On this episode of the StraitJacket Podcast, I sit down with Pastor Chris Jones, whose story begins with crack at 14 and spirals into decades of addiction, incarceration, and soul-deep pain. He spent years lost in the streets, prisons, and his own brokenness—numbing what hurt and running from anything real. But when he encountered Jesus and surrendered through the program of AA, everything began to shift.

Today, Pastor Chris is more than clean—he’s called. He dedicates his life to serving the homeless, addicts, and those most often forgotten, pouring hope into the places he once felt hopeless. His redemption isn’t just about recovery—it’s about restoration and calling. This is the story of a lost boy who became a man of God, and now walks back into the darkness to lead others into the light.

On this episode of the StraitJacket Podcast, Keta Loren and Jeff Conroy sit down with Viking Barbie for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation about the real work of healing—starting with the nervous system. We explore how trauma reshapes our internal wiring and what it takes to re-regulate after years of chaos. From somatic practices to self-compassion, this episode digs deep into the mind-body connection and how healing is never just in the head—it's in the heart, in the breath, in every moment we choose not to react the way we used to.

We also get raw about the challenge of loving people who are hard to love and navigating behaviors that trigger our deepest wounds. Whether it's setting boundaries with family or confronting our own patterns, this conversation is a reminder that real growth requires facing the uncomfortable. Viking Barbie shares her insights with humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom—and we promise, you’ll feel seen, stretched, and inspired to stay in the fight for your peace.

On this episode of the StraitJacket Podcast, hosts @KetaLoren and Jeff Conroy sit down with Misty, a woman whose story begins in chaos and unfolds into hard-earned clarity. Born to a mother who had her at 15 and was deeply entrenched in addiction, Misty was exposed to drugs, crime, and adult situations before she even had a chance at childhood. She helped raise her younger siblings while still a child herself—learning survival long before stability.

Her own addiction journey began with meth and spiraled into PCP, leading to a trip where she believed she was a mermaid wolf—lost in delusion and pain. But Misty is no longer drowning in that reality. With 14 months of recovery, she's standing in her truth and proud of the woman she’s becoming. Her story is one of generational trauma, deep resilience, and the fight to break free. Tune in for an episode that’s raw, surreal, and fiercely hopeful.

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This week on the StraitJacket Podcast, hosts Keta Loren and Jeff Conroy sit down with Holly Treats, a talented producer and content creator who’s no stranger to the recovery journey. After 10 years of sobriety, Holly had a brief relapse with alcohol—a moment that reminded her how cunning the disease can be. But instead of spiraling, she caught herself quickly and got right back on track.

Now with one year of continuous sobriety, she opens up about the importance of grace, self-awareness, and honesty in long-term recovery. Holly shares how her relapse became a turning point, not a tragedy, and why resilience matters more than perfection. This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn’t about never falling—it’s about always getting back up.

In this episode of the StraitJacket Podcast, hosts Jeff Conroy and Keta Loren sit down with Breezy Knowlan—a powerhouse in the recovery community with 9 years of sobriety under her belt. Breezy shares the raw and real story of her early recovery, including the shock of entering a sober living home only to find that the owner was still actively using. Instead of letting that experience derail her, she used it as fuel. Her response? Creating Taste Recovery—a groundbreaking platform often called "the Yelp for sober livings"—so no one else has to walk blindly into the unknown like she did.

But Breezy didn’t stop there. She’s also the founder of Camp Sober Fest, a yearly retreat-style experience where people in recovery can unplug, reconnect, and find joy in sober community. From overcoming betrayal in early sobriety to becoming a leader who now sets the standard for ethical recovery spaces, Breezy's journey is proof that sometimes the worst experiences plant the seeds for the most powerful transformations. This is an episode about grit, innovation, and turning pain into purpose.

