Recovery Internet Radio
Episodes
Hiding Anna
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anna had a humble Midwest upbringing but thrust herself into the fast lane in New York then LA where the lifestyle caught up and Anna lost herself. ...
Are You Done Yet?
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are joined by our friends, Julie Funkhouser and Meredith Speir, who tell us about their personal and professional journeys. Julie and Meredit...
Staying Sober During the Holidays
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rick & Rob invite Brady C and Brian B to talk about Christmas chaos and what recovery is like through the holidays today.
The Rolling Boil of My Life
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On the episode today, we interview Jimmy R and discuss his recovery story. We cover his journey into sobriety, service and overcoming adversity in rec...
Slangin' Hot Sauce & Laughs
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we interview our friend, Dave Yates. Dave is a fulltime road warrior comedian and entrepreneur in recovery. Dave talks about his Hot Sauce compa...
Life Just Keeps Getting Better
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rick interviews Toby M about the manifestation of alcoholism, the progression of the disease and 31 whopping years of recovery!
Psychedelic Healing & Integration
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are joined by Eric Majoesk as he discusses his professional life and unorthadox road to recovery and healing. We discuss various approaches to rec...
The Knowledgeable Cynic
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by our friend Wes Walker. We discuss his personal recovery, the addiction treatment industry and everything in between....
Christmas in the Hole
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Recovery Internet Radio, we hear the story of Roman Braly. Roman has a fast story of chaos and carnage and shares about the foster ...
Roadmap to Success
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Recovery Internet Radio, we interview longtime friend and colleague, Gary Fisher. Gary served as Executive Director of Cirque Lodge...
Out of the Fog and into the Light
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Christine grew up in the fog of denial. Neither she nor her family had any awareness or understanding of addiction. A series of unhappy and unhealth r...
The Perfect Suburban Family
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join as as we speak with our friend, Brenda Napholz. Brenda is a mother who has battled addiction in her family for over ten years. She is the Preside...
Love Myself More
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It was in the genes, but it hit hard and fast. A natural mother the fear of losing her kids led grudgingly to rehab. Still not believing she had a pro...
We all need a North Star
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we talk with our friend Nick about his recovery journey, professional evolution and expereince in the behavioral healthcare industry. Nick ...
A Rocky Road
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
His story spans decades; his job as an AP photojournalist took him to many places in the country and the world; often gone for weeks. His family misse...
Miracle, Good Values or God Directed Coincidence?
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
He grew up in what is now Silicon Valley to a hard working business family. He was always the black sheep but never doubted his strong Catholic roots ...
The Good Girl with Kay G.
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
She grew up conservative and religious in a small Texas town. The good girl to the core She always did the right thing and nevvvvver disappointed her ...
Get Up Again, Climb Another Wall, Plant Another Flag
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ann B. shares her story of adventure and recovery! Fri, 2 June 2017
His Mom Passed And Everything Changed
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A second generation Irishman felt the shame from his grandfather’s alcoholism through his Mom. A good kid growing up in a religious family he always...
Near Death Experience
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nicole was a good kid.... She was more concerned about your feelings than her own. She wanted to make everyone else comfortable, but as it turns out.....
Nurse Jack 2.0
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nurse Jack has been a guest on the show in the past and as a result of some recent listener questions we decided to ask him back to finish the story. ...
Entitled Since Birth
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
He was the second youngest of five, born unexpectedly at home. After the first two kids Mom didn’t have much left and Eric was the favored one rai...
Redemption can take place while you're still above ground
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick grew up on the near West side in a good Italian neighborhood; Dad a cop and part time jewel thief and Mom a hard working patronage employee. ...
The Third Time's the Charm
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Two DUI’s was a good starter for Tom S. That and a few other drug and alcohol fueled calamities got him to call one of his old grade school buddi...
Treatment Centers…You gotta be IN one before you OWN one
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rob R. started young in the drug world and subsequently started young in the recovery world. It wasn’t an easy road or even a straight line to su...
My God is Personal to Me
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Believe what and how you want…skip organized religion entirely if you like (even though they might just know some things) but find what’s personal...
