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PODCAST

F#CK THE STIGMA

Fuck The Stigma, Inc. 501(c)3 Nonprofit

F The Stigma Podcast is an extension of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, F The Stigma, dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health, addiction, trauma, and the struggles we face in society. Hosted by Laisha Martinez, we have real, unfiltered conversations with guests from all walks of life—advocates, experts, and individuals with lived experiences—who share their personal stories, challenges, and triumphs. Our goal is to normalize these tough conversations, challenge societal shame, and make

business non-profit

All Episodes

01:19:13

Career Criminal Addicted to Crack Went From Bank...

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2026/02/10

In episode 46 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Jeff, who shares his story of addiction, crime, and recovery, opening up about how growing up without a father figure and coming from a troubled family became his excuse for using drugs. He talks about how substance use within his family normalized addiction and led him down a path of criminal behavior, repeated prison time, and years stuck in the cycle of incarceration. Jeff reflects on the turning point that forced him to

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01:36:15

How Gambling Addiction & Crack Addiction Ruined My Life

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2026/02/02

In episode 45 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Malik Keene, discussing his journey from active addiction to long-term recovery. Malik opens up about quitting drugs and alcohol, walking away from the drug dealer lifestyle, and confronting a gambling addiction that deeply impacted every area of his life. He shares how multiple DUIs and compulsive gambling became major turning points, forcing him to face the consequences of addiction and ultimately choose sobriety. Now

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01:09:26

How Survivor’s Guilt Fueled 10 Years of Addiction

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2026/01/26

In episode 44 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Travis Shields, who shares an honest conversation about addiction, grief, and recovery after more than a decade of active drug and alcohol use. Travis opens up about surviving the loss of a close friend, the survivor’s guilt that followed, and how that pain drove him deeper into substance use. He also reflects on losing multiple friends to addiction, struggling to identify and process emotions, and the long internal work

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01:01:18

Kidnapped as a Teen Because of Addiction

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2026/01/12

In episode 43 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ryan Ead, sharing his raw and unfiltered story of mental health struggles and addiction that began at a young age. After years of misbehavior and substance use, Ryan’s parents had him kidnapped and sent to a wilderness program in the Utah desert, where he was forced to survive for three months. Instead of helping, the experience fueled anger and rebellion, pushing Ryan deeper into addiction. As the opioid epidemic took hold,

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01:28:39

Losing My Friends to Overdoses Nearly Killed Me Too

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2026/01/05

In episode 42 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Matt Anderson, who shares his raw and honest journey through mental health struggles, addiction, incarceration, and recovery. Now 9 years sober, Matt opens up about going to jail at just 15 years old, being exposed to hard drugs at a young age, and growing up with an abusive father where fighting became his outlet. After his childhood home burned to the ground, his addiction escalated, leading to years of cycling in and out

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00:59:08

My Drunk Driving Accident Took A Life

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/12/29

In episode 41 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Mike Eaton, who has 17 years sober and opens up about the turning point that changed his life forever. After years of failed attempts to get sober, Mike’s addiction led to a fatal drunk driving accident that took someone’s life, resulting in him getting sober while incarcerated. He shares what it was like to confront the weight of that reality, take accountability, and begin true recovery behind bars. Mike also speaks

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01:09:44

How Grief and a Toxic Relationship Fueled My Alcohol...

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/12/16

In episode 40 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Emily, who shares her journey with alcoholism, starting from drinking at a young age and the struggles that followed her into high school, including an abusive relationship that shaped how she coped with pain. She opens up about using alcohol to numb the grief of losing a close family member and how that loss deepened her addiction. Now approaching 15 years of sobriety, Emily reflects on what it took to break the cycle, heal

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01:33:46

I Served A Life Sentence In Prison For Attempted Murder

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/12/08

In episode 39 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with William Mitchell, who was wrongfully sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder at just 23 years old and ended up serving 18 years behind bars. William opens up about battling crack addiction, how prison transformed him, and the moment he found his faith in Christianity. He shares how becoming a minister and paralegal while incarcerated changed the course of his life, and how he now dedicates his time to advocating for

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01:14:52

It Took Me 13 Rehabs to Finally Stop Using Heroin

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/12/01

In episode 38 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Cindy, who opens up about using heroin at just 11 years old, growing up in a chaotic and painful environment, and losing control of her life to addiction. She shares what it was like entering 13 different treatment centers, the multiple rock bottoms that forced her to confront the reality of her addiction, and the moments that pushed her toward change. Now sober at 24, Cindy reflects on the darkest parts of her journey and

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02:05:08

Ex Marine’s Fight Against Physical Abuse and Cocaine...

