this episode got us ready t...

This week, it's time we hear from the family. Meet Beth Cunningham, Through her own personal experience, having a child who suffered many years of addiction, Beth is able to provide a rare glimpse into the other side of recovery, the families. Beth now works to support families in finding treatment and recovery recommendations, guidance through the process, and continued support along the way Host...

This week on I Am Redemption as we sit down with Nicholas Ceppaglia, a rising comedian making waves at the world-famous Comedy Mothership in Austin, TX. Nicholas shares his journey through the ups and downs of life, the grind of stand-up comedy, and what it’s like working in one of the most iconic comedy venues in the world. From finding his voice on stage to embracing redemption in his personal l...

As the lead vocalist of the heavy metal group Realms of Death, and a bodybuilder, Sam Vaughn tells us all about his journey through the depths of mental health, suicide attempts, found him at rock bottom, when a passion for the gym and stepping on stage would lead him to promise! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Bringing a unique level of experience and scientific validation to her work, Dr. Abbie Maroño is both a scientist and a practitioner in the field of human behavior. In 2022, Abbie was awarded an O-1 visa for extraordinary abilities in the sciences. As such, the United States Department of State recognized Dr. Abbie’s international acclaim and record of extraordinary achievements in the sciences as...

Meet two of the most motivating and fun loving twins in the fitness industry; the MEEF twins, Sean and Zach. Natural bodybuilders, competitive eaters, rappers, online personalities, there’s not much these talented brothers can’t do. With their inspirational mission of MEEF Motivating Everyone to Enjoy Fitness, we dive deep to learn what makes these two guys so motivated and positive! An uplifting...

From the depths of heroin and crack addiction, facing prison time after prison time, to rising as a world-renowned tattoo artist, Carlos Truan’s story is nothing short of brutal redemption. Hear the hardcore truth of his battle for freedom and purpose, this week on the I Am Redemption podcast with host, Shawn Livingston. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Live and on location, get ready for a no-holds-barred conversation with Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer on the I Am Redemption podcast. Dakota dives deep into his intense experiences on the battlefield, confronting brutal realities, and his fight to overcome the mental battles that followed. This is not your typical interview—it’s a raw, unfiltered look into the mind of a warrior who’s lived...