F#CK THE STIGMA

In episode 53 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Alika Gambill to talk about what it really looks like to rebuild your life from the ground up. Alika opens up about the trauma he experienced growing up and how it shaped the path that led him into nearly two decades of addiction. He shares the chaos of that lifestyle, his struggle with addiction, and the reality of trying to survive while losing himself in the process. Alika speaks on rebuilding a relationship with his abusive father, navigating forgiveness, and what it means to break generational cycles.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Introduction & Hawaiian Roots01:00 Growing Up in Hawaii: Culture & Family04:00 Family Dynamics and Childhood Challenges08:00 Turbulent Home Life and Early Trauma12:00 Feeling Overlooked and Introverted15:00 Turning to Alcohol & Identity Issues19:00 Following Role Models: Substances and Surf22:00 Addiction, Identity, and Men’s Perspective25:00 Finding Religion & First Encounters with God29:00 Entry Into Drugs and Escalating Addiction34:00 Living in Active Addiction39:00 Victim Mentality and Family Resentments44:00 Turning Point: Understanding & Forgiveness47:00 Bottoming Out and the Path to Sobriety53:00 Sobriety, Recovery, and Changing Mindsets57:00 Addict Thinking: It’s About the Mind01:00:00 Life After Addiction & Giving Back01:02:00 Misconceptions About Addiction & Closing ThoughtsFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapodTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 52 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ahmad Hussain, founder and CEO of DEFENT, breaks down the harsh reality of the fentanyl epidemic and the truth behind the rising death toll. He shares what drives his mission to create an all-in-one fentanyl detection device and why urgent action is needed to address this national crisis.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.DEFENT Links |Website | https://defent.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/defentofficialTiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@defentofficialChapters |00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction01:00 What is Defend? The All-in-One Solution03:00 Challenges with Traditional Fentanyl Test Strips05:00 Harm Reduction and Its Stigma09:00 Who Needs Harm Reduction? Breaking Stereotypes13:00 Personal Motivation: The Opioid Crisis17:00 Rising Fentanyl Deaths and Underlying Causes21:00 Why Fentanyl Is Everywhere: Economics & Supply Chains25:00 Strategy: Disrupting Drug Supply from the Bottom Up29:00 Limitations of Testing for Chronic Users33:00 Public Funding and Making Testing Accessible35:00 Addiction, Mental Health & Social Stigma39:00 Early Education and Honest Communication43:00 Myths About Fentanyl Risk and Consumer Attitudes46:00 Community Reporting and Real-Life Impact49:00 How the Device Works: All-in-One Explained53:00 Barriers to Adoption & Market Challenges57:00 Schools, Narcan, and Preventative Measures01:00:00 Xylazine, Nitazines, and Changing Drug Risks01:03:00 The Future of Harm Reduction01:07:00 Key Takeaways: Test Your SubstancesFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fthestigmapodTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 51 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Garet McLendon to share his powerful story of addiction, trauma, and recovery. In this episode, he opens up about the struggles that led him down a destructive path, the turning points that forced change, and what it really takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. From hard truths about relapse to finding purpose in sobriety, Garet gives raw insight into the realities of overcoming addiction and breaking the stigma around mental health.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Chapters |00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:50 Garrett's Sobriety Journey02:03 Life Today & Daily Routine03:10 Finding Balance in Recovery06:07 Early Life and Childhood Memories07:13 Family, Addiction and Early Exposure10:25 First Experiences With Substances11:01 Escalation and Living With Addiction14:10 Turning to Selling Drugs & Crime17:08 Life on the Streets and Prison21:19 Chaos, Paranoia, and Survival26:41 Addiction Deepens and Losing Hope32:41 Isolation and the Breaking Point36:46 Hitting Rock Bottom and Treatment41:12 First Steps to Recovery45:46 Staying Engaged and Active in Recovery50:01 Life Lessons and Growth in Sobriety54:08 Advice and Message for Those Struggling59:01 Closing Thoughts and GratitudeFollow us! Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaPod links |Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/46dw6sl5t344p6PlBcykb3?si=35349a057d564bacApple Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f-ck-the-stigma/id1691599224Tags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 50 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Faust Castellanos, who shares a powerful and deeply vulnerable conversation about trauma, addiction, faith, and recovery. Known for his appearance on Soft White Underbelly and several other podcasts, as well as his work as a pastor, clinical therapist, and founder of a peptide company, Fausto opens up about the sexual abuse he endured during his adolescent years and how that unresolved trauma led him to drugs and alcohol at just 14 years old. He shares candidly about overdoses, traumatic experiences, and hitting rock bottom in his early twenties before finally choosing sobriety and rebuilding his life from the ground up. Now thriving in recovery and helping others through faith, therapy, and entrepreneurship, Fausto explains why sharing his story publicly has been one of the most empowering and healing experiences of his life. This episode dives deep into childhood trauma, substance abuse, overcoming shame, getting sober, faith based healing, and what it truly means to transform pain into purpose.Chapters |00:00 Intro & Purpose of the Podcast01:00 Meet Foster: Therapist, Influencer, Speaker02:00 Motivation & Overcoming Adversity04:00 Early Life: Trauma, Addiction, and Pain07:30 Alcohol, Drugs & Escaping Anxieties12:00 Teen Addiction & Spiraling Out18:00 Progression of Substances & Deepening Struggles22:00 Narcissistic Abuse Explained26:00 Rock Bottom: Overdoses & Seizures29:00 Attempts at Normalcy & Cycles of Toxic Relationships34:30 Escalation: Heavier Use & Isolation38:00 Reaching Out for Help & First Spiritual Experience41:00 Entering Recovery: AA, Social Media & Vulnerability46:00 Religion, Spirituality, and Recovery55:00 Overcoming Trauma: Forgiveness & Growth01:00:00 Addiction as a Disease and Relapse01:02:00 Final Thoughts on Recovery and Resilience01:03:00 Outro: Reflections and GratitudeFollow us! IInstagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict

In episode 49 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Michael Lynch and Dr. Kenny Clark as they return to announce the launch of their new podcast, Solo and Doc, and have a powerful conversation about rebuilding in recovery after losing everything to addiction. We talk about what it felt like to be absent fathers during active addiction and how they worked to repair and rebuild those relationships in sobriety. Dr. Kenny shares an honest look into the inner workings of his relapses, while we also dive into how trauma impacts addiction, the grief of losing friends to substance use, and what it truly takes to heal. This is a raw and real conversation about accountability, fatherhood, relapse, and hope in recovery that you do not want to miss.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that challenge stigma and bring awareness to mental health and addiction.Solo & Doc Links!Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@soloanddocInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/soloanddocTiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@soloanddocFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/soloanddoc/Chapters |00:00 Introductions & Podcast Origins01:05 Discussing Recovery & Addiction as a Disease03:00 Personal Stories of Addiction and Family Impact09:17 Rebuilding Family Relationships in Recovery12:00 Trauma, Addiction, and Personal Growth18:00 Defining Trauma & Its Effects28:00 Relapse: Understanding the Process35:30 Emotional States and Relapse Triggers43:00 Importance of Community in Recovery47:00 Restarting Recovery After Setbacks54:30 Transforming Loss into Purpose01:00:00 Closing Thoughts & Next StepsOur mission is to normalize mental health and mental illness as widespread, treatable, and acceptable. We do this by providing useful resources, improving access to services for those who need help, sharing stories, and building a community of young people who all agree… Follow us! Website | https://fthestigma.com/Instagram | https://instagram.com/fukthestigmaTikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fthestigmaFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/FTStigmaX | https://x.com/fthestigmaSubscribe for more! | https://www.youtube.com/@fthestigmaTags in this video ↓fthestigma, podcast, addiction, recovery, trauma, anxiety, depression, ptsd, mentalhealth, mentalillness, nonprofit, vulnerability, youth, healthandwellness, god, sobriety, relapse, treatment, loss, grief, addicts, recovery, addict, relationships, psychological, experience, spiritual, spirituality, alcoholic, addiction recovery, insanity, psychosis, story, neglect, jail, prescription, alcoholic, alcoholism, treatment, diagnosis, prison, criminal, psychology, doctor, dealer, baltimore diagnosis, felony, felonies, forgiveness, spiritual, DUI, felon, disease#fthestigma #podcast #addiction #overdoseawareness #nonprofit #mentalhealth #mentalillness #recovery #criminal #addictionrecovery #addict