Addiction Uncovered

What happens when addiction takes over your life before you've even had a chance to figure out who you are? For Andy Smith, the journey began at just six years old. On this deeply emotional episode of Addiction Uncovered, Jill Nastase sits down with Andy to discuss a decades-long struggle with addiction, shame, mental health, and the search for something that could finally make the pain stop. Andy...

What happens when your brain mistakes a behavior for love, safety, or survival? Trisha Anderson joins Jill Nastase on Addiction Uncovered for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, attachment, trauma, and the lifelong process of learning how to feel safe within yourself. Trisha shares how addiction was present in her family long before she understood what addiction was, and how growing...

In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Ryan Desch, a trauma-informed mental health counselor, Air Force veteran, and person in long-term recovery. Ryan shares how his addiction escalated quickly in college, leading him to drop out and enter rehab at just 21 years old. What followed was a life-changing journey — from early sobriety to a 10-year career in the U.S. A...

What happens when four people with very different recovery journeys sit down in front of a packed room and simply talk? That’s exactly what happened in this special live episode of Addiction Uncovered. Host Jill Nastase brings together Matt Dwyer, Buom Dobuol, Paul Weishapl, and Dr. Nikki Zabik for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, mental health, and the realities of living sober....

In one of the most powerful episodes of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Holly Porter and her 10-year-old son Malachi to explore how addiction impacts not just individuals — but families. Holly shares her journey from early substance use to becoming a counselor and business owner, now over 10 years sober. But what makes this episode truly unique is hearing from Malachi — a chi...

The term “sober curious” is everywhere right now — but what does it actually mean? In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Casey Davidson breaks down the concept and explains how people can start questioning their relationship with alcohol without labeling themselves or hitting a breaking point. She joins Jill Nastase to share her journey from daily drinking to sobriety, the “moderation trap” many...

What happens when someone stops numbing the pain and starts facing it head-on? In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Buom Dobuol opens up about the real cost of addiction, the mental health struggles he hid from others, and the turning point that led him toward sobriety. He talks with Jill Nastase about answered prayers, giving himself grace, and building healthier routines through faith, commun...

Why is addiction so difficult to overcome? In this special bonus episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase welcomes Dr. Nikki Zabik, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), to explore the neuroscience behind addiction, alcohol, anxiety, and recovery. Drawing from both her groundbreaking research and her own sobriety journey, Dr. Zabik explains why...

Recovery isn't just about putting down the bottle—it's about becoming the person the people you love deserve. In this special bonus episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Matt Dwyer, who shares his powerful journey from growing up in an alcoholic family to finding lasting sobriety after decades of struggle. Matt opens up about beginning to drink at just 11 years old, chas...

In the Season 4 premiere of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Jake Shaddy, founder of Different Approach Omaha, a transitional housing program helping individuals rebuild their lives after incarceration and addiction. Jake’s story began with alcohol use at just 13 years old, eventually leading to juvenile incarceration and later prison as an adult. But while incarcerated, he be...

In the Season 3 finale of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Austin Lewandowski, who celebrates one year alcohol-free while sharing the powerful story that led him there. After losing his best friend to suicide just before graduating high school, Austin struggled to process the grief. Over time, alcohol, cocaine, and gambling became ways to numb the pain and escape overwhelming...

For years, alcohol controlled Lindsey Kirk’s life. Addiction led her through trauma, homelessness, hospitalizations, and losing contact with her children. But through treatment, support, and relentless determination, Lindsey found a way to rebuild her life. In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Lindsey joins Jill Nastase to talk about the moment she finally hit rock bottom, the challenges of ear...

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Mallory Becker, who shares her deeply personal story of addiction, loss, and recovery. Mallory’s struggles with alcohol began in high school but escalated after the tragic loss of her brother in 2014. Grieving and searching for relief, she turned to alcohol to numb the pain. After multiple treatment attempts, somethi...

In this inspiring episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Jason Feregrino, who shares how addiction slowly became part of his identity — and how faith, honesty, and self-reflection helped him break free. Jason opens up about chasing the party lifestyle, realizing he no longer recognized himself, and making the decision to step away from alcohol and substances. After commit...

In this deeply personal episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with her cousin Joseph (Giuseppe) Nastase, who has been sober since April 21, 2007. Joe shares the raw truth about his early struggles with addiction, mental health challenges, and the years when life felt completely out of control. From self-destructive behavior and homelessness to finding hope through Alcoholics...

Could nutrient deficiencies and nervous system dysregulation be fueling addiction? In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Malerie Scheffler joins Jill Nastase to explain how blood sugar instability, gut health, dopamine production, and chronic stress impact addictive behaviors. Malerie opens up about her own recovery journey and how learning to regulate her body changed everything. Now she works...

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase interviews Mallory Bowen, a former teen mom who battled addiction, probation, toxic relationships, and self-destruction — and now owns a successful intensive outpatient program in Utah dedicated to helping men reenter society after prison. Mallory shares how addiction began with abandonment wounds, how the “Jaywalker Story” from AA...

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase interviews Cierra, who shares her deeply personal journey through grief, alcohol addiction, medical crises, and recovery. After losing her grandmother during the pandemic, Cierra turned to alcohol to cope — a decision that slowly spiraled into physical dependence, pancreatitis, seizures, withdrawal psychosis, and ultimately detox....

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person struggling — it reshapes entire families. In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, Maraleigh Lewandowski shares her experience as both a therapist and a mother navigating her son’s addiction. She opens up about fear, shame, broken trust, boundaries, and the isolation parents often feel when no one truly understands what they’re going through. A must...

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase interviews George McGinness, a peer recovery coach and advocate whose life was shaped by addiction, trauma, and homelessness — and transformed by recovery. George shares how addiction began at a young age after a traumatic loss, the overdose that nearly took his life, and how recovery led him to become a voice for people experienci...

What does long-term recovery really look like? In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Roland Nielson shares how addiction shaped his childhood, escalated through adolescence, and followed him across the country — until fatherhood changed everything. Interviewed by Jill Nastase, Roland reflects on what finally made sobriety stick, how community support saved his life, and why recovery today is fil...

In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Haley Ehlers to talk honestly about addiction, relapse, and the hard work of rebuilding self-worth. Haley opens up about where her addiction began, how trauma shaped her recovery journey, and why relapse didn’t mean failure — it became part of her healing. This conversation is raw, compassionate, and filled with hope for anyo...

In a powerful twist for Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits on the other side of the mic as her best friend Collette Grimm interviews her about her personal journey through anxiety, motherhood, alcohol dependency, and finally—sobriety. This is Jill at her most honest, vulnerable, and inspiring. If you’re considering sobriety—or just curious about what it feels like—this episode is for you....

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Davin Cole, a retired law enforcement officer, to discuss addiction and recovery within the first responder community. Davin shares how a line-of-duty injury led to long-term opioid use, how PTSD quietly shaped his addiction, and why asking for help can feel impossible for those trained to protect others. This conver...

What does healing look like when you begin from rock bottom? In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Paul Weishapl shares how addiction consumed most of his adult life — and how prison unexpectedly became the place where he found sobriety, mindfulness, purpose, and a sense of identity beyond his past. Today, Paul teaches harm reduction strategies and compassion-centered care for people who use dru...