Afleveringen
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Recovery is about more than getting sober—it's about rebuilding a life when everything has fallen apart. This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Dre Ramirez to share her remarkable journey from child actor to addiction, homelessness, and ultimately lasting recovery. Behind what once appeared to be a promising life was a painful struggle that led her through treatment centers, the realities of body brokering, and some of the darkest moments of addiction.
Now living in recovery since 2018, Dre has transformed her experience into a life of purpose by helping others navigate the behavioral health system with honesty, compassion, and accountability. In this powerful conversation, she opens up about the recovery industry, resilience, finding hope after hitting rock bottom, and why true healing requires more than simply getting clean. Whether you've been personally affected by addiction or know someone who has, this episode offers a raw, inspiring look at what it truly takes to reclaim your life.
#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Healing #Hope #Sobriety #SelfImprovement #Inspiration #Resilience #PersonalGrowth
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What really happens inside the body brokering industry? In this eye-opening episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Michael "Solo" Lynch pulls back the curtain on a world few people ever see. After years of living through addiction, incarceration, and some of life's darkest moments, Solo has transformed his life and now uses his experiences to educate others and advocate for ethical practices in recovery and beyond.
Solo shares shocking truths about the body brokering industry, the exploitation that can exist within addiction treatment, and why vulnerable individuals are often caught in the middle. He also reflects on his own journey from prison and addiction to recovery, purpose, and helping others reclaim their lives. This is a powerful conversation about accountability, hope, and exposing the realities that too many people never hear about.
#podcast #podcastclips #podcastlife #trending #viral #mustwatch #WatchNow #youtubeshorts
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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What happens when you've done everything you're supposed to do to improve your mental health—and you're still struggling?
This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Dr. David Wiss joins the show to challenge the way we think about anxiety, depression, addiction, brain fog, and emotional suffering. As a functional medicine clinician, registered dietitian nutritionist, researcher, and mental health expert, Dr. Wiss believes that many symptoms commonly treated as purely psychological may actually have underlying biological causes. From gut health and hormones to inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, genetics, and environmental toxins, he explains how the body and brain are deeply connected in ways that are often overlooked.
Drawing from more than 14 years of clinical experience and over 30 published research papers, Dr. Wiss shares why so many people remain stuck despite seeking help and what can happen when we move beyond symptom management to uncover the root causes of suffering. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on healing, recovery, and the possibility that your body may have been trying to tell you something all along.
#mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #healing #recovery #wellness #brainhealth #mindset #selfimprovement #personalgrowth
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What if everything you thought you knew about addiction was incomplete?
This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with addiction medicine pioneer Dr. Peter Coleman, whose work has helped transform the way people approach recovery from alcohol and opioid dependence. With more than three decades of experience and thousands of lives impacted, Dr. Coleman shares the lessons he's learned from treating addiction, supporting families through recovery, and challenging long-held beliefs about what healing really looks like.
Together, they explore the realities of the opioid epidemic, why so many people struggle to access effective treatment, the science behind addiction, and the importance of compassion in recovery. Dr. Coleman also reflects on founding one of the nation's first outpatient detox programs and building a treatment model that restored dignity, hope, and possibility to those seeking freedom from substance use disorders. This powerful conversation is a reminder that recovery is not only possible, it happens every day.
#addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #mentalhealth #Sobriety #recoveryispossible #healing #recoverycommunity #alcoholrecovery #mentalhealthawareness #hope #resilience
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Before podcasts, before social media, and before artists had direct access to fans online, Michael Dean was already building communities, creating content, and documenting music history. On this episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Michael shares his remarkable journey from Seattle's underground hip-hop scene in the late 1980s to touring with influential independent artists, becoming an entrepreneur, author, musician, and one of the earliest voices in the online Prince community.
This conversation goes far beyond music. Michael opens up about purpose, artistic independence, staying true to your vision, and the importance of building something meaningful over time. From personal interactions with Prince during the early days of the internet to lessons learned through decades of creativity and reinvention, this episode is packed with insights for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone searching for their own path. If you've ever wondered what it takes to create a lasting legacy while remaining authentic to yourself, this conversation is for you.
