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
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
I Was Forced to Shoot Heroin at 16… It Changed My Life Forever | Ep 150
In this deeply raw and emotional episode of Get a Grip Podcast, hosts Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Alysha Shbasky to share a story that is as heartbreaking as it is powerful.Alysha’s journey into addiction started early—watching her mom misuse opiates and cocaine before she ever touched weed herself. By high school, she was introduced to meth, and by 16, she was already experiencing
How Heroin Addiction Led Me to 10 Years in West Virginia Prison | Ep 148
In this powerful episode of Get a Grip Podcast, hosts Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Cameron Brewster for a raw and unfiltered conversation about a life shaped by trauma, addiction, prison, and ultimately redemption.Cameron opens up about his early childhood, growing up with his father in prison for murder and the instability that led him into the foster care system. As he got older, h
How I Built an OxyContin Empire at 19… Inside Florida’s Pill Mill Era | Ep 147
In this episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Josh Shaw to unpack a wild story of early crime, addiction, and building an underground empire during the height of the pill mill era.Josh’s journey starts young—getting arrested at just 9 years old, fighting in juvenile detention, and being prescribed high doses of Adderall as a kid. By high school, he was alrea
I Was Pregnant at 18 and Addicted to Meth & Opiates… This Is How I Survived | Ep 146
In this powerful and emotional episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Shaye Shunkle to share a story that is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring—a journey through addiction, motherhood, chaos, and ultimately, recovery.Shaye’s story begins with a difficult childhood, born to a mother who was just 15 years old. Growing up surrounded by instability, she was expo
I Was a Full-Blown Addict at 12… Then Got Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison | Ep 145
In this intense and unfiltered episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Matt Wiseman to unpack a life story that is as shocking as it is deeply human.Matt’s journey begins in a chaotic childhood where innocence was stripped away early. He shares what it was like taking his first drink at just 6 years old—forced to grow up fast in an environment filled with trau
I Started Dealing Heroin in High School… and Almost Lost Everything Ep | 144
In this powerful and raw episode of Get A Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Vinny Ramirez to uncover a life story that spirals from chaos and survival into addiction, crime, and ultimately redemption.Vinny takes us back to his childhood growing up in East Chicago, where instability was the norm. With nine people packed into one house and violence never far away, he looked up
The Reality of Meth & Fentanyl Addiction on the Streets of Hilltop, Ohio | Ep 143
Louis takes the conversation beyond the studio and into the streets, sitting down face-to-face with people experiencing homelessness to hear the stories most of us never get to hear. In this raw and unfiltered episode, he speaks with men who are living day-to-day survival, many of them battling serious addiction while navigating life without stability, safety, or support.What quickly becomes clear
How I Lost a Child During Crack & Heroin Addiction | Ep 142
In this deeply emotional and eye-opening episode, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Marrissa Hibbler to share a story that begins in what many would consider a “normal” upbringing—but quickly unravels into a journey marked by trauma, loss, addiction, and ultimately, resilience.Marrissa takes us back to her early years, opening up about her childhood and the complicated relationship she ha
How I Went From Heroin Addiction at 14 to 23 Years in Prison… Now 22 Years Sober | Ep 141
In this powerful and unfiltered episode, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Al Savage to unpack a life story that most people couldn’t imagine surviving—let alone coming back from.Al doesn’t hold anything back. From the streets to the system, he walks us through the chaos of a life consumed by addiction, crime, and survival at all costs. What started as substance use quickly spiraled into
What Fentanyl & Xylazine Addiction Looks Like in the Streets of Columbus, Ohio | Ep 141
in this powerful and unfiltered episode of Get A Grip Podcast, the team steps out of the studio and into the streets to uncover the raw, often unseen reality of addiction and homelessness. What unfolds is an eye-opening look at the lives of people many pass by every day—stories that are rarely heard, and even more rarely understood.Through honest, on-the-ground conversations, the team connects wit
From Fake IDs to Fentanyl: How My Addiction Took Everything | Ep 140
In this episode, Chelsea Boggs shares her raw and unfiltered story of addiction, survival, and the long road to recovery.Chelsea opens up about her childhood and how a major family shift shaped her early life. What started as partying on the weekends quickly escalated after experimenting with drugs in her teenage years, leading to the use of Percocets and eventually daily dependence. As her enviro
From My Dad’s Drug Mule at 5 to Facing 80 Years In Prison | A Life Built on Trauma | Ep 139
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nicole Stull to share a story of survival, pain, and ultimately redemption.Nicole opens up about a childhood marked by unimaginable trauma. Growing up in a home where she was abused by her older brothers in ways no child should ever experience, Nicole spent years carrying the weight of that pain in silence. The
How My Heroin Addiction & Losing My Mom to an Overdose Inspired This Podcast | Ep 138
In this episode, Emma and Rihanna from The Ohio State University sit down with Louis Essig to hear the powerful story of how a young man from an upper-class community ended up living on the streets in the grip of addiction—and how he fought his way back.Louis grew up in what most would consider a normal, stable environment, but everything began to change after his first drink at 16. What started a
I Shot Heroin in Medical School and Still Became a Doctor | Ep 137
In this powerful episode, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Dr. Nicole Labor to hear a story that challenges everything people think they know about addiction, recovery, and redemption.Nicole grew up in a strict household where drugs were something to fear and avoid. But like many stories of addiction, the path didn’t begin where anyone expected. What started with heavy drinking as a teen
How She Graduated High School on Heroin & Survived 30+ Overdoses | Ep 136
Born into chaos and addiction, McKayla Jodon’s story is one of survival, relapse, and ultimately redemption. In this powerful episode, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with McKayla as she opens up about growing up with a mother who had her at just 14 years old and how instability shaped her early life. What began as a seemingly normal childhood quickly spiraled as McKayla was introduced to dr
How I Survived Crack & Fentanyl Addiction and Two Teen Pregnancies | Ep 135
Shakura Slaughter joins hosts Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes for one of the rawest, most powerful conversations ever featured on the show. Raised in deep poverty and surrounded by violence from the beginning, Shakura opens up about how her childhood environment shaped her worldview long before she ever had a chance to shape it herself. From the earliest moments of her life, she was already fighting
What It’s Like Giving Birth in Prison as a Heroin Addict | Ep 134
In this powerful episode, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Aysha Clever for a raw and deeply moving conversation about trauma, addiction, loss, and redemption.Aysha opens up about a childhood shaped by domestic violence and instability — a home where fear was normal and survival came before everything else. Growing up in chaos left scars that followed her into adolescence, and like so ma
What Happened When I Found My Dad Overdosed After 5 Days on Crack & Heroin | Ep 133
In this powerful episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Dominic G., a man whose story is soaked in generational addiction, loss, and ultimately redemption. Alcoholism ran deep in Dominic’s bloodline, taking loved ones and shaping the chaos of his childhood long before he ever picked up a substance himself.Dominic reflects on surviving a devastating car wreck with his father — a moment that could h
How Heroin & Coke Addiction Shaped My Music Career While Touring with Stone Sour, Ministry & Prong | Ep 132
In this powerful episode, Louis Essig sits down with Jason Christopher for a raw, unfiltered conversation about music, addiction, fame, relapse, and redemption.Jason’s story begins with a childhood shaped by chaos and curiosity. By 12–13 years old, he was experimenting with LSD, and after a food fight spiraled into a psych ward stay, the trajectory of his life was already shifting. But at 14, he p
How I Lost 20 Years to a Cr4ck Fueled Rage Addiction In The 80's | 131
In this raw and unfiltered episode, Aaron and Louis sit down with Bob Frazier — a man who says rage fueled nearly every decision he made for decades. Growing up in Philadelphia, Bob witnessed brutal domestic violence at home and endured relentless beatings from his father. By 8 minutes into this conversation, he recounts the moment he finally “boxed” his dad in the living room — a turning point th
How I Became an Accessory to Murd3r After a Girl Died at the Trap I Was Selling M3th Out Of | Ep 130
In this raw and unfiltered episode, Louis Essig sits down with Laray Hamilton to unpack a life that spiraled into chaos long before she ever touched m3th.Laray opens up about growing up without knowing her father and being raised by an alcoholic mother whose instability shaped her earliest memories. At just 10 years old, she witnessed her mom put a gun in her own mouth. By 13, feeling like she nev
I Relapsed 6 Times on Oxy, H3roin & F3ntanyl… Here’s What Finally Worked | Ep 129
In this raw and deeply personal episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Tyler Boggs, a man who openly describes himself as a chronic relapser—and isn’t afraid to explain what that really means. Tyler’s battle with addiction began at a young age, when experimenting with drugs quickly escalated into something far more powerful and destructive. What started as escape and curiosity eventually turned in
Recommended
Solved Murders - True Crime Stories
紐約鳥｜New York Aperture
Doctor Zhivago Slow Read
Apple News In Conversation
The Young and Called Podcast .
Jubal Phone Pranks from The Jubal Show
پلی لیست | PlayList
English with Olivia | Slow Conversations & Vocabulary
Bible Tea
TED Talks Daily
Pod Save America
Dateline NBC
