Jay Mac up in chaos — born to two addicted parents, moving from town to town, finding identity through graffiti, and battling fear and dysfunction from an early age. By high school, he was using cocaine and opiates, and soon after, heroin became his escape.After years lost to addiction, theft, and survival on the streets, Jay rebuilt his life from the ground up. He found sobriety, purpose, and a voice through art, barbering, and recovery work. Now with nine years clean, Jay shares how he went from a broken kid on Section 8 housing to a man leading others through recovery and using creativity as medicine.This conversation goes deep — relapse, redemption, fear, faith, and the discipline it takes to stay free.

👉 Follow Jay Mac: Instagram @the_backstah

If this story moves you, please like, subscribe, and comment — it helps us keep sharing real stories that save lives.

#RiseAbovePodcast #JayMac #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #SobrietyJourney #GraffitiArtist #RecoveryStory #OvercomingAddiction #SoberLife #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryCommunity #CleanAndSober #DrugAddiction #StreetSmart #RiseAbove #SoberMotivation #AddictToAdvocate #BostonStrong #RedemptionStory

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In this raw and honest interview, Riley Whelan opens up about her battle with addiction, multiple relapses, and how she’s found a new life in sobriety.Riley shares about her upbringing, her early exposure to prescription drugs, the spiraling path through college and substance abuse, hitting rock bottom, and the pivotal moments that pushed her toward recovery. She also discusses how she handles ego, vulnerability, and purpose now — especially as a voice helping others.

💬 What you’ll hear:

• Riley’s first memory of addiction and the role of ADHD in her life• How her substance use progressed from prescription misuse to harder drugs

• Her experience with arrests, hiding it from her family, and running away

• The turning point: entering rehab, embracing the recovery community, and doing real work

• What she’s doing differently this time (amends, service, humility)

• How she stays grounded while speaking publicly and helping othersIf you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone. There is hope, and listeners like you have the power to heal and rebuild.

Follow Riley on TikTok: @riwhey_orthehighway

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Brandi Mac is a nurse practitioner, a mother, and a survivor of trauma. Her daughter battled addiction for years—cycling in and out of treatment, relapsing nine times, and nearly losing her life. But what finally saved her wasn’t another rehab.

#AddictionRecovery #RiseAbovePodcast #MotherAndDaughter #TraumaHealing #FamilyAddiction #SobrietyJourney #BrandiMac #RecoveryStories #AddictionAwareness #ParentingThroughAddiction #HealingTrauma #RiseAboveWithKevinLanning #AddictionSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryCommunity

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Ryan Soave joins me on Rise Above to share his powerful story of 17 years in sobriety and the lessons he’s learned as a therapist helping others heal from addiction, trauma, and the human condition.

We dive into:

The fear and courage of sharing your story publicly

Why mental health and addiction exist on a spectrum

The importance of learning to sit with uncomfortable feelings

How childhood experiences shape adult behaviors

Strategies to break patterns, slow down, and live with purpose

Ryan also opens up about his own journey—how sobriety transformed his life, the challenges he still faces, and the tools he uses daily to grow as a father, husband, and leader.

If you or someone you love is struggling, Ryan’s insights will remind you that healing is possible and that every emotion—even pain—can be a gateway to growth.

👉 Subscribe to Rise Above for more stories of resilience and recovery.

👉 Learn more about Ryan and his free course: RyanSoave.com

#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealthAwareness #RiseAbovePodcast #TraumaHealing #SoberLife #RecoveryCommunity #TherapyTools #SitWithFeelings #InspirationDaily

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Michael Zallie’s story is one of unimaginable pain, loss, and redemption. Growing up in Philadelphia, Michael faced tragedy when his sister took her own life—an event that haunted him for decades. That trauma, combined with addiction to alcohol, pills, heroin, and meth, spiraled him into years of chaos: 13 rehabs, jail time, robbing his own family, and suicidal thoughts while climbing skyscrapers in a meth-fueled haze.

But today, Michael is turning his pain into purpose. With nearly a year fully clean and sober, he’s rebuilding his life through recovery, faith, and art. His journey takes us deep into Kensington, Philadelphia’s epicenter of the heroin epidemic, and shows how even in the darkest places, hope can be found.

If you or someone you love is struggling, this story is proof that it’s never too late to rise above.

#HeroinAddiction #MethRecovery #KensingtonPhiladelphia #AddictionRecovery #RiseAbovePodcast #DrugAddictionStories #SobrietyJourney #OvercomingAddiction #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryCommunity

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Josh Wilson’s story is one of extreme highs and devastating lows. A Cocoa Beach surfing prodigy competing alongside legends like Kelly Slater, Josh’s life spiraled into addiction, arrests, and prison sentences. Despite more than 80 failed attempts at sobriety, today he celebrates one full year clean and sober.

