Talkin' Trash Addiction Recovery Podcast

The gang welcomed Mark Condon to the program for a fun, nostalgic midweek episode filled with great conversation and plenty of laughs. A familiar face within the Trash community and a friend of Brad and Jennifer, Mark stepped up to the plate, swung and connected. Deep to left center, gone. He resonated as he shared his personal struggles, hard-earned victories, and the perspective he's gained along the way. Reflecting on his journey, Mark discussed how even life's toughest moments can lead to growth and gratitude. A true head-down, get-to-work kind of guy, he fit right in with the crew and quickly became part of the team. With the boys bringing plenty of energy, this one turned into a memorable and entertaining episode reminding us that, no matter how different we all seem, the story remains the same. Strength in numbers.

Tonight, Talkin’ Trash welcomed Dustin B. into the mix with the usual Trash fashion. Dustin was a great sport and shared his story with us as he approaches an incredible milestone—eight years clean and serene in just a few days. We took the opportunity to pump his tires a little and celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and growth that got him there. The outdoor ambience was dialed back this time, but Dustin proved a little tough to hear in spots, so we cranked his audio up as much as possible while Tim’s heavy breathing continued its quest to become the show's unofficial fifth host. As always, the Talkin’ Trash crew forges ahead in mediocrity twice a week with the same low expectations we've proudly maintained from the start, which is why the recent influx of new family members and supporters has been such a fun surprise. Thanks for sticking with us as we grow—we're working behind the scenes to make things better every step of the way.

Tonight on the pod the team announced the addition of Larry Foster as a recurring member of the podcast family. A respected voice in recovery, Larry brings decades of experience, hard-earned wisdom, and a perspective shaped by perseverance and personal growth. During the discussion, he shared powerful insights on the role shame often plays in relapse and the importance of addressing it in long-term recovery. Tim ate pizza and heavy breathed into the mic more than usual. The show announced Larry (tonight's co-host) and Elizabeth McKeon PMHNP as monthly recurring team members as both Larry and Liz step into larger roles to help guide the podcast's future conversations and overall direction. The incessant clicking of a pen and the echo's of Georgia crickets in Will's backyard are just a couple reasons why Talkin' Trash's pursuit of professionalism is second to none.

Tonight the crew got together for another honest discussion about addiction, recovery, and life on life's terms. Four men with different recovery journeys shared their experience, strength, and hope while reflecting on the challenges and rewards of staying sober one day at a time. Through candid conversation and a few laughs, the team reminded listeners that recovery is possible and that nobody has to do it alone.

Tonight the team checked in with one another before welcoming Anthony Cocco to the show. Hailing from Philadelphia—Tim’s old stomping grounds—Anthony brought a relatable and down-to-earth perspective to the conversation. With more than six years clean and sober, he shared his experience navigating recovery one day at a time, speaking candidly about the challenges, rewards, and daily commitment required to maintain sobriety. His honesty, humility, and gratitude for recovery offered hope and encouragement to anyone still struggling, proving that long-term recovery is possible when we focus on today and stay connected to those walking the same path.

Tonight, we had the pleasure of welcoming Tanya from Halifax, Nova Scotia to the show. With more than a decade in recovery, Tanya shared her experience with a level of honesty and clarity that made it feel as though her journey happened yesterday. Her lighthearted spirit, positive outlook, and thoughtful delivery brought both hope and inspiration to the conversation. Tanya reflected on the challenges of active addiction, the lessons learned through recovery, and the gratitude she has found along the way. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that long-term recovery is possible and that a fulfilling life awaits those willing to take the first step.

