Hard Knox Talks: Your Addiction Podcast

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David Fineday was arrested as police moved in to clear a Saskatoon encampment where roughly 120 people had been living. He says police told him he couldn't be released until the encampment was gone.

On October 8, 2026, authorities cleared the encampment near 20th Street and Avenue K, citing fire hazards, violence, and other public safety concerns.

But for the people living there, the clearing raised another question: where were they supposed to go?

David Fineday, a longtime housing advocate and Sixties Scoop survivor, was one of the encampment's residents and community leaders. He describes how a handful of tents grew into a community, the outreach efforts that supported residents, the problems that existed within the camp, and what happened when police arrived.

Joining us is Michelle MacDonald, a lawyer with CLASSIC Law in Saskatoon, to examine the legal questions surrounding the clearing, including a Charter challenge involving the city's bylaws and the constitutional rights of people experiencing homelessness.

Learn more about Crocus Co-op
https://crocuscooperative.org/

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Doctors told Nathan Cheatwood he needed a new liver or he could have only months to live. Even before reaching that point, he knew alcohol was destroying his health — but knowing wasn't enough to make him stop drinking.

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He robbed more than 20 banks across America while running from the FBI. But after his arrest, Jonathan would face something even more devastating: nine years in prison isolation.

Growing up surrounded by childhood trauma, abuse, addiction, and organized crime, Jonathan's life spiralled into drug trafficking, bank robberies, and a nationwide FBI manhunt. His substance use escalated into opioid addiction, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, paranoia, and hallucinations.

After being sentenced to federal prison, Jonathan spent 16 years incarcerated, including nine years in solitary confinement. He shares how prison violence and prolonged isolation affected his mental health, and how trauma therapy, addiction treatment, and compassionate support helped him begin rebuilding his life.

But recovery wasn't a straight line. Following his release, Jonathan experienced relapse, relationship struggles, and the challenges of rebuilding a life after incarceration.

This is a powerful conversation about addiction recovery, mental health, the criminal justice system, relapse prevention, accountability, and second chances.

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Jordan Atkinson went from organized crime, guns, money and power to meth addiction, homelessness and stealing just to get high.

Then, while isolated in an encampment and reading the Book of Revelation, Jordan says he experienced something that changed the direction of his life.

In this episode, Jordan shares his story of childhood trauma, organized crime, incarceration, losing his son, addiction, relapse, recovery and the Christian faith that now shapes his life.

Today, Jordan and his wife spend their time helping people on the streets of Saskatoon—the same kind of places Jordan once struggled to survive.

Jordan's Email

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 Tia grew up around alcoholism and began drinking young. Years later, doctors told her that her liver was failing and she needed a transplant — but even then, she kept drinking. Tia shares the reality of end-stage liver disease, the transplant that saved her life, and the faith and responsibility that came with getting a second chance. 

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 Courtney grew up with stability, opportunity and plans for her future, but college partying quickly escalated into alcohol dependence, cocaine, meth and eventually IV drug use. After losing custody of her daughter and facing felony charges, she finally committed to recovery and has remained sober since March 3, 2018. 

Check out Courtney's book!

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Janet Tait shares her journey through childhood violence, addiction, losing custody, homelessness, meth-induced psychosis and surviving a brutal stabbing before finding recovery and eventually becoming a registered social worker.

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Biz Nico shares his journey through alcoholism, drug dealing, violence, relapse, a near-fatal fall, faith, and the spiritual experiences that shaped his recovery before leading him to serve people living on Saskatoon’s streets.

Reach out to Biz
[email protected]

Find him on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@officialBizNicoMusic

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Elijah grew up surrounded by addiction, instability and gang life, joining a gang around 10 years old and facing a murder charge at just 13. 

His story would take him through drug dealing, violence, being shot, meth, heroin and fentanyl addiction, homelessness and eventually recovery. After a recent relapse, Elijah joins me newly clean again to talk about where he’s been, what brought him back, and why he still believes recovery works.

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Chastity went from teenage mother to nurse, then watched addiction unravel the life she had built. Xanax and alcohol progressed to opioids, heroin and meth, eventually costing her career and leading her into crime, jail and experiences with demonic presences. 

Today, she’s back in healthcare, treating people with addiction and using the lived experience she once feared would destroy her career to help others recover.

Check out Chastidy's book
https://a.co/d/0eb9Cjcy

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