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(Encore episode - originally aired November 2025)Gunnar grew up in what looked like the perfect family - until addiction slowly unraveled everything. After his parents fell deeper into their own substance use, his mother disappeared without a word, leaving Gunnar to navigate a childhood suddenly marked by instability and pain.By his teens, he turned to meth and heroin, beginning a long cycle of drug court, jail stays, and surviving on the streets of downtown San Diego. But Gunnar's story didn't end there. Through grit, recovery, and a community that believed in him, he rebuilt his life from the ground up.Now three years sober, Gunnar has graduated college and applied to graduate school with a mission: to advocate for the homeless community he once belonged to and push for real policy change.This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, redemption, and the impact of turning lived experience into purpose.Episode sponsored by Worthy Wellness CenterWorthy Wellness Center is nestled within the charming village of Carlsbad, in North County, San Diego, less than half a mile from the tranquil local beaches. Worthy stands as a sanctuary wholly devoted to nurturing the healing and well-being of those in recovery. Committed to addressing the holistic needs of individuals navigating through life's challenges, whether related to substance abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental and mood disorders, Worthy Wellness Center takes a comprehensive approach to healing the body, mind, and spirit.DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
AI is coming for your job; AI isn't coming for your job. Economist Luis Garicano thinks both camps are asking the wrong question. In Messy Jobs: The Work That AI Cannot Reach, Garicano and co-authors Jin Li and Yanhui Wu argue that all knowledge work varies along a dimension of “messiness”, and that the jobs which survive won't be the ones that are hardest, but the messiest. Bethany McLean and Luigi Zingales press Garicano on where that framework holds and where it breaks. Connect with us:
The vibes are officially back at Chelsea. A 3-2 opening day win over Fulham delivered everything a season opener should — Joao Pedro on the scoresheet after just 32 seconds, Cole Palmer looking like the player everyone fell in love with, and Morgan Rogers marking his Chelsea debut with a goal that immediately justified the record fee. Simon and Manny are buzzing, and rightly so.The hosts break down a hugely encouraging first look at Xabi Alonso's Chelsea, singling out Maxence Lacroix for particular praise after a superb debut that delivered both a brilliant assist and the kind of composed, no-nonsense defending this back line has been crying out for. If that is the standard, Chelsea have found something special.But it was not all perfect. Three points cannot paper over a shaky display from Robert Sanchez, and Simon and Manny ask the question that will not go away — do Chelsea need a new goalkeeper? Is Sanchez the single biggest obstacle standing between this squad and a genuine title challenge? It is an honest and uncomfortable conversation that needs to be had before the window closes.Speaking of which, the Enzo Fernandez saga rumbles into its final week with no resolution in sight. Will he still be a Chelsea player when the window slams shut? Simon and Manny give their verdict, before looking ahead to Luton in the Carabao Cup and a chance for Alonso to build momentum early.
Cherie Ashley was arrested for fraud. Arrested for possession. Caught in a cycle of trying to beat drug tests. Heroin had her convinced there was no way out.14 years later, she's the founder and CEO of Osier Skincare and Wellness. She owns treatment centers. She's a certified interventionist who's helped hundreds of people find the same freedom she found.In this episode, Cherie breaks down the skill she used to survive her addiction and the exact same skill she used to build a business empire in recovery. The hustle that kept her using is the same hustle that built her life back. She didn't have to unlearn it. She had to redirect it.We talk about what it actually takes to go from arrest records to running multiple facilities. Why the traits that make addiction so hard to escape are the same traits that make recovery entrepreneurs so hard to stop. And why Osier exists to put money back into the hands of people just like her.If you've ever felt like your past disqualifies you from your future, this episode will change your mind.Connect with Cheree on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
⏰ LAST CHANCE — Sign up to the CATW Newsletter before WEDNESDAY to claim your FREE Chelsea Fixture Calendar at https://catwpodcast.comThe wait is almost over. Simon and Manny deliver the definitive Chelsea season preview, packed with bold takes, honest predictions, and the kind of unfiltered analysis that only Chelsea Against The World brings. After a summer of upheaval, a new manager, record spending and genuine optimism, it is finally time to put predictions on the record.The hosts open with a review of Chelsea's final pre-season outing — a convincing 3-1 win over Real Sociedad that offered genuine encouragement about where Xabi Alonso has this squad heading into the opening weekend. The shape looked better, the intensity was there, and for the first time this summer Chelsea looked like a team with a clear identity rather than a collection of expensive parts.Then the transfer talk that refuses to go away. Pedro Neto has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and the Enzo Fernandez saga rumbles on with no resolution in sight. Simon and Manny break down both situations, assess what each departure or retention would mean for Alonso's plans, and give their honest predictions on how it all ends before the window slams shut.And then the main event — the predictions. Where do Chelsea finish? What is realistic in the cups? Who wins the Premier League? Who goes down? Golden Boot? First manager sacked? Simon and Manny hold nothing back and put their reputations firmly on the line with takes that will have the comments section on fire before the first whistle even blows.
