The Payoff - Stories of Sobriety
Episodes
John Bukaty: Live Performance Artist
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to John Bukaty, a live performance artist of his journey of sobriety. Check more of John's work at www.johnbukaty.com Learn more about y...
Kelly Croce Sorg
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Kelly about her sobriety journey from her first taste of alcohol at 14, to becoming a leader in cross-racial relations through founding ...
Gold Medal Figure Skater Oksana Baiul
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gold Medal Figure Skater Oksana Baiul celebrates two years of sobriety with Pete Sousa as she discusses her journey of sobriety! Learn more about your...
Erik Blindenbacher
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Erik Blindenbacher is a Certified ARISE® Interventionist and Certified Life Coach specializing in substance use disorder and recovery. Drawing from b...
Laura Taylor
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Taylor's story is one of both personal and entrepreneurial transformation. After making the difficult decision to quit drinking, she quickly dis...
Chopping it up with our Man Pete (Facing the Mirror)
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nick Klos
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Klos is engaging, charismatic and inspiring. He's also four years sober and has become a friend of Pete's over the last few years. One of the...
Britt Reid
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Britt’s inspirational keynote speeches are centered around his personal story and experiences and how his poor life choices have taught him to over...
Hamza Najam
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Hamza Najam, a certified breathwork teacher, and recovery coach about his journey of alcoholism and sobriety in Pakistan. Instagram: ...
Dr. Samantha Harte
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A distinguished doctor of physical therapy, author, speaker, and advocate for holistic wellness. Pete talks to Dr. Samantha Harte on her journey of so...
Pod People: The Payoff Stories of Sobriety with Pete Sousa
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pete returns to KWTX in the segment: Pod People, to discuss his podcast and his journey of sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
Bill Sibley
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Sibley is 35 years sober and his music and message personify the trip from hopeless alcoholic to accomplished, fulfilled human. https://open.s...
Andrew Addy
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How sobriety saved his life and why the Wilson Smith Golf League has been a key component to his recovery. https://wilsonsmithgolf.org/ https://www.i...
Sober Motivation Podcast Special
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taken from Sober Motivation: Quitting Alcohol And Getting Sober Changed Everything for Madeline, Pete and Mary Updates. Learn more about your ad choi...
Mike H.
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike had it all but couldn't see it through his addiction. Now, six years sober, he's got a life beyond his wildest dreams and a message that is both ...
Claire St. Amant
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Investigative journalist Claire St. Amant is the host of the true crime podcast, Final Days on Earth and the author of the upcoming memoir, Killer ...
Christian Countzler
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Countzler is the CEO of Stable Recovery; a safe & stable living environment for men in early recovery. Stable Recovery is a peer-driven the...
Arlina Allen
25 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Arlina is a Certified Life & Sober Coach and Hypnotist, and host of an “award-winning” podcast: The One Day At A Time Recovery Podcast”. She is ...
John Delong - Sports Writer
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Delong, a retired sports writer living in Charlotte, North Carolina, has completed his new book, “And My Name Is John: The Blessings of Sobriet...
3 Time Olympic Gold Medalist Carrie Bates
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Carrie Bates was one of the highlights of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, winning three gold medals at just 16-years old. Her career in th...
River H. - Recovery Advocate
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
River is coming up on four years sober. In the grips of addiction for most of his young life, River is a miracle of sobriety and gives back to those w...
Facing the Mirror Ep 12. St. Francis Unplugged (ft. Pete Sousa)
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Gordon and Wesley about his and their sobriety journeys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Darren Prince, International Best Selling Author, Sports and Celebrity Agent
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Darren Prince, International Best Selling author of his memoir Aiming High, is a prominent sports and celebrity agent and global advocate for addictio...
Greg Greer - Drug and Alcohol Counselor
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Greg Greer, alcoholic turned drug and alcohol counselor. Links: https://www.voicesofrecovery.org/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/t...
Mike Hamilton - Rogue Media Co-Founder
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Mike Hamilton, founder of Rogue Media, of his sobriety journey and what has come from it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...
Bonus: Robinson Rockets Recovery Talk
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete shares his journey of recovery with students at Robinson High School Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 489: Beyond the Broadcast: Pete Sousa's Path from Addiction to ESPN
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete starred in Beyond the Podcast to talk about his journey of sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Marin Nelson, Co-Founder and CEO of Sobrynth
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Marin Nelson about her business, Sobrynth, and her sobriety journey. https://sobrynth.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinenelson/ L...
