Friend Request

Justin Lamb has in-depth interviews with interesting people. Friend Request dives deeper than the usual surface banter and tries to create a more meaningful conversation about the individual, tying in commonalities and struggles that are not only extremely relatable, but also fall across the entire spectrum of the human experience.

RE-Request - Katie Mack 06/30/2025

RE-Request - Katie Mack Katie Mack is an actress, award-winning podcast host, and all around bad ass of a person. She discusses her life growing up in Michigan and discovering an outlet in drugs and alcohol at an early age. Katie also talks about how drugs pulled her out of Michigan and into Chicago and how acting pulled her out of drugs. Katie then goes into detail about how she decided to quit drinking and the tragic cause that has driven her to train for an iron man. Check out her award-winning podcast, F*cking Sober, and follow along on Instagram at @mackersNYC and @fckingsober90_podcast and check out her acting resume at /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/36564240

RE-Request - Don Wildman 06/23/2025

RE-Request - Don Wildman Don Wildman is the host of Cities of the Underworld and Mysteries at the Museum, as well as many other TV shows on the Travel Channel and the History Channel. Don discusses growing up in a family of educators and deciding to be an actor. He also talks about his early days acting in commercials and how he is the last generation of actors before the internet. Don answers questions about Cities of the Underworld and offers his perspective on how the world views America and how the country is going through a period of change. Follow Don Wildman on all social media @donwildman /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/36564205

RE-Request - Eva Trapp 06/16/2025

RE-Request - Eva Trapp Eva Trapp is a retired dancer, massage therapist, yoga practitioner, and so much more. She discusses growing up and moving around from town to town, the struggles she had with making new friends and the consistency she found in dance. Eva also talks about her work with Twyla Tharp and how getting pregnant ended her career on stage. She then discusses what's coming in the future and how your next trip to Pittsburgh could include a visit to her new business! /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/36564165

RE-Request - Adam Bridgewater 06/09/2025

RE-Request - Adam Bridgewater Adam Bridgewater is an artist and early-adopter of things. In this amazing episode, he discusses how others' perception of him is not reality. Justin and him bond over shared insecurities, and he talks about his journey with art and how he has turned it into a career. Adam also discusses how he paid off his student loans and how seeing insecurity in an old girlfriend helped him change how he views people as a whole. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/36564130

RE-Request - Kara Bartram 06/02/2025

RE-Request - Kara Bartram Kara Bartram is a wife, mother, psychic medium, and MLM sales leader. Kara talks about her calling to explore and how that took her from Australia to New Zealand to London, where she ended up settling down and meeting her husband. She also discusses her views of motherhood, how woke up to her intuitive skills as a medium, and how she is becoming a leader in making women feel good about themselves through a MLM company. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/36564090

RE-Request - Alysse Bryson 05/26/2025

RE-Request - Alysse Bryson Alysse Bryson is the founder of The Sober Curator and an all around bad ass. Alysse discusses growing up in Washington and finding out at an early age she enjoys partying. She also talks about sexual assault, having a child, and getting sober. Alysse shares how she turned her random jobs in pagers and newspaper ads into a lifelong career as Director of Fun, and how she created the Sober Curator. Find out more about Alysse and The Sober Curator at and follow along on Instagram @thesobercurator and @alysseinthecity /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/36564065

RE-Request - Emily Buchanan 05/19/2025

RE-Request - Emily Buchanan Emily is a two-time breast cancer survivor, social worker, and all-around amazing person. She discusses everything from giving up her son for adoption at 17 to going through two bouts of breasts cancer with multiple kids at home. Emily also talks about her relationship with her siblings and how her views on legacy and death have changed after her own struggles, as well as her work with hospice. @FriendRequestPod /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/36564055

RE-Request - Aaron Bridgewater 05/05/2025

RE-Request - Aaron Bridgewater Aaron Bridgewater is the front man for As They Sleep. He discusses growing up in a good home and getting into trouble as a teenager. Aaron also talks about the early days of joining a band, getting signed, and touring. He talks about fatherhood, raising a daughter as a metalhead dad, and what it's like to have two grown kids. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35732120

RE-Request - Joanie Sprague 04/28/2025

RE-Request - Joanie Sprague Joanie, former America's Next Top Model contestant, and home renovation TV personality, rekindles a friendship with Justin and discusses her upbringing in a broken home in Pittsburgh, the highs and lows of living in Los Angeles in your 20's and how all of these lessons led to her realization that she was depressed, as well as how she handled that through EMDR, therapy, and medication. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35731955

RE-Request - Sandra Blome 04/21/2025

RE-Request - Sandra Blome Sandra is a fun-loving school psychologist who discusses everything from trauma in high school to Black Lives Matter protests. She also talks about her divorce, getting back in touch with who she is, and what it's like being the middle sister. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35731905

