Talkin' Trash Addiction Recovery Podcast

Tonight we welcomed special guest Bethany Basler to Talkin’ Trash, with a surprise appearance from Jennifer Mansfield, our very own Brad's sister. The conversation opened the door to women’s health, the challenges women face when seeking care, and the different treatment options available to them. An honest, informative conversation about understanding your health, asking questions, and knowing that there’s more than one path to getting the help you need. We won't tell you what to do but we will tell you is how we did it and what worked for us. Easy peasy lemon squeezie.

Tonight, we welcomed Katy to the program, and what a meaningful conversation it turned out to be. Her honest story of relapse, sobriety, and recovery struck a chord with every cast member and fan watching along. There were moments of reflection, plenty of heart, and the kind of real, honest conversation that reminds us why we do what we do. Thank you, Katy, for sharing your experience, strength, and hope with the Talkin’ Trash family. Another night of recovering out loud, one conversation at a time.

Tonight, we welcomed Matt to the program with open arms, and it didn’t take long for him to fit right in with the boys. His five years clean from drugs and alcohol brought a unique perspective to some great conversations, as Matt openly shared his experiences and emotions while identifying as an addict and keeping his primary focus on SAA. It was a privilege to have someone so open-minded and willing to be vulnerable join us, and his honesty made for a meaningful addition to tonight’s show.

We welcomed a special guest Jeanne who's approaching seven years of sobriety, who shared her experience, her perspective, and the realities of building a life on the other side of addiction. We talked about what changes when the chaos finally gets quiet, what nearly seven years can teach you, and why recovery isn't just about putting something down — it's about discovering who the hell you are without it. Another honest, sometimes funny, and always real night with the Trashers as we continue celebrating recovery, one story at a time.

We welcomed special guest and longtime friend, Tina C. to the show as she celebrated an incredible 10 years of recovery. Tina shared her experience, strength, and perspective on what it takes to build a life beyond addiction—and why reaching a milestone like ten years is about so much more than simply counting days. We talked about growth, the changes that come with long-term recovery, and the person you become when you keep choosing yourself, one day at a time. A powerful conversation with a woman who has put in the work and has plenty of wisdom to share. Congratulations, Tina, on 10 years clean!

We welcomed Papa Joey to the show for a conversation that covered a little bit of everything—life, recovery, the experiences that shape us, and the things we learn along the way. Joey brought his own perspective, plenty of personality, and a willingness to talk honestly about where he’s been and where he is today. As always, the conversation wasn’t about pretending recovery is easy or having all the answers; it was about sharing the real stuff, finding some laughs along the way, and reminding everyone that every recovery story looks a little different. Another night of good conversation, questionable decisions from our past, and hopefully a little something for somebody out there who needed to hear it.

We welcomed Larry Foster, team co-host and all-around rockstar, back into the fray for a his monthly visit that hits at the heart of recovery and identifys who we are as a podcast. We looked at why we got sober in the first place, and is that still the reason we stay sober today? Spoiler alert, it's not. Will was off the chain as the boys dug into how those original motivations can evolve as life changes, and how sobriety creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the person getting clean. Families heal, relationships rebuild, trust returns, and sometimes we discover that the life we're building in recovery is bigger than the life we originally thought we were fighting to get back. It was Jim's birthday and the usual fanfare followed. We love having Larry on staff, recover so the one's in the back hear it. This one was delayed by the blatant misuse of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" in the most stringent of copyright delays yet. (MK X)

We welcomed Larry Foster, team co-host and all-around rockstar, back into the fray for a conversation that hits at the heart of recovery: why did we get sober in the first place, and is that still the reason we stay sober today? We dug into how those original motivations can evolve as life changes, and how sobriety creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the person getting clean. Families heal, relationships rebuild, trust returns, and sometimes we discover that the life we're building in recovery is bigger than the life we originally thought we were fighting to get back.

We welcomed Phyllis back for her fifth appearance on Talkin’ Trash. Her story carries tragedy, pain, endurance, and ultimately, hope. A little over two years ago, Phyllis lost her son to a fentanyl overdose—a loss that forever changed her life. With August being Overdose Awareness Month, her return to the show comes at a fitting time as she helps us spread an important message about the devastating reality of addiction and overdose. Phyllis is also in recovery herself, giving her a deeply personal perspective on both addiction and grief. This time, we talk about the stages of grief, the weight of losing a child, and finding a way to keep moving forward when the pain never completely disappears.

When is it time to call the dentist? 2:30… tooth-hurty! Tonight on 230, we welcomed Blair back to the studio for his second appearance on Talkin’ Trash. Fresh off celebrating three years of recovery, Blair showed up with the same thing we love seeing around here—optimism, positivity, and a whole lot of life behind the smile. Work, home, family, and a spiritual connection have all become pieces of the puzzle, helping him keep his balance while carrying the weight of a successful recovery journey. Three years in, and Blair is living proof that recovery doesn’t have to be boring—it can actually look pretty damn good.

Tonight the pod welcomed back Nick Robinson for a return visit. We first met Nick on Episode 220, where he opened up and shared an incredibly personal story filled with drugs, gangs, money, violence, and the realities that came with that lifestyle. This evening, Nick checked back in with us, and it was clear that he’s in a very different place than he was when we last spoke on July 5th. A lot can change in a short amount of time, and Nick gave us an honest look at where things stand today. We’re not going to give away all the details, because you’ll have to watch the show to hear Nick tell it himself. One thing is certain: his story continues to unfold, and we’re grateful he trusted us enough to come back and share the next chapter with the Trashers.