You've sent in some of your worst date experiences, and we're reading them out. But before that, Jadé has an issue with the way Lachie eats Tuna from a can; dunno if we can get behind this one. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo Bardon Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feeling like a failure right now? Science says that might actually mean you're winning.In this episode, I break down the frog pond effect, a 1966 study that explains why growth feels like falling behind instead of getting ahead. When you level up, your standards change, your environment changes, and suddenly you're comparing yourself to people who are further along than you used to be around. That feeling of not measuring up isn't proof you're failing. It's proof you're in a bigger pond.And here's the part most people miss. Addicts already understand this better than anyone. We know what it feels like to have 30 days in a small meeting and 30 days in a big meeting. Same 30 days. Same objective progress. But that big meeting feels scary to claim, feels smaller, feels like it doesn't count as much even though it's the exact same milestone. We've already lived that gap between what's true and what it feels like. We know how to sit in that discomfort and internalize the win anyway, because we've done it in the rooms.If you've ever felt like giving up right when things started getting hard, this episode is going to change how you see that moment completely.DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
While studying accountancy at university, Pratik became involved in drug dealing, believing it was a shortcut to success. After being convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs, he received a 2-year prison sentence, a period that changed the course of his life. Pratik has written about drug policy, taught financial literacy, and, post-release, has supported people who have left prison. Former COO and now programme lead at Breakthrough CIC, Pratik is now delivering AI courses in prison, helping others prepare for life beyond the gate. Today, we'll talk about identity, entrepreneurship, prison, second chances, and why Pratik believes some of life's greatest strengths can be found behind bars. Organisations: Breakthrough Social Enterprise - Work with people in prison and those affected by the criminal justice system, supporting them to build positive futures and challenge the cycle of reoffending. It focuses on employment, education, mentoring and personal development, helping people move forward with their lives after prison. Employment4All - Our mission is to help individuals in difficulties and those from disadvantaged groups gain skills, access jobs, and have equal opportunities. Contact us:If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
We have such a fun episode for you today. Jadé and I are joined by the hilarious (and handsome) Matty J & Ash Wicks, best known for their podcast 'The Two Doting Dads'. It's a barrel of laughs from the get-go; we dive into how their views of manhood changed once they had children, we talk parenting, relationships, sex, what the worst kids' TV show is, and how pointless baby shoes are. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Follow Two Doting Dads @twodotingdads on Instagram & TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo Bardon Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Matt Handy went from heroin addict to convicted felon to tent-dweller on the streets of downtown San Diego. By choice.Assault with a deadly weapon. Narcotics trafficking. A prostitution extortion ring. Matt did it all, and prison became a revolving door he couldn't escape.In part one, Matt takes us through the chaos: the addiction that ran his life, the crimes that landed him behind bars again and again, and the moment he walked away from every safety net he had left.This is not a redemption story yet. This is the bottom before the climb.Part two drops next week: how Matt built a treatment center, a marriage, and a family from the wreckage.Connect with Matt on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
“Prison was the easiest thing I've ever done in my life.”Today we're joined by Lilly Lewis. The first time we met Lilly, she told us that compared to everything else she'd been though, her time in prison was the 'easiest thing she'd ever done.' Since the last time we met her, Lilly's achieved so much. She's continued rebuilding her life, become a passionate advocate for women with lived experience, influenced policy and systems change, and launched her own organisation supporting women after trauma and prison.We're so happy to have her back and find out a bit more about what life looks like now.Useful Organisations: One Small Thing - An organisation with a vision of a justice system that can recognise, understand, and respond to trauma. Their mission is to redesign the justice system for women and their children.Contact us:If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
Today is all about hypotheticals. I have come up with a bunch of fake scenarios our children could get themselves into as they grow up, and I'm keen to see how Jadé responds and if we are aligned as parents. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo Bardon Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sunil Kalwani is part of the clinical team at Seasons Malibu. As a craniosacral therapist, his work isn't about fixing people. It's about listening to what the body already knows.Craniosacral therapy works with the subtle rhythms of your nervous system. Sunil believes your body holds everything: every tension, every pattern, every unspoken story. He doesn't see symptoms as problems. He sees them as communication.In this episode we talk about what craniosacral therapy actually is, how the nervous system remembers what the mind forgets, and why the goal was never to solve you. You were never broken to begin with.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Learn more about Sunil KalwaniConnect with Seasons on Instagram DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
Natalie Eva Marie went from college soccer player to WWE superstar to a trap apartment in Sherman Oaks. This episode is her real story, not the highlight reel.She talks about her childhood, the partying that spiraled into multiple DUIs, and the months she spent in jail because of it. Cocaine took over next, and it nearly took everything with it. Her first shot at sobriety gave her three years clean. Then she decided she'd "graduated" AA and walked back out on purpose. That decision cost her three months, gone, holed up in a trap house before she landed at Dr. Drew's center in Pasadena.She got sober in name only. Then WWE called. She landed the audition, got cast on Total Divas, and married the man she thought was forever. From the outside, she had it all.Years into that marriage, she realized she wanted something completely different. An invitation to co-host the Hopeaholics and open her own treatment center brought her to Orange County, and that move became the beginning of the end of her marriage.Natalie gets honest about where she is right now: a woman at a turning point, leaning hard into the program to get through it. This isn't a comeback story wrapped in a bow. It's what actually staying sober looks like when life keeps changing underneath you.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Natalie on InstagramConnect with Seasons on Instagram DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
