Addiction Uncovered

What does it really take to heal from addiction? Sometimes, the first step isn't having all the answers. It's finding the courage to stop facing everything alone.

On this special bonus episode of Addiction Uncovered, Jill Nastase is joined by Belle Morey, a Wisconsin substance use counselor in long-term recovery, and Tom Farley, Community Outreach Director for Recovery.com, speaker, and recovery advocate.

Belle opens up about her journey through addiction, unhealthy relationships, domestic violence, and the difficult process of rebuilding her life. After finding her way into recovery, she discovered a purpose in helping others break the patterns that keep them stuck. Today, she uses both her professional training and lived experience to help people find their own path forward.

Tom shares a deeply personal perspective on addiction, grief, and recovery. As the brother of late comedian and actor Chris Farley, Tom spent years telling his brother's story and advocating for addiction awareness. But he eventually realized that sharing Chris's story wasn't enough. He needed to confront his own struggles, embrace vulnerability, and learn how to heal through connection.

Together, Belle and Tom explore why people can become trapped in survival mode, how shame and isolation affect recovery, and why belonging and community can make such a difference.

They also introduce Real Talk Recovery 2026: Progress in the Northwoods, a free community event bringing together people in recovery, families, professionals, and community members for education, lived experience, peer support, and hope.

Because recovery isn't something we have to do alone. And as Tom reminds us, we can't heal in isolation.

About the Guests

Belle Morey — Wisconsin substance use counselor, recovery advocate, author, and founder of Progress Is Progress.

Tom Farley — Community Outreach Director for Recovery.com, speaker, recovery advocate, and brother of the late Chris Farley.

Real Talk Recovery 2026: Progress in the Northwoods
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Lake of the Torches Resort Casino — Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
A free community event for all ages.

Learn More & Connect:
Belle Morey / Progress Is Progress: https://www.progressisprogressllc.com/
Tom Farley / Recovery.com: https://recovery.com/author/tom-farley/
Real Talk Recovery Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/real-talk-recovery-progress-in-the-northwoods-tickets-1993505330106

Addiction Uncovered is hosted by Jill Nastase and brings honest conversations about addiction, mental health, and the many paths to recovery. These are stories of struggle, resilience, connection, and hope.

If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear it.

You are not alone. There is hope, and progress is progress.

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Belle Morey & Tom Farley

01:43 – Belle’s Early Struggles With Addiction & Relationships

08:45 – Tom’s Reason for Sharing His Story

10:00 – When Telling Chris Farley’s Story Wasn’t Enough

12:00 – The Connection Tom Was Searching For

14:00 – Feeling Alone Even When Everyone Is Laughing

16:32 – The Difference Between Being Honest & Being Rigorously Honest

19:41 – Belle’s “Hole in the Chest” Analogy

22:47 – The Opposite of Isolation Is Belonging

25:53 – Introducing Real Talk Recovery

27:07 – How a Small Community Idea Became Something Bigger

32:00 – Creating Space for Families, Professionals & People in Recovery

36:00 – A Community Framework Other Towns Can Recreate

39:32 – Why Rural Communities Have Something Powerful to Offer

44:00 – Progress Is Progress: Closing Thoughts

What happens when addiction takes over your life before you've even had a chance to figure out who you are?

For Andy Smith, the journey began at just six years old.

On this deeply emotional episode of Addiction Uncovered, Jill Nastase sits down with Andy to discuss a decades-long struggle with addiction, shame, mental health, and the search for something that could finally make the pain stop.

Andy opens up about growing up around family challenges, discovering alcohol and drugs at an early age, and spending years trying to escape feelings he didn't know how to process. His addiction eventually led to repeated legal troubles, multiple attempts at treatment, and moments when he struggled to see a way forward.

But this isn't just a story about how far addiction can take someone.

It's a story about finding your way back.

Andy shares how shame and isolation shaped his life, why he struggled to trust himself and others, and how recovery required him to confront some of the most painful parts of his past. He also discusses the role faith, support, accountability, and small steps played in helping him build a different future.

His message is especially powerful for anyone who has ever felt defined by their worst decisions: you don't have to be perfect to change, and you don't have to do it alone.

And then there's an unexpected chapter in Andy's journey: Brilliant Baklava!

From the darkest parts of his addiction to the life he's building today, Andy's story is a reminder that recovery can open doors to new dreams, meaningful connections, and opportunities to give back.

Andy doesn't claim to have everything figured out. He describes recovery as an ongoing process—one that requires daily effort, honesty, and a willingness to keep growing.

