Rooted Recovery Stories

Together, Patrick and Donna explore:-The pivotal turning points that shifted her path toward recovery-The role of faith and community in rebuilding her life-How facing the truth about herself became the foundation for lasting change-The courage it took to break free from the same relationship patterns she’d been repeating for decades-Why hope is possible even in the darkest seasonsThis is a story...

“I didn’t know how to express the pain. So I turned it into art.” What happens when survival becomes silence and silence becomes a scream on canvas? Join us for an enlightening episode of Rooted Recovery Stories as host Patrick Custer sits down with artist Ryan Rado. In this candid conversation, Ryan shares his journey through childhood trauma, the challenges of living with Tourette's syndrome...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide, grief, addiction, mental health challenges, and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. He didn’t think he’d make it to 26. By then, Patrick Casale had already lost his stepmother to cancer, his best friend to suicide and himself to gambling addiction, shame, and emotional paralysis. But rock bottom didn’t end his story,...

What happens when the people who raised you were also the ones you had to survive? In this powerful Pride Month episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, media entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ advocate David Hawkins joins host Patrick Custer to share his journey of growing up queer and deeply misunderstood in rural South Carolina. From the emotional toll of being an effeminate boy in a culture steeped in toxic m...

What if telling the truth about who you are meant risking everything you’ve worked for? In this deeply personal episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, country music icon, Ty Herndon, returns to reflect on the cost of hiding, the power of coming out, and the kind of healing that only comes when you stop performing and start living. Ty opens up about the weight of being one of the first openly gay arti...

What do you do when everything you've built, your identity, your career, your marriage starts to unravel at once? Shane Diamond, a celebrated speaker, writer, and advocate, joins us to talk about surviving chaos, coming out as trans, and finding recovery in the most unexpected ways. From figure skating in hockey skates to waking up at 4 a.m. after partying in Portland, Shane’s story is anythin...

Healing doesn’t always begin with answers. Sometimes it starts with the questions no one ever thought to ask. Before she became the voice behind Smarter in Seconds, Blair Imani was navigating a deeply personal journey through mental health, identity, and belonging, quietly and in plain sight. In this powerful conversation, Blair shares the story most people haven’t heard: the one that came before...

What if the faith you were raised in wasn’t chosen but programmed? Whether you’re questioning everything or doubling down on your beliefs, this landmark 200th episode is for you. Monte Mader’s journey from Christian nationalist-in-training to spiritual deconstructionist isn’t an attack it’s an invitation. An invitation to examine what you inherited, what you believe, and why. No matter where you l...

From the outside, Chrissy Metz seemed to have it all starring in a hit show, inspiring millions, and radiating confidence but behind the spotlight was a woman navigating the painful realities of childhood trauma, body image struggles, people-pleasing, and the long road to emotional healing. In this heartfelt conversation, Chrissy opens up about the survival patterns she developed as a young girl t...

From buried hurt to healing harmonies, Caleb Lovely reveals how trauma shaped his truth and gave rise to a song that speaks volumes. In this powerful episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, host Patrick Custer sits down with Middle Tennessee artist Caleb Lovely, a celebrated songwriter and the creator of the poignant new single, "Triggers." In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Caleb sh...

From broken beginnings to bold breakthroughs, Amy Darling shares how she hit rock bottom and rose again, louder than ever. Join host Patrick Custer as he sits down with the incredible Amy Darling, a Nashville-based rock and roll front woman, DJ, and model known for her fierce authenticity and electrifying performances. In this conversation, Amy shares her powerful story of survival, recovery, and...

Music was her lifeline in a world of chaos. Join host Patrick Custer for an intimate conversation with Firerose Cyrus , an Australian-born singer-songwriter whose inspiring journey of resilience, recovery, and reinvention is as powerful as her music. In this heartfelt conversation, Firerose shares her experiences of chasing dreams across the globe while battling a silent storm. From her early days...