Chelsea are putting their money where their mouth is under Xabi Alonso, completing the signings of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson in moves that signal a clear and deliberate pivot in transfer strategy — experience, leadership, and character alongside the youth and talent already in the building. After years of signing players for potential and profit, Chelsea are finally signing players for the dressing room. It feels different. It feels right.Simon and Manny open with a full review of Chelsea's first pre-season friendly — a wildly entertaining 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers that tells you very little about defensive solidity but everything about the attacking intent and energy Xabi Alonso is already installing in this squad. Pre-season results mean nothing, but the football was a joy and the hosts cannot help but feel the buzz of a fresh start under a world class manager.Then the episode the Chelsea Against The World audience has been waiting for — the complete squad inventory. Simon and Manny go player by player through the entire Chelsea roster and give their honest, unfiltered verdicts. Who stays? Who goes? Who gets shipped out on loan to develop? Who has played their last game in a Chelsea shirt whether they know it or not? No player is safe from scrutiny and no opinion is held back. From the first team regulars to the forgotten names buried in the squad, this is the definitive CATW guide to what the Xabi Alonso era should look like on paper.This is essential listening for every Chelsea fan heading into what could finally be the most exciting season in years under the most exciting manager in world football.
Tony Supreme talks to Caragh Arthur, founder of Arthur Employment Law, Senior Policy Lead at HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Non-Exec director of the housing CIC Contix, University of Cambridge graduate, and a Churchill Fellow researching the experiences of women in prison.Caragh shares the remarkable journey that took her from childhood trauma, addiction and 16 prison sentences to becoming a business owner, civil servant and Churchill Fellow. She reflects on the people who believed in her when she couldn't believe in herself, the barriers of rebuilding life after prison, and how lived experience has shaped her approach to leadership. She also discusses founding her own employment law consultancy, studying at the University of Cambridge, and why she believes people should never be defined by their past.Useful organisations: BUBIC (Bringing Unity Back Into the Community)- Community-led organisation supporting people affected by crime, substance use and social exclusion through peer support, outreach and recovery services.Narcotics Anonymous (NA)- Peer support meetings for people recovering from drug addiction.Unlock- Independent charity providing information and advice for people with criminal records, including employment, disclosure and DBS checks.Churchill Fellowship- Find out more about Churchill Fellowships and how to apply for funding to research an issue you're passionate about and bring new ideas back to the UK.Contact us: If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
Our producer has well and truly stitched us up today. We have a list of questions that we need to answer about the other person and our relationship. This could either end very badly or very hilariously. We take our revenge at the end of the episode, though, by making our producer provide the "Ask Mum & Dad". LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo Bardon Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Luis Romero didn't just try heroin. He fell in love with it. That love affair started in his teens and followed him straight into adulthood, into gang life, and into four felonies.By the time he was sentenced to five years in prison, Luis thought a behavioral modification program was his way out. It wasn't. He got out, relapsed, and ended up at Freedom Ranch in San Diego, the place that finally gave him a program that stuck.He started over with nothing. Dishwashing shifts. Three years riding the bus because he couldn't afford a car. No shortcuts, just the slow work of rebuilding a life from scratch.Fourteen years later, Luis hosts the Fuck Fentanyl podcast and works at the same Freedom Ranch that gave him his start. This episode is proof that where you begin has nothing to do with where you end up.Connect with Luis on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
In this episode of Cellmate To CEO, Tony Supreme talks to Chris Sylvester. Chris is the founder of Getting Clean, an organisation ‘reducing crime and grime' by supporting people with addiction issues by making and selling soap. Chris also runs LERO Leeds, a lived experience recovery organisation, promoting inclusive recovery. Chris shares the remarkable journey that took him from heroin addiction which began at the age of 12, years of offending and multiple prison sentences, to building an award-winning social enterprise with purpose at its heart. He reflects on the people who helped him turn his life around, the power of recovery, and why meaningful employment and community can play such an important role in helping people rebuild their lives.Tony is the CEO of Soul Surge Wellness & Soul Surge and has lived experience of the criminal justice system himself. In this inspirational series, he talks to other CEOs, leaders and changemakers about their transition from prison to leadership.Useful organisations: Getting Clean- An organisation whose moto is ‘to ensure all addicts in the UK have access to peer-support and employment opportunities.'Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – Peer support meetings for people recovering from drug addiction.LERO Leeds- (Lived Experience Recovery Organisation) - challenging stigma and changing the perception of addiction within societyContact us: If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
Chelsea Against The World is back after the summer break and what a summer it has been. Xabi Alonso is the new Chelsea manager, one of the most exciting and coveted coaching appointments in world football, and Simon and Manny are back together and genuinely optimistic about the future of this football club for the first time in a very long time. After the misery of last season, a new era begins — and it begins with real, tangible reasons for hope.Simon and Manny recap a World Cup that delivered drama, controversy, and moments that will live long in the memory, sharing their experiences, their highlights, and their verdicts on the tournament that dominated the summer. It is the kind of conversation only CATW can deliver — honest, passionate, and completely unfiltered from two fans who lived every moment of it.Then the transfer business. Marc Cucurella departs for Real Madrid in a move that divides opinion, Chelsea smash their transfer record to sign Morgan Rogers in a stunning hijack that ripped the deal right out of Arsenal's hands, and the football world sat up and took notice. Is this the first sign that under Xabi Alonso and a restructured sporting operation, Chelsea are finally making smart, decisive moves rather than expensive, chaotic ones?But the elephant in the room cannot be ignored. Enzo Fernandez. What happens now? His comments last season left a sour taste, his form was inconsistent, and with a new manager installing a new culture and identity at the club, Simon and Manny debate whether there is still a future for Enzo at Stamford Bridge or whether a clean break serves everyone best.
