Primary Purpose with Pej

By Pej Media

Welcome to Primary Purpose with Pej, the podcast where host Pejman "Pej" Alaghamandan dives deep into the moments that define us. Through raw and insightful conversations with entrepreneurs, artist

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153153 ratings

FAQs about Primary Purpose with Pej:

How many episodes does Primary Purpose with Pej have?

The podcast currently has 72 episodes available.

Primary Purpose with Pej episodes:

September 10, 2026 I Lost My Father to Cancer—Then Almost Lost Myself to Heroin
This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Sam Funger about his years-long battle with heroin addiction, severe mental health struggles, and finding lasting sobriety. Sam opens up about feeling suicidal at just 12 years old, undergoing electroconvulsive therapy, living in his mom’s basement with a needle in his arm, and stealing medication from his dying father after his cancer diagnosis drove Sam deeper into addiction. After years of searching for answers that doctors couldn’t provide, Sam ultimately overcame life’s darkest obstacles and rebuilt his life in recovery. This is an honest conversation about addiction, grief, mental health, resilience, and the difficult road to sobriety.CHECK OUT The Foundations To Freedom Youtube! ↓https://www.youtube.com/@FoundationToFreedomTo learn more about Foundations to Freedom visit this link:https://f2f-pej-help.com/YouTubeCall Foundations to Freedom for more information:833-8-Hope4UPej's Links |Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pejinterventions/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PejizCorner/All Links - https://beacons.ai/pejSam Funger's Links |Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sam.funger/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wsamuelfunger/Chapters | Tags in this video ↓#addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #sobrietyjourney #mentalhealth #healing #hope #resilience #personalgrowth #recoverycommunity #inspiration #doctor #education #awareness #addiction #addict #school
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56min
September 03, 2026 The Doctor Who Hid a Heroin & Crack Addiction | Dr. Nicole Labor
This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Dr. Nicole Labor to discuss her powerful journey through addiction, recovery, and sobriety. While pursuing her career in medicine, Dr. Labor battled addiction to heroin and crack before ultimately finding recovery and transforming her experience into a mission to help others. Now known as the “Addiction Assassin,” she uses both her medical expertise and lived experience to challenge the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, educate others about addiction, and show that recovery is possible. Dr. Labor opens up about what addiction really looks like, how it affected her life and career, and how her past ultimately shaped the work she does today.CHECK OUT The Foundations To Freedom Youtube! ↓https://www.youtube.com/@FoundationToFreedomTo learn more about Foundations to Freedom visit this link:https://f2f-pej-help.com/YouTubeCall Foundations to Freedom for more information:833-8-Hope4UPej's Links |Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pejinterventions/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PejizCorner/All Links - https://beacons.ai/pejDr. Nicole Labor's Links |Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theaddictsdoc/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theaddictsdoc/Tags in this video ↓#addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #sobrietyjourney #mentalhealth #healing #hope #resilience #personalgrowth #recoverycommunity #inspiration #doctor #education #awareness #addiction #addict #school
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1h 29min
August 27, 2026 Kristy Edwards: Her Foundation to Freedom From Addiction
Recovery doesn't just mean leaving addiction behind. Sometimes, it's the beginning of an entirely new life.
This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Kristy Edwards, a person in long term recovery whose own journey from addiction to stability, purpose, and freedom ultimately led her to helping others find their way forward. Today, Kristy serves as Outreach Coordinating Manager at Foundations to Freedom, using both her lived experience and professional knowledge to connect individuals and families with the resources, support, and recovery community they need to rebuild their lives.
In this powerful conversation, Kristy opens up about what it really takes to create a life after addiction, rebuild relationships, rediscover your identity, and break through the stigma that can keep people from asking for help. She and Pej explore long term recovery, community, purpose, and the importance of reminding people who feel like they've run out of options that another life is possible. Because sometimes, the struggle that nearly breaks you becomes the foundation for helping someone else find freedom.
Be sure to check out Foundations to Freedom's Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCNCZTbpQ0vH4FwvLh21AbIg
To learn more about Foundation to Freedom visit this link:
https://f2f-pej-help.com/YouTube
Call Foundations to Freedom for more information:
833-8-Hope4U
#AddictionRecovery #Recovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth #Healing #Hope #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #RecoveryCommunity #Inspiration

