The Hopeaholics

The Hopeaholics

Welcome to the Hopeaholics Podcast, where we tackle addiction and mental illness through sharing real life experiences, honesty and hope! Hosted by Chad Carlsen, who knows firsthand the destruction that these issues can cause, we're here to offer listeners a much-needed source of inspiration and understanding that will carry them through tough times. Through powerful, honest, and unfiltered interviews, The Hopeaholics provides a beacon of hope for listeners facing similar issues, banishing stigma in the process. If you're looking for an authentic podcast that'll motivate you to overcome hard times and live well, look no further. To get help for yourself or someone you love, call 949-989-6550

Episodes

June 25, 2026 79 mins

In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Ryan Foley shares his powerful story of alcoholism, mental health, surrender, fatherhood, and the unexpected life recovery gave him. Ryan grew up outside of Chicago, went on to attend Cornell University, built a successful career, and eventually worked at companies like Google and Groupon before addiction began taking over his life. For years, he was able to function on the outside while ...

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The 10-Car Crash That Exposed Her Secret Addiction w/ Elisa Saunders | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Elisa Saunders shares an incredibly raw story of addiction, trauma, survival, and the long road to recovery after decades of chaos behind the scenes of both alcoholism and the treatment industry. Elisa spent nearly 30 years drinking while maintaining the image of a functioning profess...

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The Opposite of Addiction Isn’t Sobriety with Stefanos Sifandos | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Stefanos Sifandos joins the show for a deep and thought-provoking conversation about trauma, relationships, addiction, personal growth, and the journey toward true emotional freedom. As an internationally recognized relationship coach, author, and speaker, Stefanos has spent years helpin...

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California’s Failed Addiction Policies Explained with Laurie Davies | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, California Assemblywoman Laurie Davies joins the show for an important conversation about addiction, fentanyl, homelessness, mental health, and the policies shaping recovery across the state. Representing California’s 74th Assembly District, Laurie has become a leading voic...

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The Day He Finally Got Tired of Being Homeless w/ CRASH | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Crash shares the incredible story of how he went from living homeless on the streets of Santa Ana for years to finding recovery, purpose, and a new life in sobriety. After first experimenting with heroin as a teenager, Crash spent more than a decade trapped in addiction, cycling through homelessness, arre...

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The Fentanyl Crisis Is Worse Than You Think w/ Luis Romero | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Luis Romero shares his incredible journey from heroin addiction, gang involvement, and felony charges to becoming a powerful voice in recovery and fentanyl awareness. With over 13 years sober, Luis opens up about the darkest moments of his addiction, the impact of losing his father at a young age, ...

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Losing Everything and Building a Better Life with Dan Sachkowsky | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Dan Sachkowsky shares the life lessons, failures, victories, and wake-up calls that completely transformed his perspective on success, happiness, and purpose. Dan opens up about the heart attack that forced him to reevaluate everything, losing nearly all of his wealth during the 2007 financia...

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HelpUcompli: Raising the Standard in Addiction Treatment Compliance | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Laura Weeks reveals the hidden side of the addiction treatment industry that few people ever see. After losing a close friend to a fentanyl overdose, Laura dedicated her life to helping treatment centers operate ethically, legally, and successfully through her company, HelpUcompli. She sha...

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Inside the Mind of an Addicted Police Officer with Scott Graham | The Hopeaholics Podcast


From corrupt cop to nationally respected interventionist, Scott Graham shares one of the wildest and most powerful recovery stories we’ve ever heard. In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Scott opens up about living a double life as an LA County Sheriff battling addiction, getting arrested while on duty, becoming an exot...

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The Truth About Wealth Most People Never Learn with Bart Zandbergen | The Hopeaholics Podcast

Returning guest Bart Zandbergen joins the Hopeaholics Podcast for a powerful conversation about wealth, discipline, purpose, and what it really takes to build a meaningful life. As a nationally recognized wealth advisor, entrepreneur, and financial educator, Bart has spent decades helping successful families and business owners crea...

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Brad Jensen: Using Heroin While His Mom Drove | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Brad Jensen,  widely known online as “The Sober Bodybuilder,” joins the Hopeaholics Podcast for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, homelessness, recovery, and rebuilding a life from rock bottom. Before becoming a successful fitness coach and helping millions through his content...

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“I HAD NO SAFE PLACE GROWING UP” with Blaire White | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Blaire White opens up about the trauma, addiction, and chaos she experienced growing up in a small rural town surrounded by drugs, family dysfunction, and cult influences. Known for her outspoken commentary, viral YouTube presence, and controversial takes on culture and identity, Blaire shares ...

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Kevin Lanning: A Google Executive's Addiction | The Hopeaholics Podcast (RE-RELEASE)

In this powerful episode of the The Hopeaholics Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Lanning, a former Google executive who shares the raw and deeply personal story of his battle with addiction, the pressures that came with success, and the painful reality of trying to maintain a high-level career while struggling internally. Kevin opens up about...

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RE-RELEASED EPISODE: The Dark Side of Mob Wives w/ Renee Graziano | The Hopeaholics Podcast

This re-released episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast revisits a powerful and unforgettable conversation with Renee Graziano, known for her role on Mob Wives, as she opens up about her life journey with raw honesty and vulnerability while celebrating nine months of sobriety. Renee reflects on growing up in a prominent mob family, naviga...

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RE-RELEASED EPISODE: The Neverending Betrayals w/ Bam Margera & Dannii Marie | The Hopeaholics Podcast


This re-released episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast brings back one of the most talked-about and unforgettable conversations featuring Bam Margera and Dannii Marie, as Bam opens up in a raw and unfiltered way about addiction, betrayal, relationships, and the ongoing battle for sobriety while living in the public eye...

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A Relapse That Started in the Closet with Jessica Wood | The Hopeaholics Podcast 

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Jessica Wood shares her deeply emotional and raw story of addiction, trauma, eating disorders, relapse, and recovery, opening up about growing up under intense pressure, experiencing abuse, and turning to alcohol, cocaine, and heroin at a young age to cope with pain and identity struggles. She ta...

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Robbing a Convenience Store To Fuel An Addiction with Corey Warren | The Hopeaholics Podcast

In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Corey Warren shares his powerful and deeply personal story of addiction, crime, alcohol abuse, and recovery, opening up about growing up around alcoholism, seeking validation through drugs and reckless behavior, and eventually spiraling into heroin, armed robbery, and severe alcohol addicti...

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A Life Built on Lies, Addiction, and Broken Trust with Tony Johnson | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Tony Johnson shares his raw and unfiltered story of addiction, manipulation, crime, prison, and recovery, opening up about growing up with childhood neglect in Seattle, getting shot, chasing money and power through drug dealing, and spiraling into Xanax, pills, and heroin. He speaks ho...

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Arrested Before He Could Unalive Himself with Jaron Lyle | The Hopeaholics Podcast #324


In this episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Jaron Lyle shares his powerful story of addiction, prison, suicide attempts, faith, loss, and redemption, opening up about growing up in Arlington, Texas, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, losing relationships, the death of his younger brother, and the moment his life began to change aft...

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9 Years of Heroin and Meth Addiction with Ashley Moore | The Hopeaholics Podcast


In this emotional episode of the Hopeaholics Podcast, Ashley Moore shares her powerful story of trauma, addiction, motherhood, and recovery. Growing up with deep emotional pain and the loss of her father at a young age, Ashley struggled to cope and began searching for validation and escape, eventually leading to cocaine, heroin, meth, and a ...

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