What was supposed to be a guest episode turned into an unexpected in-house conversation when our scheduled guest didn't make it—and it ended up being one of those shows that reminded us why we do this. We talked about overdose, a situation close to home, and leaned on the strength we find in each other when life puts us to the test. Nearly two hours later, it was nothing but high-fives all around. To everyone who continues to get something from this show: thank you. You took a chance on a small, scrappy podcast and helped build it into what it is today. World Cup News: Bosnia invades Herzegovina after a 2–0 loss to the Red, White & Blue. And finally, a reminder that the ground we live/build/stand on can move violently. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

We welcomed Elizabeth back to the podcast for another recurring appearance as our trusted medical professional. A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner serving rural Georgia, Liz brings much-needed clinical insight to the often complex and confusing world of addiction recovery. Our team and audience are incredibly grateful for the time she donates to educate, support, and help those struggling with addiction. Her approach recognizes addiction as a "changed brain" condition, emphasizing that every individual is different and that effective recovery sometimes requires setting rigid rulebooks aside in favor of compassionate, personalized care.

Tonight we welcomed Melanie Brown and her daughter, Rebekah, to the show. Melanie, CAO and co-owner of Prairie Sky Recovery Centre and a Registered Social Worker, shared how her lived experience in addiction and recovery has helped shape both her personal journey and her life's work. Joined by Rebekah, an emerging voice in the recovery community, the conversation highlighted the importance of carrying the message of hope to the next generation. A longtime friend of the show, Prairie Sky Recovery Centre continues to make a lasting impact through the legacy of founder Ardyth Wilson and its commitment to helping people find lasting recovery.

Tonight we welcomed back one of our dearest friends, Jenny Mansfield. If the last name sounds familiar, that's because she's Brad's sister. Our girl Jenny took center stage and showed everyone what independent, sober living looks like. She shared her trials, triumphs, and the many obstacles she's overcome in both life and recovery. We're incredibly grateful she took the time to tell her story, because there is a strength in that kind of honesty that transcends distance, borders, and time zones. Her message was powerful, heartfelt, and a reminder that recovery is not only possible, it's worth fighting for.

Here’s a cleaned-up version that keeps your voice while tightening the flow: On a shorthanded midweek show, we welcomed back Steve, who never hesitates to step up when the team needs him. We appreciate his honesty, candor, and willingness to donate his time to the cause as we recover out loud and carry the message to those still suffering. With just a couple of months to go before reaching the two-year mark, we celebrated that milestone with Steve and our audience. There’s something special about watching people you care about finally "get it." Tried and tested, giving away what was so freely given to us remains one of the best ways to stay sober. As Men's Health Month continues, awareness around men's mental health is growing, largely because the stigma around saying, "I'm not okay," is beginning to fade. Admitting that you're struggling isn't weakness—it takes strength—and that message is becoming more accepted, especially within the world of addiction recovery. Chat GPT had nothing to do with this show summary.

We welcomed longtime friend of the show Steve M. back to the podcast tonight. Coming in hot with over a year clean, Steve continues to prove that recovery is not only attainable—it's worth it. His story resonates with so many who have walked a similar path, and he's now seeing the fruits of sobriety as a long-standing legal situation has finally come to an end. Steve shared his experience, strength, and hope with our audience, reminding us that life gets better when we stay the course. A devoted father, rabbit enthusiast, and living example of recovery in action, Steve brought honesty, humor, and inspiration to another great episode.

Bethany Basler joined the team tonight. Bethany, or "BB" as we call her, was amazing as always. A passionate advocate for recovery and peer support, Bethany has built a strong presence online and recently launched her own podcast, Rock Bottom Recovery . While she's been a guest on our show before, there are still parts of her story that haven't been told. Tonight, she opened up about her journey, shared insights from her recovery experience, and discussed the importance of connection, community, and carrying the message to those still struggling. Bethany continues to be a powerful voice in recovery, and we're grateful she spent the evening with us.

We welcomed back Larry Foster—the man, the myth, the legend—to the podcast as we kicked off Men's Health Month in Middle Earth. Larry fits right in with the team because, truthfully, he is part of the team. As a longtime counselor in addiction recovery and Lord Protector of the Realm, Sir Larry shared the wisdom and insight we all needed to hear, covering mental health awareness, generational influences, and the realities of today's recovery landscape. Bringing both old-school experience and a modern perspective, Larry offered a balanced view of addiction and recovery that resonated with everyone. "Larry the Grey" also helped us bring our Lord of the Rings theme to life. We like to have fun. Thank you, Larry, for joining us once again and for your continued support—we're grateful to have you as part of the family.

