Get a Grip Podcast

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, host Louis sits down with James Witherspoon, a man who grew up in the tough streets of Detroit and knows firsthand what it feels like to be underestimated. As a kid, James was bullied relentlessly. He never felt like he fit in, never felt like he was enough. But unlike many who struggle early, James didn’t dive into addiction right away. He didn’t start drinking until he was 18… and when he did, he fell in love fast.That love quickly turned toxic. James experimented with other substances, but alcohol always had the tightest grip. No matter how many times he tried to break free, it dragged him back to his knees — again and again. His journey is filled with setbacks, painful lessons, and moments where he wasn’t sure he would survive.But James did more than survive — he transformed. Today, he is the Clinical Director at a treatment facility, helping men and women just like him find hope, healing, and a new life beyond addiction. His story is proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your future and become someone you’re proud of.This episode dives deep into the struggles, the turning points, and the powerful comeback of a man who refused to stay down. James’s honesty and strength make this one of the most uplifting conversations you’ll hear.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

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Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

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In this moving and eye-opening episode, Louis Essig steps into an 8th-grade classroom with one mission — to tell the truth. Not the sugarcoated version, but the real, gritty, and painful truth about drug addiction and how it completely derailed his life.Louis grew up with every opportunity in front of him. He was a bright student, earned good grades, and was active in sports. From the outside, he looked like a kid destined for success — someone who had it all together. But behind the smiles and achievements, Louis began making choices that would slowly unravel everything he once valued. What started as “just trying it once” turned into a full-blown addiction that would steal years of his life, destroy relationships, and leave him homeless on the west side of Columbus, Ohio.Standing in front of these middle school students, Louis doesn’t hold back. He shares the raw details of how addiction doesn’t care who you are — it doesn’t matter where you come from, how smart you are, or what kind of family you grew up in. He talks about the pain, the fear, the hopelessness, and the reality of living every day just trying to survive. But he also shares something else — hope.Today, Louis is using his past to change the future. He travels to schools and communities, speaking directly to young people about the choices that can change everything. He educates them on what can happen when drugs and alcohol become a part of their lives — not just the health risks, but the legal consequences, the felony convictions, and the lifelong challenges that come with those decisions.But more than that, Louis shows that recovery is possible. He’s proof that no matter how far you fall, there’s always a way back. His honesty, emotion, and passion captivate every student in the room, leaving them with a powerful message: one decision can change everything — for better or for worse.This is more than just a talk. It’s a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that addiction doesn’t start in a dark alley — it often starts in a classroom, at a party, or with a friend’s offer. And Louis Essig is here to make sure these kids hear the truth before it’s too late.Watch as Louis turns his pain into purpose, his struggle into strength, and his story into a message that could save lives.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and unforgettable episode, Louis sits down with Josh Nugent, a man whose journey through addiction, chaos, and near-death experiences is as harrowing as it is inspiring. Josh grew up in the gritty streets of Detroit, where instability and addiction were a part of daily life. His father, a hardworking man who fell victim to alcoholism, eventually lost his job, forcing the family to uproot their lives and move to Columbus in search of a new start. But instead of finding stability, Josh found himself spiraling deeper into darkness.

At a young age, he began experimenting with drugs—starting with bath salts and K2, chasing that first high that would quickly turn into an uncontrollable obsession. What began as curiosity soon morphed into addiction, and Josh’s life descended into total chaos.

He tells Louis about the wild, dangerous, and often life-threatening situations that followed—violent fights, dangerous drug deals, and moments where he stared down the barrel of a gun, unsure if he would make it out alive. Every high came with a cost, and every escape led him closer to destruction. The drugs took everything from him—his peace, his safety, his sanity—and yet, somehow, he survived.Josh’s story is one of unimaginable darkness but also unbelievable strength.

Even in his lowest moments, something inside him refused to quit. He talks about the turning points—the moments when he realized that if he didn’t change, he wouldn’t live much longer. The process of getting clean wasn’t easy. It took humility, pain, and the courage to face everything he’d been running from.

