18 Years Sober: Joe Nastase’s Journey from Homelessness to Hope

18 Years Sober: Joe Nastase’s Journey from Homelessness to Hope

In this deeply personal episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase sits down with her cousin Joseph (Giuseppe) Nastase, who has been sober since April 21, 2007. Joe shares the raw truth about his early struggles with addiction, mental health challenges, and the years when life felt completely out of control. From self-destructive behavior and homelessness to finding hope through Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, Joe reflects on the mentors, family members, and recovery community that helped him rebuild his life. Now 18 years clean, Joe lives a life he once believed was impossible — grounded in gratitude, self-discipline, and the daily choice to stay sober. This conversation is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, one day at a time. References: Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase Joseph (Giuseppe) Nastase – Recovery Advocate Alcoholics Anonymous – https://www.aa.org [https://www.aa.org] Narcotics Anonymous – https://www.na.org [https://www.na.org] This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://hurrdatone.com/] or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Hurrdat_ONE]!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:01 – The Start of Addiction 00:06:23 – The Bad Times 00:10:39 – 18 Years Sober & A Hero for a Sponsor 00:17:26 – “The Final Call” 00:24:28 – Every Day is a Choice

Vitamin Deficiencies & Addiction: What No One Tells You

Could nutrient deficiencies and nervous system dysregulation be fueling addiction? In this episode of Addiction Uncovered, Malerie Scheffler joins Jill Nastase to explain how blood sugar instability, gut health, dopamine production, and chronic stress impact addictive behaviors. Malerie opens up about her own recovery journey and how learning to regulate her body changed everything. Now she works with individuals and nonprofits to teach breathwork, nervous system regulation, and functional healing. This conversation will change the way you think about addiction. References: Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase Malerie Scheffler – Functional Health Practitioner & Founder, Mal’s Medicinals Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – https://www.aa.org [https://www.aa.org] National Institute on Drug Abuse – https://www.drugabuse.gov [https://www.drugabuse.gov] This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://hurrdatone.com/] or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Hurrdat_ONE]!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:00:46 – The Start of Addiction 00:04:51 – The Human Body & Addiction 00:12:09 – Vitamin Deficiencies with Addiction 00:18:59 – Malerie’s Recovery Journey 00:26:05 – Contact Information & Wrap-up

Breaking the Cycle: From Addiction & Jail to Owning a Recovery Program | Mallory Bowen

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase interviews Mallory Bowen, a former teen mom who battled addiction, probation, toxic relationships, and self-destruction — and now owns a successful intensive outpatient program in Utah dedicated to helping men reenter society after prison. Mallory shares how addiction began with abandonment wounds, how the “Jaywalker Story” from AA changed her mindset, and why she now leads with love when working with violent offenders and men rebuilding their lives. This episode is about redemption, surrender, and discovering purpose after chaos. References: Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase Mallory Bowen – Founder, Intensive Outpatient & Sober Living Program Utah Valley – https://www.utahvalley.com [https://www.utahvalley.com] Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – https://www.aa.org [https://www.aa.org] Utah Department of Human Services – https://dsamh.utah.gov [https://dsamh.utah.gov] National Institute on Drug Abuse – https://www.drugabuse.gov [https://www.drugabuse.gov] This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠ [https://hurrdatone.com/] or visit ⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Hurrdat_ONE]!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:00:46 – The Start of Addiction 00:07:11 – The Addiction Timeline 00:10:17 – “The Jay-Walker Story” 00:17:52 – Hope Isn’t Hard 00:23:09 – Advice & Contact Information

From Grief to Growth: Cierra’s Journey Through Addiction, Seizures & Recovery

In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, host Jill Nastase interviews Cierra, who shares her deeply personal journey through grief, alcohol addiction, medical crises, and recovery. After losing her grandmother during the pandemic, Cierra turned to alcohol to cope — a decision that slowly spiraled into physical dependence, pancreatitis, seizures, withdrawal psychosis, and ultimately detox. What followed was a life-changing recovery journey, including residential treatment and rediscovering self-worth. This episode is raw, emotional, and filled with hope for anyone struggling with addiction or relapse. This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to Hurrdat ONE Website [https://hurrdatone.com/] or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@Hurrdat_ONE]!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:01 – The Start of Addiction 00:10:04 – Loss of Loved Ones & Withdrawal 00:22:11 – The Fateful Drive 00:27:03 – The Struggle of Change 00:29:46 – Advice

Parents of Children with Addiction: What No One Talks About

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person struggling — it reshapes entire families. In this powerful episode of Addiction Uncovered, Maraleigh Lewandowski shares her experience as both a therapist and a mother navigating her son’s addiction. She opens up about fear, shame, broken trust, boundaries, and the isolation parents often feel when no one truly understands what they’re going through. A must-watch episode for parents, caregivers, and families affected by addiction. References: Addiction Uncovered – Hosted by Jill Nastase Maraleigh Lewandowski – Therapist & Parent Advocate 📧 Contact: maraleigh.lewandowski@gmail.com This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠ [https://hurrdatone.com/] or visit ⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Hurrdat_ONE]!  Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:00:55 – The Start of Addiction 00:09:42 – Navigating Hard Feelings 00:11:59 – Setting Boundaries 00:18:20 – Advice for Parents 00:24:42 – “It’s Never Hopeless”