Yes, we know what you're thinking... Our lives are about to get so much more hectic, and we couldn't be more excited. Our beautiful little girl is on the way, and Jadé has found this pregnancy so different from the last two. On top of that, we have also just moved house. We are homeowners for the very first time. A lot is happening, and we're going to give you the debrief on all of it in today's episode. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo Bardon Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
She played Robin Russo on The Secret Life of Alex Mack. Millions of 90s kids knew her face. Nobody knew what was happening behind the scenes.Natanya Ross started using in her teens like a lot of kids in the industry did. Party drugs turned into heroin by her twenties. She had one shot left, an audition for Eight Mile, and she blew it. Showed up high off cocaine and lost her team, her career, everything that took her childhood to build.She ended up living in her car on Skid Row. In and out of treatment more times than she can count. She was there the night someone she loved, a well known name in Hollywood, died of an overdose right in front of her.Now 44 and sober, Natanya works in treatment helping people who are exactly where she used to be. She just launched her own podcast to tell the stories nobody wants to talk about out loud.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Natanya on InstagramConnect with Seasons on Instagram DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
Tony Supreme is back with a brand new series of Cellmate to CEO. Tony is the CEO of Soul Surge Wellness & Soul Surge and has lived experience of the criminal justice system himself. In this inspirational series, he talks to other CEOs, leaders and changemakers about their transition from prison to leadership.In this episode, Tony talks to Carlotta Allum, founder of Stretch, a charity supporting people affected by prison, homelessness, addiction and social exclusion through creativity, digital skills and storytelling. Carlotta is also a qualified teacher, researcher, PhD student and recently elected Green Party councillor.Carlotta shares the extraordinary journey that took her from a detention centre in Los Angeles, where she believed she was facing a ten-year prison sentence, to becoming a charity founder, researcher and elected public representative. She reflects on rebuilding her life after prison, the barriers of living with a criminal record, why lived experience matters, and how storytelling can help people rewrite their futures.Useful organisations: Stretch - Supporting people affected by prison, homelessness, addiction and social exclusion through creativity, culture and digital inclusion.Unlock - Information and advice for people with criminal records, including disclosure, employment and DBS checks.Nacro - Support with employment, housing, education and resettlement after prison.Contact us: If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
Eden Presti wears many hats. Case manager at Seasons Malibu. Brainspotting practitioner. PsyD doctoral student two years out from finishing. But before any of that, she was a young woman trying to figure out why her own brain wouldn't let her rest.In this episode, Eden takes us through her role at Seasons and what brainspotting actually does for trauma and anxiety. Then she gets personal. She walks us through her history with OCD, and it's not the version most people picture. Her symptoms built slowly, then all at once. She saw therapist after therapist. Nobody connected the dots. So she started researching on her own, piecing together a picture of her own mind that the professionals around her kept missing.Things got bad enough that she had to leave school. That's when she landed on her own diagnosis, before any doctor confirmed it. She also talks about leaving a relationship that wasn't serving her, and how untangling that was its own kind of clarity. Medication and therapy came next, but real management came from Eden learning her own patterns better than anyone else could.If you have ever been curious about OCD or wondered about it's larger role in addiction and/or mental health, this episode is for you.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Seasons on Instagram DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
This episode of Chasing Heroin features John Nettles, host of Recovery Refined and a team member at Refine Recovery in LA. Adopted at four days old and raised in St. Louis, John started using young. Weed at 13, blackout drinking by 15, and a benzo prescription at 16 that fueled an addiction lasting well over a decade. He got into the rave and EDM scene, became a DJ, and started a promotion company, all while his drug use kept escalating into cocaine, Xanax, and eventually a move to Chico, CA to grow weed and "start over," which didn't work.He cycled through multiple treatment stints starting at 24, including two trips to Sierra Tucson, each one followed by a relapse. A DUI, other legal trouble, and a series of increasingly dangerous blackouts (including one at his grandmother's house in Rhode Island) finally pushed him to call a sober coach who leveled with him bluntly: he'd never actually been sober, only abstinent. That call led him to Refine Recovery at 29, where, for the first time, treatment stuck. He talks candidly about getting a sponsor, doing the steps, and rebuilding his life from the ground up, plus how he stumbled into working in treatment and later launching his own podcast.He also opens up about finding his birth mother through an AncestryDNA test in his mid twenties, and the surprisingly close relationship they've built since, including meeting his half brother and starting a new family Thanksgiving tradition.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Seasons on Instagram Connect with John on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.com
