CROSSTALK PODCASTS

Ben opens up about a childhood marked by love that shifted to neglect when his brother’s illness pulled his family’s attention away. Seeking belonging, he fell into drugs, dropped out of school, and bounced between toxic relationships and chaotic environments. From living in tents to facing court orders and violent partners, his life was ruled by addiction and instability.

But everything began to change in 2020 when he entered treatment. Through therapy, recovery programs, and a spiritual awakening, Ben found healing, stability, and peace. Today, he lives with compassion for himself and others, proving that even the...

In this powerful episode of CrossTalk Podcast, Correy sits down with Eddie, a fellow attorney whose life spiraled into addiction despite his successful career. Eddie opens up about his reliance on Xanax, the devastating impact of bariatric surgery on his substance use, and the night his 8-year-old son found him unconscious. From the ER to rehab, Eddie shares his raw journey through denial, rock bottom, and the hard-fought path to sobriety.

Eddie reflects on childhood trauma, his fractured relationship with his father, and how untreated alcoholism masked deeper emotional struggles. He discusses the turning point, realizing that...

Teresa lived a double life: a successful Wall Street professional by day, a blackout drinker by night. For 30 years, she maintained the illusion of control—until her addiction cost her marriages, dignity, and nearly her life.

In this raw episode, Teresa reveals: The hidden signs of her "high-functioning" alcoholism (even her family didn’t know). Why she kept cheating on every partner and how alcohol fueled her self-sabotage. The unconventional bottom that finally made her surrender (without losing her career or home). How grief became her gateway to sobriety after her husband’s tragic death

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Natalie grew up in an affluent Manhattan family with sober parents, but alcoholism "galloped" through her genes. By 12, her first drink sparked an obsession that led to blackouts, Adderall addiction, and a downward spiral, peeing in pots to avoid her roommate and boarding up windows to hide from daylight.

In this raw episode of Cross Talk Podcast, Natalie reveals how hitting rock bottom in a Boca Raton halfway house, after years of failed rehabs and sober livings, finally taught her to surrender. Her story is a testament to the power of letting go, spiritual connection, and finding...

Heidi’s life spiraled from a "normal" upbringing to stealing from her family, shooting heroin, and surviving homelessness under a bridge. After her father pressed charges, landing her in jail for a year, she hit rock bottom. Then, a miraculous phone call led her to sobriety.

In this raw episode of Cross Talk Podcast, Heidi reveals how jail became her turning point, why wilderness bootcamp was worse than prison, and the divine intervention that saved her life. Her story is a testament to resilience, tough love, and the power of second chances.

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Broadway star Chessa opens up about her family’s struggles with addiction, the loss of her father, and how these experiences shaped her relationship with alcohol and drugs. From her childhood in North Carolina to the pressures of performing arts school, Chessa shares how she navigated the shadows of her past to find clarity and purpose in her career and personal life.

Join us as Chessa reflects on the importance of therapy, emotional honesty, and the courage to break generational patterns. Her story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of facing pain head-on. Wh...

Shai is a musician, creative thinker, and recovery advocate who has lived through the chaos of addiction and emerged with hard-earned wisdom. Raised in Pennsylvania with a unique blend of cultural influences, Shai struggled from a young age with anxiety, self-obsession, and emotional disconnection.

His addiction led him to sacrifice his dreams, spiral into legal trouble, and face the darkest parts of himself. Through recovery, accountability, and deep introspection, Shai has rebuilt his life. Today, he uses his voice and experience to break stigma and remind others that healing is always possible.

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Growing up in a household clouded by addiction, Carrie sought structure and safety in competitive swimming. Her talent took her to the top of the world stage, winning gold at just 16. But underneath the accolades was deep insecurity, a longing to be seen, and emotional wounds that never fully healed. After missing her second Olympic team at 20, Carrie spiraled into alcohol use to numb the pain and cope with feelings of worthlessness.

Despite raising a beautiful family and maintaining a picture-perfect life, Carrie's alcoholism escalated in her 40s, turning wine nights into isolation, shame, and hiding bottles...

