Comedian Chad Anderson joins Forrest to talk addiction, drinking, cocaine, mental health, and the slow creep of chaos becoming normal. They get into small-town drinking culture, disappearing for entire weekends, using "I'm young" as an excuse, and the moments that finally forced him to confront how bad things had gotten. It's raw, funny, and packed with real stories about alcohol, cocaine, denial, broken trust, homelessness, terrifying situations, and what it actually takes to rebuild a life after addiction. 🎧 If you've ever minimized your drinking, vanished on people who love you, or told yourself you're "fine" when you're clearly not — this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Meet Chad Anderson 00:56 – "What's Your Problem?" 02:25 – Booze, Then Cocaine, Then Everything 03:49 – Eight Years Clean, Then Weed Comes Back 05:46 – First Time Getting High (Grade Seven) 07:09 – Small-Town Drinking Culture 08:45 – Why Alcohol Gets a Free Pass 09:49 – Being Young as an Excuse 11:58 – Fear of Losing Friends 13:59 – Early Recovery Oversharing 18:37 – Disappearing for Days Became Normal 20:22 – Losing the Relationship That Mattered 23:02 – Crack Apartment & Needle Reality Check 25:55 – Arm Through the Glass Door 42:09 – One Word for Addiction / One for Recovery 55:06 – Advice: get busy and do the work 🎙️ Find Chad Anderson : 🔗 Website: www.chadanderson.net 📸 Instagram: @Chadillmatic Facebook: Chad Anderson

Comedian J.F. Harris joins Forrest to talk addiction, alcohol, sobriety, mental health, and the Christmas Eve spiral that finally forced him to stop drinking. They get into drinking without an off-switch, idolizing the "drunk artist" myth, free hot dogs with every pitcher, and the moment he realized the life he was living wasn't the one he wanted. It's raw, hilarious, and packed with real stories about alcohol, denial, shame, family holidays, rebuilding self-worth, and learning how to show up for life without numbing out. 🎧 If you've ever told yourself "I'll stop tomorrow," romanticized drinking, or wondered if life actually gets better without it — this episode will hit hard and still make you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Reintroducing J.F. Harris 02:10 – "What's Your Problem?" 04:45 – Getting Sober on Christmas Day 07:30 – Drinking Without an Off Switch 10:45 – Free Hot Dogs With Every Pitcher 13:40 – The Hot Bus From Hell 16:20 – CVS Gift Cards & Rock Bottom 19:00 – Lying on the Basement Couch 21:45 – "This Is Not the Life I Want" 25:10 – Why Quitting "For a Bit" Never Works 28:30 – Becoming a Different Person 32:00 – Comedy, Status & Letting Go 36:10 – Food, Weight & Transferring Addictions 41:15 – What People Get Wrong About Addiction 46:30 – Pride, Purpose & Showing Up 52:10 – One Word for Addiction, One for Recovery 🎙️ Find J.F. Harris: 🔗 Website: https://www.jfharris.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejfharris/?hl=en ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-VSmTEtDHNZ1F9ytDTDx1A

Forrest closes out the year with a short solo episode reflecting on gratitude, the holidays, and what addiction can look like when it's left unchecked. He talks honestly about family damage, accountability, compassion, and the devastating consequences that addiction can have — regardless of money, fame, or resources. It's a raw, sincere message about staying vigilant, reaching out, helping others when you can, and remembering that recovery requires ownership, not excuses. 🎧 If the holidays bring up heavy feelings, guilt, fear, or concern about yourself or someone you love, this episode is a grounding reminder that you're not alone — and that action still matters. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Gratitude & Holiday Thanks 02:10 – When Addiction Turns Tragic 04:25 – Final Holiday Message