Tony Supreme is back with a brand new series of Cellmate to CEO. Tony is the CEO of Soul Surge Wellness & Soul Surge and has lived experience of the criminal justice system himself. In this inspirational series, he talks to CEOs, leaders and changemakers about their journey from prison to leadership.In this episode, Tony speaks to Gethin Jones, founder of Unlocking Potential, a training and consultancy organisation working with prisons, probation services and justice organisations across the UK and beyond. He's also leading The Cost of Justice, a campaign challenging public perceptions of prison and rehabilitation.Gethin shares the experiences that shaped his life, from growing up in care and becoming caught in addiction, to receiving 56 offences, 18 convictions and spending eight years in prison. Now, more than 20 years into his own recovery, he's spent his career supporting others, shaping services and influencing change.. Along the way, he reflects on the people who believed in him, the lessons he learned, and how he went from being trapped by the system to helping transform it.Useful organisations: Unlocking Potential- Gethin's organisation, delivering leadership development, training and consultancy across the justice system.Nacro – Support with employment, housing and resettlement after prison.The Care Leaver Covenant & Care Leavers' Association- Information and support for adults with care experience.Change Grow Live (CGL) & The Forward Trust- Support for anyone affected by drugs or alcohol.Contact us: If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
Getting married is the fun part, but after marriage, you're now part of your partner's family for life. For some, it's all smooth sailing, but for others, it's straight up hell on earth. Today, we are reading out some horrendous tales you've sent in about your in-laws from hell. We also have some questions sent in that we are going to answer all about our mental load and capacity as parents. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today's guest on Life After Prison is Jordan Young. Growing up in East London, Jordan found himself chasing money from a young age, a path that eventually led to a prison sentence at just 20 years old. Since then, he's gone on to build successful businesses, work with major names in the music and film industries, and is passionate about helping others see that the skills they already have can be used to create a different future. Useful Organisations: Untapped - Combine fitness coaching with entrepreneurship training for disadvantaged and justice-involved young people. The Kings Trust Enterprise Program - Offers business training, mentoring, and start-up support for young people aged 18–30, including those with criminal records. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Contact us:If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
Elisa Saunders looked like she had it all figured out. A successful teacher, put together, dependable. Nobody saw the drinking that started long before she ever stepped into a classroom, rooted in childhood trauma that set the stage for what came next.For years she functioned. She showed up, she performed, she kept the mask on. Until two DUIs threatened the career she'd built her identity around, and the gap between who she appeared to be and who she actually was became impossible to ignore.Getting sober wasn't the fix she thought it would be. She quit drinking but didn't work a program, and ended up suicidal while dry, proof that just removing the alcohol isn't the same as recovery. It wasn't until she started working the steps that things actually changed.In this episode, Elisa talks about that turning point, and the deeper work that came after: learning to reparent herself and give herself the love she never got as a kid. She now works in treatment, helping others find their way through the same wreckage she climbed out of.This is a conversation about the distance between appearing fine and actually being fine, and what it takes to close that gap for good.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Seasons on Instagram Connect with Elisa on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
Have you even taken out petty revenge on your partner? How low would you go to stick it back to someone? Well, we asked, and you provided some hilarious tales that left our jaws on the floor. But before all of this, I'm having a rant about Facebook Marketplace. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Barbara Jean Carey is a certified hypnotherapist whose private practice spans both Malibu and Seasons Recovery Center, where she works with everyone from NFL players to CEOs using tools like NLP, guided imagery, past-life regression, and hypnosis. She's been featured on Dr. Phil, TLC, Bravo, Discovery, and The History Channel.In this episode, Barbara breaks down something most of us have never considered. The age we are when we experience something determines what level of consciousness we're operating from, and the programming we pick up in childhood doesn't just fade. It runs in the background, quietly directing choices we think we're making freely.We get into what maladaptive programming actually is, how it gets installed when we're young, and more importantly how to recognize it in your own life. Barbara also walks us through exactly how she guides clients through a hypnotherapy session to locate what's holding them back at the subconscious level and replace it with something that actually serves them.If you've ever wondered why you keep repeating the same patterns no matter how hard you try, this one's worth a listen.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Seasons on Instagram Connect with Barbara CareyDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
Today on Life After Prison, Zak is joined by Rory Newton, host of Legacy Chats. Raised in Luton and shaped by early loss and instability, Rory found himself caught between two worlds — trying to move forward while still tied to his past. In his early twenties, that led him down a path he'd tried to avoid, resulting in a prison sentence for intent to supply Class A drugs. But this conversation isn't about the crime — it's about what came after. From prison to rebuilding, setbacks, fatherhood, and finding purpose, Rory is now using his story to challenge others to take accountability and build a better legacy. Organisations: Spark2Life - Committed to preventing youth offending and promoting emotional wellbeing in children and young adults (11–30 years old), particularly those facing exclusion, exploitation, or criminal justice involvement. https://spark2life.co.uk/ XO Bikes (London) - Trains and employ ex-offenders as bicycle mechanics, providing prison-based training and post-release work opportunities to reduce reoffending and support community reintegration. https://xobikes.com/ Samaritans - Provides free, confidential emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope, experiencing distress, or having thoughts of suicide.This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Contact us:If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.
