Built By The Red Stick

In Episode 121, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Rebecca “Smiley” Whitehead for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and rebuilding your life when everything feels like it has gone off the rails.

Smiley shares parts of her journey, the difficult lessons she learned along the way, and what it took to begin moving in a better direction. Her story is a reminder that no matter how much damage has been done, it is never too late to get back on track.

This episode is about owning your past without allowing it to define your...

In Episode 120, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Jacob Still for an honest conversation about addiction, close calls, consequences, and the moments that can completely change the direction of a person’s life.

Jacob shares his experiences, the lessons he learned along the way, and what it took to recognize that life was giving him another opportunity. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest moments become the wake-up calls we need—and that recovery begins when we decide to do something different.

This episode is about accountability, gratitude, personal growth, and choosi...

In Episode 119 of Built By The Red Stick, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Bee Tee for a raw conversation about trauma, addiction, survival, and what happens when the things you have lived through permanently change you.

Trauma does not always disappear when the moment is over. It can affect how you think, how you react, how you build relationships, and how you see yourself. For many people, drugs and alcohol become a way to silence memories and emotions they were never taught how to process.

This episode looks at the connection...

In Episode 118 of Built By The Red Stick, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Kirk Moncrief for an honest conversation about addiction, relationships, consequences, and the difference between loving someone and losing yourself in the process.

Kirk opens up about his experiences and the lessons that came from relationships shaped by unhealthy patterns, difficult choices, and the chaos surrounding addiction. They talk about how easy it can be to mistake dysfunction for loyalty—and why sometimes recovery requires walking away from the people, places, and behaviors keeping you trapped.

This conversation is about ta...

In Episode 117 of Built By The Red Stick, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Kevin “Tank” Gambino for an honest conversation about addiction, pressure, consequences, and reaching the point where life becomes too much to handle alone.

Tank opens up about the pressure that continued building in his life, the decisions that came with it, and what happened when everything finally reached a breaking point. They discuss the damage addiction can cause, the reality of facing your choices, and the difficult work required to begin rebuilding.

This episode is about what...

Episode 116 is a little different. There is no guest this week—just Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley having an honest conversation about their own lives, their recovery, and the second chances that helped shape the men they are today.

Ronnie and Michael reflect on the moments when everything could have gone differently, the people who refused to give up on them, and the responsibility that comes with being given another opportunity.

Recovery is rarely about receiving only one second chance. It is about learning from the chances we have been given, taking accountability for our ch...

In Episode 115 of Built By The Red Stick, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Tina Bass, CIT, for a powerful conversation about addiction, prison, consequences, faith, and the road to redemption.

Before becoming a recovery leader, Tina experienced homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and the possibility of losing nearly everything as a habitual offender. Her life began to change when she stopped running and surrendered.

In 2016, Tina co-founded Kingdom Recovery P31, a faith-based recovery program dedicated to helping people in prison and those struggling with addiction find treatment and support. She joined Second Chances...

In Episode 114 of Built By The Red Stick, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with two women helping lead the fight against addiction at Second Chances Addiction Recovery Center: Riley McEacharn and Krystine Poindexter, RAC.

Riley serves as the Facility Administrator at Second Chances, overseeing operations while supporting the staff and clients throughout their recovery journeys. Her own spiritual and emotional recovery began in 2014, inspiring her passion for helping others find healing through personal growth, community support, and stronger family connections.

Krystine serves as Assistant Administrator and has worked in residential treatment since 2017...

In Episode 113 of Built by the Red Stick, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Mike Boudreaux for an honest conversation about the experience that nearly cost him everything—and the second chance that gave him an opportunity to choose a different path.

Mike shares the story behind that life-changing moment, the lessons he carried forward, and why every chance at a better life matters. This is a powerful reminder that your worst moment does not have to become the end of your story.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY SECOND CHANCES ADDICTION RECOVERY CENTER

A...

Episode 112 of Built By The Red Stick is one of those full-circle conversations.

Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Darrin Seal, Men’s Center Director at the Washington Street Hope Center in Marksville and an addiction counselor who knows firsthand what it means to need recovery—and what can happen when you finally give it a chance.

