In our season finale of the No Matter What Club podcast, Paulo, Anthony, and Mell chat with journalist Sandra Vergara about her journey with sobriety, the pitfalls of using psychedelics therapeutically, and we have a robust discussion on the phrase ‘California Sober’ and the potential harm the lifestyle has done to folks trying to get sober. 

Sandra Vergara is a journalist, tv/digital series host, and mental health coach known for her ability to bridge entertainment with meaningful conversations.

She began her career as a lifestyle correspondent for Yahoo digital, and went on to host for E! Network, working alongside icons like RuPaul.

Most recently, she served as the LA correspondent for PEOPLE’S “The TV Show.”

Sandra is passionate about emotional healing, recovery, and the power of storytelling. Drawing from her own lived experience, she speaks openly about sobriety, self worth, and the journey to reclaim inner peace. Her mission is to hold space for real transformation with honesty and compassion.

Learn more:

No Matter What Recovery: www.nomatterwhatrecovery.com

No Matter What Club podcast: https://nomatterwhatrecovery.com/no-matter-what-club-podcast/

Tags: #mentalhealth #hope #inspiration

In this episode of the No Matter what club podcast, Paulo, Anthony, and Mell welcome , Jessica Steinman, LMFT  to the show. The four of them dive into the discussion of love and sex addiction, what does it mean to be recovering from it, and what are some signs for those who might be struggling. We also discuss how those struggling with chemsex or sexualized drug use may also be affected. 

Jessica is the Chief Clinical Officer for No Matter What Recovery and our favorite LGBTQ+ ally. 

Jessica is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. She works with individual adults, couples, and families.

 Jessica has vast knowledge of many facets of mental health issues – but her passion for addiction has been a focus of hers for over a decade, especially with Sex and Love Addiction and Sexualized Drug Use. 

Jessica trained at The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and she received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. 

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations!

Learn more:

No Matter What Recovery: www.nomatterwhatrecovery.com

No Matter What Club podcast: https://nomatterwhatrecovery.com/no-matter-what-club-podcast/

Tags: #mentalhealth #hope #inspiration

In this episode of the No Matter What Club podcast Paulo and Anthony welcome Kylon Hooks and Daniel Rubin to the studio to chat about recovering in Chicago, navigating being a newcomer to sobriety, establishing a ‘connection’ as the antidote to addiction, and the special sauce in the Chicago recovery community.

As Chicagoans, Kylon and Daniel are long-time mentors in the recovery community, each of them having double digit sobriety, **and** a very special place in Paulo’s personal recovery journey.

Professionally, Kylon is a prominent figure in social work and advocacy, particularly known for his dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ youth in Chicago. His professional and sober journeys reflect a strong commitment to social justice and community service.

Daniel is a nationally acclaimed hair colorist and the Colorist Director at Paul Rehder Salon in Chicago. He is recognized for his exceptional talent and artistic vision, winning numerous awards and accolades. His work is distinguished by its creativity and technical precision, often drawing inspiration from the world of drag and performance art. Daniel takes great pride in being a returning student, while exploring work in the field of substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations!

Learn more:

No Matter What Recovery: www.nomatterwhatrecovery.com

No Matter What Club podcast: https://nomatterwhatrecovery.com/no-matter-what-club-podcast/

Tags: #mentalhealth #hope #inspiration

In this episode of the No Matter What Club Podcast, hosts Paulo, Mell, and Jack welcome bestselling author and recovery expert TJ Woodward to the podcast to discuss TJ’s work in healing the healers; dragging toxic shame through life and what we can learn from our experiences; how to tap into spirituality; and, Mell’s most important people in their life.

TJ Woodward is a bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and revolutionary recovery expert who has helped countless individuals transform their lives through his simple yet profoundly effective teachings.

Recognized as a thought leader in addiction recovery and spiritual awakening, TJ is the creator of The Conscious Recovery Method, a groundbreaking approach that shifts the focus from treating symptoms to healing the root causes of addiction. TJ also recently co-founded San Diego’s first LGBTQ+ outpatient program, Element Q Healing.

Learn more:

No Matter What Recovery: www.nomatterwhatrecovery.com

TJ Woodward: www.tjwoodward.com

Element Q Healing:  www.elementqhealingcenter.com

#mentalhealth #hope #inspiration

On our final Pride month episode of the No Matter What Club, Paulo, Anthony and Jack welcome international drag artist Kendall Gender to the show to talk about the challenges of sharing sobriety with an international streaming audience; how Kendall incorporated sobriety into her and drag and using the platform for good; navigating recovery in the club scene and workplace; and, what drives our musical taste.

Hosts:

Paulo Arranaga-Grayson

Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery

Anthony Arranaga-Grayson

Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery

Jack Moll

Program Director, No Matter What Recovery

Special Guest:

Kendall Gender

Drag Artist

Paulo, Anthony, and Mell host a very special Pride edition of the No Matter What Club podcast, shining the spotlight on Friendly House and its Chief Executive Officer Christina Simos! This week, the group talks about the spiritual practice of expressing joy, and using it to overcome negative feelings; figuring out your journey in life; how to use outrage for good; and, the practice of letting your heart do the talking.

Hosts:

Paulo Arranaga-Grayson

Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery

Anthony Arranaga-Grayson

Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery

Mell McCracken

Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery

Special Guest:

Christina Simos

Chief Executive Officer, Friendly House

In our next Pride edition of the No Matter What Club, Paulo, Mell and Anthony welcome Queer Eye creator David Collins to the studio to chat about being a kid from Ohio; the early beginnings of Queer Eye, and how the show got its name; religion in a small town, as well as what it means in sobriety; family dynamics, and breaking the chains of generational burdens; and the importance of reaching out to the LGBTQ community across the country.

Hosts:

Paulo Arranaga-Grayson

Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery

Mell McCracken

Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery

Special Guest:

David Collins

Producer

The history of HIV/AIDS in the LGBTQ+ community; The convergence of the AIDS and Meth epidemics; the Chemsex crisis, and how people feel compelled to live in the shadows; the repetitive loop in the dating apps; and, how to build impulse control for healthier living in sobriety.

Hosts:

Paulo Arranaga-Grayson

Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery

Mell McCracken

Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery

Special Guest:

David Fawcett, LMFT

Author

Paulo and Mell kick off Season 2 with our friends from Gender Wellness of Los Angeles, Casey and Grace, to discuss the evolution of the LGBTQ+ community and resilience, coming out later in life, the grief process associated with coming out, and defining gender affirming care.

Hosts:

Paulo Arranaga-Grayson

Co-Founder, No Matter What Recovery

Mell McCracken

Executive Director, No Matter What Recovery

Special Guest:

Casey Weitzman, LMFT

President, Gender Wellness of Los Angeles

Grace O’Connor, LMFT

Vice President, Gender Wellness of Los Angeles

In the season finale of the No Matter What Club, Anthony brings Internal Family Systems specialist Adrienne Glasser to the set to talk with Paulo and his brother Stephen about growing up gay, the family dynamics in addiction, and being an ally for the LGBTQ+ community.Hosts:Anthony Arranaga-GraysonCo-founder, No Matter What RecoveryPaulo Arranaga-GraysonCo-Founder, No Matter What RecoverySpecial Guests:Stephen GraysonPaulo’s brother, Martial ArtistAdrienne Glasser LCSW