RE-Request - Brad Petrinec 04/14/2025

RE-Request - Brad Petrinec The season one finale is epic as Justin finally gets to sit down with his friend, Brad. Brad came from divorce and sexual abuse to a world of drugs, addiction, and even homelessness. Now, over 16 years sober, Brad has gotten his degree and now runs two separate companies as well as teaches at Oakland University. His story is amazing, inspiring and can be helpful to anyone going through a tough time. Facebook and Instagram: @FriendRequestPod /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35731830

RE-Request - Adam Lamb 04/07/2025

RE-Request - Adam Lamb Adam Lamb, a former body builder, entrepreneur, and father of two, discusses growing up with divorced parents, and how money has played a critical role in building his identity and determination. Adam, who is Justin's older brother, also goes over how his wife inspired him to get his stuff together and find new levels of success. He also talks about being a father and how he found out a few years in that he is much better at raising a girl than he is a boy, not having a father role model of his own. Facebook and Instagram: @FriendRequestPod /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35606155

RE-Request - Leslie Bailey 03/31/2025

RE-Request - Leslie Bailey Leslie Bailey is the co-founder of the women's lifestyle company Indy Maven. She is an expert creative with a world of experience and history at her back. Leslie discusses navigating her mother's multiple bouts with cancer, meeting her husband, and discovering her own self-worth in the world of writing, editing, and all-around creative entrepreneurship. Follow her and her company at IndyMaven.com Facebook and Instagram: @FriendRequestPod /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35606120

RE-Request - Marja 03/24/2025

RE-Request - Marja This week's guest, Marja, discusses the anomaly of finding her passion as a preteen and developing it into a career. She also discusses sexual assault, relationships, and what she does as an activist and a professor at a University. A great and thoughtful interview! /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35090210

RE-Request - Antonio Part 2 03/17/2025

RE-Request - Antonio Part 2 /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35090175

RE-Request - Antonio Part 1 03/10/2025

RE-Request - Antonio Part 1 This week's guest, Antonio, discusses growing up in the foster system and being adopted. He goes into detail about the abusive household he grew up in and how that shaped him into being a better person and a better parent. Antonio talks about the idea of genuinely caring for people and how he tries to bring fairness into the world. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35090135

RE-Request - Dan 03/03/2025

RE-Request - Dan This week's guest, Dan, is a former PETA activist that has known me longer than I have memories of. Dan talks about growing up with his half-brother, his parents' divorce, and how he went from making fun of vegans to becoming one and leading the pack on activism. We also wax intellectual about alcohol use and becoming a father. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35089215

RE-Request - Truly 02/24/2025

RE-Request - Truly This week's guest, Truly, talks about growing up with a single mom and all the places she lived after high school, including Chicago, New York, and Scotland. Truly then transitions the conversation to talk about her child, who is transgender and non-binary. She takes the time to inform and answer questions, as well as give advice for all parents with small kids in today's world. A truly informing and inspiring conversation! /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35089065

RE-Request - Sarah 02/17/2025

RE-Request - Sarah This week's guest is Sarah. Sarah is a yoga instructor and is well-versed in hip pain, women's issues, toxic relationships, miscarriages and abortion. Sarah shares her stories and advice, as well as all the lessons that each one of her relationships have taught her. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35089030

RE-Request - Stacy 02/10/2025

RE-Request - Stacy Stacy Gissal is the guest this week. An amazingly inspirational person shares her advice on relationship communication, body image, and overall health. Stacy is a shining example of someone who couldn't figure out what they wanted to do in life and through trial and error and following your passions, you figure it out. Find us on Instagram @FriendRequestPod /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35088925

RE-Request - Beka 02/03/2025

RE-Request - Beka Beka and I met while working at Longhorn Steakhouse in 2004. I dive in deep to Beka's life story which includes drug addicted parents, violence, religion, setting boundaries, and how to love an addict. This was one of the first interviews and it truly paved the way for the potential this show has. I could not have been more impressed and humbled by Beka's story. /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35088875

Friend Request - ReRequest Introduction 02/03/2025

Friend Request - ReRequest Introduction An explanation of the re-released episodes coming soon! /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/35120595

175 - Nicole Arzt 09/23/2024

175 - Nicole Arzt Nicole Arzt is the creator of @PsychotherapyMemes, author of Sometimes Therapy is Awkward, and co-author of the forthcoming For the Love of Therapy. Nicole discusses her origins and finding therapy as a career, as well as the advice she has for someone that is seeking a therapist. She also talks about counseling in addictions and compulsive behavior, and how she began her career there. Nicole then talks about her popular Instagram account and how she balances that with her regular practice, as well as what it's like being a therapist married to another therapist. Finally, she addresses advice for new clinicians and stresses the importance of new therapists going to therapy themselves. Follow Nicole on Instagram at her popular meme account @PsychotherapyMemes and her professional account @Nicole_Arzt Follow us on socials: @FriendRequestPod Email us pictures of your favorite toy from the 90s: [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/33161802

