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On the show
From 14 epsHosts
Recent guests
Recent episodes
"Don't Worry, Mom. I'm OK" with Chrissy Shields
Jun 22, 2026
Unknown duration
Ignoring Red Flags Since 1999 with Angie Isam
Jun 15, 2026
Unknown duration
I Thought I Was Only Hurting Me with Matt Bauersachs
Jun 8, 2026
2h 06m 11s
Turning Pain Into Purpose with Kira Andersen
Jun 1, 2026
2h 45m 59s
Competing Against Bipolar with Michael Wellington
May 25, 2026
2h 03m 32s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/22/26 |  "Don't Worry, Mom. I'm OK" with Chrissy Shields | On this episode of Pondoff's Anonymous, we sit down with Chrissy Shields and her sons, Arty Berreman and Jake Shields, to share the life and legacy of AJ Berreman. Through laughter, tears, and incredible honesty, the Berreman family opens up about AJ's battle with addiction, bipolar disorder, treatment, recovery attempts, and the difficult reality of loving someone through a disease that affects the entire family.From hockey rinks and family dinners to rehab centers and heartbreaking phone calls, this conversation explores the moments that shaped AJ's life, the challenges his family faced, and the lessons they've learned in the years since his passing. Chrissy shares what it was like to watch her son struggle, the hope that kept her going, and the dream that finally brought her peace.This isn't just a story about addiction. It's a story about family, resilience, grief, faith, forgiveness, and the impact one person can have long after they're gone.Today, AJ's legacy lives on through the people who loved him, the lives touched by his story, and the annual golf tournament held in his honor.❤️ In memory of AJ Berriman. | — | ||||||
| 6/15/26 |  Ignoring Red Flags Since 1999 with Angie Isam | On this episode of Pondoff’s Anonymous, Angie Isam sits down for one of the most unbelievable and emotionally raw conversations the show has had yet. What starts as stories about South City chaos, partying, and addiction quickly unfolds into a childhood filled with instability, abandonment, alcoholism, kidnapping, violence, and survival.Angie opens up about growing up in a deeply dysfunctional home, her father spiraling into alcoholism, her mother disappearing for long stretches of time, and learning to survive long before she was emotionally equipped to. Along the way, she shares stories about cocaine addiction, methamphetamine, biker culture, multiple DWIs, county jail, losing custody of her daughter, and the moments that finally forced her to confront the life she was living.But underneath all the chaos is something much deeper: redemption. Angie talks about recovery, faith, treatment, rebuilding relationships, and how her own lived experience eventually led her to helping others as Director of Admissions at Illinois Recovery Center — becoming the exact kind of person she once needed herself. | — | ||||||
| 6/8/26 |  I Thought I Was Only Hurting Me with Matt Bauersachs✨ | recoveryaddiction+4 | Matt Bauersachs | — | — | recovery storyaddiction+5 | — | 2h 06m 11s | |
| 6/1/26 |  Turning Pain Into Purpose with Kira Andersen✨ | addictiongrief+5 | Kira Andersen | — | — | addictiongrief+5 | — | 2h 45m 59s | |
| 5/25/26 |  Competing Against Bipolar with Michael Wellington✨ | bipolar disordermental health+4 | Michael Wellington | Birdies, Bogeys, and Bipolar Disorder | — | bipolar disordermental health+6 | — | 2h 03m 32s | |
| 5/11/26 |  41 Surgeries Later - Rebuilding "Buff" Bagwell✨ | addictionwrestling culture+5 | Marcus “Buff” Bagwell | WCWWWE+1 | — | Buff Bagwellwrestling+7 | — | 3h 22m 20s | |
| 5/4/26 | Building the Plan on Day One with Blake Wellen✨ | treatmentrecovery+4 | Blake Wellen | Illinois Recovery Center | — | addictionrecovery+5 | — | 1h 31m 07s | |
| 4/27/26 |  S3 E14 Jakob comes home, at least for one episode!✨ | recoveryharm reduction+4 | Jakob Miller | ibogaineketamine+7 | — | recoveryharm reduction+6 | — | 1h 35m 38s | |
| 4/20/26 |  Grace After Chaos with Alyssa Jarvis✨ | addictionrecovery+5 | Alyssa Jarvis | — | — | addictionrecovery+7 | McKelvey Insurance Group | 2h 02m 01s | |
