The Other Side of Addiction

Personality vs. Character is such a powerful topic, especially in personal growth and recovery. Manny Lopez shares his thoughts. Personality is more like the outer layer—it’s how we present ourselves to the world. It includes our habits, behaviors, and the traits that make us unique, like being outgoing, reserved, funny, or analytical. Personality is often shaped by genetics and environment, and i...

This episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY / emergoacademy.com Some journeys don’t begin with strength. They begin with heartbreak. In this episode, I sat down with Brekelle Bott — and what unfolded was a conversation about grief, vulnerability, and the kind of love that stretches beyond ourselves. We talked about losing her father at 18. About the kind of grief that doesn’t clock out. About how...

Denial is often misunderstood in addiction. It’s not always manipulation — sometimes it’s a defense mechanism protecting deep fear and shame. In this episode, I sat down with Amber Hollingsworth, who shared why empathy — not emotional reactions — is the key to breaking through denial and rebuilding connection. As spouses, anger shows up. As parents, fear takes over. But emotional choices often cre...

Proud of Every Step reminds us that growth doesn’t start with perfection—it starts with grace. Grace before growth. Because when the road gets heavy and someone stumbles, we don’t have to brand that moment as a failure. Nate reframes it as a pause—a moment to stop, reflect, and listen to what’s really happening beneath the surface. A pause asks better questions: What emotion was I feeling? What be...

What if the darkest moments of your life weren’t setbacks—but invitations? In this episode, Todd Sylvester and I dive into the truth most people miss: adversity isn’t here to punish you—it’s here to wake you up. We talk about how pain often becomes the doorway to purpose, how every struggle carries a lesson, and why the “message in the mirror” is the one we can’t afford to ignore. We unpack the li...

Success that doesn’t feel like success is one of the loudest signals your soul can send. In this conversation with Brandon Yager, we peeled back the layers of mindset, false beliefs, and unconscious patterns that quietly shape our lives. We talked about alignment, clarity, conviction, and why the real first step isn’t action — it’s the decision to change how you think. When you become more conscio...

Shame loses its power the moment we stop hiding. Shame has a way of convincing us that our past disqualifies us from our future. On the podcast, I sat down with Deborah Yager, and we talked about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in professional spaces—inner transformation. What Deborah reminded us today is that you are not broken—you’re becoming. Your past isn’t a life sentence, it’s ra...

A Story of Courage, Accountability & Radical Transformation Some stories don’t just inspire you—they challenge you. They remind you of what’s possible when a person refuses to stay who they used to be. Will’s story is one of those stories. With 25 years of lived experience in the system beginning at just 12 years old, Will’s early life was marked by instability, addiction, trauma, and survival...

In this conversation, we stripped away the noise and got real about what the modern man is facing today. We talked about the importance of exercise, not just for the body but for the mind — how movement becomes medicine, and how it anchors us when life feels heavy. We dove into emotional situations, anger, and the pressures men carry that often go unspoken. Society has trained men to believe vulne...

Life has a way of sending us in circles. We swear we’re choosing differently… only to find ourselves with the same type of partner, the same pain, the same heartbreak — again. And then the question hits us like a brick: “WHY DO I KEEP DOING THIS?” In this episode, Laney Lawrimore helps us break down the truth behind co-dependency — not as a label, but as a pattern of survival we’ve lived in for fa...

This Episode is Sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY / emergoacademy.com Today’s conversation with Rachel Liddell hit deep. We talked about something that far too many people avoid, and yet it’s the doorway to a better life: accountability. For so many of us, especially those who’ve battled addiction, it’s easier to play the victim. It’s easier to point fingers, blame circumstances, or believe life is happ...

This Episode is Sponsored By Emergo Academy/emergoacademy.com In this special episode, we flip the script—this time, I’m the one being interviewed. Life has thrown some heavy challenges my way these past few weeks, including the devastating news that I may lose my right leg due to two failed surgeries. The question is—how do you handle news like that? What thoughts run through your mind? And more...

This Episode Was Sponsored By Emergo Academy / emergoacademy.com In this deeply moving conversation, Austin Kiser opens his heart about losing his brother to suicide on October 23, 2023. What followed was a roller coaster of emotions — grief, numbness, and the heavy weight of realizing just how fragile life can be. But out of that pain came purpose. Austin began to look inward and then outward — l...