174 - Sarah Alaimo 08/13/2024

174 - Sarah Alaimo Sarah Alaimo is a Career Happiness Coach, Sobriety Advocate, and a sober wofe and mother. She discusses growing up in her household as an older sister in Southern California. Sarah discusses starting therapy in high school for disordered eating, and the lack of meaningful communication in her home when she was younger. She also discusses college and how the expectations of others were the first to point her in a career direction, and how that relationship ending coincided with the beginning of partying. Sarah then discusses her career in recruiting and how that lifestyle leaned into an increased alcohol use. She then talks about getting sober and finding a writing group that inspired her to write her first book, Pearls and Probation: Adventures of an Alcoholic Good Girl. Follow us on socials: @FriendRequestPod Email us your books: [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/32564017

173 - Pi AI 06/09/2024

173 - Pi AI This week, we are speaking with an Artifical Intelligence! Have you ever had a conversation with AI? Want to hear what I consider to be the best conversational AI currently available? Check out Pi AI and hear for yourself. Please share this episode and share your opinions! I think this is such an interesting place to be in technology and I would love to hear your feedback. You can comment below or email us directly! It should also be noted that Justin Lamb and Friend Request are in no way afiliated or related to Inflection AI or Pi AI or any of their subsidiaries. Follow us on socials @FriendRequestPod Email us your AI friends! [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/31665617

172 - Brad Petrinec Returns 05/06/2024

172 - Brad Petrinec Returns Brad Petrinec was first on episode 039, in May of 2020. We discuss the impact COVID has had since then and the growth Brad has experienced since then, including getting married, starting a new job, and getting a new house. Brad also discusses his upcoming event, The 2024 Great American Beard & Mustache Championship. He also discusses what role sobreity plays for him, now that he is over 20 years sober, as well as how the hyperfixation of ADHD plays into the addiction mindset. Brad also touches on being a stepdad, attending an Insane Clown Posse show, and how he started working out after getting sober. He touches on some of his changing opinions of Detroit and how they are often in opposition of each other, as well as his schedule of upcoming facial hair events that he's going to be judging! Follow us on socials: @FriendRequestPod Email us your beard pics: [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/31132698

171 - Jackson Henderson Returns 04/29/2024

171 - Jackson Henderson Returns Jackson Henderson (Episode 108) is back! He discusses how he used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to discover a pulmonary embolism that nearly ended his life. Jackson also talks about AI and tech and how he's using it in his voiceover career. Justin and him go through his experience with opioids in the hospital and discuss addiciton, as well as the predispositions our parents failed to warn us about. Jackson also discusses marketing, content creation, and his idea of the future of money. Finally, he discusses the idea behind time and money and what it means to value one over the other. Follow us on socials: @FriendRequestPod Email your client lists: [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/31014018

170 - Kelley Doyle 04/22/2024

170 - Kelley Doyle Kelley Doyle is a mother, wine connoisseur, and Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) survivor. She discusses growing up as the oldest child and how some of her innsecurities were shaped by her siblings. Kelley also talks about her parents' divorce and how her father's substance use and physical abuse set her up for acting out as she got older. Kelley then discusses getting into substances herself at a young age, and how that and an attempt at running away landed her in boot camp, followed by a cult, disguised as a boarding school. She then talks about becoming a mother, dating, the worst day of her life, and how she has learned forgiveness through all of her experiences. Follow us on socials: @FriendRequestPod Email us your cult photos: [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/30918363

169 - Neal Simms 04/08/2024

169 - Neal Simms Neal Simms is a plant worker, guitarist, musician, songwriter, and all around cool dude. He discusses being born to a couple that was trying to make their way in life, both in college as he was growing up. Neal also talks about moving around a lot as a kid and how the combination of that disruption and his own mental illness culminated in him being locked up as a preteen. He also discusses moving to Michigan and how patterns quickly continued until he had dropped out of school and began living the life of a transient. Neal then discusses how bands saved his life and kept him from being homeless, and also how he met his first long term relationship and how the desire to be good enough for her temporarily took over the power his poor mental health had on him. He then discusses making significant occupational changes and finally a decision to quit inviting in something that always ends badly. Follow us on socials @FriendRequestPod Email us your favorte Detroit bands: [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/30719083

168 - Eric Johnson 04/01/2024

168 - Eric Johnson Eric Johnson is a pastor, author, father, husband, and trivia host. He discusses the good and bad of being an only child and growing up in northern Ohio. Eric also talks about the role church and religion played in his life as a child and how his involvement with Nintendo won him a youth group award. He also discusses his relationship with Young Life and how a former romantic interest told him he would be a pastor one day. Eric then talks about his parents divorce when he was 23 and all of the jobs he bounced around in before finding his calling, having two daughters, and settling down as a pastor in Lake Orion, Michigan. Follow us on socials! @FriendRequestPod Email us your Enterprise Rent-a-Car bill summaries! [email protected] /episode/index/show/friendrequest/id/30611733

Friend Request

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