Podcast appearances and mentions of Brandon Novak

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 Septic saga: Dave's septic tank blows up into the shower; plumber drama ensues. Park City Song Summit: Dave previews his session with Anders Osborne, Anders Beck and Matt Warren on writing under the influence vs. in recovery. DopeyCon 6 lineup: Ian Fidance, Sam Miller, Jake from WV, Aaron Carr, Ray Brown, Dave's dad, Linda, Brandon Novak, Hank Azaria, Jason Biggs, and other “influencers/junkies galore” — tickets on Patreon. Spotify comments: Fans want comedian Modi at DopeyCon (he probably won't be there); others complain about teaser paywalls; praise for Patreon content. Dopey Day: Aug. 16 — put the Dopey logo over your eyes to honour Chris and all addicts who've died. Heart Attack Doug preview: Dave introduces Doug (aka HAD), who's become a Zoom legend. Topics they plan to cover include: Johnny Mac, Leonardo da Vinci, breakfast, summer vacations Finger-picking guitars vs. “finger-banging” jokes The Dopey Nation, Doug's “gender fluidity” bit Fentanyl Jay sightings, the Dopey Handbook, tipping plumbers Doug's obsession with cop gear and law-enforcement swag Closing: Dave invites listeners to join Patreon for extra meetings and ad-free episodes, signs off with “stay strong” and plays the Dopey song “I Wanna Be Good So Bad.” 

I travelled to the middle of the woods, in Wilmington Delaware, to interview recovered alcoholic and heroin addict, Jackass and Viva La Bam star, Brandon Novak.I took an hour long uber, from Philadelphia to get to Bandon's place in Wilmington, Delaware. My Uber driver chatted non stop as eventually we started veering away from civilisation and snaking through tree lined tracks until we approached Brandon's property.Brandon is sat on a bench outside the house as I pull up. He's wearing just a pair of shorts, no shirt, no shoes. I try and read some of the words on his heavily tattooed torso as I walk over.It's clear that he's on a call, so we do that silent hello thing, he daps me up and gives me a hug.I sit down next to him as the call continues. It's gently raining but it's so warm (that sticky American heat) so the sporadic rain drops are actually a relief.He's talking business. ‘Novak's house' is a sober living facility.The business side of helping people sounds intense.The call concludes and we go inside.Brandon had moved into his new digs a week prior. The bones of the house are beautiful. There's a couple of pieces of flatpack furniture yet to be built and art is stacked in front of the walls, ready to be hung.He shows me an incredible, ornate iron cross, salvaged from the ruins of a French church.I meet his cats.We sit down and have the conversation you're about to listen to.I was nervous about this interview. I'm not an addiction expert and I didn't want to focus on Brandon's lowest moments, like a lot of interviewers do.I'm so happy that I made that decision and this is a conversation that I'm really proud of.Find out more about Brandon's and his work - Brandonnovak.com To hear more, visit creativerebels.substack.com

Welcome back to Spirit of the Deal! In this episode, host Brandon Handley shares insights from a powerful breathwork session he recently led at Redemption Alcohol Treatment Center alongside as a guest of Brandon Novak's. With fresh reflections from Independence Day, Brandon explores the theme of liberation—what it really means to break free not just from addiction, but from limiting scripts, old patterns, and the relentless grind mode so many of us operate in, especially in business and sales. Through vulnerable stories, practical tools, and wisdom from sources like the I Ching and David Hawkins' “Power vs. Force,” this episode invites listeners to let go of fear-driven action and perfectionism. Instead, Brandon encourages us to stand in our authentic selves, align our actions, and approach both life and business from a place of inner freedom and truth. Tune in for thought-provoking ideas on detaching from outcomes, rewriting your personal and sales scripts, and letting your true essence do the work—because, as Brandon reminds us, liberation isn't something to chase; it's already within you.

I met Brandon several years ago when he attended a mutual friends charity workout for people in sobriety. I watched him speak to anyone that came up to him and even took photos with a smile and a thank you. Not a common thing for anyone who that had been in the public eye for as many years as he has. He was warm, engaging and interested. Over the years we trained several times, participated in workouts hosted by our mutual friend Jeremy (former wake up the sun show guest in 2020) and broke bread various times he came down to South Florida for some rest and relaxation.After joining in a morning Friday workout, Brandon joined me over at FROPRO HQ to talk about his journey from a professional skateboarder to rising TV personality to losing it all after many years battling alcohol and drugs. After getting sober in May 2015 he began building a huge community of sober networks that facilitate and helping those sick and suffering. He, himself experienced multiple visits to treatment centers, overdoses, jails and institutions and refuses to turn his back on anyone willing to get sober.At the young age of 46, Brandon shares his story in a raw, authentic and powerful way. He spends his time running groups at his facilities, taking phone calls from anyone that needs help, speaking at events across the country and documenting the journey. If you are in need of help or seeking to connect for someone that is please visit www.brandonnovak.com for any and all info or call him directly at 610-314-6747. We hope you enjoy the show!

Support the D.A.W.G.Z. @ patreon.com/MSsecretpod Support Brandon and Buy His New Book @ https://brandonnovak.com/ Go See Matt Live in Irvine CA Next Wknd @ mattmccusker.com/dates Go See Shane Live @ shanemgillis.com - New Tour Just Announced Go See Shawn Gardini Live if you want @ https://www.shawngardini.com/ Heyyy guys. Special bonus ep for you. A TGIF treat. Cusky was blessed by fellow PA (baltimore) dawg Brandon Novak. They talk gettin sober, skating stuff, and more. If you need help getting sobes hit up Novak, he's the man. Please enjoy. God Bless.  ps might have an extra special treat for you guys very soon :) 

SPONSORS: - Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/date, all lowercase On this week's episode, Lauren welcomes motivational speaker and addiction advocate, Brandon Novak to the pod. You may know him from Viva La Bam and Jackass, but Brandon has turned his life around to focus on helping addicts with their recovery journey. Brandon shares with Lauren some of his own crazy stories from when he was an addict; one involving a splooge tattoo. Brandon may be emotionally unavailable, but you'll find his love for cats and his mom very charming. First Date Ep. 72 https://www.tiktok.com/@iamlaurencompton https://store.ymhstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a text Matthew Perry's Tragic End: Doctors, Fame, and the Battle with Addiction In this episode, the hosts discuss the life and tragic death of Matthew Perry, exploring his early life, career, struggles with addiction, health crises, and the impact of enablers in Hollywood. They reflect on his legacy and the lessons learned from his experiences, emphasizing the importance of mental health and support systems. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the troubling dynamics of the medical field, particularly focusing on the darker aspects of addiction and the role of healthcare professionals. They discuss the ketamine controversy surrounding several doctors, the flaws in the rehab system, and the influence of celebrity culture on addiction. The conversation highlights the need for accountability within the healthcare system and the systemic issues that perpetuate addiction. The conversation shifts to Matthew Perry's tragic death at 54, reportedly due to a ketamine overdose and subsequent drowning. Matthews and the podcast hosts explore the role of celebrity culture and unscrupulous doctors in enabling addiction. Harvey Levin's TMZ Investigates special uncovered that Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, injected him with ketamine multiple times on the day of his death, and several doctors are under investigation for their involvement in the underground distribution of ketamine.Kelly Osbourne also shares her perspective on addiction, recalling a time when Matthew Perry gave her a recovery chip, telling her, "If you can get through 3 minutes, you can get through anything." Osbourne describes how celebrity status often makes doctors more willing to provide prescriptions, and she recounts her own struggles with addiction to doctor-prescribed medications starting as early as 13 years old.Dr. Drew Pinsky and Dr. Terry Dubrow weigh in on the dangers of doctors who cater to celebrity clients and bend medical ethics for fame or financial gain. Brandon Novak, a former Jackass star and recovery advocate, talks about his own history of trading favors for drugs from doctors. The discussion also touches on Michael Jackson's death, linking it to his own doctor's unethical practices.The podcast closes with reflections on the corrupt nature of some rehab centers, which often enable addicts rather than guide them to true recovery. Matthews emphasizes the need for affordable, authentic treatment, noting that Perry himself highlighted these systemic issues before his death. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the broken rehab system, the intertwining of mental health and addiction, the role of medical professionals in treatment, the financial burden of addiction, the negligence surrounding care, and the stigma associated with addiction. They reflect on the tragic case of Matthew Perry, emphasizing the need for better support and understanding for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.Support the show

This week on Dopey! On this very special 500th episode of Dopey we celebrate at DopeyCon 500! A Dopey Fan Convention and our 500th episode LIVE!!!!! It featured Jason Biggs and Hank Azaria playing me and Chris! John Joseph telling his truthful trauma! Kimber King and Brace Beldon! Abbey Fickley, Rachel Elizabeth Nicole, Brittany Jade, Handsome Evan, Lenny from the beach and Billy Jenson play the Stash Word! Novak gets honored - Again! Skinny Vinny tells his prison pocket story, Jeremy Turner tells the secret of Whitey Tighties, Bobby Dukes on a Crack house in Philly, Zack on Depression in recovery, Carl on getting sober and dealing with controversy in front of the World, Erin Khar runs Ask Erin, Ray Brown Sings! The Live Dopey debut of John Bukaty painting and talking recovery - and the smokey tones of Jake from West Virginia! It's all here! And more! Plus my dad and Linda making everyone cry and I tell the follow up to stealing a car in Bayport Long Island PLUS Fentanyl Jay and much much on this super long and emotional playback of Dopeycon 500! This is what AI says: keywordsDopey, addiction, recovery, community, DopeyCon, support, mental health, gratitude, storytelling, emotional journey, recovery, addiction, Safe Spot, Dopey Nation, drug use, community support, personal stories, mental health, relationships, Brandon Novak, Dopey, recovery, community, gratitude, storytelling, humor, imposter syndrome, personal growth, addiction, support, addiction, recovery, humor, community, storytelling, x-ray, attention, play, spirituality, DopeyCon summaryThe conversation centers around the 500th episode of the Dopey podcast, celebrating the community built around addiction recovery. The host reflects on personal experiences, gratitude towards supporters, and the emotional weight of sharing stories of addiction. The episode features a dramatic reenactment of past podcast moments and insights from guests about their journeys through recovery. In this segment of the conversation, the speakers share personal stories of survival, recovery, and the impact of community support in overcoming addiction. They discuss the importance of hotlines like Safe Spot, the challenges of navigating relationships in recovery, and the collective strength found within the Dopey Nation. The segment also honors those lost to addiction while celebrating the resilience of individuals in recovery, highlighted by Brandon Novak's inspiring journey. This conversation captures the essence of community, recovery, and personal growth within the Dopey Nation. It features heartfelt stories of gratitude, humorous anecdotes, and reflections on the challenges of sobriety, including imposter syndrome. The participants share their experiences, emphasizing the importance of honesty, vulnerability, and support in the recovery journey. The event is a celebration of resilience and transformation, showcasing the power of connection and shared experiences in overcoming addiction. This conversation explores the humorous yet profound journey of recovery from addiction, highlighting the importance of community, the healing power of play, and the transition from seeking attention through harmful behaviors to finding fulfillment in sobriety. The narrative is punctuated with anecdotes from DopeyCon, showcasing the camaraderie among those in recovery and the celebration of milestones in sobriety. takeaways DopeyCon 500 was a celebration of community and support. Gratitude is essential in the journey of recovery. The emotional weight of addiction stories can be profound. Dramatic reenactments can bring past podcast moments to life. Support from sponsors is crucial for the podcast's success. Personal experiences shared can resonate deeply with listeners. The journey of recovery is filled with ups and downs. Community events like DopeyCon foster connection and healing. Acknowledging past struggles is part of the recovery process. The importance of humor and lightness in discussing serious topics. Surviving on the streets can lead to traumatic experiences. Hotlines like Safe Spot play a crucial role in recovery. Navigating relationships can be challenging for those in recovery. Community support is vital for maintaining sobriety. Personal stories of loss and recovery resonate deeply with others. The landscape of drug use has changed significantly over the years. Honoring those lost to addiction is important for healing. Brandon Novak serves as a beacon of hope for many in recovery. Dopey Nation provides a sense of belonging and support. Celebrating milestones in recovery fosters community and connection. The Dopey Nation provides a vital support system for recovery. Personal stories of gratitude can inspire others in their journey. Humor plays a significant role in coping with addiction. Engaging activities can foster community and connection. Working the steps around joy can enhance personal growth. Imposter syndrome is a common struggle in recovery. Honesty and vulnerability are crucial for healing. Celebrating milestones in recovery strengthens community bonds. Sharing experiences can help others feel less alone. Transformation is possible through support and connection. The experience of putting items up one's butt became a humorous story of addiction. Community plays a crucial role in recovery and healing. Finding clarity often comes from surrendering to a higher power. The healing power of play can help in recovery. Sobriety is a journey that requires cooperation and support from others. Humor can be a powerful tool in discussing serious topics like addiction. Celebrating milestones in recovery fosters a sense of belonging. Acknowledging the darkness is essential for personal growth. The importance of sharing stories to connect with others in recovery. Recovery is an ongoing process that involves continuous self-care and reflection. titles The Role of Humor in Recovery The Power of Community in Healing The Impact of Safe Spot Hotline Brandon Novak: A Beacon of Hope Reflections on Recovery and Joy Humorous and Candid Storytelling The Prison Pocket Chronicles From Addiction to Epic Adventures Sound Bites "Toodles for Chris at Dopey" "Dopey wouldn't exist without Mountainside" "If I die on the table tomorrow" "I was traumatized by Oreo cookies." "I love representing Safe Spot." "Get the fuck out of that relationship." "This is the live podcast portion." "Dopey means Dopey Dave, first and foremost." "I found the Dopey Nation." "I put stuff up my butt because I was addicted to heroin." "I kept the thing up my butt for 24 hours." "I love that reaction every time." Chapters 00:00Introduction to DopeyCon 500 05:30Reflections on Community and Support 12:25The Journey of Recovery and Gratitude 18:32The Emotional Weight of Addiction Stories 31:23Dramatic Reenactment of Dopey Podcast 39:06John Joseph's Journey and Insights 48:08Surviving the Streets: A Personal Tale 54:50The Changing Landscape of Drug Use 01:00:20Navigating Relationships in Recovery 01:06:13Honoring Loss and Celebrating Recovery 01:17:18Brandon Novak: A Beacon of Hope 01:26:41DopeyCon 500: A Celebration of Community 01:31:48Personal Stories of Gratitude and Growth 01:40:26Humorous and Candid Storytelling 01:54:22Navigating Imposter Syndrome in Recovery 02:02:09The Power of Honesty and Vulnerability 02:10:30A Journey of Transformation and Acceptance 02:18:09The Prison Pocket Experience 02:24:55From Addiction to Attention 02:30:12Finding Clarity in Darkness 02:35:50The Healing Power of Play 02:43:42The DopeyCon Finale   