What I Thought was my Worst Day Turned Out to be my Best Day
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first time he drank it was magic…he fit in…he thought he found the answer. A car lover to the bone he found a way to wreck five Mustangs…...
Don't Give Up, Give Back
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
She’s been determined to make a difference in the lives of her kids and the kids of the community. She knew that it wasn’t easy for kids to gro...
The Spirit of Recovery
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Most people wouldn’t consider an alcoholic or drug addict a good candidate for enlightenment. How is it then that recovering alcoholics and addict...
CLPD perspective on Local Drug traffic and the use of Narcan
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Most of the big industrial cities particularly Boston, Chicago, New York and Seattle have dealt with the heroin problem for years. The problem howe...
Faith and Sweat
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan joined us tonight to talk about his travels in recovery. Sat, 25 October 2014.
Helping High Risk Kids
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
CJ Harmer and Trish Justis are two of Pioneer Center's youth program superstars.Their philosophy and that of the whole youth services team is one...
The Gift of Desperation
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Coming from a background of addiction and neglect, Annabel pretty much made up her own rules. She and her brother did their best to survive, sacrifi...
Grinding Down the Sharp Edges
29 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
He came out of the gate angry and drinking heavily. The environmental and genetic ingredients were all certainly present. Fending largely for hims...
Finding Our Way Back to Innocence...The Recovering Heart
01 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Pete was a kid torn from one parent and then torn again. He was moved from place to place with little supervision. Angry and hurt he acted out and...
He Took the Long Way Home
25 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Jerry, his brother and Mom spent a good deal of their life on the run from a violent Father; moving from city to city, changing names, schools, friend...
Wild Lotus: From Muddy Water to Beautiful Flower
11 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff started his journey after his parents’ divorce at age 13 with alcohol, weed and of all things, screwdrivers. By high school he was living a d...
Alcoholism; Plastic Surgery for the Soul
25 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
She never felt like she belonged. Gawky, pale and thin she never felt like she could compete with the “popular” girls. By the end of high scho...
From Judgment to (AA)cceptance
11 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
He was a lost child…on his own in many respects. He felt alienated and not a part of anything. It was a perfect set-up for addiction. He was alw...
He Took his Last Pill Every Day for the Last Three Years
30 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Within months of his first go around with Vikes he knew he needed more. Later a shady Doc gave him a prescription for 240 Norco a month and he manag...
The Queen of De-Nile
16 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
She finally got sober in her home area of South Bay. She went to somewhere around 700 meetings in the two years that she slipped, slid and hid her d...
Drug Court Success
09 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve had a couple years now to allow the drug court process to mature. We’ve had several “graduating classes” and a very good track record....
Recovery From the Family Disease
26 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
More than a few years ago a small group of parents began to meet in a therapists office. They talked about their struggles to stay sane while living...
She was an Unexpected Miracle
19 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
You could call our show this week a love story of sorts. Mary and her husband adopted a beautiful baby girl they named Kellen at 8 days and although...
Is There a Role for Ibogaine in Mainstream Addiction Treatment?
09 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Ibogaine is an extract from an African plant. It produces a number of effects that we’ll find out about tonight but among them is the elimination,...
Religion and Recovery with Father Jerome
02 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Meet one of the most alive and articulate guys around. Father Jerome is a well-known and well-loved Catholic Priest. He’s full of contradictions...
TROUBLED...but Lookin' Good on the Outside
14 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
She went to church, got good grades, was popular and funny but…her Mom was a “full blown alcoholic” and her Dad had an anger management problem....
Kids Talk About Today's "Normal"
07 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight’s show is an unusual opportunity to look inside the world of young people; a glimpse into how kids experience life. Our panel will be comp...
He Turned it Around....Transforming Tragedy
31 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
He grew up in the City. It wasn’t easy. His first run at sobriety was at the Northwest Edge Alano club but between not being ready and the “ma...
Addiction Treatment; an International Perspective
22 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. has been a leader in medicine, the humane treatment of mental health and more recently addiction however we approach treatment from the persp...