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51min
August 20, 2026 Ben Culler Breaks Down 7Oh Kratom and Other Modern Day Gas Station Substances
Addiction treatment is supposed to help people build a life beyond addiction, but what happens when the system itself becomes part of the problem? This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with psychologist, addiction specialist, and Recover Clarity founder Ben Culler for a powerful conversation challenging how we understand addiction, treatment, and long term recovery.
After growing up surrounded by substance use and losing loved ones to the opioid epidemic, Ben dedicated his career to understanding why some people recover while others continue to struggle. Drawing from his background in cognitive behavioral psychology, forensic psychology, and substance use disorders, Ben shares his perspective on the science of addiction, the treatment industry's shortcomings, the role of Suboxone and medication, and why recovery can't be approached with a one size fits all model.
Together, Pej and Ben explore what sustainable recovery really looks like, why behavioral change and individualized care matter, and what it takes to move beyond simply surviving addiction toward building a meaningful life. This is a conversation about addiction, psychology, treatment, accountability, wellness, and creating lasting change.
#AddictionRecovery #Recovery #MentalHealth #Sobriety #Healing #Addiction #PersonalGrowth #Wellness #Hope #RecoveryJourney

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57min
August 13, 2026 After Losing Her Son to Addiction, Maggie Fleitman Chose Hope
Some losses change your life forever. But sometimes, even through unimaginable pain, a new purpose can emerge.
This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Maggie Fleitman, a certified grief educator, speaker, and founder of Solace for Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families who have lost a loved one to addiction or mental health challenges. After losing her oldest son, Mitchell, to an accidental overdose in 2010, Maggie faced a grief no parent should ever have to experience. Instead of allowing that loss to define the rest of her life, she transformed her pain into a mission to help other families find hope, compassion, and a path toward healing.
In this deeply moving conversation, Maggie opens up about losing a child to addiction, navigating grief, breaking the stigma surrounding substance use and mental health, and why families need support too. She shares how more than a decade of turning tragedy into service has shaped her understanding of recovery, resilience, and healing. This is a powerful conversation about profound loss, the courage to keep going, and finding purpose even in the darkest moments.
#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Grief #MentalHealth #Healing #Hope #Resilience #Family #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration

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1h 21min
August 06, 2026 Why Are Some People Opposed to the 12-step Community/Process?
Recovery is about more than simply putting down a substance—it's about changing the way you live, think, and connect with others. In this special solo episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej takes a deep dive into the 12 Steps of recovery, breaking down the principles that have helped millions of people rebuild their lives one day at a time.
Throughout the episode, Pej also addresses a common and often controversial topic: why some people are against the 12 Step process. He explores this perspective openly and asks an important question—why is there resistance to something that has helped so many people find recovery and stability? By examining both support and criticism, Pej encourages a more honest and balanced conversation about what the 12 Steps are, what they are not, and why they continue to spark debate in the recovery community.
Whether you're new to recovery, supporting someone you love, or simply curious about the foundation of the 12-Step program, Pej explains each step with honesty, compassion, and practical insight. He explores why the 12 Steps continue to transform lives, how they apply beyond addiction, and why lasting recovery is about far more than abstinence. This episode is an encouraging reminder that healing, growth, and purpose are possible for anyone willing to do the work.
#Recovery #12Steps #Sobriety #Healing #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealth #SelfImprovement #Hope #AddictionRecovery #Transformation