Darrin’s life didn’t always look like it does today. His story includes addiction, alcohol and cocaine, trouble with the law, and eventually reaching a point where something had to change.

Today, he’s sitting...

This special episode brings a little podcast crossover to Built By The Red Stick as Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Andrew and Taylor Gautreau from Louisiana Legends.

Louisiana Legends is built around something we can definitely relate to—sitting down with real people and letting them tell the stories you probably aren't going to hear anywhere else. Their show has featured everyone from musicians and athletes to law enforcement, former inmates, local personalities, and people connected to some pretty wild pieces of Louisiana history.

This episode is a chance to get to know the pe...

Episode 111 of Built By The Red Stick welcomes Laurent Lobell to the studio for another real conversation about addiction, recovery, and just how much life can change when you finally decide to do something different.

Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Laurent to hear his story in his own words. They talk about the chaos of the past, the consequences that come with addiction, and what it looks like trying to build a completely different life on the other side of it.

But like most BBRS episodes, this isn't an hour of sitting...

Episode 110 of Built By The Red Stick welcomes Rebecca Turner to the studio for a real conversation about life, recovery, the things we go through, and what happens when we finally start moving forward.

Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Rebecca and give her the floor to tell her story in her own words—the good, the bad, the lessons learned, and the experiences that helped shape the person she is today.

That's what this show has always been about. Not perfect people. Not polished stories. Just real people willing to talk about th...

In Episode 109 of Built By The Red Stick, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Steve Burgess, Operations Manager at The Hope Center in Marksville, Louisiana, for a NEW installment of the Meet Your Sponsor series.

Steve has spent years helping ensure that The Hope Center continues its mission of restoring lives through quality addiction treatment and recovery support. Since opening its doors in 1990, The Hope Center has helped thousands of men and women begin new lives through its 12-Step, Recovery Dynamics-based residential treatment program, intensive outpatient services, and strong alumni community.

In this conversation...

In Episode 108 of Built By The Red Stick, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Jarvis Fountaine, a counselor, recovery advocate, and community resource coordinator who has taken his own experiences and turned them into an opportunity to help others.

Jarvis doesn't just talk about addiction recovery from the outside looking in. He has publicly shared his own experiences with substance misuse and now uses those experiences to have honest conversations with young people and adults about addiction, mental health, stigma, and what can happen when we keep everything bottled up.

Today, Jarvis works...

 In Episode 107 of Built By The Red Stick, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Ann Matassa for a deeply personal conversation about domestic violence, survival, and finding the strength to finally break free.

Ann opens up about the reality of living in an abusive relationship—the bruises she covered, the excuses she made, and the complicated reasons people sometimes stay in situations that others looking from the outside may not understand.

This conversation goes beyond asking, "Why didn't you just leave?" It explores the fear, manipulation, isolation, and emotional weight that can kee...

In Episode 106 of Built By The Red Stick, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Cathy Toliver for an incredibly emotional conversation about the unimaginable pain of losing her grandson.

Cathy shares her family's story, the tragedy that changed their lives forever, and what it has been like trying to navigate grief after such a devastating loss. She opens up about the memories she carries with her, the impact her grandson had on those who loved him, and how a family begins to move forward when life will never quite be the same.

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In Episode 105 of Built By The Red Stick, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome back the guys from Rehab Bromance—Jed Payne, Trevon Tardy, and Raph Luneau—and things get wild pretty quickly.

This episode is packed with stories, nonstop laughs, recovery talk, and the kind of unpredictable conversations that happen when you put five guys with a lot of history, personality, and absolutely no filter in the same room.

The guys also talk about the upcoming Rehab Bromance x Built By The Red Stick Live Podcast Filming happening in Lafayette. The event will bring both...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome LaShona Mosby, founder of Families with a Broken Heart Due to Senseless Violence, for one of the most emotional conversations we've had on the show.

After losing her son, Corinthian, to gun violence in 2014—a tragedy that also left her two other sons wounded—LaShona made the courageous decision to turn unimaginable pain into a mission of hope. Instead of allowing tragedy to define her family, she chose to become an advocate for healing, supporting families affected by violence, addiction, trauma, and ment...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Donna Burks, a mental health and substance abuse professional whose career has been dedicated to helping individuals find healing, stability, and long-term recovery.

