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

&

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.

-In this episode of Pondoff’s Anonymous, Chris Pondoff, Jeff Allen, and new co-host Jakob Miller discuss their return after a long hiatus, reflecting on personal growth and the establishment of the Illinois Recovery Center.

-They delve into the importance of community support, family dynamics in recovery, and the realities of functioning addicts. The conversation highlights the dangers of modern substance use, particularly the prevalence of fentanyl, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive treatment options.

-The hosts share personal experiences and insights into the recovery process, aiming to spread hope and understanding.

-In this conversation, Chris discusses the multifaceted journey of recovery from addiction, emphasizing the importance of willingness, structured programs, humility, and community support. He shares personal experiences and insights on how recovery is not just about abstaining from substances but also about finding joy, healing from grief, and the significance of honesty in the process.

-The conversation culminates in a heartfelt dedication to a lost friend, highlighting the emotional connections formed in recovery.

*RIP Cliff Gilmer. Fly high, brother. And Godspeed. Let us Pray.

_____________________

Illinois Recovery Center: https://illinoisrecoverycenter.com/

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube.

https://www.facebook.com/pondoffsanonymous

https://www.instagram.com/pondoffsanonymous

https://www.youtube.com/@pondoffsanonymous

For Episode 38’s show notes, I’ll leave it to the words from a girl I know…

“We gathered to remember Randy Hoff, a life that ended way too early. I never knew Randy but I know those that love him dearly. It is inspiring to see their commitment to talk about something that has been stigmatized for so long - suicide and mental health. The only way to save lives is to talk about this. Pain is what people are trying to end, unbearable pain, not their lives. We have to keep this conversation going - to bring into the light what has hid in the darkness for way too long. And, if you are one who is suffering unbearable pain right now - reach out. We need you in this world. Let us help you find a way out of the pain.” -Ashley Pondoff

Please tune in to hear from Randy’s mother and daughter as they honor him and continue the conversation on suicide prevention, grief recovery, and how to shatter the stigma surrounding mental health and those that die by suicide.

Stigma…

Man.

F*** stigma.

Let us pray.

-Chris

*I would like to personally dedicate this episode to Weston Randy Hoff, Randy’s nearly two-year-old nephew, who, by no coincidence, is identically equipped with Randy’s bright blue eyes.

Pondoff's Anonymous (Podcast and ZeroProof Journal) cpondoff@pondoffsanonymous.com www.pondoffsanonymous.com IG: @pondoffsanonymous FB: Pondoff's Anonymous YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYAJ-jbjcn5Uct4I5Ifrw Podcast Access: https://linktr.ee/pondoff

On episode 37, Jeff and I sit down and discuss:

-We’re back in the Studio! Thank you, Jesus!

-Jeff took a mental health break. Power to him!

-The Bold and the Beautiful is getting fucking good, man. Sup, Stephy. Sup, Hope.

-I’ve been to a ton of fucking funerals. Had one this past Saturday.

-I’m a bad coach, man. But I know how to delegate.

And.

-F*** six flags.

Let us pray.

-Chris

Chris Pondoff Pondoff's Anonymous (Podcast and ZeroProof Journal) cpondoff@pondoffsanonymous.com www.pondoffsanonymous.com IG: @pondoffsanonymous FB: Pondoff's Anonymous YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYAJ-jbjcn5Uct4I5Ifrw Podcast Access: https://linktr.ee/pondoff

On Episode 36, Jeff and I talk about:

-a two week break -Labor Day -Zillow is the new porn -Chris used to live in a shit hole when he was all drunk.

Sorry for the short and sweet show notes, life is 2020 right now.

But all is well and God is great, mother fuckers!

Enjoy the show, tell your friends, and let us pray!

-CP

Ben Curtis was on LAW & ORDER!

And he came on our shitty, fucking podcast!?!

I should quit now!

For those of you that know me and understand my obsession with L&O, THIS IS MY MOUNTAIN TOP! (The only thing that could top this is having Joey Potter or Hope from The Bold and The Beautiful on.)

Amen! Praise the Lord! And, check-fucking-please!

Haha.

In all seriousness, it was an absolute honor and privilege having Ben on. He has risen, fell, and rose again, and his story shows hope, resilience, and an incredible act of self-realization, self-empowerment, and personal fucking freedom.

Ben saw fame, money, and the lack of what we call a “no guy” lead him down a path to drug use and alcoholism in “the city that never sleeps”, NY, NY.

The more I think about it, had Ben and I ever ran into each other in Manhattan, we could have had one hell of a time. Not that Manhattan fits the proverbial “small world” cliché, but a guy that gets thrown into jail because he was all fucked up buying weed on a bicycle while free-ballin’ in a Scottish kilt would definitely be a guy that I could have partied with back in the day.

Maybe it’s a good thing that God kept us from bumping into each other after all.

Haha.

Make sure you tune into this one, guys, and hear Ben, Jeff, and I have great conversation about overcoming addiction and listen as Ben gives amazing tips about how to fucking love yourself.

Oh, and even if you are not a diehard L&O’er, you still may recognize Ben...

Yep, he is “Steve the Dell Guy” from the infamous DELL commercials back in the 2000’s!

Thanks for always listening, guys!

And, Ben, thank you again, brother! I’ve repeated one of your quotes daily since we recorded and don’t plan on stopping soon…

“What we don’t resist, will persist.”

Amen.

Let us pray.

-Chris

*Ben Curtis is now a Personal Freedom and Performance Coach and is helping countless folks realize their worth and fight their demons. Check out his YouTube video below, and if you think he could help you, please do not hesitate to reach out! Also, please follow him on Instagram and look for him on Facebook.

Ben’s IG: @bencurtisofficial

FB: https://www.facebook.com/benbelieves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ZzcjjW7yA

https://www.youtube.com/BenCurtis