Get a Grip Podcast
Get a Grip Podcast is hosted by Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes, both in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In each episode, they share their unfiltered stories of overcoming addiction, time in prison, and struggles with mental health—mixing raw honesty with humor. The podcast gives a voice to the underdog, breaking down the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. Through candid conversations and real-life experiences, Louis and Aaron inspire others on their journey, showing that while recovery is challenging, it’s possible.
Episodes
Blackouts, Cocaine & Alcohol: I Started Drinking at 11 & Couldn't Get Sober Until 39 | Ep 223
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Colleen for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, losing her brother, alcoholism, blackouts, multiple DUIs, jail time, and finding a way into recovery after nearly three decades of drinking. Colleen shares the story behind her headline-grabbing experience of being a blackout drinker from the age of 1
I Found My Mother Passed Away… The First Thing I Did Was Steal Her Cancer Meds | Ep 222
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Z for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about prescription pill addiction, heroin, grief, family tragedy, relapse, and the devastating consequences of addiction. Andrew opens up about his childhood in Toledo, Ohio, how his parents' relationship shaped his early years, and how a series of unexpecte
How I Went From Heroin to a 3-Year Crack Bender & Street Walking | Ep 221
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nicole Pike for a raw, emotional, and unfiltered conversation about childhood abuse, prescription pills, heroin addiction, crack addiction, homelessness, losing custody of her children, and the long road back to recovery.Nicole opens up about growing up with an abusive grandmother and how the trauma she experienced a
How Marijuana & Bipolar Disorder Ruined My Life & Kept Landing Me in the Psych Ward | Ep 220
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Devon Fitzpatrick for a raw and eye-opening conversation about bipolar disorder, substance use, psychosis, cocaine, PCP, meth, and the devastating impact that mental health and addiction can have when they collide.Devon opens up about his childhood, including the unusual circumstances surrounding his birth—his mother
I Was Addicted to Oxy, Xanax, Lean & Cocaine… How I Got Sober | Ep 220
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Matthew Fishrupp for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about Xanax addiction, prescription drug abuse, partying, arrests, psychosis, rehab, and the long road to recovery. Matthew's story reveals how quickly recreational drug use can spiral into a life consumed by addiction, and how becoming a father ultima
PTSD, Pills, & Ibogaine - The Drug That Can Cure Heroin Addiction In a Weekend? | Ep 219
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with PJ Wright for an intense and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, military service, PTSD, prescription medications, alternative treatments, and a profound spiritual awakening that changed the way he looks at life.PJ opens up about growing up with alcoholic parents and the challenges he experienced during his childhood. H
I Was Shot Twice During a Meth Robbery, Survived Fentanyl & Lived in Bando’s for Years. | Ep 218
<p>In this episode of <strong>Get a Grip Podcast</strong>, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with James Polley for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about growing up gay, meth addiction, homelessness, violence, overdose, and finding a path to recovery.</p><p>James opens up about his childhood and the challenges he faced while growing up gay. As he got o
How Homelessness Led Me to Heroin, Fentanyl & Almost Losing My Life | Ep 217
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jasper for a raw and heartbreaking conversation about homelessness, opioid addiction, heroin, fentanyl, overdose, and the journey toward recovery.Jasper opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him before addiction entered his life. One of the earliest turning points came when he experienced a fri
How Alcohol Slowly Took Everything From My Life | Ep 216
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Gardner for a wild, honest, and ultimately inspiring conversation about alcoholism, career struggles, reckless drinking, relationships, consequences, and finding a way into recovery.Jason opens up about his childhood and some embarrassing moments growing up before talking about his first experiences with alcoho
How My 18-Month-Old Daughter Accidentally Took 16mg of Suboxone | Ep 215
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jordan Py for a raw, emotional, and at times unbelievable story about alcoholism, prescription drugs, cocaine, addiction, marriage, fatherhood, relapse, and the long road toward recovery.Jordan opens up about his childhood and his first experiences with alcohol before describing how drinking gradually progressed duri
I Got Banned From Jerry Springer & Fenway Park... Then Got Addicted to Crack, Fentanyl & Nitrous | Ep 214
