Keepin' It Friel: Conversations on Recovery

Keepin’ It Friel this week is Anna David, a NY Times best-selling author of 8 books, publisher, TV commentator, and recovery advocate.  Anna recently celebrated 19 years clean from drugs and alcohol.  She hit rock bottom after being holed up in her apartment for weeks with her cats, doing cocaine.

Keepin’ it Friel this week is Brandon Novak, a former professional skateboarder and star of the MTV show JackAss. Brandon is coming up on five years sober from alcohol and heroin.  After spending a year in jail, he finally surrendered to his addiction during his 13th rehab.  He now speaks around the country.

Keepin’ it Friel this week is Susan Burton, an activist who’s been called a “modern day Harriet Tubman” for her work helping incarcerated women reintegrate back into society.  Susan knows what prison is like.  She went 6 times herself for drug offenses. She became addicted to drugs after her 5 year old son was struck and killed by a car. Susan now has 22 years sober and Governor Newsom recently pardoned her. She continues to work with her non-profit “A New Way of Life” and recently released a book called “Becoming Ms. Burton”.

Keepin' it Friel this week is British rocker Billy Morrison, the lead guitarist for Billy Idol.  Billy Morrison now has 24 years sober, but before that he was homeless on the streets of Hollywood and hooked on heroin.   After 20 failed rehabs, he finally had a spiritual awakening when he realized no one would be at his funeral.  Billy loves living sober, is a successful artist, and also runs the charity “Above Ground” which raises awareness about mental health issues.

Keepin’ It Friel this week is Sarah Scheper, star of VH1’s “Love & Listings” and an LA power real estate agent. For many years Sarah struggled with alcohol abuse and eating disorders. She finally quit everything after passing out and then waking up in a stranger’s moving car. She is now 9 years sober and hopes her past experiences will help others recover.

Keepin’ it Friel this week is Brandon Lee, a main news anchor in Phoenix, AZ, and the author of “Mascara Boy.”  While Brandon was working as a reporter at KTLA 5 News, he hit rock bottom by overdosing twice in one week on booze, meth and GHB.  He’s now coming up on a decade sober and enjoys spreading a message of hope towards recovery.

Keepin’ It Friel this week is Megan Holiday- a popular DJ on two radio stations: KROQ (Los Angeles) and ALT 105.3 (San Francisco). After getting fired from her job, becoming “high-class” homeless, and entering a psych ward due to her alcohol, cocaine and heroin addiction, Megan finally surrendered on 1/13/16.  She’s coming up on four years clean and loves living sober and helping others in recovery.

Keepin It Friel this week is reality TV star Jason Wahler, from MTV’s “The Hills,” “Laguna Beach” and “Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab.”  Jason has been to more than a dozen rehabs and even attempted suicide.  He’s been honest about his past relapses and is now coming up on a year sober.  In this episode, Jason discusses recovery, and brings on a special guest to discuss tips and rehab options.

Keepin’ it Frielthis week is Amy Dresner, a former stand up comic and author of the book “My Fair Junkie”. It took Amy many years to quit booze, blow, and crystal meth, but she’s now coming up on 7 years sober.

Pat O’Brien proves it’s never too late to quit alcohol and drugs.  The popular host of “CBS Sports”, “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider” started his sobriety journey at 60 years old after his agents and bosses surrounded his bed and forced him to go to rehab. Pat discusses his infamous voicemail that made headlines, and how he would do cocaine in the newsroom. He now has ten years sober and enjoys mentoring others in recovery.