Go to http://www.shopify.com/steveo for a $1 a month trial period Go to http://www.smalls.com/steveo and use promo code steveo for 50% off plus free shipping  Go to http://www.bluechew.com and use promo code steveo for an entire month supply free just $5 in shipping      Brandon Novak is our guest this week for the third time, and we do the unthinkable, We don't talk about sobriety! We get into skateboarding, old CKY videos and his trauma growing up with his father. We love Novak and you should too!

Every athlete dreams of being sponsored by a powerhouse brand like Gatorade, and today's guest, Brandon Novak, achieved this dream by the age of 14. Discovered by the legendary Tony Hawk, Brandon quickly found himself in the pro-skateboarding world, joining the renowned Powell Peralta team and skating along stars like Bucky Lasek and Bam Margera. His career and future seemed…promising.He would have no idea that that bright future and nearly 20 years of his life would be lost to the disease of addiction. In honor of National Recovery Month, Brandon shares the cycles of his journey—from stardom on MTV's ‘Viva la Bam' and ‘Jackass' to fighting for his life while on life support.Tune in to hear how Brandon turned his struggle with addiction into a driving purpose, and get his take on how mental resilience and accountability are key to moving beyond your past.************Make sure to follow Jamie @jamiehess on Instagram for news & updates, and visit our companion Instagram account @gratitudeology for a sneak peek into the personal moments discussed on the show.************Thank you to Brandon Novak for sharing your truth with us today. Follow Brandon on Instagram @brandon_novak.Check out more about Brandon: https://brandonnovak.com/************The Gratitudeology Podcast theme music is by HYLLS, performed by Nadia Ali @nadiaali ************Brandon's Bio: From Baltimore, Maryland, Brandon was a professional skateboarder discovered by Tony Hawk and rose to fame on the hit MTV show Viva la Bam, and the movies Jackass. As a teen, he became addicted to heroin which lasted for 20 years. He wrote the addiction memoir, Dreamseller, and it became a best seller on Amazon. He also penned The Brandon Novak Chronicles and recently, The Streets of Baltimore. Brandon gives back by helping people into treatment celebrating 8 years clean in May 2023 and nearly 5 years tobacco free.He relates to millions of people across the country; 1 in 4 to be exact who are directly affected by addiction in their family. He travels the country as one of the most in-demand addiction keynote speakers, bringing awareness and education to high schools across the nation. Brandon truly embodies someone who can turn their life around. Brandon has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives through his story of sobriety. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This week on Dopey! We got horrible news that our dear friend, contributor and all around beloved OG favorite Dope - Annie Ellie died this week. We remember her and play her first voicemail which was, tragically and ironically all about a time she overdosed and almost died. We also play her review of DopeyCon 2022 and another thing she had sent in. Then Reno from the 'It's All Bad' podcast came to meet me at Jeremy's house when I was in Los Angeles - ironically for the Rich Roll show which aired last week! Reno tells his gnarly story of addiction and recovery! We hear all about his crazy beginnings in addict life and the hell he went through before it all got pretty good for him. Plus Dopey emails and much more on a brand new super tragic episode of that good old bitter sweet Dopey Show!  FROM AI:  yIn this episode of Dopey, Dave mourns the loss of Annie Ellie, a beloved member of the Dopey Nation who died of an overdose. He shares voicemails and memories of Annie, emphasizing the importance of reaching out for help and support. Dave also interviews Reno from the podcast It's All Bad, discussing their experiences with addiction and the challenges they faced. They talk about their early drug use, encounters with the law, and the journey to recovery. Reno shares his insights on navigating the prison system and finding a path to a better life. David Manheim shares his experiences with addiction and relapse, highlighting the importance of community and connectivity in recovery. He discusses his time in rehab and the intense group therapy sessions that helped him confront his character defects. David also talks about his Neapolitan background and how his natural skills of connecting with people served him both in his addiction and in his recovery. He reflects on the shame and guilt that came with his relapse and the impact it had on his personal and professional life. David emphasizes the importance of sharing stories of addiction and recovery to combat loneliness and provide hope to others. In this final part of the conversation, Reno reviews his drug use experiences, including his encounters with PCP, GHB, DMT, Ibogaine, and ketamine. He also shares a wild story about trying to access his tax refund while in the midst of addiction. Annie, a fan of the show, provides a review of DopeyCon 2022 and expresses her love for Brandon Novak. The episode concludes with Annie's tribute song to Brandon Novak. keywordsaddiction, overdose, mourning, support, recovery, podcast, interview, drug use, law, prison, life, addiction, recovery, community, connectivity, rehab, character defects, Neapolitan, shame, guilt, relapse, personal life, professional life, sharing stories, drug use, PCP, GHB, DMT, Ibogaine, ketamine, tax refund, addiction, DopeyCon, Brandon Novak takeaways The loss of a loved one to addiction is a tragic reminder of the importance of reaching out for help and support. Sharing memories and voicemails can be a way to honor and remember those who have passed away. Early drug use and encounters with the law can be wake-up calls that lead to a desire for change and recovery. Navigating the prison system can be challenging, but finding a community and seeking help can lead to a better life. Recovery is a journey that requires commitment, support, and a willingness to change. Loneliness and disconnection are breeding grounds for addiction, while community and connectivity are essential for recovery. Group therapy sessions in rehab can help individuals confront their character defects and work towards personal growth. Natural skills, such as connecting with people, can serve both in addiction and in recovery. Relapse can be a part of the recovery journey, and it's important to learn from it and seek help. Sharing stories of addiction and recovery can combat loneliness and provide hope to others. Reno reflects on his experiences with various drugs, highlighting the dangers and consequences of addiction. Annie's review of DopeyCon 2022 showcases the sense of community and connection among Dopey fans. The tribute song to Brandon Novak demonstrates the impact and admiration he has among the Dopey Nation. titles Mourning the Loss of Annie Ellie Finding Community and Support in Recovery Confronting Character Defects in Rehab The Role of Community and Connectivity in Recovery A Tribute to Brandon Novak Annie's Review of DopeyCon 2022 Sound Bites "If you're using and you're really, you don't want to die and you don't want to get really hurt, call that number." "I love Annie and I will totally miss her." "Discover Recovery: An Amazing Treatment Facility in the Pacific Northwest" "Addiction is a disease. Loneliness really thrives. Addiction really thrives in loneliness. Connectivity is one of the bigger things that unlocks addiction." "They did this thing called the game where they would circle up chairs in the middle of a room and there were no rules whatsoever, except for no violence." "I'm Neapolitan. And that's one of the characteristics. Is Neapolitan besides chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry?" "Love all the acts, crack, smack, and Brandon Novak." "Oh Mr. Novak, this is Mrs. Novak." "Mr. Novak is good, Mr. Novak is kind, Mr. Novak don't care." Chapters 00:00Mourning the Loss of Annie Ellie 10:48Recovery and Support 19:46Interview with Reno from It's All Bad 32:11Early Drug Use and Encounters with the Law 44:47Finding a Path to Recovery 46:59The Role of Community and Connectivity in Recovery 48:19Confronting Character Defects in Rehab 55:42The Impact of Relapse on Personal and Professional Life 01:14:46The Power of Sharing Stories of Addiction and Recovery 01:32:17Wild Drug Use Experiences 01:57:33Annie's Review of DopeyCon 2022 02:06:14A Tribute to Brandon Novak

This is a highlight of Episode 197 with Brandon Novak.On today's highlight episode, Rich sits down with Brandon Novak – Professional Skateboarder, MTV celebrity, alumnus of the Jackass motion picture series, star of the CKY skateboard video series, and author of the best-selling memoir “Dreamseller.”  Brandon has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives through his story of sobriety.Rich and Brandon share their personal accounts of becoming sober, the benefits they've found in doing so, and how listeners can start their journey. Connect with Brandon on Instagram: @brandon__novakIf you or a loved one are suffering with addiction call or text Brandon at (610) 314-6747--Connect with Rich on Instagram: @rich_somersInterested in investing with Somers Capital? Visit www.somerscapital.com/invest to learn more. Interested in joining our Boutique Hotel Mastermind? Visit www.somerscapital.com/mastermind to book a free call. Interested in STR/Boutique Hotel Management? Visit www.excelsiorstays.com/management to book a free call.