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Chris Cole for an intense and unbelievable story about addiction, partying, fatherhood, relapse, and recovery.Chris opens up about his childhood, early drinking, and how Adderall became his first real addiction. His substance use eventually escalated to cocaine, and by his senior year of high school, partying and cocaine had become
How I Spent $40K on Crack in 5 Months & Still Held a Job | Ep 213
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Baer for a wild, emotional, and unbelievable story about family trauma, alcohol, cocaine, crack addiction, money, crime, international drug use, and ultimately finding his way into recovery.Jason opens up about growing up in a chaotic home and the mental health struggles and abuse surrounding his father. He sha
How Heroin at 14 Led to 4 Mini-Strokes and Brain Surgery | Ep 212
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Cory Baton for a raw and deeply personal conversation about childhood abuse, addiction, relapse, serious health complications, and the fight to finally build a life in recovery.Cory opens up about a difficult childhood and the abuse he experienced growing up. By just 14 years old, Cory was already caught in the grip of addiction, us
How I Started Smoking PCP at 12, Became a Heroin Addict, and Lost Everything | Ep 211
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Dave Marcus for an intense and unbelievable conversation about growing up with drug-addicted parents, being exposed to drugs from an early age, dealing drugs, heroin addiction, homelessness, psychosis, jail, and ultimately finding a reason to change his life.Dave opens up about growing up in a household surrounded by addiction. His
I Drank Vodka Every Day for 30 Years, Found Crack, Got 8 DUI's, and Somehow Survived | Ep 210
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Tom McDonald for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about alcoholism, addiction, DUIs, family, prison, recovery, and what it takes to rebuild your life after decades of drinking.Tom describes growing up with a good childhood before discovering vodka and eventually spending 10 years working as a bartender. His re
I Got High on My Grandma’s Fentanyl Patches | Ep 210
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Ronnie Schaffer for a raw and deeply personal conversation about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive father, getting into the party scene at a young age, working in his dad’s bar, opioid addiction, fentanyl, loss, and ultimately finding a path toward recovery.Ronnie opens up about his childhood and the impact his father's alcoh
How I Wenat From Crack in High School to a Full-Blown Heroin & Meth Addict | Ep 209
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Natalie France for a raw and deeply emotional conversation about addiction, motherhood, abusive relationships, homelessness, heroin, meth, incarceration, pregnancy, and finding recovery after years of chaos.Natalie opens up about her childhood and her first experiences with alcohol before getting introduced to cocaine at just 16 ye
My Mom Introduced Me to Cocaine… Then I Got Hooked on Perc 30s | Ep 208
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Gage Bobo for an emotional and brutally honest conversation about growing up around addiction, a father spending years in prison, cocaine, Xanax, Percocet 30s, homelessness, crime, relapse, and ultimately finding a reason to change.Gage opens up about his childhood and what it was like having his dad spend six years
I Was Prescribed Xanax at 14… Then Fentanyl & Xylazine Destroyed My Life | Ep 207
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Zach Henry for an intense and deeply honest conversation about addiction, trauma, fentanyl, xylazine, family, and the devastating consequences of losing control.Zach grew up with alcoholic parents and was exposed to substance abuse and chaos at an early age. At just 14 years old, he was prescribed Xanax by a doctor,
I Was a Notre Dame Professor Smoking $800 of Crack Every Day | Ep 206
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Ted Beauchaine for one of the most unbelievable addiction and recovery stories we've ever heard.Ted takes us back to a childhood spent moving around the country, attending nine different schools before reaching high school, and eventually discovering alcohol. His first experience with drinking quickly spiraled when h
How Hiding My Sexuality Kept Me Shooting Oxy and Heroin Until I Finally Came Out | Ep 205
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nick Newman for an incredibly raw and personal conversation about addiction, IV drug use, sexuality, relapse, recovery, and the moment he finally stopped hiding who he was.Nick starts by taking us back to his childhood and high school years, eventually discovering his parents' stash of opiates. What began with partyi
How I Went From Fighting in Afghanistan to Fighting a 7OH Addiction | Ep 204
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nick Newman for an incredible story that spans childhood addiction, the U.S. Army, combat deployments, prescription drugs, kratom, 7OH, and the long road toward recovery.Nick opens up about a childhood that quickly went off the rails. By third grade, he had already been suspended twice, and by the age of 10 he was sm