Dr. Suzette Glasner joins Forrest to break down the science of addiction — why some people get hooked and others don't, what actually happens in the brain during cravings, and how recovery rewires the circuits that chronic use destroys. They dig into genetics, trauma, dopamine, stress pathways, gambling triggers, access, professional athletes, and why the brain can heal more than most people think. It's raw, smart, and packed with real explanations about addiction, cravings, relapse risk, emotional regulation, and why time, behavior change, and biology all work together in recovery. 🎧 If you've ever wondered why you crave, slip, spiral, or struggle — this episode makes the science finally make sense. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 02:25 – Introducing Dr. Suzette Glasner? 04:30 – "What's Your Problem?" 06:35 – Why Scientists Need Better Platforms 07:55 – The Otani Gambling Scandal Pops Up 09:20 – What Actually Happens in the Brain During Addiction 12:30 – Dopamine, Memories & Chasing the First High 14:52 – Early Gambling & Childhood Reinforcement 17:20 – Social Aspect vs. Alone Behavior 19:05 – Is Addiction an Illness or a Choice? 22:40 – Genetics, Trauma & Why Some People Become Addicted 26:30 – Teen Brains, Risk Windows & Early Use 30:05 – Forrest's Childhood Stories (Pot Brownie Edition) 32:45 – Stress Pathways & Why They Increase Vulnerability 38:40 – What Craving Feels Like in the Brain 43:15 – Money, Cash & Gambling Triggers 47:20 – Can the Brain Heal After Addiction? 51:50 – Time, Neural Rewiring & Building New Pathways 55:20 – Dopamine vs. Serotonin (and Why Both Matter) 58:10 – Gambling in the NBA & Athlete Vulnerability 1:04:10 – Treating Gambling for High-Access Populations 1:08:05 – Legalized Sports Betting & Public Health Risks 1:13:10 – Recovery Outcomes & Why There's Real Hope 🎙️ Find Dr. Suzette Glasner: 🔗 Website: https://www.drglasner.com/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drglasner 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drglasner/ 👉 Book : Addiciton : What Everyone Needs To Know

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and comedian Gwen Filosa joins Forrest to talk alcoholism, cocaine, recovery, identity, and the messy, hilarious reality of rebuilding your life when your mind refuses to shut up. They dive into New Orleans drinking culture, addiction in Key West, obsessive thinking, dating disasters, internalized homophobia, and what it actually feels like to stay sober one stubborn day at a time. It's honest, funny, and packed with real stories about booze, coke, self-doubt, relapse thinking, bad decisions, better choices, and the relentless nature of addiction. 🎧 If you're queer, questioning, sober, struggling, or just someone with a brain that won't shut up, this episode will absolutely hit you. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 04:23 – Meet Gwen Filosa 05:09 – "My Only Trigger Is Reality" 06:42 – Why Good Decisions Are Hard 08:31 – Drinking in Key West & New Orleans 10:59 – What Alcohol Really Did for Her 12:37 – Gambling vs Drinking Consequences 14:45 – Hitting Bottom in New Orleans 17:13 – Staying Sober in a Drinking Culture 19:19 – Relationships, Boundaries & Patterns 22:29 – Giving Yourself Credit 24:54 – Being Gay, Identity & Self-Acceptance 33:04 – Dating in Key West 43:29 – Lightning Questions Begin 46:40 – Dumbest Excuses We Tell Ourselves 56:11 – Advice for Anyone Struggling 🎙️ Find Gwen Filosa: 🔗 Substack: https://gwenfilosa.substack.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwenfilosamedia 👉 Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/keywestgwen/

Forrest jumps in for a quick episode to talk about turning 53, holiday overwhelm, and why this time of year brings out every addiction trigger imaginable — drinking, gambling, emotional eating, family pressure, and old habits that sneak back in when you're not paying attention. He breaks down why the holidays hit so hard, how to build an exit plan before things get messy, and why sugar might actually be the most dangerous drug in your house. It's short, honest, and surprisingly funny for an episode about spiraling at Thanksgiving. 🎧 If the holidays crank up your cravings, stress, or self-destruction meter, this one will make you feel seen (and a little less nuts). 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 02:30 – Listener Call: Missed Messages 05:12 – Holiday Triggers: Drinking, Gambling & Overwhelm 08:10 – Thanksgiving Food Spiral & Sugar as a Drug 11:45 – Family Chaos, Pressure & Coping Strategies 14:30 – Dog Training, Anxiety & Removing Yourself 16:55 – Staying Steady Through the Holidays

Comedian Kristin Key joins Forrest to talk alcohol abuse, hidden struggles, recovery, mental health, and the moment she realized she couldn't joke her way out of it anymore. They get into "rock bottoms" that don't look dramatic from the outside, performing while impaired, concealing the truth from friends, and the strange mental gymnastics you do before finally admitting something isn't right. It's raw, funny, and full of real stories about denial, shame spirals, setbacks, and rebuilding a life that doesn't revolve around numbing out or pretending everything's fine. 🎧 If you're trying to cut back, reevaluate your relationship with substances, or just understand how hard honesty can be, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Kristin Key 03:38 Struggles with Alcoholism 05:20 Transitioning to Sobriety 10:40 The Impact of Sobriety on Comedy 15:01 Finding Authenticity in Performance 18:31 Navigating Relationships in Sobriety 22:15 Emotional Rock Bottom and Recovery 32:14 The Journey to Sobriety and Acceptance 33:32 Navigating Relationships and Recovery 35:06 The Impact of COVID-19 on Lives 37:09 Reflections on Addiction and Recovery 45:33 Advice and Insights for Those Struggling 49:05 Introduction and Mental Health Awareness 49:33 Outro 🎙️ Find Kristin Key: 🔗 Website: https://kristinkey.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekristinkey/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kristinkeycomedy 👉 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinkeycomedy 🎧 Podcast: Kristin Knows Blank

