Rooted Recovery Stories

Artist and songwriter, Shaylen, joins this week’s episode of Rooted Recovery Stories to discuss her journey in the music business as a child star facing the pressures of body image and living with an eating disorder. She has now been able to grow into her own as a solo artist after years of hard work. Shaylen realized her love for music at a young age when performing at church. She went on to be a...

On this episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, Patrick sits with pro baseball player turned country singer-songwriter Bryan Ruby. Bryan was the first professional baseball player to come out as gay, and he shares his journey from living a “double life” to being proud of who he is. After transitioning to a career in country music, Bryan founded the non-profit Proud to Be in Baseball, which aims to enc...

In this week’s episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, we're very excited to welcome our guest, Walker Hayes, a father, husband, and country music star, shares his story in conversation with Patrick Custer and co-host Brad Schmitt. Brad, who is entering over a decade of sobriety, is a writer for The Tennessean and has called Nashville home for many years. Patrick, Brad, and Walker dive into the da...

Ever wonder whether reality TV is as glamorous behind the scenes as it appears on the screen? Join Patrick Custer and his guests Braunwyn Windham and Jennifer Spinner as they uncover the reality behind reality TV! Patrick, Braunwyn, and Jenn talk about the weird fan interactions they’ve had, what it’s like dating a recovering addict, finding pleasure in simplicity, and fighting the stigma of strug...

On this episode of Rooted Recovery Stories Patrick sits with Katrina (Trina) Frierson, the founder of Mending Hearts, as they talk about her shocking stories of hardships and growth over the years. She vividly explains her struggles with addiction, getting falsely charged with murder, getting pregnant at the peak of her addiction, as well as going from her first job to starting her first business-...

TV personality, husband, and board member of the Red Songbird Foundation, Jason Wahler, joins this week’s episode of "Rooted in Recovery" to share his journey from addict and reality TV star to sobriety and mental health advocacy. Jason Wahler, a native of Laguna Beach, CA, began his addiction journey during his teenage years, which led him to abandon his dream of becoming a baseball pla...

Business owner, Bachelorette contestant and avid Philly sports fan, Zac Clark, is joining this week’s episode of Rooted Recovery Stories to share his road to sobriety. His story goes from a charmed childhood and high school keg parties in the woods, to intense college parties and attempts to hide addiction while maintaining a marriage. Zac Clark’s addiction journey began as a teenager trying to ha...

Professional interior designer and HGTV star, Lauren Makk, is joining Rooted Recovery Stories this week to share her complex and victorious journey through food addiction, sobriety, and redefining the “party girl” persona, all while navigating the challenges of motherhood during a pandemic. Lauren Makk, the Oklahoma raised designer turned media star, uses her bubbly personality to spark conversati...

Performer and Outreach Coordinator for Apex Addiction Treatment Center, Mike Rossi, is joining Rooted Recovery Stories this week to discuss his complex and personal journey through life on tour, addiction, and sobriety, all while grappling with his relationships and identity in Los Angeles. Mike Rossi, a new Nashville local from Clemmons, NC, is igniting conversations about sobriety as an artist....

Renowned scholar and social worker, Matt Jackman, joins Rooted Recovery Stories Podcast with Patrick Custer this week to discuss their complex and victorious journey growing up in the Australian foster care system, processing gender dysphoria and sexuality while grappling with trauma and identity and becoming an international mental health advocate with their organization TACFLE (The Australian Ce...

Adam Jablin joins Patrick Custer on Rooted Recoveries during the first week of National Recovery Month to discuss identity, spirituality, fitness, and self-care. Jablin, a #1 best selling author and speaker, a Life Coach, recovery mentor, and the creator of THE HERO PROJECT & THE HERO 7 & Wake Up! Discover Recovery. Much like his favorite hero, Superman, Adam’s focus is to help save lives!...

This week, Tox Josh joins Rooted Recovery Stories with Patrick Custer to discuss Josh's rise in the aesthetics industry, struggle with a near-death experience, the inner and outer battle with body dysmorphia and the tremendously difficult task of trying to overcome shame. Joshua Davis, BSN, RN, is the founder and creative master-mind behind ToxJosh Studios. Josh’s vision for ToxJosh studios st...