Your past may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to be the end of it.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, we hope this conversation reminds you that help is possible, change can happen, and you don't have to face the journey alone.

💙 Subscribe to Addiction Uncovered for more honest conversations about addiction, recovery, mental health, and hope.

REFERENCES

Brilliant Baklava — Specialty baklava and Andy's entrepreneurial venture:
https://brilliantbaklava.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BrilliantBaklavaOmaha

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brilliantbaklavaomaha

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Andy Smith's Journey: From Addiction to Recovery

02:12 – Family, Divorce & Early Exposure to Addiction

06:25 – Addiction, Mental Health & Losing His Identity

11:52 – Breaking the Cycle of Shame

13:48 – When Addiction Turns Against You

16:36 – Why Fear Alone Couldn't Keep Him Sober

18:09 – Finding Faith, Acceptance & a Different Kind of Love

22:40 – Learning to Connect With People Again

24:36 – The Unexpected Gifts of Sobriety

28:30 – The Hope That Comes From a New Perspective

#AddictionUncovered #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealth

What happens when your brain mistakes a behavior for love, safety, or survival?

Trisha Anderson joins Jill Nastase on Addiction Uncovered for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, attachment, trauma, and the lifelong process of learning how to feel safe within yourself.

Trisha shares how addiction was present in her family long before she understood what addiction was, and how growing up around inconsistent attachment and emotional dysregulation shaped the way she learned to cope. She explains how children don't just listen to what adults tell them—they watch what adults do.

That becomes especially important when Trisha explains the powerful relationship between dopamine and unmet emotional needs.

“Nothing feels like love and safety like dopamine.”

The conversation explores why substances—and other dopamine-seeking behaviors—can temporarily make someone feel connected, confident, accepted, or comfortable in their own body.

Jill and Trisha talk about recovery as a process of learning new ways to regulate, connect, and care for yourself. They discuss different recovery pathways, why people shouldn't judge someone else's route to sobriety, and why support and compassion can be more powerful than criticism.

Instead, she asks us to see the human being underneath the behavior—and to recognize that accountability and compassion can exist at the same time.

But it's also about attachment, trauma, love, safety, self-worth, and learning how to become your own cheerleader.

And it ends with one beautifully simple message:

Love yourself. Love each other.

Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase

Trisha Anderson – Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker & Mental Health Practitioner

References

Hope Collaborative - https://hope-omaha.com/

Debra Wesselmann - https://www.debrawesselmann.com/

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Meet Trisha: When Addiction Starts Before We Realize It

00:02:04 – How Childhood Teaches Us to Cope

00:10:10 – Why Dopamine Can Feel Like Love & Safety

00:14:37 – There Is No One “Right” Way to Recover

00:17:31 – The First 90 Days Can Change Everything

00:23:26 – One Day at a Time: Start With Today

00:26:06 – How to Protect Yourself in Early Recovery

00:29:09 – Addiction Doesn't Make You a Bad Person

00:33:31 – Healing Trauma Through EMDR & AFTT-A

00:36:49 – Love Yourself & Love Each Other

#AddictionUncovered #TraumaRecovery #AddictionAwareness #Sobriety #MentalHealth

In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Ryan Desch, a trauma-informed mental health counselor, Air Force veteran, and person in long-term recovery.

Ryan shares how his addiction escalated quickly in college, leading him to drop out and enter rehab at just 21 years old. What followed was a life-changing journey — from early sobriety to a 10-year career in the U.S. Air Force, and now into the world of mental health counseling.

This episode explores identity, discipline, trauma, and what it truly means to rebuild your life from the ground up.

If you’ve ever wondered what life can look like after addiction — this is it.

References:

Penn State University – https://www.psu.edu

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro

What happens when four people with very different recovery journeys sit down in front of a packed room and simply talk?

That’s exactly what happened in this special live episode of Addiction Uncovered.

Host Jill Nastase brings together Matt Dwyer, Buom Dobuol, Paul Weishapl, and Dr. Nikki Zabik for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, mental health, and the realities of living sober.

The panel tackles the assumptions people make about addiction, why you don't have to “lose everything” before asking for help, and the ways sobriety can bring back something many people don't expect: joy.

They also talk about rebuilding relationships, finding sober hobbies, creating supportive communities, and what family members can do when someone they love is struggling.

Most importantly, the message is simple:

It’s okay to not be okay. You are not alone. And asking for help is a sign of strength.

Recorded live in downtown Omaha, this special Addiction Uncovered conversation brings together lived experience, science, harm reduction, and community to remind us that recovery is possible — and life in sobriety can be incredibly rewarding.

