The Zac Clark Show

Zac Clark
  • 4.8 (16)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Twelve years ago, I was smoking crack, shooting dope, unhappily married, broke, and hopeless. My story isn't unique, but I'm one of the fortunate ones. I never wanted to do a podcast, but I see the world burning — substance use, depression, anxiety, suicide — and the conversations that need to happen aren't. This podcast is a platform to have these hard conversations. With experts, frontline heroes, voices we know and the many we need to know, my intent is to confront these issues head-on and, most importantly, offer solutions and hope.

  1. MAR 3

    Kratom: Natural Supplement or Addictive Drug? | Dr. Michael McCormick

    Is kratom safe – or is it quietly becoming the next opioid crisis? In this quick-hit episode, Zac sits down with recurring medical contributor Dr. Michael McCormick, Chief Medical Officer at Release Recovery, to clear the air on one of the most polarizing substances in America right now: kratom. Marketed as a natural herbal supplement and sold openly at gas stations and smoke shops, kratom is used by millions for energy, focus, pain relief – and even to help curb opioid withdrawal. But inside treatment centers, doctors are seeing something very different. In this episode, we break down: What kratom actually is (and how it works in the brain) Why low doses act like a stimulant — and high doses act like an opioid Whether kratom withdrawal requires medical detox Why it’s showing up more and more in addiction treatment The truth about “legal” substances and who is most at risk Why some experts believe it should not be sold over the counter We’re not here to attack people who use it responsibly. We’re here to speak to the 10–15% of people predisposed to substance use disorder – the ones who may not know the risk until it’s too late. If you or someone you love is using kratom, this conversation could change how you think about it. Connect with Zachttps://www.instagram.com/zwclark/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclarkhttps://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:(914) 588-6564http://releaserecovery.com@‌releaserecovery

    14 min

  2. FEB 24

    Ken Rideout: From Opioid Addict to World Champion

    When you look up Ken Rideout, you get a wild list of labels: prison guard. Wall Street trader. Opioid addict. Fastest marathoner in the world over 50. In this episode, Ken sits down with Zac to talk about reinvention – and what it actually takes to change your life. From crushing opioids and cocaine, and hiding addiction while building a career in finance, to detoxing, rebuilding from the ground up, and eventually becoming a World Champion marathoner, Ken’s story is one of radical ownership. We talk about: The brutal reality of opioid addiction Suboxone, Vivitrol, kratom – and the hard truths about “shortcuts” Why getting sober is the foundation for everything Running 4,000 miles a year as a new addiction Therapy, trauma, and what Onsite taught him Marriage, cancer, fatherhood, and what actually matters Why the timing is never perfect to make a change They also discuss Ken’s new book, The Other Side of Hard, is for anyone standing at the edge of a decision – sobriety, career shift, health reset – wondering if it’s possible. His message is simple: No one is coming to save you. You can reinvent yourself. Take the first step. Connect with Zac https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclarkhttps://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery: (914) 588-6564releaserecovery.com@releaserecovery

    1h 3m

  3. FEB 17

    He Stole $50K for Heroin – Now He’s a VP at a leading Recovery Company | Blake Porter

    Seven years ago, Zac Clark walked into a treatment center to speak at a Tuesday night meeting – and met a guy in pajama pants wearing a “Grateful Dead” tee who had no idea if he was going to make it. That guy was Blake Porter. In this episode, Zac and Jay sit down with Blake – now Vice President of Business Development at Release Recovery – to trace the full arc: growing up in a small town in upstate New York, the fear and insecurity that shadowed his talent, the slow slide from booze and cocaine into opioids and heroin, and the moment his dad found a needle and the truth finally had nowhere to hide. Blake opens up about what early sobriety actually looked like: structure, accountability, humility, and the near-relapse that still scares him to remember – five months sober, back home, texting a dealer from a hotel bathroom… right up until something intervened and he chose honesty instead. Topics include: The AA meeting in treatment that changed everything Small-town upbringing, big fear, and the need to escape Addiction, grief, and the cost of avoiding pain The truth-telling moment with Blake’s dad Why Release Recovery felt like “home” A near-relapse story that shows how real the obsession can be Building a life (and career) rooted in service If you’re trying to get sober right now, Blake’s message is simple – and it might save your life: be honest.