| 4/13/26 |  S3 E12 Addiction, Sobriety, and Community with John Nettles✨ | addictionsobriety+3 | John Nettles | Refine RecoveryRecovery Refined | — | addictionsobriety+6 | McKelvey Insurance Group | 2h 07m 50s | |
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| 4/6/26 |  S3 E11 Never Lose Hope with Tennille Heitkamp✨ | addictionfamily struggles+3 | Tennille Heitkamp | Addiction is Real | — | addictionrecovery+7 | McKelvey Insurance Group | 1h 54m 57s | |
| 3/30/26 |  S3E10 The Weight of Shame with Julie Wiseman✨ | mental healthaddiction+5 | Julie Wiseman | — | — | suicideaddiction+7 | McKelvey Insurance Group | 2h 15m 52s | |
| 3/16/26 |  S3E9 Lyndsey Jacob✨ | addictionrecovery+5 | Lyndsey Jacob | — | — | addiction recoverysobriety+6 | — | 1h 59m 56s | |
| 3/9/26 |  Fentanyl Killed My Son at a Sleepover | A Mother's Fight for Justice with Tiffany Foster✨ | fentanyl poisoninggrief and loss+4 | Tiffany Foster | — | — | fentanyloverdose+5 | — | 2h 19m 22s | |
| 3/2/26 |  “We Is Stronger Than Me” with Ryan Canaday & Karie McMullen✨ | addictionfaith+4 | Ryan CanadayKarie McMullen | FREE Recovery Community | Denver | addictionrecovery+5 | — | 2h 11m 17s | |
| 2/23/26 |  Grief, Phish, Fentanyl & Truth with Theresa Solsten✨ | griefaddiction+4 | Theresa Solsten | Phish | — | fentanyladdiction+6 | — | 2h 04m 04s | |
| 2/16/26 |  Pondoff's Anonymous introduces Needed to Hear That with Chaz and Pondoff | Pondoff’s Anonymous is on a one week break, but we didn’t want to leave you hanging…So today we’re sharing an episode of our newer show, *Needed to Hear That*.This one is a do not miss.If you’ve ever connected with what we try to do here, honest conversations, recovery, mental health, and the stuff people usually don’t say out loud, this podcast is absolutely for you.Subscribe to *Needed to Hear That* so you don’t miss the next one. | — | ||||||
| 2/9/26 |  When Addiction Stops Being Fun | Cocaine, Meth, Prison & Recovery with Triple X | Who this episode is for:Those addicted to drugs and/or alcohol who still think they’re in controlPeople living double lives and calling it “functional”Anyone carrying childhood trauma they’ve never dealt withFamilies trying to love someone who keeps self-destructingAnyone who’s ever made a mess of their life and told themselves it was ambitionThis episode is not clean.It’s not polished.And it sure as hell isn’t motivational fluff.This is a full, unfiltered autopsy of addiction.Chris Pondoff and Zoe Mendenall sit down with Triple X — addict in recovery, speaker, author, and recovery advocate — and let him tell the whole story. Not the safe version. Not the highlight reel. The real one.From growing up poor with emotional abuse and abandonment…to chasing validation, power, money, and belonging…to cocaine, meth, large-scale dealing, paranoia, prison, relapse, and finally rebuilding a life with structure and purpose.This conversation tears apart the myth of the “functional addict” and exposes how addiction often starts as a solution — until it becomes the cage you can’t escape.Triple X walks through it all:When cocaine felt like confidence.When money felt like control.When the pager never stopped buzzing.When the helicopter light hit the apartment.When fun turned into fear.When meth changed everything.When prison became inevitable.When recovery finally demanded structure, discipline, and boundaries.There’s no glamor here.Just ego, trauma, chaos, consequences — and the long road back.You’ll hear about:Childhood emotional abuse and abandonmentTrauma as the root, not the excuseWhy structure is non-negotiable in recoveryCocaine, meth, and the escalation trapThe business side of addiction and how it growsLiving two lives and being exhausted by bothArrest, plea deals, prison, and consequencesRelapse, shame, and getting back upBuilding a new life through discipline and purposeThis episode doesn’t ask for sympathy.It demands honesty.If you’re listening and thinking, “I’m not that bad,”you should probably keep listening.GUEST:Triple X — addict