This week on the Studio 22 Podcast, Brock and Will sit down with professional skateboarder, writer, and recovery advocate Brandon Novak. Known for his appearances on Viva La Bam and in the Jackass films, Brandon opens up about his incredible journey from addiction to recovery. He recalls the pivotal moment during his Viva La Bam days when he was given an ultimatum: write a book or face the streets.  In this heartfelt episode, Brandon shares his experiences of finally getting sober after years of living hard. He talks about how his fist job after getting sober gave him the skills to be a successful person in recovery. Today, he owns sever treatment facilities helping people get sober.  You can learn more at https://brandonnovak.com/ To get help, text or call (610) 314-6747

On today's episode, Rich sits down with Brandon Novak – Professional Skateboarder, MTV celebrity, alumnus of the Jackass motion picture series, star of the CKY skateboard video series, and author of the best-selling memoir “Dreamseller.” Brandon gives back by helping people into treatment celebrating 9 years clean and nearly 6 years tobacco free. He relates to millions of people across the US; 1 in 4 to be exact, who are directly affected by addiction in their family. He travels the country as one of the most in-demand addiction keynote speakers, bringing awareness and education to high schools across the nation. Brandon has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives through his story of sobriety.Rich and Brandon start off by discussing Mikey Taylor and Brandon Turner (the skateboarder), the synchronicity of life events and meeting Tony Hawk, Bucky Lasek and growing up in Baltimore, skateboarding and high intensity workouts, Brandon's journey into the Jackass movies, Brandon's worst injury on set, and Brandon share's an anecdote of stealing a doctor's script. They then reflect on Brandon's drug usage, Rich's journey through a Xanax addiction, Benzo addictions, prescribing drugs to children, and muscle memory.Lastly, they talk about happiness in growth and progress, the covid pandemic, Brandon's family history, the power of a smile, Brandon's anecdote about an abandoned house, how the abnormal becomes the normal, their journey to sobriety, full circle moments, being the best version of ourselves, the confidence that sobriety creates, and realistic ways to become sober.Connect with Brandon on Instagram: @brandon__novakIf you or a loved one are suffering with addiction call or text Brandon at (610) 314-6747--Connect with Rich on Instagram: @rich_somersInterested in investing with Somers Capital? Visit www.somerscapital.com/invest to learn more. Interested in joining our Boutique Hotel Mastermind? Visit www.somerscapital.com/mastermind to book a free call. Interested in STR/Boutique Hotel Management? Visit www.excelsiorstays.com/management to book a free call.

Brandon Novak comes to the show to talk about his journey from Jackass, Going Sober & Prison Stories APPLY TO BE ON THE PODCAST: https://forms.gle/D2cLkWfJx46pDK1MA BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: Jenna@DigitalSocialHour.com SPONSORS: Deposyt Payment Processing: https://www.deposyt.com/seankelly LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Novak comes to the show to talk about his journey from Jackass, Going Sober & Prison Stories APPLY TO BE ON THE PODCAST: https://forms.gle/D2cLkWfJx46pDK1MA BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: Jenna@DigitalSocialHour.com SPONSORS: Deposyt Payment Processing: https://www.deposyt.com/seankelly LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hour 1 It's bring your dog to work today thanks to The Farmer's Dog. Gio's dog, Elvis, is here. Al's dog, Whimsy is here. And Eddie's dog, Cooper, is here. Gio is not going to get worked up about the Knicks right now because it's not the real Knicks with all of the injuries. Jalen Brunson has a cervical issue. Gio thought only women had a cervix. It got confusing. Jerry is here for his first update and said if he got a dog he would get a golden retriever. Mecole Hardman was on The Pivot podcast and talked about how the Jets ran the offense (it was not good). Gio said this is low hanging fruit for Hardman to bring up after catching the game winning TD in the Super Bowl. Jerry has the 60 foot buzzer beater as the Cavaliers beat the Mavericks. Evan and Tiki played a new game show ‘Posted & Toasted'. In the final segment of the hour, Boomer is interviewing Ronda Rousey for his GameTime show. Rumors of Blake Snell to the Yankees are still out there as Juan Soto was asked about it and of course he would love it.  Hour 2 Gio wonders why dogs smell each other's butts. What are they trying to find out? Also how do we know that dogs don't have any concept of time? Jerry returns for an update and starts with the Knicks losing to the Pelicans. The Knicks are all banged up right now. Jerry has the 60 foot buzzer beater as the Cavaliers beat the Mavericks. Giants GM Joe Schoen met the media and talked about Saquon and the franchise tag. Jerry plays ‘what is that sound' from Mets spring training. In the final segment of the hour, we talked about a new reality show coming out called, ‘Stars on Mars' on Fox.  Hour 3 Giants GM Joe Schoen talked to the media at the combine and the topics of Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones. None of this means anything until we see action in free agency and with the draft. Gio thinks they will take a quarterback in the draft. Bill Belichick is still out there so if Schoen and Daboll go down, they are going to go down with a quarterback of their choosing. Boomer expects Jones to have a chip on his shoulder and a lot to play for. What if Saquon ends up on the Cowboys? We talked about free agent RBs like Derrick Henry. Boomer wants Gio to go to Detroit for the NFL draft but Gio has no interest in that city. A kid calls in and he's angry at Evan Roberts for being ‘salty' towards the Rangers. Jerry returns for an update and has audio from Giants GM Joe Schoen from the combine. Nick Sirianni was also there and talked about Jalen Hurts' leadership. The banged up Knicks lost to the Pelicans. Will Ferrell was on a podcast and kinda believes the Cal Ripken/Kevin Costner conspiracy. A pro-bowler was arrested mid-match for child pornography charges. Gio thinks bowlers are weirdos. In the final segment of the hour, Colin Cowherd thought his house was being robbed but now he thinks the girl in the car thought it was Taylor Swift's house.  Hour 4 It's NFL combine week and we're talking about the quarterbacks. Michael Penix seems to be slipping a bit. Some mock drafts JJ McCarthy as a top 10 pick and Gio can't believe it. We talked about the potential of going to the NFL draft in Detroit. Jerry returns for his final update of the day and starts with the Bears and the future of Justin Fields. Jerry has the call on the 60 foot buzzer beater for the Cavs as they beat the Mavs. Shannon Sharpe and Ochocinco talked about a woman wanting to marry an artificial intelligence partner. They also talked about how they like heavier women. Will Ferrell was on a podcast and talked about the Cal Ripken Jr/Kevin Costner conspiracy. The Moment of The Day involves dogs smelling each other's butts. In the final segment of the show, we wrap up bringing your dog to work thanks to The Farmer's Dog. Franchise tagging is going on as we speak and will continue until March 5th.

Giants GM Joe Schoen talked to the media at the combine and the topics of Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones. None of this means anything until we see action in free agency and with the draft. Gio thinks they will take a quarterback in the draft. Bill Belichick is still out there so if Schoen and Daboll go down, they are going to go down with a quarterback of their choosing. Boomer expects Jones to have a chip on his shoulder and a lot to play for. What if Saquon ends up on the Cowboys? We talked about free agent RBs like Derrick Henry. Boomer wants Gio to go to Detroit for the NFL draft but Gio has no interest in that city. A kid calls in and he's angry at Evan Roberts for being ‘salty' towards the Rangers. Jerry returns for an update and has audio from Giants GM Joe Schoen from the combine. Nick Sirianni was also there and talked about Jalen Hurts' leadership. The banged up Knicks lost to the Pelicans. Will Ferrell was on a podcast and kinda believes the Cal Ripken/Kevin Costner conspiracy. A pro-bowler was arrested mid-match for child pornography charges. Gio thinks bowlers are weirdos. In the final segment of the hour, Colin Cowherd thought his house was being robbed but now he thinks the girl in the car thought it was Taylor Swift's house.

Brandon Novack just turned 40, and he completed his 13th attempt at recovery in 2016. He's been sober ever since. At the age of 15, he was a pro skateboarder, endorsed by Gatorade and doing commercials with Michael Jordan. At 17, he was working for his idol, Tony Hawk. That's when he discovered the dark side of substance abuse. This would cause him to lose everything, save for a few personal belongings, and gain a restraining order from his Mom. It's a long road to recovery and one that you for sure want to hear.

Join Teddy Tarantino on the latest episode of "Hell Has an Exit" as he sits down with Brandon Novak. From a prodigious start in skateboarding, where he was discovered by legends Tony Hawk and Bucky Lasek when he was just a teenager, to becoming the world's first skateboarder sponsored by Gatorade at the age of 14. He soon toured the country on the Powell-Peralta team, landing endorsement deals with Gatorade, and even starring in commercials with Michael Jordan at the young age of 15. Beyond skateboarding professionally, Novak ventured into the world of movies and television, making memorable appearances in several of the Jackass movies, Viva la Bam, the CKY series, Bam's Unholy Union, and more. But alongside his glittering career, Novak faced a deeply personal battle with addiction that threatened to overshadow his achievements. His struggles with substance abuse led him down a dark path, marked by rehab stints, brushes with the law, and moments of despair. Yet, against all odds, Novak found the strength to confront his demons and achieve sobriety in 2015. Brandon is not only a survivor but also an advocate for others fighting similar battles. He authored the bestselling book, Dreamseller: An Addiction Memoir, where he candidly shares his journey through addiction and recovery, inspiring countless others along the way. Recognizing the need for comprehensive addiction treatment, Novak has now established his own addiction treatment center, providing individuals with the support and resources they need to overcome addiction and reclaim their lives. Brandon's dedication to helping others has not gone unnoticed. He was recently recognized by the DEA's 360 Strategy Program for his tireless efforts in battling the opioid epidemic in America. Through his work as a Certified Intervention Professional and motivational speaker, Novak continues to spread awareness and offer support to those in need. Tune in to "Hell Has an Exit" as Teddy Tarantino and Brandon Novak delve into the highs and lows of a life lived on the edge, proving that even from the depths of hell, there's always a way out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm making friends with Brandon Novak - professional skateboarder and star of the hit show Viva La Bam and the movies Jackass.** (Psst... Before I tell you more about the guest, do you like this show? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts — even one sentence helps!

I'm in Las Vegas covering Super Bowl 58. I had a chaotic trip thanks to Denver International Airport. Comedy genius, Larry David, was forced to apologize after “attacking” Elmo on the Today Show. Drama in the bowling world - Brandon Novak… was swarmed by U.S. Marshals and taken into custody. Billionaire Peter Thiel bankrolling ‘Olympics on steroids' event that allows athletes to dope. An influencer got a belly button tattoo in order to look taller. 20% of people snack while in the bathtub or while using the toilet.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Brandon Novak is a professional skateboarder discovered by Tony Hawk and a part of the renowned Powell-Peralta team, an MTV celebrity (Viva La Bam, Bam's Unholy Union), an alumnus of the Jackass motion picture series, a star of the legendary CKY skateboard video series, and author of his best-selling addiction memoir Dreamseller. Brandon is able to relate to ten of millions of people across the country; 1 in 4 to be exact who are directly affected by addiction in their family. Brandon Novak keynotes the National Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness in partnership with the DEA and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. The National Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness are a half day school event designed to educate middle and high school students about the dangers of opioid misuse while promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The Summits take place in several cities across the United States. Through the foundation's partnership with the DEA 360 Events, thousands of high school level children have the ability to attend a very impactful event with speakers, musical entertainment, and engaging discussions.    In this episode, Brandon and Brad discuss Brandon's story and how he came into and out of addiction along with his time skateboarding, in show business, and on two very famous shows, Jackass and Viva La Bam. Support Brandon's cause through venmo @novakshouse or give him a call at 610-314-6747 Follow Brandon @brandon__novak Learn more about what Brandon does https://www.brandonnovak.com  Watch the full video episode on Brad's Rumble here: https://rumble.com/c/c-2544182  Watch the full video episode on Brad's Youtube Here: https://bradlea.tv   