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27min
July 30, 2026 Mark Kerr: The Smashing Machine's Battle with Addiction & Recovery
Behind every champion is a battle the world doesn't always see. This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with MMA legend Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, PRIDE Grand Prix Champion, and one of the pioneers of modern mixed martial arts. Known around the world as "The Smashing Machine," Mark reached the pinnacle of the sport, but behind the victories was a devastating struggle with opioid addiction that nearly cost him everything.
In this powerful conversation, Mark opens up about the pressure of being at the top, the injuries that led to addiction, the reality behind the HBO documentary The Smashing Machine, and the long road to recovery. He also shares his perspective on fatherhood, healing, second chances, and what it truly means to keep fighting long after the spotlight fades. Whether you're a fan of MMA, navigating recovery, or looking for a story of resilience and redemption, this episode is a powerful reminder that even the strongest people sometimes need help—and that it's never too late to reclaim your life.
#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Resilience #Hope #Sobriety #Healing #Motivation #PersonalGrowth #SecondChances

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36min
July 23, 2026 Lillo Brancato Jr.: From A Bronx Tale to Addiction, Prison & Recovery
Fame doesn't make you immune to addiction, and recovery is possible no matter how far you've fallen. This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with actor Lillo Brancato Jr., best known for his unforgettable roles in A Bronx Tale and The Sopranos. Once on the path to Hollywood stardom, Lillo's life took a devastating turn as addiction led him down a road of heroin use, incarceration, and the loss of nearly everything he had worked for.
Today, Lillo's story is no longer defined by his past, but by his commitment to recovery, accountability, and helping others find hope. In this powerful conversation, he opens up about addiction, prison, identity, faith, second chances, and the daily work of rebuilding a meaningful life. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone you love, or simply inspired by stories of resilience and redemption, this episode is a powerful reminder that your past does not have to determine your future.
#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Hope #Sobriety #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Healing #SecondChances #Inspiration

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30min
July 16, 2026 Dr. Kenneth Clark Lost Everything to Addiction—Then Rebuilt His Life
Addiction doesn't discriminate. This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Dr. Kenneth Clark, whose extraordinary journey proves that no matter how successful you are—or how many times you've fallen—it's never too late to rebuild your life. Despite a distinguished career in medicine, higher education, and public service, addiction slowly took everything from him, leading to the loss of his career, finances, family, and hope after a devastating relapse.
After arriving in California for what would become his 18th treatment attempt, Dr. Clark finally found lasting recovery, a supportive community, and a renewed sense of purpose. Today, he dedicates his life to serving underserved communities in South Central Los Angeles while helping others find hope in recovery. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Clark shares hard-earned lessons about addiction, relapse, redemption, and the courage to keep going—even when starting over feels impossible. Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for a story of resilience, this episode is a reminder that your past does not have to define your future.
#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Healing #Hope #Sobriety #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #SelfImprovement

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1h
July 09, 2026 Dre Ramirez Exposes the Dark Side of the Recovery Industry
Recovery is about more than getting sober—it's about rebuilding a life when everything has fallen apart. This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Dre Ramirez to share her remarkable journey from child actor to addiction, homelessness, and ultimately lasting recovery. Behind what once appeared to be a promising life was a painful struggle that led her through treatment centers, the realities of body brokering, and some of the darkest moments of addiction.
Now living in recovery since 2018, Dre has transformed her experience into a life of purpose by helping others navigate the behavioral health system with honesty, compassion, and accountability. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about the recovery industry, resilience, finding hope after hitting rock bottom, and why true healing requires more than simply getting clean. Whether you've been personally affected by addiction or know someone who has, this episode offers a raw, inspiring look at what it truly takes to reclaim your life.
#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Healing #Hope #Sobriety #SelfImprovement #Inspiration #Resilience #PersonalGrowth

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57min

FAQs about Primary Purpose with Pej:

How many episodes does Primary Purpose with Pej have?

The podcast currently has 72 episodes available.

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Primary Purpose with Pej

FAQs about Primary Purpose with Pej:

How many episodes does Primary Purpose with Pej have?

Primary Purpose with Pej episodes:

FAQs about Primary Purpose with Pej:

How many episodes does Primary Purpose with Pej have?

More shows like Primary Purpose with Pej

The Unbroken With Sam Davis