in recovery, speaker, author, and recovery advocateBOOK:Becoming the Change by Triple XSOCIAL MEDIA:TikTok: @be_the_change_recoveryBUSINESS:Muther MushroomWebsite: https://muthermushroom.com/(Launching in the coming weeks)EPISODE TIMELINE:00:00 Introduction and Sponsorships05:54 Personal Stories and Connections12:03 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact22:03 Radical Inclusion in Recovery28:57 The Illusion of Control: Functional Addiction35:40 The Highs and Lows of Cocaine Use43:15 The Business of Addiction: From Small to Large Scale52:47 The Turning Point: From Fun to Fear58:35 The Introduction to Methamphetamine01:04:32 Family Dynamics and Addiction01:22:30 Turning Point: From Struggle to Success01:30:01 The Exhaustion of Dual Lives01:39:59 The Inevitable Fall: Facing Consequences01:50:00 The Arrest: A Life Unraveled02:01:10 Plea Bargaining and Sentencing02:12:23 Post-Prison Life and Business Ventures02:19:23 Relapse and Recovery Journey02:30:04 The Struggle with Addiction02:35:44 The Turning Point: A Wake-Up Call02:42:18 The Power of Positive Reinforcement02:48:32 Building a New Life: Recovery and BusinessNothing about recovery is pretty.But it’s real.And it’s possible.Sponsored by McKelvey Insurance (https://www.mckelveyins.com/) and LightSource Psychotherapy (https://findyourlightsource.com/). | — | ||||||
| 2/2/26 |  Gut Instincts and Second Chances with Sam Lander | Who this episode is for:Those addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.Anyone rebuilding after wreckage—physical, emotional, legal.People whose guts are wrecked and spirits even worse.Ex-party people trying to become whole humans.Fitness freaks, trauma healers, and closet sugar junkies.Anyone who's ever made a mess of their life and needed to start over—again.Sam Lander has lived a few lifetimes in one. This episode goes hard into her journey—from synchronized swimmer and college partier to LA chaos and courtrooms to spiritual awakening and gut healing. She’s seen it all and now helps others feel better in their bodies and lives through science-backed, soul-conscious wellness work.Sam opens up about the rollercoaster of addiction, relapse, rehab, and recovery—not once, but over years of painful unraveling and healing. She talks about the pink cloud of early sobriety, how the body holds trauma, and what it really means to rebuild after everything falls apart.And she doesn’t just talk it—she lives it. Today, she runs a full-scale health and wellness practice that dives deep into gut health, hormones, and the mind-body connection. She’ll teach you how to run labs on yourself, heal your insides, and maybe even laugh while shitting in a box. Real talk.This is an episode about survival, reinvention, and finally figuring out what the hell makes you feel alive—and feel good.Work with Sam and get your gut right at:https://seefitpt.comFollow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/seefitlivingTIME STAMPS:00:00 Navigating Distractions and Reactions05:08 Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Changes11:57 Sober Living and Its Challenges17:57 Personal Stories and Life Lessons24:05 The Impact of Substance Use30:12 Reflections on Recovery and Growth36:02 Life in Los Angeles and Career Paths42:01 Facing Consequences and Legal Issues46:28 Navigating Personal Struggles49:30 The Journey of Recovery52:23 Finding Strength in Vulnerability54:39 Life Lessons from Adversity56:42 The Impact of Relationships on Recovery01:00:50 Health and Wellness Insights01:02:19 The Role of Nutrition in Recovery01:06:33 Understanding Mental Health Challenges01:10:32 The Importance of Support Systems01:15:31 Reflections on Growth and ChangeSponsored by🛡️ McKelvey Insurance – https://www.mckelveyins.com🧠 LightSource Psychotherapy – https://findyourlightsource.com | — | ||||||
