Get a Grip Podcast

Get a Grip Podcast is hosted by Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes, both in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In each episode, they share their unfiltered stories of overcoming addiction, time in prison, and struggles with mental health—mixing raw honesty with humor. The podcast gives a voice to the underdog, breaking down the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. Through candid conversations and real-life experiences, Louis and Aaron inspire others on their journey, showing that while recovery is challenging, it’s possible. Tune in for laughter, hope, and stories of transformation.

Get a Grip Podcast is a society podcast hosted by Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes, with 224 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes hosts Get a Grip Podcast, a society show with 224 episodes published.

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  Episode #219

  PTSD, Pills, & Ibogaine - The Drug That Can Cure Heroin Addiction In a Weekend? | Ep 219

  Oct 2, 20261h 52mS3

  In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast , Louis Essig sits down with PJ Wright for an intense and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, military service, PTSD, prescription medications, alternative treatments, and a profound spiritual awakening that changed the way he looks at life. PJ opens up about growing up with alcoholic parents and the challenges he experienced during his childhood. He shares how his early experiences shaped him and discusses some of the difficult family revelations he encountered along the way, including discovering disturbing information about what his cousin had done to his uncle. He also recounts being robbed while working as a gas station attendant during college, an experience that added another layer to an already complicated life. PJ eventually joined the military, beginning with the Army Reserves before entering the Air Force. His service took him to bases around the world before he ultimately found himself stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. During his military career, he became a helicopter pilot, taking on demanding training and missions that required intense focus, discipline, and courage. But life after those experiences brought a different kind of battle. PJ discusses being diagnosed with PTSD and being prescribed a variety of medications to manage his symptoms. He opens up about what that period of his life was like and how his search for relief eventually led him toward alternative treatment options and a deeper exploration of spirituality. PJ shares his experiences with PTSD treatment, intravenous ketamine infusions, and ibogaine treatment, explaining how these experiences influenced his perspective on trauma, healing, and consciousness. He also describes what he considers the most profound spiritual experience of his life and how it changed his understanding of himself and the world around him. This conversation explores the complicated journey of living with trauma, searching for answers when traditional approaches may not feel sufficient, and discovering new ways to understand personal suffering. PJ's story raises important questions about PTSD, mental health treatment, spirituality, and the different paths people pursue in their search for healing. If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges, you are not alone. There is hope, and support is available. Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

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  Episode #218

  I Was Shot Twice During a Meth Robbery, Survived Fentanyl & Lived in Bando’s for Years. | Ep 218

  Sep 30, 20261 hourS3

  In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast , Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with James Polley for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about growing up gay, meth addiction, homelessness, violence, overdose, and finding a path to recovery. James opens up about his childhood and the challenges he faced while growing up gay. As he got older, he was introduced to meth, setting off a chain of events that would dramatically change the course of his life. One of the most shocking moments in James's story involves a meth-related robbery that ended with him being shot. But even after recovering from his gunshot wound, James went right back to using drugs. His addiction continued to spiral, and he experienced another devastating moment when he found his friend dead in his apartment after a night of drug use. Eventually, James lost his apartment and began moving into abandoned houses, spending years living in what are known as bandos. He describes what life was like during that period, how much meth he was using every day, and the dangerous situations that became part of his routine. In another terrifying moment, James went to a casino believing he was using meth, only to discover the substance contained fentanyl. He overdosed and was given Narcan three times, coming dangerously close to being pronounced dead. As his addiction continued, James found himself facing felony charges and additional legal trouble after being caught with a gun and drugs. Those experiences became a turning point, forcing him to reconsider where his life was headed. James eventually began his recovery journey and shares how treatment helped change his direction. He also discusses how he went from struggling with addiction himself to working in the treatment field and helping others who are facing similar battles. This is a powerful conversation about meth addiction, homelessness, surviving violence and overdose, the consequences of addiction, and the possibility of turning your life around. James's story is a reminder that even after years of chaos and devastating setbacks, recovery and a new purpose are possible. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

