Advertise on podcast: Talkin' Trash Addiction Recovery Podcast

We touch on relationships early in recovery. More times than not, a relationship can take you out. We talk a little about Taylor Swift, thank you Michael. We explain MAT and how that works and has different properties and keeps addicts from using opiates since they're now on the table on Suboxone.

We suffered in silence—now we recover out loud. That’s how we roll here on Talkin’ Trash. We’re not ashamed of our afflictions; quite the opposite. We find strength in vulnerability, and staying open-minded breaks down walls we never thought possible. Tonight, we unveiled Trash 2.0—a new look, a new year, and a new cast member. We’re always adapting, always evolving, one day at a time. We handed the mic to Brad tonight, our newest team member, to get to know what makes him tick. Turns out… he’s nuts—so he fits right in with the boys. Around here, we identify, not compare. Enjoy the show, it's a long-n. Thank you all for the continued support. We couldn’t do this without you.

In early addiction recovery, resentments can feel loud and relentless, bubbling up from old hurts, broken trust, and the raw unfairness of starting over. When substances are gone, the feelings they once numbed come rushing back, and resentment often becomes a way to protect pain that hasn’t yet found words. These resentments can quietly drain energy, distort perspective, and threaten recovery if they’re left unexamined. Our new Canadian friend, Brad Mansbeard joined us tonight subbing in for Jim.

The team was back together for a full episode of fresh original content. We welcomed Colin M. into the fray tonight. We were honored to share in his early recovery and hear how he's overcoming real life, difficult situations. These things ran us back to the bottle or pill or needle and now, what a surprise, things are easier when you're not sabotaging your life. Our very own Jim Leibel celebrated 1,500 days of continuous sobriety tonight live on the program. Jim is a big part of our organization and is committed to helping the newcomer in whatever way is necessary. A true ambassador for recovery. Will's just... Will. We love him too. Thanks for your support and thank you Colin for your impactful appearance.

We kicked off our holiday shenanigans tonight as we gratefully welcomed a recored number in viewership for this show. The Canadian influence continued as we invited fellow brother in recovery, Brad the Canadian. The panel all identified with some part of his story and he had a great way of telling it. Dennis Leary made his yearly appearance. As did Tim's dad. Brad Mansfield from Wawota jumped in the trenches with the guys and told a story we all connected to on some level.

Our 4th season and the guys stumbled and fumbled their way into the New Year's End Zone into the new year in an act of sheer luck, perseverance, motivation... and a touch of class. Spoiler alert: the texting shorthand vernacular for bc is not British Columbia. It was a good show, the team were in rare form after and very long, and very trying bit of peak season podcast. Talkin' Trash runs twice a week. It's a podcast at its baseline, but we're producing crazy stuff.

The team was shorthanded tonight missing a Canadian who will be back in the mix the next show which is just the 3 of us. It feels like our team can still land the plane with engine failure and no gear. Just 2-guys sobriety-and-fries for this trainwreck. The host, Tim, shared his true experience in giving being better than receiving. Will is clearly going stir crazy. Jim made in onto the program while the outro was playing, i think. Great show, good back and forth, and thank you to our recovery centers we didn't get to tonight. So check on the boys Sunday 9p and Wednesday's and check in next Wednesday as we invite former #2 NFL Draft pick, Tony Mandarich.

Thanksgiving is upon us once again. The holiday's can bring the best out in some people but for addicts they can seem like an added insurmountable weight and sadness is sure to follow. Countless anniversary dates are this time of year. Love, loss, grief, recovery. Each are magnified exponentially and are often triggered by festive lights or music, if left unchecked leaves us one stray thought. Many relapses happened because of a stray thought and some tinsel. We welcomed Jacqueline Hoffman, CEO of Prairie Sky Recovery Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada. Jim's alma mater, Jacqueline puts every bit of herself and her families heritage into making Prairie Sky feel like a safe environment conducive to the clients specific needs.

Episode 165 marked show host Tim's 900th day of recovery. We don't count the days, we make the days count. That being said, it's something that says "I'm here for real" and can change the way we look at sobriety and the difference between sobriety and recovery. Two very different things. You ask a recovering addict that's put multiple years together how they did it, all unanimously say, "One day at a time". Speaking of which, we invited our old friend and "OG" Manny Vitale back on the program. Manny has his own recovery show "My Fight Our War" and has almost a cult following which both shows share in, and share to. Different show formats but ultimately we find ourselves with recovery at the forefront of both ventures and corporately we feed off each other, sometimes without knowing it. Manny's a legend and we're grateful for his dedication and friendship.

The boys did their thing tonight as we looked at grief in early recovery. Grief isn't just reserved for those who've lost a loved one. You can lament a situation, a relationship, a thing. Grief is about loss and we sometimes grieve for our addiction. We believe the lie that we'll never feel okay again. Even though addiction ruined our lives we still mourn for it as if it were a person lost. We get clean and sober to a life of unfamiliarity and adjustment may take some time. How we used to cope is now off the table and we have to talk about our disease with others who are afflicted similarly, just for today.

The gang was back together (minus a beard) for an emotional episode. Daily Reflections was about curbing rashness. In active addiction, our reactions to situations are automatic. Automatic a*****e was our default. We enter recovery and realize that those reactions were a product of the substance and we now have the choice to handle things differently. Words can cut deeper than a knife. We not attempting this recovery thing because things were so good when we were using. We come in broken individuals. We need help and mercy to refine us on our recovery journey. Find your people, know your herd. You'll be let down. You're going to let somebody down. Holding yourself accountable when you're wrong is the best way to ensure it doesn't happen again while growing as a person by admitting your mistake. You didn't get here on a winning streak so show others the grace you were shown when you required it.

All fun and games. Down a Canadian, the team pressed on to seal the "W". Will scored the game winner as the shorthanded Trashers rallied for the win. We talked about sports tonight, how it factors into a balanced framework for successful sobriety, one day at a time. We're not a glum lot, we like action, we're addicts we want that instant gratification. So as long as it doesn't cause harm and you blow off some steam, well good on you. When you exercise you unlock these little things we as a society call, endorphins. Even following a team and watching them from your couch, you still release these endorphins along with serotonin and dopamine. We talked about different coping strategies we all use on a daily basis.

Kajsa's home and welcomed with open arms as her absence was clearly felt. We talked a bit about the 72nd Regina Roundup and Kajsa's trip to Canada to spread the message with Jim. She shared her story as the keynote speaker and it was an hour of experience, strength and hope. Will fell asleep in his hot tub behind the trailer and missed the show. Hot tub safety, people... Just can't stress that enough. Swimmies on at all times going forward. Non-negotiable.

Kajsa made it home safe and sound from the great white north. Jim, as always, was first class. He made sure our girl wanted for nothing and had all the comforts of home. The culinary experience was legendary. As Kajsa said "if I ate any more poutine it was gonna' come out my. nose" and had the pictures to prove it. Everyone involved with this experience was touched on a very personal level. We talk a bit about sleep health and how that ties into lifelong sobriety.

Our theme tonight was "Making Your Comeback". Anybody who's in recovery, we've all written a comeback story (or you're working on the next chapter). Everybody loves an underdog and if you've decided to live a life of recovery, you don't start out on top. Our guest tonight reminded us of just that. It doesn't matter where you are or who you are, addiction does not discriminate. Our guest JJ (friend of Mike Oxley) came on and shared his 'rags-to-riches' story of overcoming addiction. Kajsa's Canadian Tour wrapped up as she's safely back home after 4 days of being with Jim.