| 1/26/26 |  Velvet Nights & Coke Eyes with Shawn Vinson | Who this episode is for:Anyone who’s ever been owned by their addictionParents trying to fix what their kids won’t talk aboutBusiness bros who grind all day and snort all nightPeople trying to outrun their past (good luck)Anyone who’s ever made a mess of their life and called it “fun”The quietly curious — not in recovery (yet), but wondering what all the wreckage is really aboutThis week on Pondoff’s Anonymous, we go all the way in with Shawn Vinson — entrepreneur, ex-party monster, and the kind of guy who used to outdrink you, outwork you, and then take your girlfriend… all before brunch. But behind the suits and the lake house blowouts was a man chasing oblivion at full throttle.Shawn gets real about growing up with a broken relationship blueprint, drowning in validation-seeking, and building a life so externally successful it nearly killed him. We’re talking ecstasy-fueled club nights, lines in the bathroom at family events, and trying to “dad” while his soul was on fire.You’ll hear how a 12-step program flipped his rage into clarity, why prayer is now part of his survival kit, and how he’s channeling his chaos into coaching and entrepreneurship. There’s also a moment where his two-year-old daughter checks him on his cocaine eyes. If you’re not wrecked after that… you might already be.We hit everything from early insecurity and high school boozing, to the brutal come-to-Jesus moments that make recovery stick. And yeah — we go deep on what it really means to rebuild a life from the ashes when no one’s clapping and nothing’s pretty.Episode Breakdown (You Know the Drill):00:00 – Shot of Coffee and a Side of Chaos01:28 – Meet Shawn Vinson: The Wolf of Wall Street of the Ozarks04:52 – Families: Can’t Live with ’Em, Can’t Stay Sober Without ’Em12:08 – Addiction Doesn’t Just Wreck You — It Torches the Whole Family Tree18:24 – When a Toddler Calls Out Your Cocaine Eyes24:59 – 12-Step Rage Turned 12-Step Redemption31:14 – Young, Dumb, and Looking for Love in All the Dysfunctional Places31:42 – Medicated and Proud: The Daily Ritual That Keeps Us Sane32:25 – High School: Insecurity, Hormones, and Bud Light34:17 – Booze as a Social Superpower (Until It Isn’t)37:22 – Discovering Ecstasy and the Gospel of Velvet Nightclub40:08 – Cocaine, Clubs, and the Illusion of Invincibility43:17 – New Friends, New Lows, and All the Free Drinks You Can Snort46:20 – Corporate Hustle Meets Party Animal: Shawn Joins the Family Biz51:31 – The Lake House Turns Into a Blown‑Out Frat Mansion52:28 – Consequences: The House Always Wins56:23 – Chasing the First High Straight Into Hell59:31 – Chaos, Camaraderie, and the Power of Unlikely Brotherhood01:01:47 – Why Vulnerability Feels Like Taking Your Skin Off01:03:24 – Addiction Is an Equal Opportunity Destroyer01:06:12 – Love, Lust, and Lines of Blow: Relationships in the Wreckage01:10:14 – Sobriety Isn’t a Destination — It’s a Fucking Fight01:19:30 – Owning the Fallout, One Step at a Time01:26:13 – Looking Back to Move Forward (Even When It Hurts Like Hell)01:29:36 – Early Recovery: Welcome to the Emotional Blender01:32:19 – Community, Accountability, and Not Doing This Shit Alone01:39:08 – Prayer, Presence, and Getting Intentional With Life01:47:04 – From Snorting Lines to Coaching Lives: Shawn’s Next ChapterCheck out Shawn’s coaching work at: https://xpansion.comSponsored by:McKelvey Insurance – https://www.mckelveyins.com/LightSource Psychotherapy – https://findyourlightsource.com/ | — | ||||||
| 1/19/26 |  From Train Wreck to Captain Courage with George Hansford | Who this episode is for:- Bar owners who can’t stop drinking their own profits - Anyone who thinks boating and sobriety can’t mix - Those living with the secret shame of family dysfunction - People who think recovery means giving up fun - Old-school St. Louisans with a soft spot for Trainwreck Saloon - Anyone who’s ever made a mess of their lifeIf you’ve ever built a life that looked good on paper but felt like a slow-motion disaster, this one’s for you.Chris and Zoë sit down with St. Louis bar legend George Hansford—founder and owner of the iconic Trainwreck Saloon—and get real about 40+ years in the brutal bar business, alcoholism, grief, family secrets, and finally, finding hope at the end of a bottle. Literally.George