How I Made It From 90 Days to Over 1 Year Sober From Fentanyl & Heroin | Ep 203
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Tony Newton for a raw and honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, crime, relationships, and the journey from fentanyl and heroin addiction into recovery.Tony opens up about a difficult childhood, including being sexually assaulted and being exposed to drug use by his own parents. He also talks about having aspirations
I Had 78 Felonies, Did 7 Years in Prison & Fought Crack & Gambling Addiction | Ep 202
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garne's sit down for a raw conversation about growing up around addiction, crack cocaine, prison, gambling, and finding a new way to live.Their guest shares how his life spiraled from cocaine and crack addiction into a criminal lifestyle that eventually led to 78 felony convictions and a seven-year prison sentence. He opens up about gett
How My Fentanyl Addiction Turned Into Xylazine Addiction | Ep 201
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Briana Noda for a raw and deeply personal conversation about growing up around addiction, becoming a mother, fentanyl and heroin addiction, xylazine, incarceration, and finding a way into recovery.Briana opens up about her childhood and what it was like growing up with addiction in her family. She shares how both of
I Walked the Streets for 15 Years to Feed My Crack Addiction… Then I Lost My Children in Sobreity | Ep 201
In this heartbreaking and powerful episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Tina Lester for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, prostitution, incarceration, recovery, and unimaginable loss.Tina's story takes us back to her childhood and the beginning of her addiction to crack cocaine. She opens up about using crack while pregnant with her son, eventu
My Mom Cooked Meth & I OD’d on Fentanyl at 13 | How I Survived Addiction & Abuse | Ep 200
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Victoria Lombardo for an incredibly raw and emotional conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, family dysfunction, abusive relationships, and finding a way forward after unimaginable loss.Victoria's story begins with a childhood surrounded by addiction and abuse. She opens up about growing up while her mother was involved in
I Was 8 Years Sober From Heroin... Then My Doctor Prescribed Me Klonopin & I Almost Relapsed | Ep 199
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes turns the microphone around and interviews co-host Louis Essig about a chapter of his life he never expected to experience.After years of sobriety from heroin addiction, Louis thought he had put his darkest days behind him. Then he landed what he considered his dream job and was prescribed benzodiazepines (benzos). Wh
Shooting Meth, Stealing Cars & Homeless in Cincinnati | Ep 199
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Catherine White for a raw and unfiltered conversation about meth addiction, life on the streets, crime, homelessness, and the difficult journey toward recovery.Catherine opens up about her childhood and the experiences that eventually led her toward substance use. When meth entered her life, things quickly began to change. She share
How I Became a "Career Criminal" After Meth & Heroin Took Over My Life | Ep 197
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Robbins for a raw conversation about growing up in crime, meth addiction, multiple prison sentences, and what it takes to finally break free from a life on the streets.Andrew's struggles began at an early age. By just 14 years old, he was sentenced to juvenile detention for aggravated robbery, setting him on a
I Believe My Brother's Passing Was Covered Up... Then I Lost Myself to Coke & Perc 30's | Ep 196
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Army veteran Andrew Robbins for a heartbreaking conversation about military service, family loss, addiction, and finding hope through faith and recovery.Andrew's journey began with a childhood that led him to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he hoped to build a meaningful future. During his service, a parachuting accid
I Was a Minister's Wife... Then I Started Selling Myself for Oxy 30s | Ep 195
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Kimberly Ferrizzi for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, faith, betrayal, and finding lasting recovery after losing everything.Kimberly's story begins with what appeared to be a picture-perfect life. She married her grade-school sweetheart, who went on to become a minister, and together they built a f
How I Lost My Leg, Started Selling Carfentanil & Got Addicted to Percs | Ep 194
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Quan White for an unbelievable conversation about violence, addiction, incarceration, and finding purpose after surviving experiences that most people could never imagine.Quan;s story begins with unimaginable childhood trauma. At just a young age, he witnessed his mother shoot his father multiple times—an event that forever changed
My Twin Brother & I Were Born Addicted to Crack, Abused, and Human Trafficked | Ep 193
