
Welcome to the Recovery Stories podcast, bringing you stories of hope, healing & triumph over the bondage of addictions, mental health struggles, trauma & dysfunctional family systems. Our courageous storytellers have chosen to live their journey out loud in order to show others that they don’t have to suffer in silence. The stories you will hear are raw, real and may involve graphic and triggering content. This podcast is brought to you by Promises Behavioral Health’s Rooted Alumni Community.
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Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 122
Matthew Jackman
Renowned scholar and social worker, Matt Jackman, joins Rooted Recovery Stories Podcast with Patrick Custer this week to discuss their complex and victorious journey growing up in the Australian foster care system, processing gender dysphoria and sexuality while grappling with trauma and identity and becoming an international mental health advocate with their organization TACFLE (The Australian Centre for Lived Experience).
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 121
Tox Josh
This week, Tox Josh joins Rooted Recovery Stories with Patrick Custer to discuss Josh’s rise in the aesthetics industry, struggle with a near-death experience, the inner and outer battle with body dysmorphia and the tremendously difficult task of trying to overcome shame.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 120
Brad Schmitt
Country Music artist Frank Ray joins Rooted Recovery Stories with Patrick Custer this week to discuss his improbable and tumultuous path into the country music scene, the intense trauma and moral complexities he encountered as a police officer of over 10 years, fulfilling childhood dreams and the release of his major debut album.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 119
Brad Schmitt
Nashville journalist Brad Schmitt joins host, Patrick Custer for this hilariously unhinged episode of laughs, tears, and all the feels as we delve into his journey through childhood trauma, addiction, and ultimate redemption.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 118
Ruthie Lindsey
Join host Patrick Custer in this inspiring episode as he sits down with the incredible author, speaker, and coach, Ruthie Lindsey. Ruthie shares her journey of discovering that belonging is not about performance or perfectionism, and how childhood messages shaped her perspective.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 117
David Hernandez
In this episode, we dive into the life of David Hernandez, musician and Top 12 Finalist of Season 7 of American Idol. We take a deeper look into his musical journey before and after Idol and history of being in the spotlight before coming out. He also shares his story of struggles and road to recovery from addiction.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 116
Corey O’Brien
Corey O’Brien tell his captivating story of addiction and rehabilitation, which started at an early age. Corey discusses how it’s fun until it’s not fun anymore. Everything took a backseat for him when entering rehab, allowing him to have true a realization of what his life could be and focusing on doing what he truly loved…to entertain people.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 115
Andi Marie Tillman
The talented comedian, actress, and singer, Andi Marie Tillman shares her personal journey through addiction and sobriety. Kicking off the episode, we have a surprise visit from Andi’s kookie Aunt Pam, a chronic over-sharer who lives up to her reputation. Get ready for some hilarious anecdotes and unexpected twists as Aunt Pam adds her unique perspective to…well, just about everything!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 114
Ester Nicholson
Join Patrick Custer and Ester Nicholson in this thought-provoking episode as they explore the depths of addiction and trauma recovery, shedding light on the importance of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of the human spirit.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 113
Chadd Bryant
In this candid conversation, Chadd sheds light on the importance of breaking the cycle of trauma and the power of sharing one’s story. By speaking out, he hopes to empower others who may be silently suffering, encouraging them to seek help and find solace in knowing they are not alone.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 112
Cody Alan
Join us for this deep and vulnerable conversation as Cody shares his personal journey to self-acceptance, embracing his sexuality, coming out publicly after decades of marriage, and the importance of PRIDE!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 111
Will Ganss
In this powerful and inspiring episode of Rooted Recovery Stories, we sit down with three-time Emmy award-winning entertainment, lifestyle, and good news journalist for ABC News and Good Morning America, Will Ganss.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 110
Brooke Eden
Country music has a rare force to be reckoned with and her name is Brooke Eden! Watch this episode to find out the full story and passion behind her latest EP, Choosing You! We are so excited to celebrate everything that brings meaning, impact, and uniqueness to PRIDE month with Brooke and you will be too!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 109
Phil Cobucci
This week Patrick sits down with entertainment business expert, pioneer for LGBTQ+ equality, equity, and inclusion, and Executive Director of Inclusion Tennessee, Phil Cobucci.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 108
Nikki Leonti
In this episode, we talk to vocal phenom, music industry icon, wife, and mother of 3, Nikki Leonti, about how the intersectionality of her personal life, societal pressures, and stigma took over her career in the Christian music industry.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 106
Savannah Chrisley
We are launching National Mental Health Awareness Month with reality TV star, makeup guru, and social media influencer, Savannah Chrisley.