opens up about growing up in Brentwood, losing both parents by age 25, and how years of unprocessed pain fueled a decades-long drinking career—until a packed suitcase and one final bender forced him to change. This episode dives deep into how trauma festers into addiction—and how it can be healed through honesty, community, and one hell of a recovery journey that took George from the landing to Key West, where he now runs Courage Charters (http://www.couragecharters.com), a name inspired by the Serenity Prayer and powered by the gift of sobriety.This dude’s not just running boats—he’s giving people hope on the water. And if that doesn’t make you cry or at least book a four-hour sandbar escape, check your pulse.Also in this episode:- Tales from Brentwood ice rink and run-ins with NHL legends - A behind-the-scenes look at the wildest nights in STL bar history - What it’s like to get sober when *you* are the bar owner - Why interventions suck—but sometimes still work - The life-changing power of “suitcase day” (aka when your wife finally packs your shit) - What recovery looks like in Key West (spoiler: it’s not all Jimmy Buffett and sunburns)Find George:Facebook – Trainwreck Saloon: http://www.facebook.com/TrainwreckSaloon Facebook – Courage Charters: http://www.facebook.com/couragecharters 🛥️ Book a charter: http://www.couragecharters.com 🍔 Grab a bison burger: http://www.trainwrecksaloon.comWhat’s inside (yeah, we timestamped the chaos):0:00 – Intro & sponsor shoutout 2:59 – The legacy of Trainwreck Saloon 5:58 – Brentwood roots, bison burgers, and Blues players at the bar 9:00 – Alcoholism in the family and trying to outrun it 11:59 – Running bars, losing control, and pretending everything’s fine 15:00 – Death, denial, and what it really means to heal 18:00 – Getting sober after 30+ years of burying pain 20:48 – From the bar scene to recovery scene: how shit changed 23:56 – Fireball, slot machines, and surviving the modern bar biz 26:58 – What’s next after recovery (hint: it involves a boat) 29:00 – Drinking culture then vs. now 31:40 – Health failing, marriage breaking—rock bottom creeps in 32:35 – Suitcase day: when your wife packs your shit and saves your life 35:01 – What real support in recovery looks like 39:04 – Why relapse happens, and how George finally got honest 41:20 – Building community when you're the former drunk at your own bar 45:17 – Losing a friend, finding purpose, and becoming a fucking captain 51:31 – Courage Charters is born: a new life on the water 56:44 – Sobriety is a gift. Period. 1:00:14 – Key West living: fishing, chillin’, and real peace 1:03:02 – Tourists vs. locals: the truth about “laid back” 1:05:58 – Recovery in paradise: meetings, connection, and keeping it simple 1:08:04 – Prayer, resentment, and doing the hard shit anyway 1:09:54 – Service work, growth, and giving back 1:10:58 – A surprise trip to Cuba 1:18:09 – Grief, love, and the long road to healing 1:19:55 – COVID, restaurants, and everything that changedSponsored by: 🛡️ McKelvey Insurance – http://www.mckelveyins.com 🧠 LightSource Psychotherapy – http://www.findyourlightsource.com | — | ||||||
| 1/12/26 |  Addiction, Grief, and Grace with Rene Hudson | Who this episode is for:- Anyone who’s ever woken up wondering how the hell they survived their 20s- Former party girls turned spiritual gangsters- People in recovery who still laugh at their darkest stories- Anyone with complicated daddy issues- Midwest transplants trying to make peace with the lack of decent tacos- And most importantly: the still-struggling, the not-yet-sober, the ones who think it’s too late—this one’s for youAddiction, Grief, and Grace with Rene HudsonRene Hudson didn’t just dip her toe in the chaos—she cannonballed straight into it. In this raw-as-hell episode, Chris, Zoe, and (MIA) Jeff sit down with Rene, a certified SoCal wild child turned St. Louis recovery badass, to unpack a story that ricochets from beach bonfires and punk shows to addiction, grief, and spiritual rebirth.This isn’t some sanitized, “I found Jesus and now everything’s fine” kind