The Zac Clark Show
The Zac Clark Show, hosted by Zac Clark, explores the realities of addiction recovery beyond the initial story of getting sober. Each episode features honest conversations with athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyday people about living in recovery, often joined by behavioral health experts. The show aims to provide practical insight and resources for anyone affected by addiction, whether they are in recovery, considering it, or supporting someone else.
Episodes
Dad Gang: Building a Business, a Community & a Better Version of Fatherhood
Dad Gang founders Bart Szaniewski and Grant Eastey join Zac for a conversation about fatherhood, men's mental health, entrepreneurship and building a community where dads don't have to figure everything out alone.
They open up about how becoming a father changed them, navigating miscarriage and infertility, why so many new dads struggle in silence, and what it means to let your kids see you ask f
Addiction Doctor: Your Kid Doesn't Need to Be an Addict to Overdose | Dr. Michael McCormick
Dr. Michael McCormick, Chief Medical Officer at Release Recovery and our resident doctor on The Zac Clark Show, returns for an urgent conversation about today’s rapidly changing drug supply.
Following the suspected overdose deaths of two students at Ole Miss, Zac and Doc discuss what they’re seeing firsthand in addiction treatment – from kratom and concentrated kratom-derived products to counterf
Benton McClintock: Being F*cked Up Gave Him a Career. Sobriety Gave Him a Life.
Benton McClintock built an online following by being loud, outrageous, funny – and often completely fucked up. Behind the characters and viral videos, though, his relationship with drugs and alcohol was getting harder to control.
In his early 20s, Benton was waiting tables in New York City while trying to build a career online. Drinking became part of the job, drugs were readily available, and ev
Lemonada CEO Stephanie Wittels Wachs: Losing Her Brother to Addiction & What Families Need to Know
Stephanie Wittels Wachs is the CEO and cofounder of Lemonada Media, host of the award-winning podcast Last Day, and author of Last Day: How to Stop Losing Our Loved Ones to the Opioid Crisis. But none of this work would exist without her younger brother, Harris Wittels.
Harris – the beloved writer, producer and comedian known for Parks and Recreation and Master of None – died of an opioid overdos
Tony Winner Lena Hall: From Blackouts to 10 Years Sober
Tony and Grammy-nominated performer Lena Hall joins Zac for an honest conversation about addiction, sobriety and the side of success people rarely see. A Broadway veteran who won a Tony for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Lena has built a career spanning theater, music, film and television, including her current role on Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors.
Lena opens up about how wanting to fit in eve
The Viral Paramus Half Marathon: What Really Happened | Zac Clark
What happens when the race probably should be canceled — but nobody stops running?
Zac breaks down one of the wildest races of his life: the Paramus Race Faster Half Marathon, where torrential rain turned the course into knee-and waist-deep water, rushing currents, slippery trails and even a detour into traffic. Despite it all, Zac and hundreds of other runners kept going.
After footage from t
From Crack Addiction at 20 to Medical School & Ultramarathons | David Millar
At 20, David Millar's life revolved around getting high. His cocaine use had progressed to crack, drug-induced psychosis and a point where he says he was completely okay with dying.
Seven years later, David is sober, in medical school and running ultramarathons.
In this episode, David tells Zac how addiction took him out of college, why the treatment he experienced in early recovery ultimately h
15 Years Sober: What Recovery Has Given Me | Zac Clark
Fifteen years ago, I had no hope, no purpose, and no idea what my life could become. Today, I get to look back on 15 years of sobriety -- and everything recovery has given me.
In this solo episode, I talk about what it was like, the moment everything changed, why I still believe my story is my greatest asset, and why I’ll never stop sharing it.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you a
From Teacher to 6 Million Followers: Tyler Jackowski on Anxiety, Imposter Syndrome & Finding Purpose
Tyler Jackowski has built an audience of millions by making people laugh, but his path to becoming a full-time content creator was anything but planned.
Before social media, Tyler was a teacher – an experience that continues to shape his life and his mission to give back to educators. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Zac for a funny and open conversation about going from the classroom to bec
She Saved a Life at the Knicks Championship Parade | Simone Kelly on Addiction, Narcan & Ending Stigma
At the New York Knicks championship parade, a man became unresponsive high above a crowd of thousands. Phones came out. Simone Kelly ran toward him.
