not all there: stories of sobriety and recovery

Addiction affects countless individuals, and many struggle to find the right path to recovery. In this post, we’ll explore the insights shared by Leonard Buschel , editor of the Addiction Recovery eBulletin and author of “ Cannabis to Clarity ”. Leonard’s journey through addiction and recovery provides valuable lessons that can help others on their path to healing. Join us as we delve into his exp...

Healing doesn’t always come from pushing harder. Sometimes it comes from listening. Chad Johnson talks with Igor Wallaert about the Effortless Health Framework, the role of the nervous system in addiction and recovery, and how learning to slow down can actually move us forward. A conversation for anyone feeling tired, stuck, or unsure what’s next.

In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, Chad sits down with Cat Greenleaf of the Soberness podcast for a deep dive into spirituality, addiction, recovery, and what it really means to come home to yourself. Cat traces her journey from a spiritually attuned child to a successful public figure quietly struggling with alcoholism—and ultimately to a woman living openly and intentionally...

In this episode of Not All There , Paul King shares powerful insights into addiction recovery, family support in addiction, and the emotional realities of loving someone in active substance use disorder. Through an honest conversation about mental health and addiction, we explore the importance of self-care for families, setting healthy boundaries, and improving communication when a loved one is s...

In this episode of Not All There , I sit down with South Africanspeaker, author, and recovery powerhouse Nikki Munitz — and she does not hold back. Nikki takes us through her journey with raw honesty and a kind of clarity that only comes from doing deep inner work. She shares what growing up felt like before she found alcohol… and how that first drink opened the door toyears of addiction, includin...

A Navy SEAL’s raw and redemptive journey through trauma, addiction,and recovery — and how storytelling became his way home. In this powerful and revealing conversation, Dr. Dice takes us on an unforgettable journey from a turbulent childhood in Northern California to the elite ranks of the Navy SEALs—and later, into the depths of addiction and the long climb back to recovery. With raw honesty and...

In this powerful episode of Not All There , host Chad Johnson sits down with William Person , a former Team USA bobsled athlete, to talk about the highs and hidden costs of competing at the elite level. William opens up about his journey from the thrill of international competition to the devastating reality of living with the effects of CTE ( Chronic TraumaticEncephalopathy ) — a degenerative bra...

In this wide-open and adventurous conversation, host Chad Johnson sits down with Ryan Lee, the founder of Capsule Adventures , a sober travel company that blends exploration with recovery. Ryan takes us through his remarkable journey—from the grind of corporate America to hitting rock bottomin New Orleans, where he sought sobriety, and the winding path in between. Along the way, he discovered how...

Summary In this engaging conversation, host Chad speaks with Tommy G, the Hockey Town Hypnotist, about the transformative power of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. They explore Tommy's journey from skepticism to becoming a skilled hypnotist, the techniques he uses to help people overcome addiction and trauma, and the scientific principles behind hypnotherapy. The discussion also highlights the missi...

In this soul-stirring episode of Not All There , Chad sits downwith Chicago-based singer and songwriter Nathan Peterson for a vulnerable conversation about grief, healing, and the quiet power of breath. Nathan opens up about his personal journey through loss, and how music,silence, and stillness became tools for survival—and eventually, transformation. Together, they explore what it means to nurtu...

In this powerful live recording from our Sober Soirée series, Jim H. takes the mic to share a raw and reflective look at his recovery journey. With honesty and humor, Jim explores how community, creativity, and vulnerability helped him face anger, rebuild relationships, and find meaning in sobriety. Sober Soirées are more than just events — they’re a lifeline. These gatherings create space for sto...

Storyteller Kevin shares his personal journey with alcoholism, reflecting on the loss of his best friend and the struggles of sobriety. He discusses the complexities of understanding alcoholism, the challenges of relapse, and the importance of community and support in recovery. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the significance of curiosity and connection in the healing process. Takeaways The...

