After 18 years of drinking, countless blackouts, arrests, and hospital stays, I finally hit my bottom—and started to climb. This podcast is about what it really looks like to get sober. No sugarcoating. No step-by-step manual. Just honest conversations about addiction, recovery, relapse, and everything in between. If you’ve struggled, if someone you love is struggling, or if you just want to understand the chaos behind the bottle—this is for you. Let’s talk about what happens after rock bottom.
After 18 years of drinking, countless blackouts, arrests, and hospital stays, I finally hit my bottom—and started to climb. This podcast is about what it really looks like to get sober. No sugarcoating. No step-by-step manual. Just honest conversations about addiction, recovery, relapse, and everything in between. If you’ve struggled, if someone you love is struggling, or if you just want to understand the chaos behind the bottle—this is for you. Let’s talk about what happens after rock bottom.
In this conversation, Joseph Pennell shares his journey from a troubled childhood marked by trauma and family struggles to becoming a cyber intelligence analyst. He discusses how he used alcohol as a coping mechanism, particularly influenced by the drinking culture in the military. Joseph reflects on the moment he recognized his drinking problem, the path to recovery through rehab, and the importance of addressing childhood trauma. He emphasizes the need for purpose in recovery and offers advice for those struggling with addiction, highlighting the significance of taking small steps and forgiving oneself and others.