The Gift of Addiction: Recent Episodes
Bertie Fagan
Most people have an addiction to one thing or the other, but when people become addicted to drugs and alcohol it can not be so easily hidden from view. Why are some people prone to addiction more than others? What is it that causes addiction and why is it so hard escaping the nightmare that is drug and alcohol addiction? This podcast examines all these questions by asking the people who have been there themselves. Straight to the point and real. Addiction, when arrested, can be a gift and this podcast proves why. Enjoy!
Waggy Bill is 94 years old. He is a living legend and has quite literally come from skid row. Jails and institutions for the first half of his life until he found AA and the loving care of a higher power he calls ' My Lady'. Today he has been sober for over 50 years and is living the dream. Waggy is as close to an enlightened being that I have ever met. He is living proof that it works if you work it. He lives down in Manly these days and anybody worth their grain of salt will know who Waggy Bill is. As I was conducting this interview on a beautiful sunny morning members of the public kept seeing Bill being interviewed and wanted to stop and tell how he has made a difference in their life's. An inspiring man who brings a smile to everybody's face that crosses his path. God bless ya Waggy !
Ross Fitzgerald AM is a prolific author, academic, historian and political commentator. He is an Emeritus Professor in history and politics at Griffith University and has sat on the Queensland Parole Board. But above all else, he is an alcoholic who has managed to stay sober for over fifty years. In March he released his most recent book; 'Fifty Years Sober. An Alcoholics Journey,' published by Hybrid Publishers. In his own words Ross describes the reality that if he hadn't stopped drinking and drugging at twenty-five, he wouldn't have made twenty six. I love talking to people like Ross. He is a true champion who proves that recovery from seemingly hopeless states of mind and body is possible. For people who suffer from alcoholism or any addiction, you must give in to win ! Surrender ! Take your hands off the levers of the world ! Ross is not only an inspiration to those battling their demons but is genuinely a funny bloke.
Join your host, Bertie Fagan, as he chats to Catholic Priest Steve Sinn about helping homeless men and women find refuge and a place to recover from their addictions. In this episode Steve shares his story of how he has dedicated his life to the service of helping homeless people and other addicts recently released from prison to find their feet.
'The Struggle is always the Gift'. A millioniare by the age of 25 after pioneering one of Australia's most successful fitness franchises. By 35 he was running a $40 million dollar business empire, only to lose it all by the age of 40. Financially bankrupt, and bankrupt in every other way, spiritually, mentally and physcially- something had to give. Geoff's life is an amazing story of rags to riches, bankruptcy and spiritual and personal growth. Geoff's message today is that true wealth comes from within. You can have it all, the money the cars, the so-called dream life, but be living a lie- an unhappy existence always seeking more. Today Geoff is grateful for his rock bottom because it taught him what really matters in life. He had to be taught a very tough lesson by life to be given the gift of empathy and compassion. What matters to Geoff today is helping people, the welfare of his beloved animals, and spreading the message that 'comparison is the theif of joy'. If you want to check out what he is doing head to geoffjowett.com and enjoy this inspirational story.
Tim Brown is Australia’s most experienced teacher of Vedic Meditation. He has taught literally thousands upon thousands of people from school students, to sports players, corporate executives, and recovering addicts like me. Tim was taught by his guru Tom Knowles, who in turn was taught by Mararishi Mahesh Yogi. Tim talks about how vedic meditation allows the meditator to become less stressed, more creative, more productive, and more adaptable to the demands of life. Tim taught me how to meditate late in 2018, and it has helped to completely transform my life. In the context of battling drug and alcohol addiction, meditation is crucial in quieting the internal dialogue that gives rise to the obsession and compulsion to self medicate in the first place. Meditation is no longer just in the realm of spiritual seekers. It is quickly becoming mainstream and Tim Brown is responsible as much as anyone else in Australia to help transform the collective unconscious.
