No Lions Here

Recovery isn’t just about stopping a behavior — it’s about facing the shame you’ve been hiding your whole life. In this episode, I get real about my journey through recovery from sexual addiction and betrayal trauma — the messy parts, the uncomfortable truths, and the moments that forced me to grow up fast. I talk about how shame kept me stuck for years… and how vulnerability is slowly setting me...

Betrayal trauma doesn’t just break trust — it can completely reshape how you see yourself, your relationship, and your future. In this episode, I sit down with Raina Hampton, a therapist who specializes in helping partners impacted by sexual addiction, to have an honest, grounded conversation about what betrayal trauma really looks like and what healing can actually involve. Raina shares her own j...

In this episode, I get real about what recovery looks like when life doesn’t slow down for you. I talk openly about losing my job, moving, and having to redefine who I am — not just in my career, but within my family and in my own skin. I share the emotional weight of walking through uncertainty, the fear that comes with starting something new, and the ongoing work of facing my character defects i...

I didn’t expect to be here—but here I am. In this episode, I open up about losing my job and the emotional fallout that followed. The fear, the anger, the grief… and unexpectedly, the clarity. I talk about what it’s like when life forces a hard reset, how pain has a way of stripping things down to what actually matters, and how this season has pushed me toward a deeper spiritual awakening. We get...

In this episode, I open up about the fear and uncertainty I’m facing as I step into a major career transition. I’ve got the opportunity to make the jump—to finally take the leap into a new job—but I’m also so afraid. Change can be daunting, even when we know it’s necessary. I share what it feels like to navigate this tension, the emotions behind going part-time at IRC on December 21st, and the rea...

In this episode, I open up about what it really means to embrace who you are — all parts of you — without shame or fear. Too many of us walk around feeling broken for the things we like, want, or desire, but I’ve learned that self-acceptance isn’t about cutting those parts out… it’s about integrating them in a healthy way. We dive into how to express yourself — even sexually — without losing your...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Scott to have an honest, unfiltered conversation about our personal journeys through recovery. We talk about what it really means to identify as an addict, the power of community, and how the 12 Steps have shaped our lives in ways we never expected. We break down some of the biggest myths about the steps, dive into what a spiritual awakening actually look...

In this episode, I open up about my personal recovery journey and the real struggles that come with staying motivated—especially when it comes to creating this podcast. I get honest about the emotional ups and downs, the challenge of waiting for life to unfold, and what it means to trust my Higher Power through seasons of uncertainty. I also share how service work and relationships have become anc...

In this episode, I open up about my recovery journey from sex addiction and how a 72-hour water fast became more than just a physical challenge—it turned into a powerful lesson in self-reflection, discipline, and emotional growth. I share the struggles I faced during the fast, from emotional highs and lows to the impact it had on my relationships. I talk about the importance of accountability in r...

Sex addiction recovery isn’t about stopping sexual behavior—it’s about healing the deeper wounds. In this 100th episode of No Lions Here, I sit down with my sponsor Jeff to explore the truth about sex addiction, intimacy disorders, and the role shame plays in keeping us stuck. We talk about:How childhood trauma impacts intimacy and relationshipsThe difference between real connection and intensityW...

Trying something new with this one.

In this episode, I open up about my journey through recovery from sex addiction—what it’s really like to hit a milestone and still wrestle with shame, guilt, and emotional weight. I talk honestly about the struggles of staying grounded during vacations, the power of authentic connection, and how different sex addiction recovery can feel compared to other paths. This conversation is a personal one....

In this episode, I open up about what it’s been like hitting one year of sobriety from sex addiction. It’s a milestone I’m proud of—but if I’m being real, it’s also been messy, uncomfortable, and full of self-doubt. I talk about how shame still creeps in, how hard it can be to manage urges and thoughts, and how much work it takes to keep showing up for myself and others. I share how dating has pla...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow recovery advocate Jakob Miller for a deep dive into the complexities of addiction. We explore the science behind it, break down the disease model, and talk about why it’s so important to recognize symptoms early and develop real coping strategies. Jakob brings powerful insight into the role trauma plays in addiction and how the condition progre...

In this episode of No Lions Here, I sit down with my friend Ricky to dive deep into something that touches every part of the recovery journey—fear. We talk about how fear shows up in our lives, how it holds us back, and what it takes to move through it. From the fear of failure and rejection to the fear of intimacy and change, we explore how these hidden emotions shape our behavior and mindset in...

In this episode, I sit down with Jakob to talk about recovery, purpose, and what it really takes to build something that helps people heal. Jakob shares his journey from working as a behavioral health tech to becoming the Executive Director of the Illinois Recovery Center. He opens up about the challenges of opening a treatment facility, the pressure of leadership, and the power of having a team r...

In this episode, I get real about where I’m at in my recovery journey. I share some big life updates—like launching my new coaching services and navigating the ups and downs of moving in with my girlfriend. Spoiler: introducing our dogs to each other was way more emotional than I expected. I open up about the anxiety, guilt, and fear that come with change, and how I’m learning (still learning!) to...

What does it really take to heal from addiction and step into your purpose? In this powerful episode, Alex sits down with Traci Matheu-Trost, a passionate life coach and advocate for recovery, to unpack the real work of healing—emotionally, spiritually, and practically. Together, they dive into:🌱 The connection between addiction and unresolved trauma🧠 How championing your inner child leads to la...

In this episode, I open up about my journey of recovery from sex addiction, diving into the challenges of financial insecurity and how they’ve been intertwined with my addiction. I break down the four pillars that have been essential in my recovery—willingness, connection, honesty, and spirituality—and share real, personal experiences of what it means to invest in relationships, self-care, and a h...

In this episode, I take a deep dive into my recovery journey and everything 2024 has thrown my way—the challenges, the growth, and the lessons that reshaped me. I open up about the struggles of dating while in recovery, the emotional work that goes into building healthy relationships, and why mental health remains a top priority. I also reflect on a major milestone: earning my certification as a P...

In this episode, I dive deep into my journey of recovery as a sex addict alongside my amazing partner, Beanie. Together, we share our unique love story that began on a dating app and blossomed into something beautiful. We explore the vital role of emotional intimacy in our relationship, tackle the tough conversations about addiction, and unpack the essential ingredients of honesty, trust, and mutu...

In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Anderson to have an honest and heartfelt conversation about betrayal, addiction, and the journey to healing. Nicole opens up about the emotional struggles she faced as a betrayed partner and how her husband’s addiction impacted their relationship. She shares her experience planning a wedding while navigating her fiancé’s addiction, the feelings of isolation...

🎙️ Welcome to No Lions Here! In this episode, I sit down with Ricky for a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about recovery, healing, and growth. We dive deep into the challenges of overcoming addiction, with a special focus on sex addiction, and explore how seasonal depression can test our resilience—especially during the holidays. Ricky and I share insights about the importance of connectio...

Hey everyone, it’s Big Panda here, and I’m excited to bring you this episode of No Lions Here, where I sit down with my good friend Jeff to dive into the wild, beautiful, and sometimes messy world of relationships and dating in recovery. We get real about how recovery has shaped our communication styles, the importance of accountability, and the challenges of balancing personal growth with buildin...

In this episode, I’m opening up about my journey in recovery—the highs, the lows, and the growth in between. Life doesn’t stop when we’re healing, and I’ve been learning firsthand how to keep my podcast going amid big life changes, all while staying connected to my recovery community and leaning on the support of my sponsor. Recovery isn’t something I can do alone, and in this conversation, I’ll s...