Simone is a 24-year-old volunteer EMT and neuroscience student at Drew University who hopes to become a physician specializing in emergency psychiatry and addiction. At the parade, she climbed onto the structure, recognized the signs of a suspected o
Comedian Rosebud Baker: Alcoholism, Postpartum, Divorce & What 19 Years Sober Really Looks Like
Comedian, former Saturday Night Live writer, and author Rosebud Baker joins Zac for an honest conversation about addiction, grief, motherhood, divorce, and what long-term recovery actually looks like.
Rosebud reflects on losing her seven-year-old sister, getting sober at 22, writing her memoir Fully Baked: A Messy Memoir, working at SNL while raising a newborn, and navigating divorce -- and how r
Shep Rose on Bravo Fame, Alcohol, Ayahuasca & Why He Finally Had to Change
After more than a decade on Bravo's hit reality show, Southern Charm, Shep Rose opens up about the moment he realized something had to change.
Shep shares the phone call from Andy Cohen that became a wake-up call, the blackouts that scared him, and the ayahuasca journey in Costa Rica that forced him to confront his relationship with alcohol, attention, and the endless pursuit of more.
This isn't
Young Women, Alcoholism & the New Generation of Recovery | Neva Coleman
Neva Coleman looked like she was thriving.
She was a bright college student at Tulane, surrounded by friends, succeeding academically, and living what many would consider the "normal" college experience. But behind the scenes, alcohol had become far more than a way to have fun.
In this conversation, Neva shares how grief after losing her father on 9/11, perfectionism, anxiety, and an escalating
Hunter Montgomery: From Injury to Heroin Addiction, Reality TV & Nearly 20 Years Sober
Hunter Montgomery has been sober for nearly 20 years – but his story didn't begin with heroin. It began with a football injury, a prescription for painkillers, and the belief that he'd finally found something that made him feel comfortable in his own skin.
In this honest conversation, Hunter joins Zac Clark to unpack the hidden beginning of addiction, why so many people suffer in silence, and wha
Sober Since 16: Bravo Star Maddi Reese on Building a Big Life in Recovery
Bravo's Southern Hospitality star Maddi Reese joins The Zac Clark Show to share her awesome recovery journey – from drinking at 12 and multiple trips to treatment, to getting sober at 16 and building a successful career as a DJ, reality television personality, and advocate for recovery.
In this conversation, Maddi opens up about anxiety, treatment, AA, sponsorship, dating in recovery, performing
The Future of Drinking | How Family Alcoholism Led Joe Chura to Build Go Brewing
Joe Chura is the founder of Go Brewing, one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic breweries in the country, now available in more than 8,000 locations. Before launching Go Brewing, he built and sold a marketing technology company in a deal valued at more than $200 million.
But long before building successful businesses, Joe grew up in a home shaped by alcoholism. He shares the painful reality of l
Love in Recovery | Michael Allio & Jade Chapman on Grief, Addiction and Second Chances
Michael Allio and Jade Chapman join me for a powerful conversation about grief, addiction, recovery, and the unexpected path that brought them together.
Michael is a former contestant on The Bachelorette, author of the children's book Where the Wild Heart Grows, and co-founder of St. James Therapeutics, a company focused on advancing cancer treatment and care. He opens up about losing his wife, L
He Robbed a Convenience Store for Heroin at 18. Now He Helps Thousands Recover | Corey Warren on Recovery, Relapse, & Faith
At 17, Corey Warren was shooting heroin. At 18, he robbed a convenience store to support his addiction and faced up to 30 years in prison.
What followed was a journey through addiction, recovery, success, relapse, and redemption. After more than a decade of sobriety, Corey began drinking again – which nearly cost him everything. Instead, it led to a powerful spiritual awakening, a relationship wi
He Helped Thousands of Young Men — Then His Son Nearly Died | Lessons on Fatherhood & Modern Men
What does it take to keep going when a doctor tells you your son has less than a 10% chance of survival?
Vince Benevento is the founder of Causeway Collaborative – a counseling and mentorship organization that has helped over 2,500 young men between the ages of 14 and 30 – and the author of Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male.
Last July, his 12-year-old son Leo was diagnosed w
What Recovery Looks Like: A Viral Moment, the London Marathon, and a Party That’ll Make You Believe
I'm fired up. New studio, new energy, and a month that reminded me exactly why I do this. In this solo episode – with a surprise appearance from Release Foundation’s own Caitlin Healy – I break down three moments that stopped me cold.