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/11/25

In episode 37 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Chris Yarnell, In this episode, Laisha sits down with a guest who opens up about a lifetime of stigma, trauma, and addiction. He talks about growing up in a household shaped by alcohol and drugs and how fractured family dynamics fueled his early substance use. He shares how his drinking escalated through adolescence, how a chemical imbalance influenced his drug choices, and what ultimately pushed him to join the Marines. He

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01:19:09

How Sexual Abuse Shaped My Addiction and My...

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/11/17

In episode 36 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ashley Pertuno, who bravely shares her story of surviving childhood abuse by a close family member, the trauma that fueled her addiction, and the mental health battles that followed her into adulthood. Ashley reveals how this pain shaped her relationships with men, pushed her deeper into substance use, and followed her through both her basketball career and her time serving in the military. From hitting rock bottom to

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01:09:14

I Lived Under a Bridge For Years Because of My Drug...

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/11/10

In episode 35 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Josh, who opens up about his journey from decades of jail, prison, and active heroin addiction to now celebrating 15 years sober. Josh keeps it real about what life was like in and out of institutions, what finally pushed him to change, and how he’s managed to stay grounded in recovery ever since. It’s an honest, no-fluff conversation about the reality of addiction, rebuilding your life, and what long-term sobriety really

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01:03:21

Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse & Heroin Addiction

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/11/03

In episode 34 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Tabitha, who shares powerful journey from a childhood filled with chaos, trauma, and abuse to finding recovery and rebuilding her life. Growing up in a toxic household in Baltimore, she faced early exposure to addiction, violence, and pain that led her down a path of substance use, incarceration, and survival on the streets. From the heartbreak of overdoses and prison time to navigating the fentanyl and Xylazine crisis,

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01:15:00

I Spent Over a Decade Battling Alcoholism Until God...

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/10/28

In episode 33 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Ansu, who shares his powerful story of battling alcoholism for over a decade while struggling with identity, family abandonment, and a toxic marriage. From growing up between cultures and living as a “functional” addict to hitting rock bottom and finding faith, Ansu opens up about his journey toward healing, self-discovery, and spiritual growth. Through honesty and reflection, he reveals how surrendering to God and embracing

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01:01:21

I Thought My Dad Dying Made Me an Addict, I Was Wrong

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/10/20

In episode 32 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Tim Fritz to share his powerful story of battling active alcoholism and addiction. Tim opens up about how the loss of his father deeply impacted his life and became a driving force behind his substance use. Together, Laisha and Tim break down the thought processes that come with being in active addiction—the denial, the shame, and the endless cycle of chasing escape. Through raw honesty and reflection, Tim shares what it

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01:13:36

My Dad Died From The Same Addiction I Escaped

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/10/06

In episode 31 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Maggie who opens up about her journey through addiction, recovery, and rebuilding her life. She shares what it was like growing up around addiction, experimenting as a teen, and facing early arrests and probation. From her first rehab stay—where she admits she tried to “beat the system”—to the depths of opiate and heroin addiction in Kensington, Maggie’s story is raw and eye-opening. She talks about the repeated attempts at

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01:07:27

Crack Addiction Was My Rock Bottom

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/09/29

In episode 30 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Michael to share his story of addiction, recovery, and rebuilding his life. From early identity struggles to his first experiences with substances, legal trouble, and near-death moments, Michael opens up about what it took to reach rock bottom and finally seek treatment. He discusses relapse, homelessness, and the importance of finding a sponsor, setting family boundaries, and doing the hard internal work of change. Together,

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01:09:15

Losing A Multi-Million Dollar Company to Drugs &...

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/09/15

In episode 29 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Joe as he opens up about his journey through pain, addiction, and redemption. From a rough childhood marked by school struggles, trauma, and searching for belonging, Joe shares how early challenges led him down a path of experimenting with drugs that eventually escalated into hard addiction. He speaks candidly about coping with personal loss, navigating the streets of Baltimore, and becoming involved in criminal enterprises

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01:36:59

Struggling with Self Harm Through 7 Years of Addiction

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/09/08

In episode 28 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Catie to share a raw and powerful story of addiction, self-harm, and healing. Catie opens up about growing up in a chaotic household, experimenting with drugs at a young age, and spending seven years trapped in addiction while battling self-harm. She talks about how trauma, toxic and addictive relationships, and the stigma surrounding substance use shaped her path, leading to moments of pain, legal troubles, and loss. Through

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00:58:30

6 Years of Heroin Addiction to Now 4 Years of Sobriety

F#CK THE STIGMA ·

2025/08/31

In episode 27 of F The Stigma Podcast, host Laisha Martinez sits down with Tristan, who’s back to share what life looks like now at 4 years sober. Tristan talks about what it was really like in the thick of his addiction—six years of IV heroin use, seven stints in rehab, and even losing all his teeth. He contrasts that with where he’s at today: learning how to cope, building real tools to get through the tough moments, and figuring out what long-term recovery actually looks like.Don’t forget to

en

122 results

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