feral but sober

”She Ran Until She Rose: Katrina’s Reckoning”-Episode15-audiochannel

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 she wasn’t sure existed, everything changed.
A surprise message from her daughter cracked open the door to redemption. What followed was a raw, chaotic, and miraculous climb back to life. Katrina now works in recovery, reconnects with all her children, and holds her grandchildren close—proof that even the most shattered stories can be rebuilt.
Her oldest daughter and father watched this episode live, and we’re planning a follow-up featuring her daughters’ voices—how addiction shaped their childhoods and how healing is reshaping their future.

“Oxys, Heartbreak, and the Trap House Wake-Up Call”-episode14-audiochannel

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 spiraled into full-blown addiction, and how love—twisted up with pain—kept pulling him deeper. From pill parties to heroin, from our small-town streets to city trap houses, Derrick shares the raw truth of what it looked like to lose everything, including his mother, right under our noses.
We lived some of this together—same house, same hustle, same heartbreak. He talks about the criminal fallout, the desperation, and the moment he knew something had to change. We ran out of time before diving into the full redemption arc, but we do get a glimpse: Derrick today is a father, a fiancé, and a man in recovery with a solid career and a fierce commitment to doing better.
He’ll be back for Part 2—but for now, this one’s a heavy, honest look at what it means to fall hard and still find your way back

”Kenny’s Kindness and the Power of Showing Up”-Clawsoutpt9-audiochannel

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 mapping out the path toward RADPSS. Kenny opens up about his unconventional love story—how his girlfriend found the strength to walk away from drugs without formal treatment, simply saying, “I saw something I wanted more.” That something was him. Now, they’re both clean, thriving, and rewriting what recovery can look like.
We talk about Kenny’s use of marijuana maintenance, the hate comments he’s received, and how he responds with radical kindness instead of defensiveness. His approach? Compassion over conflict. We also explore his growing interest in peer support and the unexpected ways he’s already making an impact—like when a stranger from a Facebook group invited him to a Zoom meeting that turned into a one-on-one crisis conversation. Kenny showed up, listened, and helped, no script, no training—just heart.
This episode is a testament to resilience, unconventional healing, and the power of simply being there. Whether you’re credentialed or just starting out, this one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re “qualified” to care. Spoiler: you are.

“Lucky Ain’t Luck: Abandonment, Addiction, and the Fight for Fatherhood”--episode13-audiochannel

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 a brutal cycle of addiction, juvenile detention, and betrayal. Lucky shares how he hid needles in school ceilings to avoid dopesickness, robbed vending machines across four counties, and got high inside juvy just to feel something. He tried trade school, homeschool, and lifeskills classes—each time clawing toward a better future, only to be knocked back by grief, relapse, or systemic failure. After losing both parents and being rejected by his stepfather, Lucky spiraled into homelessness, stealing chocolate milk and Nutty Buddys just to survive. Then came a turning point: a pregnancy, an ultimatum, and a daughter born addicted. He tried to stay clean, but chaos followed—eviction, a van fire that nearly killed his child, and a CPS case that stripped him of custody. But Lucky didn’t give up. From jail, he begged for treatment extensions, fought for his daughter, and finally chose to cut ties with toxic relationships. He battled serious health issues, relocated to Arizona, and now—against all odds—has full custody of his daughter. They live in a quiet neighborhood, far from the violence and instability that shaped his youth. This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at what it means to fight for redemption when the world writes you off. It’s about trauma, resilience, and the radical power of choosing your child over your demons.
 
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Episode Title: Faith, Fiends, and the Flip Side: Josh Returns with a New Chapter-clawsout8-audiochannel

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, and unapologetic transformation.
This time, Josh brings a new lens: one shaped by two guiding figures—Jesus, the carpenter, and Bill Wilson, the architect of Alcoholics Anonymous. Together, they form the spiritual scaffolding of his latest work, which blends personal testimony with reverent reflection. Leanna and Josh unpack the symbolism, the storytelling, and the soul behind the pages, comparing it to his previous book The Flip Side: Different Sides of the Same Coin, which explored duality, identity, and the raw tension between despair and hope.
Expect laughter, vulnerability, and a few neon-lit truth bombs as they explore:
•  What it means to walk with both a carpenter and a guy named Bill
•  How recovery and spirituality can coexist without shame or rigidity
•  The evolution of Josh’s voice—from gritty memoirist to spiritual narrator
•  The power of storytelling in justice-involved and recovery communities
•  Why punk aesthetics and trauma-informed language matter in outreach
Whether you’re in recovery, faith-curious, or just love a good redemption arc, this episode is for you. It’s not just a conversation—it’s a call to reclaim your story, rewrite your narrative, and find your own flip side
This book can be purchased by clicking this link: https://a.co/d/bXnGf76

“Recovery on the Road: Kenneth’s Journey from Chaos to Clarity”-episode12-audiochannel

