David Funes’ life spiraled from a strict Christian upbringing into a world of manic highs, drug-fueled nights, white-collar crime, and a $3.7 million FBI investigation. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a suicide attempt and mental hospital stay, David’s story is one of chaos, shame, addiction, and ultimately — redemption. #RiseAbovePodcast #BipolarDisorder #AddictionRecovery #TrueCrimeStories #MentalHealthAwareness #DrugAddiction #FBIInvestigation #CocaineAddiction #WhiteCollarCrime #FromAddictionToRecovery #BipolarAwareness #ManicDepression #SurvivorStories #TraumaHealing #RedemptionStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Destiny's story is one of unimaginable pain and powerful transformation. Molested as a child, abandoned by her mother, and raised in dysfunction, she battled self-worth issues from an early age. After a blackout car accident nearly claimed her life, she spiraled deeper—eventually overdosing multiple times, spending 10 months in jail, and shooting up for the last time on her grandmother’s floor. Today, Destiny is 8 years clean and sober. She works in treatment, is studying to become a nurse, and is proof that no matter how dark it gets, recovery is possible. In this episode of Rise Above, she opens up about trauma, addiction, identity loss, and the spiritual awakening that changed everything. If you’re struggling with addiction, this episode is for you. #AddictionRecovery #ChildhoodTrauma #OverdoseSurvivor #RiseAbovePodcast #8YearsSober #FromAddictionToRecovery #RecoveryStory #NarcoticsAnonymous #TraumaHealing #DrugAddiction #MentalHealthAwareness #SurvivorStory #SoberLife #AbuseSurvivor #ACARecovery #CleanAndSober Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chandler was a bright kid — valedictorian, pre-med student, academic scholarships. But beneath the surface, addiction was brewing. From his early battles with leukemia to his first drink at 11, the seeds were planted early. College became a war zone: psychedelics, alcohol, Xanax, and eventually cocaine took over his life. He overdosed multiple times, dropped out of school, and spiraled into daily DoorDash hustles just to get high.🙏 Drop a comment if this story resonates, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to spread the message of hope. #AddictionRecovery #SoberLife #CocaineAddict #XanaxWithdrawal #FromAddictionToRecovery #RiseAbovePodcast #DrugAddictionStory #ValedictorianGoneWrong #ColdTurkeyDetox #SpiritualAwakening #OverdoseSurvivor #MentalHealthAwareness #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryIsPossible #AA #YoungPeopleInRecovery #RiseAboveWithKevinLanning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He grew up in a small Mississippi town, hiding trauma, abuse, and addiction behind sports, work, and alcohol. By his 40s, he was drinking half a gallon of Fireball a day, facing divorce, and trapped in generational dysfunction.In this raw conversation, he opens up about:Surviving childhood abuse and fearHis first drink at 9 years oldThe downward spiral into alcoholism and opiate useHitting bottom and finally surrendering to sobriety in NashvilleBreaking family cycles of trauma and building a new legacy for his daughtersWriting his book “Jesus Is Cool, But Christians Creep Me Out”This is a story about pain, faith, and the power of recovery. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, generational trauma, or finding your way back to hope—this episode will resonate.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support more stories of resilience. #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #Alcoholism #TraumaHealing #RecoveryJourney #GenerationalCurses #SobrietyStories #RiseAbovePodcast #AlcoholRecovery #FaithAndSobriety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tina survived the unthinkable. Molested by the man she thought was her father. Raised in a home of violence, secrecy, and fear. Then, decades later, she uncovered a chilling family secret — her real father was her grandfather. In this raw, emotional episode of Rise Above, Tin shares her journey through childhood trauma, the military, motherhood, and recovery. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and breaking generational cycles. From surviving incest and abuse to reclaiming her identity and healing through EMDR therapy, Tin’s story will stay with you long after you finish watching. #RiseAbovePodcast #TraumaSurvivor #IncestSurvivor #ChildhoodAbuse #FamilySecrets #EMDRTherapy #MilitaryWomen #BreakingTheCycle #SurvivorStory #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt grew up in a loving home in Westchester, NY—but alcohol and cocaine nearly destroyed everything he built. From blackouts and bartending in Florida to getting strip-searched at Gun Club Jail, Matt reached his breaking point. What followed was a powerful journey through recovery, multiple relapses, deep therapy, and ultimately transformation.In this raw interview, Matt opens up about:His battle with addiction while teaching kids and coaching baseballThe death of his father and how