The Retired Blackout Artists

Hey, hey! Whadya say? I have Eddie from KC in the RED COUCH STUDIO (virtually, lol) This rock star just celebrated his 10th year of sobriety on June 4th. Open and honest, that's Eddie's game. He opens up about it all during this episode. Enjoy!

My guest this week is Long Island native, Chris Fontana. He's the founder of Go Primal Apparel and Go Primal Podcast. We aren't just taking about addiction on this one folk. Chris relates his crippling anxiety. "Life is going to knock you down, and it will keep you down if you let it. You won't always win, but always have to get up. You are strong, you are resilient. Trust your instincts and keep going!"

You gotta love this guy for putting it all out there! Big shout out to Beau Payne for not giving up. You may recognize him from baseball (once signed with the Florida Marlins) and his sports background. Beau said his biggest failure is not taking his sobriety seriously for so many years and the harm that came from that. Jail, prison, and putting himself in harm's way are just a portion of his story. Listen for the similarities, not the differences. And reach out if you or someone you love is suffering from addiction!

Michelle joins me in The Red Couch Studio to talk about sobriety, kids, and the beauty of working a 12 step program.

We're back!!!! Today's guest, Jessica, explains Captain Save a Hoe.

I'm joined by recovery coach, DaMarcus Morton as he walks me through addictive behavior, our minds and our thinking. Even as young children, our early influences and how those around us cope set the stage for our adult brains. Our beliefs such as "I'm not good enough" gives us the impression of failure. I won't be/ I'm not loved = rejection. Sometimes it's all about reprogramming your mindset for recovery. You can follow DaMarcus on Insta @mindsetforrecovery and take the Early Recovery Course by signing up at mindsetforrecovery.com .

Listen to this question and answer episode as the British accented prompter digs into Chastity's sobriety journey!

The title is a little corny; ok REALLY corny. It's not everyday you get to have a guest with his name. Forrest is a man with a heart the size of Texas, fittingly. His sobriety date is September 1, 2010. Nearing his breaking point, Forrest said to himself, "I have f*cked up more than I can fix in my lifetime". And if you want the secret to a root beer float without the ice cream....keep listening!

Ontario's own, "The Recovery Couple", Ashley and Jay join Nina, The Coffee Diva and I as we talk about soupy broccoli and recovery!

Someone will be celebrating 14 years sober on June 24 and her name is Cathy! I proudly call Cathy my sober sister and have the utmost respect and love for her. Picture a gorgeous blonde, living in a nice suburban neighborhood outside LA. Then picture that same bombshell living in a warehouse with some shady characters that go by street names like Ice Age, Rooster, etc. Listen to Cathy's story of recovery as she tells me what it was like to reach her rock bottom and how she has become an inspiration to many.

Today's star is Seija (pronounced Say-ah) who once guested on The Oprah Winfrey Show with her 5 sisters! Seija has always been athletic, often the team captain having all the underclassmen look up to her. It wasn't until later in life that alcohol entered and caused Seija to lose herself in active addiction. With a sobriety date of April 10, 2015, Seija enjoys working out at the gym (look at those guns!) and exploring Colorado. She is studying for her certification as a personal trainer. She is also a big supporter and affiliated with Valor Fitness Clothing. Seija is making big things happen in the Denver, Colorado area. Check out her Insta @s.nelson42 .

Hi! I've missed you so much! Just a "quickie" to let you know how wonderful you are even when life isn't so great. Because I'm sober and have an awesome support system and sober community on my socials, I can face what life throws my way. Don't forget #kindnesswins and you are loved.

Wham! Bam! The guest on this episode is from the state of Texas where everything is bigger. Austin to be exact. Can I get a McConaughey? Mike has an artist edge proven on his online forum, Sober Press. (Check it out on Insta and FB and @ soberpress.org) He's a guy who loves his gummy bears almost as much as he loves his 2 dogs. He knows what it's like to suffer as an alcoholic. He also knows how awesome life can be in recovery. Mike surrendered April 09, 2019. When I asked him to describe his rock bottom, Mike said it's when he lost himself. Listen to more of Mike's story and his answers to my FUN questions like, "What would you name your boat?"

This guy David...he's kind of a big deal. He's the host of the Dopey podcast based in New York and was featured on the TV show "This American Life". Why the feature? His co-host and friend, Chris, relapsed and died from an overdose 3 years after their start. So this episode is dedicated to all those we've lost to addiction. #kindnesswins

Valor Fitness Clothing founder and owner Jim Hernandez breaks it down in this episode of The Retired Blackout Artists. Right off the start, Jim gives me shit for not liking the "funnel cake battered turkey/ham/cheese" sandwich my 14 year old son was eating on a previous episode. At that moment, I knew I was going to LOVE hanging out with this Los Angeles dude. Jim shares the insecurities he had as a young man that led to blackout drinking; his talent as the maestro of cinnamon toast; dousing innocent bystanders with the ketchup and mustard concoction in a bucket AND the start of Valor Fitness Clothing. This fun, fit guy is also in the beginning stages of starting his 1st non-profit for a sober active community. Go check him out! @valorfitnessclothing

Chastity's Sober Spring Breaking 2021

Living in New Zealand, UK native James D. shares his experience of Ketamine abuse in this episode. If you're a drug dummy like myself, here's what WebMD says about the medicine. Ketamine got its start as an anesthetic in the 1960's. But when misused, it can cause hallucinations making one feel out of touch with oneself and their surroundings. Ketamine is also used as a date rape drug, making it hard for victims to speak or move. James and I also play a few rounds of Show Me Yours! Check it out and remember, #kindnesswins.

Meet Nicole, sober writer and blogger living in the Beer Capital of the World. Being a college student and getting sober at the age of 22 wasn't always easy. "I got tired of everyone being disappointed in me." Nicole will celebrate 2 years clean and sober on March 30th! --We do recover. AND we play a modified version of The Voting Game!

Two things to take away from this conversation with Kim (@soberisthenewcool): 1. I Am.... (try daily, using positive words) and 2. The 30 second hug If I were to use 5 words to describe Kim, they would be Gorgeous, Chic, Classy, Inspirational and Kind. During this episode, you will hear why one mom from Montreal Canada decided to try on sobriety for three months, then 6 months. Now Kim is celebrating 8 years in recovery and making huge strides in the sober community with Sober Is The New Cool.

The Blakester, Blake-aroonie, Blake-aroma, Blakeman, Blakestar. It doesn't matter how you spin it, this guy has it going on! Recovering from both alcohol and drug addiction, Blake has been sober since October 04, 2018! So we did an Instagram Live while recording and my videography skills need to be worked on. To say the least. My apologies to the Blakester. In this episode, you will listen as Blake describes the unfailing love and support his parents have given him. We talk about the change in Alcoholics Anonymous Face 2 Face meetings since the appearance of COVID a year ago and the suggestions and challenges that have both helped Blake become the Sober Star that he is.