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Kaylee Ferren for one of the most heartbreaking and inspiring stories ever shared on the show. From being born addicted to crack cocaine to surviving years of severe abuse, exploitation, addiction, and trafficking, Kaylee's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.Kaylee and her twin brother entered the world alrea
From 6 DUIs on Quaaludes to Shooting Cocaine & Stealing From My Family's Business | Ep 192
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Troy Sierer for a remarkable story of addiction, family, redemption, and long-term recovery.Troy's addiction began during his junior year of high school when he was introduced to Quaaludes, a drug that quickly took control of his life. What started as experimenting with pills soon spiraled into a pattern of reckless behavior, includ
I Traveled the World to Escape Heroin... Just to Find Meth & Fentanyl | Ep 191
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Chris Tudor for an incredible story of addiction, world travel, relapse, and the realization that no matter where you run, you can't outrun yourself.Chris' struggles began early with juvenile detention and behavioral issues that hinted at a lifetime of chasing the next escape. After spending time at a recovery center
How I Survived Meth Addiction & Life-Threatening Alcohol Withdrawal | Ep 190
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Rachid Yatkin for an unforgettable conversation about childhood trauma, incarceration, addiction, and the fight to rebuild a life after years of destructive choices.Rachid's story begins with a turbulent childhood marked by conflict at home. He opens up about his complicated relationship with his father, enduring abu
How Heroin Turned Me Into a Homeless Felon | Ep 189
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Shawn Mims for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, homelessness, and the journey toward lasting recovery.Shawn's story begins with a difficult childhood that set the stage for years of destructive choices. He shares how he started smoking cigarettes at just nine years old, long before he understood the consequ
I Didn't Know My Meth Was Cut With Fentanyl Until It Was Too Late... | Ep 188
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with T.Y. Brooks for a raw and honest conversation about growing up in the streets, juvenile detention, addiction, and finding a new path through recovery.T.Y.'s struggles began at an early age. After getting into trouble as a kid, he spent two and a half years in the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS), an experience that shaped muc
How I Got Clean After Shooting Every Drug & Relapsing on Fentanyl | Ep 187
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes and Louis Essig sit down with Eddie Pennington for a gripping conversation about growing up in addiction, surviving the streets, and finding hope after years of substance abuse and legal trouble.Eddie's story begins in a home where addiction was already a part of everyday life. Raised by an alcoholic father and a mother battling crack cocaine add
How I Ended Up in LA "Prison" After Heroin Took Over My Life... Then Came the Extradition from Hell | Ep 187
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Lynn Vetum for a powerful conversation about addiction, incarceration, relapse, and the long journey to lasting recovery.Lynn's story begins with what appeared to be a normal childhood, but everything started to change after leaving private school and entering a new environment. Like many people, her first experiences with alcohol
I Didn't Realize I Was Pregnant Until 7.5 Months Because of My Crack Addiction... | Ep 186
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Lauren Shoemaker for a powerful conversation about addiction, loss, recovery, and finding hope after years of chaos.Lauren's story begins with a difficult childhood before addiction slowly took hold during her late teens and early twenties. What started with cocaine quickly escalated, leading to intravenous drug use and a lifestyle
I Shot Someone at 17... Then Became a Crack Addict | Ep 185
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Mains for an incredible story of violence, addiction, prison, relapse, and the ongoing fight for recovery.Jason's life was marked by trauma from an early age. As a teenager, he survived a brutal assault after being jumped and thrown from an overpass—an event that changed the trajectory of his life. Just two yea
I Was a Daily Blackout Drinker... Then I Got 5 DUIs | Ep 184
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Ben Solove to discuss a lifetime of alcoholism, repeated second chances, and the decision that finally changed everything.Ben's story begins with an ordinary childhood, but like many people, his relationship with alcohol started at a young age. What seemed like harmless drinking gradually became a dependence that fol
How Alcohol, Crack & Prison Nearly Killed Me | Ep 183
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Justin Allen for a brutally honest conversation about alcoholism, homelessness, crack cocaine, incarceration, and the long road back to recovery.Justin's addiction began at an early age. While most kids were focused on school, he was already selling drugs in middle school. By 17, he was not only becoming a father, but also developin