#Prince #MichaelDean #PrimaryPurposeWithPej #Pej #MusicIndustry #HipHopHistory #IndependentArtist #Entrepreneurship #CreativeJourney #ArtistLife #MusicPodcast #PrinceFans #Storytelling #PurposeDriven #MusicBusiness #LegacyBuilding #CreativeEntrepreneur #SeattleHipHop #MusicHistory #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #PodcastInterview #IndependentMusic #ContentCreator #ArtistDevelopment
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For years, Sam's life was trapped in a cycle that seemed impossible to break. Addiction, fentanyl, Xanax, jail, treatment centers, relapse, and self-destruction became his reality. Every path he was on pointed toward becoming another tragic statistic, and many people had already written his ending for him.
In this powerful episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Sam shares the unfiltered truth about addiction, recovery culture, body brokering, manipulation within the treatment industry, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life after years of chaos. This conversation goes beyond sobriety and explores what it really takes to break free from toxic environments, reclaim your identity, and create a future when all hope seems lost. If you or someone you love has struggled with addiction, this episode offers a raw, honest look at both the darkness of addiction and the possibility of recovery.
#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RecoveryJourney #FentanylCrisis #MentalHealth #PrimaryPurposeWithPej #RecoveryPodcast #SobrietyPodcast #AddictionAwareness #InspirationStories #Healing #RecoveryCommunity #PodcastClips #LifeAfterAddiction #HopeAndRecovery
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Today on Primary Purpose with Pej, we sit down with Benjamin Lerner, rapper, composer, recovery advocate, and the great-grandson of legendary songwriter Irving Berlin. Behind the music, talent, and family legacy was a devastating battle with fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine that nearly cost Benjamin his life.Now sober since 2016, Benjamin has turned his pain into purpose. Through a unique blend of classical piano and hip-hop, he’s built an audience of hundreds of millions by speaking openly about addiction, relapse, shame, recovery, and redemption. This conversation dives deep into generational pressure, self-destruction, creativity, sobriety, and what it really takes to face the truth and rebuild a life from the ground up.If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, this episode is proof that recovery is possible.
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This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Mandi West — a Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Certified Recovery Specialist, and Certified Gambling Counselor with over 10 years in sustained recovery after a 13-year battle with substance use disorder.
Mandi shares her powerful journey from addiction to recovery, the realities of rebuilding a life after chaos, and how her lived experience now fuels her work helping others heal. Together, they dive into the truth about addiction treatment, stigma, gambling addiction, recovery communities, social media advocacy, and the systemic challenges people face when seeking help.
With both clinical expertise and firsthand experience, Mandi brings an honest, compassionate, and deeply informed perspective to one of the most important conversations happening today.
If you or someone you love has struggled with addiction, this episode is a reminder that recovery is possible — and that purpose can be found on the other side of pain.
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What happens when someone society gave up on refuses to give up on themselves?
This week on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Ginny Burton — speaker, reform advocate, and living proof that redemption is real.
After 30 years in addiction, 17 felony convictions, and nearly a decade spent in prison, Ginny lost everything: her freedom, family, identity, and hope. But her story didn’t end there.
Now over 13 years sober, Ginny has transformed her life into a mission — going from incarcerated woman to scholar, policy advisor, and founder of the OUT Impact Coalition. Today, she’s helping reshape recovery, reentry, and criminal justice reform from the inside out.
In this powerful conversation, Pej and Ginny discuss:
Addiction and survival
Prison and systemic failure
Motherhood, shame, and forgiveness
Recovery and rebuilding identity
Turning pain into purpose
Why no one is beyond redemption
This is a story of transformation, resilience, and what can happen when someone is finally given a second chance.
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Today on Primary Purpose with Pej, Pej sits down with Eric B. Zink, mental health advocate, addiction recovery mentor, and speaker whose message of hope has impacted millions around the world. With more than 2 million followers across social media, Eric has become a powerful voice for those struggling with addiction, trauma, depression, and the difficult journey of rebuilding a life after darkness. Drawing from his own lived experience, Eric opens up about recovery, emotional healing, identity, and the mindset shifts that helped him transform pain into purpose.