Brandon Novak pro skateboarder, speaker, author, & best friend of Bam Margera. He is known for his appearances on Viva La Bam, Jackass, the CKY series & Haggard. EPISODE LINKS https://brandonnovak.com https://www.instagram.com/brandon__novak Venmo for Novak's scholarship fund - @NovaksHouse SPONSORS: https://ver.so/danny - Use code DANNY to save 15% on your order. https://factormeals.com/DJP50 - Use CODE: DJP50 for 50% off. Weekly bonus episodes: https://patreon.com/dannyjones FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/jonesdanny https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - Brandon & Bam in the early days 06:00 - How Brandon got into heroin so early? 09:40 - Brandon's memory is shot 12:55 - Ali Boulala & the Piss Drunx crew 20:01 - Avoiding drugs and alcohol 22:14 - Brandon's quest to sobriety 26:08 - Intentionally sabotaging his own success 29:32 - Insane story behind the ALF tattoo 33:02 - Filming Viva La Bam for MTV 37:53 - Putting a rock up his butt for drug money 41:31 - CKY stories 42:50 - Twisted stories trying to score smack 44:37 - Brandons mom prayed for his death 49:45 - Working for the DEA 58:26 - Fentanyl 01:01:57 - What's a "Speed-ball" ? 01:03:51 - Cartel wars 01:06:40 - Disturbing hotel experience in Australia 01:14:43 - Novak's relationship with Bam 01:19:57 - Novak's Houses for the Recovering 01:28:31 - Psychological affect of giving 01:32:47 - Methadone clinics 01:41:49 - Experiments with good vices 01:46:51 - The most FOUL tattoo in history 01:51:44 - Conflict

Join Jack Osbourne and his longtime friend, Brandon Novak, on this week's episode of 'Ghosts and Grit' as they take a trip down memory lane. The duo reminisce about their experience as keynote speakers at a DEA meeting and Brandon shares captivating insights into the opening of his groundbreaking treatment center, Redemption Addiction Treatment Center. In an inspiring and heartfelt conversation, Brandon opens up about his personal mission to help others and discusses the difficult journey to sobriety. He shares fascinating stories about the serendipitous meeting with Bam Margera, which led to his involvement in the CKY Crew and later 'Viva La Bam.' Both Brandon and Jack discuss the challenges they've faced in their sobriety, touching on how addiction has manifested in different areas of life and emphasizing the importance of human connection. Jack and Brandon explore society's current state, delving into topics like instant gratification and whether society is becoming more secular and the impact of COVID-19 on those in recovery. In a light hearted twist, Jack tries to guess the story behind Brandon's tattoo, leading to a fascinating discussion about the only paranormal experience Brandon has ever had—inside Bam Margera's haunted castle. The duo goes further into the unknown, exploring the vast realms of the paranormal. They delve into UFOs, recent UFO disclosures, and delve into the concept of life after death and reincarnation.   

Brandon Novak is a keynote speaker, author, former professional skateboarder/TV star, and intervention specialist who reclaimed his life from addiction in 2015.In this episode, Brandon walks us through his remarkable journey from sleeping in abandoned houses as a homeless heroin addict to owning and operating several sober living facilities and earning widespread respect as a champion for people in recovery. He also speaks about:-How he first got into drugs and alcohol, and his thoughts on "gateway drugs"-The moment when Bam Margera offered help at a critical time-Becoming a famous MTV star on 'Viva La Bam' in the mid-2000s-The story behind his mother buying him a cemetery plot-The epiphany he experienced standing on his mother's doorstep after she kicked him out of her house and put a restraining order on him-Why he recommends a firm approach to dealing with loved ones who are battling addiction-The spiritual element of his recovery-Why he doesn't consider his 12 unsuccessful attempts to get sober, "failures"-Why he's not tempted to consume drugs or alcohol today-How to include friends in recovery in social activities-The business of owning sober living homes and an addiction treatment center -How he scaled his sober living facilities to 65 bedsBrandon's charitable cause:King's Crusade, which helps fund inpatient addiction recovery treatment for people who can't otherwise afford it.Books mentioned in this episode:Streets of Baltimore by Brandon NovakDreamseller by Brandon NovakSupport Brandon's Scholarship Foundation:Donate to provide free beds for individuals transitioning out of treatment (Venmo: @novakshouse).Struggling or need guidance?Contact Brandon directly at 610-314-6747.Connect with Brandon:InstagramWebsiteRedemption Addiction Treatment CenterEnjoyed this episode? Follow A Better Life in your favorite podcast app and share this episode to spread the word.

Brandon Novak is on the show to share his story of skateboarding with Tony Hawk, battles with his own demons, surviving jail and how was able to build a new life for himself. Follow Ian Bick on Instagram: @ian_bick & Snapchat: ianbick Connect with Brandon Novak: https://brandonnovak.com Buy Merch: https://lockedinbrand.com Use code lockedin at checkout to get 20% off your order Connect with Ian Bick: https://www.ianbick.com Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:32 - Surrounding myself with the right people 00:05:01 - Connecting Stories and Creating a Beautiful Sweater 00:07:31 - The Complex Background of a Skateboarder 00:10:15 - The Influence of Parents 00:12:52 - Deflection 00:15:30 - The Influence of Skateboarding and Substance Abuse 00:18:01 - Childhood Skateboarding Memories 00:20:36 - The Influence of Skateboarding and the Misuse of Talent 00:23:10 - The Struggle with Fulfillment 00:25:49 - Skateboarding and Divine Intervention 00:28:32 - Defiance and Reaching Out to Help Others 00:31:23 - Journey to recovery 00:33:45 - From Skateboarding to Jackass 00:36:23 - Skater Fashion Cycles 00:39:09 - The Evolution and Impact of Stunts and Antics 00:41:44 - From Defects to Assets 00:44:30 - Laying it all on the table 00:47:20 - The Impact of my life choices 00:50:11 - Celebrity Status and Controversy in Jail 00:52:52 - Medical Issues from Using 00:55:28 - Finding Fulfillment in the Simple Things 00:58:03 - The Moment of Change 01:00:50 - Accountability and Recovery 01:03:19 - The Difficulty of Helping Someone who doesn't want to be helped 01:06:11 - Helping Other 01:08:48 - The Importance of Accountability 01:11:21 - Overcoming Stigma and Redefining the Future 01:13:59 - Creating an Environment for Recovery 01:16:47 - Finding Understanding Powered by Creative Evolution Studios https://creativeevolutionstudios.com Produced by: https://www.instagram.com/shanedanahy https://www.shanedanahy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, Eli Zaret stops by to talk Connor Stalions & Michigan football, Brandon Novak's new book, Corey Feldman's production problems, and a semi-truck police chase. A field hockey team in Massachusetts is DOMINATING with the help of their new star. Eli Zaret stops by to eulogize Matthew Perry, an extra paycheck for Miguel Cabrera, Mark Meadows' book fiasco, the Detroit Lions playoff odds, lackluster MLB World Series ratings, E-Rod opts out of his contract, college football weekend recap, a Connor Stalions cheating discussion, RIP Bobby Knight and more. Drew stumbled upon Steve-O's Wild Ride! podcast. Turns out Brandon Novak was pretty wild in his day. We found more footage of Corey Feldman live shows that are filled with production problems. Donald Trump is leading in the swing states. Sam Bankman-Fried popped some zits on the stand and was found guilty. Books: John Stamos. Britney Spears. Thurston Moore. Teri Copley is breaking her silence. We check out the trailer for Priscilla, the new Elvis movie. Matthew Perry was laid to rest this weekend and Jennifer Aniston arrived first. Stuttering John has gone on the offensive against Karl Hamburger on Twitter. An Alabama Mayor/Pastor commits suicide after his cross-dressing pics were leaked by a website. Daylight Savings is stupid. The Beatles are crushing it with their new song. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame aired and it was full of surprising performances. Semi-truck led a police chase in Texas. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker had their brat. Girls night for Taylor Swift. One of these things is not like the other. Not-a-Prince Harry and Meghan Markle go to a Katy Perry concert. Marc learns of the passing of René Angélil… gone too soon. Dark Side of Comedy features Joan Rivers. Meg Ryan is still unrecognizable, thus making her recognizable. Check out Jonah Falcon weekend action on Twitter (NSFW). More similar allegations against Russell Brand. Bachelor Nation founding father Chris Harrison got married. Tori Spelling has a new boyfriend and is already buying underwear for him. Dean McDermott is on Cameo phoning it in. Colin Strickland took the stand in the Kaitlin Armstrong trial. Gary Hoey will join us tomorrow to promote his show on December 9th at The Magic Bag. Visit Our Presenting Sponsor Hall Financial – Michigan's highest rated mortgage company If you'd like to help support the show… please consider subscribing to our YouTube Page, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (Drew and Mike Show, Marc Fellhauer, Trudi Daniels, Jim Bentley and BranDon).

http://www.OUTERKNOWN.COM/STEVEO use code STEVEO for 25% OFF http://www.tryfum.com/steveo use code STEVEO for 10% off the Journey pack http://www.bluechew.com use code STEVEO for first month free, just $5 in shipping http://www.harrys.com/steveo to save a few bucks! ***NEW COMEDY SPECIAL! Pre order STEVE-O'S BUCKET LIST at http://steveo.com Brandon Novak is a professional skateboarder, known for Jackass and Viva La Bam. We discuss Novak's dark days in prison, his relationship with Bam Margera, Matthew Perry, Brandon's business running sober living houses and soooo much more! Come see me on tour! http://steveo.com Follow us on social media! @steveo @scottjrandolph @skinnyvinny @paulbrisske Steve-O's Hot Sauce! - https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Os-Sauce-Your-Butthole-Bottle/dp/B08GKXVNSX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=314GTTCX7SAAZ&keywords=butthole&qid=1668129993&sprefix=butthol%2Caps%2C256&sr=8-1 

This week on Dopey! DopeyCon IV!!!! A cavalcade of Dopes! A treasure Trove ofand  Dopey Stories! It's all here! Bobby Dukes burning a dude's dick with a crack pipe in a glory hole to Jessa Reed's Opus Owl Story! Plus great recovery with Hank Azaria, Joe Schrank, Ask Erin Khar! Music by Ray Brown and so very much more on this weeks brand new spanking episode of that good old Dopey Show! DopeyCon IV!!!!! More About Dopey: Dopey Podcast is the world's greatest podcast on drugs, addiction and dumb shit. Chris and I were two IV heroin addicts who loved to talk about all the coke we smoked, snorted and shot, all the pills we ate, smoked, all the weed we smoked and ate, all the booze we consumed and all the consequences we suffered. After making the show for 2 and a half years, Chris tragically relapsed and died from a fentanyl overdose. Dopey continued on, at first to mourn the horrible loss of Chris, but then to continue our mission - which was at its core, to keep addicts and alcoholics company. Whether to laugh at our time in rehab, or cry at the worst missteps we made, Dopey tells the truth about drugs, addiction and recovery. We continually mine the universe for stories rife with debauchery and highlight serious drug taking and alcoholism. We also examine different paths toward addiction recovery. We shine a light on harm reduction and medication assisted treatment. We talk with celebrities and nobodies and stockpile stories to be the greatest one stop shop podcast on all things drugs, addiction, recovery and comedy pathfinding the route to the heart of the opioid epidemic.

Brandon Novak became a household name in the early 2000s after becoming a fixture on the hit shows Jacka$$ and Viva La Bam. But despite the success of fame and professional skateboarding he lived a dark life full of crime and drug addiction. After two decades he's gotten clean and found his calling in life; helping others. Brandon joins the show to tell us all about his life and road to recovery. Support Brandon's Work and Recovery Homes! Website: https://brandonnovak.com/ Novak's House: https://www.instagram.com/novakshouse/?hl=en Support Our Sponsors! Fum: https://tryfum.com/ Promo Code: CONNECT Hello Fresh: https://www.hellofresh.com/connect50 Promo Code: CONNECT50 BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/ Promo Code: CONNECT PrizePicks: https://www.prizepicks.com/ Promo Code: CONNECT Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to the show, author, Jackass, skateboarder, business owner, motivational speaker and friend of the show, Brandon Novak. During this episode we discuss running a race together, his age, what his name almost was, going on the Bertcast, getting recognized, growing up watching Novak, CKY, Jackass, being in a porn, kinks, accepting compliments, the best and worst drugs ever, getting mad at how he was treated when he was an addict, his Audiobook and the infamous plant lady! Follow the Podcast @loveandthenwhatFollow Mr. Everybody @mr.everybodypodsFollow Novak@Brandon_novakFollow Maura@maurbiexoWould you like to be apart of the show, ask us a question or tell us a story? Please email us at LoveandThenWhat@gmail.com or send us a message on Instagram @loveandthenwhatTo see other clips, remember to subscribe to the YouTube channel and go to our website loveandthenwhat.com to see all of our videos, socials and behind the scenes clips.