She self admittedly opens up in this interview more than ever before about her journey confronting her mental health and many of the obstacles she’s overcome.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 104
Beck Gee
We are celebrating and recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility with a deep and meaningful conversation with Beck Gee. Beck is a master’s level clinician with an undergraduate degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Gender & Sexuality and a master’s degree in Addiction Counseling. Beck has worked in the mental health and substance use field for over 10 years in various capacities. The main focus of his work has been invested in the LGBTQI+ community, adolescents, and families.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 103
Amy Brown
We are kicking off National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) week, talking to Amy Brown from the Bobby Bones Show about her journey of healing from disordered eating, trauma, and the tools she used to survive, overcome, and what is helping her to thrive in life now!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 102
Pubali Chakravorty
As 2023 National Eating Disorders Awareness week approaches, Patrick has a candid conversation with Promises Chief Administrative Officer, Pubali Chakravorty, about her own journey through trauma, cultural differences, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, and what her path to a life of healing, joy, and freedom has looked like!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 101
Becca Stevens
We are kicking off 2023 with the theme “Love Heals,” talking to one of our generation’s most impactful world-changers: Author, speaker, priest, social entrepreneur & Thistle Farms Founder/President, Becca Stevens!
Patrick and Becca have a candid conversation about her faith and circumstances in her personal life that led her on the path of self-discovery, faith & healing that would ultimately be the spark to ignite her worldwide social enterprise, Thistle Farms, that’s been helping women survivors overcome and heal from systems of prostitution and exploitation for over 25 years.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 100
Cheryl Burke
We are celebrating this 100th milestone episode with an extra special guest, Cheryl Burke. She is an American dancer and television host and is fondly revered by many for being a professional competitor on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars (now streaming on Disney+). Not only was she the first female professional to win the show, but she was also the first professional to win twice, win twice consecutively, and has participated in 26 seasons! Among her most admirable qualities is how she uses her platform to educate, break stigma, and shine a light on the pathway to hope for those who may be struggling by speaking out about mental health, addiction, and recovery!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 99
Leah McSweeney
She’s an American fashion designer and television personality who founded the women’s streetwear line Married to the Mob (MTTM) in 2004 and has starred on the reality television series The Real Housewives of New York City . However, one of our favorite characteristics about her is that she is out loud and proud about her struggles through and recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. We hope you enjoy this candid and meaningful conversation with beautifully chaotic, Leah McSweeney!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 98
Dedee Pfeiffer
She’s an award-winning actress and producer known for her wide range of dramatic and comedic roles. Currently starring in the gripping ABC mystery “Big Sky,” now filming its third season, the fiery Dedee’s nearly four-decade career has placed her alongside Hollywood’s elite and earned her the respect of masters of the acting craft. Her role in the ABC drama “Big Sky” as Denise Brisbane, a sharp-witted assistant at a private detective agency in Montana, marks her return to Hollywood following a 10-year hiatus in which she earned her Master of Social Work from UCLA.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 97
Zach Noe Towers
He’s one of the funniest humans on this planet and a true hero in the world of comedy due to his openness about his recovery: Writer, actor, and phenomenal comedian, Zach Noe Towers shares about life behind the curtain of laughs! We cover everything from addiction, recovery, breaking stigma, imposter syndrome, coming out, and working in a profession where partying is the norm. You won’t want to miss this extra special episode for National Recovery Month!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 96
Marci Hopkins
She’s an award-winning TV Personality, host and creator of Wake Up with Marci, a Recovery Expert on Fox, CBS, NBC and ABC and the author of ‘Chaos to Clarity: Seeing The Signs and Breaking The Cycles’. In this episode, Marci shares about her journey through addiction and how she found hope and a dynamic life full of joy through the transformation of recovery!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 95
Brian Sullivan
