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PODCAST

Get a Grip Podcast

Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes

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

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All Episodes

00:50:29

Fraud, Feds, and Federal Time: The Real Story of a...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/06/22

Louis sits down with Nelson Rodriguez who was raised in the gritty, vibrant streets of Miami, where the Cuban-American culture runs deep and the pressure to succeed — by any means — runs even deeper. Born into a hard-nosed Cuban family, Nelson learned early that survival meant staying sharp, staying tough, and sometimes bending the rules. He was street-smart, charismatic, and hungry for more than just the scraps life handed him. But instead of choosing the slow, steady grind, Nelson went after the

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00:59:01

From 8th Grade Dropout to 2 Prison Numbers: How He...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/06/19

In this raw and powerful episode, we sit down with Jonathon — a man whose story starts with pain, chaos, and early abandonment, but doesn’t end there. Dropping out of school in the 8th grade, Jonathon was thrown into a world that showed no mercy. With little direction and even fewer options, he quickly found himself swallowed by the streets, addiction, and eventually two prison sentences.As his heroin addiction took hold, Jonathon was trying to survive not only for himself — but for his four

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01:55:55

Manic Highs & Vegas Nights: My Bipolar Journey...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/06/15

At 26 years old, David Funes experienced his first full-blown manic episode—and his entire life imploded. In this episode, Louis and Aaron uncover the ride that follows and it's a wild, unfiltered ride through mental illness, addiction, and survival. From studying at Bible College to committing a federal crime… from psychiatric wards to crashing with his drug dealer… from owning a nightclub to ending up homeless—this story sounds made-up, but it's all real.In this brutally honest and deeply human

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01:03:11

Her Baby Daddy Watched Her OD on FaceTime | Episode 58

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/06/11

In this powerful and raw episode of the Get A Grip Podcast, Louis and Aaron sit down with Shae Ramos — a courageous woman who’s walking the difficult but inspiring path of early recovery.Shae didn’t grow up in chaos. In fact, she came from a solid upbringing — a life full of potential and promise. But addiction doesn’t discriminate. What began as casual drinking slowly turned into a reliance on painkillers, and eventually, Shae found herself entangled in a world she never imagined becoming a part

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01:33:51

From CEO, to Divorced Peruvian Cocaine Smuggler, to...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/06/08

John’s journey is nothing short of jaw-dropping. He started drinking at a shockingly young age, long before most kids even know what addiction is. But for years, he lived in denial—brushing off the red flags, numbing the pain, and convincing himself he had everything under control. By all appearances, he was succeeding. He built his own logistics company from the ground up and looked like a man on the rise. But behind the scenes, the addiction was tightening its grip.Then it all came crashing

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01:16:15

Growing Up With A Sexual Predator For A Brother And...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/06/04

In this raw and powerful episode, Louis sits down with Dennis McFarland—a man whose journey from chaos to redemption is nothing short of miraculous. Growing up dirt-poor in a packed house with eight cousins, Dennis’s childhood was defined by turmoil, survival, and heartbreak. Times were so tough, they resorted to eating cat food just to make it through the day.By the age of 16, Dennis was a full-blown alcoholic, numbing the pain of a life that seemed hopeless. But things took an even darker turn

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02:44:30

Supporting My Family While Hooked on Opiates In...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/06/01

In this powerful and emotional episode, Aaron sits down with Joey Louis, a remarkable man with a story that will leave you speechless. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Joey didn’t have the typical childhood — he was forced to grow up fast, becoming the caretaker for both his mother and younger brother, who were battling addiction to opiates.Joey opens up about the unimaginable weight he carried at such a young age. With his family spiraling deeper into addiction, he was trapped in a cycle of chaos,

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01:28:15

How I Went From Breaking The Law to Enforcing It |...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/28

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ernest Hayden, a man whose life story reads like a movie — but it's 100% real. Growing up in a tough environment surrounded by crime and chaos, Ernest was pulled into a world of drug dealing and criminal activity from a young age. For years, that life defined him — until he made a choice that would change everything.Ernest didn’t just walk away from the streets — he transformed his mindset, his path, and his purpose. Ironically, he first enrolled in

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02:15:43

MMA Fighter Kicks Heroin and Ends up on A&E's 60 Days...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/25

From the depths of addiction to the bright lights of television, Daniel Ritchie’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In this gripping episode of our podcast, we sit down with Daniel to uncover the raw and powerful story of a man who once lived in the shadows, chasing a high in a desperate attempt to belong.Growing up, Daniel always felt like an outsider. Struggling to find his place in the world, he turned to heroin at a young age—seeking comfort and connection in all the wrong places. His

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01:09:05

The Truth About MAT: My Journey Out of Addiction |...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/22

Louis and Aaron sit down with Lance Ball whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary—heartbreaking, inspiring, and a true testament to the power of resilience and hope.Born into a world stacked against him, Lance didn’t just witness hardship—he lived it, day in and day out. His childhood was shaped by instability, trauma, and survival. His mother, locked in a cycle of poverty and pain, turned to prostitution to provide. His father, consumed by addiction, was largely absent, both physically and