Life has a way of testing us in ways we never expect. For Jimmy and me, that test came in the form of losing a leg — a challenge that forces you to redefine what “normal” means and find strength in the face of change. In this powerful conversation, we talk about the journey of adapting to a new normal — one that keeps evolving — and how a positive mindset can fuel healing, even on the toughest day...

Today’s conversation bridges science, healing, and hope — a powerful look at how NAD+ supports the brain during addiction recovery. This Episode was sponsored By EMERGO ACADEMY / emergoacademy.com Dr. Darin Stettler, D.O., founder of Stettler Medical Monitoring, a University of Utah alum and osteopathic physician who’s helping patients heal through regenerative and functional medicine — from cellu...

In this raw and powerful episode, Al Richards and Heather Van Boerum open up in a deep and thought-provoking conversation about the unexpected parallels between addiction and amputation — two life-altering battles that demand resilience, faith, and the will to rise again.  Whether you’ve battled substance use or faced the loss of a limb, the journey toward healing is often the same. It’s about le...

This Episode is Sponsored By EMERGO ACADEMY / emergoacademy.com The Magic Is in the Consistency Guest: Chris Avery — “Chris Runs America” What if transformation wasn’t about massive leaps… but about one faithful step, repeated over time? Chris Avery knows a thing or two about that. After five runs over twenty years, he made a decision on January 8, 2022 — just one mile a day for a week. That week...

“OFF THE CUFF” With Dr. James Dixon. In this two part unfiltered and deeply human conversation, Al Richards sits down with Dr. James Dixon — nationally acclaimed motivational speaker, Chief Impact Officer of Impact Media Group, and visionary founder of the Elevate The Voices movement. From surviving a near-death moment when a gun was held to his face to sharing stages with icons like Les Brown and...

This Episode is sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY / emergoacademy.com Personality vs. Character is such a powerful topic, especially in personal growth and recovery. Manny Lopez shares his thoughts. Personality is more like the outer layer—it’s how we present ourselves to the world. It includes our habits, behaviors, and the traits that make us unique, like being outgoing, reserved, funny, or analytical...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Aida Woodward, motivational speaker, author, and the face of Ageless Vitality. Aida shares her insights on personal gratitude, mindset, and embracing the process of aging with vitality. With over 20 years of experience helping people achieve their health goals, Aida combines her approachable, “girl next door” demeanor with practical tools for transformati...

This Episode was sponsored by EMERGO ACADEMY/emergoacaademy.com On this episode of The Other Side of Addiction, we're honored to welcome Danielle — a shining example of how lived experience can transform not only one life but entire communities. From surviving an overdose to becoming a leader in mental health and recovery services, Danielle's journey is a powerful testament to the strength...

In this episode of The Other Side of Addiction, we dive deep into the powerful intersection of mind, body, and connection. True healing isn’t just about abstaining from substances—it’s about reconnecting with yourself, understanding how your mind and body are intertwined, and fostering meaningful relationships that support growth. We explore practical ways to cultivate balance, strengthen your men...

Mario Hernandez was born in Lancaster, California. Both his parents were illegal immigrants from a small town in Jalisco, Mexico. They moved to Utah when Mario was young. He grew up moving back and forth crossing the border illegally from Mexico to Utah, until they finally stayed when he was about 12. Living in Mexico was tough as he was growing up as a Mexican/American in a small town who looked...

This Episode is Sponsored by, EMERGO ACADEMY, emergoacademy.com In this episode, we explore the power of the choices we make today and how they shape who we become tomorrow. We dive into the idea that small changes—sometimes almost invisible at first—can create monumental shifts in our lives. We also discuss how our mistakes aren’t failures—they’re stepping stones

"Just wrapped up an intense and deeply moving episode of The Other Side of Addiction titled ‘Pain & Perseverance.’ My guest Angie Barnett shared her powerful journey, including the moment she broke her leg skiing—only for her ex-husband to refuse to take her to the ER, all while stealing her pain medication. This Episode is Sponsored By Emergo Academy, emergoacademy.com