Chris "Psycho" Mendoza - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 12

Josh Garcia - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 20

Josh Garcia - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 20 In this deeply honest episode, Devine sits down with Josh Garcia — Marine veteran, cancer survivor, and a man who turned a decade of active addiction and criminal behavior into a powerful recovery journey. Josh enlisted in the Marines in 2006, faced personal struggles after returning home, and eventually battled addiction until getting clean in April 2024. Today, he lives in Denver with his fiancée and works in behavioral health, giving back to the community. Josh opens up about losing his mom young in a car accident, growing up in a blended Hispanic family, not fitting in, and turning to anger, violence, and substances to cope. He shares the raw moments of rock bottom — including an intentional overdose attempt — Marine life, marriage challenges, a cancer diagnosis in 2022, and what finally made this time in recovery different: humility, surrender, and learning to respond instead of react. From processing emotions, rebuilding family relationships, to finding purpose in service and behavioral health work, this conversation is full of vulnerability, resilience, and real tools for anyone walking through trauma, loss, or addiction. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Welcome to Episode 20 01:43 - Josh's Current Life in Denver & Recovery Mindset 04:00 - Introducing Himself: Marine Background & Early Life 07:30 - Losing His Mom at a Young Age & Family Impact 12:15 - Blended Family Dynamics & Feeling Like He Didn't Fit In 17:40 - Anger, Fighting & Early Emotional Struggles 23:20 - Enlisting in the Marines in 2006 28:50 - Post-Service Life, Marriage & Slide into Addiction 34:10 - Criminal Behavior, Rock Bottom & Overdose Attempt 39:45 - Cancer Diagnosis in 2022 & Major Wake-Up Call 45:30 - Getting Clean April 22nd, 2024 – What Made It Stick 52:00 - Humility, Surrender & Learning to Respond vs React 58:20 - Working in Behavioral Health & Giving Back 1:04:45 - Rebuilding Relationships & Processing Emotions 1:11:30 - Advice for Veterans, Those in Recovery & Dads 1:18:50 - Future Vision, Purpose & Words of Hope 1:26:40 - Closing Thoughts & Gratitude 1:31:15 - Outro 👉Connect with Josh: Johncupich@empowerrecoveryhomes.com [Johncupich@empowerrecoveryhomes.com] 👉 Follow Devine: Snapchat: / devinesalerno Instagram: / thedevinesalerno TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/ [https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/] Facebook: / thedevinesalernopodcast X: https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/ [https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/] thedevinesalernopodcast.com [http://thedevinesalernopodcast.com] 👉 Follow Ledger Media Company: TikTok: @ledgermediacompany Instagram: @ledgermediacompany ledgermediacompany.com [http://ledgermediacompany.com] 👉 Follow Gold Standard Recovery: Search “Gold Standard Recovery” or visit goldstandarddenver.com [http://goldstandarddenver.com] 👉 Support Empower Recovery Homes: IG: @empowerrecoveryhomes empowerrecoveryhomes.com [http://empowerrecoveryhomes.com] Episode Recorded May 22nd, 2026 All Rights Reserved - Ledger Media Company | The Devine Salerno Podcast Search “Josh Garcia - The Devine Salerno Podcast” on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms! If these stories of transformation resonate, like, comment, and subscribe — we're building a community around accountability and redemption. #Recovery #VeteranRecovery #MarineVeteran #CancerSurvivor #Sobriety #RedemptionStory #TheDevineSalernoPodcast #BehavioralHealth

Dustin Chavez - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 19

Dustin Chavez - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 19 In this raw and motivating episode, Devine sits down with Dustin Chavez — a former show promoter, street hustler, and 25-year addict who turned his life around after 2 years in prison. Now 4+ years clean and sober, Dustin serves as the Director of Workforce Development at Empower Recovery Homes in Denver, where he builds vocational programs and fights hard to get justice-involved men and women real job opportunities. Dustin opens up about the music industry grind (including working with Baby Bash), the party lifestyle that masked deep addiction, building (and almost burning) relationships, and the harsh reality of how the system builds cases while you think you're getting away with it. He shares powerful insights on recovery, personal responsibility, the importance of work in staying sober, and why relationships are everything — both in the streets and in building a new life. From creating job programs for women in recovery, balancing hustle with integrity, to lessons learned from mentors and the music game, this conversation is packed with street wisdom, accountability, and practical hope for anyone in reentry or fighting addiction. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Welcome to Episode 19 01:33 - Dustin's Current Role at Empower Recovery Homes 03:20 - Challenges Getting Women Jobs in Recovery 05:30 - Introducing Himself: 4 Years Clean & Background 08:45 - Music Career, Baby Bash & the "Show Business" Reality 12:10 - Addiction, Street Hustle & Burning Bridges 16:40 - Prison Time & the Wake-Up Call 21:00 - Transition into Recovery Work & Vocational Programs 26:30 - Building Relationships & Opportunities Post-Recovery 32:15 - Leadership, Workforce Development & Helping Others 38:50 - Lessons from the Music Industry Applied to Life 45:20 - Accountability, Humility & Personal Growth 52:10 - Advice for Those Still Struggling 58:45 - The Power of Work + Recovery Balance 1:05:30 - Future Vision for Empower & Second Chances 1:12:40 - Closing Thoughts & Motivation 👉Connect with Dustin: Dustin@empowerrecoveryhomes.com [Dustin@empowerrecoveryhomes.com] 👉 Follow Devine: Snapchat: / devinesalerno Instagram: / thedevinesalerno TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/ [https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/] Facebook: / thedevinesalernopodcast X: https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/ [https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/] thedevinesalernopodcast.com [http://thedevinesalernopodcast.com] 👉 Follow Ledger Media Company: TikTok: @ledgermediacompany Instagram: @ledgermediacompany ledgermediacompany.com [http://ledgermediacompany.com] 👉 Follow Gold Standard Recovery: Search “Gold Standard Recovery” or visit goldstandarddenver.com [http://goldstandarddenver.com] 👉 Support Empower Recovery Homes: IG: @empowerrecoveryhomes empowerrecoveryhomes.com [http://empowerrecoveryhomes.com] Episode Recorded May 18th, 2026 All Rights Reserved - Ledger Media Company | The Devine Salerno Podcast 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week and turn on notifications. 👍 Like if this episode spoke to you. Search “Dustin Chavez - The Devine Salerno Podcast” on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else! Drop a like, comment, and subscribe if these redemption stories hit home. Real talk for the culture. #Recovery #Reentry #WorkforceDevelopment #Sobriety #RedemptionStory #TheDevineSalernoPodcast #AddictionRecovery

John Cupich - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 18

John Cupich - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 18 In this episode, Devine sits down with John Cupich — a seasoned clinical addiction and behavioral health professional with over 20 years in the field and deep lived experience in recovery. John shares his journey from Omaha, Nebraska to Denver in the late '80s, building a family, navigating the American dream, and confronting alcoholism that led him into treatment and long-term sobriety. From growing up in a large Croatian family with roots in a domestic violence home, to finding independence, starting college, skiing the slopes, and eventually rediscovering his path through recovery, John's story is full of raw honesty, resilience, and wisdom. They dive into topics like breaking cycles, building your own identity, the power of lived experience in helping others, and what true recovery looks like in practice. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for inspiration on personal growth and overcoming challenges, this conversation delivers hope, practical insights, and real talk from two men walking the walk. 👉Connect with John: Johncupich@empowerrecoveryhomes.com [Johncupich@empowerrecoveryhomes.com] 👉 Follow Devine: Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/devinesalerno/ [https://www.snapchat.com/devinesalerno/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedevinesalerno/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedevinesalerno/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/ [https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedevinesalernopodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/thedevinesalernopodcast/] X: https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/ [https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/] thedevinesalernopodcast.com [http://thedevinesalernopodcast.com] 👉 Follow Ledger Media Company: TikTok: @ledgermediacompany Instagram: @ledgermediacompany ledgermediacompany.com [http://ledgermediacompany.com] 👉 Follow Gold Standard Recovery: Search “Gold Standard Recovery” or visit goldstandarddenver.com [http://goldstandarddenver.com] 👉 Support Empower Recovery Homes: IG: @empowerrecoveryhomes empowerrecoveryhomes.com [http://empowerrecoveryhomes.com] Episode Recorded May 20th, 2026 All Rights Reserved - Ledger Media Company | The Devine Salerno Podcast 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week and turn on notifications. 👍 Like if this episode spoke to you. Search “John Cupich - The Devine Salerno Podcast” on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms! 🎙️ Follow for more raw redemption stories, recovery journeys, and real conversations that matter. #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #PersonalGrowth #RedemptionStory #TheDevineSalernoPodcast

Shay Kirkness - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 17

From the streets of Billings, Montana to co-owning a recovery company in Denver — Shay Kirkness delivers one of the most raw, powerful, and inspiring redemption stories you’ll hear. In this episode, Devine Salerno sits down with Shay Kirkness — recovery coach, APRS facilitator, and co-founder of Driven Recovery alongside her husband JD. Shay opens up about her traumatic upbringing, how the DARE program ironically introduced her to the drug game, her rise as a female drug dealer in a violent world, escalating addiction to methamphetamine and fentanyl, multiple overdoses, prison time, and the health crisis that finally forced her to choose life. She shares how she walked miles in full withdrawal to a methadone clinic, cut off everyone and everything toxic, and rebuilt her life from the ground up. Today she’s helping others — especially new moms in recovery — through groups and building Driven Recovery with purpose and empathy. Listen until the end. Share this with someone who needs to hear it. And drop a comment below — which part of Shay’s story hit you the hardest? 👉 Subscribe for more unfiltered redemption stories and real conversations 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode 👍 Like & Comment — your support helps these stories reach the people who need them most Shay Kirkness: “The most gangster thing I ever did was get sober.” 👉Connect with Shay:: https://www.instagram.com/soberisgangster/ [https://www.instagram.com/soberisgangster/] 👉 Follow Devine: Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/devinesalerno/ [https://www.snapchat.com/devinesalerno/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedevinesalerno/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedevinesalerno/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/ [https://www.tiktok.com/thedevinesalerno/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedevinesalernopodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/thedevinesalernopodcast/] X: https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/ [https://www.x.com/westdevine4tay/] thedevinesalernopodcast.com [http://thedevinesalernopodcast.com] 👉 Follow Ledger Media Company: TikTok: @ledgermediacompany Instagram: @ledgermediacompany ledgermediacompany.com [http://ledgermediacompany.com] 👉 Follow Gold Standard Recovery: Search “Gold Standard Recovery” or visit goldstandarddenver.com [http://goldstandarddenver.com] 👉 Support Empower Recovery Homes: IG: @empowerrecoveryhomes empowerrecoveryhomes.com [http://empowerrecoveryhomes.com] Episode Recorded June 1st, 2026 All Rights Reserved - Ledger Media Company | The Devine Salerno Podcast 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week and turn on notifications. 👍 Like if this episode spoke to you. Hashtags #ShayKirkness #DevineSalernoPodcast #RecoveryStory #AddictionRecovery #Redemption #FentanylRecovery #BillingsMontana #DrivenRecovery #SoberIsGangster #TraumaToTriumph #RecoveryCoach #LivedExperience #BeyondTheBarriers

Christian Rebaza - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 16

Christian Rebaza - The Devine Salerno Podcast No. 16 In this raw and powerful episode of The Devine Salerno Podcast, Devine sits down with Christian Rebaza — a man whose life has been marked by international roots, family challenges, addiction, loss, and an inspiring path to recovery and service. Born in Honduras to a Peruvian father and a mother from Colorado, Christian shares his unique journey: early embassy struggles, family road trips through Central America, cultural identity, street life, and the battles with substance abuse that nearly broke him. He opens up about hitting rock bottom, the power of sobriety, rebuilding relationships, and now helping others through recovery work. This conversation is filled with honest talk on resilience, faith, cultural heritage, redemption, and what real change requires. If you're walking your own path of recovery or just need an authentic story of overcoming hardship, this episode delivers. Presented by Ledger Media Company. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Welcome 01:16 - Christian Rebaza Introduction 03:01 - Christian's Clean Date & Losing His Mother 04:38 - Early Recovery Struggles & Tools That Helped 07:08 - Joining Empower Recovery Homes 08:26 - The Gift of Desperation & Rock Bottom Moment 11:28 - What Made Empower Different 13:28 - Past Incidents & Avoiding Prison 15:00 - Substance Use History & Family Impact 18:35 - Giving Up Daughter for Adoption 21:00 - Hustling to Get Family Out of Homeless Shelter 27:58 - Born in Honduras: Family Background & Cultural Roots 31:00 - Childhood Instability, Foster Care & Moving Around 34:55 - Juvenile Trouble, Probation & Boot Camp 39:40 - Resentments Toward Dad & The Four Agreements 51:14 - Travel Stories & Cultural Experiences in Central America 58:30 - Faith, Recovery Tools & Helping Others 01:10:00 - Current Life in Recovery & Peer Support Work 01:20:00 - Final Thoughts & Closing 👉Connect with Christian: Christian.Rebaza@empowerrecoveryhomes.com [Christian.Rebaza@empowerrecoveryhomes.com] 👉 Follow Devine: Snapchat: @devinesalerno Instagram: @thedevinesalerno TikTok: @thedevinesalerno Facebook: "The Devine Salerno Podcast" X: @westdevine4tay thedevinesalernopodcast.com [http://thedevinesalernopodcast.com] 👉 Follow Ledger Media Company: TikTok: @ledgermediacompany Instagram: @ledgermediacompany ledgermediacompany.com [http://ledgermediacompany.com] 👉 Follow Gold Standard Recovery: Search “Gold Standard Recovery” or visit goldstandarddenver.com [http://goldstandarddenver.com] 👉 Support Empower Recovery Homes: IG: @empowerrecoveryhomes empowerrecoveryhomes.com [http://empowerrecoveryhomes.com] Episode Recorded May 12th, 2026 All Rights Reserved - Ledger Media Company | The Devine Salerno Podcast 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week and turn on notifications. 👍 Like if this episode spoke to you. 💬 Comment below: What part of Christian’s story resonated with you the most? #DevineSalernoPodcast #ChristianRebaza #RecoveryJourney #Sobriety #ComebackStory #PersonalGrowth #LedgerMediaCompany #PeerRecovery