In this deeply honest conversation, Pej and Eric explore what it truly means to survive the things that tried to break you, and how healing can become a way to serve others. From overcoming addiction and navigating mental health struggles to finding resilience, meaning, and hope, this episode is for anyone searching for strength in difficult seasons. If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or beyond saving, Eric’s story is proof that change is possible and no one is too far gone to heal.
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In this episode, Pej is joined by therapist Dima Puchkarare for an honest conversation that blends both professional insight and lived experience in the addiction and recovery space.
Together, they share what early sobriety really looks like—from navigating intense emotions and struggling with consistency to the challenge of letting go of familiar environments and habits. Drawing from their work with individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges, as well as their own recovery journeys, they speak openly about the parts of recovery that often go unspoken.
Dima offers perspective from his experience as a therapist in Los Angeles, supporting clients through life after treatment, while also reflecting on his own path—learning to build stability through structure, community, mentorship, and a willingness to do things differently.
Pej adds his own personal and professional lens, breaking down what helped him move from uncertainty to a more grounded, meaningful life.
Whether you’re new to recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for a deeper understanding of what lasting change takes, this episode provides practical insight and a grounded, real-world perspective.
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In this solo episode of Primary Purpose, Pej dives into one of the most dangerous mindsets in recovery: the belief that we’re in control of everything. “Playing God” doesn’t always look obvious, it shows up as overthinking, forcing outcomes, trying to fix people, or refusing to surrender when things don’t go our way. Pej breaks down how this illusion of control quietly fuels relapse, disconnect, and emotional burnout, even when we think we’re doing everything “right.”
If you’ve ever struggled with letting go, trusting the process, or accepting what you can’t change, this episode is for you. Pej shares real talk on what surrender actually looks like in daily recovery, how to recognize when your ego is taking over, and practical ways to step out of self-will and back into alignment. This is a powerful reminder that freedom in sobriety doesn’t come from control, it comes from letting go.
This podcast is sponsored by Intervention on Call. Visit https://interventiononcall.com/ for more information.
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Nick Plaskett’s story is one of resilience, responsibility, and purpose forged through loss. After the passing of his father in 2021, Nick was suddenly thrust into a leadership role during one of the most difficult seasons of his life. As the oldest sibling, he not only helped guide his family through the emotional and logistical challenges of probate, but also stepped in to stabilize and rebuild his family’s mental health and substance abuse treatment center. What could have been the end of a legacy instead became the beginning of a new chapter—one driven by strength, vision, and a deep commitment to helping others.
In this episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Nick shares how continuing his father’s mission became a source of healing and motivation. He opens up about the lessons he’s learned leading through adversity, the responsibility he feels to the recovery community, and the passion that fuels his work today. From empowering the men in his program to expanding access to quality care, Nick is dedicated to creating lasting transformation—and honoring a legacy that continues to change lives every single day.
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In this powerful episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, we sit down with Shireen Janti, a mental health and addiction recovery professional whose life story is a testament to resilience, transformation, and purpose. After surviving substance abuse, eating disorders, and deep personal trauma, Shireen has now been sober for over 36 years. What makes her journey even more impactful is how she turned her recovery into a lifelong mission, helping others navigate addiction, mental health struggles, and the road to healing.
With more than three decades of experience in mental health and chemical dependency, and a career that spans the entertainment industry including her leadership role at MusiCares, Shireen has supported thousands of individuals and families in crisis. In this conversation, she shares hard truths about addiction, what real recovery looks like, and how people can rebuild their lives through self-awareness, community, and support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking hope, understanding, or a deeper perspective on what it truly takes to heal.
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In this powerful episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Chassity Ebbole shares her incredible journey from tattoo artist and athlete to conceptual engineer, dog rescue leader, and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. With a background that spans the world of body art, competitive sports, and entrepreneurship, Chassity opens up about the defining moments that reshaped her life and led her toward a deeper sense of purpose and faith.
