In this powerful episode of Recovering Out Loud, Mike shares his raw and inspiring journey through addiction, near-death experiences, and the path to recovery. From early childhood substance use to brushes with death, Mike opens up about the pain, chaos, and turning points that led him to sobriety.

We dive deep into his experience with breathwork, meditation, spirituality,, and how these tools helped him transform his life. Mike’s story is proof that no matter how far gone you feel, there is always hope, healing, and a way forward.

👉 If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, this episode will show you that recovery is possible.

JOIN ME ON MY SOCIALS - FREE RECOVERY GUIDE AND COACHING

https://linktr.ee/Recoveringoutloudpod

After serving four years in prison, Emily O’Brien didn’t just rebuild her life—she built a brand. Comeback Snacks is now in over 1,500 stores, but the story behind it is about much more than popcorn. It’s about resilience, accountability, and using your past to fuel your future. In this episode, Emily shares her path from addiction to entrepreneurship, and why she believes everyone deserves a second chance.

After being sentenced to a four-year jail term, Emily set out on the mission to transform herself and make her time in jail as meaningful as possible. Having fostered an entrepreneurial career before her sentence, Emily developed the idea for Comeback Snacks to create mouth watering popcorn flavours, inspired by her experience of it being the perfect social snack to bring her and her fellow inmates together, and make the most of a tough time.

Aware of the hardships of being incarcerated, Emily is driven to help remove the stigma surrounding people with prior convictions, as well as connect them with opportunities for reintegration through training, empowerment and education.

Mary’s story will shake you — and give you hope.From losing her mother at just four years old, to growing up in an orphanage, and facing childhood trauma and abuse from her father, to falling into the grip of alcohol and cocaine… Mary knows darkness. She’s felt the hopelessness of relapse, the shame of rock bottom, and the fight it takes to claw your way back.

Now, with 26 years of sobriety, Mary is living proof that you can build a life you don’t need to escape from. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, she reveals:

• ​The exact moment she dropped to her knees and begged God to help her
• ​Childhood trauma and abuse
• ​The hard truth about why relapse happens — and how to prevent it
• ​The fine line between enabling and truly supporting a loved one
• ​Why service work might be the secret weapon to staying sober
• ​The tools she still uses every single day to keep her peace

Whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or just need proof that change is possible — Mary’s story will hit you straight in the heart.

MEET Jeff Wenninger

Retired LAPD Lieutenant, Nationally Recognized Law Enforcement Expert, and Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC

With over 33 years in law enforcement—primarily with the LAPD—Jeff Wenninger has seen the best and worst of policing. Rising through the ranks to lieutenant, he led officers through some of the most complex and high-stakes moments in modern law enforcement. Now, as the Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC, Jeff specializes in police use of force investigations, crowd management, school safety, and developing leadership practices that align policing with public trust.

His work isn’t about surface-level “reforms” or political catchphrases like “defunding the police”—it’s about driving the honest conversations that ignite change.

He focuses on leadership accountability, science-based training, and open communication that earns public trust while meeting the challenges of 21st-century policing.

In this episode, Anthony sits down with Jeff Wenninger—retired LAPD sergeant, consultant, and author of On Thin Ice—to discuss the raw realities of law enforcement, mental health, and addiction. Jeff shares how his upbringing shaped his empathy on the job, why culture always outweighs training, and the urgent need to reimagine policing. From personal stories on the front lines during the Rodney King riots to insights on breaking the stigma around mental health in law enforcement, Jeff pulls no punches. Whether you’re interested in mental health, policing, or just want to hear real talk about change, this episode delivers.

Jeffs upcoming book

On Thin Ice

https://jeffwenninger.com/prologue-download/

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Recovering Out Loud podcast!In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we dive deep into what it really takes to break the cycle of addiction—especially when it runs in the family.

Candice opens up about her journey from active addiction to recovery, the pain of watching her daughter struggle, and how both found freedom in their own time.

We explore tough questions like:

• ​What’s the line between enabling and supporting a loved one?
• ​How do you deal with shame that lingers even after you get sober?
• ​Why does recovery sometimes feel harder than addiction?
• ​The impact of trauma, spirituality, and finding real community in sobriety.

