In episode 77 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Fausto Castellanos o discuss nearly nine years of sobriety after 11 years of alcohol and cocaine addiction. In this candid conversation, we explore childhood sexual abuse and grooming, questioning sexuality after trauma, addiction-related seizures, relapse, narcissistic abuse, boundaries, people-pleasing, social anxiety, and why toxic love can feel as addictive as drugs. Fausto shares what recovery has taught him about self-worth, healthy relationships, and taking his power back. If you’re navigating addiction recovery, trauma, or unhealthy relationships, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Fausto's Links Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/hopedealerfausto/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hopedealerfausto/Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@HopeDealerFaustoPodcast | https://www.youtube.com/@Journey2SolutionsPodcastChapters |00:00 Welcome Back Fausto01:20 Fausto's Addiction and Recovery Story04:53 Sexual Abuse and Questioning Sexuality12:50 Why Victims Blame Themselves20:34 Why Fausto Chose Cocaine and Alcohol23:02 Growing Up with a Narcissistic Father27:55 Navigating Romantic Relationships in Recovery32:53 The Polyamory Experiment36:52 EMDR Therapy and Dating Apps42:36 Conflict Avoidance and Social Anxiety48:25 A Day in the Life of Active Addiction55:50 Seizures and Living on the Edge59:00 The Obsession That Never Quits01:02:45 Rethinking Relapse01:06:48 The Love Drug: Addiction to Relationships01:08:46 Toxic Love and Heartbreak01:14:43 Final Thoughts and FarewellFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapodTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/fthestigmapodWebsite | www.fthestigma.comPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3Apple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism #doctor

In episode 76 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ashley Moore who shares her raw story of her nine-year battle with heroin, meth and fentanyl addiction and the two near-death experiences that finally pushed her toward sobriety. Ashley opens up about childhood trauma, repeated relapses, losing herself in addiction and what it took to rebuild her life in recovery. This is an honest conversation about overdose, healing, motherhood, accountability and the reality that recovery is possible, even when all hope feels lost.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.

Ashley Moore's Links Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ashley_marie_moore/

Chapters |

00:00 Interview with Ashley Moore Begins

00:21 Xanax Caused Insomnia

01:54 Addiction, Trauma, and the Nervous System

03:31 Family History and Genetic Predisposition

06:56 Addict and Alcoholic: Same Thing

08:23 Leaving the Program and Relapse

11:41 Fear and Wisdom Keep You Sober

13:10 Growing Up: Family, Death, and Divorce

14:49 Attachment Styles and Childhood Wounds

17:40 Sent to Boarding School and Wilderness

19:10 Wilderness Program and Returning Home

20:00 Behavior Modification Program

22:21 Starting Drugs and the Opioid Epidemic

25:32 Heroin, Speed, and Selling Drugs

27:04 Comeback Ashley Moore Club

28:40 IV Drug Use and Abscesses

31:55 The Dark Side of IV Use

34:36 Hustling and Getting Humbled

35:54 Pregnancy, Jail, and Getting Sober

37:45 Doing the Steps and a Psychic Change

39:17 Core Wound Mapping and Step Four

41:07 Relapse: Ego and Complacency

43:14 Overdosing on Fentanyl

44:41 Battling Shame and Guilt in Sobriety

46:00 Filming the Overdose

47:28 Why Sharing Your Story Matters

49:03 The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Addiction

51:57 Fentanyl: The Elephant Tranquilizer

54:35 The Turning Point and Getting Sober Again

56:13 Lessons Learned: Emotional Maturity

57:24 Finding Your Why

59:30 Overcoming Shame and Stigma in the Industry

01:01:11 Courage and Contrary Action

01:02:31 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

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TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigma

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/fthestigmapod

Website | www.fthestigma.com

Pod links |

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3

Apple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224

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fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism #doctor

