No Matter What Club

This week, Paulo, Anthony, and Mell sit down with Ross Mondschain at the Chicago Podcast Studio for a deep dive into chemsex recovery — both during treatment and long after. They talk through doing parts work with Internal Family Systems, learning to settle back into the body in early treatment, and then settling into the mind for the harder work around chemsex itself. Ross shares why safety conta...

In this episode of the No Matter What Club podcast, Paulo, Anthony, and Thomas sit down with Chicago Roundup Chair Melissa Young for a conversation that covers a lot of ground — sage advice from old-timers in recovery, the "hocus-pocus theory," the legend of local drag king icon Jackson Masters, and a shared love of Madonna and other muses. Melissa also takes us back to the beginnings of...

This week on the No Matter What Club, Paulo, Anthony, and Thomas sit down with a true Chicago legend — Edna D Mascara, a beloved fixture in the city's drag scene. Out of the wig and lashes, she's Andy Foxhoven, substance use counselor and proud member of the No Matter What Recovery team at our Chicago outpatient location. In this episode, Edna takes us back to where it all began — the orig...

A new episode just dropped — and this one hits differently. 🎙️🏳️‍🌈Paulo, Anthony, and Mell are coming to you from the Chicago Podcast Studio with the incredible Howard Gelb, and this conversation does *not hold back. Howard takes us inside what it was like living through the AIDS epidemic in the 80s and 90s — the loss, the survival, the drugs used to cope — and how out of all that grief, the circ...

What does hope sound like in early sobriety? This week, Paulo, Mell, and Thomas sit down with Chicago recovery coach Charlie Bray to find out. The conversation goes deep — covering chosen family, family systems, and the quiet miracle that happens when you change the way you see the world. The No Matter What Club Podcast is available on all your favorite streaming platforms. Hosts:Paulo Arranaga-Gr...

The depths of addiction, the friends we meet while using, dogs and non-profits, resiliency in ourselves and especially the LGBTQ community. This week, Paulo, Anthony, and Mell sit down with Dr. Robert Garofalo — and the conversation does not disappoint. From managing recovery as a working professional in the public eye, to the transformative power of resiliency, to the surprisingly profound impact...

On the next episode of The No Matter What Club , hosts Paulo and Mell welcome Jessica Steinman, LMFT, CSAT, and David Fawcett, PhD, CST, CSAT, to the studio for a compelling conversation about chemsex addiction. They explore the history of chemsex, approaches to treatment, the potential benefits of pausing sexual activity during recovery, and the concept of arousal templates. David also shares det...

The No Matter What Club is a podcast for the LGBTQ+ community — and everyone who loves them. Hosted by Paulo Arranaga-Grayson and some very special guest hosts, we're here to talk openly and honestly about substance use, mental health, and what healing really looks like. Whether you're in the middle of your own struggle, supporting someone you love, or just trying to understand — you belon...

Paulo and Mell share details about the new 90-day chemsex curriculum workbook that is being utilized at No Matter What Recovery. The workbook, authored by Mell, educates the reader on the effectsaffects of the combo of crystal meth and sex on our brain, healing from the fusion, relapse prevention strategies, and sexual health in recovery.  Learn more: No Matter What Recovery: www.nomatterwhatrecov...

In our season finale of the No Matter What Club podcast, Paulo, Anthony, and Mell chat with journalist Sandra Vergara about her journey with sobriety, the pitfalls of using psychedelics therapeutically, and we have a robust discussion on the phrase ‘California Sober’ and the potential harm the lifestyle has done to folks trying to get sober.  Sandra Vergara is a journalist, tv/digital series host,...

In this episode of the No Matter what club podcast, Paulo, Anthony, and Mell welcome , Jessica Steinman, LMFT  to the show. The four of them dive into the discussion of love and sex addiction, what does it mean to be recovering from it, and what are some signs for those who might be struggling. We also discuss how those struggling with chemsex or sexualized drug use may also be affected.  Jessica...

In this episode of the No Matter What Club podcast Paulo and Anthony welcome Kylon Hooks and Daniel Rubin to the studio to chat about recovering in Chicago, navigating being a newcomer to sobriety, establishing a ‘connection’ as the antidote to addiction, and the special sauce in the Chicago recovery community. As Chicagoans, Kylon and Daniel are long-time mentors in the recovery community, each o...