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  Episode #217

  How Homelessness Led Me to Heroin, Fentanyl & Almost Losing My Life | Ep 217

  Sep 27, 202643 minS3

  In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast , Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jasper for a raw and heartbreaking conversation about homelessness, opioid addiction, heroin, fentanyl, overdose, and the journey toward recovery. Jasper opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him before addiction entered his life. One of the earliest turning points came when he experienced a friend overdosing, giving him a firsthand look at the dangers of addiction. Eventually, Jasper found himself homeless and struggling with opioid addiction. He shares what life was like on the streets and the circumstances that led to him using heroin for the first time while homeless. A work injury would introduce another chapter in his addiction when Jasper was prescribed OxyContin. What began as medication for an injury eventually became part of a much larger battle with opioids. His substance use continued to escalate as he found himself drinking as many as six bottles of liquor a week while also using heroin. Jasper eventually turned to fentanyl for the first time, leading to a terrifying overdose and another life-or-death moment in his addiction. But his story doesn't end there. Jasper opens up about the beginning of his recovery journey and what it has taken to start rebuilding his life after homelessness, heroin, fentanyl, and repeated exposure to the devastating consequences of addiction. This is an honest conversation about how quickly addiction can take hold, the realities of homelessness and opioid addiction, the dangers of fentanyl, and the possibility of finding a way forward. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

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  Episode #215

  How My 18-Month-Old Daughter Accidentally Took 16mg of Suboxone | Ep 215

  Sep 23, 20261h 18mS3

  In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast , Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jordan Py for a raw, emotional, and at times unbelievable story about alcoholism, prescription drugs, cocaine, addiction, marriage, fatherhood, relapse, and the long road toward recovery. Jordan opens up about his childhood and his first experiences with alcohol before describing how drinking gradually progressed during college. What started as partying eventually became something much more serious. After landing a job as a police radio dispatcher, Jordan admits he was showing up to work extremely intoxicated. His drinking continued to escalate after he started working as a line cook, where cocaine entered the picture and vodka became a constant part of his life. A prescription for Vicodin would become a major turning point. Jordan describes how quickly his drug use progressed from Vicodin to Roxy 30s and eventually snorting pills. But in the middle of his addiction, Jordan met the woman who would become the love of his life. Even as he was building a relationship and planning a wedding, his addiction continued behind the scenes. Jordan shares the unbelievable story of receiving $10,000 for his wedding and going on his honeymoon with Norco pills taped to his leg—only for the pills to fall out during TSA. Eventually, his wife discovered the truth. Jordan went to treatment and was placed on Suboxone, but he was still drinking heavily. He opens up about just how much vodka he was consuming and the dangerous consequences that followed, including the terrifying moment when his 18-month-old daughter accidentally got hold of his Suboxone. After eventually getting off Suboxone, Jordan's alcohol use became even more intense during COVID. He describes the bizarre games he began playing with alcohol and how his drinking spiraled further out of control. One of the darkest moments came when his wife confronted him about his drinking. Jordan responded by drinking an entire bottle of Wild Turkey and attempting to burn down the house. He was kicked out and was finally forced to confront how far his addiction had taken him. Eventually, Jordan walked into an AA meeting and began taking a different path. But even years later, he explains that alcohol remained a struggle and shares the unusual deal he made with God about when he would allow himself to get drunk again. This is a powerful and unfiltered conversation about alcoholism, prescription drug addiction, cocaine, marriage, fatherhood, relapse, consequences, faith, and recovery. Jordan also reflects on the complicated relationship between the pain he experienced, the addiction that followed, and the possibility that he may never have met his wife without the path that prescription drugs put him on. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

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  Episode #214

  I Got Banned From Jerry Springer & Fenway Park... Then Got Addicted to Crack, Fentanyl & Nitrous | Ep 214

  Sep 20, 20262h 45mS3

  In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast , Louis Essig sits down with Chris Cole for an intense and unbelievable story about addiction, partying, fatherhood, relapse, and recovery. Chris opens up about his childhood, early drinking, and how Adderall became his first real addiction. His substance use eventually escalated to cocaine, and by his senior year of high school, partying and cocaine had become a regular part of his life. Chris shares some wild stories from his years of partying, including getting banned from Jerry Springer and Fenway Park after a night fueled by cocaine and alcohol. He also talks about running onto the Fenway field and getting tackled, a moment that went viral on social media. Eventually, Chris found a passion for cutting hair and began getting his life somewhat under control. But after being introduced to Xanax, the addiction returned. Becoming a father, a breakup, and repeated relapses sent his substance use into a much darker place. Chris describes smoking crack, using Percocet, abusing nitrous oxide, developing a 7OH habit, experiencing seizures and withdrawal, and eventually shooting fentanyl. He also opens up about overdosing, hospitalizations, nerve damage from heavy nitrous use, and the events that finally led him to detox and treatment. Today, Chris is in recovery and reflects on everything he went through and what life looks like now. This is a raw story about addiction, relapse, fatherhood, overdose, and finding a way back. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast Collaboration & Business Inquiries: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment

  ListenShow Notes

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