At 8 and 9 years old, Brandon was a fixture on Hollywood sets - a child actor with credits on Bad News Bears and The Courtship of Eddie's Father - and somehow, that was the tame part.What followed was decades of living at full volume. Lead singer of the Dead Kennedys. Smuggling cocaine out of Bali. Shooting acid and landing in a psych ward. A heroin addiction that stretched on for years, fueled by a life that had never once asked him to slow down.The moment that finally cracked him open wasn't a near-death experience or a legal consequence. It was a letter. His wife left it in a hotel room in Santa Barbara. Simple message: get sober, or lose his son.He got sober.Nearly 30 years later, Brandon has surfed the world clean, worked as a sober companion, and spent years as an editor for South Park. He came up in Twelve Step and eventually added Refuge Recovery.to his program.Connect with Brandon on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
We are continuing on with our chat with Emily Musgrove this week, who shares some incredible insights on the indicators for divorce and shares her take on using AI as your therapist. But before that, Jadé has some thoughts on a recent video that has sparked controversy online. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenny Leone didn't plan any of it.She left Canada at 19 with a TV deal and ended up somewhere she never expected. What started as magazine covers became films. What started as a way to cope became a full-blown addiction to benzos, alcohol, and Norcos. And what started in childhood, when she was three years old, set the stage for all of it.Jenny is a former adult film star who has been sober since 2016. In this episode, she talks openly about the sexual abuse she survived from age three to twelve, how substances became her way of managing pain she had no other language for, and how the adult industry didn't create her addiction but absolutely accelerated it.At 27, an assault in Las Vegas became a turning point she couldn't ignore. She stepped back from films after that, continuing to model while slowly distancing herself from that world. When her son was born in 2009, she retired completely. But the addiction didn't retire with her. She continued using for seven more years before finally getting sober in 2016.She had a son. She had a life she wanted to actually be present for. Getting sober wasn't a straight line, but she got there.Jenny now works in treatment, helping people who are sitting in the same darkness she once lived in. She built something real on the other side. This conversation is proof that it's possible.Connect with Jenny on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
Today, we are tackling a topic not spoken about enough. Couples spend so much time preparing for the birth of their first child that they fail to prepare for the permanent life transition that finally hits them weeks after. This can cause major strain on a relationship. Today, we are joined by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Emily Musgrove. She is a Melbourne-based clinical psychologist, author of the book Unstuck, and the resident psychologist on The Imperfects. She has worked in private practice and tertiary settings for over a decade and is known for making psychology accessible, practical, and compassionate. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of High Functioning - an off shoot of the Chasing Heroine podcast, I'm sharing my all-time favorite mindset tool, one that has the power to completely change how you experience everything that happens to you. It's Jack Canfield's E + R = O formula (Event + Response = Outcome), and once you have it, you can't unsee it.The core idea is this: you can't control what happens to you, but your response is where all of your power lives, and that response is what determines your outcome. This means that no matter what life throws at you, you have more control than you think.I walk you through four stories from my own life so you can see exactly how this plays out in real time:The Black Friday sale at my fitness studio, where I turned an objectively great sales day into anxiety and regret purely through my response, and what that cost meMy addiction, which I now see as the best thing that ever happened to me, showing you that even your hardest chapters can be reframed into fuelA collaborator canceling last-minute on a creative project, where choosing my response over my reaction led to a better outcome than I originally plannedA near-relapse at McDonald's in early recovery, where one split-second response decision changed the entire trajectory of my lifeBy the end, you'll be looking back at your own life and spotting every moment you already did this without realizing it, and more importantly, you'll know how to start doing it on purpose.DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
What starts as a story about a kid from Utah with a promising football career ends somewhere nobody saw coming — including Chad himself.Growing up in Utah, Chad was the guy with a future. Athletics, ambition, a clear path forward. Then a knee injury in high school changed everything. What started as pain management turned into something much harder to put down. Weed and ecstasy in high school gave way to pain pills after the injury, and once that door opened, Chad walked through it fast.He dropped out of high school. Got into door to door sales. Found ways to fund a life that was quietly unraveling. The escalating drug use brought escalating problems, including criminal activity that started stacking consequences he couldn't outrun.A move to California was supposed to be the reset. It didn't quite work out that way, but it did lead him to the woman who would become the mother of his child. They moved back to Utah together, and Chad kept trying to get it together. He couldn't. The relationship didn't survive it.And then came the moment that actually broke through.Separation from his daughter.That was the thing that reached him where nothing else could. Chad made the decision to move back to California, and this time something was different. He found lasting sobriety in 2024 and hasn't looked back. Today he works alongside his brother at Sacred Journey Men's Recovery Center, turning everything he lived through into something that helps other men find their way out.Connect with Sacred Journey Treatment Center on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
