Get a Grip Podcast

• Trap House in the Suburbs Raided After Fatal Overdose Landing his Grandmother In Cuffs | Episode 29

  In this raw podcast, Louis and Aaron interview Caleb Alexander who opens up about his life growing up in a seemingly perfect suburban home, where privilege and opportunity were abundant. But behind the walls of that house, Caleb's reality was far from ordinary. Raised by his late father, William, a heroin user, Caleb shares the shocking truth of what went on in their home, the struggles, and the devastating impact of addiction. As Caleb's story unfolds, he describes how his own addiction took root and ultimately led him to using heroin alongside his father. After a fatal overdose rocked his world, a SWAT team raided their home, sending Caleb, his father, and his grandmother to jail. What followed was a harrowing journey through the brutalities of addiction, incarceration, and the painful reality of the disease that gripped his family. In this episode, Caleb offers a candid look at his personal battles with addiction, the chaos of life in jail, and the shocking ways heroin use impacted every part of his life. He talks about the ugly truth behind addiction, the desperation, and the heartbreak that often goes unnoticed from the outside. Especially how he felt like an outcast in his community with little to no support from anyone around him, but instead a mountain of shame and guilt. Join Caleb as he shares his journey toward understanding, redemption, and recovery—a story of survival, resilience, and the ongoing fight against the disease of addiction. Caleb is coming up on 3 years sober. Tune in for powerful conversations, raw insights, and a deep dive into one man’s path to reclaiming his life. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, and more below on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

  --------  

  1:03:01
• Surviving Trauma and 17 Days Without Sleep Turns Into Psychosis | Episode 28

  In this deeply emotional and candid episode, Louis and Aaron interview Heather who shares her harrowing story of survival, resilience, and recovery. Growing up in an environment filled with relentless physical and mental abuse, Heather was forced to fend for herself from a young age. By 17, she found herself homeless, couch surfing, and doing whatever she could to survive. As she navigated life without support, she began to experiment with drugs—starting with weed, Adderall, and opiates—looking for an escape from the pain. But everything changed when she discovered meth. What began as a way to cope spiraled into a full-blown addiction, and Heather describes the next three years of her life as a never-ending bender, consumed by her need for the drug. Through a series of destructive choices, multiple psych ward visits and painful consequences, Heather hit rock bottom. Yet, despite the darkness, she managed to find the strength to turn her life around. In this episode, Heather opens up about her struggle with addiction, the toll it took on her mind and body, and the journey of getting sober. She talks about the challenges of rebuilding her life from scratch, finding hope in the most unexpected places, and the power of second chances. Heather’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the possibility of transformation, no matter how far one has fallen. Tune in for an unforgettable, raw, and inspiring conversation about overcoming trauma, addiction, and finding redemption. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, and more below on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

  --------  

  1:14:11
• First Day of Freedom A Dangerous Career Criminal and Addict on his Last Chance at Life | Episode 27

  In this unbelievable episode, Louis sits down with Dustin Starkey, who we had the chance to interview on his first day out of prison. Dustin has spent the majority of his life caught in the grip of crime and addiction, and the legal system. Dustin also opens up about his family's involvement in illegal activities shaping much of his path. From wild stories of danger and survival, including a chaotic incident at a motel involving a machete, Dustin’s life has been nothing short of tumultuous and dangerous. But now, after years of struggle, Dustin is given one last chance at redemption through a specialty docket court called RISE (Reaching Individual Success Everyday). Thanks to a judge who saw potential in him, Dustin is starting over, determined to break free from his past and build a better future. Tune in to hear Dustin’s raw, real, and inspiring story about overcoming the odds, facing his demons, and taking his first steps toward change. This is a story of second chances, hope, and the power of a system that believes in rehabilitation over punishment. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, and more below on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

  --------  

  44:35
• A Life Shaped by the 80's Crack Epidemic: How a Cop Gave Me a Second Chance | Episode 26

  In this powerful episode Louis and Aaron sit down with Quan Gray. He opens up about his tumultuous upbringing during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. Growing up on the tough streets, Quan idolized his father, a well-known drug dealer, and found himself tangled in the chaos of crime and addiction. With countless run-ins with the law, Quan seemed destined to repeat the same destructive patterns. But when he hit rock bottom, the unlikeliest of people—a police officer—stepped in and gave him a second chance at life. Tune in to hear Quan’s raw, inspiring story of survival, redemption, and the unexpected people who can change everything when you least expect it. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, and more below on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

  --------  

  1:33:09
• Public Defender to Judge and the Human Experience of Prison Sentencing | Episode 25

  In this powerful episode of Get A Grip Podcast, convicted felon-turned-host, Louis Essig sits down with Judge Sheryl Munson of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court in Columbus, Ohio, for a candid conversation about the human side of the justice system. Judge Munson opens up about the traumatic events of her childhood and how they shaped her perspective on law, justice, and empathy towards others. As the only former public defender now serving as a judge in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Judge Munson shares her unique journey from defending clients to deciding their fates in the courtroom. She also dives into the work she’s doing with the RISE Court (Reaching Individual Success Everyday), which she created. RISE Court is a Mental Health Specialty Docket Court designed to help individuals struggling with mental illness and addiction. Throughout the conversation, Judge Munson discusses the emotional weight of sending someone to prison and the complex realities of justice. This eye-opening discussion explores the intersections of trauma, empathy, mental health, and the criminal justice system, offering a deeper understanding of the human side of justice. Don’t miss this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with one of the most compassionate and forward-thinking judges in Ohio. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links and more below on our Link Tree below! Get A Grip Social Media Links: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast

  --------  

  48:29

More Health & Wellness podcasts

Trending Health & Wellness podcasts

About Get a Grip Podcast