Country Music artist Frank Ray joins Rooted Recovery Stories with Patrick Custer this week to discuss his improbable and tumultuous path into the country music scene, the intense trauma and moral complexities he encountered as a police officer of over 10 years, fulfilling childhood dreams and the release of his major debut album. Frank Ray is a former police officer, Texas chart-topper, and biling...

Nashville journalist Brad Schmitt joins host, Patrick Custer for this hilariously unhinged episode of laughs, tears, and all the feels as we delve into his journey through childhood trauma, addiction, and ultimate redemption. Brad's narrative reveals the resilience that emerges from adversity, highlighting the power of seeking help and the transformative effects of embracing sobriety and service t...

Join host Patrick Custer in this inspiring episode as he sits down with the incredible author, speaker, and coach, Ruthie Lindsey. Ruthie shares her journey of discovering that belonging is not about performance or perfectionism, and how childhood messages shaped her perspective. Her story takes a miraculous turn when she survives a near-fatal accident, leading her to a path of numbing pain with m...

In this episode, we dive into the life of David Hernandez, musician and Top 12 Finalist of Season 7 of American Idol. We take a deeper look into his musical journey before and after Idol and history of being in the spotlight before coming out. He also shares his story of struggles and road to recovery from addiction. Host, Patrick Custer and David Hernandez discuss the intricacies of addiction and...

This week on Rooted Recovery Stories, Patrick Custer sits down with professional dancer, comedian, entertainer and TikTok sensation, Corey O'Brien. Corey O'Brien tell his captivating story of addiction and rehabilitation, which started at an early age. Corey discusses how it's fun until it's not fun anymore. Everything took a backseat for him when entering rehab, allowing him to ha...

The talented comedian, actress, and singer, Andi Marie Tillman shares her personal journey through addiction and sobriety. Kicking off the episode, we have a surprise visit from Andi's kookie Aunt Pam, a chronic over-sharer who lives up to her reputation. Get ready for some hilarious anecdotes and unexpected twists as Aunt Pam adds her unique perspective to…well, just about everything!    After ki...

Join Patrick Custer and Ester Nicholson in this thought-provoking episode as they explore the depths of addiction and trauma recovery, shedding light on the importance of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of the human spirit. Ester opens up about her career and its pivotal role in her recovery process. As a talented musician and vocalist, she found solace and strength in her...

You may have seen Chadd Bryant selling luxury homes in Nashville or you may have seen him cracking jokes on reality TV with Savannah Chrisley and her family. In today's candid conversation, Chadd sheds light on the importance of breaking the cycle of trauma and the power of sharing one's story. By speaking out, he hopes to empower others who may be silently suffering, encouraging them to s...

“Hear’s the Thing” about CMT’s Cody Alan: He's one of country television’s most polished, endearing, and beloved personalities who’s made a name for himself by fine-tuning his craft of listening to others. But years of ignoring his own internal voice caught up with him by starting a revolution in his life that no one saw coming. This is Cody’s story of turning inside out!   Join us for this de...

In this powerful and inspiring episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, we sit down with three-time Emmy award-winning entertainment, lifestyle, and good news journalist for ABC News and Good Morning America , Will Ganss. This is a very personal and emotional interview for Will, as it's his first time going public with his story of addiction. In this episode, you'll hear about the challenges he...

Country music has a rare force to be reckoned with and her name is Brooke Eden! Watch this episode to find out the full story and passion behind her latest EP, Choosing You! We are so excited to celebrate everything that brings meaning, impact, and uniqueness to PRIDE month with Brooke and you will be too! Heralded by Billboard as a ‘fiery country star-in-the-making,” Eden has used her personal jo...

This week Patrick sits down with entertainment business expert, pioneer for LGBTQ+ equality, equity, and inclusion, and Executive Director of Inclusion Tennessee, Phil Cobucci. We are ending Mental Health Awareness Month & entering PRIDE Month with this very fitting and vulnerable conversation encompassing both. If you are reading this, then you are meant to be a part of this conversation. We...

What if you were placed on a platform and told from a young age that your value in this world and the eternal is based on performance: That a rigid, black-and-white system of rules within your spiritual community must be followed because you are an example who could or would cause others to fall from grace if you didn’t meet expectations of spiritual greatness and perfection? We continue celebrati...