On the Rise with Pete Kuc

JD’s journey didn’t fall apart overnight — and it wasn’t rebuilt overnight either.

Raised in a religious home, JD spent years battling shame, ego, secrecy, and addiction while trying to maintain the appearance of control. Marriage, fatherhood, career — on the outside, things looked intact. On the inside, everything was unraveling.

Financial collapse. Broken trust. Denial. A failed “geographical cure.” And a moment when his family could no longer protect /episode/index/show/7e716eff-0dfd-40f3-9dcc-0a01f1e84a79/id/40163715

What does it really mean to be a man in today’s world?

In this episode, Pete sits down with Ralph Lazzaro for a powerful conversation about faith, marriage, fatherhood, leadership, and living with purpose in a culture that often prioritizes success over character.

Ralph shares how growing up in a strong family shaped his values, why pursuing your spouse daily strengthens a marriage, and how intentional parenting protects and builds confident children. From selling books doo /episode/index/show/7e716eff-0dfd-40f3-9dcc-0a01f1e84a79/id/40163720

Shawnee Whitaker’s life changed in an instant.

After a devastating car accident left him in a 28-day coma, Shawnee woke up to a reality he never expected—his leg had been amputated, his voice was damaged, and his future felt uncertain. Doctors told him he would never surf again.

While lying in a hospital bed, overwhelmed by pain and fear, Shawnee encountered God when a chaplain came to pray with him. In that moment, he asked God to take the pain away—a /episode/index/show/7e716eff-0dfd-40f3-9dcc-0a01f1e84a79/id/40163725

In Part 2 of Dustin’s story, we go deeper into what rock bottom really looked like — and how redemption didn’t come overnight, but it did come.

Dustin shares the moments that forced him to face himself, rebuild trust with his family, and begin the slow, honest work of change. This isn’t a highlight reel — it’s the middle of the story, where real healing begins.

If you’ve ever felt too far gone, this conversation is for you.

What happens when addiction takes everything — family, trust, dignity, and hope?

In this powerful episode of On the Rise with Pete Kuc, Dustin shares his raw and unfiltered journey from being an elementary school teacher to heroin addiction, homelessness, and more than 30 failed attempts at rehab.

Today, Dustin is over five years sober now and has transformed his pain into purpose. He’s now a therapist helping others find recovery, gratitude, and a life free from dru /episode/index/show/7e716eff-0dfd-40f3-9dcc-0a01f1e84a79/id/40163735