"The Most Important Person in the Room"
14 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Rachael was drinking shots at thirteen. In high school she could drink most of the boys under the table and was proud to be a party girl…it was he...
She Never Thought She'd Make it
10 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Pot wasn’t much of an issue; neither were pills. Boyfriends were largely to blame, she thought. When he started selling and later using heroin she...
Not Lookin' for Reasons
03 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
He was the youngest of eleven so that was the reason he drank? Nahhhh…he drank because he didn’t know a better way to deal with life. He used ...
The Methadone Maintenence Controversy
24 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a lively discussion with Ray Chlebicki, the former national sales manager for Roxand Labs, one of the three largest manufacturers of metha...
Travelin' Man
17 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Some people can travel quite a few miles before the “ism” catches up with them. Taking all things into consideration I would have to say our g...
Does Treatment Work? Treating Young Addicts
10 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Chris Gleason. Chris is a nationally recognized substance abuse treatment professional who specializes in working with adoles...
His Vice of Choice was MORE
03 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Some say that addiction is an attempt to fill an emptiness inside. Many with addictive disease say that they never felt like they were enough; that th...
Relationships in Recovery/Stayin' Together Sober
27 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
If sustaining a relationship isn't hard enough these days throw in the need to recover from both sides of the addictive disease. Our guests are...
Weed or no Weed: The Great Dope Debate
20 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
News Flash: Big disagreement over Legality of Marijuana. Join us this Sunday for a lively discussion about the relative merits or lack thereof of our...
The Paralysis of Analysis
13 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
He came in kicking and screaming. He wasn’t anywhere close to an easy convert, in fact, it might have been a gaggle of ferocious resentments at pe...
The Marijuana Maintenence Program
06 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
In his world drinking wasn’t a problem it was a way of life. The question was never whether or not to drink but only how well you managed the dr...
Intervention; getting them in the door
30 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week has the personal experience to know the power of recovery. His own time in the barrel gave him the sensitivity, the knowledge an...
Another Sober Christmas
23 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our second annual Holiday Show. Join us to talk to Scott D. about Christmases past in the "not so good old days" and how he man...
"Take a Stand" Speaks Out.
16 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
They were sick and tired of seeing people suffer; family, friends, classmates, boyfriends and girlfriends. They were tired of the stigma associated ...
The Spirit of Recovery
09 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Most people wouldn’t consider an alcoholic or drug addict a good candidate for enlightenment. How is it then that recovering alcoholics and addict...
Young, Empty, Lost, Loved, Y.E.L.L for the Ignored
25 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes we try to forget about the painful things that happen and what could be more painful than losing a child? But Carolyn and her other daughter...
ACA, Addict, Sufi
11 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Clearly, everybody’s story is different and twelve step programs have wide and open arms. Our guest tonight started her recovery in Adult Childre...
One kid's secret to staying "Young and Sober"
03 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
OK Let's face it. The odds aren't good for a young person to stay sober....right? Well, the odds aren't really that good for anybod...
A Woman's Issues in Sobriety
28 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
She had no intention of staying sober for more than a year. It had been sex, drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll and in her head, that wasn’t going to cha...
Did ya Turn it Over or Did ya Just Get Lucky
21 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Most of his ups and down in life were in sobriety. He got sober at 17 and is still that way 28+ years later. For people that think young people ha...
She Never Thought She'd Make it
14 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Pot wasn’t much of an issue; neither were pills. Boyfriends were largely to blame, she thought. When he started selling and later using heroin she...
Tragic Heroin Overdose Stole his Daughter
07 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
All you have to do is read the paper or listen to the news to know that there’s a heroin problem in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago; but like most ...
Lawyer Needed Assistance
30 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Isn’t drinking just part of what a hardworking, hard driving attorney does? Isn’t a little relief after a difficult case; a hard day in court ju...
Suitcoat Johnny talks about the Nature of Change
23 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Sobriety is more than the containment of a compulsion; it’s a fundamental shift in consciousness. Is change a prerequisite of sobriety? It has bee...