Taylor Armstrong 's life hasn't always been all glitz and glam. Behind reality TV fame lies a story of struggle, survival, and strength. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Taylor Armstrong, a former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, as she opens up about her harrowing journey through an abusive marriage and her path to healing. Taylor shares her experiences of living un...

Struggle Jennings’ journey has been one of trials, transformation, and triumph. In this episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, we continue our conversation with him as he shares the exciting news about his new single, “Only God Knows” featuring Jelly Roll. Struggle opens up about his battle with addiction, life after prison, and the role faith and community played in his healing. We dive into the str...

Struggle Jennings might have the most fitting name in music. His journey has been anything but easy, and his music reflects every battle he’s fought. In this episode, we explore how he blends country and hip-hop to tell his story. He opens up about losing his father at a young age, growing up in a tough environment, and the struggles that led him down a dark path. Struggle shares his experiences w...

One secret kept him safe. One truth would leave him with nowhere to go. For Josh Cloud, music wasn’t just a dream—it was his identity. But after American Idol and the contract that followed stripped him of his ability to perform, he lost the only thing that made him feel alive. The silence left space for something else to creep in—fear, isolation, and addiction. In this deeply personal conversatio...

What if the place that was supposed to feel like home felt more like a prison? In this episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, Patrick Custer sits down with media strategist, Melissa Bull, who opens up about growing up in a chaotic home shaped by her mother’s struggles with hoarding and mental health. She shares raw, unfiltered memories of navigating a childhood filled with secrecy, perfectionism, and...

Sobriety and music were what saved Alex Hall 's life from the grips of addiction. But before he was able to put down the bottle he felt it was something he needed as the catalyst to achieve success as a singer/songwriter. Join host Patrick Custer as he sits down with country music artist Alex Hall to explore his incredible journey through the highs and lows of his music career and his battle w...

Music became Madeline Finn’s path to healing, but it wasn’t always that way. Before becoming a talented songwriter, singer, bassist, and producer, Madeline struggled with addiction, mental health challenges, and the journey of self-discovery. In this episode, she discusses her upcoming album Parts Work, which tackles themes of healing, addiction, and mental health through the lens of those around...

Songwriting saved Fimone’s life, but before music became the outlet for her that it is today, she struggled with addiction, trauma, and the overwhelming journey of self-acceptance. In this episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, Fimone opens up about her path from growing up in rural Minnesota to navigating the complexities of identity, addiction, and ultimately, healing. She shares how unhealthy rela...

Divorce and abandonment can leave us feeling lost and uncertain, but they also hold the potential for profound transformation. In this episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, Mari Brown sits with host Patrick Custer as they dive deep into the themes of beauty, resilience, and transformation. Join them for a heartfelt conversation filled with laughter, tears, and inspiration as Mari shares her journey...

This week on Rooted Recovery Stories, the one and only Jason Rhee, wedding planner, recovering comedian, and all-around hilarious human, joins host Patrick Custer for a conversation that’s equal parts heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny. Jason takes us on a wild ride through his journey to sobriety and self-discovery, sharing the highs, the lows, and all of the moments along the way. He and Patrick...

On this week's episode, comedian Evan Williams sits down with host Patrick Custer to share his journey through addiction, the impact of his mother's mental health struggles, and how humor became a coping mechanism during challenging times. Evan opens up about his childhood experiences, including the emotional weight of his mother's battles with mental health and the profound effects it...

Bethany Joy Lenz opens up with host, Patrick Custer, in this powerful interview where they discuss untapped, dynamic perspectives into her life’s story. Bethany reflects on growing up in a conservative Christian household and discovering her passion for acting at a young age. She also shares her experience navigating the entertainment industry while being part of a high-demand religious group she...

Patrick Custer sits down with the incredibly talented singer/songwriter, Rachel Platten, for a candid and vulnerable conversation about Rachel's personal journey through postpartum depression, the challenges of motherhood, and the healing power of music and faith. Rachel opens up about the tough moments of feeling lost and overwhelmed, sharing the raw truth behind her struggles with mental health....