I sat down with Katie Oneill Veda Devi and she was kind enough to share with me one of the most amazing stories of resilience and courage I have ever heard. At only 17 she was the driver of a car in a fatal accident that resulted in two deaths. What followed was years of guilt ridden suffering. She found comfort in the release of drugs and alcohol and developed an addiction that would last well over a decade. Through a gradual process of surrender and acceptance, Katie has proven that overcoming the most severe and debilitating of circumstances is possible. Following the torment of years of living in the excruciating pain she had what she describes as ‘a spiritual awakening’. Today, Katie has embraced spirituality and lives a happy and peaceful existence. She is well known for her work as a spiritual healer, DJ and Vedic devotee.
Richard and Rob are mates who share the common bond of two men recovering from the same disease - 'Alcoholism'. Both these fellows experienced the realisation that moving from country to country is no solution for the disease that dwells within. In recovery they call this phenomenon 'a geographical'. Richard has featured on the Gift of Addiction previously, but returns to add further insights into what its like living free from alcohol and drugs, but still being highly conscious that the disease of addiction can morph into other undesirable behaviours such as overeating, over exercising and problems around money. Rob describes his rock bottom as a 'death by a thousand cuts', and what motivated him to finally seek help. Both these guys have over two decades of sobriety between them and they are well worth listening to in relation to what it takes, not only put the booze and drugs down but to live happy, joyous and free in sobriety. It is clear that people often confuse the solution to alcoholism as simply quitting drinking, when in fact real sobriety is so much more. Richard and Rob describe in detail their journey through early sobriety and the work they have done and continue to do to ensure they remain one step ahead of the disease.
One of the most pleasurable hours of my life spent chatting with this remarkable man. Bill Crews has spent the entirety of his adult life helping the people who need it the most. Abandoning a promising career as an electrical engineer as a young man, Bill received a calling from God whilst attending the wayside chapel in Kings Cross in the late 1960's. Wayside Chapel has provided unconditional love, care and support for people on and around the streets of Kings Cross since 1964. Bill tells his story of how he felt compelled to help those in need. A very humble man but what he has done for others is nothing short of extraordinary. In 1983 he left the Wayside Chapel to study Theology at the Uniting Church’s United Theological College and graduated in 1986, and in that same year, he was ordained as minister of the Ashfield Uniting Church in Sydney’s inner-west. At Ashfield he created The Exodus Foundation to assist homeless and abandoned youth, and other people in need.Today, The Exodus Foundation is one of Sydney’s largest frontline charities. The Exodus Foundation runs the Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant, serving 800 meals to the needy every day and operates a multipurpose Health & Outreach Centre, which provides help and support services such as social workers, chaplaincy, counselling, and food parcel assistance and primary healthcare.
In this conversation with Laura I became fascinated by her extremely insightful explanations of drug addiction and alcoholism. This comes from someone who has been at the bottom of the barrel and a slave to drugs and alcohol herself. Born and raised in the United States, her drug use began shockingly early in life, using cocaine at 13. Meth, pills and alcohol all followed suit. Some people believe that alcoholism and drug addiction is something that develops in one's lifetime after abuse or trauma. In this brutally honest account of her own life, Laura explains how she was born into a loving family and had no abuse or trauma, but was nevertheless restless, irritable and discontent as a child. Laura long believed that she was the victim of circumstance and this gave her the excuse she needed to continue to keep poisoning herself. She is able to clearly articulate the symptoms of alcholism as a three fold disease, the phenomenon of physical craving, a mental obsession and a spiritual malady. She, like most alcoholics and drug addicts hit rock bottom hard, but her story of recovery is nothing short of inspiring. It was a complete joy talking to Laura in this episode. She stands testament to the fact that recovery from addiction is not a glum and depressing journey, but can be happy, joyous and free.