In this story, Melissa shares her personal journey throughaddiction and recovery, emphasizing the importance of community, support, and the act of showing up for oneself and others. She reflects on her early aspirations, the struggles of living with alcoholism, and the transformative power of recovery in her life. Takeaways   Showing up for others is crucial in recovery. Community plays a vital ro...

In this powerful and personal episode, recorded live at the very first Not All There Sober Soirée, Chad steps up to the mic to share his own story of addiction and recovery. Through raw honesty and dark humor, he reflects on the pain, the hope, and the healing that comes with choosing sobriety. This isn’t just a story about addiction—it’s about community, connection, and the courage to speak the t...

What happens when a guy hits rock bottom and insteadof staying there, builds a retreat in paradise where people heal using psychedelics? You get Andrew Tansil. In this episode, the founder of Sayulita Wellness Retreat walks us through his own mental health reckoning, how plantmedicine cracked him open (in a good way), and why healing works best when you do it with intention, honesty, and a few str...

In this episode of Not All There , host Chad Johnson sits down with Barney Whiter, one of the UK’s leading financial coaches, for an honest and revealing conversation about the connection between money, fear, and alcohol. Speaking from his home just outside London, Barney opens up about how his drinking once fueled his drive and dulled his childhood anxieties around financial security—but at a cos...

In this heartfelt episode of Not All There , Chad sits down with his dear friend Amy D., a gifted storyteller and fierce spirit in long-term recovery. Amy shares her powerful journey of identity, addiction, and healing—beginning with her experience growing up adopted into a prominent localfamily and the early signs that she didn’t drink like everyone else. From chasing creative dreams at film scho...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Chad sits down with health and wellness expert, author, and advocate Britt Brandon for a deep conversation about addiction, sobriety, and the real, daily work of active recovery. Britt shares her lived experiences — the highs, the rock bottoms, and the hard-won lessons that have shaped her path. She opens up about how her passion for health and wellness beca...

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains a brief discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you're not alone. Help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime, 24/7. You can also visit 988lifeline.org for more resources and support. In this episode of Not All There , Chad sits down with Danielle from Craving...

In this thought-provoking episode, Brianna from Craving Clarity joins Chad from N ot All There for a lively and engaging conversation that dives deep into the intersection of faith, science, addiction, and recovery. Together, they explore how belief systems, neuroscience, and lived experience can all coexist—and even complement one another—on the journey to sobriety. From the role of spirituality...

In the first of four special collaborative episodes, Not All There ’s Chad Johnson and Craving Clarity ’s Hajer dive deep into the way society views substance use disorder, sobriety, and recovery. It’s an eye-opening, funny, and essential conversation that challenges the outdated stigmas surrounding addiction. Together, Chad and Hajer unpack the misconceptions that often label those struggling wit...

In this episode of Not All There , host Chad Johnson sits down with James from Atascadero, California, to discuss his early exposure to substance abuse and the struggles that led him to the streets of Southern California. Now eight years sober, James and his friends are making a real impact in the Central Coast recovery community. They’ve launched Waves of Recovery sober living homes, with one hom...

In this episode of Not All There , host Chad Johnson sits down with former Sunderland footballer Kieron Brady for a raw, insightful, and brutally honest conversation about his battle with alcoholism. Kieron shares how, like so many others, his drinking spiraled out of control, bringing his once-promising career and life as he knew it to a sloppy, painful halt. This episode dives deep into the real...

In this episode of Not All There , Chad sits down with Ed Kressy , a man whose journey defies all odds. Once addicted to methamphetamine and convinced the FBI was watching him, Ed lost nearly everything—his home, his relationships, and his grip on reality. But his story didn’t end there. Through an extraordinary transformation, Ed turned his life around and went on to work with the same FBI he onc...

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Not All There , host Chad Johnson sits down with Sober Coach Stephanie Hazard to dive deep into the meaning of sobriety and the transformative intimacy found in recovery. Stephanie opens up about confronting her childhood traumas, her family’s history of alcoholism, and her personal struggles with food and alcohol. She shares how finding sobriety has profo...