of thing. Rene brings the real: pierced nipples as teenage rebellion, doing shots and hitting rock bottom, crashing on a boat with no working toilet, and falling into a love story that ends in heartbreak and hard lessons.You'll hear about her fast spiral into addiction, her time as the life of the party in OC’s house scene, meeting her late partner Noah (who moved in after one night and never left), and how she went from vodka breakfasts to full-body baptisms at The Gathering.The crew veers off course plenty—talking bridges, airport food etiquette, Sergeant Sausage the male stripper, and Nicholas Cage melting down at Newport bars—but it always comes back to the raw truth of recovery, trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life from scratch.This one’s funny, heartbreaking, weird, and wildly human. Just like Rene.00:00 Shoutout to the sponsors02:59 Bridge drama and Midwest geography lessons06:07 Boomers, Gen Z, and Y2K brain damage08:57 Growing up in SoCal11:58 St. Louis nice vs. California real15:01 Bonfires, beach boys, and busted boat toilets18:04 Nick Cage is a freak and we love that for him18:55 Con Air, In-N-Out, and late-night cravings21:19 Airport food shaming and clean eating confessions24:41 Real ones go to church27:56 First time telling the whole damn story33:37 Turning the wreckage into something valuable39:36 Military childhoods and doing it all yourself42:01 Teenage love, heartbreak, and “marriage?!”45:55 Nipples pierced out of spite48:50 Party girl era unlocked54:59 It starts out fun—until it’s not01:00:02 Running from everything01:02:59 A brain full of chaos01:04:57 Moving to Florida, still running01:06:55 Relationships, broken and breaking01:10:01 Losing Noah01:16:58 Grief, relapse, and trying to survive it01:20:21 Family pain and recovery roadblocks01:24:11 Putting the pieces back together01:26:40 Finally giving recovery a real shot01:27:25 Why extended care isn’t optional01:31:40 Love, support, and the shit that saves us01:33:20 The slippery slope of sobriety01:39:25 Finding your people01:42:11 Helping others = healing yourself01:46:55 It gets better—but not by accidentCheck out the recovery community that helped change Rene’s life:👉 https://gatheringnow.org/recoverySponsored by🛡️ McKelvey Insurance – https://www.mckelveyins.com/💡 LightSource Psychotherapy – https://findyourlightsource.com/ | — | ||||||
| 1/5/26 |  Best of Season Two: Sobriety, Chaos, Healing & All the Shit in Between | This ain’t your tidy little self-help podcast. This is a molotov cocktail of truth, trauma, healing, heartbreak, and a whole lotta swearing. We’re cracking open some of the rawest, realest, and most *fuck-it-let’s-go-there* moments from Season Two. If you're not ready to get honest, bounce now.First up, Megan Gehrs and Bree Badgley are back after five years. These two come in hot—talking relapses, divorces, cookie cakes, sober birthdays, and how to sit in self-pity without drowning in it. Megan shares what it’s like staying sober with a fully stocked liquor cabinet in the house. Bree opens up about blackouts, bruises, and holding her newborn niece in the hospital while still swollen from the night before. This ain’t Instagram recovery—it’s the messy, beautiful kind.Then Christina Preston drops a fucking hammer: kidnapped, trafficked, and held in a hotel room with a pistol on the console. She survived it. Barely. And now she’s helping women claw their way back from the same hell she escaped. This is not a movie. This is real. And it happens down the damn street.Kurt Garner swings through next—radio host, tequila junkie turned sober globetrotter. From Mexican strip clubs with angry bouncers to solo Valentine’s Day JT concerts in Chicago, he proves life doesn’t end when the bottle does. His turning point? A 10 a.m. tequila binge after a failed date that led to pouring out the bottle and walking toward something better.Then we go deep with Sean Weiss—yeah, *that* Sean Weiss. Goldberg from *The Mighty Ducks*. You’ve seen the mugshots. But this dude has lived through shit most people wouldn’t survive. $20K