unprocessed grief fueled his drinkingSleeping in restaurant booths and narrowly escaping DUI arrestsStarting over from zero and founding a protein snack company now in over 2,000 storesThe power of the 12-step program, journaling, and unwavering honestyThis is the story of how one man went from jail to Whole Foods—and built a purpose-driven life out of the wreckage of addiction.Check out Matt’s snack company:IG: @froprosnacks🎧 Like, subscribe, and leave a review to help spread stories of hope. #SobrietyJourney #AddictionRecovery #Entrepreneurship #ProgressSnacks #FromJailToSuccess #AA #Alcoholism #Inspiration #WellnessJourney #RiseAbovePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keesha’s journey is one of resilience, heartbreak, and purpose. After battling alcoholism, losing her husband to a drug overdose, and raising twins alone, she turned her pain into a mission — helping teens and families struggling with addiction and mental health. In this powerful interview, Keesha shares: How she got sober after years of destructive drinking The devastating day her husband relapsed and passed away Parenting twins alone while grieving Opening Guardian Recovery and dedicating her life to adolescent care Practical strategies for parents to prevent teen substance abuse The power of honesty, accountability, and community in recovery If you’re a parent, in recovery, or facing adversity, this story will inspire you to rise above and keep going — no matter what life throws your way. 📖 Keesha’s Book: On Perfect – Coming Soon! 📧 Join Kevin’s open recovery meetings: Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #RiseAbovePodcast #TeenAddiction #ParentingTeens #Sobriety #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryCommunity #MentalHealthAwareness #SingleMomLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brittany’s life spiraled from anxiety-filled childhood to a devastating descent into addiction. After surviving sexual coercion in high school, she turned to stripping, entered an abusive relationship, and was introduced to fentanyl. Soon, she was homeless, living in a van with her dealer, surrounded by children watching their parents shoot up, and caught in the middle of a motel shootout.This is her raw, unfiltered story — from donating plasma to get high, to surviving brutal withdrawals, to finally getting clean and sober. Now, Brittany is one year sober and working in treatment, determined to break the cycle and inspire others to seek help.If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there is hope. You can change your life.📌 Subscribe for more real stories of survival and redemption.📌 Share this video to help someone in need. #Fentanyl #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #HomelessToHope #OverdoseAwareness #AddictsInRecovery #AbuseSurvivor #FromAddictionToRecovery #RiseAbovePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this raw and unfiltered interview, Matt Stoddard opens up about his journey through addiction, from his traumatic childhood to a life spiraling out of control with pain pills, OxyContin, and Fentanyl. He shares his darkest moments, including playing "Russian roulette" with his life, hitting rock bottom, and finding his way to recovery. With brutal honesty, Matt reveals the mental and physical toll of addiction, his struggles with rehab, and how he turned pain into purpose through music. This episode is a must-watch for anyone struggling or supporting someone battling addiction. Don't miss Matt's powerful story of survival and transformation. #AddictionRecovery #FentanylAwareness #RockBottomToRedemption #OpioidCrisis #RecoveryJourney #SobrietyStory #FromAddictionToMusic #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveryWarrior #BreakingTheCycle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben was s*xually abused at age 10 by a trusted camp counselor. That trauma led him to heroin by 16, methadone addiction, and eventually losing custody of his son. But through God's grace, relentless 12-step work, and a fierce desire to help others, Ben got clean—and stayed clean for 14 years. In this raw interview, he shares how he went from shooting up daily and nearly dying from withdrawal… to adopting a child whose mother overdosed in a trailer surrounded by syringes. This is one of the most powerful redemption stories we’ve ever featured. #AddictionRecovery #SexualAbuseSurvivor #HeroinAddict #MethadoneWithdrawal #TraumaHealing #SoberDad #AdoptionStory #FentanylCrisis #RiseAbovePodcast #FaithInRecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom grew up in a small Pennsylvania town, raised by a single father after his mother abandoned him and his sister. By 13, he was drinking. By 25, he was blacking out, driving drunk, popping benzos, and working high. After a devastating DUI and a near-death experience, Tom got on a plane to Florida—and never looked back. Now over 14 years sober, he’s a father, a son, a podcast host, and the man who helped his long-lost sister into recovery. This is a powerful story of redemption, family, and what it truly means to “Rise Above.” #addictionrecovery #sobrietyjourney #dui #alcoholism #realrecoverystory #recoverycommunity #mentalhealthawareness #riseabovepodcast #fromaddictiontorecovery #familyhealing #recoverywarrior #hopeandhealing #soberlife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dina grew up excelling in school and sports — but behind the scenes, she was spiraling. Expelled from multiple schools, battling attention-seeking behavior, and drawn to chaos, her life took a dark turn into opiate addiction. She lived a double life, fooling friends, family, and even herself — until her parents made the hardest decision of their lives: to cut her off and have her arrested.What followed was a brutal detox, a terrifying jail psychosis, and a spiritual awakening that changed everything. In this powerful conversation, Dina shares her full journey — from fentanyl addiction and manipulation to rebuilding trust, discovering God, and finding peace through fitness and family.If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, family betrayal, or finding purpose after rock bottom — this story is for you.#AddictionRecovery #SobrietyStory #FentanylCrisis #JailSavedMyLife #RiseAbovePodcast #MentalHealthMatters #FaithAndRecovery #OvercomingAddiction #WomensRecovery #OpioidAddiction #HealingJourney #FamilyRecovery #RehabToRedemption #RockBottomToRecovery #DrugAddictionHelp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach was addicted to porn for over a decade — a secret he hid while building a successful career and life overseas. His sex addiction escalated into dark, isolating patterns that he couldn’t escape — until he hit a breaking point. In this raw and revealing interview, Zach opens up about the childhood traumas, depression, and validation-seeking that fed his addiction.Now over 9 years sober, Zach is the founder of Open Recovery, an innovative app using AI to help people battling addiction get the support they need — anytime, anywhere. We dive deep into the psychology of sex addiction, the stigma that keeps people sick, and how Zach turned pain into purpose through recovery and tech.If you’ve struggled with any form of addiction — drugs, alcohol, porn, validation — this conversation will hit home.🧠 Open Recovery App: https://openrecovery.com📲 Download “Open Recovery: Addiction Help” on iOS & Android #PornAddiction #SexAddictionRecovery #ZachStory #OpenRecovery #AddictionHelp #RecoveryAI #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveryJourney #AIinRecovery #RelapsePrevention #PornRecovery #12StepRecovery #CBTtherapy #TraumaHealing #MenAndAddiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ricki Friedman was prescribed Adderall at just 7 years old. After losing her mom to cancer at 13, she battled decades of emotional pain, a secret marijuana addiction, and an identity built around medication. Despite creating a successful brand and coaching thousands through “Break the Weight,” Ricki was silently crumbling. In this raw and unfiltered interview, Ricki opens up about living a double life, her decision to quit weed and Adderall cold turkey, and how community, therapy, and purpose helped her rebuild everything. From founding the “Steps Forward” podcast to helping over 800 people walk away from weed, this is Ricki’s incredible journey of healing and truth. IG: iamrickifriedman Podcast: Steps Forward with Ricki 👉 Subscribe for more stories of recovery and transformation. #AddictionRecovery #AdderallAddiction #MentalHealthMatters #WeedAddiction #SobrietyJourney #WomensRecovery #TraumaHealing #StepsForward #RecoveryPodcast #BreakTheWeight #KevinLanning #RickiFriedman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sheila spent years as a top critical‑care nurse, running ICU floors and even traveling coast to coast as a contract RN. But after a brutal ankle injury and two surgeries, legitimate pain management morphed into a secret prescription racket. Sheila reveals how she ran a telehealth practice from her home, writing pain‑killer scripts for herself—and even family members—until the medical board caught her and stripped her license. In this raw, unfiltered interview, she walks us through the moment she crossed the line, the shame of hiding her addiction, and the faith that ultimately saved her. #AddictionRecovery #OpioidEpidemic #NurseConfession #RecoveryJourney #PrescriptionScandal #RiseAbovePodcast #OpenRecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At just 9 years old, Eric watched a man strangle his mother with a phone cord—the same man who later became a convicted serial killer. That moment shaped his entire life. From martial arts champion to nightclub enforcer, to losing his wife to a terminal illness, and ending up homeless and suicidal—Eric’s story is raw, powerful, and ultimately redemptive.In this gripping episode, Eric opens up about addiction, grief, violence, and how faith and service helped him rebuild everything. Now 7 years sober, Eric works in recovery, speaks nationwide, and helps families heal.If you've ever felt hopeless, invisible, or like you couldn’t recover—watch