We have entered the era of AI, and this new era in tech is having an impact on the psychology space, with people and couples using AI platforms like ChatGPT as their personal therapist. What are the implications of this? Is it helping relationships, or is it just an echo chamber for people's feelings and points of view to be biasly validated? LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What starts as an Adderall pill shared in a high school hallway on Long Island doesn't look like the beginning of a story about psychosis. But for McKenna, that's exactly what it was.In this episode, we sit down with McKenna Mangan - soon-to-be mom, wife, entrepreneur, and woman with over three years of sobriety — to trace the long and winding road from her ambitious beginnings to her most devastating lows, and ultimately to a life she never could have imagined for herself.McKenna was doing everything "right." She graduated from Fordham University, landed a coveted finance role on Wall Street, and had every box checked on paper. But underneath the success, what had started as casual Adderall use in high school had quietly grown into a full-blown dependency — one that Wall Street's pressure-cooker culture only accelerated. When the jobs disappeared, McKenna found herself back on Long Island with her addiction running the show, cycling through toxic and abusive relationships, and spiraling further from the woman she once was.The turning point came in the form of a two-month psychosis — a terrifying rock bottom that finally opened the door to real change.Now on the other side, McKenna shares how treatment didn't just save her life — it completely redirected it. Through connections made in recovery, she discovered a surprising new career path she never saw coming, one that lights her up in ways Wall Street never did. Today, she's building a business, a marriage, and a family, all rooted in the clarity that only sobriety can bring.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Seasons on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me at chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
Well, this week Jadé and I took 'The Relationship Satisfaction Scale' test by The Reconnection Institute to test our compatibility. No matter what stage your relationship is in, this is an amazing way to start conversations you may find difficult and explore new ways of thinking with your partner. Plus, we check in with Anna McEvoy from the "Where's Your Head At?" podcast on how parenting is going and offer her some (hopefully) useful advice. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dana grew up between New Jersey and New York City with a Vietnam vet father who struggled with heroin addiction. After moving to California, building a career as a celebrity hairstylist, and starting a family, everything fell apart when a back injury led to an opiate prescription. Within months she was buying pills off the street, and eventually that turned into a years-long heroin and meth addiction that cost her her marriage, her career, and nearly her children.In this episode Dana talks about using while pregnant, discovering she was six months along in an emergency room, losing custody of her youngest son to CPS, and spending years cycling through rehabs while still finding ways to get high inside them. She also shares what it took to finally get sober, the three-year legal battle to get her son back, and how she rebuilt her life, her relationships with her kids, and her own business from nothing. Eight years later, she credits her faith as the thing that carried her through all of it.DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
We have arrived home from our first overseas holiday with the family. We spent a week in Bali, and today we are going to talk through all the chaos, what went wrong, whether it was what we expected, and whether we would do it again. Plus, we have huge news!!!!!!! LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you've ever wondered why you can know exactly what's ruining your life and still keep going back to it anyway, this episode may completely change the way you understand addiction, anxiety, trauma, and even your own personality.In this deeply eye-opening conversation, Dr. Q explains that addiction is often not about pleasure or self-destruction at all. It's about survival. More specifically, it's about a nervous system trying desperately to regulate itself.Drawing from her experience working in methadone clinics, her doctoral research, and polyvagal theory, Dr. Q breaks down how different substances can serve different emotional and neurological functions. Why some people are drawn to stimulants like cocaine or meth, why others gravitate toward heroin or alcohol, and why many people cycle between uppers and downers depending on what emotional state they're trying to escape, numb, or control.Most importantly, this episode gives listeners practical, actionable tools to start regulating their nervous system without substances:Dr. Quenicka, better known as “Dr. Q,” is a clinical psychologist specializing in addiction, trauma, emotional resiliency, and nervous system regulation. Born and raised in Indonesia, Dr. Q moved to the United States as a young adult, went on to graduate with honors from UCLA, earned three master's degrees, and received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University.Her research in neuropsychology has been published in multiple academic journals, and her clinical work focuses on helping people heal through self-compassion, empowerment, cultural understanding, and hope. With experience ranging from severe mental illness and brain injury treatment to women's intensive outpatient recovery programs, Dr. Q brings both deep expertise and extraordinary warmth to the conversation.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Seasons on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
