Rock Bottom With Ryan

Matthew: The Sober Life

Ryan interviews Matthew, a UK-based psychotherapist and co-founder of Sober Life, about his progression from drinking and early substance use at 13–14 to alcohol dependence by 16 and eventually smoking and injecting cocaine by 24. Matthew describes childhood family dysfunction, severe withdrawals including seizures and hallucinations, arrests, hospitalizations, and daily use that included 10–12 liters of strong cider and heavy cocaine spending. He explains how entering a 12-step treatment center and committing to meetings and human connection supported his long detox and early recovery, leading to 12 years sober since January 19, 2014. They discuss shame-free, client-centered approaches, neuroscience and dopamine-driven cravings, practical relapse-prevention strategies, rebuilding identity, progress over perfection, and bringing recovery tools into corporate settings where substance use is common.

Chaotic Sobriety: Another Quick Sip!

Ryan and Rachel discuss how chaos can persist in sobriety through overbooking, restlessness, and chasing dopamine, and how peace and stability can feel uncomfortable after years of addiction-driven turmoil. They reflect on self-induced chaos during drinking, the difficulty of sitting still, and how boredom and isolation can trigger overthinking and worst-case scenarios. Ryan shares frustration after injuring his back while trying to stay busy, and Rachel talks about finding a meaningful friendship and starting a new YouTube project, “Two Girls in a Chair,” as well as using quiet moments with her pets to calm her mind. Rachel also describes a recent emotional trigger involving her dad’s health and how she grounded herself by recognizing her stable life today. They advise listeners to ride out discomfort, practice calm, and trust that chaos will pass.00:00 Friendship Beyond Memes00:37 Injury Forces Stillness01:17 Show Intro and Sponsor02:54 Chaos After Getting Sober04:04 Self Induced Busy Mode06:31 Back Injury and New Plans08:06 Two Girls in a Chair10:15 Finding Real Friendships13:17 Pets and Learning to Chill15:51 Peace Feels Uncomfortable16:46 Overthinking and Meetings18:25 Gym Frustrations and Limits19:42 Isolation Spiral21:04 Healthy Alone Time21:48 Boredom In Sobriety24:54 ADHD And Restlessness26:17 Learning Stability27:16 Dad Stress And Grounding31:25 Excuses And Showing Up33:36 Ride It Out Advice35:55 Closing Encouragement

Denny LaVé: A Story of Leadership and Faith

On Rock Bottom with Ryan, Ryan and co-host Rachel Sereni interview Denny LaVé, a Montana-born Idaho entrepreneur and political candidate, about a childhood marked by family breakup, instability, poverty tied to parental substance abuse, and early exposure to pornography that shaped shame and trauma responses. Denny describes being kicked out after high school, couch surfing, and navigating college with little support, as well as later crises including a near-suicidal episode during business and marriage turmoil. He explains how building professional and spiritual support—therapy modalities like EMDR/IFS, pastoral counseling, church, exercise, and reflection—helped him begin healing and regain emotional awareness. Denny shares experiences in the Marine Corps, time in a French monastery, near-death events in construction, why he wrote a memoir to be transparent as he runs for office, and a message of identity rooted in being loved by God.

Heartfelt Healing: Sonia's Story

In this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Ryan interviews Sonia, a licensed psychotherapist and first-generation Mexican American from Pomona, California, about her recovery journey. Sonia shares growing up with an alcoholic father, trauma at home, and later an abusive relationship that fueled heavier drinking and drug use, including cocaine and crystal meth. She describes a serious car accident while drinking, quitting drugs when she became pregnant in 2003, and escalating alcoholism during grad school, including drinking 12–16 beers, drinking alone, hiding bottles, and experiencing severe depression and suicidal ideation. After outpatient treatment, she found Alcoholics Anonymous, got a sponsor, worked the steps, and has been sober since 12/27/2012. Sonia discusses healing through faith, AA, and brainspotting, opening her own practice, launching the podcasts “Con Amor, Your Therapist Friend” and “Soul to Soul,” and encouraging listeners to address trauma and seek professional help.

Jordan: From Addiction to Accountability

On this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Jordan from the Los Angeles area shares his sobriety date (July 27, 2025) and describes years of alcohol-fueled partying that often led to cocaine and other drugs. He recounts a childhood shaped by a loving, overprotective mother, an absent father who exposed him to heavy partying early, and how quitting sports in high school accelerated drug use, stealing alcohol, selling drugs, and seeking validation by supplying party favors. Jordan details toxic relationships, arrests, drinking on the job, and a suicide-attention attempt with painkillers. After extreme travel partying left him more depressed, a sober bartender brought him into AA, leading to 15 months sober before complacency triggered relapse and costly benders. Now nine months sober, he’s rebuilding trust with his 13-year-old son, staying active in meetings and church, and emphasizing commitment, humility, amends, self-forgiveness, and “replaying the tape.”