Today, I sit down with Jackass, CKY & Viva La Bam Alum, Brandon Novak. We talk about his wildest moments, having a hit put out on him, turning to prostitution, his lowest moment, turning his life around, sobriety, and much more!        Follow Brandon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandon__novak  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brandon_Novak    If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, call/text Brandon Novak at 610-314-6747  My movie "The Machine" is available to buy or rent on demand now! This episode is brought to you by Mad Rabbit Tattoo. Go to http://www.madrabbit.com/bertcast and use the promo code “BERTCAST” for 25% off.    This episode is also brought to you by True Classic. Get 25% off at http://www.trueclassic.com when you use the code “BERT” at checkout.   This episode is also brought to you by Gametime. Go to http://www.gametime.co or download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code “BERTCAST” for $20 off your first purchase.   This episode is also brought to you by Miller High Life. Go to http://www.MillerHighLife.com/BERT to find Miller High Life near you. Celebrate Responsibly. 2023 Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.   This episode is also brought to you by Birddogs. Go to http://www.birddogs.com/bert for a free Yeti style tumbler with your order!   SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a video https://bit.ly/3DC1ICg  For all TOUR DATES: http://www.bertbertbert.com  For Fully Loaded: https://fullyloadedfestival.com/     Get your tickets for the TOPS OFF WORLD TOUR at bertbertbert.com Sign up for the FULLY LOADED AT SEA waitlist at fullyloadedatsea.com    For Something's Burning: https://bertyboyproductions.com/somethings-burning-season-1 For Merch: https://store.bertbertbert.com/    Follow Me! Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/bertkreischer   Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/BertKreischer   Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/bertkreischer   YouTube: http://www.YouTube.com/user/Akreischer  TikTok: http://www.TikTok.com/@bertkreischer  Text Me: https://my.community.com/bertkreischer 

Today I talk with Dave Manheim from the Dopey Podcast. Dopey podcast is the most popular addiction/recovery podcast and has featured guests like Dr. Drew, Zac Clark, Jason Biggs, Brandon Novak, Jack Osbourne, Jamie Lee Curtis and many more! When Dave isn't working on the podcast, he is a manager at Katz's Delicatessen in NYC. Dopey was created by Dave and his cohost Chris in 2016, they met in rehab in Connecticut in 2011. Chris tragically died in July of 2018, relapsing, and overdosing on cocaine and fentanyl. Dave never stopped making the show and continues to push the Dopey message as far as it possibly can go.   Dopey: https://dopeypodcast.com/   Rebel Rabbit! Use code LIFE20 for 20% off your Rebel Rabbit orders! https://drinkrebelrabbit.com/discount/LLM20   For the best mattresses in the game, Engineered Sleep is your team! Use code LIVE15 to get 15% off your order. https://engineeredsleep.com

On this edition of Clean and Sober Radio host Gary Hendler and cohost Mark Sigmund welcome Brandon Novak, once a nationally ranked professional skateboarder and a star of the hit TV series “Jackass.” With years of incarceration and rehabs, Brandon made a decision to get into recovery in 2015. From a life of fame, destructive behavior, and addiction, Brandon is now a motivational speaker, author, and owner of a rehabilitation center and recovery houses. Yes we do recover and we do give back. An amazing story.

In this episode Toby catches up with Brandon Novak for a part 2! He talks about learning to fail, opening a treatment addiction center, his first real job after getting clean, narrating his book, his tattoos and never before told stories!  Please remember to rate, review and subscribe and visit us at https://www.youtube.com/tobymorseonelifeonechance Please visit our sponsors! Athletic Greens https://athleticgreens.com/oloc Caddis https://caddislife.com/toby10 Removery https://removery.com code TOBYH2O Liquid Death https://liquiddeath.com/toby

Today we were joined by our good friend - the man, the myth, the legend, Brandon Novak! We caught up with him and talked about his new treatment center, growing up skating in Baltimore and even touched on close pal, Bam Margera!

Tim Lodgen grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where he signed a skateboard contract that had him riding with Bucky Lasek and Brandon Novak. Playing sports kept him away from drugs and alcohol until he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Senior in High School. He thought he'd let off some steam before he had to enter the highly regimented life of a soldier, and during that time, he did every drug he could get his hands on. Soon he was deployed to Somalia, where massive amounts of alcohol took the place of the drugs. When he finally returned home, he was happy to be out of the military but quickly fell into a deep depression that had him sitting with a gun in his lap and thinking about suicide. He finally admitted his depression and was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. Still, without ever admitting to his drug and alcohol use, he spent the next 20 years with incorrect doses that did little for his mental health. Tim then began a career as an MMA fighter. An eventual injury led him to introduce opiates into his use, which sent his addiction to another level and caused a second suicide attempt. He finally found help 27 years into his addiction after his wife discovered him preparing to take his own life. He has since become the healthiest version of himself, even coming in 3rd place in a Muscle and Fitness bodybuilding contest. Tim now uses his platform to help others by telling his story, working with the homeless, and offering addiction and health advice through his Instagram account. ______________________________________ Resources: // National Suicide Help Line Phone: 988 (new nationwide short-code) URL: www.988lifeline.org Links: // Tim Lodgen: Insta: @tlodgen // Patrick Custer: Insta: @patrick_custer // Rooted Recovery Stories Podcast: Insta: @rootedrecoverystories URL: www.rootedrecoverystories.com // Promises Behavioral Health - Help for addiction, mental health/trauma: Call: (888) 648-4098 URL: www.promisesbehavioralhealth.com Insta: @promises_bh . . . . . #timlodgen #podcast #rootedrecoverystories #addiction #addictionawareness #addictionrecovery #addictiontreatment #alcoholfree #anxiety #cleanandsober #depression #healing #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalillness #odaat #onedayatatime #brandonnovak #promisesbehavioralhealth #recovery #recoveryispossible #recoverywarrior #patrickcuster #sober #soberaf #soberlife #soberliving #sobriety #wedorecover