Peter’s story is one of chaos, loss, and ultimately, redemption. From a childhood marked by trauma and addiction to years of homelessness and intravenous drug use, his life spiraled out of control until a series of devastating events forced him to confront his demons. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Peter shares the pivotal moments that led him to recovery, the struggles of withdrawal, and the unexpected gifts sobriety brought into his life.

Now married, living in a beautiful home, and free from the chains of addiction, Peter reflects on the lessons he’s learned and the...

Andrew Strauss, an Orthodox Jewish man born to Holocaust survivors, traces his alcoholism back to his bris ceremony at just eight days old. This raw confession reveals his double life - from getting expelled from yeshiva for talking to girls, to smuggling drugs across borders, multiple failed marriages, and losing his million-dollar home on a golf course. The story culminates in his 2007 suicide attempt and final redemption through an unexpected spiritual awakening in detox.

Spanning 40 years across Montreal, Israel, and Florida, this is a story of cultural pressure, hidden addiction, and ultimate recovery. Andrew shares how trying...

Heidi’s life reads like a thriller: adopted into a troubled family, she took her first drink at 7, nearly died from alcohol at 12, and spent decades chasing "normal" while hiding addiction. From faking moderation as a suburban mom to losing her children after driving them drunk, this episode exposes the lies addicts tell themselves and the moment she hit a bottom so low, only divine intervention could pull her out.

Access our website for the full notes for this episode at crosstalkofficial.com

Video is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CROSSTALKP...

Ernie’s journey through addiction and recovery spans decades, from his early days as a bright kid in Queens to his struggles with pills, alcohol, and the illusion of "cool." In this raw and revealing episode of Crosstalk, he shares how he hit multiple rock bottoms, switched addictions, and finally found lasting sobriety. His story is a testament to the power of honesty, community, and the hard work of recovery.

Access our website for the full notes for this episode at crosstalkofficial.com

Video is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CROSSTALKP...

Toni Dreyer grew up in chaos, the eldest of seven, surviving childhood molestation, abuse, and neglect. By her twenties, she was a mother of multiple children, homeless, addicted to crack, and caught in a cycle of trauma and survival.

But Toni's story didn’t end there. After prison and years of addiction, a chance meeting with a mental health worker changed her life. Today, she’s a counselor helping others get back on their feet, and reconnecting with the children she once lost.

Access our website for the full notes for this episode at c...

In this powerful episode of Cross Talk Podcast, we sit down with Michael Cardinale, a licensed clinical social worker whose journey from reckless college dropout to addiction counselor is as inspiring as it is raw. Growing up in a loud, loving Irish-Italian family, Michael never saw his drinking as a problem, until it nearly destroyed his life.

Expelled from two colleges, confronted by a no-nonsense dean, and given an ultimatum by his parents, he finally faced the truth: he couldn’t stop. But his path to sobriety wasn’t linear. From superficial compliance in rehab to a tran...

In this deeply moving episode of Cross Talk Podcast, we sit down with singer-songwriter Griffin House to explore the real, raw journey of addiction, identity, and recovery.

Griffin opens up about growing up in an All-American town, the hidden struggles behind the scenes of success, and how alcohol quietly became his emotional support system. From near-death experiences to moments of clarity in AA meetings, this story is not just about sobriety, it’s about rediscovering yourself.

Access our website for the full notes for this episode at crosstalkofficial.com

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They say children inherit their parents' struggles, but Lucky Church rewrote his destiny. What began as survival in Bronx crack houses - watching his mother shoot up behind the stove at 5, carrying buckets of his stepfather's overdose blood at 10 - nearly became his own story of addiction. In this visceral Cross Talk episode, Lucky exposes the generational cycle he broke through sheer will and a heart that literally burst to wake him up.

From forgotten birthdays eating dry cake mix to gorging on hero sandwiches to numb the pain, Lucky traces how trauma morphed into food/alcohol...

They say children inherit their parents' struggles, but Lucky Church rewrote his destiny. What began as survival in Bronx crack houses - watching his mother shoot up behind the stove at 5, carrying buckets of his stepfather's overdose blood at 10 - nearly became his own story of addiction. In this visceral Cross Talk episode, Lucky exposes the generational cycle he broke through sheer will and a heart that literally burst to wake him up.