Emmy Award-winning producer, beloved PR icon, media, and broadcast journalism expert, Brian Sullivan, has spent much of his career shining a light on the mental health & addiction crisis, overdose, and opioid epidemic plaguing not only Nashville, but the state of Tennessee, and all of the United States. He’s helped countless people tell their stories and used his own voice to break stigma and raise awareness through the full range of news media.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 94
Marti Gould Cummings
Marti Gould Cummings is an NYC drag artist, television personality, and political figure. Throughout their nearly decade-long drag career Marti has been a regular fixture in the drag world performing up to 6 regular shows a week. They have sold out concerts at 54 Below, Lincoln Centers Big Apple Circus, Dixon Place and regularly tour the world with Atlantis Cruises. You can see Marti on Fusion television’s Shade Queens of NYC, on The MartiReport on LOGO, Dragged on Yahoo! and on The X Change Rate on The Build Series.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 93
Mike Maeshiro
Mike is an LGBTQ+ advocate, a queer theology enthusiast, author, teacher, social media influencer, thought leader & founder, and CEO of Numa, a spiritual intelligence organization that equips people in theology, spirituality, and faith. Join the conversation as Patrick Custer dives deep with Mike into his own story, struggle, and fight to find peace, authenticity, and freedom. This is a thoughtful discussion around spirituality, the LGBTQIA+ population, trauma, hope, and healing!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 92
Captain Sandy Yawn
She’s a renowned superyacht captain with over 3 decades of international maritime experience, and star of Bravo’s hit TV series Below Deck Mediterranean.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 91
Mackenzie Phillips
Actress, musician, author, and recovery advocate, Mackenzie Phillips, shares an extremely vulnerable and heartfelt interview with host, Patrick Custer, about her story of trauma, addiction, fame, fortune, healing, and recovery.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 90
Braunwyn Windham Burke
Former Real Housewife of the OC, LGBTQ+ & Recovery Activist, Braunwyn Windham Burke returns to our show for a wonderful conversation about her journey dealing with mental health issues and finding solutions that have helped change her and many other people’s lives for the better!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 89
Heather Hayes
Heather Hayes is a nationally & internationally renowned interventionist, author, speaker and respected authority on complex mental health issues and the full spectrum of addictive disorders. She’s also been featured on most major TV networks and serves as an on-air expert and consultant for CNN and Dr. Oz, and last but certainly not least she’s a featured interventionist on past seasons of A&E’s high-profile show Intervention. Heather shares about her journey through recovery and how she helps people access tools to win their own battles!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 88
Ty Herndon
Grammy-nominated and Dove award-winning recording artist, Ty Herndon, joins us to share about his life growing up in the south, navigating a career in the music industry in active addiction, the bravery it took to come out of the closet and surviving multiple relapses on his path to long-term recovery! Ty reveals how his forthcoming album, Jacob (releasing spring 2022), tells these stories for the first time through his music!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 87
Jaime Wyatt
Queer queen of outlaw country music, Jaime Wyatt, joins us to share about her journey growing up on the west coast, navigating a career in the music industry, the bravery it took to come out of the closet and surviving addiction until she ultimately found hope in sobriety!

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 86
Logan Slaughter
Logan Slaughter is an Arizona born NYC bred drag queen “Logan Hardcore” who has made waves throughout his career. From titles like Entertainer of the Year on fire island, to Dance Artist of The Year 4 years in a row at NYC Glam Awards to newly NYC sober queen. Logan has a way of saying what most people are thinking but unwilling to say. In this episode, Logan shares about how gay clubs and venues were a haven of safety for him since coming out and provided him the avenues for human connection we all need for developing and maintaining friendships, romance & artistic professional development. He opens up about the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in this community that took him to places he never imagined. Now in long-term recovery, Logan explains his passionate stance on sobriety being for those who need and want it.
No stranger to the spotlight, Logan began using his platform to change lives behind the microphone when he launched his own show during the Covid-19 pandemic, Hardcore SobrieTEA; A podcast focused on tough conversations and critique with guests and topics related to sobriety, the recovery world, Real Housewives and of course all things Rupaul’s Drag Race!
Logan is an active member of the LGBTQIA recovery community and is currently Co-Chair of Fundraising for the non-profit organization, Gay and Sober Inc. which hosts the national Gay and Sober Men’s Conference annually in NYC during Pride weekend.

Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 85
Lauren Alaina
Multi-platinum selling singer song writer, actress and author, Lauren Alaina, opens up about the obstacles she’s overcome in her career and how excited she is to get out on tour and share her new album Sitting Pretty On Top Of The World with all of her fans. No matter who you are, life has brought new hurtles to our entire world over the past few years. The music and entertainment business has been at the forefront of industries shaken by the pandemic. But Lauren is a fighter, survivor, and hard worker. She shares how surprised she was when this was acknowledged during her recent set at the Grand Ole Opry where Trisha Yearwood stopped the show to present her with the invitation to become a member of the Opry – a most prestigious honor in country music.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 84
Dr. Robert Weiss
Dr. Weiss shares his story recovery from trauma, sex addiction & intimacy disorder. He also shares valuable insight into the current state of human development in this generation as it relates to families and the prevalence of intergenerational trauma.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 83
Dr. Robert Weiss
Dr. Weiss shares his story recovery from trauma, sex addiction & intimacy disorder. He also shares valuable insight into the current state of human development in this generation as it relates to families and the prevalence of intergenerational trauma.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 82
Patrick Custer
The seats have been swapped and roles reversed for this special episode. Guest host, Erica Frances from WKRN News 2, joins the show to interview show host, Patrick Custer, about his journey fighting for his life through brain tumor diagnosis, surgeries, and subsequent medical complications. This is a story of hope, perseverance and resilience that will resonate with anyone needing encouragement – or just wanting to hear a bizarre story!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 81
Dr. Ivan Stoev
We are talking to Dr. Ivan Stoev, the Neurosurgeon who helped our storyteller from last week, Victoria, begin her sudden journey to healing. Dr. Stoev shares from his perspective about what makes Victoria’s case unique in addition to the remarkable adversities he overcame in order to help save her life today!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 80
Victoria Phillips
Can you imagine being states away from home, on a different continent from your family, when the sudden onset of acute-unknown symptoms force you into the emergency room for the first time in your life. You’re young, athletic and have every reason to believe you’re perfectly healthy. But within 24-hours of being admitted to the hospital, you’re in the operating room for brain surgery. This is just the beginning of Victoria’s journey enduring Chiari malformation and fighting a medulloblastoma brain tumor. Tune in to hear her story of hope and resilience!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 79
Darice Spackman
Darice shares her journey of how a life-altering accident forced her to approach life differently. She says that perseverance and a positive perspective was essential for surviving through her pain. However, when it began interfering with her quality of life, ability to show up as a mother and perform at her job, she knew it was time to get help. Tune in to find out about Darice’s special tie to the healing she finally received and how her story ultimately unfolded!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 78
Mike Marjama
Mike Marjama, former Major League Baseball player for the Seattle Mariners, shares his life’s story with host, Patrick Custer, and how he once struggled with disordered eating that threatened his ability to play the sport he loves.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 77
Daniel Henderson
National recovery coach and speaker on addiction, mental heath & traumatic brain injury, and founder of the non-profit Recover Wisely, Daniel Henderson, shares about finding hope and recovery just a few years before a severe hiking accident left his life hanging in the balance.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 76
Ashley Hampton
Trauma survivor, LGBTQIA advocate & licensed mental health therapist, Ashley Hampton, shares her story of healing and trauma recovery from the spiritual abuse she experienced as a result of being raised in a high-control religious movement that she and many other ex-members have since identified as a cult.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 75
Jeremy Jackson (part 2)
Tune in for part 2 of Jeremy Jackson’s story!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 74
Jeremy Jackson (part 1)
From starring in Baywatch & multiple reality TV shows to the fashion world of endorsement and show-hosting, making his own music and touring the country and now most importantly being an advocate and person in long-term recovery, our guest today, Jeremy Jackson, has just about done it all!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 73
Jody McBrayer
Grammy nominated and Dove award winning gospel music artist, Jody McBrayer shares his journey through mental health struggles and trauma to finding hope & healing through his faith and professional mental health services.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 72
Jordan Thomas
Jordan Thomas shares his journey through trauma, addiction to a life of authenticity, hope & recovery!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 71
David Hampton
Recovery Coach, musician & public speaker, David Hampton, CPRC, shares his journey through addiction to a life of authenticity, hope & recovery!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 70
Dawn Nickel
Dawn Nickel, Founder of SHE RECOVERS® Foundation, is a thought leader in the women’s recovery sphere as well as an accomplished leader, dedicated researcher, and visionary in the recovery moment.
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 69
Courtney Grimes
Psychotherapist, person in long-term eating disorder recovery & recovery advocate, Courtney Grimes, LCSW, shares about her journey through trauma and process addiction to a life of authenticity, hope & recovery!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 68
Sean Brock
Celebrity chef, former TV host, New York Times Best-Selling Author & recovery advocate shares about his journey through trauma and addiction to a life of authenticity, hope & recovery!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 67
Braunwyn Windham-Burke
Former actress on Bravo’s Housewive’s of the OC, mother of 7, activist & recovery advocate shares how her journey through trauma, many episodes of addiction, life on TV, a huge family dynamic shift, asking for help and getting second chances has brought her to a life of authenticity, hope & recovery!
Rooted Recovery Stories Episode 66
Duke Rumely
Jordan Thomas shares his journey through trauma, addiction to a life of authenticity, hope & recovery!