Built By The Red Stick

Episode 98 | Young and The Reckless | Built By The Red Stick Addiction Recovery Podcast

This week, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Mackenzie Selby for one of the rawest and most powerful conversations yet. Mackenzie’s story is one of survival. She opens up about growing up around addiction, violence, abuse, and crime from an early age — a life most people couldn’t even imagine living through. By the time she was a teenager, addiction and chaos had already taken over her world. But instead of becoming another statistic, Mackenzie found recovery in 2009 and completely changed the direction of her life. Today, she uses her story to help others struggling with substance abuse and addiction recovery, working in the recovery field and speaking openly about the realities of trauma, healing, and rebuilding a life from nothing. Her honesty throughout this episode is what makes it so impactful. Nothing is sugarcoated. Nothing feels rehearsed. It’s just real. Ronnie, Michael, and Mackenzie talk about how childhood trauma shapes addiction, the moment things finally started to change, and what long-term recovery actually looks like after years of destruction. They also dive into purpose, self-worth, and why sharing your story can help save somebody else’s life. This episode is heavy, inspiring, emotional, and hopeful all at the same time. 🎧 Tune in to Episode 98 and hear how Mackenzie Selby turned a life filled with pain into one built on recovery, honesty, and helping others. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400191/support] https://linktr.ee/builtbytheredstick

Episode 97 | A Miracle | Built By The Red Stick Addiction Recovery Podcast

This week on Built By The Red Stick, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Devan Castille, the Program Director and Educator at Serenity Treatment Center of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Devan specializes in the 12 Step model of addiction and Recovery Dynamics, helping people understand addiction in a way that is practical, personal, and life-changing. Devan’s story is powerful. He has been through prison, violence, addiction, and the kind of chaos most people never come back from. But recovery didn’t just give him a second chance — it gave him a whole new life. Today, he’s back at the same treatment center he graduated from, helping others find the same freedom he found. In this episode, Devan talks about what finally made recovery click, why understanding the disease of addiction matters, and how honesty, faith, and the 12 Steps helped him rebuild his relationships, go back to school, and step into purpose. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Human Services and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This one is raw, real, and full of hope. If you’ve ever felt too far gone, Devan’s story is proof that recovery can completely rewrite your life. 🎧 Tune in to Episode 97 and hear how Devan Castille went from surviving the streets to helping others recover. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400191/support] https://linktr.ee/builtbytheredstick

Episode 96 | The Bee Keeper | Built By The Red Stick Addiction Recovery Podcast

This week, Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Lewis Blanche—a beekeeper, a man in recovery, and somebody who’s built a completely different life than where he started. Lewis gets real about his past and what it took to turn things around. Years ago, he was caught up in addiction and legal trouble, but recovery gave him a second shot—and he ran with it. Now, instead of chaos, his life revolves around something a lot quieter: working with bees. And honestly, it fits. Beekeeping isn’t fast, it’s not flashy—it’s patient, consistent, and requires respect for the process. Same way recovery works. In this episode, we talk about: What it actually looks like to rebuild your life from scratch Finding peace in something simple Why purpose matters more than anything once you get sober And how slowing down might be the thing that saves you It’s a different kind of story—but that’s what makes it hit. Not everybody finds their purpose in the same place, but everybody needs one. 🎧 Tune in to Episode 96 to hear Lewis’ story and how he went from surviving to actually building something meaningful. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400191/support] https://linktr.ee/builtbytheredstick

Episode 95 | Major Payne | Built By The Red Stick Addiction Recovery Podcast

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley sit down with Jed Payne, recovery advocate, speaker, and host of the podcasts Church & Other Drugs and Rehab Bromance. Jed is known for bringing raw honesty, humor, and real-life experience into conversations about addiction recovery, faith, mental health, and personal transformation. Through both of his podcasts, he has built a strong voice in the recovery community—creating space for difficult conversations that many people are afraid to have, while helping others realize they are not alone in the struggle. On Church & Other Drugs, Jed dives into the intersection of spirituality, addiction, recovery, and life’s hardest questions, while Rehab Bromance offers unfiltered conversations about sobriety, relationships, relapse prevention, and the realities of long-term recovery. His approach is authentic, relatable, and deeply rooted in lived experience. In this episode, Jed shares his own recovery journey, what led him to create these platforms, and why vulnerability, accountability, and community are essential for lasting healing. Ronnie, Michael, and Jed also talk about breaking stigma, staying sober in the real world, and how purpose often comes from the darkest chapters of life. 🎧 Tune in to Episode 95 to hear Jed Payne’s story and why recovery conversations need more honesty, more laughter, and a lot less shame. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400191/support] https://linktr.ee/builtbytheredstick

Episode 94 | Lost Souls | Built By The Red Stick Addiction Recovery Podcast

In this episode of the Addiction Recovery Podcast, hosts Ronnie LeDuff and Michael Oakley welcome Ryan Felder, the Administrator of Rayville Recovery in Rayville, Louisiana. Ryan brings years of experience in the substance abuse field and holds multiple credentials including RAC, ICADC, CCGC, CCS, and SAP, making him a respected leader in addiction treatment and recovery services. His work at Rayville Recovery focuses on helping individuals access affordable dual-diagnosis residential treatment, detox services, and long-term recovery support. In this conversation, Ryan shares what it takes to lead a treatment center that serves people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. He talks about the importance of structure, accountability, and creating an environment where people can truly begin healing—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Ronnie, Michael, and Ryan also dive into the challenges families face when seeking treatment, how discharge planning and aftercare impact long-term success, and why recovery must be built on more than just detox—it requires connection, support, and purpose. Rayville Recovery emphasizes medically monitored detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and strong discharge planning to help clients move into sober living and continued care. HUGE thank you to Rayville Recovery for Sponsoring the Episode! If you or someone you know needs help give them a call or visit them at 307 Hayes St, Rayville, LA 71269 (318) 728-5488 https://www.rayvillerecovery.com/ 🎧 Tune in to Episode 94 to hear Ryan Felder’s perspective on leadership, recovery, and how real transformation happens when people are given the right chance. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2400191/support] https://linktr.ee/builtbytheredstick