How Childhood Trauma Led Me to Meth Addiction & an Attempt to End My Ex-Husbands Life | Ep 182
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Christina Rudd for a deeply personal conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, mental health, and the difficult road to healing.Christina's story begins with a childhood marked by abandonment and abuse. After her parents left, she endured sexual abuse by a family member—an experience that shaped much of her early life. As a te
How I Survived 22 Years of Heroin Addiction, 22 Jail Stays & Raising 7 Kids | Ep 182
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Latisha Barnes for an unforgettable conversation about surviving addiction, life on the streets, incarceration, and ultimately finding recovery after decades of chaos.Latisha's story began with a difficult childhood that was shaped by family struggles and instability. By just 14 years old, she was pregnant, living on
I Escaped Heroin... Until 7OH Ruined My Life Again | Ep 181
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Eric Wright for an honest and eye-opening conversation about growing up in Chicago, addiction, relapse, and finding hope after years of chasing a high.Eric's story begins on the streets of Chicago, where he started smoking and selling marijuana while still in school. As he got older, he became immersed in the city's
ICE Took My Baby's Father... Why I Turned to Heroin and a Brothel | Ep 180
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Carmen Honeycutt for a shocking and deeply personal story of addiction, loss, survival, and recovery.Carmen's struggle with substance abuse began at a young age and quickly escalated into a devastating addiction to Opana, one of the most powerful prescription opioids of its time. What started as experimentation soon
I Had Unlimited Access to Opiates & Benzos as a Pharmacy Tech... Then I Found 7OH | Ep 179
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Lauren Hayes for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, trauma, recovery, and the dangers of emerging substances that many people still know very little about.Lauren's story begins with a chaotic childhood that led her into risky situations at a very young age. By the fourth grade, she was already partying with high scho
How I Lost My Adopted Son to the Life of Addiction | Ep 178
In this deeply emotional episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Bob Miller to share the story of Dareion Davis—a young man whose life was filled with promise, challenges, redemption, and ultimately tragedy.Bob first met Dareion when he was just a kid and quickly became much more than a mentor. As Dareion's family struggled, Bob stepped in to help, eventually bringing him into hi
How I Beat Cancer...and then Became a Crackhead | Ep 177
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Gary King for a wild and emotional journey through addiction, survival, recovery, and second chances.Gary's story begins with a difficult childhood before he dropped out of high school and moved to Nashville looking for a new start. Instead, he found himself pulled deeper into a world of substance abuse. What started
Parents in Jail. Foster Care. 8th Grade Dropout. Then Came Meth. | Ep 176
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Chelsea Tipton for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, loss, and finding a way forward.Chelsea's life was filled with instability from the very beginning. Growing up with parents who struggled with legal troubles and incarceration, she faced challenges that most children could never imagine. As
Surviving Oxy Addiction, & Poverty in The Bottoms of Columbus, Ohio | Ep 175
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Joey Blake for a raw and unforgettable conversation about addiction, poverty, fatherhood, and recovery.Joey's story begins with humble beginnings, born to a 14-year-old mother and raised in circumstances that made life difficult from the start. By the time he was a teenager, he was already experimenting with alcohol
I Escaped Oxy & Meth Addiction—Now My Daughter Is Living My Nightmare | Ep 174
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Amanda Long to discuss her journey from addiction and chaos to recovery and purpose.Amanda grew up with young parents and describes a childhood that often left her searching for direction and stability. As she entered her teenage years, rebellion became a way of life, leading her down a path of risky decisions and ev
I Sold Myself to the Plug for Fentanyl | Stripping, Selling Crack & Recovery | Ep 173
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Ashtyn for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, toxic relationships, the adult entertainment industry, and the long road to recovery.Ashtyn's story begins with a difficult childhood and early exposure to situations no young teenager should have to navigate. She opens up about being involved with an 18-year
I Watched My Mom Die While We Were Using Meth Together | Ep 172
In this powerful episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Rich Davenport for a heartbreaking story of childhood trauma, addiction, loss, and recovery.Rich's struggles began at just 5 years old when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. As her health deteriorated, his childhood quickly unraveled, eventually leading him into foster care and a series of emotional batt