Damon West
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Damon West was a big time college football player, who fell deep into addiction and ran one of the biggest burglary rings in Texas. Now he's sober al...
Wrestler Buff Bagwell
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marucs "Buff' Bagwell is a 6 time WCW Tag Team Champion and original member of the NWO. For 10 years, he excelled as one of the most popular pr...
Gordon Harriman - President and CEO of Crawford-Austin Properties Inc
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Gordon Harriman about his new podcast "Facing the Mirror" and his journey to sobriety. Facing The Mirror Podcast: https://open.spotify....
Pete Guests on The Begin Again Podcast with Gary Menkes
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this compelling episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with ESPN sports broadcaster and host of the “Payoff with Pete” ...
Garet Mclendon - Former Gang Member Turned Over Ten Years Sober
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Garet Mclendon's life stopped when he started drugs and would not start until he got sober years later. He discusses his sobriety journey with Pete. ...
Gary Menkes - Arrested at 16
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Gary about his sobriety journey, the incident at 16, and his own podcast "The Begin Again Podcast". Their mission is to inspire and to s...
A Journey of Sobriety with Pete Sousa
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
*This episode is from another podcast, and was allowed to air alongside this channel* Welcome to The Lysten Podcast, your go-to resource for mental h...
Chris Asikis, MS, LMFT, LCDC
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Staff clinician at Baylor who enjoys working with individuals and couples experiencing relationship issues, substance use, symptoms of anxiety and dep...
The One Day At A Time Podcast: Pete Sousa, ESPN Announcer On Addiction, Recovery, And Spreading Hope
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete Guests on The One Day At A Time Podcast Today I’ll be joined by ESPN Announcer, and Waco TV Morning Show Host, Pete Sousa. He is sharing his st...
Jay Mohr
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jay Mohr was on Saturday Night Live and getting major roles in big budget films by his mid-20’s. His success came much faster than his sobriety. How...
Mike Gibson
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Gibson played six years in the NFL before drugs brought him to his knees. His comeback-story is one for the ages but not unfamiliar to anyone wh...
Jo Weatherford - Tedx Speaker, Published Author, Playboy Model, Sober College Professor
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jo is a Tedx speaker and published author with 10-plus years experience in the Mental Health Field. Her journey from addicted Playboy model to est...
Jason Lachance - Former Radio DJ - Knockin Doorz Down Podcast
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Lachance spent more than two decades as a radio DJ in major markets. Spending hours in the studio on the air and nights in addiction at the ba...
Trina Turner
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trina Turner is a mom, coach, podcast host, author and sobriety advocate. Her self proclaimed sober enthusiast lifestyle has led her to host events, ...
Dr. Robb Kelly
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Dr. Kelly about his journey to sobriety. Dr. Kelly would RECOVER from his disease. Living as a RECOVERED alcoholic, he made it his miss...
A Year Later: Kevin Sousa - A Celebration of Life
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's almost been a year since we recorded this episode. Kevin's presence is still here in the studio and also in everyone he met. Pete & his brother M...
M.J. Gottlieb
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
M.J. Gottlieb was a great hoops player, who was embedded in the New York City hip-hop community. He also had the gift of gab and could sell just abo...
Hollie Strano
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Despite great success in her career as a meteorologist in her hometown of Cleveland, Hollie Strano has remained humble and relatable to her viewers....
Arlina Allen
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Arlina Allen is the host of The One Day at a Time Recovery Podcast and has been clean and sober since April 23, 1994. She is the kind of person that ...
Mark Howley
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Mark Howley to discuss the journey of sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Charlie Beljan
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charlie Beljan explains what life is like as an active alcoholic on the PGA Tour but, most importantly, he details why his biggest victory has come o...
Sports Super Agent Leigh Steinberg
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leigh Steinberg is probably the most notable agent in the history of sports. He's often credited with being the real-life inspiration for the movie Je...
Amanda Pugh
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks with Life Coach, Entrepreneur, and Fellow Podcaster Amanda Pugh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tim Brooks - Lacrosse Player from Philadelphia (Cabrini)
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Brooks was one of the nation's top high school lacrosse recruits, from a great family, living in one of America's most affluent suburbs. But when ...