I had the opportunity to meet with Brandon at one of his homes in Wilmington and ever since then he has been open with me (everyone) about his work and he agreed to do a quick sit down for this interview. Find out more about his work at https://brandonnovak.com/   Summary Brandon's introduction. 0:00 What it's like to not have cell phones. 1:09 Skateboarding as a drug addiction. 4:56 Praying to god to end my addiction. 9:12 Being accountable for your actions. 14:14 How to get out of your own way. 18:26 The Novak House and how it started. 23:22 The place where the misfits fit in. 27:39 Do you ever think about spiritual practice? 31:45 Dealing with death and loss. 36:25 Transcript by otter.ai   Intro Guy 0:00 Your journey has been an interesting one up to hear you've questioned so much more than those around you. You've even questioned yourself as to how you could have grown into these thoughts. Am I crazy? When did I begin to think differently? Why do people in general appear so limited in their thought process? Rest assured, you are not alone, the world is slowly waking up to what you already know inside yet can't quite verbalize. Welcome to the spiritual dough podcast, the show that answers the question you never even knew to ask, but knew the answers to questions about you this world, the people in it? Most importantly, how do I proceed? Now moving forward? We don't claim to have all the answers, but we sure do love living in the question. Time for another hit of spiritual Joe with your host, Brandon Handley. Let's get right into today's episode. Brandon Handley 0:42 Right now, when you come to mind, I did a series that was called like, sinners in the saints. Right? And I can't think of a better person, really that, you know, is that a sinner? Like missing the mark on life? Kind of right, you know, and that now you've turned it around and into something else. But let's share your journey. And for the people that don't do my kids don't even know what MTV is. First of all, right? Like, how mind boggling is that? Brandon Novak 1:09 Yeah, yeah, it's it's literally two different worlds, you know, their kids will, will grow up not even knowing or couldn't even imagine what it's like to not have a cell phone, right? Like we went for that. That juxtaposition from no cell phones, like nothing, you know, wireless internet, to literally anything in the blink of an eye at the touch of our fingertips. So it's this, there's quite a transition. That's crazy. But I think we're blessed to have experienced both of those worlds. Brandon Handley 1:47 Well, yeah, I love it. I love where we are, right, having had not had all this technology and stuff where we can just reach out to what we're doing right now to having it like, because we I would say we appreciate it that much more. Right? Brandon Novak 2:01 Absolutely. And you know, we have the ability to shut things off and slow things down, because we remember what it was like to not have these resources so readily available that the 1314 1618 year old kid today couldn't even fathom not living without. That's right. That's right. Well, Brandon Handley 2:24 let's uh, let's jump into it. Man, let's jump into like, I just kind of the addiction part, right, like jumping straight into there. Like, when did you kind of first get involved with any drugs? And when did you realize that you had a problem? Or when did it start taking over your life? Brandon Novak 2:48 I believe I was my story is my story. And we all have our own stories and our own journeys. And although the specifics may vary of each person's story, I think the endings remain the same. And my story is that my mother is not an addict or an alcoholic, my brother or sister who from our by a different man are not an addict or an alcoholic. But my father was an addict. His father was an addict. So I believed that I was genetically predisposed. I didn't really have much of a say so in the matter. And my story I don't think is much different than any others to be honest with you. I was groomed I was raised in the world of a fast life. My father never held a job a day in his life, he taught me one thing if and when I go to prison, how to conduct myself or the Hells Angels, he was a rather unsavory kind of fellow, he is no longer with us. He was diagnosed with a disease of addiction and and ran with it untreated for many years until, you know, I always talk to people when I say this, the issue will be addressed like the issue 100% will be addressed and either you choose to address the issue, you go to treatment, get your life back things that you have no idea that exists in life, or the issue addresses you and I get a phone call from your people saying thanks for trying to help him. But he didn't make it. And my father's issue was addressed, but not on his terms. And he's dead and he's no longer with us. But my mother was very successful. She was a nuclear physicist on the board of Mercy Hospital. My brother's an attorney in the White House practices, benefits. You know, so that's where I believe my, you know, I was groomed I was raised for that world. My father and his biker buddies would come to the house and grow a lot of herbs, smoke, a lot of drugs, sell a lot of drugs, fast play fast women. You know, I kind of absorb that coming up Brandon Handley 4:59 with Yeah, well, I mean, you're a product of your environment. Right? All right. It's really hard to escape that. Being a father and just seeing how much of an impact what I do rubs off on my children. It's like it's mind blowing just the small things that you don't think that their pickup they're picking up every detail all of it. And so, yeah, being being caught up in that and seeing that as you're growing up. That's that's pretty, pretty insane. Do you think? Like, you know, parlaying some of that nuclear physicist some of that success? Like was that like, your skateboarding success? Do you think? Like, Brandon Novak 5:38 Well, I think, you know, thank God for skateboarding, skateboarding raised me and skateboarding made me who I am today, all year in all areas of my life, including recovery? I have because I know then that I know now is that skateboarding weeds out the quitters? Or is that really the kind of guys that will, will go dry, try a trick. And if they don't make it, just say, I didn't really want it anyways. Right? Like, I will try a trick for for hours for days for weeks for months, occasionally years if need be until that one, you know, stroke of, of ingenious alignment, and everything makes sense. And I make the trek and that instant gratification. I'm on to the next. For sure. For sure. And that's where my recovery came from. You know, I refuse to accept failure, no is not an option. And so I was just I believe we all have these God given talents. You the best ping pong player in the world, but God might not see fit to put a paddle in your hand. I was blessed with the ability to have a skateboard, put my hand at the age of seven. And then that boards has my hand. I knew I was going to be a professional skateboarder. Alright, that's awesome. Brandon Handley 6:53 Yeah. That's awesome. I'm still trying to figure out how to get a kickflip to land Brandon. After all these years actually, my son wanted to pick up skateboard. And so we went out and got a board and we went out to the local park. So love that story. You're right, like your you'll never quit that. You know, trying to get that trick and then just keep going for it. And you never quit trying to get sober. Right? Like 13 tries. Brandon Novak 7:21 Yeah, right away many more tries, but 13 attempts at checking myself until facility. But I remember, like, during the era of filming, Viva la bam, right? Like we'd be filming all day. And after we were wrapped the cast and the crew would go to the bar in town and pour I'd go meet them at the pub, I would go to an AAA meeting. And I would end up meeting them at the bar to get fucking annihilated by the band was like, What is wrong with you, you go to these meetings and then you come get loaded with us. Like it makes no sense. But to me, it made a lot of sense because I knew that one day it was going to end one of two ways. Either I was gonna get sober, or I was gonna die in the process of trying. But I was never the kind of guy that that accepted the the outcome to be a forever thing of my addiction that I like, fuck that. Brandon Handley 8:17 What do you mean by that? Like, Brandon Novak 8:19 like, I never was the guy that was like, I'm gonna die with a needle in my arm I inactive addiction. Just leave me be this. All that I want. Brandon Handley 8:28 Yeah, yeah. You always see yourself getting beyond it or getting, that wasn't going to be your story. Brandon Novak 8:36 I didn't know what my story was going to be. I will my story was going to end one of two ways. Either I got sober or I died in the process of trying. Right? Brandon Handley 8:46 And, you know, your journey wasn't like you know, just kind of a backyard addiction. Like I mean, you are you breaking the houses stealing stuff getting caught. I was listening to a podcast earlier about like, people literally putting hits out on you. Right. It's been pretty crazy. What was like, share a story or two about the, you know, your addicted life. Something that gives a glimpse into the seediness of it. Brandon Novak 9:17 Yeah, well, my mother, you know, in the beginning of my alcoholism, she used to pray to god please God, don't let tonight be that night that I received that call that my son has sir came to his addiction and he's no longer with us. She used to pray not to get that call to the end of my addiction praying to God, please let tonight be the night that I find Steve that call just so I can know he's safe once and for all. You know that's kind of depravity in the depth that my addiction took me to my mother who is my number one supporter and would do anything for me the job was to die went from praying to please never receive a call that I had died to at the end. Praying to God pleased Let me get this call already, you know that that I think sums it up in itself man, like, that's the nature of my disease. The progression is fast. It's rapid. And it's very drastic. Brandon Handley 10:15 Would you say like, was that the end her misery or yours? Brandon Novak 10:19 Fuck both. Yeah, as in, you know, after, you know, 22 years of active addiction 13 inpatient treatment centers, lost count of our patients in detox, as my mother had already bought me a plot. People were taking life insurance policies out on me, okay, you have to be in a life support for seven days, at the same hospital on mother's a nuclear physicist at, she sold three homes to pay for two different treatment centers. I was kind of that guy that was deemed unhelpful and uncaring incapable of ever getting sober. Right. Right. So I'm sure both my misery and hers. Brandon Handley 10:54 Oh, no doubt, no doubt, you know, I was able to join you with your sober house and how to say hello to her for a quick moment. And she just mentioned that right now. She's just so happy that you're able to be around for the holidays, right? That you're actually a welcome guest for the holidays. And I thought that that was a pretty cool thing to hear. Brandon Novak 11:19 Give me one second my my iPad was about to charge and Ubers. Well, yeah, that's the end as the funny thing about sobriety is that like, and I tell all the guys that live in Novak's house, and anyone else does early in sobriety for that matter. Be careful what you ask for, cuz sometimes you just might get it. For sure. And now I'm a sober guy, and I'm Coming up on eight years, and that I have a lot of responsibilities. And a lot of people depend and rely on me and, and, and some of those people are my family members. So my mother, God bless her soul is my favorite person in this world. She probably calls me 10 times a day. Here, and, you know, that's, it's a blessing. And sometimes I can perceive it to be a curse. Or sir, but that's, that's all I ever wanted, in the beginning was like to just feel humanized and normalized again. Like a member of society, not an outcast, not a not, you know, not something or someone to be discarded because I had a, I had a deeper seated issue. Because before for a lot of years, when people saw me they would like cross the street, and that they didn't see me or walk the other way, rightfully so. Or if, because if you told me you love me, then I had you. If you told me, you love me, then I equated that to $10. So people had to love me from a distance. So now it's, it's it's really a beautiful thing to be part of my family's life. You know, I wasn't for a long time. And nothing to do with them. It was all me. Right? And I had even when I was around physically, mentally, I had been checked out for so many years. So, you know, it's it's nice, man. It's, I could go on for hours. But Brandon Handley 13:35 yeah, no doubt. Right. Well, let's, let's hop into the one part that I think is a little key to the Novak house and you doing what you're doing right now, let's just tell a quick story of the 13th check in, right, I guess we'll call it when you when you, you know, you go in pocket tripped out, you tell the story. Brandon Novak 13:57 Oh, well, you know, I may 25 2015, I found myself in a position where for the first time in my life, the pain had become so unbearable that I was willing to do anything in order to finally get myself out of the position I had created for myself, right. So all of a sudden I started becoming accountable for my actions, and realizing that my very best thing in place me here, and that I am the common denominator in my problems. And if I get the fuck out of my way, everything was i i And I can no longer deny the severity of my disease, the depravity that it takes me to and every attempt at every one of those 13 facilities prior to or 12 prior to they didn't tell me anything different than the other one missed out on, you know, like 13 was no different than 1211 10 98765432. The only difference was The pain had become so great that I was willing to finally become open minded just long enough to ask for help, and and more importantly, be able to follow through with the suggestions that people like yourself and others gave me and you know. So my thoughts are always ingrained in me and I'm very, I'm not the one people call for sympathy or a lighter, softer way. Because my sponsor always told me you never get between an alcoholic and their bottom. And I don't. And I will not, I believe there has to be repercussions from our actions. By the repercussions from my actions became great enough that again, I was willing to do anything that was suggested I went to that facility number 13. And, and literally, as a sponge absorbed anything that anyone told me to do, you know, I was tired, I was just hired, I was tired, I was bored. All these seeds had been planted unbeknownst to me it each one of those attempts at each facility and, and facility number 13. It's like the skies parted and I walked across the sea and everything just made sense from all previous attempts. You know, not to say things won't change. But to this point today, coming up on a year sober, my sobriety has been fairly simple. Because I've stuck to the basics, they told me the basics, you never have to go back to the basics. Yes, I've had heart aches, I've had deaths, I've had troubled times. But knowing where I came from, and the pain that I felt as a direct result of active addiction, like there's, to me, the allure and the illusion of a drink or a drug being a great time has wore off so fucking long ago. And I adhere to, to the suggestions that my mentors and my sponsors and, and the 12 steps and Alcoholics Anonymous have given to me, you know, and I can honestly say today right now, it is it is physically impossible for me to have a drink. Now, Brandon Handley 17:22 somebody put a drink in front of you just couldn't do it. Brandon Novak 17:24 Oh, it's impossible for me to even put up a ball of heroin in my hand right now. And my very first thought would be like, I need to flush this before my cats get to it. Because I've had that psychic change. Yeah, let's talk about that. Right? Like the definition of a spiritual experience is simply a psychic change. Meaning I've read no back today no longer think how I thought walking into treatment center number 13. Eight years almost. You're able to see things differently. Now. I'm a completely different man. I'm rewired. Yeah, and that but that's because you know I'm not people might listen to this and be like oh that egotistical Fuck no, I have a very very very healthy respect for my disease is I'm well armed with the facts I finally understand the opponent that I'm up against. And and most importantly, I suffer with a disease called alcoholism. Not alcohol wasn't meeting so well yesterday sobriety? Sure. Brandon Handley 18:27 I love that. I love that. Um, so you know, you go in to 13th Place your hot mess. You finally get flipped around. I think what's kind of funny about your story too. You didn't share it here but like I've listened to listen to it plenty of times so like where you go in and they tell you you gotta get a job even though you've got like money coming in right in one way or another. You've got to go you're bussing tables waiting tables here you are Brandon Novak guys got, you know, celebrity. He's got endorsements and all that all this good stick on for him. And you're in there bussing tables and waiting, waiting on tables to make your money. pay your own way out of your pocket. And this was the path that kind of opened up for you. And since you found a way that worked for you, you decided to find a way to share almost that exact same path with others sued Novak house right? Absolutely. Brandon Novak 19:23 You know, it's funny. Yeah, totally. But the funny thing is, is I didn't understand any of the any of the journey that I was on, I never realized along that journey that I was discovering these paths that were on lead to a much broader fucking scope or a grand scheme, you know, or big picture. I simply was just beaten so bad that I got out of my way follow suggestions of people that actually knew what they were talking about. And I always say this thing works when I don't work it right as long as I stay out of it mentally sure your suggestions fit physically, you know, if you continue to bring the body, the mind will follow. Right? If I found myself in a position where the pain was so great that I was just willing to do anything. It's physically it defies logic that I can use that very same brain that thought me into that terrible place to then think me out of it. If I could have done that I wouldn't be in a fucking 12 Step Program wouldn't have ended up in AAA, that's not my lifelong dream or goal, believe it or not. But so I'm a firm believer now because again, I was beaten so bad, I knew that my way no longer worked. I got out of my way, had some great mentors followed their suggestions. They said, Go, I said, Sure. They said, when I said what time, you know. And I just brought the body I brought the body, I brought the body and one day, the mind just followed Brandon Handley 20:51 some of that, would you? Was there ever, like a light clicking on for you a moment that like, I don't know, kind of like when you're first riding a bike, or like, oh, look, I'm doing it. Brandon Novak 21:00 Yeah, like put, but everything I've learned in my life is all in retrospect, my life is it forward and learn backwards. So the very first moment that that took place, when I was in my treatment center for my 90 days, and I had in 90 days, I had made it to my eight step, and not one step made any difference, or any more or less sense than the last one to two, two to three, three to four, four to five, five to six, six to 778. Nothing, I felt nothing, I had no clue what was going on. But I just again, follow suggestions, bringing the body mind will follow. Right. All of a sudden, I have my parole officer who promised to violate me if I lied to him, then as the truth and I lied again, because he just told me violate me while I'm in treatment, I knew things are different. And I, he asked for some evidence about this lie that I had presented. And, and it was impossible to gather evidence about this lie. And I call my sponsor, he said, Well, you've you've worked, you've experienced the third step, right? And I said, yeah, it was the first step for people that don't know, came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us turn our will and our life over to the care of God as we understand it. And, and I said, Yeah, and he goes, Well, here you go, God is everything or is nothing. And he said, Look at it this way. Let's say he does violate you. That means that you're simply meant to take the message inside the walls to someone who can't get out to hear from you directly. For some reason, I just believed him and I got on the phone I called and I let it was, it was on a Friday at like 3:30pm and I left a message on his voicemail admitting that I had lied. And that that was not true. What I told him I had to wait until Tuesday for him to call me back. I meant like 86 days sober, right by and usually would be racing. Sure, I'm going to get violated. I'm going back to prison. After I left that message, I went back down to my my room, and I fell asleep and I slept like a baby. It was a craziest thing ever. And it was right there that I accepted my fate. And, and in telling the truth there. It was like, one through eight hit me like a ton of bricks, like a blink of an eye. It all made sense. It was crazy. And I didn't get violated. School led me you know, like, he promised me that he violate me. And he was a guy that was very serious about that. Brandon Handley 23:34 I've yet to meet a parole officer that's not serious about their job. Brandon Novak 23:38 Well, my other ones, he was my probation officer Michelle ward. God bless her soul, Chester County. She was the one that like, saved my life. nearly enough when she should have violated me by every sense of the word. Unknown Speaker 23:52 Yeah. Brandon Novak 23:54 What happened there? I went in there and she was supposed to violate me. She was. She said, I don't know why I'm not going to violate you. But I'm going to give you one more chance and she sent me back to the rehab that actually works. She called and got them on the phone. Brandon Handley 24:10 Okay. Okay. That's crazy. So, you're taking you're taking this right. And, again, I'm not a stepper Brandon. And this is this. This program isn't about, you know, spiritual dopes kind of its own thing, but it follows. Oddly enough, the 12 step pattern, right, where you get to the 12 step and the 12 step is what for the people that don't know Brandon. Brandon Novak 24:39 Oh, fuck, you make me Brandon Handley 24:42 look there's another there's gonna be a test. Brandon Novak 24:45 He carries a message to addict or alcoholic who still suffers. Brandon Handley 24:48 Right, but you carry the message forward, right? Yeah, yeah. So that's what you're doing right with this with the Novak house. Let's talk about, you know, so let's talk about the Nova Cows, what it is that you're doing, how long it's been an action and what's going on there? Brandon Novak 25:04 Well, I so as I completed that 90 day treatment center, from there, I went to a sober living house, where I live for one year. And the reason why I went there because my sponsor at the time who had 11 years suggested that I go, because he did, and still stayed sober. Right. I wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel here, I knew that my way no longer works in my best thinking place me here, I was getting out of my way. Bringing the body just bringing the body mind has no idea but the body's showing up. And I found a suggestion. Oddly enough, I too, am Coming up on eight years. So like weird, not really. But while I was in that house, me and my best friend George, who is also still sober to this day, we had literally some of the best times of our life in this house. And I've had some amazing times in my life, and I've done really rad shit. I kidding you. I think my favorite Christmas ever was in that house. And we understood the importance and the effect that it had on us. And we always talked and we said that one day when we were in a position that we were financially capable, we were going to recreate that very same house. And also you people from the sober community kept telling me in order for me to keep what I have, I have to give it away. So five years into my journey and his Well, we decided we were going to replicate that Sober Living house. And we did we opened up our very first Novak's house in Wilmington, Delaware with 10 beds, and unfortunately, there was quite a need for those services. And I wish there wasn't in my houses didn't exist, but there are and they do and and we started with one house with 10 beds and today we have four houses with 40 beds. And I run around the nation like an insane maniac. Raising funds charitable donations to provide scholarships for any man seeking a sober living home. What I've found out that my why one of my why's today is I refuse to let funds be a deterrent as to why someone can't find a safe, adequate home to continue their journey and upon completion of a treatment center. Brandon Handley 27:38 I think that's awesome. Right? I think when you give your speech you're taking like at your event you took the this is the place where the misfits fit in right you're taking the people and Brandon Novak 27:53 we take the bottom of the barrel right like our place is not the place that like you come because you want just a weekend getaway now there are beautiful homes, they're amazing, but they're the people that have burned the resources and and kind of the discard it, you know, as I once was for sure. Brandon Handley 28:15 What was it? You know about that house? Can you can you pinpoint anything about that place that you guys wanted to replicate? Just the process? Brandon Novak 28:25 It was the process did you know right that there's a million treatment centers out there there's a million sober houses out there. I'm a firm believer the perfect treatment center or the perfect sober house that you guys sober it is the perfect treatment center is the one that you got sober in, right whichever one that is. I know that what we are intent on doing is creating an environment and to to make it a home not a house and we pride and attention into the homes that we create. Because we want the individuals that reside in them to take pride in their home and where they reside a little bit more than they might find a drink or a drug appealing kind of hoping that the ends justify the means Brandon Handley 29:15 for sure. I was talking who's your carpenter um if you want give him a shout out we Yeah, Brandon Novak 29:21 well we have where I was. Brandon Handley 29:23 So here's the dread hair guy that I met there he did yeah Brandon Novak 29:31 he's the painter Brandon Handley 29:32 is so so so he said you know and i Your sober house is the only one I've ever stopped and right. He said though that your houses are like no. So nice. Yeah, compared to some other places. Do you think that that gives these guys like kind of a feeling of hope as well being like, wow, I can have something like this for my life if I just keep my shit together. Brandon Novak 29:56 That's our hopes. Right? Like there's a lot of different little layers to it. But that's one of them. And it absolutely is it you know that paired with accountability paired with structure? Paired with cleanliness, like it all plays a part. Sure. Kind of like a, you know, one strand isn't more or less important than the other. Brandon Handley 30:18 That's right. That's right. The and one of the things I think we talked in brief at your event, but you'd mentioned like that there is structure, but it's not overly structured. So that gives them enough freedom and space to, I think, be themselves and do what they've got to do without feeling like they're on lockdown. Brandon Novak 30:37 Yeah, because they're not and my house is, aren't that they're not one of which, where, you know, you lose your freedom. Quite the contrary, actually. But the good thing is we do a really good process with assessments. And by beings so blessed with that. We don't run into people coming there and getting high smoke so much as we run into people coming there and don't want to follow all the rules. So we really let people know. Like, if you're not serious about staying sober, this isn't the house for you. You can't get lost in it. There's cheaper houses you can go with with less rules, right? Like, we'll give you an address. So it's Brandon Handley 31:21 a no, has anybody ever take you up on that? Brandon? Does anybody be like, You know what, thanks for that. And they roll down the street? Brandon Novak 31:27 Maybe they won't tell us? You know what I mean? Do maybe they don't? Everyone's process is their process, and we're all entitled to our process. If somebody would have robbed me of my process along my way, I wouldn't be here today. So like, I'm a big fan of that. Brandon Handley 31:45 Do you ever this crosses my mind, given everything that I've consumed to put in my body over the years, which is, I'm gonna guess less than you. But you know, I'll be like, I got to a point where, like, you know, what, I put so much shit in my bio does so many things that, like, if I'm still alive, right now, there's gotta be a reason for and like, leaning into that, right? Like, and just being like, discover the purpose. Like, like, I get down to your place and, and do the breath work with the guys that feel like that's a piece of something I'm able to do. Does that ever occur to you? Or are you just driving with the headlights? Oh, Brandon Novak 32:23 no. Yeah, I I mean, in the first couple years. I'm not religious, but I'm very spiritual. And I didn't really think much about it. The first couple years of my sobriety, I just continued to bring the body or the body. And then around two and a half years, it totally transitioned to, to completely spiritual and everything is, is of a much bigger, broader plan that I'm clearly a grain of sand in. And I play no part of. So it's like, I'm, I don't I don't I don't take credit for any of this. None of this is by my doing. I'm simply just playing the part that I was assigned today. And now everything is spiritual, you know, like everything, maybe too much. So sometimes, I just kind of give up to the unit. Brandon Handley 33:26 Well, yeah, so tell me a little bit about that. I love that right? Obviously so spiritual dope came from you know, just recognizing like this connection with source and like having that high from like, whatever you call that right connection to God source universe. What's that story look like for you? Now? I hear you talk a lot about synchronicities. I think there was a I caught like a man I caught like an Instagram review tote and some crystals around. You know, what's that look like? You know, you've got this work that you're doing right now, I'm sure that that's part of your spirituality. But what does your own spiritual practice look like? Well, you Brandon Novak 34:03 know, I, every day I start my day on my knees, and every day I end my day on my knees, and I know that without a constant contact and have a very healthy connection with my higher power, none of this is possible. None of this and I never get that confused or think that I, I created this. I'm very big with that. I just try to remain as useful as I can to my God's children, which are my brothers and sisters. And you know, the more I do for others, the better my life is. Brandon Handley 34:44 Do you feel like the more that you're able to do for others, the more that kind of flows through you? Brandon Novak 34:50 Well, with what flows Brandon Handley 34:52 like, you know, just like I would say, You know what, I'm here what I feel like you're saying is like you're an instrument of God, right and like divine source flows. through you and you're able to, you know, connect with others. I don't really think Brandon Novak 35:05 of it like that. I don't think what flows through me. I just think like, uh, you know, because again, I am too smart for my own fucking good. Now I'll, I'll twist this narrative to make me think that I've done this. So I sure I tried out the, you know, I just, I just kind of tricky slope, right? Yeah, I just kind of it works when I don't work it. You know, it's crazy. But I don't think much about a lot of the stuff that I do. Just because I'm so busy with so many projects that I don't really have time to sit back and connect the dots of like, Oh, I did this for this person. And this person achieved this. And now they're here with them. And the fact you know, I don't even I just get so caught up in the day to day. Yeah, this is probably for the best, Brandon Handley 35:53 sir, sir. So he's just staying out of your own way. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Brandon Novak 36:00 That's what I've learned is, the longer I stay sober, the less that I know, because I see how amazing my spirituality is, and how powerful it is. So like, I've never be so arrogant. Personally, this is just me, I would never be so arrogant to think that I understand what my God's will is. That's, that's completely insane. Because it's so fucking big and vast. And, Brandon Handley 36:25 but no, I'm with you. Right. Like, if I think I know what to do, and I can do it all by myself. And your point, like I wouldn't be in this situation I'm in now. Right? Oh, one of the things that I was actually touched by, and it was a bit of a challenge, and I'm curious to hear how you deal with it. You're one of your residents. He was probably one of the first guys I connected with coming down to the Novak house. Tim Wright recently passed, and you know, his passing impacted me in a way that most don't, you know, it's all over on TV, and I haven't been close to somebody pass on for for quite some time. How does that impact you? Like, what do you you know, Brandon Novak 37:11 I wish I could say it impact me more, but I've kind of become numb to it. Brandon Handley 37:17 Well, I mean, you know, is that because it's you're surrounded by and you're only doing what you can do you No, no, let go and let God type of thing or, Brandon Novak 37:28 well, I believe that everyone has a message to carry, right, I believe maybe the I believe, I believe my God is everything I don't believe God is, is what I think he should or shouldn't be. I believe God is everything. And I might get scolded for this. But I believe God is heroin, I believe God is crack, I believe God fucking out of all because without those substances, it would not have brought me to the child of God that I am today. But that's just me not imposing my will on anything or anyone else. But I believe that, unfortunately, some have to die for others to live. Brandon Handley 38:09 I get it right. That's the example. And you've got a bunch of people that are close to that. And they see what can happen if they think that they can go back Brandon Novak 38:19 and it didn't need it doesn't have to be that way. Brandon Handley 38:24 But yeah, so what if I'm in the Novak house, what are some of the things I got to do? What's some of the structure Brandon Novak 38:34 so you have to have a job, you have to have a sponsor, you have to be working the steps you have to go to five meetings a week you have to make curfews, you have to pass random your analysis you have to go continue and successfully complete IOP and then there's a gradual step down pace to that will tie up intensive outpatient so it's just a continuum of your aftercare of whatever program you came to Brandon Handley 39:01 from. Got it. Got it. What's the long term vision or where do you see where do you see this going for for you the the Novak house? Brandon Novak 39:12 When will this air? Brandon Handley 39:14 Probably not to like next year? Brandon Novak 39:16 Okay, so Brandon Handley 39:18 2020 23 Brandon Novak 39:20 Well, by the time that you beautiful ladies and gentlemen are watching this, you'll see that were my goals and dreams had taken me to because the day that we aired this was Thursday, November 17 2022, or that we filmed this. I'm opening a rehab, I'm opening a center that treatment center opened by the time your viewers see this. Wow. And it's going to be called redemption Addiction Treatment Center in Wilmington, Delaware. Brandon Handley 39:52 Oh, wow. Congratulations, man. That's my end game that at least I think who knows. Okay. That's your next step in the process. Right. Brandon Novak 40:00 So I always wanted my end game to be. And through the grace of God, it's happening. And then we're hoping to projected opening is mid January no later than February. Brandon Handley 40:15 Awesome, man. Congratulations. Is that in association with? I know you've done a lot of work with a companion and some others is that in association with them or is this on your own? Brandon Novak 40:25 This is all my own This is my own adventure. Wow okay yeah parted ways with Banyan amazing program. But I think simultaneously we just outgrew each other. And I didn't get sober to just get stagnant, I believe sobriety and tells us the life of choices and options. And I Why would I not take advantage of it? Brandon Handley 40:51 Makes sense? What do you how do you feel like yours will be different from any others? Or how will be the same as others curious on how that's Brandon Novak 40:59 gonna? Same as my house is right? Like the personal connection. And honestly, bread and Novak will not be at the other 10,000 50,000 treatment centers that exist out there. That will be at redemption, where I'll be working with clients day in and day out. You know, Brandon Handley 41:23 focus energy there. Yeah, that's awesome. You're gonna be a skatepark? They said no. Brandon Novak 41:34 To which I will absolutely take the clients to 100% but I don't think so. Got it. Brandon Handley 41:40 Got it. Got it. Well, Brandon, Look, man, I just wanted to have you on share your story centers in the saints, man, I really think that it's important. One of the things that you've definitely said before is like, you know, who you were isn't who you have to be going forward and what the work that you're doing now illustrates that, right? He, the guy that was robbing everybody, you know, years ago, is now out here, you know, basically getting money to give to other people to so they can achieve sobriety and live a decent life. Brandon Novak 42:14 I'm grateful man. And I'd like to end this kind of alluding to the point you just made if anyone out there needs help getting into treatment, they can call me directly, personally, at 610-314-6747 Thanks, Brian. Love you, brother. Thanks so much. Intro Guy 42:35 And I really hope you enjoyed this episode of the spiritual dove podcast. Stay connected with us directly through spiritual dove Dotco. You can also join the discussion on Facebook, spiritual dough, and Instagram at spiritual underscore Joe. If you would like to speak with us, send us an email through Brandon at spiritual dove.co And as always, thank you for cultivating your mindset and creating a better reality. This includes the most thought provoking part of your day. Don't forget to like and subscribe to stay fully up to date. Until next time, be kind to yourself and trust your intuition. Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Brandon Novak was discovered by Tony Hawk and was a pro skateboarder by the time he was 14 years old; filming commercials with Michael Jordan and traveling all over the world to compete. But soon, alcohol and heroin became his number one priority, and eventually, fame and stardom couldn't keep him afloat anymore. After crashing through the bottom after bottom, Brandon received the gift of sobriety seven years ago, and to say he carries the message is an understatement. https://brandonnovak.com https://brandonnovak.com/novaks-house Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Brandon Novak was a skateboard prodigy. He was discovered by Tony Hawk at a young age and was able to travel the world as a professional skateboarder. Eventually, Brandon also rose to fame as an MTV celebrity. Although he appeared to have it all, behind the scenes, Brandon Novak's life was falling apart from heroin addiction. After more than 25 years of addiction, Brandon was finally able to get clean. He is now sharing his recovery story and helping others find sobriety as well. Even though he enjoyed the heights of success as a champion skateboarder, movie & television personality, and stuntman, Brandon Novak struggled with alcoholism and addiction since he was a teenager. His heroin addiction eventually left him friendless and homeless. After many attempts to put his substance abuse behind him, Brandon was finally able to break free from the grip of his addiction in 2015. Since getting sober, Brandon Novak has been sharing his story to help others do the same. He travels the country for Banyan Treatment Centers as both a recovery advocate doing public speaking events as well as an interventionist staging private meetings. You can also read more about Brandon's journey to sobriety in his books. Brandon's testimonial is a powerful mission statement for his commitment to the recovery community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you Tim Lodgen for joining the Sober is Dope podcast community. This episode covers various topics from depression, mental health issues, suicide attempts, and addiction. Follow Tim Lodgen on Instgram at ( https://www.instagram.com/tlodgen/ ) Sober is Dope is a safe place for addicts, the sober curious, and anyone dealing with addiction, depression, sadness, loss, and pain. We do not judge and all are welcome. Find free prayers, tips, strategies, and motivation that can help transform your life. I am POP Buchanan. Thank you for joining our family. SOBERISDOPE.COM Tim Lodgen grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where he signed a skateboard contract that had him riding with Bucky Lasek and Brandon Novak. Playing sports kept him away from drugs and alcohol until he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Senior in High School. He thought he'd let off some steam before he had to enter the highly regimented life of a soldier, and during that time, he did every drug he could get his hands on. Soon he was deployed to Somalia, where massive amounts of alcohol took the place of the drugs. When he finally returned home, he was happy to be out of the military but quickly fell into a deep depression that had him sitting with a gun in his lap and thinking about suicide. He finally admitted his depression and was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. Still, without ever admitting to his drug and alcohol use, he spent the next 20 years with incorrect doses that did little for his mental health. Tim then began a career as an MMA fighter. An eventual injury led him to introduce opiates into his use, which sent his addiction to another level and caused a second suicide attempt. He finally found help 27 years into his addiction after his wife discovered him preparing to take his own life. He has since become the healthiest version of himself, even coming in 3rd place in a Muscle and Fitness bodybuilding contest. Tim now uses his platform to help others by telling his story, working with the homeless, and offering addiction and health advice through his Instagram account. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/soberisdope/message