First: how a viral Bravo moment turned into a $25,000 donation to the Release Foundation, and why I had absolutely nothing to do with it. Caitlin takes us behind th
3 Things On My Mind: Empathy & Social Media, Pete Davidson & My Hairline
What If Guys Just Said It Out Loud?
Zac Clark goes solo this week and gets honest – uncomfortably, refreshingly honest. It starts with something small: he's losing his hair, and he's embarrassed about it. But that admission opens the door to something much bigger.
If a guy in recovery, with years of hard-won self-awareness, can barely say that out loud – what hope is there for the man who hasn't y
The Phone Call That Changed Everything | A Brother & Sister’s Recovery Story
When addiction hits a family, everyone feels it – but recovery can ripple through a family too.
In this powerful episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with siblings Sean and Kathleen McGowan, two people whose lives were once consumed by addiction and chaos, and who today both work in the behavioral healthcare field.
Sean shares the moment that changed his life: waking up in a hotel room af
Kratom: Natural Supplement or Addictive Drug? | Dr. Michael McCormick
Is kratom safe – or is it quietly becoming the next opioid crisis?
In this quick-hit episode, Zac sits down with recurring medical contributor Dr. Michael McCormick, Chief Medical Officer at Release Recovery, to clear the air on one of the most polarizing substances in America right now: kratom.
Marketed as a natural herbal supplement and sold openly at gas stations and smoke shops, kratom is used
Ken Rideout: From Opioid Addict to World Champion
When you look up Ken Rideout, you get a wild list of labels: prison guard. Wall Street trader. Opioid addict. Fastest marathoner in the world over 50.
In this episode, Ken sits down with Zac to talk about reinvention – and what it actually takes to change your life. From crushing opioids and cocaine, and hiding addiction while building a career in finance, to detoxing, rebuilding from the ground u
He Stole $50K for Heroin – Now He’s a VP at a leading Recovery Company | Blake Porter
Seven years ago, Zac Clark walked into a treatment center to speak at a Tuesday night meeting – and met a guy in pajama pants wearing a “Grateful Dead” tee who had no idea if he was going to make it.
That guy was Blake Porter.
In this episode, Zac and Jay sit down with Blake – now Vice President of Business Development at Release Recovery – to trace the full arc: growing up in a small town in upst
Corey Davis: Building the Sober Golf Movement
Corey Davis is 15 years sober – and he left a high-paying corporate career to build Soba Golf, a fast-growing community at the intersection of sobriety, wellness, and golf.
Corey joins Zac and Jay to share how golf became more than a hobby: a daily practice in presence, humility, discipline, and emotional regulation – the same muscles recovery demands. He tells the origin story: during COVID, livi
Rivkah Reyes: From School of Rock to a Life in Recovery
In this episode, Zac and Jay sit down with Rivkah Reyes – actor, musician, and the bass player from School of Rock – for a candid, nuanced conversation about growing up in the spotlight, addiction at a young age, and finding sobriety.
Together, they walk through Rivkah’s journey from child stardom into substance use, the role drugs and alcohol played in coping with pressure and identity, and how g
Should You Take Drugs in Recovery? A Top Addiction Doctor Explains
In this episode, Zac sits down with Release Recovery’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael McCormick, for a candid, nuanced conversation about one of the most controversial questions in recovery: can drugs ever help sobriety?
Together, they break down three major categories of medications – benzodiazepines, stimulants, and opioid medications like Suboxone, methadone, and Vivitrol – and explain how
ASK ME ANYTHING: The Questions Everyone Has About Sobriety
In this Ask Me Anything episode, Zac kicks off 2026 by answering real questions from the community about sobriety, recovery, and mental health.
Zac shares honest, grounded insight on topics people are often afraid to ask about – including California sober, medication-assisted treatment like Suboxone, dry January, cravings, acceptance, and whether a relationship with alcohol can ever truly change.
What Getting Sober ACTUALLY Looks Like
On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Grace Adams joins Zac and Jay for an honest and funny conversation about what early sobriety actually looks like.
