The Speaker Meeting

When Brian fell off a ladder, it wasn’t just his ankle that broke—it was the illusion of control. In this episode, Brian shares how surrender became his turning point: from chasing escape through alcohol and cocaine to finding freedom in honesty, humility, and service. This is a story about learning to let go, live fully, and find wholeness one day at a time. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of The S...

John Burke is a writer, performer, firefighter, and father from Jersey City, New Jersey. With nearly eight years sober, John reflects on the journey that brought him here—from discovering alcohol as a teenager at punk shows, to the toxic relationships and dark moments that nearly ended it all, to the night he decided it was time to change. In this conversation, John opens up about the role communi...

Madeleine’s story is proof that recovery is not just survival—it’s reinvention. From early struggles with substances and years of living on the street, to moments of despair and near-death, she found herself wishing on a star for change. That wish carried her into recovery, where she discovered acceptance, community, and a new sense of self as a trans woman. Today, she works at Serenity Star Recov...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , Liz T. reflects on how recovery and Buddhism intertwined to help her rebuild her life. Her story moves from risk-taking rebellion and the allure of substances, to health scares, legal troubles, and the moment she realized she needed to live differently. The card that opened our conversation was the Ace of Pentacles —a symbol of new beginnings and planting s...

In this powerful episode, Gil shares his journey from the depths of addiction to five years of sobriety, reflecting on the family history, cultural influences, and mental health challenges that shaped his relationship with alcohol. From a volatile childhood in a Latino household to years of self-medicating across the globe, Gil’s story spans continents, career highs and lows, and the pandemic’s is...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, J.C. Clark shares her powerful journey from addiction to rediscovery of purpose. After years of losing herself in the sex industry and the lifestyle that comes with it, J.C. found refuge and direction at Serenity Star Recovery, a program that offered more than sobriety: it gave her community, honesty, and a sense of belonging. From early struggles to becomi...

Chris C. got sober in 1995—but his recovery didn’t end there. In this honest and illuminating conversation, Chris reflects on what it means to go deeper after decades in recovery. From substance addiction to compulsive behaviors and unresolved trauma, he shares how sobriety opened the door—but it was therapy, meditation, and Buddhism that helped him walk through it. We pulled the Two of Pentacles...

In this raw and deeply personal episode, Lobo shares their story of survival, recovery, and reclaiming sacred space. From the intense highs of early party culture to the harrowing depths of isolation, betrayal, and near-death experiences, Lobo walks us through a journey that is both spiritual and deeply human. We explore what it means to really confront the illusions we once lived in—and how painf...

What happens when the drive to succeed becomes the mask we wear to survive? In this episode, Justin H. shares his journey from overachieving executive to burned-out addict, and how surrendering to the process of recovery helped him reconnect with himself—and his purpose. Now, as the Executive Director of an LGBTQ+ youth shelter, Justin uses the tools he gained in recovery to help others find their...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , Ben B. shares his powerful story of survival, transformation, and reclaiming his voice after decades of addiction. From early childhood trauma and secrecy to experiencing euphoric highs that masked deep pain, Ben takes us through his years of substance use, houselessness, incarceration, and ultimately, his radical shift into a life of purpose, service, and...

Steven F. didn’t just get sober—he transformed. In this powerful episode, Steven shares what it meant to survive not just addiction, but also religious trauma, AIDS, and the slow unraveling of self-worth. From growing up the closeted son of a preacher, to getting lost in a cycle of meth, manipulation, and survival, Steven’s story is one of radical truth-telling and deep spiritual reclamation. The...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , poet and educator Zachary Kluckman shares how childhood trauma, addiction, and the loss of his own voice shaped a life that nearly disappeared in silence. But his story didn’t end there. From early exposure to poetry as survival, to rediscovering community and purpose in recovery, Zach brings honesty, clarity, and deep humanity to this conversation. 🔮 This...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , Chibbi sits down with Erica A. for a conversation that traces survival, grief, resilience, and the slow, beautiful rebuilding of self-worth. From growing up around addiction to falling into it herself, Erica shares how fear, shame, and people-pleasing kept her stuck—and how recovery gave her the tools to say yes to herself, maybe for the first time. 🗡️ This...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , Chibbi sits down with Roxy D. for a no-holds-barred conversation about grief, addiction, survival, and choosing joy even when it feels impossible. Together, they unpack the costs of hiding, the work it takes to stay sober after devastating loss, and the brutal honesty it takes to build a life you actually want to live. It’s messy, it’s funny, it’s heartbrea...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , Chibbi sits down with poet and publisher Ebony Rose for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and healing. From frat parties and Four Lokos to blackout nights, literal prayers in the kitchen, and launching Sober Gang, Ebony lays it all out—clear, honest, and direct. Together they talk about self-betrayal, divine redirection, and the po...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , Chibbi sits down with Nigel Williams for a conversation that’s honest, insightful, and rich with emotional clarity. Nigel reflects on his early encounters with substances, the false comfort of addiction, and the grief that cracked open his journey toward change. Together, they talk about what it means to do the work in recovery, the realities of rehab roman...

In this episode of The Speaker Meeting , Andy D. joins Chibbi for an unflinching conversation about the long and winding road of recovery—from childhood trauma and toxic masculinity to treatment, relapse, and radical self-acceptance. Andy shares how strength isn’t about toughness, but the quiet resilience to admit you need help, ask for it, and stay willing. They talk about the Strength tarot card...

In this premiere episode of The Speaker Meeting , Chibbi sits down with Elyssa S. for a powerful and vulnerable conversation about trauma, addiction, queerness, and healing. From childhood displacement to stripping, substance use, and survival, Elyssa shares how her story moved from chaos to clarity—one honest moment at a time. Together, they reflect on recovery as a spiritual path, the Six of Cup...

The Speaker Meeting is a podcast about addiction, recovery, and the stories that remind us we’re not alone. Each episode features an open, honest conversation with someone who has walked the path of addiction and found their way to recovery. No scripts, no judgment—just real people sharing their experience, strength, and hope.* Recovery looks different for everyone. Whether it’s through 12-step pr...