From forgotten birthdays eating dry cake mix to gorging on hero sandwiches to numb the pain, Lucky traces how trauma morphed into food/alcohol...

From surviving the brutal streets of Kensington to being slowly pulled into a hidden prostitution ring, Alison Van Horn’s story takes an even deeper turn in Part 2 of this Crosstalk Podcast episode, recounting the devastating reality of addiction, exploitation, and the underground world she found herself trapped in.

But it was getting arrested, not rescued, that finally gave her a way out. Alison shares the gritty truth about withdrawal from jail, being court-ordered into long-term treatment, and how she slowly began to rebuild trust, dignity, and hope in recovery.

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Meet Alison Van Horn, a driven academic from suburban Philadelphia who grew up in a loving Catholic Italian household, but felt different from the start. Her journey began with stolen candy and cigarettes in grade school and spiraled into a full-blown heroin addiction by her twenties.

In this episode, Alison opens up about her descent from a straight-A student with two master’s degrees to a secret life in Kensington, PA. She reveals how her relationship with a heroin user pulled her in, and how denial masked her pain for years. Today, Alison is over a decade so...

Meet Jimmy—a man whose early life was scarred by abuse, alcoholism, and abandonment. His father, a traumatized WWII veteran, once told him, “I never loved you.” That moment, and many like it, shaped a young man who would spiral into addiction, bouncing from jails to detox centers, chasing relief and belonging.

Jimmy’s story unfolds with raw vulnerability—from his chaotic childhood and dropping out of school, to seizures, blackouts, and sleeping next to padlocked doors. But amidst the pain, a turning point: a man named JoJo, a Maverick-driving, toothless AA sponsor, who told Jimmy he could stay...

Meet Big John—a former football star, loving husband, and father—who seemed to have it all but was silently losing a generational battle with alcohol. In this powerful episode, John shares his raw and honest journey from secret binges to spiritual breakthroughs.

John grew up in a home where alcohol quietly haunted every corner. Despite early success in sports and business, his drinking spiraled—straining his marriage, endangering his son’s future, and ultimately leading to a heartbreaking ultimatum from his wife. Alone and ashamed, John walked into his first AA meeting in October 1990, not knowing it would...

Meet Christine — a high-functioning professional, mother of two, and by all external measures, a woman who "had it all." But beneath the surface, she was fighting a war with alcohol that nearly destroyed her family, her career, and her sense of self.

Christine opens up about her long, spiraling relationship with alcohol: the hidden drinking, the emotional chaos at home, and the terrifying moments when she feared she’d lose her children. Despite maintaining a successful career and image, Christine reached a breaking point — alone on her favorite island, surrounded by empty bottles and haunted by shame. What f...

Meet Christine — a successful professional, loving mother, and the last person you'd expect to battle addiction. But behind the polished exterior was a woman drowning in alcohol, trauma, and guilt. This is the raw, powerful story of how she found the courage to get sober at 50.

Christine grew up surrounded by alcohol, in a culture that normalized overindulgence and blamed victims for their trauma. After surviving a date rape in college and a physically abusive relationship, she buried her pain under years of high-functioning alcoholism. Her world began to spiral when her daughter developed a life-threatening eating di...

Meet Matt Butler—NYC-born singer-songwriter, former Universal-signed artist, and founder of the nonprofit Art That Serves. From music-fueled isolation and addiction to sharing songs in prisons across the country, Matt’s story is a powerful reminder of transformation through honesty, service, and purpose.

Matt opens up about his early life in Manhattan, his struggle with abandonment issues, and how alcohol and drugs offered a false sense of belonging. By the time he reached college at NYU, his substance use escalated, leading to arrests, broken relationships, and deep isolation. The turning point came not in a courtroom, but in a...

Caitlin's story is one of resilience, pain, and profound transformation. Born into an alcoholic home and labeled the family's "problem child," Caitlin struggled with intense anxiety from a young age. Her early life was overshadowed by physical symptoms of stress, family denial, and the silent pressure of feeling fundamentally flawed.