They start with a hot topic that brings all sorts of opinions: dating in sobriety. Is “don’t date for a year” real wisdom… or an arbitrary rule people cling to? Zac and Jay break down why recovery can’t be one-size-fits-all – and how the wrong g
UFC Veteran Jared Gordon: 10 Years Sober, Overdose, Fatherhood, and the Fight After the Cage
Jared “Flash” Gordon is a UFC veteran known for his grit, longevity in the sport, and a career that defied the odds — not just in the cage, but in life. Before he became a professional fighter, Jared survived 13 treatment centers, 8 arrests, and a felony case in Florida where he was facing 25-to-life. In 2015, he overdosed and woke up in a hospital bed, finally ready to change his life forever.
The Truth About Kratom: What It Is, Why It’s Everywhere, and Who It’s Hurting
Kratom is everywhere – in gas stations, bodegas, vape shops, and even pharmacies. But most people don’t actually know what it is.
In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac and Jay break down the truth about kratom: what it is, how it works in the brain, and why treatment centers across the country are seeing a sharp rise in kratom-related addiction and relapse.
This is not a PSA and it’s not an
What Your Brain Could Be Telling You: Dr. David Rowe on Neuropsychology, Psych Tests & Recovery
What is neuropsychology? What does a psychological test actually measure? And what if it were possible to understand how we learn, think, and behave in a totally non-judgmental, deeply informative way?
This week on The Zac Clark Show, we sit down with Dr. David Rowe, Director of Neuropsychology at United Assessment, to demystify the entire world of psychoeducational testing. Dr. Rowe explains how
Thanksgiving Sober Edition: Going Home in Early Sobriety, Embarrassing Stories & Real Gratitude
Thanksgiving can be beautiful – and brutal – especially in early sobriety. In this special Thanksgiving Sober Edition, Zac and Jay bring in guests Grace Adams (Release Marketing Director & former client), Dave Megenis (VP of Outreach & Continuing Care at Wellbridge, a leading addiction treatment and recovery center), and Michael Ahearn (Wellbridge Addiction Treatment & Research) to talk about:
Go
From Heroin to Marathons: How Kellen Matthews-Thompson Rebuilt His Life
In this episode, we sit down with Kellen Matthews-Thompson – Philly runner, content creator, father, husband, and the founder of Recovery Run Club. Before his life revolved around miles, marathons, and community, Kellen spent over a decade in the grip of opioid addiction. He began using in his teens, eventually turning to IV drugs in his twenties. His life unraveled – until a doctor in treatment c
Renowned NYU Professor Created a Test That Teaches You Who You Are | Suzy Welch on Becoming You
What if there was a test that could actually tell you who you are – or even better, who you’re meant to become?
In this episode, Zac and Jay explore Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career, the groundbreaking philosophy and curriculum developed by Suzy Welch – New York Times bestselling author, award-winning NYU professor, podcaster, innovator, and trusted ment
Teen Addiction, Mental Health & Healing Families: Mike Giresi, Chief Clinical Officer, Family First
Mike Giresi was an All-American high school football player with a bright future, until crippling anxiety and panic attacks after graduation led him to alcohol. What began as self-medication spiraled into heroin addiction, multiple overdoses, and rehab.
In this episode, Mike shares his journey through the darkest chapters of addiction and his hard-fought recovery. His transformation became a call
NFL QB to Healthcare CEO: BJ Coleman on Sports, Leadership, and Life’s Toughest Pivots
In this episode, Zac sits down with BJ Coleman – former NFL quarterback, author of The Pivot, and CEO of Pivotal Health Partners – for a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, and life after the game.