gone in three months. Dope. Shoplifting. Using a needle he *knew* was HIV-positive because detox hurt more than death. This conversation isn’t for the faint of heart—but it’s for the ones still out there thinking there’s no way back.And finally, Rafe Williams takes the mic. Stand-up comic, radio guy, and full-time truth-teller. He cracks jokes about Southern Illinois, grandma’s Doral cartons, and Paducah gas station cigarettes—but make no mistake, he’s lived it. The rooms, the relapses, the rollercoaster of finding peace in a loud-ass world. He gets honest about masculinity, depression, and why vulnerability is a hell of a lot scarier than any open mic.This one’s for anyone who’s tired of hiding. You don’t have to pretend anymore. Just press play.---CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Honest Conversations 02:08 Returning to Recovery: Megan Gehrs and Bree Badgley 05:01 Personal Struggles: Divorce and Alcoholism 12:15 The Impact of Alcohol on Relationships 19:52 Mental Health: Anxiety and Depression 25:35 The Journey of Healing and Community Support 26:03 Understanding Human Trafficking and Addiction 35:00 Finding Redemption and New Beginnings 40:41 The Wild Night Out in Mexico 45:43 Rediscovering Life Without Alcohol 51:31 Finding Joy in Sobriety 56:14 The Cost of Addiction 01:01:05 The Importance of Family in Recovery 01:06:15 The Journey of Recovery and Transformation 01:20:13 Reflections on Home and Change 01:23:14 Growing Up in Small Towns: A Unique Perspective 01:26:00 The Struggles of Vulnerability and Masculinity 01:29:18 The Battle with Addiction: A Personal Journey 01:31:07 The Impact of Sobriety on Relationships 01:33:02 The Downfall of a Sports Star: Addiction and Consequences 01:40:13 Finding Humility in Recovery 01:45:59 The Role of Faith in Overcoming Addiction 01:47:50 Understanding Identity and Acceptance 01:59:29 Gratitude for Honest Conversations---Sponsored by McKelvey Insurance https://www.mckelveyins.com/ And LightSource Psychotherapy https://findyourlightsource.com/ | — | ||||||
| 12/29/25 |  S2 E45 A Mother’s Story with Shelly Viverito | A Mother’s Story with Shelly ViveritoWho this episode is for:- Parents who’ve lost a child and are still standing somehow- Anyone who’s ever loved an addict and didn’t know how to help- Folks who’ve been burned by shady recovery programs- Those struggling with meth, depression, or both- Anyone trying to make meaning from unimaginable grief- And anyone who’s ever made a mess of their life and lived to tell the taleThis one’s not for the faint of heart.Shelly Viverito joins the Pondoff’s Anonymous crew to tell a story no parent should ever have to tell — the rise, fall, and redemption of her son Nick, who battled brutal addiction, got clean, rebuilt his life, and then was ripped away by a random, deadly brain bleed. He beat meth. He beat depression. And he still died at 39.This is a mother’s war story. From locking her door at night during his meth psychosis… to getting a tattoo of his sobriety date… to launching a foundation in his name that now funds sober living for other young men fighting for their lives.Nick Wilson may be gone, but his light — and his pit bull Jax — continue to move mountains through Shelly’s advocacy, fundraising, and raw honesty.Learn more:💥 The Nick Wilson Foundation: https://www.thenickwilsonfoundation.org💥 Learn to Live Recovery: https://learntoliverecovery.com💥 Harris House: https://www.harrishouse.orgTime Stamps:00:00 Introduction to Recovery and Support02:51 Navigating Personal Stories and Backgrounds12:51 The Journey of Addiction and Recovery26:19 Understanding the Impact of Addiction on Families27:22 The Cost of Recovery Programs28:44 The Challenges of Interventions30:34 The Impact of Hope in Recovery32:18 Navigating Relapse and Recovery37:30 Finding Support in Recovery Programs40:10 The Role of Family in Recovery43:55 The Journey to Independence53:28 Tragedy and Loss in Recovery56:35 The Gift of Life: Organ Donation and Its Impact57:57 Navigating Grief: A Mother's Journey01:00:02 Finding Purpose Through Pain: Advocacy and Speaking Out01:02:57 Creating a Legacy: The Nick Wilson Foundation01:07:34 Community and Connection: The Power of Support Groups01:12:57 Healing Through Fun: The Importance of Joy in Grief01:22:33 Creating Community and Support01:25:06 The Power of Shared Experiences01:29:50 Fundraising and Community Events01:31:11 The Importance of Mental Health Awareness01:34:40 Finding Hope in Tragedy01:39:04 Celebrating Life and ConnectionSponsored by:👉 McKelvey Insurance: https://www.mckelveyins.com👉 LightSource Psychotherapy: https://findyourlightsource.com | — | ||||||