this. You’re not alone. #addictionrecovery #childhoodtrauma #alcoholism #sobrietyjourney #recoveryispossible #mentalhealthawareness #homelessness #traumasurvivor #faithandrecovery #openrecovery #realrecoverytalk #aa #recoverywarrior #riseabovepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At just 19 years old, Andrew’s life imploded after selling weed to an undercover cop and spending 30 days in jail. What followed was a six-year spiral into OxyContin, heroin, and IV drug use that nearly killed him—literally. On Christmas Eve, after a near-fatal overdose, his life changed forever.In this raw and inspiring episode, Andrew opens up about:Growing up in Jersey and the trauma of divorceHow college freedom led to experimenting with every drug imaginableHis arrest, addiction, and overdoseGetting clean in a halfway house with nothing but two suitcasesWorking at a pizza shop with 3 feloniesRebuilding his life, starting a business, and becoming a fatherHow fitness, community, and spirituality keep him grounded 14 years laterThis is one of the most powerful transformation stories we've ever heard on Rise Above. #addictionrecovery #heroinaddict #sobrietyjourney #recoveryispossible #drugaddiction #mentalhealthawareness #cleanandsober #soberlife #fromaddictiontorecovery #faithoverfear #overdoseawareness #rebuildyourlife #oxycodone #halfwayhouse #recoverycommunity #spiritualgrowth #soberliving #addictionstories #riseabovepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maddee was prescribed 300 oxycodone 30s a month after a minor injury. What followed was years of addiction, jail time for marijuana DUIs, a suicide attempt, and being told she had 8 years of prison hanging over her head. But when rock bottom came, she made a decision that would change her life forever.Now 10 years clean, Maddee shares how jail saved her life, how journaling and prayer helped her stay off opiates, and what it means to live in God’s will. She opens up about her childhood trauma, being prescribed drugs by a corrupt doctor, and the moment she chose to live — not just for herself, but for those who didn’t make it out. #AddictionRecovery #OxyContinCrisis #FaithInSobriety #PrisonSavedMe #RedemptionStory #DrugCourt #OvercomingAddiction #WomenInRecovery #SuicideSurvivor #MentalHealthAwareness #JailToFreedom #RiseAbovePodcast #OpenRecovery #SoberLife #TraumaHealing #GodsPlan #MiracleStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 25, Michael Barschi was crippled by anxiety, drowning in addiction, and secretly planning to end it all. Today, he's 22 years sober, a father of three, and one of the most respected therapists in the recovery space.In this powerful episode, I sit down with the man who helped me through my first year of sobriety—my former social worker, Michael Barschi. We talk about his darkest moments: the shame of dropping out of law school, suicidal depression, and the painful journey through early recovery.He opens up about the moment that changed everything, how therapy saved his life, and why relapse doesn’t always mean failure. Michael also shares the truth about maintaining sobriety, building a life after addiction, and why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery.Whether you're newly sober, struggling with mental health, or just searching for hope—this episode will leave you inspired.🔗 Michael’s Website: https://michaelbarschi.com📲 Sponsored by OpenRecovery – Download the app for 24/7 support in your sobriety journey. #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #RelapseRecovery #TherapyWorks #AA #Anxiety #SoberLife #AddictionHelp #SoberCommunity #OpenRecovery #RecoveryPodcast #FromRockBottom #HealingJourney #RiseAbovePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat Sorensen (@socalkattt) drank for the first time at age 7, blacked out by 13, and was married and cheating by her early 20s — all while hiding her addiction behind a successful career. But when her double life nearly cost her everything, she surrendered to recovery and found purpose in helping others.Now, 9.5 years sober, Kat shares how she went from suicidal thoughts and secret drug use to launching a global sober community, building multiple businesses, and living a life rooted in faith and service.This is one of the most unfiltered and powerful stories we’ve ever told.🚨 Listen to the full episode and hear:Her first blackout at 13The secret she kept from her husbandHow she married a stranger in AA after 21 daysGetting clean without rehabStarting a FREE global sobriety platformAnd how cold plunges, structure, and service keep her grounded todayConnect with Kat:Instagram: @socalkatttHer free sobriety platform: https://changetochange.circle.soSponsored by OpenRecovery – the anonymous addiction help app with 24/7 support. #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholicsAnonymous #SoberLife #RecoveryStory #SoberCommunity #KatSorensen #RiseAbove #DrugAddiction #WomenInRecovery #TraumaToTriumph #ColdPlunge #SoberLiving #ChangeToChange #FaithBasedRecovery #MentalHealth #aa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices