Shoutout From The Pit

Episode 0070 Michaela

The Old Rucker sits down with digital creator, speaker, and author Michaela Mulroe to discuss resilience, identity, and living authentically with Treacher Collins syndrome. Michaela shares how she transformed years of feeling different, mental health struggles, and public scrutiny into a platform built around confidence, advocacy, and purpose through her upcoming book Unconditionally Confident and her new venture, Unconditionally Confident Solutions. The conversation moves from deeply personal moments including a mental health crisis that became a turning point to humor, faith, disability advocacy, family support, and the power of rewriting your own narrative. With honesty, humor, and perspective, Michaela delivers a grounded message about self-worth, service, and refusing to let circumstances define who you become. [https://i0.wp.com/www.shoutoutfromthepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/71Mf6HCOSGL._SL1500_.jpg?resize=193%2C300&ssl=1]https://amzn.to/4tRQZKp “Unconditionally Confident” via Amazon. Pre-order available 23 June. Release date is 4 August. [https://amzn.to/4tRQZKp] Learn more about Michaela at Michaelamulroe.com [https://www.michaelamulroe.com/] Support link for GiGi’s Playhouse: https://gigisplayhouse.org/madison/3-2-1-believer/  [https://gigisplayhouse.org/madison/3-2-1-believer/] Support link for Moving Out, Inc: https://www.movin-out.org/donate [https://www.movin-out.org/donate]   June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas Text Us at 501-613-8915 Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Episode 0069 Clash of Cultures

The Old Rucker reflects on the emotional collision between what he calls the “culture of darkness” and the “culture of light,” exploring how stress, grief, road rage, media negativity, politics, and everyday frustrations can slowly pull people into chaos and despair. Drawing from personal experiences, including the pain of losing longtime pets and navigating seasons of “death by a thousand cuts,” he breaks down the role emotions, habits, and personal responsibility play in shaping character and recovery. The episode centers on practical tools for rebuilding mindset and stability through positive habits like reading, exercise, meditation, kindness, prayer, and intentional living, while encouraging listeners to reject doom-driven culture and pursue hope, self awareness, and spiritual growth one small action at a time. [https://i0.wp.com/www.shoutoutfromthepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/81pFo9SS0L._SL1500_.jpg?resize=194%2C300&ssl=1]https://amzn.to/4nAn2x0 Character Carved in Stone by Pat Williams. [https://amzn.to/4nAn2x0] June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas Text Us at 501-613-8915 Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Episode 0068 Cody Then & Now

In this episode “The Old Rucker” reconnects with returning guest Cody for a candid conversation about recovery, grief, incarceration, faith, and rebuilding a life after loss. Cody reflects on the years since his wife’s sudden passing, the spiral into addiction that followed, and the hard road through incarceration into sobriety and accountability. Now nearly five years sober, he shares how faith, community, physical fitness, recovery programs like Forever Free, and reconnecting with his children have transformed his life. The episode dives deep into grief, emotional healing, work ethic, rebuilding trust with family, and the importance of staying connected to a supportive tribe while learning to live authentically and one day at a time. [https://i0.wp.com/www.shoutoutfromthepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/1000055870.png?resize=300%2C271&ssl=1]https://forever-free.net/ forever-free.net [https://forever-free.net/] June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas Text Us at 501-613-8915 Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Episode 0067 Greg’s Journey

In this episode, Greg sits down with The Old Rucker to share his journey from early addiction and chaos to stability, purpose, and faith driven recovery. From drinking as a child and battling substance abuse for decades to reaching a breaking point that forced change, Greg walks through the hard truths of addiction and the discipline required to rebuild a life. Now five years sober, he reflects on restoring relationships with his children, building thriving businesses, and stepping into ministry all rooted in accountability, spiritual growth, and community support. This episode offers a grounded look at what recovery actually requires and what’s possible when someone fully commits to change. June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas Text Us at 501-613-8915 Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915

Episode 0066 Charlie Depression

In this episode the Old Rucker and returning guest Charlie sit down for an unfiltered conversation on depression, anxiety, and the internal battles that don’t always show on the surface, challenging the idea that recovery alone solves everything. Speaking candidly from lived experience, they move beyond statistics into the reality that no one is immune, unpacking how depression can coexist with sobriety, success, and strong relationships while still pulling individuals into isolation, self criticism, and hopelessness. Charlie shares deeply personal moments of recent struggle, describing the paradox of choosing to stay in that “dark place” despite knowing the tools to get out, while both hosts emphasize surrender, connection, and service as imperfect but necessary paths forward. The episode avoids easy answers, instead offering honesty, relatability, and a reminder that while the fight is internal, no one has to face it alone and that simply showing up, speaking out, or being present for someone else can make a critical difference. June 20th: Arkansas Soberfest Picnic at the VFW in Cabot, Arkansas Text Us at 501-613-8915 [sms:501-613-8915] Leave a voicemail 501-613-8915 [tel:501-613-8915]