Through his recovery, Josh found not just sobriety but purpose. He discovered a calling to help others who were still trapped in the same darkness that almost killed him.Today, Josh Nugent works at a correctional facility, using his past as a powerful tool to reach those who feel hopeless and lost. He connects with inmates and addicts on a level most people never could—because he’s lived it. He knows what it’s like to lose everything, and he knows what it takes to rebuild. His mission is simple but profound: to show others that no matter how far you’ve fallen, redemption is always possible.

Join Louis and Josh for an intense, emotional, and deeply human conversation about addiction, survival, and the fight to reclaim your life. This episode doesn’t shy away from the ugly truths—the chaos of meth addiction, the violence of the streets, and the scars that never fully fade—but it also celebrates the beauty of recovery and the strength it takes to transform pain into purpose. Josh’s story is living proof that no matter where you come from or what you’ve done, it’s never too late to rise.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links:

⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and brutally honest episode, Louis sits down with Brett Wilder, a man whose story of rebellion, addiction, and ultimate redemption is nothing short of extraordinary. Brett opens up about growing up in a deeply religious household with strict, rule-bound parents.

What was meant to guide him instead became the fuel for his rebellion. By the time he turned eighteen, Brett decided to taste the world for himself—and that first encounter with alcohol and weed opened a door he would spend years trying to close. What started as experimentation quickly spiraled into chaos, leading Brett down a dark and destructive path ruled by addiction.It wasn’t long before Brett found himself in the grip of a crippling crack cocaine habit—one that consumed every thought, every dollar, and every piece of dignity he had left.

He describes the desperation with haunting detail: breaking the crack stem and cutting his own lips just to get one more hit, one more moment of escape from the pain that had become his reality. His days blurred together in a haze of hopelessness, self-destruction, and spiritual torment.

The harder he tried to stop, the deeper he sank, until it seemed there was no way out.But Brett’s story didn’t end there. In the midst of his darkness—when he had lost everything—he experienced a moment of divine intervention that would change his life forever. Brett says it was Jesus Christ Himself who reached into his chaos and pulled him out.

That encounter broke the chains of addiction and gave him a new purpose. Today, Brett is an evangelist and revivalist, traveling to share his testimony and help others confront and cast out the demons that hold them captive. He speaks with conviction, passion, and gratitude, knowing firsthand that no one is too far gone to be redeemed.Join Louis and Brett Wilder for an unfiltered conversation about rebellion, addiction, and spiritual awakening.

This episode dives deep into the painful realities of crack addiction and the miraculous transformation that followed. It’s a raw, emotional journey through the lowest valleys of human experience to the highest peaks of faith and freedom—a testament to the power of grace, deliverance, and the strength of a man who refused to let his story end in darkness.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.

Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this gripping and emotional episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Kaytie Adams, a woman whose life has been a rollercoaster of heartbreak, addiction, and redemption. Kaytie’s story begins in childhood, when her mother left her between the ages of four and five — a moment that would shape the rest of her life. Left in the care of her father, a police officer, Kaytie grew up in a home filled with structure and discipline, but also with deep emotional scars from abandonment and confusion.

As she got older, life took a darker turn. What started as a tense custody battle spiraled into emotional turmoil, chaos, and rebellion. Kaytie’s pain found its outlet in addiction, and she began using substances to fill the void left behind by years of instability and loss. Before long, she found herself caught in a world she never imagined — stripping to survive and chasing highs that only dragged her further down.The lifestyle that came with dancing only intensified her addiction.

Nights blurred into mornings, and soon Kaytie was IV-using any drug she could get her hands on. Her world revolved around the next fix, and in the depths of her addiction, she even found herself pushing away the people who mattered most — including her own children. The woman who once dreamed of a normal, loving life was now fighting demons she couldn’t control.But this story doesn’t end there. After years of struggle, heartbreak, and self-destruction, Kaytie made the brave decision to change.

She faced her addiction head-on, endured the pain of withdrawal, and began the long road to recovery. Today, she’s clean, healthy, and living a life she once thought was impossible. She’s reunited with one of her children, building a beautiful, stable, and loving life — one grounded in gratitude, honesty, and hope.In this episode, Kaytie opens up about the reality of her past — the loneliness of childhood, the chaos of addiction, the darkness of the strip club scene, and the strength it took to climb her way back. Her story is a raw and inspiring reminder that no matter how far you fall, redemption is always possible.This conversation is unfiltered, emotional, and real. Louis and Aaron guide Kaytie through her journey with empathy, humor, and insight, revealing not just a story of recovery — but one of rebirth.