BJ traces his journey from being a highly recruited high school quarterback to playing at the University of Tennessee, then transferring to the struggling program at UT Chattanooga – wh
Skateboarding, Mental Health & the Berlin Marathon 2025 | KJ Dillard & Release’s Soo Saxton
New York City brings people together in unexpected ways. In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with KJ Dillard -- an influencer, model, and skater just days away from running the 2025 Berlin Marathon to raise money for the Release Recovery Foundation -- and Soo-Hwan ‘Soo’ Saxton, an accomplished skater and Release Recovery team member whose recovery story is deeply rooted in skatebo
The Shadow of 9/11: Matthew Bocchi on Sobriety, Survival, and Inspiring Others
At 9 years old, Matthew Bocchi lost his father in the North Tower on 9/11. At 23, he got sober. In between were years of grief, addiction, and a secret he carried alone – sexual abuse by a family member. In this raw conversation, Matthew and Zac trace the line from trauma to addiction to recovery, and how speaking the truth can save lives. Matthew shares the call that changed everything, the momen
Hollywood, Fame & Mental Health: Stephanie Szostak’s Journey of Self-Discovery
At 30, Stephanie Szostak made the bold decision to pursue acting – despite the long odds of success and the skeptics who questioned the move. Audiences soon came to know her from The Devil Wears Prada, her turn opposite Steve Carell and Paul Rudd in Dinner for Schmucks, and her role in Marvel’s Iron Man 3. But beyond the red carpets and film sets, Stephanie has carved out another identity: author
Zac’s Social Media Detox, Marijuana Talk, Good vs Bad Addiction & How to Get Unstuck: Zac & Jay
Zac and Jay are keeping it in-house this time, pulling back the curtain on the podcast’s growth and the community they’re working to build. With a plant doling out life lessons and Zac’s self-imposed social media ban (for now), they dive into how stepping back from the online world has been a game-changer for his mental health. They also get real about marijuana – why it’s not always as harmless a
Jimmy Drago: 8 Drug Overdoses, Sobriety, and His Journey to a UFC Dream
MMA fighter Jimmy Drago joins The Zac Clark Show just weeks before stepping into the cage for the biggest fight of his life — a shot at a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.
But before the cage came chaos: By 19, Jimmy had survived eight overdoses, been revived by Narcan four times, fought in underground clubs in Hunts Point, and lost his father – a decorated 9/11 hero – to addiction a
Scott Strode & The Phoenix: From Addiction to Building a Recovery Community of Nearly 1 Million
This week on The Zac Clark Show, we sit down with Scott Strode — founder of The Phoenix, a free national sober active community that’s approaching one million members and nearly 90,000 events strong. But behind those staggering numbers is a deeply personal story.
Scott opens up about the childhood trauma that led him to substance use at age 11, the fractured worlds he navigated between his father’
Jeff Halevy on Trauma at 14, Addiction, Grief, and Building a New Vision for Wellness Through Tech
Jeff Halevy has lived many lives. After surviving a childhood brain tumor and living with undiagnosed PTSD, he poured himself into achievement – becoming an award-winning, multi-exit entrepreneur in health, wellness, and technology. He built businesses at the intersection of fitness and behavior change, served as a correspondent for NBC’s Today Show, hosted the internationally syndicated Workout F
Love, Loss, and TikTok: How Jack Ciapciak Turned Grief into Connection
In one of our most heartfelt conversations yet, Zac and Jay sit down with writer and grief advocate Jack Ciapciak to talk about love, loss, and healing. Jack opens up about losing his fiancé – also named Jack – just days before Christmas 2022, how it shattered his world, and how he’s slowly been rebuilding.
From his years writing for the TV show Blue Bloods to the unexpected power of sharing his
Finding Humor in the Dark Sh#t: Dave Manheim on Drugs, Recovery, Loss & Dopey
Zac and Jay sit down with Dave Manheim – creator of Dopey, the darkly hilarious and deeply moving podcast about “drugs, addiction, and dumb sh*t,” or as he now calls it, “the dark comedy of drug addiction.” What began as two friends swapping war stories has grown into a full-blown cultural force, with a diehard community, celebrity guests, and an archive of the funniest, most heartbreaking, and mo
From Addiction to NFL Stardom to Walking Away from $32M: Darren Waller on What Matters Now
Former NFL star Darren Waller joins The Zac Clark Show to share his raw, unfiltered story of recovery. From overdosing on opiates in a grocery store parking lot just miles from the Ravens facility to becoming one of the league’s top tight ends with the Raiders and Giants, Darren opens up about the real battle—his addiction, the search for identity, and the haunting realization that no amount of mo
Father’s Day Special | Doug Clark (Zac’s Dad)
Father’s Day Special
This week, Zac sits down with his dad, Doug Clark, for a powerful Father’s Day conversation—joined by Jay, who brings his own experience as a son and a father to the table. Together, they unpack what it means to show up for family, especially when love gets tested.
From Zac’s baseball days and early signs of addiction to arrests, rehabs, recovery, and rebuilding trust, this ep
Craig Robinson: From Bachelorette Fame to Saving Lives with the Marchman Act
Before he was a lawyer helping families navigate addiction treatment, Craig Robinson was living a double life—reality TV fame, courtroom success, and a cocaine addiction he kept hidden from everyone.
In this honest, deeply personal conversation, Craig joins The Zac Clark Show to talk about what no one saw behind the camera: the collapse of his legal career, a suicide attempt in a Philadelphia cond
This Doctor Believes Diet Could Heal Mental Health Disorders and Addiction | Dr. Matt Bernstein
Dr. Matt Bernstein isn’t just a psychiatrist—he’s on the frontlines of a quiet revolution in mental health care. In this episode, Zac and Jay sit down with the founder of Accord, a pioneering residential program in Massachusetts that treats serious mental health conditions by healing the body first. The conversation starts with the question: What is metabolic psychiatry?—and opens into a raw, deep
A Mother, A Daughter, and the Power of Recovery | Molly Bierman and Nancy Ashcroft
This week, Zac and Jay sit down with mother-daughter duo Nancy Ashcroft and Molly Bierman for one of the most raw and emotional episodes yet. Molly’s story of addiction began in high school and spiraled quickly—through daily cocaine use, multiple treatment centers, and years of chaos. But this isn’t just her story. It’s Nancy’s too.
Together, they open up about the pain of addiction, the shame and
Behind the Reality TV Curtain: Carl Radke on Sobriety, Redemption, and Showing Up
Carl Radke’s journey to recovery happened in front of millions. As a cast member on Bravo’s Summer House, his struggles with alcohol, cocaine, grief, and identity became national conversation. But behind the reality TV persona was a man battling real pain, quietly losing control.
In this powerful episode of The Zac Clark Show, Carl sits down with Zac and Jay for an unfiltered conversation about t
What a Renowned Cardiologist Has Learned About Health and Life After 40 Years | Dr. Sheldon Goldberg
In this special episode on wisdom, Zac and Jay sit down with Dr. Sheldon Goldberg — known affectionately as Dr. G — a pioneering interventional cardiologist whose medical career spans over five decades. Dr. Goldberg serves as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of Cardiovascular Education and Research at Pennsylvania Hosp
LONDON MARATHON RECAP: 70 Degree Heat, Traveling Sober, and AA Lives Everywhere
Zac and Jay unpack Zac’s grueling 70° London Marathon: the exhaustion, the jetlag, the missed PR — and the unexpected wins that had nothing to do with time. They talk sober travel, hitting AA meetings abroad, and how running connects to the bigger work of recovery and showing up for yourself.
There’s also a special appearance from Release’s Grace Adams, who traveled to London to capture it all. S
Minisode: Jay Unfiltered — Sober Dad Life (and Popping Zyns in All the Wrong Places)
With Zac in London for the marathon, Jay takes the mic for a raw and reflective solo episode—joined off-camera by producer Sarah Prazmark—for a candid conversation about addiction, language, parenting, and the lingering pull of substances like nicotine.
Jay opens up about his 17 years of sobriety, the complicated feelings he still has around the word “addict,” and the stigma that continues to shap
What Parents Get Wrong: Hard Truths from John Lieberman, Adolescent Recovery Expert
John Lieberman has spent the last 30 years helping teens and families navigate the most complex emotional terrain imaginable—addiction, anxiety, depression, and everything in between. As CEO of Visions Treatment Centers, John is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts in adolescent behavioral health. Visions is a unique program that not only offers extended care but also includes
Dr. Cara Poland: A National Voice for Mothers, Compassion, and the Fight for Better Addiction Care
This week on The Zac Clark Show, we’re joined by Dr. Cara Poland—an addiction medicine physician, educator, and national policy leader who’s been on the front lines of treating substance use disorder with science, compassion, and urgency. Dr. Poland works across every level of the system: running a clinic that supports pregnant and parenting people, training the next generation of doctors, and adv
Self-Help Doesn’t Work (But This Does): The Alexis Haines Recovery Story
Alexis Haines joins The Zac Clark Show for a conversation about transformation, service, and what long-term recovery really looks like. At just 18, Alexis became a public figure through her involvement in what the media dubbed The Bling Ring—a moment that could have defined her life. Instead, it became the catalyst for change.
Now, with 14 years of sobriety, Alexis works in the behavioral healthc
Drew Robinson: Former MLB Player's 20 Hours Between Life and Death—and the Mission That Came After
In this raw and deeply human conversation, Zac and Jay sit down with former MLB player and mental health advocate Drew Robinson—someone whose story is almost too unbelievable to be true. In 2020, Drew survived a suicide attempt that should have ended his life. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new one.
Drew walks us through the silent buildup to that night: the injury that ended his season, t
The Love Story Behind The Bachelor: A Father’s Journey Through Addiction and Recovery | Rob Ellis
Rob Ellis lived a double life for decades—hustling, using, surviving. To the outside world, he was successful. To his family, he was slipping away. In this raw, unflinching conversation, Rob sits down with Zac and Jay to talk about a 30-year addiction that nearly took everything—and the moment it all changed. He opens up about fatherhood, shame, forgiveness, and how his son, Grant Ellis—this seaso
Jana Webb on Breath, Resilience & the Mind-Body Connection: How We Breathe Changes Everything
Note: We had a brief audio issue, but it’s resolved by 5:37. Thanks for your patience!
What If Breath Could Change Everything?
Jana Webb is no stranger to high performance. As a movement and injury prevention specialist for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and the creator of JOGA, she has spent years helping elite athletes optimize their bodies and minds. But a near-fatal car accident forced her to rebui
How Far Is Too Far? Alex Honnold on Risk, Mortality, and the Cost of Greatness
Alex Honnold doesn’t just climb mountains—he defies them. The legendary free solo climber (scaling sheer rock faces without a rope or safety equipment) and star of Free Solo, the Academy Award-winning documentary, joins The Zac Clark Show for a deep dive into the psychology of risk, obsession, and resilience. Alex opens up about his all-or-nothing mentality, the dangers and discipline of climbing,
Life After Loss: Amanda Kloots on Grief, Faith, and Finding Love Again
Broadway star, TV host, and entrepreneur Amanda Kloots was already a public figure, but when she began sharing her husband Nick Cordero’s battle with COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic, her openness struck a deep chord. Through daily social media updates, she gave the world a raw, real-time look at love, loss, and resilience—bringing the often private and painful experience of grief into t
Provider Spotlight: Andrew Roberts – From Crack Addiction in 1980s NYC to CEO of a Top Treatment Center
What are the odds of getting a random LinkedIn message that leads you back to the very place where you rebuilt your life? For Andrew Roberts, CEO of High Watch Recovery Center, that’s exactly what happened.
High Watch Recovery Center, founded in 1939, is one of the longest-standing nonprofit addiction treatment centers in the U.S., rooted in 12-step recovery and dedicated to helping people heal t
Who Gets Therapy in America? The Fight for Equal Care | Damian Travier, Executive Director of APF
Mental health access isn’t equal, and Damian Travier is working to change that. As the Executive Director of Access Psychology Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to culturally competent mental health care for underserved communities—Damian is on a mission to close the gap for young people of color by providing free training for educators, funding therapy for those in need, and br
Building a Multi-Million Dollar Empire with a Mental Health Mission: Rhone CEO Nate Checketts
This week, Zac sits down with Nate Checketts, founder and CEO of Rhone, a brand that combines high-performance apparel with a strong sense of purpose. They explore how mental fitness plays a central role in both Nate’s personal journey and the mission of his brand. Nate shares how Rhone is committed to inspiring men and women to take care of their physical and mental health, going beyond creating
Wild Stories, Painful Truths, and Second Chances: Zac and Jay
In this special 40th episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with TZCS producer, sometime co-host, and longtime friend, Jay Devore, for an unfiltered, deeply personal conversation. Having been part of Zac's journey since his first days in New York and early sobriety, Jay shares the wild, raw, and sometimes hilarious stories that have shaped their friendship. From an unforgettable car-trunk ch
Ink, Drugs, and Redemption: Snuffy’s Journey from Dealer to Celebrity Tattoo Artist and Sculptor
In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with renowned tattoo artist and sculptor Julius Margulies, a.k.a. Snuffy, to explore his powerful story of recovery and artistic transformation. Snuffy, who has inked celebrities like Pete Davidson and Machine Gun Kelly, shares how his creative explosion post-recovery helped him break free from past struggles.
