feral but sober

In this episode of Feral But Sober, I sit down with Ember—a new friend I met on TikTok Live just a few weeks ago—who showed up ready to tell the truth about motherhood, addiction, relapse, and rebuilding. Ember shares how her addiction to amphetamines began as a desperate attempt to stay awake and keep up with life as a mom of three boys. What started as survival slowly pulled her into isolation, away from family gatherings, holida...

In Part 2 of Tyler’s story, we dive into the complicated and emotional battle surrounding his beloved service animal. After the dog bit his mother—requiring medical care—the large breed was detained by animal control. Though they agreed to release the animal after the mandatory hold, Tyler’s parole officer declared it a “vicious dog” and insisted he could not have it back. Tyler shares the raw details of reclaiming his companion an...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Still Here 91324, the founder of a grassroots recovery foundation that’s already changing lives across his state. His mission is simple but ambitious: to create a network of support that eventually expands into every state, with a partner in each location running their own branch of the foundation. It’s a vision of nationwide solidarity, built from the ground up by someone who knows firsth...

In Part 2 of Derrick’s powerful story, we pick up where we left off—at one of the most pivotal crossroads of his life. Derrick shares the heartbreaking moment of losing his mother and the complicated choices that followed, including the day he stood in the parking lot of a treatment center, ready to check in, only to turn back after his ex asked him to come home instead. Twice he faced that same moment, and twice he chose different...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dave—the creative force behind the board game Relapse vs Recovery and its expansion pack, as well as the unique coloring books designed specifically for people in recovery. Dave’s work is more than just creative projects; it’s a bold statement about turning lived experience into tools for healing, reflection, and even laughter in the face of struggle.

Dave opens up about his own journey th...

Tonight’s episode brings together two powerful voices in recovery and faith. Jessica returns to share how she and her husband have walked the path of sobriety side by side, finding strength in each other and in their recovery community. Joining her is Paula Wilson, pastor of Redeemed Outreach (ROAR) Church in Maysville, KY, a recovery‑based ministry where faith and healing meet. Paula is also a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Co...

Tyler’s story is one of resilience, faith, and determination. Born into an abusive home, he often stepped in to protect his younger siblings until CPS intervened, splitting the children between grandparents who gave them safer lives. Despite finding stability and excelling in sports, Tyler’s teenage years took a sharp turn — experimenting with drugs and alcohol, dropping out of school, and spiraling into IV drug use. By 22, prison ...

Trinity’s journey began with a shocking revelation around age 11—the man she thought was her father wasn’t, and her parents’ divorce sent her spiraling. Soon she was drinking, skipping school, and chasing chaos, even wrecking her mother’s car while pretending to be sick at home. A basketball injury introduced her to opiates, and by 17 she was a young mother hiding her addiction behind lies and late nights. Her spiral deepened: anot...

Tyler grew up in a family rooted in law enforcement and military values, but trauma found him early. First came sexual abuse by a family friend—pain he carried in silence until adulthood. Then came the violence of an ex-stepfather, where Tyler and his brother “took the beating for their mom.” By 18, prison, gangs, and meth had taken hold. The spiral deepened when he lost someone he loved—an ex who overdosed beside him while they we...

Tonight’s episode dives deep into the unflinching truth of Katrina’s journey—from abandonment at age 2 to surviving molestation, foster care trauma, juvenile detention, domestic violence, addiction, and the brutal cycles of loss and relapse. Katrina shares how running became her survival instinct, how systems failed her again and again, and how the streets nearly swallowed her whole. But in a trap house bathroom, praying to a God s...

Tonight’s episode is a gritty, unfiltered ride through the early chaos and hard-won clarity of Derrick’s story—a friend from my past whose journey through addiction, love, loss, and survival hits deep. We talk about how it all started: smoking weed young, chasing older girls, and trying to “look big” in a world that rewarded recklessness. Derrick opens up about stealing Oxy pills from his grandfather to impress a girl, how that spi...

In this impromptu episode of Feral But Sober, Kenny returns to the mic—filling in last-minute after a guest cancellation—and what unfolds is a raw, unscripted conversation that hits deeper than any planned theme could. We dive into the evolving world of peer support, recovery credentials, and what it means to help others without a formal title. I share my own journey: certified APSS, nearly CSA, actively pursuing my CADC, and mappi...

In this gripping episode of Feral But Sober, we sit down with Lucky—a man whose life reads like a survival manual for the forgotten. Born into addiction and chaos, Lucky’s earliest memories include jello shots with his mother and defending her from an abusive stepfather. By age 13, he was abandoned in a house with no electricity, no food, and no family—until the police forced him out with only what he could carry. What followed was...

In this raw and radically honest episode of Feral But Sober, Leanna sits down once again with Josh—better known as The Dopeless Fiend—for a deep dive into his newest book, A Friend of a Carpenter and a Guy Named Bill. If you caught his last appearance, you already know Josh doesn’t hold back. From the gritty trenches of addiction to the sacred intersections of faith and recovery, his voice is one of lived truth, spiritual reckoning...

In this powerful episode of Feral But Sober, we sit down with Kenneth—a recovery advocate whose story stretches across decades of addiction, incarceration, heartbreak, and ultimately, transformation. Kenneth opens up about getting into drugs and alcohol at an early age, spending much of his life cycling through jails, prisons, and treatment centers without ever finding a path that truly fit. He shares the moment everything collapse...

In this raw and unflinching episode, Stacy D steps into the mic to share her story of survival, addiction, and radical recovery. Born into a home where both parents battled active addiction, Stacy grew up in a world of chaos—no heat, no water, no safety. By age 15, she was a mother. By 22, she was arrested for manufacturing meth. What followed was a decade of loss, trauma, and self-destruction: custody battles, sexual violence, sel...

🕯️ A story of transformation, education, and radical community care In this powerful episode of Claws Out, we sit down with James Barr—a man whose journey defies every expectation. Sentenced to five years in prison on his fourth number, James chose not to waste a moment. While confined, he earned an Associates of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and De...

In this powerful tenth episode of Feral But Sober, Leanna sits down with Kandra—a longtime friend, former housemate, and someone deeply woven into her family and recovery story. Kandra opens up about growing up in a household shaped by addiction, losing her father early, and following the path of her older sisters into substance use. From weed to pills, meth, heroin, and crack, her journey includes multiple stints in prison, rehab,...