I Smuggled Illegal Aliens, Survived Human Trafficking, and Beat Heroin Addiction | Ep 171
In this unforgettable episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Mickey Mills to share one of the most shocking and inspiring recovery stories ever featured on the show.Born in St. Petersburg, Russia and adopted into the United States, Mickey's life was shaped by trauma from an early age. After losing a close friend to suicide and experiencing abuse, she spiraled
How My Transgender Baby Daddy Got Me Pregnant, Addicted to F3ntanyI, and Put Me Through Hell | Ep 171
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Isabella Hoover to share a story filled with addiction, betrayal, toxic relationships, family struggles, and ultimately recovery.Isabella's life started with challenges from day one. Born addicted and suffering a stroke as a baby, she faced obstacles long before she could understand them. As a teenager, she was dealt
From Percs to Needles & Prison | How I Recovered | Ep 170
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Kenny Maupin to talk about how addiction can happen to anyone — even someone who had a good childhood and loving family. Kenny opens up about growing up in a stable home before his parents divorced at a young age, something that quietly affected him more than he realized at the time.What started with marijuana and al
My Dad Taught Me How to Smoke Cr4ck… | Ep 169
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Tree Burns for one of the rawest conversations yet. Raised in chaos with a mother addicted to cr4ck and a father constantly in and out of prison, Tree’s childhood spiraled fast. By just 9 years old he was already getting high, running the streets, robbing convenience stores, and getting lit at school while trying to
Cheating, Cocaine & Psychosis | How I Hit Rock Bottom | Ep 168
In this intense and brutally honest episode of Get A Grip, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Carl Wilson for one of the most chaotic and emotional conversations the podcast has ever had. Carl takes listeners deep into his past, opening up about a rough childhood filled with instability, violence, and early exposure to addiction. From getting hooked on painkillers in high school to spirali
I Was a Child Protective Services Worker Addicted to M3th & F3ntanyl | Ep 167
On this intense and emotional episode of Get a Grip Podcast, hosts Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Brandy Harden for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, trauma, loss, and survival. Brandy opens up about her chaotic upbringing, growing up with her father after her mother left when she was young, and how rebellion and risky behavior began early in her life.From stealing cars i
How Prison Turned Me Into a Meth Addict | Ep 166
Reading for one of the most raw and honest conversations yet. Matthew opens up about the struggles that shaped his life from an early age, beginning with the devastating loss of his father when he was still a child. Without guidance and dealing with unresolved pain, he found himself searching for acceptance and purpose in all the wrong places.As Matthew shares, that pain eventually led him down a
I Was Addicted to Gun Point Robberies, Attempted Murd3r & 40’s | Ep 165
On this episode of the Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Brother Will for an unforgettable conversation about survival, violence, addiction, prison, redemption, and what it really takes to change your life after years of chaos.Brother Will tells his story from the very beginning — growing up in unstable environments, moving from hood to hood, and learning hard lessons
How Florida’s Oxy Epidemic Led Me to F3ntanyl Addiction | Ep 164
In this intense episode of Get a Grip, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Vinny Walton for one of the most shocking addiction stories ever told on the podcast. From growing up during Florida’s infamous pill epidemic to surviving fentanyl addiction, overdoses, scams, withdrawals, and losing everything — Vinny tells the full truth with nothing held back.Vinny opens up about his chaotic child
How I Put a Man in a Coma for 9 Months | Ep 163
In this gripping episode of the Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Ron Don for a raw and unforgettable conversation about addiction, violence, prison, and redemption. Ron opens up about the dark road that led him deep into substance abuse, the choices that nearly destroyed his life, and the moment he almost took another man’s life in a violent encounter that changed eve
How I Survived Growing Up With an Addicted Bipolar Mother | Ep 162
On this episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Dustin Ryan for one of the wildest and darkest conversations we’ve had yet. Dustin opens up about growing up surrounded by addiction, chaos, crime, and loss — and how those experiences shaped his life from a young age.From shocking childhood stories and early exposure to drugs and sex, to felony charges, family t
Addiction Led Me to Rob a Correctional Officer’s House — I Got 18 Years | Ep 161
