In Episode 25 of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre dives deep into the Narcotics Anonymous Just For Today meditation, "We All Belong." Drawing from his 10 years in active addiction and upcoming 3-year milestone clean on November 26th, Zavian unpacks why recovery brings together the most unlikely people through the therapeutic power of one addict helping another.

We hit 1 FULL YEAR of Dopenly Honest!

In this special 1-year anniversary episode, host Zavian Dre reflects on the journey of turning personal struggle into a platform for real hope. Reading from the NA Just For Today meditation ("Courage to Change"), Zavian dives deep into the Serenity Prayer, breaking down why surrender isn't defeat—it's the key to real freedom.

What happens when you hit rock bottom despite growing up in a good home? On this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with Eddie McSwain—celebrating four years of sobriety—to discuss the reality of addiction, childhood trauma, and the continuous journey of recovery.

Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or looking to understand the psychological mechanics behind addiction, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and actionable tools for healing.

"I ain't gonna be trapped in this game until I go to
prison..." In this powerful and raw episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with Joe Clark to unpack his incredible story of addiction, rock bottom, and finding true freedom in recovery.

In this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with his father-in-law, Mike Arington, for a deep conversation about addiction, resilience, and recovery. Mike opens up about his childhood, early experiences with alcohol and substances, and how a routine shoulder surgery led to a severe prescription painkiller addiction that took over his life. Now maintaining a sobriety date of May 25th, 2020, he reflects on the power of mindset, the importance of support, and what it truly takes to break the pains of addiction and rebuild a life of purpose.

In this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with guest Tyler Dodd for a discussion of being young and in recovery.  Building a life of sobriety with the temptation of the club scene, peer pressure, and old habits always around the corner isn't easy, but Tyler Dodd sets the example that taking control of your life and staying sober is entirely possible, no matter how young you are.

In this powerful second installment of our Rock Bottom Series, host Zavian sits down with returning guest Whitney for an unflinching, raw conversation about survival and resilience.  From hiding in a Dollar General bathroom to facing charges, probation, and prison, Whitney takes us back to her lowest point as an isolated 25-year-old girl and how she transformed that pain into strength. Celebrating a clean date of July 19, 2018, Whitney is living proof that where you start isn't where you have to end.

Tune in for a powerful story about accountability, resilience, and proving that your past never defines your future.

In this powerful solo episode of the Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre shares his deeply personal journey through a decade-long battle with addiction. Celebrating a sobriety date of June 26, 2023, Zavian reflects on the illusion of control, the dangerous trap of complacency, and what it truly takes to look in the mirror and change.

This episode delves into the heavy reality of navigating motherhood while battling a fentanyl addiction, the terrifying moments that force us to face our reflection, and the incredible, life-saving impact of finding a home within the fellowship. If you are at the end of your rope and trapped in a vicious cycle, Harley’s message to you is simple: Reach out and ask for help. You don't have to navigate this alone.

In this special audio-story style episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with his good friend Kody for a deeply personal look into the grim reality of active addiction. From the absolute bottom, there is only one way to go. This episode paints a vivid picture of what happens when you finally stop digging and allow the life-saving power of fellowship to pull you out of the dark.

On today’s episode, we are switching gears; instead of interviewing someone in recovery, we are sitting down with Angie Chisholm, a nurse-midwife from Shelbyville, KY, with years of experience working on the frontlines of treatment with pregnant and postpartum women in Oregon and Kentucky. In this deeply necessary conversation, Angie breaks down the heartbreaking reality of the US maternal mortality rate, why the postpartum period is the most dangerous time for mothers in recovery, tackle the massive stigma surrounding Medically Assisted Treatment/Medication for Opiate Use Disorder (MAT/MOUD) during pregnancy, and more.

In this episode of Dopenly Honest, Zavian sits down with Micah, a man whose journey into recovery began at an age most wouldn't believe: fifteen years old. This episode dives deep into the daily "spiritual maintenance" required to keep 19 years of sobriety intact. Specifically, how an attitude of gratitude is key, a reminder that having "normie" problems is a blessing, and why, if we saw everyone else’s struggles, we’d quickly grab our own back.

Matt gets real about what recovery actually looks like. It's not just putting down the bottle, it's showing up every day and making what he calls "living amends," actively choosing to be considerate, helpful, and accountable rather than simply saying "I'm sorry." He credits a strong sponsor, a structured daily routine, and a genuine relationship with a higher power as the pillars that have made long-term sobriety possible.

In this soul-baring episode of Dopenly Honest, we sit down with Micah and Kyla Fitzgerald to discuss the raw reality of addiction, the role trauma plays in substance abuse, and the "God-incidences" that led them to a life of sobriety. This isn't just a conversation about putting down the bottle or the pipe; it’s a deep dive into the spiritual architecture of addiction.

In this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Banta sits down with his long-time friend and brother-in-recovery, ToJo Brooks, for a conversation that is as raw as it is refined. ToJo doesn’t just share a "sobriety story"—he deconstructs the psychological architecture of addiction and offers a Masterclass in Acceptance. 

From the railroad tracks of Kentucky to the high-stakes world of Florida’s drug scene, ToJo reflects on the "actor’s mask" he wore for decades. He reveals the moment his world shifted: facing a Stage 3 prostate cancer diagnosis while in the grips of an even more lethal disease—active addiction.

In this solo episode of Dopenly Honest: Breaking the Chains of Addiction, Zavian gets into something every addict in recovery must face: learning how to cope with life when difficulties show up. The old ways of handling fear and trauma can seem "normal", but approaching worry and fear while rooted in faith, fellowship, and recovery is what it takes to go next level. 

In this powerful episode of Dopenly Honest, Zavian sits down with Andre Quincy—a man whose life and recovery have impacted countless people in our community. 

This conversation is about more than “putting the drugs down.” Andre talks about what it really means to recover: working the steps, showing up for family, serving others, staying consistent, and learning how to live life on life’s terms. From taking meetings into the jail, to rebuilding trust, to staying clean through loss. Andre’s story is a living example that long-term recovery is possible. 

As we move into the New Year, Zavian takes time to look back on how far this podcast & has recovery journey have come. What started as a thought became a platform, and now six episodes in, we’re going strong, but also just getting started.

In this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with Lindsey Wood for a real, down-to-earth conversation about addiction, recovery, and motherhood.  

Lindsey opens up about growing up in chaos; where addiction, incarceration, and instability were part of everyday life and how such early experiences shaped the path she would later walk herself. What started as a way to cope and belong slowly turned into addiction, leading to jail time, the loss of custody of her children, and years spent carrying heavy guilt and shame while trying to get sober.

Today, Lindsey works in the recovery field, supporting individuals and families as they rebuild trust, reunite with loved ones, and start again. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing happens through connection.