Jack Nagle went from playing basketball at a high level with names such as Andrew Gaze, and being an incredibly fit and healthy young man with a happy-go-lucky attitude, until addiction took over his life. His personality, attitude and outlook were completely altered. Over many years Jack used daily, cocktailing intravenous ice use with an array of prescription medication, marijuana and alcohol. This lead Jack to psychosis, suicide attempts, overdoses, homelessness, abuse, crime, broken relationships, malnutrition, family destruction and bitter regret. After having his life flash before his eyes whilst looking in the mirror, Jack checked in for treatment at 196cm (6’5ft) weighing only 64kg. He had attempted suicide only two weeks earlier and was suffering from the lingering effects of psychosis. Substances and addiction ripped away possession of Jack’s health, integrity and spirit from underneath him, robbing his parents of a son and his brother of a role model. Today Jack is a role model for those suffering from addiction. He runs an online rehabilitation service called 'Real Drug Talk', and features prominently on national television as he attempts to change the paradigm in dealing with drug and alcohol addiction.
Peter H played a big part in my early recovery. He was working in the rehab I attended in 2018 and was instrumental in forcing me to face up to my demons which I wanted to run and hide from. He himself has his own story of recovery from addiction and trauma. In this episode Peter explains why addiction was his greatest friend at one time, and his biggest enemy in the end. He is now 17 and a half years clean and sober and is a great example to people who may be struggling with addiction. Well worth a listen.
I am absolutely honoured to introduce my brave cousin Heather Fagan. In this episode Heather shares her experience of working for the NSW Police Force and the stress involved in dealing with confronting situations including stabbings, shootings and horrific domestic violence. She also shares honestly about becoming overwhelmed with codependency and anxiety, and reaching out for help. She describes her time inside a rehabilitation centre as one of the two turning points in her life. The other being her discovery of Islam and how spirituality has infinitely changed her life for the better. Heather has a wealth of knowledge about mental health issues, codependency and spirituality and dispels many of the prevailing myths about Islam. Thank you for the insightful conversation Heather!
In this episode I chat with Gary Campbell. Gary is a an old school punk rocker from Narrabeen, Australia. He is the lead singer of the band 'Rust' which tours the world and features at shows like Rebellion. Gary' s story is one of triumph over the grips of alcoholism. 20 years on from his last drink he now has a clear perspective about what drove him to drink and drug, and what kept him there for decades. Most importantly, Gary talks about the solution that worked for him- a solution that so often evades those who desperately need a way out of the torture and misery of active alcoholism. We talk about the stigma that many associate with alcoholism, adapting to life and dealing with crippling anxiety and panic attacks that came in early sobriety as he learnt to function in society without alcohol, and also the gratitude that comes from living a rich and fulfilling sober life.
Lee fled his abusive childhood home at 16 to find his way in the world. He realised at a very early age he was 'powerless' over his addiction. After a short stint as a career criminal and some time in jail, Lee realised in his early twenties that he was headed down the rabbit hole so he embraced recovery and found his calling in the Army where he served two tours in Afghanistan only to return with chronic PTSD. This is an interesting conversation with a man who has lived through more than most and survived the toughest of circumstances. He now uses his experience to help others struggling with mental health problems and addiction.
Richard Thomas shares his story of a young troubled man from the welsh countryside who suffered from alcoholism and addiction at an early age, and then wound up in Australia where he took his disease with him. He is now 13 and a half years sober and is a shining example of how recovery from addiction can be the greatest gift of all.
Why do countries persist with policies that have been such an abject failure like the 'War on drugs'? Its high time we started to treat the illicit drug problem as a medical and health issue rather than a criminal one. In this episode I speak to one of Australia's leading figures in the drug law reform debate and question him about what alternative policies we could implement that would save billions of dollars and more importantly save lives.
In this episode I chat to Chris Parker, a champion Mix Martial Artist who is training to compete in the Olympics for the United States. Chris has overcome an incredible struggle with drugs and alcohol by turning to God and a 12 step program. He now is fighting fit and competing in Judo competitions as well as hosting his own podcast "Grappling Real'. Join me as Chris and I talk about his rock bottom and the tough but rewarding gifts of recovery from addiction.
In this episode I chat to Anthony Robinson, a father of three, a successful businessman and most importantly, a recovered alcoholic with 18 years sobriety under his belt. Anthony chats frankly about his rock bottom moment, and how he overcame the resistance to ask for help. This is a candid and honest conversation with an alcoholic about the nature of the disease and the path to recovery.