If you’ve ever felt lost, hopeless, or trapped by your past, this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

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In this raw, deeply moving episode, host Louis Essig sits down with Dani McManis, a woman whose story challenges everything you think you know about addiction. Dani wasn’t the type to experiment with hard drugs or chase the next high — for most of her life, she stayed far from that world. But somewhere along the way, what started as casual drinking turned into a full-blown battle with alcohol that nearly destroyed everything she loved.Dani’s descent into alcoholism was slow at first — a drink to take the edge off, another to unwind, then a few more to forget. Before long, alcohol became the center of her world, controlling her mind, her choices, and her future. She tried to manage it, to hide it, to justify it — but the truth was, it was breaking her down piece by piece.Then came a moment that changed everything: Dani found out she was pregnant. Filled with love, fear, and hope, she wanted desperately to stop drinking for her unborn child. She entered rehab, determined to turn her life around — but addiction isn’t something that releases its grip easily. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t stop.When her baby was born, the child went through painful withdrawals — an unthinkable reality for any mother. But through strength, faith, and perseverance, something miraculous happened. The baby pulled through, healthy and strong. That moment marked a powerful turning point for Dani — a wake-up call that this life wasn’t over, and that redemption was still possible.Today, Dani is sober, thriving, and part of what she calls a miracle of a family. She’s living proof that no matter how deep the struggle, it’s never too late to fight your way back. Her honesty, humility, and courage to share her truth make this one of the most heartfelt and inspiring conversations we’ve ever had.This episode isn’t just about addiction — it’s about love, motherhood, second chances, and the human spirit’s unshakable will to heal. Dani’s story will make you feel every emotion, from heartbreak to hope, and remind you that even the darkest chapters can lead to the most beautiful new beginnings.If you or someone you love has battled addiction, this is a must-watch. Tune in, listen closely, and remember — miracles do happen.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and emotional episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Katie Szabo from Youngstown, Ohio, whose story is one of unexpected turns, heartbreak, and redemption. Katie grew up never knowing her father, but she was raised by her mother—a brilliant and hardworking woman employed by NASA—who did everything she could to provide her daughter with a stable and loving home. Katie’s childhood and early adult years were filled with normalcy and success. She was a bright student, a dependable friend, and someone who seemed to have her life completely together.For nearly thirty years, everything appeared steady—until one day, a switch flipped. Around the age of 30, Katie met a man she would later marry, and together they set out on what seemed like a dream life. With money from a settlement from a previous job, they traveled the country in an RV, camping along the coasts and chasing adventure from state to state. From the outside, it looked like freedom. But behind the smiles and scenic photos, Katie was struggling. Her life began to spiral into on-and-off sobriety, emotional chaos, and instability that slowly eroded everything she had built.The relationship became increasingly toxic and violent, eventually drawing Katie into the court system. It was there that her world truly came crashing down—she lost custody of her children, a heartbreak that still drives her to this day. Shortly after, she spent a month in jail, where everything finally caught up to her. In that time, away from the noise and destruction, the lightbulb came on. She saw her life for what it had become and realized she had the power to change it.When Katie walked out of jail, she stepped into a new chapter—one defined by recovery, reflection, and rebuilding. Today, she is not only sober, but also fighting to regain custody of her children and to prove every day that transformation is possible. She uses her experience to help others who are still trapped in the cycle of addiction and despair, showing them that recovery isn’t just about getting clean—it’s about finding yourself again.Katie’s story is a raw and inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, redemption, and love. From the open roads of her past to the uphill climb of her present, she continues to fight—with courage, with faith, and with hope. Her journey reminds us all that no matter how far we fall, there’s always a way back, and the fight for what matters most is never over.

🔥 Expect emotion.

Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this powerful and brutally honest episode, Louis sits down with Chris, a man who has endured some of the darkest corners of addiction, incarceration, and survival. Chris opens up about a life that spiraled out of control at an early age—drugs, violence, and a series of bad decisions that ultimately landed him behind bars.From the moment he entered prison, Chris found himself surrounded by the same chaos he thought he’d left on the streets. Drugs were everywhere—pills, Suboxone, K2, and heroin—smuggled in through every imaginable way. What shocked him most wasn’t just the availability, but how deeply addiction had its grip even behind locked doors. He describes watching men trade their meals, their clothes, and sometimes even their dignity just to get high. The gangs ran the flow, guards often turned a blind eye, and getting clean inside felt almost impossible.But for Chris, prison also became the place where he hit his lowest—and began to rebuild. After years of chasing dope and running from himself, he finally reached a breaking point. It was in a small cell, sick from withdrawal and tired of living the same cycle, that he decided something had to change. With time, faith, and sheer determination, Chris began to pull himself out of the darkness.Now, years later, he’s sober, free, and learning to live life on his own terms. He opens up about the mental and emotional toll of incarceration, the temptations that never truly disappear, and what it really takes to start over when society has already written you off.Join Louis and Chris for a raw conversation about the harsh realities of drugs inside prisons, the fight for recovery in a broken system, and the hope that can still be found on the other side of pain. This isn’t just a story about survival—it’s about redemption, resilience, and the power of choosing a different path when the odds are stacked against you.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this raw and unforgettable episode, host Louis sits down with William Shiells from Columbus, Ohio, to hear a story that’s as chaotic as it is inspiring.William grew up with anger boiling inside him. As a kid, he didn’t always know how to channel it—one time smashing his own car windshield with a baseball bat for no reason other than the rage he carried. That anger and recklessness soon bled into substance use. He started with marijuana and mushrooms, but the trouble didn’t stop there. Before long, the law was involved, and William’s life began to spiral.Addiction took hold fast. William overdosed so many times he lost count, waking up again and again to EMTs pulling him back from the brink with Narcan. Each revival wasn’t enough to stop him—only another chance to sink deeper. He was homeless, living out of a car, consumed by the chase for the next high. His desperation was so intense that he escaped multiple institutions, one time climbing a fence topped with razor wire, leaving him cut open and bleeding everywhere—all just to get high again.And yet, somehow, William made it out alive. Today, his story is one of redemption. After finding sobriety, he not only worked in recovery but rose to become the director of a facility helping others climb out of the same darkness. Now, he’s building a new life, working construction, and most importantly, staying clean and sober.This conversation is gritty, honest, and inspiring. William opens up about his past rage, the depths of his addiction, the countless overdoses, and the blood he left on razor wire in the name of drugs. But he also shares the hope, healing, and redemption that define his life today.Don’t miss this powerful episode—subscribe and turn on notifications to hear how William Shiells turned his chaos into clarity, and how he’s proving every day that recovery is possible.

🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links:

⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In this emotional and eye-opening episode, host Louis Essig sits down with Jeremy Garber from Columbus, Ohio—a man whose story reaches from the chaos of the 1980s and 90s into the battles he still fights today.

Jeremy’s life was marked by trauma before he even understood what the word meant. Both of his parents were alcoholics, and when they divorced on Thanksgiving Day—while Jeremy was only 3 years old—the pain of that moment stuck with him forever. His mother remarried another alcoholic, and while the chaos swirled around him, Jeremy went to live with his grandmother. But even there, addiction was never far away. At just six years old, Jeremy was fetching beers for his mom and her friends—and sneaking sips for himself. By the time most kids were learning their ABCs, Jeremy was already becoming an alcoholic without even realizing it.As he grew older, the story only got darker. Weed became part of his teenage years, and soon crack cocaine entered the picture. Crack quickly took everything from him—his stability, his hope, and nearly his life. Yet Jeremy never fully gave up. He managed to put together five solid years of sobriety, proving to himself that a better life was possible.But addiction doesn’t let go easily. After those years sober, Jeremy relapsed, finding himself once again face-to-face with the demons he thought he had beaten. Today, sitting down with Louis, Jeremy is brutally honest about where he’s at—four months sober and once again climbing back on the horse, fighting every single day to win his life back.This conversation is raw, real, and a reminder that recovery isn’t always a straight line. Jeremy’s courage to share not just his victories but also his struggles makes this one of the most important and relatable episodes yet.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.