In this raw conversation, Josh opens up about:

Growing up surfing at a national level and being sponsored at just 5 years old

The devastating grip of alcohol, cocaine, and opiates that derailed his career

Chaotic years spent in county jails, rehabs, and prison—including violent encounters

Smuggling thousands of pills from Guatemala and running a weed business

The moment of clarity that finally set him on the path to recovery

Rebuilding relationships, spirituality, and finding peace after decades of chaos

Josh’s journey is proof that no matter how many times you fall, it’s never too late to rise again.

👉 If this episode inspires you, please like, comment, and subscribe. Your support helps spread hope to those still struggling.

#AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #PrisonStories #RiseAbovePodcast #DrugAddiction #Sobriety #RecoveryCommunity #Alcoholism #OpiateAddiction #Inspiration #SecondChances

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Nick’s story is one of the most raw and inspiring transformations you’ll ever hear. Once homeless on the streets of Detroit, sleeping in dumpsters and abandoned boats, Nick’s addiction to cocaine, pills, and heroin led him to DUIs, high-speed police chases, jail time, and near-death experiences.But after hitting rock bottom, he found recovery, rebuilt his life, and is now 10 years sober. In this interview, Nick shares:

What it was like growing up with an alcoholic father

His descent into heroin and the chaos of street lifeJail time, overdose scares, and losing his brother

How long-term treatment finally gave him a chance at freedom

The spiritual awakening that changed everything

How he built a new life, got married, went back to school, and found purpose in helping others

This is proof that recovery is possible and that no matter how far gone you feel, you can rise above.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to help us spread the message of hope.

#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RiseAbovePodcast #HeroinAddiction #DrugRecovery #RedemptionStory #Alcoholism #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealth #SoberLife

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Joey Gandee’s story is one of the rawest journeys you’ll ever hear. Growing up in small-town Ohio, Joey had what looked like a “normal” childhood—but addiction does not discriminate. He went from playing varsity sports to selling weed in 9th grade, living in his car while raising his younger brother, and eventually using heroin with his own mother while homeless in a tent by the river.

This episode dives deep into:

His first felony at 18 and years of hustling

The shocking day his mom introduced him to heroin

Walking 14 miles a day just to scoreHitting rock bottom, jail time, and brutal withdrawals

How he finally turned it all around and built a life of recovery

Today, Joey is over 2 years sober, mentoring others, and running

My Recovery Journal to help people fight back against addiction. His story proves that no matter how dark it gets, there is always a way out.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to keep spreading the message of hope.

#RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #FromAddictToAdvocate #SoberLife #AddictionDoesNotDiscriminate #OverdoseAwareness #RecoveryCommunity #HopeAfterAddiction #RiseAbovePodcast

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Bubba Sparxxx (Warren Mathis) opens up like never before about his rise to fame, the dark years of addiction, and his path to recovery.From topping the charts with Ugly and Ms. New Booty to battling alcoholism, opiates, meth, and even suffering a mini-stroke, Bubba’s story is raw, real, and inspiring. In this interview, he shares:

How addiction nearly destroyed his career, health, and relationships

What it was like going from platinum records to rehab and jail

The role sponsors, honesty, and spiritual surrender play in his recovery

Why this time is different — and why his quality of sobriety is stronger than ever

This is a powerful conversation about music, addiction, resilience, and hope.

👉 Join our weekly Rise Above Recovery Meeting: Email me at [email protected]

#BubbaSparxxx #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RiseAbovePodcast #Alcoholism #DrugAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #HipHopCulture #MethAddiction #RiseAbove

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Jennifer Kazilionis sits down with me to share her raw and unfiltered story of addiction, chaos, and ultimately, recovery.From growing up in Portland, Maine, to an abusive relationship, cocaine use, and two DUIs that landed her in jail, Jennifer’s path was filled with self-destruction and pain. With the help of treatment, sober living in Florida, and the guidance of a sponsor, she rebuilt her life and is now celebrating 13 years of sobriety.In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Jennifer opens up about:

Surviving abusive relationships and toxic cycles

How cocaine and alcohol took over her life

The turning point that finally led her into treatmentHer experience in jail and what it taught herThe tools and mindset that have kept her sober for over a decade

This is an honest, eye-opening conversation about addiction, resilience, and the power of recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling, Jennifer’s story proves that it’s never too late to change.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to help us spread stories of hope and transformation.

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