References:

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Welcome to the First Live Addiction Uncovered

00:02:41 – What Do People Get Wrong About Addiction?

00:05:41 – You Don’t Have to Lose Everything

00:07:12 – The Unexpected Joys of Sobriety

00:11:43 – Finding Fun Without Alcohol or Drugs

00:14:18 – Does Alcohol Really Help Anxiety?

00:20:46 – Finding Community & Creating Safe Spaces

00:23:06 – It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

In one of the most powerful episodes of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Holly Porter and her 10-year-old son Malachi to explore how addiction impacts not just individuals — but families.

Holly shares her journey from early substance use to becoming a counselor and business owner, now over 10 years sober. But what makes this episode truly unique is hearing from Malachi — a child growing up in recovery, navigating life with a sober mom and a father who is currently incarcerated due to addiction.

Malachi offers wisdom far beyond his years, speaking openly about loss, resilience, faith, and what it means to grow up surrounded by both addiction and recovery.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, families, and anyone who wants to understand the real impact of addiction across generations.

References:

Main Street Counseling – https://www.mainstreetcounseling.com

Contact: [email protected]

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro

The term “sober curious” is everywhere right now — but what does it actually mean?

In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Casey Davidson breaks down the concept and explains how people can start questioning their relationship with alcohol without labeling themselves or hitting a breaking point.

She joins Jill Nastase to share her journey from daily drinking to sobriety, the “moderation trap” many people get stuck in, and why taking a longer break from alcohol can change everything.

References:

Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase

Hello Someday Podcast – https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/podcast

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro

What happens when someone stops numbing the pain and starts facing it head-on?

In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Buom Dobuol opens up about the real cost of addiction, the mental health struggles he hid from others, and the turning point that led him toward sobriety. He talks with Jill Nastase about answered prayers, giving himself grace, and building healthier routines through faith, community, movement, and service.

Buom’s story is especially powerful because it shows that addiction doesn’t always look the way people expect — and that recovery can become a platform for helping others heal too.

References:

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

Why is addiction so difficult to overcome?

In this special bonus episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase welcomes Dr. Nikki Zabik, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), to explore the neuroscience behind addiction, alcohol, anxiety, and recovery.

Drawing from both her groundbreaking research and her own sobriety journey, Dr. Zabik explains why addiction isn't simply about willpower—it's about how alcohol changes the brain's stress and reward systems over time.

Together, Jill and Dr. Zabik discuss why people continue drinking even when they know the risks, the difference between "browning out" and blacking out, how alcohol rewires anxiety pathways, and why movement, creativity, and connection play such an important role in long-term recovery.

Whether you're in recovery, love someone struggling with addiction, or simply want to understand the science behind substance use, this conversation offers practical insight and genuine hope.

References:

Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase

Dr. Nikki Zabik – Research Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)

Email:
[email protected]

Bluesky:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
https://www.aa.org

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:06 – Why We Keep Using Drugs (The Brain Explained)

00:04:58 – Dr. Nikki's Personal Sobriety Journey

00:09:42 – Browning Out vs. Blacking Out

00:14:56 – Why Knowing the Risks Isn't Enough

00:19:18 – The Science Behind Alcohol & Anxiety

00:25:01 – Three Healthy Ways to Rewire Your Brain

00:29:34 – Recovery Is About Intention, Not Perfection

00:32:08 – Advice for Anyone Struggling with Addiction

Recovery isn't just about putting down the bottle—it's about becoming the person the people you love deserve.

In this special bonus episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with Matt Dwyer, who shares his powerful journey from growing up in an alcoholic family to finding lasting sobriety after decades of struggle.

Matt opens up about beginning to drink at just 11 years old, chasing success while secretly battling addiction, and finally reaching the point where he realized alcohol was keeping him from being the father he wanted to be.

Today, Matt says the greatest gift sobriety has given him isn't career success or personal achievements—it's the opportunity to wake up every day and be fully present for his children.

This conversation is an honest reminder that recovery doesn't just change one life—it changes entire families.

References:

Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase

Matt Dwyer – Recovery Advocate

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
https://www.aa.org

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:06 – Growing Up in an Alcoholic Family

00:03:22 – Why Alcohol Felt Like the Answer

00:06:07 – Two Treatments... But Still Not Ready

00:09:47 – Chasing Success While Hiding Addiction

00:14:48 – Becoming the Father My Kids Deserved

00:18:12 – The Hardest Part of Early Sobriety

00:20:35 – Why Connection Beats Addiction

00:24:41 – Breaking the Family Cycle

00:27:20 – Matt's Advice for Anyone Struggling