Strap in, folks—this episode gets raw. Chris, Jeff, and special “guest” (aka their own co-host) Jakob Miller get brutally honest about addiction, recovery, and the wild ride in between. They dive deep into childhood chaos, learning disabilities, and that nagging feeling of being different. No sugarcoating here—just real talk about alcohol, weed, and the slippery slope into harder stuff like heroin.

The guys break down the mind games of addiction: denial, relapse, and the struggle to claw your way back. They go headfirst into fatherhood, how becoming a dad changes everything (or doesn’t, until you’re ready to face your demons), and the role of community in making it out alive. They also tackle the debate around marijuana in recovery—lifeline or slippery slope?

Through all the dark moments, this one is about hope, resilience, and the grind of rebuilding your life. Whether you’re in recovery, love someone who is, or just want to hear a damn good story, this episode brings the heat.

Shoutout to our sponsors:

🔥Illinois Recovery Center –illinoisrecoverycenter.com

🔪Bertarelli Cutlery –bertarellico.com

Pondoff’s Anonymous – Family, Recovery & The Hard Truth with Kevin BuntenPondoff’s Anonymous – Family, Recovery & The Hard Truth with Kevin Bunten

This episode dives deep into theraw, messy, and real side of addiction recovery—because let’s be honest, it’s never just about the addict. The family plays a massive role, and sometimes, they’re just as deep in the chaos as the one struggling.

We sit down withKevin Bunten, aLicensed Clinical Professional Counselor, family therapist at Illinois Recovery Center, and a guy who’s been through the trenches himself. Withover 22 years in the field and his own recovery journey, Kevin brings straight-shooting wisdom on what really helps families and what just makes things worse.

What’s Inside This Episode?

• Why family support can make or break recovery
• The fine line betweenhelping and enabling
• Hard truths aboutintervention, tough love, and when to let go
• Al-Anon & family programs—lifesavers or just another meeting?
• The emotional war zone of loving an addict
• Kevin’s personal journey—from hitting rock bottom to helping others climb out

Kevin’s lived it, studied it, and worked with countless families caught in addiction’s grip. His advice?Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Recovery isn’t easy—it’s brutal, beautiful, and absolutely worth it.

Sponsors That Keep This Show Rolling:

• Illinois Recovery Center – Real help, real recovery .Visit IRC
• Bertarelli Cutlery – The sharpest blades in the game.Check them out

Got thoughts on this episode? Hit us up and let us know what resonated. Stay tuned for moreunfiltered conversations on addiction, recovery, and life’s wild ride.

Brought to you by:

Bertarelli Cutlery

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Illinois Recovery Center

In this episode, hosts Chris, Jakob, and Jeff welcome Nathaniel Carpenter, who shares his journey of recovery from addiction. The conversation explores Nathaniel's early life in Washington, Missouri, the impact of his environment on his choices, and his transition from casual drug use to addiction. The episode highlights the importance of community, support, and the challenges faced in recovery.

Nathaniel opens up about his introduction to opiates after a severe injury, his experiences with childhood trauma, rebellion, and the influence of sports on his life. As he navigates the struggles of addiction—including the consequences of his actions and the difficulties of early recovery—he emphasizes the power of vulnerability and storytelling as tools for healing and hope.

Reflecting on his journey through addiction, fatherhood, and recovery, Nathaniel shares the spiritual awakening he experienced as he confronted his past and the role of divine intervention in his life. He discusses the fear of withdrawal, the importance of community support and 12-step programs, and the pivotal role Vivitrol played in helping him regain control of his life. His story is one of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of faith and support.

Nathaniel also speaks candidly about the challenges of parenting a child with a serious health condition and the strength he found in his recovery journey. He recounts the painful experience of losing custody of his son, the fight to regain it, and the joy of recent milestones in his son's health. He underscores the importance of showing up, the role of faith and hard work in rebuilding his life, and the hope that comes from sharing his story. His journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of transformation after addiction.