545: Sage FINALLY got sober when....Story of inspiration and hope
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In this powerful and emotional episode, we sit down with Sage, who shares her journey of trying everything to get clean and sober — from treatment centers across the country to an experience in Mexico involving ibogaine. Despite her desperate efforts, nothing seemed to work. Sage opens up about the moment she cried out to God, asking Him to just let her die — and how that moment of surrender led to real, lasting change. This episode is filled with hope, faith, and raw truth — a must-listen for anyone who has a...
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544: Big Book Study: How It Works: Part 2
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In today’s episode, Erik takes us through the second half of How It Works from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Treatment Prep Guide: SoberLink: Join our Big Book Study! Join our FREE FB Support group!: Download our free guides!: Tom IG: Ben IG: RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/
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543: I Shouldn’t Be Alive... 8 Years Sober: Destiny's Story
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In this episode, we sit down with our friend Destiny, who just celebrated eight years of continuous sobriety! Destiny shares her incredible journey — from the depths of addiction to a life filled with purpose, hope, and service. We talk about what it really takes to stay sober long-term, how her mindset has evolved over the years, and the ways she continues to grow in her recovery. Whether you’re brand new to sobriety or years into the journey, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration. Treatment Prep...
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542: Stop Doubting Yourself: Pastor Todd Mullins: Don't Let Doubt Take You Out
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: DONT LET DOUBT TAKE YOU OUT: Christ Fellowship: https://www.christfellowship.church/ In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Laabs and Pastor Todd Mullins, lead pastor of Christ Fellowship Church here in South Florida. Pastor Todd shares the story behind his new book Don’t Let Doubt Take You Out - and how doubt shows up in our addictions, recovery journeys, and everyday life. We all opened up about our own experiences with self-doubt: how it creeps in, how it can pull us off track, and what it takes to break...
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541: Big Book Study: How It Works Part 1
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In today’s episode, Erik takes us through the first half of How It Works from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is one of the most read and quoted sections in all of AA — but do people really understand what it’s saying? Erik breaks it down line by line, shares how it applied to his own recovery, and calls out some common ways people misinterpret this chapter. If you’ve ever wondered why “rigorous honesty” is so emphasized — or if you’ve gotten hung up on words like “spiritual awakening” —...
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540: Mental Health Medications: Do They Really Work?
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: In this episode, Tom, Ben, and Dr. Tamanini sit down for a real conversation about antidepressants. We break down common questions like: Do they really work? Should people in sobriety take them? Are they overprescribed? Dr. Tambini brings her clinical experience to the table, and we talk openly about what we’ve seen in the addiction and recovery world when it comes to these medications. Whether you’ve taken antidepressants yourself, know someone who has, or are just curious about their role in mental health and...
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539: Why Men’s Mental Health Still Gets Ignored; AA is 90 YEARS OLD
Real Recovery Talk
Do you have a family member/loved one who struggles with addiction?: Treatment Prep Guide: SoberLink: Join our Big Book Study! Join our FREE FB Support group!: Download our free guides!: Tom IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalktom/ Ben IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkben/ RRT IG: https://www.instagram.com/realrecoverytalkpodcast/ In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom Conrad and Benjamin B. discuss the impactful history and personal influence of Alcoholics Anonymous, the significance of Men's Mental Health Month, and their own experiences...
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538: Big Book Study: We Agnostics: Part 2
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: In this episode, we dive deeper into We Agnostics, continuing the conversation around developing a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves. This section of the chapter challenges us to look at our past beliefs—or lack thereof—and how those ideas may have blocked us from getting sober. We break down the spiritual logic laid out in the Big Book, discuss how fear and ego can keep us stuck, and explore what it really means to be open-minded when it comes to spirituality in recovery. Whether you’re new to the steps or revisiting them, this part of...
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537: From Heroin in the Hospital to 8 Years Sober – Josh’s Story of Redemption
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, Tom Conrad, Benjamin B, and their guest, Josh, discuss Josh's eight-year sobriety journey. They dive into topics such as geographical change sparked by divine intervention, how life continues to challenge sobriety, and the significant impact of a spiritual journey. 00:00 Introduction of the Episode and Guests 00:21 Josh's Sobriety Journey and Key Moments 00:58 Sponsor Segment - Soberlink 02:29 Introductions Continued 03:42 Discussion on the Reality of Sobriety 14:31 Josh's Experience in Sober Living 17:42 The Importance of...
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536: He Recovered from a TERRIBLE OPIOID ADDICTION!
Real Recovery Talk
Family Reconnect Waitlist: In this episode, we’re joined by Kevin Lanning, host of The Rise Above Podcast, who shares his powerful story of recovery after nearly a decade of battling opiate addiction. Now with 7½ years clean, Kevin opens up about what it truly took for him to achieve long-term sobriety — from hitting bottom to finding purpose through service and connection. Kevin talks in detail about how working with others has been the driving force behind his recovery and how The Rise Above Podcast has helped him build meaningful relationships, spark honest conversations, and stay...
info_outline“I have a purpose today, and I feel God steps in my life a lot and he was telling me to have courage and be fearless.” -Ira
Today, Ben and I chatted with Ira, who’s a real deal addict. He’s had a ton of health issues like cancer, diabetes, and even facing death as a result of his drug and alcohol addiction. But he managed to turn his life around and now he’s going on two years sober! Listen in as he talks about getting addicted, how he overcame it, and all the people who helped save his life along the way.
Struggling to Find His Place
Growing up in the 70s as half Irish and half Vietnamese, Ira felt like he never fit in anywhere. He went through some verbal and physical abuse at an early age.
In seventh grade at age 13, he picked up his first beer and smoked dope for the first time. By age 15, he was an IV drug user and hooked on cocaine and opiates. Then he dropped out of high school with only a 9th-grade education and eventually became a convicted felon in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.
Years after his father passed away from cirrhosis, Ira turned to heavy drinking. “I drank alcoholically because I was searching for the high from dope and pills or whatever it may be, and I wasn’t getting it.”
This led to frequent illness and hospital visits that did nothing to help his addiction... until a pivotal low point marked the real beginning of his turbulent recovery.
Helping Others in Recovery
After a lot of pain and uncertainty about where his life was headed, Ira has taken up a mantle that not many sober people choose. He shares his story in hopes of helping others recover from their addictions. Through his own experience of 35 years and newfound faith, he meets great people in places like hospitals, treatment centers, and psyche wards. Ira knows the importance of having a supportive person or group on the road to sobriety.
Check out our website, where you can download episodes with helpful information for those in recovery and their families. Share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review!
Show Highlights
[05:26] What made Ira swear off heavy drinking for 13 years
[07:26] How he got high on alcohol and drugs at the same time
[10:49] Frequent hospital visits as an easy way to get a fix
[14:11] Why the substance of choice plays a minor part in addiction overall
[18:46] Ira’s downturn before the turnaround
[29:36] An intervention that led to him getting treatment for his health problems
[40:04] The place and the meeting that ended up saving his life
[46:58] How the last few months of Ira’s life have changed
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