The Hopeaholics

Updated: 04 Nov 2025 • 281 episodes
thehopeaholics.com

Welcome to the Hopeaholics Podcast, where we tackle addiction and mental illness through sharing real life experiences, honesty and hope! Hosted by Chad Carlsen, who knows firsthand the destruction that these issues can cause, we're here to offer listeners a much-needed source of inspiration and understanding that will carry them through tough times. Through powerful, honest, and unfiltered interviews, The Hopeaholics provides a beacon of hope for listeners facing similar issues, banishing stigma in the process. If you're looking for an authentic podcast that'll motivate you to overcome hard times and live well, look no further. To get help for yourself or someone you love, call 949-989-6550

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Surrender Isn’t Weakness, It’s Freedom with Yeshaia Blakeney | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this thought-provoking and deeply human episode, Yeshaia Blakeney opens up about his journey through addiction, self-destruction, and spiritual awakening with striking honesty and wisdom. Growing up in the chaos of Hollywood, Yesh

71 min
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The Bottle Almost Took Everything with Kristine Koontz | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this raw and deeply emotional episode, Kristine Koontz shares her courageous journey through chaos, addiction, loss, and redemption with an honesty that grips you from the start. Growing up amid abuse, instability, and emotional neglect

55 min
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Two Mothers, Two Sons, One Epidemic: Katrina Simmons & Kristi Kastler | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this deeply emotional and unforgettable episode, Katrina Simmons and Kristi Kastler open their hearts to share the devastating realities of losing their beloved sons, Dylan and Devan, to fentanyl and addiction. Katrina be

102 min
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The Man Who Robbed Banks and Found God in a Cell: Julian Miller | The Hopeaholics Podcast  In this powerful and deeply emotional episode, Julian Miller shares his remarkable journey from crime and chaos to redemption and purpose. Once a young man lost to the streets, Julian recounts the pivotal moments that defined his

85 min
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Filling the Gap betwen Faith and Science with Dr. Angela Claffey | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode of The Hopeaholic Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Angela Claffey, a licensed forensic psychologist, mental health advocate, and survivor whose journey from pain to purpose is nothing sh

92 min
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Connecting with God & Getting Sober with Jennifer Sprenger | The Hopeaholics Podcast In this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Jennifer Sprenger — founder and CEO of The Bella Abby & Ava Handbag Boutique — shares her remarkable story of redemption, faith, and transformation. Once caught in the depths of addiction, Je

80 min
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