Her journey into addiction escalated quickly, beginning with medications at age 12 and spiraling into IV drug use by 15. Multiple failed attempts at sobriety, including years on Suboxone, left her trapped in cycles of self-medication and denial. It wasn't until a brutal, life-changing withdrawal and an intense confrontation...

In this powerful episode, we meet Shari and Marguerite, two extraordinary women whose personal struggles with addiction nearly destroyed their lives. From picture-perfect facades to devastating lows, their stories reveal the hidden truths behind the masks they wore.

Shari battled drugs, alcohol, gambling, and multiple suicide attempts, losing herself in a cycle of addiction, while Marguerite spent decades hiding behind perfectionism, alcoholism, and devastating life decisions made under the influence. Both women faced deep family traumas, unprocessed grief, and intense shame.

Today, their lives are completely transformed. Shari, now sober, has rebuilt her relationship with...

From Partying to Purpose: Zach Clark’s Journey to Recovery

Zach Clark had it all—a loving family, a great upbringing, and a future in sports. But what started as innocent partying quickly turned into a relentless chase for the next high. In college, alcohol fueled his weekends, and soon, cocaine and Adderall became part of the equation. By his mid-20s, his life had spiraled into heroin use and crack addiction, leading to homelessness, failed relationships, and brushes with death.

After hitting rock bottom and being confronted by his family, Zach entered rehab—not for th...

Growing up in a loving family outside of New York City, Matt Williams had everything he needed—supportive parents, a good home, and endless possibilities. But behind the surface of a normal childhood, something darker was brewing. Undiagnosed ADHD made it hard for him to focus, and as a teen, he discovered a thrill in getting away with things—starting with alcohol. What began as sneaking drinks at sleepovers soon spiraled into a cycle of blackouts, consequences, and self-destruction.

By his late 20s, Matt's drinking had taken him to some of the darkest places imaginable—waking up in unk...

Dr. Harold Jonas grew up feeling like a failure—struggling with self-worth, addiction, and a toxic family dynamic. Introduced to drugs at a young age, he quickly spiraled into a life of crime, heroin dependency, and repeated run-ins with the law. He tried to escape through relationships, business ventures, and even a rushed marriage in Las Vegas, but the cycle of addiction continued to pull him back.

After years of struggling, losing his marriage, and nearly losing himself, Dr. Jonas finally reached his breaking point. A letter offering him a ticket to Florida for treatment became his un...

In this episode of Crosstalk Podcast, we welcome Eric Weber—also known as Bow Tie—a leading addiction counselor with 25 years of experience in mental health, addiction recovery, and behavioral disorders. From working in correctional facilities to treating patients at Karen Treatment Centers, Eric has seen addiction from every angle. Today, he reveals the hard truths about addiction, relapse, and what actually works in recovery.

Eric shares his personal and professional journey, starting as a counselor in a prison system, where he saw the devastating cycle of addiction, crime, and recidivism. He later transitioned to working in ment...

Meet Sarah Frias, a former nurse who found herself battling IV drug addiction, facing near amputation, and spiraling into a deep, dark place. For years, she believed she was only a good nurse when using pills. But addiction took her further than she ever imagined—until she found the strength to turn her life around.

Sarah grew up struggling with identity, always trying to fit in. Her addiction journey began with alcohol and pills, escalating into IV heroin and crack use. At her lowest, she was facing severe wounds, hospitalizations, and the possibility of losing her leg. De...

John Driscoll, CEO of the Caron Treatment Center, has spent decades fighting the addiction crisis. From his early days working in a Chicago homeless shelter to leading one of the nation’s top recovery centers, John shares the lessons he’s learned, the heartbreaking losses, and the victories that make it all worth it.

In this episode, John talks about addiction as a brain disease, the importance of structured treatment, and how he helped countless people rebuild their lives. His stories of women overcoming crack addiction, reuniting with their children, and finding hope are truly inspiring.

If...