We welcomed Kaeden to the show tonight. At just 26, he has already overcome a tremendous amount of adversity and is now four months clean, embracing the sober living lifestyle. Our crew first met Kaeden at Prairie Sky Recovery Centre during the live, on-site broadcast of Episode 190. As they so often do, the boys connected with someone who heard the message of recovery and thought, "I want that." Four months later, we caught up with Kaeden to hear his story and see how he's doing. He is a great example of what can happen when someone reaches the point of being truly ready for change and has a supportive family willing to advocate for them along the way. We're incredibly proud of Kaeden and all that he's accomplishing and we're humbled that our team plays a role in this young man's recovery. That's recovering out loud!

We welcomed back a very special friend of the show, Elizabeth McKeon. Liz is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with a Master's of Science in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing — and simply put, she’s one of the good ones. In addiction recovery, many of us suddenly think we have all the answers. We self-diagnose, self-treat. The only doctor's we're referring to are Dr. Google and Dr. Chatgpt and we convince ourselves we know best. The truth is, the real difference-makers are clinicians like Elizabeth who genuinely care. Through both personal and professional experience, she has built a unique approach to recovery that is medically grounded and compassionately delivered. Her wisdom and insight transcended miles and time zones during this conversation. Keep posted, we'll be seeing Liz again sooner than you think!

Tonight on the pod, we welcomed another fellow Saskatchewanian. Our special guest Larissa celebrated an incredible milestone — 10 months clean. Her story was a powerful reminder that addiction does not discriminate. No matter our backgrounds, appearances, or experiences, the disease connects us all in ways many never fully understand. Larissa shared openly about her struggles with codependency, growth, and hope she’s found in recovery, proving that while we may not all look the same on the outside, we are the same where it matters most. Her honesty, strength, and willingness to keep fighting delivered a message that resonated far beyond addiction itself — recovery is possible for anyone willing to reach for it.

Tonight’s episode featured an incredible guest, Bethany, who shared her experience, strength, and hope with us in a truly powerful way. She’s seen it all and been through it all, but her story is one of resilience, recovery, and finding purpose through the struggle. Bethany spoke openly about the challenges she’s faced and the lessons she’s learned along the way, reminding listeners that no matter how difficult life can become, hope is always possible. Her honesty, courage, and passion continue to fuel her crusade to help and inspire others who may still be fighting their own battles.

We kicked off our Mental Health Awareness Month campaign by welcoming back Mike Oxley, a longtime addiction recovery nurse and original co-founder of the show. Mike, a proud New Jersey native, brought plenty of personality along with more than a decade of experience in addiction recovery. Beyond his professional background, Mike shared what truly set him apart — his willingness to go the extra mile and treat every patient with dignity and respect, no matter their circumstances. Tim and Mike reflected on a powerful moment from Tim’s early recovery journey, when Nurse Mike extended that same compassion to him firsthand. Mike was the first person to truly connect with Tim during one of the darkest periods of his life. Tim shared with the audience the lasting impact of that kindness, explaining that the show — and possibly even Tim himself — might not exist today if not for the compassion shown by a stranger at such a critical moment.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Trashers out there! Tonight, we welcomed a very special guest — someone incredibly close to the show. Brad’s sister, Jennifer, joined us alongside Brad for a powerful and heartfelt conversation. Their bond, forged through recovery, was impossible to miss. Jennifer bravely shared her story on this special Mother’s Day episode of Talkin’ Trash, speaking openly about the joy and peace she’s found in sobriety. She said, without hesitation, that the life she lives today is the happiest she’s ever been. So many people fear that getting sober means giving up fun, and many of us in long-term recovery remember feeling exactly that way. But as time passes, we stop comparing ourselves to others and start identifying with them instead. We realize we’re not alone, and when that happens, real joy and genuine fun begin to return. We’re grateful Jennifer spent the evening with us, and we look forward to catching up with her again soon. And of course, we also learned tonight that Winston Churchill’s mother apparently invented both Mother’s Day and modern plumbing. What an absolute legend.