Donna holds a Master's degree and serves as a PLPC (Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor) and SAP (Substance Abuse Professional), bringing both clinical knowledge and real-world experience to the conversation. She currently works as a Substance Abuse Professional in the Baton Rouge area, helping individuals navigate recovery, treatment, and the challenges that come with rebuilding life after addiction.

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In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Katie True for an honest conversation about recovery, healing, and the power of finding your true identity after addiction.

Katie shares her personal journey through addiction, the challenges she faced along the way, and the moments that ultimately led her toward recovery. She opens up about rebuilding her life, learning to trust the process, and discovering that freedom is about much more than simply putting down a substance—it's about becoming the person you were always me...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Rolando Wolfe, a substance abuse counselor, recovery advocate, and leader in the sober living community.

Rolando has dedicated his life to helping individuals find freedom from addiction and build a foundation for lasting recovery. Through his work in counseling and sober living, he has witnessed firsthand the challenges people face when trying to rebuild their lives—and the incredible transformations that happen when recovery is given a chance.

During this conversation, Rolando shares his perspective on addiction, mental he...

In this powerful episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Jody Plauché, author of Why Gary Why? and son of the late Gary Plauché, whose story became known around the world after he shot and killed the man who had abducted and sexually abused Jody.

For decades, the public has focused on the dramatic moment captured on live television. But behind the headlines is a much deeper story—one of trauma, healing, forgiveness, and recovery.

Jody shares his personal journey of surviving abuse, navigating the aftermath of a tr...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Trevon Tardy, a recovery advocate whose story is rooted in transformation, accountability, and helping others find freedom from addiction.

Through faith, surrender, and a commitment to recovery, Trevon has rebuilt his life and now dedicates himself to supporting others battling addiction. He has been involved in structured, 12-step based sober living environments focused on accountability, community, and long-term recovery.

Trevon opens up about the realities of addiction, mental health, and what it takes to break destructive cycles and...

This week, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Mackenzie Selby for one of the rawest and most powerful conversations yet.

Mackenzie’s story is one of survival. She opens up about growing up around addiction, violence, abuse, and crime from an early age — a life most people couldn’t even imagine living through. By the time she was a teenager, addiction and chaos had already taken over her world. But instead of becoming another statistic, Mackenzie found recovery in 2009 and completely changed the direction of her life.

Today, she uses her story to help o...

This week on Built By The Red Stick, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Devan Castille, the Program Director and Educator at Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Devan specializes in the 12 Step model of addiction and Recovery Dynamics, helping people understand addiction in a way that is practical, personal, and life-changing.

Devan’s story is powerful. He has been through prison, violence, addiction, and the kind of chaos most people never come back from. But recovery didn’t just give him a second chance — it gave him a whole new life. Today, he’s b...

This week, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Lewis Blanche—a beekeeper, a man in recovery, and somebody who’s built a completely different life than where he started.

Lewis gets real about his past and what it took to turn things around. Years ago, he was caught up in addiction and legal trouble, but recovery gave him a second shot—and he ran with it.

Now, instead of chaos, his life revolves around something a lot quieter: working with bees. And honestly, it fits. Beekeeping isn’t fast, it’s not flashy—it’s patient...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Jed Payne, recovery advocate, speaker, and host of the podcasts Church & Other Drugs and Rehab Bromance.

Jed is known for bringing raw honesty, humor, and real-life experience into conversations about addiction recovery, faith, mental health, and personal transformation. Through both of his podcasts, he has built a strong voice in the recovery community—creating space for difficult conversations that many people are afraid to have, while helping others realize they are not alone in the struggle.

On Church & Ot...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Ryan Felder, the Administrator of Rayville Recovery in Rayville, Louisiana.

Ryan brings years of experience in the substance abuse field and holds multiple credentials including RAC, ICADC, CCGC, CCS, and SAP, making him a respected leader in addiction treatment and recovery services. His work at Rayville Recovery focuses on helping individuals access affordable dual-diagnosis residential treatment, detox services, and long-term recovery support.

In this conversation, Ryan shares what it takes to lead a treatment center that serves people during some...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Marc Crawford, the Administrator at Regions Behavioral Health in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Marc plays a key leadership role in one of the area’s leading behavioral health facilities, helping oversee programs that provide inpatient and outpatient treatment for mental health and addiction, including dual-diagnosis care for individuals facing both substance use and underlying mental health challenges.