From hosting Tattoo Chat and working in early body art studios, to leading West Moreland Dog Rescue and stepping into new challenges inside and outside the ring, Chassity’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and conviction. This conversation dives into identity, reinvention, and what it truly means to align your life with a higher calling, offering inspiration to anyone searching for direction, purpose, and meaning.
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Adam Stephens joins Primary Purpose with Pej for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it truly takes to change your life. Having lived through the struggles himself, Adam now dedicates his life to helping others break free from addiction and find a new path forward. In this episode, he shares real stories from the front lines of recovery, the mindset shifts that make lasting change possible, and the purpose that drives his mission to serve others.
This episode is a must-watch for anyone battling addiction, supporting a loved one, or searching for hope in difficult times. Adam’s perspective is raw, inspiring, and rooted in experience, reminding us that no matter how far gone things may seem, recovery is always possible with the right support and purpose.
#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth #RecoveryJourney #PodcastLife
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On this episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, Brian Schultz recounts the life-altering moment on May 24, 2018, when he walked into his sister’s home to find a professional interventionist and his family waiting to confront his worsening substance use and mental health struggles.
Once the "angry and resistant" recipient of an intervention, Brian now serves as a Certified Case Manager and Interventionist, using his lived experience to help families navigate the fear, emotional exhaustion, and complex dynamics of addiction.
This conversation dives deep into the power of compassionate boundaries, the importance of evidence-based practices like motivational interviewing, and how the lowest point of Brian’s life became the foundation for a restored family and a life rooted in accountability and purpose.
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Today on Primary Purpose with Pej, we sit down with Carlton Norwood, a recovery advocate whose life story is defined by resilience, responsibility, and a deep calling to help families find their way back from chaos.
Carlton’s journey includes years of substance use and self-destructive behavior that placed his life — and his relationships — at serious risk. After reaching a moment of undeniable clarity, he committed to making a drastic and meaningful change that would rebuild his life and reshape his purpose.
For nearly 30 years as a Financial Advisor, Carlton guided hundreds of families through uncertainty and hardship, helping them find clarity in moments that required calm leadership and sound judgment. Combined with raising four successful children, that experience reinforced his belief that families can recover when structure, boundaries, and accountability are put in place.
An Augusta, Georgia native, Carlton is deeply rooted in family and community. Today he dedicates his work to helping families create environments where recovery is possible and loved ones can finally access the help they need.
This conversation explores addiction, recovery, family intervention, and how small intentional steps can restore lives and relationships.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, this episode offers perspective, hope, and practical insight into the path toward recovery.
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The "Fast Life" wasn’t just a phase for Randy Underwood—it was his identity.
In this week’s episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, we sit down with Orange County native Randy Underwood. Growing up in the heart of the San Diego and L.A. surf and punk scenes, Randy lived a life defined by motorcycle racing, DIY culture, and the rebellious spirit of Generation X.
But when "living fast" starts to catch up, what happens when the noise finally stops?
Randy opens up about the turning point that led him to sobriety and how he transformed his rebellious energy into a life of intention, humility, and true freedom. This isn't a story about losing your edge; it’s about refining it into something stronger.
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In this episode of Primary Purpose with Pej, we are joined by Matt Brown, a professional interventionist who has spent over 20 years guiding families through the storm of addiction.
Matt’s expertise isn't just academic—it’s lived. In 2001, his own family staged an intervention that saved his life. Since entering recovery in 2003, he has dedicated his career to paying that gift forward, helping hundreds of families move out of the "paralysis of fear" and into structured, meaningful action.
In this conversation, Pej and Matt dive into:
The "Full Circle" Perspective: What it’s like to sit on both sides of the intervention table.
Debunking the "Rock Bottom" Myth: Why waiting for things to get worse is a dangerous strategy—and how to act early.
The Balance of Compassion and Firmness: How to cut through a loved one’s denial without stripping them of their dignity.
Restoring the Family: Moving away from enabling and toward healthy boundaries that foster long-term recovery.
Whether you are a family member feeling stuck in the cycle of chaos or someone looking to understand the mechanics of a successful intervention, Matt’s direct and steady approach offers a roadmap from uncertainty to clarity.
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