In episode 75 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Timothy Obis speaks honestly about addiction, homelessness, and life on the streets. Timothy shares his experiences with crystal meth and Xanax, the circumstances that led to homelessness, and the physical and psychological effects that living without stability can have on a person. This powerful episode offers a firsthand look at survival, isolation, substance abuse, and the human realities that are often overlooked when people talk about homelessness.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Timothy Obis' Links Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/timobiscomedy/Chapters |00:00 Welcome & Introduction00:15 Tim's Background & Recovery00:28 Childhood & Family Struggles02:04 First Encounters with Substances03:20 Self-Image & Early Substance Use04:32 Feelings of Shame & Not Fitting In06:42 Father's Alcoholism08:03 Parent's Split & Family Impact08:28 The Gateway Drug Effect09:50 The War on Drugs Debate12:47 Identifying as an Addict13:54 Life After High School & Moving16:23 Exposure to Sobriety & Meetings17:13 Path to Rock Bottom19:20 The Meth & Xanax Combo20:08 The Slide into Homelessness21:01 First Time Trying Crystal Meth22:03 Life on the Streets26:30 Repeated Attempts at Sobriety27:38 The Mindset of Relapse30:48 Romanticizing Addiction & Using33:40 All-or-Nothing Personality36:00 Struggles With Adderall37:02 The Turning Point to Sobriety39:30 Friend's Death & Seeking Help40:40 Inside Impact Treatment Center42:10 Processing Grief in Sobriety44:20 Life After Homelessness47:00 Financial Struggles & Sobriety54:30 Discovering Stand-Up Comedy58:00 Comedy as a Sober Outlet01:00:00 Advice for Those StrugglingFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapodTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/fthestigmapodWebsite | www.fthestigma.comPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3Apple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism #doctor

In episode 73 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Dr. Kenny Clark who returns for an honest conversation about addiction, relapse, and what getting sober doesn’t automatically fix. We explore whether addiction is a disease or a choice, the biggest lies addicts tell themselves, AA and 12-step recovery, Suboxone and methadone, and how addiction affects marriage and family. What keeps someone using, even when everything is on the line?

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.

Kenny's Links

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drkennyclark/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556847637005

Podcast | https://www.youtube.com/@soloanddoc/

Chapters |

00:00 Introduction and Sobriety Journey

01:30 Changes in Recovery

06:00 Redefining Gratitude

10:50 Wife's Support Through Relapse

20:00 Lessons in Marriage and Recovery

22:50 Awareness of Addiction

28:40 Debunking the Allergy Myth

37:00 Dealing with Anger and Resentment

42:40 Addiction: Disease and Choice

55:00 Career, Licenses, and Amends

01:04:20 Working at the Shelter

01:09:10 Biggest Lies and Addictive Drugs

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Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigma

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/fthestigmapod

Website | www.fthestigma.com

Tags in this video ↓

fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism #doctor

In episode 72 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Dave Manheim, opens up about his heroin addiction, using drugs while working at MTV, losing custody of his daughter, and the painful road to sobriety. He shares how he rebuilt his life and turned his darkest experiences into one of the most recognized addiction recovery podcasts. This is an honest conversation about addiction, relapse, fatherhood, recovery, and second chances.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Dave Manheim's Links | Website | https://dopeypodcast.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dopeypodcast/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/dopeypodcast/Chapters |00:00 Welcome to F the Stigma00:20 Type A vs. Type B Personality01:40 Vaping and Quitting Smoking04:30 Dopey Podcast Origins07:00 Interviewing Hunter Biden08:30 Early Days of Dopey10:00 Naming the Podcast11:30 Sobriety and Uncertainty13:20 Growing Up in Manhattan15:00 First Encounters with Drugs17:30 Career in TV Production20:30 Heroin Addiction Begins23:00 Rehab and Relapse26:00 Moving to LA and Struggling29:00 Benzos and Blackouts31:00 Mother's Illness and Turning Point34:00 Fatherhood and Shame39:00 Losing Custody and Rock Bottom42:00 Finding AA and Sobriety47:00 Dopey's Growth and Community49:00 Coping with Loss54:00 Why We Use and the Power of Choice57:00 Obsessions and Recovery01:00:00 Lessons from AA Meetings01:03:00 The Real Reason for Using01:05:00 Learning Hard Work at Katz's01:09:00 Dominican Roots and Connection01:11:00 Working at Katz's and Dopey01:13:00 Grieving the Old Life01:15:00 Dopey Con and Future Plans01:17:00 Defining Addiction and Breaking StigmaFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapodTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/fthestigmapodWebsite | www.fthestigma.comPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3Apple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism

In episode 71 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Matt Barker, who was recently featured on Soft White Underbelly, joins the podcast to share how he transformed his life after decades of addiction, meth use, prison, and devastating loss. Today, Matt is sober, has earned his master’s degree, and uses his experience to help others find recovery. In this raw conversation, we break down the disease of addiction, the insanity and destruction that surround it, the reality of getting sober, and how purpose, accountability, and helping others gave Matt a chance to rebuild his life.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.