With his unique approach to tatto
Minisode: NFL’s A.J. Brown's Viral Book Moment and What Critics Don’t Get About Mental Health
In this mini-episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac and TZCS producer Jay Devore chat about A.J. Brown's viral moment reading a book on the Eagles' sidelines and what it says about mental health in sports. They break down why taking care of your mind is just as important as physical training, share stories about mindfulness, and discuss how self-care is changing the game for athletes. A.J. Brown’s sim
Expert Nutritionist Believes the Key to Sobriety Is What You Eat | Dr. Brooke Scheller
What if your diet could transform the way you drink—or even help you quit altogether? This idea lies at the heart of Dr. Brooke Scheller’s innovative work. As a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and founder of Functional Sobriety, she is redefining the recovery conversation through the power of nutrition.
Dr. Scheller, author of How to Eat to Change How You Drink, isn’t just offering nutrition tips—sh
A Parent’s Mission To Overcome The Tragedy Of Addiction: Honoring Nic Pagano
On January 23rd at City Winery, we honor the life of Nic Pagano through a night of music and community. After losing Nic to an accidental overdose in 2021, his father, Rich Pagano, has turned unimaginable grief into a mission to raise awareness and provide hope. The Nic Pagano LGBTQIA+ Scholarship for Recovery is not only a tribute to Nic’s memory but also a lifeline for others in need of treatmen
Rich Vos: Breaking the Rules of Comedy, Sobriety Myths, and Why Recovery is Life’s Best Punchline
On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with comedy legend Rich Vos for a raw, wild, and insightful conversation. With 38 years of sobriety under his belt, Rich opens up about his battle with substances, the pivotal moment that drove him to recovery, and the incredible life he's built since then. Known as the first white comic on Def Comedy Jam, Rich recounts breaking barriers in the
Building a Media Empire: Betches Co-Founder Jordana Abraham on Humor, Mental Health, and Life Online
In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Jordana Abraham, co-founder of Betches, shares how she and her college roommates turned a satirical blog into a full-fledged media empire with over 10 million followers. Jordana talks about the power of humor in building connections, reducing feelings of isolation, and tackling real-life challenges like mental health and modern dating.
Zac and Jordana explor
Expert Interventionist Shares Secrets Behind 1,000+ Successful Interventions | Jonathan Rauch
When you hear the word “intervention,” you might picture the chaotic scenes from TV shows like Intervention. But as Certified Intervention Expert Jonathan Rauch explains, interventions aren’t about chaos—they’re about connection, preparation, and healing.
In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with Jonathan, who has led over 1,000 successful interventions, to discuss how reframing i
Sex, Therapy and Addiction: NYC Therapist Reina Zelonky on Balancing Love, Family, and Healing
On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with Reina Zelonky, a renowned New York City psychotherapist whose career spans over 13 years of helping families, couples, and young adults find healing and connection. From her impactful work at The Freedom Institute and Serenity New York to her leadership roles at Hazelden Betty Ford, Reina has built a career centered on addiction recovery, f
ASK ZAC EPISODE: Holiday Edition
On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac answers your questions about navigating the highs and lows of the holidays. Whether you’re newly sober and heading home for the first time or looking for advice on how to handle tricky family dynamics, Zac has you covered. The holidays are here, and they don’t have to be hard!
Questions we covered:
Blackout Wednesday – how do I tell old friends I am
Addiction Breaks Families, Recovery Heals: Rep. Madeleine Dean and Son Harry Cunnane’s Journey
Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA) and her son Harry Cunnane join The Zac Clark Show for a powerful conversation about their journey through Harry’s substance use disorder and the road to recovery. Drawing from their co-authored memoir, "Under Our Roof: A Son’s Battle for Recovery, a Mother’s Battle for Her Son," they share raw insights into the challenges of addiction, the resilience of family, an
The Story of Dr. Bonnie Milas: How Losing Her Children to Fentanyl Inspired Her Fight Against the Deadly Epidemic
In this powerful episode of The Zac Clark Show, Dr. Bonnie Milas shares her deeply personal journey through unimaginable tragedy and her mission to protect other families from the same fate. A cardiac anesthesiologist, intensivist, and clinical professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Milas lost both of her sons to accidental fentanyl overdoses
THE MARATHON EPISODE: Transformative Stories from the TCS New York City Marathon
In this special post-TCS New York City Marathon episode, Zac, on the eve of his own 10th NYC Marathon, sits down with four inspiring runners who share how the race has transformed their lives. Each guest brings a unique story of resilience, healing, and growth. Featured guest Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners and a two-time NYC Marathon finisher, discusses his commitment to making runn
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