In this conversation, Marc shares insight into what it really takes to run a behavioral health facility—from crisis stabilization to long-term reco...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Dr. Ethan Byrne for a powerful conversation about transformation, resilience, and what it truly means to rebuild a life in recovery.

Dr. Byrne’s story is one of real change—from the depths of addiction to a life built on purpose, discipline, and service. After choosing recovery in 2012, he went on to become a biomedical engineer, husband, father, and leader in the recovery community, using his journey to inspire others who feel stuck or without hope.

In this epis...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Louisiana legend and former NFL running back Kevin Faulk for a powerful conversation about life, challenges, and perseverance.

Known for his standout career at LSU and his success in the NFL, Kevin opens up about the pressures of performance, life after football, and the personal growth that comes from facing adversity head-on. This conversation goes beyond sports—it’s about identity, resilience, and what it takes to rebuild and stay grounded no matter where life takes you.

Kevin shar...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Whitney Prejean, a Residential Counselor at Serenity Treatment Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Whitney works on the front lines of addiction recovery, walking alongside individuals during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. In this conversation, she shares what it’s like to support clients in a residential setting—where healing begins with structure, honesty, and consistent care.

She opens up about the importance of building trust, creating a safe environment, and helping people rediscover their worth after addi...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Jarrod Seguin, a counselor at Serenity Treatment Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Jarrod brings both passion and purpose to his work in addiction recovery. Known for his compassion and dedication, he has been recognized for the impact he makes in clients’ lives—helping guide them toward positive change and encouraging them to become the best version of themselves.

In this conversation, Jarrod opens up about what it means to answer a calling in recovery work, how faith and purp...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Cherie Guidry, the Clinical Director at Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.

Cherie has been part of the Serenity team since it opened in 2014 and has worked in the addiction field since 2012, growing through several roles including mental health technician, admissions, inpatient counselor, intensive outpatient counselor, assistant clinical director, and now Clinical Director.

She holds dual licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southeastern Lo...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Mario Mendizabal from Serenity Treatment Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a powerful conversation about recovery, outreach, and turning personal transformation into service for others.

Mario’s journey into recovery is deeply personal. After finding freedom from addiction himself, he now dedicates his time to helping others find hope and healing through his work with Serenity Treatment Center. Mario often shares his story publicly to encourage people struggling with addiction and to show that recovery is truly possible.

Through his ou...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Brittney Smith for a powerful and honest conversation about addiction, mental health, and the path toward recovery.

Brittney opens up about the realities of addiction and the emotional struggles that often come with it, including depression and the challenges many people face before they ever reach recovery. She also discusses the importance of awareness and why access to education and support can make the difference between life and death in the addiction crisis.

Throughout the episode, Brittney shares her perspective...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Dr. Younger, a clinical leader with TrueFreedom Recovery Center in Covington, Louisiana—a recovery-focused organization dedicated to helping people overcome addiction through connection, support, and holistic care.

Dr. Younger brings a wealth of experience working with individuals and families navigating the complexities of substance use and healing. In this conversation, he talks about the importance of creating safe, judgment-free environments where people feel seen and supported from detox through long-term recovery. You’ll hear real insight into how treatment works, how...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Dr. Younger, a clinical leader with TrueFreedom Recovery Center in Covington, Louisiana—a recovery-focused organization dedicated to helping people overcome addiction through connection, support, and holistic care.

Dr. Younger brings a wealth of experience working with individuals and families navigating the complexities of substance use and healing. In this conversation, he talks about the importance of creating safe, judgment-free environments where people feel seen and supported from detox through long-term recovery. You’ll hear real insight into how treatment works, how...

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Liam and Landin Vincifora, brothers representing TrueFreedom Recovery Center, for their first appearance on the show.

This powerful conversation explores what it means to walk the recovery journey not only as individuals, but as family. As brothers involved in the recovery community, Liam and Landin share their perspective on accountability, loyalty, responsibility, and the strength that comes from standing side by side in the fight against addiction.

They discuss the importance of community support, how recovery impacts the entire family...