We're Out of Time

World-renowned interventionist Candy Finnigan joins host Richard Taite on We’re Out of Time for a deeply emotional and unfiltered conversation about addiction, recovery, accountability, and compassion. A pioneer in the intervention space and one of the first three women interventionists, Candy reflects on her 32-year career helping families confront substance use disorder—while also sharing her own lived experience with alcoholism.Candy opens up about hiding alcohol, being confronted by her mother-in-law, and facing the threat of losing her children, a pivotal moment that led her into sobriety. From there, she shares powerful stories from her time on the television series Intervention, including a man reuniting with his sons after 22 years, meeting an estranged family member and an unknown child, and witnessing the devastating clarity that can come—even amid cognitive decline—when someone realizes the harm addiction has caused their family.The episode explores memory loss during periods of severe alcoholism and homelessness, the tragic arc of a former lightweight boxing champion who became unhoused, and the long-term impact of trauma, brain injury, and substance abuse. One story highlights the moment a man, despite cognitive delay, instantly understood what he had done to his loved ones—an example of how awareness and remorse can still surface in unexpected ways.Richard Taite then shares one of his most painful experiences as an interventionist: a woman he believes he failed. He recounts running out of time, walking away knowing she would die, and carrying that grief years later. The moment underscores the emotional weight interventionists bear and the reality that outcomes are never guaranteed.Throughout the episode, Candy reinforces a core truth of the work: intervention is not about control or rescue, but about offering people a chance to choose recovery. As she says, “Our life work is helping people who suffer, get better.”

On this week’s episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with former NFL running back Montee Ball, whose journey from childhood Broncos fan to 2nd-round draft pick for the Denver Broncos reads like a dream—until it didn’t. Montee shares the surreal moment he was drafted, including the text he received from Peyton Manning, and how playing alongside legends like Manning and Tom Brady was both inspiring and overwhelming.At the height of his career—during his best year on the field—Montee was living his worst year off of it. He opens up about addiction, the pressure to perform, and the moments he declined calls from NFL teams to keep drinking and partying. He reflects on losing everything and the painful realization that his addiction had begun to push away the people who cared about him most.Montee revisits the expectations he set for himself—believing he’d “run off into the sunset with a gold jacket”—and the spiritual shift that redirected his path toward helping others. Richard highlights Montee’s rare athletic ability with the unforgettable line: “You’re the most impressive athlete I’ve ever met. EVER.”Now nine years into recovery, Montee says it’s been “better than any touchdown I’ve ever scored.” He talks about choosing sobriety, why making it to ten years becomes a life-changing milestone, and reflects on his NCAA all-time touchdown record. Today, he lives by a core belief: when you show up with the heart of a servant, committed to lifting others out of addiction, there’s no limit to the impact you can make.The episode dives into letting go of the past, the transformative moment Montee learned he was going to be a father after being released from jail, and the profound truth he discovered: you don’t know real love until you have a child. With purpose, humility, and renewed clarity, Montee shares why his mission is far from over: “I’m ready to continue helping more people. I’m not done yet, Richard.”

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite is joined by Dr. Ben Shapiro and Dr. Brett Shurman, two leading addiction psychiatrists and co-owners of three psychiatric clinics specializing in substance use, mood disorders, and innovative mental health treatments. Together, they break down the realities of modern psychiatric care and the science behind addiction.The doctors begin by exploring why TMS has become one of their favorite and most effective tools in psychiatric treatment. They then dive into the neuroscience of addiction, explaining the true “reasons” people use substances and how these brain-based mechanisms shape dependency. The conversation shifts to the Fentanyl crisis, exposing what the public isn’t hearing and revealing how fentanyl contamination is impacting clinics behind the scenes. They warn that if someone is buying anything off the street—or unverified online sources—the risk is now higher than ever.Richard, Dr. Shapiro, and Dr. Shurman discusses why psychiatric illness and addiction must be treated in tandem rather than separately. They explain how childhood trauma, early mood issues, and developmental challenges often lay the groundwork for addiction later in life. The doctors also clarify how clinicians differentiate Bipolar Disorder from Borderline Personality Disorder, and why chronic mood problems starting at a young age shape attachment, personality structure, and long-term psychiatric health.The conversation covers the importance of a strong therapist–patient relationship and the dangers of misdiagnosis—especially when patients are given antidepressants or stimulants instead of proper addiction treatment. They offer essential guidance for families of loved ones battling addiction and compare classic psychotherapy to newer, emerging solutions. Finally, they break down how psychedelics, ketamine, and MDMA are being used in clinical settings—and why many first-time adult users report “seeing God.”

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down for the first time with one of his own clients, Shane Neal—a Marine Corps veteran who has been sober for 18 months. Shane served 8 years in the Marines, leaving as a sergeant after a medical discharge due to a back injury. In this powerful conversation, he opens up about his journey through addiction, recovery, mental health treatment, and finding purpose after the military.Shane shares how treatment completely transformed his life and credits Richard for guiding him through the process. He talks about entering treatment initially for alcohol use, and how that opened the door for him to begin mental health treatment, breaking the cycle that had held him back for years. Shane also reveals how a DUI arrest became a turning point—one that led him to inspire change among his fellow inmates by sharing his own story and encouraging them to seek help.The episode also explores the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps, including its unexpected origins in a bar, and how Marine tradition continues to shape identity long after service ends. Shane closes with heartfelt advice for anyone struggling with substances, speaking directly to those who feel lost, stuck, or unsure if recovery is possible.

On this episode of the We’re Out Of Time podcast, host Richard Taite sits down with world-renowned psychiatrist, bestselling author, and brain health pioneer Dr. Daniel Amen. Known for transforming the conversation around mental health through his groundbreaking SPECT imaging work, Dr. Amen has helped millions understand one core truth: when you change your brain, you change your life.Dr. Amen begins by sharing how his fascination with the brain started in medical school, noticing how psychiatry rarely looked at the organ it was treating. He highlights the alarming reality that many mental health struggles are deeply connected to underlying brain issues—yet the brain is often ignored. He explains why antidepressants, while helpful for some, can actually harm others, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment instead of one-size-fits-all solutions.He then dives into the modern crisis affecting today’s youth, warning that “we are thrilling our children to death with screens” and reinforcing how brain health and mental health are inseparable. Referencing his bestselling book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Dr. Amen stresses the importance of lifestyle choices—avoiding junk food, alcohol, marijuana, and drugs—to protect and optimize brain function.Dr. Amen also shares one of his most practical tools: recognizing that it’s not your thoughts that create suffering, but the thoughts you attach yourself to. He discusses how giving his brain a name helps him separate from unhelpful or irrational thinking. The conversation expands into what happens in the brain when someone breaks free from addiction, and what the brain looks like in a state of total peace. He also outlines the dangers of environmental toxins like aspartame, citing studies on how these substances affect brain function.In closing, Dr. Amen reiterates his foundational message: you are not stuck with the brain you have. With the right tools, awareness, and habits, you can change your brain—and in turn, transform your entire life.