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01:38:59

From Gucci to Guilty: He Grabbed the Bag, Then Got...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/19

In this unforgettable episode, Aaron sits down with Tony Williams—a man whose story is as raw as it is inspiring. Tony takes us deep into the world he was born into: a childhood overshadowed by drugs, crime, and survival. With a father who sold crack and a home life that resembled a trap house more than a safe haven, Tony’s earliest lessons were taught on the streets. He opens up about how being exposed to addiction, violence, and fast money at such a young age shaped his mindset, hardened his

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00:56:53

How After a Brutal Heroin Addiction I Got Sober and...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/15

In this emotionally charged and deeply revealing episode, Louis sits down with Josh Hart for a conversation that is as raw as it is inspiring. From the very first moments, Josh takes us into the heart of his story—a story marked by chaos, crime, and the relentless grip of heroin addiction. He doesn’t hold back as he recounts how what began as experimentation spiraled into a full-blown dependency that shattered every part of his life. He lost relationships, freedom, and any sense of self-worth. The

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01:58:28

I Survived 17 Years On The Streets In Active...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/11

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Aaron sits down with Rachel McIntyre—a survivor, warrior, and true inspiration. Before the age of 18, Rachel had already endured more than most face in a lifetime. Raised in the harsh realities of poverty, she navigated a childhood filled with instability, emotional neglect, and danger. Her early years were marked by relentless hardship, including multiple instances of sexual assault that left lasting emotional scars. As a teenager, Rachel turned to drugs

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01:17:39

Ex-Delta Employee Tells All About Flights to Florida...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/07

In this deeply moving and candid episode, Louis sits down with Stephanie Cooks, a woman whose life story is both a powerful reflection of America’s opioid crisis and a shining example of resilience and transformation. Stephanie began her adult life working as a flight attendant with Delta Airlines, living what many would consider a dream career. But beneath the polished exterior, she struggled with growing emotional pain and personal challenges that eventually led her to the heart of one of the most

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01:28:57

Addiction Led Her to the Wrong Door — Or the Right...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/04

Jen Garnes’ life is the kind of story that feels like a movie—but every moment is real. Born into a home shaped by addiction, Jen grew up in the shadows of alcoholism and drug abuse. Her earliest memories are laced with instability, emotional pain, and survival. At a young age, she experienced a devastating loss that would alter the course of her life forever—her father passed away due to his addiction. That trauma sent her spiraling into her own battle with substances, unknowingly following the

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01:08:37

I OD'd and Lost Most of My Memories | Episode 45

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/05/02

In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with Khelisa Brunner — a woman whose story is a raw, unfiltered testament to survival, resilience, and the healing power of hope. Khelisa grew up in a world where love was scarce and chaos was constant. With an abusive father who ruled through fear and violence and a mother battling alcoholism, her childhood was marked by instability, trauma, and emotional abandonment. From an early age, she was forced to become her own protector, navigating a home filled

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01:08:03

How I OD'd and Most of My Memories | Episode 45

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/04/30

In this powerful and emotionally charged episode, Louis sits down with Khelisa Brunner as she shares the story of her life—a story rooted in deep trauma, pain, and ultimately, transformation. Khelisa's journey begins with a moment that would change everything: at just five years old, she discovered her father dying of a heart attack in their backyard. While the image of that day would be burned into her memory, what lingered even more deeply was the complex and painful relationship she had with

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02:02:01

How One Split Second Decision Changed a Man's Life...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/04/27

In this gripping and emotional episode, Louis and Aaron dive deep into the life of Kamal Sahr — a man whose journey through darkness ultimately led him to become a beacon of hope for others.Kamal’s early life was marred by crime, violence, and time spent in and out of the prison system. For years, the streets defined him. But one tragic night at a bar would change everything forever. After a heated argument escalated, Kamal pulled a gun and fired a shot that killed a young man named Aman. That fatal

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01:12:24

The Brutal Life of Living Addiction With My Mother |...

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/04/23

In this powerful episode Louis and Aaron sit down with Miriah Crissinger — a woman who has lived through trauma, addiction, profound loss, and the long, grueling road to healing.Miriah's childhood was anything but typical. Raised in a home marked by chaos, her earliest memories are woven with pain and confusion. Her mother, trapped in the grip of addiction, created an environment of emotional turmoil, where safety and stability were hard to come by. The very person meant to nurture and protect

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01:19:08

From Mafia Roots to Rock Bottom | Episode 42

Get a Grip Podcast ·

2025/04/21

In this gripping and brutally honest episode, Louis sits down with Tony DeCecco — a man whose life story sounds like something straight out of a gangster film, but every word is real. Raised in a traditional Italian family with deep roots in the mob, Tony grew up surrounded by crime, loyalty, and an unspoken code of the streets. From a young age, he was exposed to a world most people only hear about in whispers — a world of power, fear, and fast money.But that world came with a cost. What began as a

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