Matt's Links |

Podcast | https://www.youtube.com/@almostfamoustotallysober

Chapters |

00:00 Welcome Matt Barker

00:14 Growing Up in the Valley

00:46 Last High and Jail

02:34 Sister's Ultimatum

04:40 Running Into Tiny

06:29 Attempted Robberies

07:32 Pep Boys Incident

08:38 Long Beach Detox

11:53 Mother's Call and Dark Knight

14:29 Beginning of Sobriety

16:04 Finding a Sponsor

18:20 Withdrawal Symptoms

20:24 Running Into Weasel

21:11 20 Years of Addiction

26:00 Best Friend's Death

29:05 Meeting Willie

30:38 AA Meetings and Stories

32:23 Anonymity and Comments

34:46 Sobriety and Life

36:35 Obsession Lifted

38:00 Expunging Felonies

40:56 Six Months and Ten Days

42:43 Almost Relapsing

45:40 Importance of Drunkalogue

50:15 Education and Career

54:00 Writing and Screenplays

57:00 Working in Treatment

01:00:20 Wife's Cancer Scare

01:01:33 Understanding Addiction

01:03:00 Stigma and Treatment Industry

01:06:50 Future of Recovery

01:09:45 AA Traditions and Bill Wilson

01:12:00 Different Paths to Recovery

01:14:55 Living in the World

01:16:11 Where to Find Matt

Follow us!

Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigma

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/fthestigmapod

Website | www.fthestigma.com

Pod links |

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3

Apple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224

Tags in this video ↓

fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism

In episode 70 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Pej, a professional interventionist with 19 years of sobriety and a powerful story of addiction and recovery. Pej spent nearly a decade addicted to drugs and meth while working as a drug dealer, with his addiction escalating after a fatal car accident. Today, he uses his personal experience with addiction to help others, specializing in interventions for clients struggling with psychosis, substance abuse, and addiction. Pej shares what it took to get sober, how he turned his past into a career helping others, and what families need to know when a loved one is struggling with addiction.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.

Pej's Links |

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/pejinterventions/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PejizCorner/

Podcast | @PrimaryPurposeWithPej & @PejInterventions

Website | https://pejinterventions.com/Tiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@pejinterventions

Chapters |

00:00 Welcome to F the Sigma Podcast

00:28 Pej's Recovery Story and Mission

00:53 Pej's Background and Family Life

01:07 Early Childhood and Memories

02:24 Moving to California and First Substance Use

03:43 The Genesis of Addiction

04:59 The Car Accident and Its Aftermath

07:23 Addiction Spiral and Legal Troubles

09:33 The Drug Dealing Lifestyle

12:31 From Counselor to Interventionist

13:43 Becoming an Interventionist

15:35 The Importance of Interventions

17:42 The Reality of Drug Dealing

19:50 The Toll on Humanity

22:32 Hitting a Spiritual Bottom

24:40 The Role of a Mentor

26:00 From Addiction to Advocacy

28:25 Facing the Toughest Interventions

31:27 Enabling vs. Helping

34:47 Personal Struggles in Recovery

38:22 Shedding the Ego

41:49 Where to Find Pej

Follow us!

Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigma

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/fthestigmapod

Website | www.fthestigma.com

Tags in this video ↓

fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism

In episode 69 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Danny Shannon. Who shares his incredible journey from teenage addiction and years of heroin and ice use to incarceration, homelessness, countless attempts at rehab, and ultimately long-term recovery. Danny opens up about the darkest moments of his addiction, what finally made him choose recovery, and how he transformed his past into a mission to help others struggling with substance use and mental health. Today, Danny is a recovery advocate, speaker, entrepreneur, and the host of the Colorful Past Podcast, where he shares powerful stories surrounding addiction, recovery, and the people who have lived through them. In this episode, we talk about addiction, prison, recovery, relapse, the reality of trying to get sober, and what it takes to completely rebuild your life after years of substance abuse.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.

Danny's Links |

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dan_the_man_46_/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/danny.shannon.395/

Podcast | @AColourfulPastPodcast

Chapters |

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

02:38 Growing Up in Australia

04:35 First Substance Use

07:37 The First Heroin Hit

10:30 Progression to Addiction

14:17 What Heroin Solved

16:32 First Withdrawal and Jail

19:21 Life in Australian Prison

23:00 Methadone and MAT Debate

27:56 Rock Bottoms and Attempts

32:02 Recovery in America

35:55 Overdoses and Fear of Dying

38:17 Explaining Addiction

42:16 Parenthood and Regret

46:06 The Turning Point

49:59 Life Today and Encapsulator

53:03 Crucial Factors in Recovery

57:01 Leaving 12-Step Fellowship

01:04:12 Message to Those Struggling

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TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigma

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Website | www.fthestigma.com

Tags in this video ↓

fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, 5150, psych wards, #fthestigma #podcast #addiction #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict #alcoholism