| 12/22/25 |  S2 E44 The F*ck Around Show Preview 2 | Welcome to the unfiltered chaos of Pondoff’s Anonymous, where recovery meets real life with no bleep button. This week, it’s a full‑house f*ck‑around session with Chris, Jeff, Zoe, and special guest Kenny “Iggy” Strode — the St. Louis radio legend with a sharp tongue, a broken filter, and a suspiciously high body count.You want deep? We’ve got deep. You want weird? Strap the hell in.Iggy drops stories from Bermuda beaches (where topless tourists get scolded by dudes in linen), explains how a freaky music review got him a nickname that’s lasted 50 years, and claims full credit for the BlueChew catchphrase that celebrities now scream into the void. Zoe brings warmth, humor, and grounded honesty — talking about music, recovery, and showing up with heart. Chris puts it best: it just means more having a strong female voice in the mix. Jeff and Chris unveil the upcoming Pondoff Anonymous Media Network and the new app that’ll put recovery, resources, and rogue banter in your damn pocket.Also covered:– How to apologize for Facebook ghosting live on‑air– Why “I’d like that” is the worst line in any movie ever– The theology of poop mirrors and peanut butter mishaps– When grief, comedy, Jesus, and erectile dysfunction collide– Singing for the Spirit, shaving your balls, and showing up anyway📲 New app drops January🎙️ Pondoff Anonymous Network launching with three weekly shows💀 Recovery, mental health, addiction, grief, nudity, and boner jokes — all wrapped up in love and laughter00:00 Introduction to Recovery and Community Support05:52 The Importance of Mental Health and Therapy12:06 Building a Podcast Network and Future Plans14:52 The Role of Humor and Lightheartedness in Recovery17:59 Reflections on Pets and Personal Growth24:19 Cultural Norms and Nudity25:30 Identity and Nicknames26:42 High School Dynamics and Music29:28 Relationships and Social Connections31:10 Podcasting and Community Engagement35:23 Mental Health and Recovery Advocacy39:09 Personal Stories and Impact42:56 Humor and Lighthearted Banter47:18 Navigating Personal Challenges49:10 Pet Peeves in Movies and TV Shows50:57 The Art of Performance and Stage Presence54:52 The Power of Authenticity in Sharing Stories01:01:12 The Impact of Addiction and Recovery01:07:01 The Importance of Community Support01:15:46 Podcasting Insights and Personal Reflections01:18:40 Navigating Mental Health and Social Work01:21:31 Community Building and Support Systems01:26:09 Creative Ventures and Future Aspirations01:32:33 Personal Stories and Connections01:38:26 Exploring Love and Connection01:39:05 Family Bonds and Shared Experiences01:41:06 Navigating Life’s Challenges01:42:01 Pet Peeves and Movie Critiques01:43:34 The Role of Nudity in Film01:45:32 Understanding the Adult Industry01:49:41 The Complexity of Relationships01:50:27 Empathy and Understanding in Recovery01:52:00 The Importance of Female Voices01:54:19 Grief and Loss in the Industry01:56:34 The Impact of Online Interactions01:58:44 Finding Peace Amidst Chaos☕ Check out the coffee that fuels the chaos:Light in the Dark – A bold Colombian roast born in recovery, made with Long Story Coffee.Available now at: https://www.pondoffsanonymous.comSupport Kenny “Iggy” Strode’s Patreon:👉 https://www.patreon.com/IggyUncutSponsored by:McKelvey Insurance – https://www.mckelveyins.com/LightSource Psychotherapy – https://findyourlightsource.com/ | — | ||||||
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