This week on Dopey! In the brand new yule tide special we are joined by a cavalcade of Dopes! Brandon Novak tells a crazy Christmas story! Loz from Brutal Recovery talks about recovery in Scotland! Dr. Drew talks about the holidays in treatment! B. Getz talks about Christmas in the ganja farm! Plus Dopes from all over the world! And my Dad on that old timey ,chestnut roasting, Tourrette syndrome having, weed groing brand new episode of that good ol' Dopey Show!    More about Dopey: Dopey Podcast is the world's greatest podcast on drugs, addiction and dumb shit. Chris and I were two IV heroin addicts who loved to talk about all the coke we smoked, snorted and shot, all the pills we ate, smoked, all the weed we smoked and ate, all the booze we consumed and all the consequences we suffered. After making the show for 2 and a half years, Chris tragically relapsed and died from a fentanyl overdose. Dopey continued on, at first to mourn the horrible loss of Chris, but then to continue our mission - which was at its core, to keep addicts and alcoholics company. Whether to laugh at our time in rehab, or cry at the worst missteps we made, Dopey tells the truth about drugs, addiction and recovery. We continually mine the universe for stories rife with debauchery and highlight serious drug taking and alcoholism. We also examine different paths toward addiction recovery. We shine a light on harm reduction and medication assisted treatment. We talk with celebrities and nobodies and stockpile stories to be the greatest one stop shop podcast on all things drugs, addiction, recovery and comedy!    