In this episode of the No Matter What Club Podcast, hosts Paulo, Mell, and Jack welcome bestselling author and recovery expert TJ Woodward to the podcast to discuss TJ’s work in healing the healers; dragging toxic shame through life and what we can learn from our experiences; how to tap into spirituality; and, Mell’s most important people in their life. TJ Woodward is a bestselling author, inspira...

On our final Pride month episode of the No Matter What Club, Paulo, Anthony and Jack welcome international drag artist Kendall Gender to the show to talk about the challenges of sharing sobriety with an international streaming audience; how Kendall incorporated sobriety into her and drag and using the platform for good; navigating recovery in the club scene and workplace; and, what drives our musi...

Paulo, Anthony, and Mell host a very special Pride edition of the No Matter What Club podcast, shining the spotlight on Friendly House and its Chief Executive Officer Christina Simos! This week, the group talks about the spiritual practice of expressing joy, and using it to overcome negative feelings; figuring out your journey in life; how to use outrage for good; and, the practice of letting your...

In our next Pride edition of the No Matter What Club, Paulo, Mell and Anthony welcome Queer Eye creator David Collins to the studio to chat about being a kid from Ohio; the early beginnings of Queer Eye, and how the show got its name; religion in a small town, as well as what it means in sobriety; family dynamics, and breaking the chains of generational burdens; and the importance of reaching out...

The history of HIV/AIDS in the LGBTQ+ community; The convergence of the AIDS and Meth epidemics; the Chemsex crisis, and how people feel compelled to live in the shadows; the repetitive loop in the dating apps; and, how to build impulse control for healthier living in sobriety. Hosts: Paulo Arranaga-Grayson Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Mell McCracken Executive Director, No Matter What Recov...

Paulo and Mell kick off Season 2 with our friends from Gender Wellness of Los Angeles, Casey and Grace, to discuss the evolution of the LGBTQ+ community and resilience, coming out later in life, the grief process associated with coming out, and defining gender affirming care. Hosts: Paulo Arranaga-Grayson Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Mell McCracken Executive Director, No Matter What Recover...

In the season finale of the No Matter What Club, Anthony brings Internal Family Systems specialist Adrienne Glasser to the set to talk with Paulo and his brother Stephen about growing up gay, the family dynamics in addiction, and being an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. Hosts:Anthony Arranaga-GraysonCo-founder, No Matter What RecoveryPaulo Arranaga-GraysonCo-Founder, No Matter What RecoverySpecial...

The No Matter What Club welcomes Kathleen Murphy and Brian Stark to the podcast to take a deeper dive into the topic of trauma, how we embrace “the now,” and how families can support their loved ones on the road to recovery. Hosts: Paulo Arranaga-Grayson Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Mell McCracken Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery Special Guest: Kathleen Murphy LMFT Brian Stark  E...

This week, Paulo and Anthony welcome Jazzmun Crayton and Joie Gyondla to the Club to chat about the freedom in recovery, taking risks, and our individual evolution. Hosts: Paulo Arranaga-Grayson Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Anthony Arranaga-Grayson Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Special Guest: Jazzmun Crayton Recovery Community Member Joie Gyondla  Volunteer Coordinator, The Phoenix

Paulo, Mell, and Jack welcome Dr Wesley Detwiler to the Club to discuss returning from a relapse, the magic of sober living, embracing the idea of a dating app holiday in early sobriety, and building self esteem. Hosts: Paulo Arranaga-Grayson Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Mell McCracken, Co-Host Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery Jack Moll, Co-Host Program Director, No Matter What R...

The No Matter What Club co-hosts Paulo, Mell, and Jack welcome Mike Cativo to the set to chat about harm reduction and medication assisted treatment, the fentanyl epidemic, and Taylor Swift as a higher power. Hosts: Paulo Arranaga-Grayson Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Mell McCracken, Co-Host Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery Jack Moll, Co-Host Program Director, No Matter What Recov...

Emmy-winning makeup artist and drag performer 6 joins No Matter What Club hosts Paulo, Mell and Jack to chat about finding hope in sobriety in the rooms of recovery; discovering your voice; and, the panel weighs in on the different perspectives of personal achievements in sobriety. Paulo Arranaga-Grayson, Host Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery Mell McCracken, Co-Host Executive Director, No Matte...

Paulo and Mell welcome twin sisters Vivian and Victoria Rubio to the club! In this latest episode, Victoria shares what it was like to come out as trans during her teens on national television; Vivian fights back on erasing a community; Mell talks about sexualized drug use within the trans population; and, both the sisters send a heartfelt message to trans kids. Guests: Paulo Arranaga-Grayson, Hos...