Whether you’re struggling, supporting someone who is, or just want an honest look at recovery—this episode is for you.Subscribe, share, and leave a comment if this resonated!

Welcome to recovery rap! Follow Benjamin on instagram @benjamin.Lerner

https://www.instagram.com/benjamin.lerner?igsh=MTB3dm1pNnc1b3d1MQ==

What happens when you take addiction, pain, and trauma—and turn them into art that saves lives? In this episode, I sit down with Benjamin Lerner, better known as the “recovery rapper,” to unpack his raw journey from privileged beginnings and opioid addiction to finding purpose and truth through music.We dive deep: childhood struggles, crashing cars, hitting spiritual—and literal—bottom, and the turning point that kept him alive. Benjamin shares the real story behind his social media rise, how authenticity beats algorithm, and the life-saving power of service, creativity, and honesty in recovery.If you’ve ever felt like the drugs stopped working, or your story didn’t matter, this conversation will remind you: You have a voice. Pick up the phone. Hit post. Don’t quit before the miracle.Subscribe for more real recovery conversations and inspiration.

Heather’s story is one of grit, honesty, and transformation. In this raw and unfiltered episode, she opens up about two years spent homeless on the streets of Toronto, the cycles of relapse and short-lived sobriety, and what it really takes to get—and stay—sober. Heather shares the truth about battling urges, old habits, and the voices in her head, plus how journaling, service to others, and finally letting people in changed everything.

We talk about:

• How addiction is never just about the drugs—and why the cravings for validation, excitement, or escape can be just as hard to fight

• Why relapse isn’t the end, and what real “bottom” actually looks like

• Finding purpose through helping others, and why one act of kindness can change someone’s life

• How to support a loved one without losing yourself

• The reality of being judged (and judging yourself) after addiction—and how to build real gratitude from rock bottom

If you’re struggling or know someone who is, this episode is for you. No matter how far you’ve fallen, hope and healing are always possible. If we can do it, so can you.

In this raw, unfiltered episode of Recovering Out Loud, Kaitlin shares her extraordinary journey through childhood trauma, addiction, sexual abuse, sex work, and human trafficking right here in Canada. From being sent to a wilderness rehab as a teen to surviving multiple assaults, abusive relationships, and manipulation by a trafficker—Kaitlin explains the real meaning of consent, the trauma bond, and how society often fails the most vulnerable.

We dive deep into what it’s actually like to lose yourself in addiction, why people stay in abusive relationships, and the impossible hurdles faced by survivors of human trafficking. Kaitlin’s story is one of unthinkable lows—and incredible resilience. Whether you’re in recovery, know someone struggling, or want to better understand trauma and survival, this episode will change your perspective.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out. You are not alone.

RESOURCES

If you're seeking support or resources related to human trafficking in Canada, here are some key organizations and services available:

• Phone: 1-833-900-1010

• Website: canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca

• Services: Confidential, multilingual, 24/7 support connecting victims and survivors to emergency shelters, law enforcement, and other services. (canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca, Toronto Central Health Line)

• Website: publicsafety.gc.ca

• Resources: Information on human trafficking, support services, and provincial/territorial resources. (Public Safety Canada, Public Safety Canada)

• Website: joysmithfoundation.com

• Focus: Education, intervention, and support for survivors of human trafficking. (joysmithfoundation.com)

• Website: covenanthousetoronto.ca/protectyourkids/

• Focus: Awareness, prevention, and support for youth at risk of sex trafficking. (Covenant House Toronto)

• Website: actalberta.org

• Focus: Coalition of organizations addressing human trafficking in Alberta through awareness and support. (Wikipedia)

• Website: ceasenow.org

• Focus: Support for survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking in Edmonton, Alberta. (Wikipedia)

• Website: protectchildren.ca

• Services: Cybertip.ca for reporting online sexual exploitation of children. (Wikipedia)

If you need assistance connecting with any of these resources or require information specific to your province or territory, feel free to ask.

🇨🇦 Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline🛡️ Public Safety Canada – Human Trafficking Resources🧭 Joy Smith Foundation🏠 Covenant House Toronto – Traffick Stop📍 ACT Alberta🧑‍⚖️ Centre to Empower All Survivors of Exploitation and Trafficking (CEASE)🧒 Canadian Centre for Child Protection