The Rhythms of Life
16 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Ferrone has lived a couple of lives; an entertainer from an early age, he was opening for The Who at age twelve and has been a sought after drum...
the DUI process demystified
09 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
April Fisher has been in the DUI business for enough years to know the “ins and outs” of the process. All kinds of folks get DUIs and most don’...
Sophie’s Future Brilliance
02 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In this show we plan a departure from our standard pattern to highlight Sophie Swire and her International efforts to empower women in places where t...
Losing the Ten Year Fight (ends in a big win)
26 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Surrounded by Alcoholism as a kid she was predisposed but how could this happen to a nice girl like Karen? A good marriage, great kids and wanting f...
Clutter Addiction, the Fear of Letting Go
17 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Could a disorganized desk, a disorganized room or house be a symptom of a disorganized head? Are you holding on to THINGS as an emotional suppport or ...
His Vice of Choice was MORE
12 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Some say that addiction is an attempt to fill an emptiness inside. Many with addictive disease say that they never felt like they were enough; that th...
Maybe we can Stop Them From Dying
04 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Nobody is arguing that heroin has become a suburban epidemic. It wasn’t until her boyfriend of eight years, Michael, overdosed and died that our g...
Recovery from Sexual Addiction
27 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We spend a lot of time and money on the treatment of chemical addictions but often not enough on the subtler process addictions; things like compuls...
The Mirror DOES LIE
22 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What would it be like to look in the mirror and not be able to trust your perception of yourself? What if, no matter how thin you were, to you, your...
Meet the Amazing Chocolate Easter Bunny
15 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Truth really is sometime stranger than fiction and life happens in ways we would never aspire to or predict. How can things that appear tragic be ou...
Nurse "Jack" Loses it All
07 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Addiction isn’t supposed to happen to educated people, right? It’s not supposed to happen to people who come from a good family, who are nice pe...
The Spirit of Recovery
01 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Most people wouldn’t consider an alcoholic or drug addict a good candidate for enlightenment. How is it then that recovering alcoholics and addict...
Crossroads: Addiction and Mental Illness
23 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The line is sometimes blurry and sometimes crystal clear. Does one cause the other? How are the two illnesses related and how do they interact? ...
Anatomy of a Relapse
17 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Is it a relapse…a slip…a calculated and willful decision? We have a panel of three recovering people who have been there and who may help us bet...
The Methadone Maintenence Controversy
10 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a lively discussion with Ray Chlebicki, the former national sales manager for Roxand Labs, one of the three largest manufacturers of metha...
The Big Secret
03 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Jim’s been “around” a long time. He says that he, “didn’t get it for awhile” and that the “spiritual part of the program was a real...
Celebrate Recovery
27 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A recovering alcoholic who was looking for a place to be more frank about his Christian faith went to his well-known pastor and together they develope...
Recovery and the Clergy
20 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A long-time friend to the recovering community, Father Jim Swarthout has a new role with Rosecrance Health Systems, one of the area’s largest treatm...
Sobriety and the Native Path
13 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
He was always drawn to the natural world. Hunting and fishing were an early escape from his alcoholic environment but as life proceeded other escap...
Communication with "The Other Side"
06 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This isn’t a story about talking to deceased loved ones but it is a story of dedication, perseverance and giving back. The newspapers and comedian...
Behind the Curtain
29 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our one year anniversary show. We'd like to take you behind the scenes and give you a little straight talk about "Straight Stuf...
Connee's Corner
21 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
People want and need to know what happens in the world of high school age drug and alcohol use. We’d all like to think that it won’t affect our ...
Viet Vets Talk Addiction and Recovery
15 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
I don’t think we can generalize about war and addiction but let’s just say that Vietnam was a “substance rich environment”. I also don’t thi...
The Sponsa Monsta
08 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The treatment program introduced her to Alcoholics Anonymous then told her to “get a sponsor and work the steps”. I’m sure it sounded like a g...
Taking Care of the Temple; Sober and Healthy
01 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This week we'll be talking about the importance of diet and fitness to help get back into balance, particularly in early recovery but also as it ...
Growing up in Crazytown
25 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Some kids have a lot to handle in their early years and much to put into perspective in later years. Jeane grew up necessarily fast in a loving but ...