Colonel Dan
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Col. Dan flew 159 combat missions in Vietnam, where he cheated death almost every day. However, a decorated career as a fighter pilot didn’t excuse ...
Erika
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Erika is a fixture at 12-step meetings in the Austin area but she'll tell you that her work in recovery and on herself doesn't stop there. You'll hear...
Tracy Viola
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks to Tracy Viola about her life and new memoir "Pretty Wrecked" which comes out April 9th. https://www.tracyviolaauthor.com/ Learn more about...
Murph
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At one point, every morning Murph told himself he wasn’t going to drink and every night the bottles stacked up. He says that’s why he considers th...
Wes Cunningham
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks again with his good friend Wes about music and sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Dick Chopp
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Dick Chopp’s ability to market his brand as a urologist performing vasectomies earned him incredible success and national recognition, including...
Cheryl Brown-Merriwether
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cheryl Brown-Merriwether oversees the development of training courses and programs designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of professionals and ...
Mark Suppelsa - WGN Chicago
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Suppelsa was a fixture in the Chicago scene for more than 25 years in a time when everyone turned to and trusted TV News for information. But in ...
Megan Wilcox - Founder and CEO of SobahSistahs Sobriety
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
sobahsistahssobahsistahs.com 𝗠𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗡 Wilcox | Alcohol-Free Life Coach (@sobahsistahs) • Instagram photos and videosinstagram.com Megan...
Karolina Rzadkowolska - Certified alcohol-free life coach
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Karolina Rzadkowolska is a certified alcohol-free life coach who helps powerful women make alcohol insignificant in their lives. This podcast answers ...
Rich Shydner Stand-Up Comedian and Comic Writer
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ritch Shydner rode the comedy boom in the 1980s to stardom, thanks to his dysfunctional childhood and quick wit. He became a regular on The Tonight Sh...
Scott D
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Scott D has been sober for almost 40 years. In this episode he explains how sobriety and 12-step meetings do not serve as a a tunnel to more meetings ...
Anna David - Author/Publisher
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Anna David is a New York Times bestselling author of eight books and is also a prolific speaker and publisher, who most importantly got sober in 2000....
Christina Rae - Alchemizing your pain into your power
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
CHRISTINA RAE🔅Breathwork Queen 🌬️ she/her ✨Alchemizing your pain into your power ✨ • Healing • Horses • Sisterhood • Sobriety • ...
Dave C
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dave C is a good friend of Pete’s and a great friend of Bill’s. Almost 40 years sober, he sounds like a kid describing his love of sobriety Learn...
Lillo Brancato
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lillo Brancato is sober 17 years. He says the feeling he gets from helping other addicts feels better than the acclaim he got from staring in ‘A Bro...
Troll Subin
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Troll Subin was an elite athlete, competing with (and beating) the best powerlifters in the world. Today, he owns one of the most influential gyms in...
Pete Guest Stars on I LOVE BEING SOBER Podcast
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pete Guest Stars on the "I LOVE BEING SOBER" Podcast. Pete Sousa is the host of the The Payoff with Pete podcast. A podcast for anyone who is w...
Jayson Williams and Mike Gminski, Former NBA Players
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s said less than ten percent of people with addiction problems can stay sober and .03% of high school basketball players can make it up the NBA. ...
Filmmaker - Angie Wang
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Closing in on five years sober, Angie uses her incredible life experience and sober journey to spread hope to anyone in addiction who is looking for i...
Pete guests on Purpose Driven Sobriety
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pete talks with Kristine on her podcast Purpose Driven Sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hannah Sward - Author of Strip: A Memoir
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In addiction, Hannah Sward’s life was dark. Living under a cloud of crystal meth, while working as an escort and stripper, she masked childhood trau...
Jennifer Leone
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer is a bright light in recovery and is proud to ‘recover out loud’. Her story of using starts in Canada at 12 years old and ends in Holly...
Former Texas, Red Sox MLB pitcher Calvin Schiraldi
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Calvin Schiraldi reached the major leagues on talent and will. But no amount of natural ability or desire could help him defeat alcoholism. His career...
Christina Rae - Breathwork Queen
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Christina Rae was born in Mexico and moved to America at six years old, the only thing she lost in that transition was herself. However, she became th...
Award Winning Journalist - Vic Vela
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Vic started his career as a sports anchor/reporter for an NBC affiliate in Texas. He also worked for newspapers, including as an investigative crime r...
Richard
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard’s story is the ultimate comeback and it wouldn’t have taken place without the miracle of recovery.A high school drug dealer, embedded in b...
L.A. Based Rock 'N' Roll Violinist Emily V.
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
L.A. Based Rock 'N' Roll Violinist, Emily V, is one of the most unique, eccentric, and exciting violinists of our day. Her style is commonly described...
Chris Farley's Brother Tom Farley
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tom has carried the message of recovery since his brother Chris lost his battle with addiction in 1997. But only over the last five years has Tom t...
D. Jay McGrath
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
D Jay McGrath ex hockey player that danced with the devil and he's here to share his story and hopefully help people, specifically young people. He's ...
Pete and Brother Mike on Busy Living Sober with Host Elizabeth Chance
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pete and his brother Mike guest on Busy Living Sober with Host Elizabeth Chance who they have known for years.They all talk about their brother Kevin ...
Pete Guests on Sober Motivation
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pete, whose journey to sobriety has been nothing short of remarkable. Since November 7th, 2011, Pete has embraced a sober lifestyle. In the past, Pete...
Jerry Hoffman - Legendary Texas High School Basketball Coach
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jerry Hoffman is a legendary Texas high school basketball coach and a "late-bloomer" as an alcoholic. She shares how she didn't drink much at all un...
Kevin Sousa - A Celebration of Life
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pete & his brother Mike share stories about their legendary brother Kevin, who tragically succumb to cancer at just 52-years old on May 26. The two sh...
Brad McLeod - Sober Motivation
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brad McLeod's spiral into addiction took everything he had. But now, sober more than a decade, his comeback story includes giving back through his ...
Sully
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sully is from football royalty, as his family owned the New England Patriots from the late 1950s to the late 1980s. But you've never seen royalty with...
Tawny Lara (The Sober Sexpert)
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tawny Lara is a New York City-based writer, who specializes in sobriety and sex. She hosts the Recovery Rocks Podcast and her work examining the cross...
Matthew Williams - Wake Up The Sun Podcast, Fropro, Next Level
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Williams is 13 years sober and uses his story of recovery to inspire others. He also hosts a podcast devoted to the different ways in which ins...
Troy Ganter
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Troy Ganter is a lighthouse but he didn’t start shining until he took the steps to get sober. His comeback story includes owning a restaurant in rec...
Peter F
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Peter F and Pete Sousa ran the streets together until Peter F ended up in rehab at 17 and Peter S developed a heart problem at 18. Peter F stayed sobe...
Marc Effron - Rrecovery Advocate
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Marc Effron has become a titan in the world of recovery. 15 years sober today, he’s the founder of Legacy Healing Center, which now has locations al...
The Payoff with Pete: Dana Wentzel Piscopo, CPRC, CFAA, CSRC, MVLCE
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dana Wentzel Piscopo, CPRC, CFAA, CSRC, MVLCE talks about helping others through sobriety. She's an enthusiastic sobriety and recovery coach with a un...
Chris 'Knuckles' Nilan NHL Enforcer Stanley Cup Winner
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Nilan's NHL career was a total longshot and after years of abusing alcohol and opiates so was his chance at sobriety. But, as he will tell you...
NFL Football QB Dallas Cowboys Quincy Carter
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The only thing that could get between Quincy Carter and success was addiction and that’s exactly what happened. Drafted 52nd overall by the Cubs and...
Kristine
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kristine is a force of nature, in and out of the rooms of recovery. Two things she makes absolutely clear in the conversation; she’s an alcoholic an...
Tim Ryan - American Recovery Advocate
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If Tim Ryan's life story was sent to a Hollywood producer, they'd probably ask the screenwriter to go back and make it more realistic. But it's all t...
Brandon Novak - MTV Celebrity, Best-Selling Author, Professional Skateboarder, Recovery Speaker
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon Novak was discovered by Tony Hawk and was a pro skateboarder by the time he was 14 years old; filming commercials with Michael Jordan and tr...
Hannah Sward - Author
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In addiction, Hannah Sward’s life was dark. Living under a cloud of crystal meth, while working as an escort and stripper, she masked childhood trau...