Comedian Hannah Veldhoen joins Forrest to talk addiction, drinking, cocaine, recovery, mental health, and the brutally honest moment that pushed her into sobriety. They get into drinking culture, doing drugs to "feel cool," quitting for real, and why honesty is the only thing that actually works. It's raw, funny, and packed with real stories about alcohol, cocaine, relapse, AA, and rebuilding your life without numbing out. 🎧 If you're sober, sober-curious, or stuck in the cycle, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Hannah Veldhoen 04:27 Exploring Mental Health and Comedy 07:32 Addiction: A Personal Journey 13:24 The Allure and Reality of Cocaine 18:44 Romanticizing Addiction and Recovery 22:52 The Deceptive Nature of Alcohol and Wine 24:51 The Sparkling Merlot Obsession 26:30 Drinking Culture in Europe 27:54 Life in Different Cities 29:02 The Party Scene in Australia and Vegas 34:49 Turning Point: The Decision to Quit 38:11 The Journey to Sobriety 41:39 Rebuilding Trust After Addiction 42:52 Encouragement and Support in Recovery 48:19 The Role of Honesty in Recovery 49:08 Music and Addiction: A Personal Connection 54:31 Romanticizing Addiction: The Artist's Struggle 58:18 Confronting the Worst Addictions 01:07:53 Advice for Those Struggling with Addiction 01:11:08 Introduction and Acknowledgments 01:11:29 Mental Health Awareness and Resources 01:11:33 Outro 🎙️ Find Hannah Veldhoen: 🔗 Website: https://www.hannahveldhoen.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahveldhoen ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannahveldhoen 🎧 Podcast: Menty Breaky

This week, Forrest is joined by comedian Justin Foster to dive into the world of relationships and addiction — from how soon to tell someone you're in recovery, to the mental gymnastics of dating while sober. It's a raw, honest, and funny look at the intersection of love, sobriety, and self-awareness — packed with real stories, humor, and insights from two comedians who have seen it all. 🎧 If you've ever wondered how addiction impacts relationships, or just want to laugh through some uncomfortable truths, this episode's for you. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations about addiction, recovery, and mental health — all told through the lens of comedy and real life. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:59 Revisiting Past Experiences and Growth 08:21 Navigating Relationships and Addiction 15:59 Understanding the Addict Brain in Relationships 22:28 Working in Recovery: Bartending and Sobriety 24:55 Navigating Sobriety in Social Settings 25:56 The Journey of Sobriety: Reflections and Milestones 28:46 Letting Go: The Freedom of Rebuilding Life 31:54 Building a Life Beyond Addiction 32:52 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Humor 41:20 Understanding the Depth of Addiction 46:13 Hope and Recovery: A New Perspective 49:16 Helping Others: The Joy of Recovery 52:05 Final Thoughts: Seeking Help and Community 53:37 Acknowledgments 54:07 Mental Health Resources and Support 🎙️ Find Justin Foster: 🔗 Website: https://justincomic.weebly.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejustinfoster/ ▶️ YouTube: @thejustinfoster 🎧 Podcast: Foster The Podcast

Forrest breaks down the wild world of sports gambling — from NBA prop-bet scandals to Chauncey Billups' alleged mob-run poker games — through the lens of someone who lived it. As a former gambling addict, he explains why these scandals make sense, how betting apps are wrecking people, and why celebrities pushing sportsbooks is doing real damage. It's fast, honest, and funny: addiction, prop bets, betting apps, money issues, chasing losses, and the dark side of gambling culture — all in one solo episode. 🎧 If gambling, sports betting, or addiction has touched your life, this episode hits hard. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, mental health, recovery, and real-life chaos. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 04:06 Upcoming Shows and Events 05:57 Gambling in the News 21:13 The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements in Gambling 24:26 The Influence of Celebrity Endorsements in Gambling 30:55 The Unregulated Nature of Online Gambling 36:59 Personal Reflections on Money and Gambling Addiction 46:45 Outro