In this powerful episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Dion Evans for an unbelievable story of trauma, addiction, prison, and redemption.Dion’s life started with pain early on. After being hit by a drunk driver as a child and suffering traumatic brain injuries that would permanently impact the way he thought and reacted to the world, his life slowly spiraled int
From 40 Foster Homes to 100 OD’s & F3ntanyl Addiction | Ep 160
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Chase Tomak for one of the most intense and unfiltered conversations yet—a story that starts in chaos and somehow finds its way to hope.Chase was born into addiction, entering the world as a crack baby and immediately facing odds stacked against him. By the time he was in 5th grade, he was already being expelled from
I Blacked Out on Heroin… It Cost Me 8 Years in Prison | Ep 159
In this episode of Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Brandon Muth for one of the most intense and eye-opening conversations yet—a story marked by trauma, addiction, violence, and ultimately, transformation.Brandon’s life started with chaos early on, including a near-fatal accident where he was hit by a dump truck as a child, followed by another serious injury not long
From Small Town to H3roin & M3th — Then 3 Weeks Without Sleep | Ep 159
In this episode of Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Tyler James to tell a story that starts in a quiet small town and spirals into a life consumed by addiction, chaos, and survival.Tyler opens up about his early years, growing up in a place where not much seemed out of the ordinary—until he was introduced to Hydrocodone at 17. What started as experimentation quickly e
From Miami Coke to Ohio Heroin — How He Finally Got Clean | Ep 158
In this episode of Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Michael Larkin to unpack a story that starts in the heat and chaos of Miami and winds its way through addiction, consequences, and ultimately, recovery.Michael takes us back to his early years growing up in Miami, where experimenting started young—first with weed, then quickly escalating into harder substances. He sh
How I Woke Up in a Human Trafficking Nightmare & M3th Addiction | Ep 157
In this powerful and deeply unsettling episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Brittany Hanson to uncover a story that is as heartbreaking as it is eye-opening. From the very beginning, Brittany’s life was shaped by instability and danger—growing up without her father and being exposed at a young age to environments no child should ever experience. What follow
I Lost Everything to Fentanyl — My Story of Addiction & Homelessness | Ep 156
In this raw and unfiltered episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig takes the conversation out of the studio and into the streets of Columbus, Ohio—coming face-to-face with the harsh realities that so many people walk past every day.This isn’t a distant discussion about addiction or homelessness. It’s real people, real stories, and real pain—captured in the very environments where survival i
I Got Pregnant at 13… Then Ended Up on M3th & in Jail | Ep 155
In this eye-opening episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Amber Vance to share a story that starts early—and escalates fast.Amber’s childhood quickly gave way to adult consequences when she found herself pregnant at just 13 years old. She opens up about what it was like navigating middle school while hiding a life-altering secret, and the moment she had to face
How My Mother’s Overdose Led Me to Fentanyl Addiction | Ep 154
In this deeply emotional and unflinchingly honest episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nicole Kaufmann to tell a story that cuts straight to the core of trauma, addiction, and survival.Nicole’s journey begins in a chaotic childhood marked by instability and exposure to substance abuse at home—including the haunting memory of her mother taking an entire bottle o
I Shot Heroin With My Dying Dad & Extracted My Own Teeth… 20 Years of IV Heroin Addiction | Ep 153
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig flips the script and sits down with co-host Aaron Garnes to uncover the full story behind the man listeners hear every week.Aaron takes it all the way back to his childhood, shaped by chaos, survival, and the shadow of his father’s past—smuggling heroin during Vietnam and living a life that blurred the line between hus
Finding Heroin in Jersey Had Me Nodding in My Mom’s Mashed Potatoes | Ep 152
In this gripping episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Rob Schilder for a raw, unfiltered conversation that traces the full arc of addiction—from early pain to full-blown chaos.Rob opens up about his childhood, shaped heavily by his father’s battle with cancer, and how that emotional weight followed him into his teenage years. What started as experimenting with
From Fentanyl to 7-OH… How a Legal Opioid Destroyed My Life | Ep 151
In this powerful episode of Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Jake Knappy to unpack a raw and unfiltered story of addiction, chaos, and ultimately redemption.Jake takes us all the way back to his childhood before diving into the moment everything began to spiral—using meth for three straight weeks in high school and quickly falling into a pattern of reckless behavior. What follows is