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In this raw and powerful episode of the StraitJacket Podcast, host Keta Loren sits down with Nic, a former professional skateboarder whose life took a dark turn into addiction, homelessness, and repeated psychiatric holds. Growing up in survival mode—living in a car with his mom and navigating the rough streets of the Bay Area—Nic found himself trapped in a cycle of alcohol, cocaine, and Xanax that nearly cost him everything, including his mind. From 5150s to full-blown psychosis, he lost his career, his direction, and his grip on reality. But rock bottom wasn’t the end—it was the beginning.

With 7 ½ years of sobriety under his belt, Nic is now a present, loving, and active father to a 12-year-old daughter he didn’t even know existed until after he got clean. His story is one of gritty redemption, unexpected fatherhood, and the long road of emotional maturity and healing. Today, he’s in therapy, staying committed to his recovery, and rebuilding his life with intention. This episode is a testimony to how the wreckage of the past can still become the foundation for something beautiful. Tune in—you won’t forget this one.

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In this gripping episode of the StraitJacket Podcast, host Keta Loren sits down with Kelson, a woman whose journey through addiction took her beyond rock bottom—she died and had to be brought back to life. Her story isn’t just about overdose or survival; it’s about what happens when you're given a second chance and what it takes to rebuild a life from the ashes. Kelson opens up about the chaos of active addiction, the moment everything went black, and the wake-up call that came in the form of flatlining.

But Kelson didn’t just come back—she came back to life. Now walking in recovery, her story is raw, unfiltered, and deeply human. From death’s doorstep to living with purpose, she reminds us that recovery isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. This is more than a comeback story; it’s a resurrection. If you’ve ever felt too far gone, this episode is your proof that you’re not. Tune in—you’ll feel every word.

In this powerful episode of the StraitJacket Podcast, hosts Keta Loren and Dax sit down with Joy to explore her incredible journey of survival, resilience, and rebirth. Joy grew up in Louisiana, surrounded by love but also marked by profound loss at a young age. One of the most devastating moments of her life was losing her older sister to an overdose, a tragedy that left a deep scar on her heart. Struggling to process her grief, Joy eventually turned to drugs to numb the pain and found herself lost in the world of IV drug use. Her story is an honest, unfiltered look at the spiral of addiction—and the immense strength it takes to fight your way back.

Today, Joy is a true monument to what recovery and healing can look like. With eight years of sobriety, she now works with **Rock to Recovery**, using the power of music and community to help others find their own paths to healing. Her life today is a reflection of perseverance, hope, and transformation, living proof that no matter how far you fall, it’s always possible to rise. Tune in to hear Joy’s inspiring story—one of heartbreak, survival, and the beautiful life she has created against all odds.

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Welcome to the Straitjacket Podcast with your hosts Keta and Dax.  In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with AK, who shares his raw and emotional journey from being born addicted to crack and alcohol to finding a path of healing and recovery. Raised by his grandmother and placed in special education and therapies due to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and early trauma, AK opens up about the unique challenges he faced growing up and how his environment shaped the decisions he made later in life.

AK speaks candidly about the pain of becoming a product of that environment—falling into addiction, battling bipolar disorder, and hitting rock bottom before finding the strength to seek treatment. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and the ongoing fight for mental health and sobriety. This is more than a conversation—it's a testament to survival, growth, and the power of recovery. Tune in to hear AK’s truth and be reminded that no matter where you start, healing is possible.

On this episode of the Straitjacket Podcast, hosts Keta Loren and Jeff Conroy sit down with Ozzy (Jahziel), an incredibly talented musician with a heavy story of addiction, survival, and recovery. Ozzy opens up about getting hooked on triple C’s at just 12 years old, landing in rehab by 14, and spiraling into a heroin addiction that consumed his entire 20s. From psychosis to homelessness, his life became a chaotic blur on the streets—but the story doesn’t end there.

Now celebrating two years of sobriety, Ozzy shares how he clawed his way back from the edge and rediscovered himself through music and healing. His journey is raw, honest, and proof that even in the darkest moments, there’s still a way out. This is one you don’t want to miss.