The Hopeaholics

Ryan Beckmann: Breaking the Silence with Hockey  | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this gripping episode, we dive deep with guest Ryan Beckmann, a Canadian-born former junior hockey player whose life story is a testament to the power of recovery. Ryan opens up about his harrowing experiences with childhood trauma, starting with abuse at age five that shaped his struggles with addiction, mental health,...

Pat Ridge: Seeking Validation Through Mischief | The Hopeaholics Podcast  In this extended, unfiltered conversation, Patrick opens up about his multifaceted life—from his early days filming with a Hi8 camera and capturing memories with friends like Chad’s wife Donna and her sister Vicki, to his wild first high on Vicodin during a high school snowboarding trip, and his rise in the music scene with...

Tobias Stroman: Battling a Broken System | The Hopeaholics Podcast Tobias Stroman, a man whose life has been shaped by profound loss, resilience, and an unyielding drive to find purpose through pain. Tobias bravely shares the heart-wrenching saga of his older brother, Elijah Stroman, wrongfully incarcerated at 18 for 23 years of a 37-year sentence, only to be released by the Washington State Depar...

Vechi Mutum: Weaponizing Excuses to Avoid Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Vechi Mutum delivers an unflinching and inspiring account of his journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery, offering hope to anyone facing their own battles. Vechi endured a childhood filled with violence and instability, leading to a suicide attempt at 14 an...

Dr. Samantha Harte: The Troubles of Wearing Perfectionism | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this transformative episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Dr. Samantha Harte bares her soul, recounting a journey from addiction and spiritual bankruptcy to profound recovery and purpose. From overdosing on cocaine the night she was accepted into her doctoral program to grappling with a marital crisis marked by in...

Dane Carter: Addiction’s Grip and Lack of Hope  | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Dane Carter delivers an unflinching account of his transformation from a life consumed by addiction and a 13-year cycle of incarceration to one of sobriety, purpose, and impact. Beginning at age 13 with juvenile detention for fighting and drug use, Dane’s path spiral...

Tifany Manit: Bouncing Back with Self-Belief | The Hopeaholics Podcast Tifany Manit shares her transformative journey from obesity and crippling social anxiety to a life of purpose, health, and spiritual fulfillment. Growing up in Palo Alto, California, Tifany faced childhood bullying and weight struggles, culminating in a pivotal moment at 21 when a family photo spurred her to lose 65 pounds thro...

Rebekah Nowell: The Gift of Grief | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Rebekah Nowell shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, healing, and transformation through profound trauma, addiction, and grief. Raised in the Mississippi Delta within a missionary family, Rebekah recounts a childhood shaped by her parents’ calling to serve abandoned...

CJ Sparxx: The Bigger Life After Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast CJ Sparxx’s journey from a 15-year battle with addiction to over six years of vibrant sobriety is a raw, inspiring story of resilience and transformation. Raised in a strict, religious Northern California farm household, CJ felt like an outsider, her insecurities fueling an early reliance on alcohol to quiet a “loud” inner voice....

DJ Paden: Crashing Into Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast Join The Hopeaholics Podcast for an unforgettable episode featuring DJ Paden, a former 24 Hour Fitness general manager whose life was reshaped by addiction and redemption. Growing up in Huntington Beach amidst his father’s alcoholism, DJ began drinking at 12, later battling opiate addiction after a workout injury. His struggles peaked with...

Sabyn Mayfield: Crossing The Bridge to Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast Sabyn Mayfield, CEO of Brigid Recovery, delivers a raw and inspiring account of his 20-year journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery. As a former client of Brigid Recovery, a trauma-focused residential workshop in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Sabyn shares how his struggles with sobriety and identity, compounded by a caree...

Chris Eckfeldt: "GOD SUSPENDED ME"  | The Hopeaholics Podcast Chris Eckfeldt’s unforgettable journey through darkness to hope will grip your soul. In 2023, a catastrophic mountain biking accident in San Clemente shattered Chris’s spine, robbing him of his legs and thrusting him into a world of unrelenting physical and emotional turmoil. Once an avid rider tearing down trails with the MTB...