Jadé has had a bit of a rough week, so I've decided to cheer her up with a list of hypotheticals. So strap yourselves in for a bit of a silly one. LINKS Follow Jadé on Instagram @jadetunchy and TikTok Follow Lachie on Instagram @lachiebrycki and TikTok Email us at madaboutyou@novapodcasts.com.au Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. CREDITSHosts: Jadé and Lachie BryckiExecutive Producer: Xander CrossManaging Producer: Ricardo BardonDigital Content Producer: Matt Mullholland Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Drew's story sounds less like a straight line and more like a lit fuse. Raised mostly in Utah, what started as early oxy use quickly escalated into heroin, methadone, benzos, and a life built around the chaos of selling drugs. But selling soon bled into something darker: robbing local heroin dealers at gunpoint, high-speed car chases, police raids, and eventually fleeing to California while living fully on the run.In California, the hustle only evolved. Pills moved online through Silk Road, bitcoin fortunes disappeared almost as fast as they came, ketamine entered the picture, and rapid detoxes became desperate attempts to outrun addiction without ever truly surrendering to recovery. Through all of it, Drew lived at full speed until a few serious injuries and and dark moments afterward finally forced him to confront what decades of chaos had cost him.Now sober since 2021, Drew has rebuilt his life from the ashes of addiction and violence. Today, he owns a men's mental health and substance use treatment center Sacred Journey, in San Diego and lives deeply rooted in a program of recovery. In this episode, Drew shares one of the wildest stories we've ever had on the podcast, but underneath the insanity is something even more powerful: proof that even the most self-destructive life can be rebuilt into one centered on purpose, service, and freedom.Connect with Sacred Journey Treatment Center on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
After walking away from football, Dan Brody felt like he had lost the identity that had defined him for years. What started as partying and social connection slowly evolved from alcohol and weed into ecstasy, cocaine, and eventually oxy's. An overdose in his childhood bedroom became the moment that changed everything.In this episode, Dan shares the psychological vacuum that can follow the loss of purpose, structure, and tribe, especially for athletes and high performers. He opens up about why substances initially felt less like escape and more like belonging, and how recovery in Los Angeles helped him rebuild a life rooted in connection instead of chaos.Today, Dan is the SVP of Membership at The Maze, a membership-based social club in Manhattan designed around a radical idea: people deserve meaningful community that doesn't revolve around alcohol. From movie nights and live events to notable speakers and a top-tier culinary program, The Maze is creating a social ecosystem where sobriety feels expansive instead of restrictive.This conversation explores identity loss, addiction, recovery, fatherhood, community, and the growing movement toward substance-free connection in a culture that often confuses drinking with living. It's a story about discovering that the thing many people are actually searching for is not the substance itself, but the feeling of being seen.Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with The Maze on InstagramConnect with Seasons on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
What if the very thing you've been taught to hide is actually your edge?In this episode, we flip the script on addiction and recovery by exploring a counterintuitive idea: addicts often develop strengths that many people never have to learn. One of the biggest? The ability to ask for help. While “normies” can spend years white-knuckling life solo, repeated relapse has a way of humbling us into seeking guidance, mentorship, and connection—and that skill can become a superpower.We unpack the analogy of the golf ball—originally smooth, until its “damage” (those now-famous dimples) made it fly farther and with more control. In the same way, our relapses, mistakes, and perceived failures aren't just scars…they're aerodynamic.This episode is about reframing damage as design, and understanding how the very experiences we wish we could erase are often the ones that make us more coachable, more connected, and ultimately more capable of living a directed, intentional life.DM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!
Dave Marquess grew up inside a reality most people only glimpse in headlines. Raised by a meth cook and heroin addict, his childhood was less about homework and more about survival. By eighth grade, violence had already entered the story. By his teens, he was moving through a world of escorts, hustles, and whatever could be stolen, stripped, and sold. PCP showed up early. Heroin followed. At one point, he even called his own mother to learn how to shoot it.The crash was inevitable. Jail forced a brutal detox and a confrontation with everything he had been outrunning. What came next was not a clean, cinematic turnaround but something more interesting. He started rebuilding from a place he had abandoned long ago: his childhood creativity.Dave tapped back into his artistic instincts and turned them into something functional, designing a game specifically for people in recovery. Not as a gimmick, but as a tool. A way to engage addicts in their own healing using strategy, storytelling, and choice. The same mind that once engineered survival in the streets now builds systems for growth.This conversation moves through trauma, accountability, and the strange alchemy of turning pain into purpose. It is about what happens when someone stops trying to escape their story and instead rewrites the rules of the game entirely.Check out Dave's games hereConnect with Dave on InstagramDM me on InstagramMessage me on FacebookListen AD FREE & workout with me on Patreon Connect with me on TikTokEmail me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!