If you're a fan of technical problems and heavy breathing, you've come to the right place. On Sunday night's edition of Trash, we welcomed Tommy Wilkes back to the show since his last stint which lasted long ago. He's guest who had just celebrated an incredible milestone—8 years in recovery only a few days after. He shared his journey with honesty, humility, and a sense of gratitude that resonated throughout the conversation. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the challenges he's overcome, the lessons he's learned along the way, and the life he's built one day at a time. As a co-founder of TT, guest Tommy had no issues assimilating into our collective and we consider us lucky to have him in our corner, as we are in his.

The gang welcomed Mark Condon to the program for a fun, nostalgic midweek episode filled with great conversation and plenty of laughs. A familiar face within the Trash community and a friend of Brad and Jennifer, Mark stepped up to the plate, swung and connected. Deep to left center, gone. He resonated as he shared his personal struggles, hard-earned victories, and the perspective he's gained along the way. Reflecting on his journey, Mark discussed how even life's toughest moments can lead to growth and gratitude. A true head-down, get-to-work kind of guy, he fit right in with the crew and quickly became part of the team. With the boys bringing plenty of energy, this one turned into a memorable and entertaining episode reminding us that, no matter how different we all seem, the story remains the same. Strength in numbers.

Tonight, Talkin’ Trash welcomed Dustin B. into the mix with the usual Trash fashion. Dustin was a great sport and shared his story with us as he approaches an incredible milestone—eight years clean and serene in just a few days. We took the opportunity to pump his tires a little and celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and growth that got him there. The outdoor ambience was dialed back this time, but Dustin proved a little tough to hear in spots, so we cranked his audio up as much as possible while Tim’s heavy breathing continued its quest to become the show's unofficial fifth host. As always, the Talkin’ Trash crew forges ahead in mediocrity twice a week with the same low expectations we've proudly maintained from the start, which is why the recent influx of new family members and supporters has been such a fun surprise. Thanks for sticking with us as we grow—we're working behind the scenes to make things better every step of the way.

Tonight on the pod the team announced the addition of Larry Foster as a recurring member of the podcast family. A respected voice in recovery, Larry brings decades of experience, hard-earned wisdom, and a perspective shaped by perseverance and personal growth. During the discussion, he shared powerful insights on the role shame often plays in relapse and the importance of addressing it in long-term recovery. Tim ate pizza and heavy breathed into the mic more than usual. The show announced Larry (tonight's co-host) and Elizabeth McKeon PMHNP as monthly recurring team members as both Larry and Liz step into larger roles to help guide the podcast's future conversations and overall direction. The incessant clicking of a pen and the echo's of Georgia crickets in Will's backyard are just a couple reasons why Talkin' Trash's pursuit of professionalism is second to none.

Tonight the crew got together for another honest discussion about addiction, recovery, and life on life's terms. Four men with different recovery journeys shared their experience, strength, and hope while reflecting on the challenges and rewards of staying sober one day at a time. Through candid conversation and a few laughs, the team reminded listeners that recovery is possible and that nobody has to do it alone.

Tonight the team checked in with one another before welcoming Anthony Cocco to the show. Hailing from Philadelphia—Tim’s old stomping grounds—Anthony brought a relatable and down-to-earth perspective to the conversation. With more than six years clean and sober, he shared his experience navigating recovery one day at a time, speaking candidly about the challenges, rewards, and daily commitment required to maintain sobriety. His honesty, humility, and gratitude for recovery offered hope and encouragement to anyone still struggling, proving that long-term recovery is possible when we focus on today and stay connected to those walking the same path.

Tonight, we had the pleasure of welcoming Tanya from Halifax, Nova Scotia to the show. With more than a decade in recovery, Tanya shared her experience with a level of honesty and clarity that made it feel as though her journey happened yesterday. Her lighthearted spirit, positive outlook, and thoughtful delivery brought both hope and inspiration to the conversation. Tanya reflected on the challenges of active addiction, the lessons learned through recovery, and the gratitude she has found along the way. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that long-term recovery is possible and that a fulfilling life awaits those willing to take the first step.

Tonight, we celebrated America's 250th birthday the only way Talkin' Trash knows how—with laughter, honesty, and recovery. For the first time in quite a while, all four hosts were back on screen together, making for a special night. We were joined by Nick Robinson from Digby, Nova Scotia, whose journey reminded us that addiction is a disease that speaks in your own voice. Now more than four years clean, Nick shared a powerful story of pain, resilience, and redemption, opening up about the daily battle of recovery while demonstrating what it truly means to give back. His message was a testament to the strength found in perseverance and the hope that recovery can offer, even on the hardest days.

What was supposed to be a guest episode turned into an unexpected in-house conversation when our scheduled guest didn't make it—and it ended up being one of those shows that reminded us why we do this. We talked about overdose, a situation close to home, and leaned on the strength we find in each other when life puts us to the test. Nearly two hours later, it was nothing but high-fives all around. To everyone who continues to get something from this show: thank you. You took a chance on a small, scrappy podcast and helped build it into what it is today. World Cup News: Bosnia invades Herzegovina after a 2–0 loss to the Red, White & Blue. And finally, a reminder that the ground we live/build/stand on can move violently. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.