Kaylor Betts: Awake and Winning | The Hopeaholics Podcast This electrifying episode of the Hopeaholic podcast features Kaylor Betts, a Canadian entrepreneur, podcast host, and mental health advocate known for his unapologetic authenticity and transformative journey. Kaylor opens up about his past struggles with self-sabotage, mental health challenges, and societal judgment, sharing how he overcame...

Morae Morris: The Dimes in Recovery | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Morae Morris lays bare her extraordinary journey through 32 years of addiction to over 11 years of sobriety, weaving a narrative of raw pain, spiritual rediscovery, and unyielding hope. With her infectious humor and heartfelt honesty, she shares vivid stories—like finding dimes i...

Darren Prince: The Bottom is The Beginning | The Hopeaholics Podcast Dive into an unforgettable episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast featuring Darren Prince, a legendary sports and celebrity agent who has represented icons like Magic Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Pamela Anderson, and the late Muhammad Ali, and the international best-selling author of Aiming High. In this powerful conversation, Darren lays ba...

Ian Heinisch: "I'M DONE PRETENDING" | The Hopeaholics Podcast From UFC fame to foreign prisons, Ian Heinisch’s journey is one of chaos, redemption, and unshakable faith. On this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Ian takes us deep into the gritty truth of a life shaped by addiction, violence, smuggling ecstasy, and international fugitive status—all before the age of 21. But in his...

Tommy Gunn: Adult Films Saved His Life | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this raw and deeply human episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, we sit down with legendary adult film star Tommy Gunn, whose decades-long career includes hundreds of film credits, industry awards, and mainstream appearances—but behind the fame lies a powerful story of pain, perseverance, and redemption. Tommy opens up about discover...

Jimmy Queen: The World Will Eat You Up | The Hopeaholics Podcast  In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Jimmy Queen returns to share the raw truth behind his transformation—from rock bottom to reinvention. He opens up about the moment his wife went to treatment, a turning point that shattered his emotional walls and forced him to surrender everything he thought h...

Chuck Zamzow: The Power of Sharing Our Stories | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, we feature Chuck Zamzow, a resilient individual from LaSalle Peru, Illinois, who shares his powerful journey through addiction and recovery. Chuck candidly discusses the challenges he faced, including the impact of his struggles on his relationships and mental health. He emphasizes...

Dr. Richard Morgan: The Life-changing Pill | The Hopeaholics Podcast Welcome back to the Hopeaholics podcast, where we dive deep into the realities of mental health and addiction. In this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Richard Morgan as our guest, who shares his powerful journey through addiction and recovery. Dr. Richard Morgan recounts a journey of addiction that begins during medical schoo...

Mike Thompson: Finding Good | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this compelling episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, we welcome the inspiring Mike Thompson, who shares his transformative journey through addiction and recovery. Mike, a four-time cancer survivor, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 10, leading to two bone marrow transplants, over 75 surgeries, and a 12.5-hour facial reconstruct...

Mark Manderson: The Recovery Way | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, join us as we explore the intricate relationship between mental health and addiction with guest Mark Manderson, emphasizing the importance of community support and emotional vulnerability. Mark Manderson is a renowned mental health and addiction expert with over 20 years of experience. As the COO...

Preston Durnford: Altering People's Paths | The Hopeaholics Podcast Join us for a powerful and introspective conversation with Preston Durnford, the creator of The Epic Journal, a journal that provides principles and journaling exercises that can be a myriad to mental health symptoms. We delve into the depths of life, loss, and the human spirit on this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast. Pres...

Heather Barba: Trusting The Unknown Path | The Hopeaholics Podcast Heather Barba shares her powerful journey of resilience, faith, and transformation after battling addiction and loss. Adopted at a young age, she struggled with identity and self-worth, later turning to substance abuse following the deaths of both her adoptive parents to cancer. Searching for discipline and purpose, she found heali...

Jesi Stracham: The Continuous Process of Rebuilding | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jesi Stracham’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and unwavering faith. After a life-changing motorcycle accident left her paralyzed, she faced unimaginable challenges, from battling addiction to redefining her sense of purpose. In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Jesi opens up about her reckless past...