8/23: Controversial Treatments for Addiction & Depression
Our favorite time of the month is when Elizabeth McKeon, PMHNP, makes her calendar return to the show for a very overdo check-up. Once again, nobody left the conversation quite the same. Tim's on borrowed time, Will was his sweet self despite turning the camera order on its head. Jimmy got introspective and looked very handsome, and Liz brought the kind of eye-opening perspective that somehow managed to tie the whole mess together. From mental health and recovery to the questions we don't always want to ask out loud, this was another reminder that the pod can get serious without ever taking itself too seriously. Life is way too short.
8/19: Just Papa Joey is Fine
We welcomed Papa Joey to the show for a conversation that covered a little bit of everything—life, recovery, the experiences that shape us, and the things we learn along the way. Joey brought his own perspective, plenty of personality, and a willingness to talk honestly about where he’s been and where he is today. As always, the conversation wasn’t about pretending recovery is easy or having all the answers; it was about sharing the real stuff, finding some laughs along the way, and reminding everyone that every recovery story looks a little different. Another night of good conversation, questionable decisions from our past, and hopefully a little something for somebody out there who needed to hear it.
8/16: Larry Foster Parent
We welcomed Larry Foster, team co-host and all-around beauty, back into the fray for a conversation that hits at the heart of recovery: why did we get sober in the first place, and is that still the reason we stay sober today? We dug into how those original motivations can evolve as life changes, and how sobriety creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the person getting clean. Families heal, relationships rebuild, trust returns, and sometimes we discover that the life we're building in recovery is bigger than the life we originally thought we were fighting to get back.
8/15: Happy Birthday Jim!
Today we're raising a glass of absolutely nothing to our resident Canadian beauty, Jim Leibel, as he celebrates 62 years on this planet and 4 years clean and sober. Four years is no small accomplishment, and neither is making it to 62 while still putting up with the rest of us. Jim is proof that getting older doesn't mean getting boring—it just means you collect more stories, more scars, more wisdom, and hopefully a little more patience for our bullshit. He's a genuinely good dude, a hell of a co-host, and one of those people who makes the show—and the people around him—better just by being there. Happy 62nd birthday, Jim, and congratulations on four years of recovery. Canada sent us a beauty, and somehow we managed to keep him. Here's to many more, brother. (4yrs, 8mo & 7 days*)
8/12 Episode 231: Gettin' our Phyll
We welcomed Phyllis back for her fifth appearance on Talkin’ Trash. Her story carries tragedy, pain, endurance, and ultimately, hope. A little over two years ago, Phyllis lost her son to a fentanyl overdose—a loss that forever changed her life. With August being Overdose Awareness Month, her return to the show comes at a fitting time as she helps us spread an important message about the devastating reality of addiction and overdose. Phyllis is also in recovery herself, giving her a deeply personal perspective on both addiction and grief. This time, we talk about the stages of grief, the weight of losing a child, and finding a way to keep moving forward when the pain never completely disappears.
8/9 Episode 230: Step by Stepp
Tonight on 230, we welcomed Blair back to the studio for his second appearance on Talkin’ Trash. Fresh off celebrating three years of recovery, Blair showed up with the same thing we love seeing around here—optimism, positivity, and a whole lot of life behind the smile. Work, home, family, and a spiritual connection have all become pieces of the puzzle, helping him keep his balance while carrying the weight of a successful recovery journey. Three years in, and Blair is living proof that recovery doesn’t have to be boring—it can actually look pretty damn good.
8/5 Episode 229: Nick's Journey
Tonight the pod welcomed back Nick Robinson for a return visit. We first met Nick on Episode 220, where he opened up and shared an incredibly personal story filled with drugs, gangs, money, violence, and the realities that came with that lifestyle. This evening, Nick checked back in with us, and it was clear that he’s in a very different place than he was when we last spoke on July 5th. A lot can change in a short amount of time, and Nick gave us an honest look at where things stand today. We’re not going to give away all the details, because you’ll have to watch the show to hear Nick tell it himself. One thing is certain: his story continues to unfold, and we’re grateful he trusted us enough to come back and share the next chapter with the Trashers.
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