Originally released on August 16, 2020Brandon Novak was a world-famous champion skateboarder. However, he was also in his first treatment center for addiction to heroin at age 17. Brandon went on to co-star in TV and movies in the MTV Jackass and Viva La BAM series. To his numerous fans, he seemed to have it all. He was getting paid to skate and hang out with his friends, but Brandon Novak's life was crumbling into several pieces off-screen. At age 35, after several years of being an addict, the once-rising celebrity burned out and ultimately hit rock bottom. He was now homeless, begging for money on the streets of Baltimore and living under a bridge. Brandon went to his thirteenth rehab for help with nothing left to lose. More than four years later, Brandon Novak is sober, living in Philadelphia, and has turned his life around. Brandon and Angela Kennecke met at the 2019 DEA 360 Los Angeles Opioid Awareness Youth Summit, where they spoke to 5,000 high school students, telling their individual stories. Along with speaking out about his addiction and recovery journey, Brandon has become a recovery advocate for Banyan Treatment Centers. He works with them to show others that recovery is possible and it is never too late. He has also become a Certified Intervention Professional to help people struggling to get their addicted loved ones into treatment.Support the showFor more episodes and to read Angela's blog, just go to our website, Emilyshope.charityWishing you faith, hope and courage! Podcast producers: Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey

Over 6 years sober, Jersey Jerry opens up and tells his story of past struggles with drug abuse with guests Maxx Crosby, Darren Waller, Brandon Novak, Mike The Situation, Josh Peck, and more. We'll be back next week with regular episodes. It was always Friend of Jerry.

This week on Dopey! Finally we got back to an in person DopeyCon! Featuring Chloe LaBranche, Erin Khar, Ray Brown, Brandon Novak, Andy Roy, Smiling Joe, Maia Szalavitz, Annie, Joe Schrank, MC Serch, Linda, my dad and tons of Dopey Nation fun!!!!  NOTE: Nick from Dark Side of the Spoon and Brian from Str8 Pepper Diet were at the event - and killed it - but since they had visual presentations they were not included in the audio version of the show.  More on Dopey: Dopey Podcast is the world's greatest podcast on drugs, addiction and dumb shit. Chris and I were two IV heroin addicts who loved to talk about all the coke we smoked, snorted and shot, all the pills we ate, smoked, all the weed we smoked and ate, all the booze we consumed and all the consequences we suffered. After making the show for 2 and a half years, Chris tragically relapsed and died from a fentanyl overdose. Dopey continued on, at first to mourn the horrible loss of Chris, but then to continue our mission - which was at its core, to keep addicts and alcoholics company. Whether to laugh at our time in rehab, or cry at the worst missteps we made, Dopey tells the truth about drugs, addiction and recovery. We continually mine the universe for stories rife with debauchery and highlight serious drug taking and alcoholism. We also examine different paths toward addiction recovery. We shine a light on harm reduction and medication assisted treatment. We talk with celebrities and nobodies and stockpile stories to be the greatest one stop shop podcast on all things drugs, addiction, recovery and comedy!

Tim Lodgen grew up in Baltimore Maryland where he signed a skateboard contract that had him riding with Bucky Lasek and Brandon Novak. Playing sports kept him away from drugs and alcohol until he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Senior in High School. He thought he'd let off some steam before he had to enter the highly regimented life of a soldier and during that time he did every drug he could get his hands on.Soon he was then deployed to Somalia where massive amounts of alcohol took the place of the drugs. When he finally returned home he was happy to be out of the military but quickly fell into a deep depression that had him sitting with a gun in his lap and thinking about suicide.He finally admitted his depression and was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder, but without ever admitting to his drug and alcohol use, he spent the next 20 years with incorrect doses that did little for his mental health. Tim then began a career as an MMA fighter. An eventual injury led him to introduce opiates into his use that sent his addiction to another level and caused a second suicide attempt.He finally found help 27 years into his addiction after his wife discovered him preparing to take his own life. He has since become the healthiest version of himself, even coming in 3rd place in a Muscle and Fitness bodybuilding contest. Tim now uses his platform to help others through telling his story, working with the homeless and offering addiction and health advice through his Instagram account.Episode ResourcesRockstar Testimony Instagram | @Rockstar_testimonyConnect with TimInstagram |  @tlodgenConnect with The Courage to ChangePodcast Website |lionrock.life/couragetochangepodcastPodcast Instagram |@couragetochange_podcastYouTube |The Courage to Change PodcastTikTok |@ashleyloebblassingamePodcast Email |podcast@lionrock.lifePodcast Facebook |@thecouragetochangepodcast

On this week's episode of Friend of Jerry, Brandon Novak joins Jersey Jerry to talk about past struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, along with his incredible journey to seven years of Sobriety and his relationship with Bam Margera.

This week on Dopey! Brandon Novak is back in person for the first time and he lays down the dopey! Chronicling insane stories from his incredible memoir, The Streets of Baltimore. There is too much in this episode to ruin it in the description. Let's just say Brandon goes to hell and back and now he is out in the world helping addicts to recover. PLUS emails, voicemails and the time Novak snorted coke off of Bam Margera's dick. And much much more on his triumphant return to Dopey!