Meet Craig Robinson, a successful attorney whose life took a dramatic turn due to addiction. Craig shares his extraordinary journey of overcoming cocaine and alcohol dependency, navigating career setbacks, and rebuilding his life with resilience and hope.

Craig’s story begins with a “normal” childhood and a promising career in law, but substance use spiraled out of control, leading to job losses, foreclosure, and a suicide attempt. At rock bottom, Craig found the courage to ask for help, entering treatment and discovering the power of surrender, connection, and recovery.

Today, Craig is a husband, father, and la...

Meet Tamara, a veteran and mental health counselor whose life has been a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. From a childhood shaped by addiction in her family to her own battles with substance abuse, Tamara’s journey is filled with profound lessons on grief, loss, and the strength it takes to start over.

In this episode, Tamara shares how addiction affected her early life, from growing up in a home shadowed by substance abuse to losing both her father and stepfather to the disease. Despite her academic success and military aspirations, addiction led to...

Meet Taylor Baim, a personal trainer and recovering addict who has overcome immense personal challenges, including family turmoil, the loss of a close friend, and his own struggles with shame and self-acceptance as a gay man.

Taylor opens up about his tumultuous upbringing, marked by his parents' separation, a chaotic family dynamic, and early exposure to alcohol and drugs. He recounts how his substance use escalated during his teenage years and continued into his twenties, leading to devastating consequences. Despite these challenges, Taylor’s life took a turning point when he reached his lowest point and found cl...

Lauren’s story is one of resilience, loss, and rediscovery. Born in El Paso, Texas, Lauren seemed to have a loving and supportive family, but hidden beneath the surface were unaddressed traumas that led her down a path of eating disorders, alcoholism, and self-doubt. In this episode, she shares how childhood insecurities and family dynamics shaped her addiction journey, eventually leading to DUIs, abusive relationships, and countless struggles.

Lauren's turning point came after experiencing multiple wake-up calls, including a near-death experience with her boyfriend’s seizure and partial lobotomy. Her path to sobriety wasn't linear, but through reha...

In this raw and powerful episode of Crosstalk, host Corey Raven sits down with long-time friend Henry Jay to dive into his journey from a promising young athlete to battling addiction and ultimately finding recovery. Henry opens up about growing up in Westchester, his passion for baseball, and how early exposure to alcohol planted the seeds for a long struggle ahead.

Henry shares how addiction took over his college years, leading him to dark places, isolation, and missed opportunities. From baseball scholarships to blackouts and rehab, Henry reflects on the pivotal moments that led to his decision...

Meet Josh, a recovering alcoholic and former inmate who overcame a life of addiction, criminal activity, and despair to build a life of purpose and service. In this powerful episode, Josh shares his raw and unfiltered story, offering a rare glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of addiction recovery.

Josh’s story begins in a chaotic childhood filled with poverty and dysfunction, leading to a path of substance abuse, theft, and eventual incarceration. From the thrill of stealing as a young boy to battling alcoholism and meth addiction as an adult, his life spiraled into 27 probation violations an...

Eric Bricker, a therapist based in East Boca, Florida, shares his extraordinary journey from a marketing student with no clear path to becoming a mental health advocate specializing in grief, trauma, and addiction recovery. With decades of experience helping individuals and families, Eric’s story offers a rare look at the human side of therapy.

From an early fascination with psychotherapy inspired by Ordinary People to working as a case manager for at-risk populations, Eric’s path to becoming a therapist is marked by resilience and passion. Along the way, he encountered the world of addiction recovery in F...

Meet Jeanette, a resilient woman who overcame years of substance abuse, including struggles with alcohol, opiates, and Xanax, all while maintaining a high-powered job. Her story reveals the stark contrast between a polished exterior and the chaos within.

Jeanette shares her journey, from an idyllic childhood in Brooklyn to her descent into addiction, including life-threatening overdoses and withdrawal-induced seizures. Despite hitting rock bottom, she courageously found recovery through meetings, a support network, and an unwavering connection to her higher power. Today, Jeanette celebrates nearly five years of sobriety, a life filled with peace, gratitude, and love.