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 collapsed after a relapse—losing his clean time, his stability, and his connection to the people he loved.
But rock bottom wasn’t the end. It was the beginning.
Kenneth describes waking up one day with the realization that something had to change. He began searching online for others who felt alienated by traditional recovery spaces—and that’s when he discovered marijuana maintenance. It was a turning point that helped him rebuild his life on his own terms.
We dive deep into the emotional layers of his story: losing custody of his children, meeting his girlfriend—a truck driver from Oklahoma—who drove all the way to Ohio to pick him up and take him on a cross-country journey. On that trip, she made the decision to get clean herself, asking Kenneth to throw away her drug kit. Together, they’ve built a quiet, productive life rooted in mutual support and healing.
Kenneth also shares how he’s begun reconnecting with his community—shaking hands with the mayor of his small town, pitching ideas to expand treatment options, and advocating for more inclusive recovery pathways. He talks about rebuilding relationships, confronting his past involvement in gang life, and navigating the trauma of a childhood shaped by addiction, neglect, and survival. Raised in a home where his mother and two stepfathers drank, partied, and used drugs, Kenneth and his eleven siblings were left to fend for themselves.
This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at what recovery can look like outside the lines. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the radical act of choosing a different future—even when the odds are stacked against you.
Kenny talked about his short story he has written sharing more about his story here is the link: file:///C:/Users/leann/OneDrive/Desktop/The%20flip%20side%20of%20the%20coin%20by%20the%20dopeless%20fiend/book%20ashes%20to%20advocate-kennythoma.pdf
Kenny also offered support to anyone who may be struggling here is the link to his profile: https://www.facebook.com/kennysinrecovery

Iwentfarwhilesittingstillpt2&truthtraumatriumph2-clawsout7-audiochannel

James recaps his amazing story, highlighting the accomplishments he has made along the way, James speaks to the possibility of making huge improvements to his quality of life while in prison, to end the episode we played a 15 min round of truth trauma and triumph getting to know each others truth about recovery related questions!

Born Into The Fire- Episode11-audiochannel

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, selling her body to survive, and a near-fatal shooting by a drug dealer.
But this isn’t just a story about pain—it’s about power. Stacy takes us through her turning point in 2021, when her husband’s recovery inspired her to seek help. From Isaiah House to Oxford House, from relapse to redemption, she fought her way back. Today, she’s a certified Peer Support Specialist and Professional Recovery Coach, working in treatment and rebuilding her life with fierce honesty and spiritual clarity.
This episode dives deep into:
•  Generational addiction and the impact of growing up in chaos
•  The realities of trauma, incarceration, and relapse
•  Recovery as rebellion—and the power of community, sponsorship, and spiritual growth
•  What it means to reclaim your story and help others do the same
Stacy doesn’t hold back—and neither do we. If you’ve ever felt like you were born into the fire, this episode is for you

I Went Far While I Was Sitting Still-clawsoutpart6-audiochannel

🕯️ 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 Development—all through Ashland University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude, ranked in the top 1% of his class, and was inducted into both the National Communication Association and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Now just four months out, James is putting his education to work in the heart of Athens County, Ohio. As a Peer Recovery Supporter with Recovery Connections, he dedicates his time to harm reduction outreach, peer mentorship, and community education. He’s also a proud member of Leadership Athens County, a program funded by the Athens Foundation that cultivates local changemakers.
James’s passions—connection, self-growth, and helping others achieve their dreams—are more than words. They’re the foundation of his vision: to launch a nonprofit that centers the underserved, the justice-impacted, and those navigating mental illness or substance use disorder. His story is a testament to what’s possible when education meets purpose, and when recovery is rooted in community.
This episode explores:
•  📚 The emotional and academic grit it takes to earn multiple degrees behind bars
•  🤝 The power of peer support and harm reduction in real-world recovery work
•  🧠 How leadership, advocacy, and lived experience intersect in rural Ohio
•  🔥 James’s vision for a nonprofit that uplifts the most marginalized
Whether you’re justice-involved, in recovery, or simply seeking proof that growth can happen anywhere—this episode will move you.

“We Won’t Give Addiction Another Minute”-Episode10-audioonly

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, and surviving an abusive relationship.
Together, Leanna and Kandra reflect on their shared confessions, the chaos they lived through, and the daughters Kandra lost along the way. Now a stay-at-home mom to a toddler who is her whole world, Kandra shares how she used MAT and eventually Sublocade to taper off without withdrawals—reclaiming her life, her peace, and her future. She also speaks about the healing process of reconnecting with her oldest daughter, rebuilding trust, and nurturing a strong relationship after years of separation.
This episode was co-hosted live on TikTok, bringing a new visual format to Feral But Sober and a wider audience to this brutally honest conversation. It’s a testament to survival, sisterhood, and the radical act of never giving addiction another minute.