    1h 1m

  4. FEB 10

    Corey Davis: Building the Sober Golf Movement

    Corey Davis is 15 years sober – and he left a high-paying corporate career to build Soba Golf, a fast-growing community at the intersection of sobriety, wellness, and golf. Corey joins Zac and Jay to share how golf became more than a hobby: a daily practice in presence, humility, discipline, and emotional regulation – the same muscles recovery demands. He tells the origin story: during COVID, living with his in-laws on a golf course, buying clubs on eBay, and dropping his handicap from 30 to 3 in four years. They also unpack the “sober lifestyle” boom – what’s real vs. performative – and why Soba Golf is different. Corey reflects on back-to-back PGA Tour wins by sober players Chris Kirk and Grayson Murray, and how Murray’s tragic death later deepened the urgency behind his mission. Soba Golf now includes a digital community to find sober playing partners, weekly Thursday night meetings, and upcoming retreats designed to reimagine golf culture – with breath work, mindset coaching, meditation, and real connection. Plus: rapid-fire on shame, early sobriety, accepting help, and what “freedom” means on the other side. Connect with Zac https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclarkhttps://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:(914) 588-6564releaserecovery.com@releaserecovery

    1 hr

  5. JAN 27

    Rivkah Reyes: From School of Rock to a Life in Recovery

    In this episode, Zac and Jay sit down with Rivkah Reyes – actor, musician, and the bass player from School of Rock – for a candid, nuanced conversation about growing up in the spotlight, addiction at a young age, and finding sobriety. Together, they walk through Rivkah’s journey from child stardom into substance use, the role drugs and alcohol played in coping with pressure and identity, and how getting sober transformed her relationship with herself, her emotions, and her life. Rivkah opens up about the realities of addiction behind the scenes, and reflects on the stigma, shame, and courage involved in getting sober while still figuring out who you are – including coming out and embracing her sexuality. This is an honest, grounded exploration of what it means to heal, grow, and build a life in recovery. Connect with Zac: https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclarkhttps://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery: (914) 588-6564releaserecovery.com@releaserecovery

    55 min

  6. JAN 20

    Should You Take Drugs in Recovery? A Top Addiction Doctor Explains

    In this episode, Zac sits down with Release Recovery’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael McCormick, for a candid, nuanced conversation about one of the most controversial questions in recovery: can drugs ever help sobriety? Together, they break down three major categories of medications – benzodiazepines, stimulants, and opioid medications like Suboxone, methadone, and Vivitrol – and explain how each works in the brain, why they can be both lifesaving and dangerous, and how clinicians decide, case by case, when medication is part of recovery and when it becomes a risk. Dr. McCormick challenges black-and-white thinking about “being sober,” addresses the stigma many people face in the rooms of recovery, and shares how careful monitoring, individualized care, and real behavioral change are essential if medication is used at all. This is not a pro-drug or anti-drug episode – it’s an honest, clinically grounded exploration of the gray area where medicine, addiction, and recovery meet. Connect with Zachttps://www.instagram.com/zwclark/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c 746b96254/https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclarkhttps://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:(914) 588-6564 releaserecovery.com@releaserecovery

    46 min

  7. JAN 13

    ASK ME ANYTHING: The Questions Everyone Has About Sobriety

    In this Ask Me Anything episode, Zac kicks off 2026 by answering real questions from the community about sobriety, recovery, and mental health. Zac shares honest, grounded insight on topics people are often afraid to ask about – including California sober, medication-assisted treatment like Suboxone, dry January, cravings, acceptance, and whether a relationship with alcohol can ever truly change. He breaks down why recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, why community and purpose matter more than labels, and how autonomy plays a critical role in lasting change. The conversation also speaks directly to partners and loved ones: how to support someone in sobriety, how to recognize when drinking may be a problem, and why taking care of yourself is essential when someone you love is struggling. If you’re sober, curious about sobriety, supporting someone else, or just trying to make sense of it all, please give his episode a listen. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to do it alone. Connect with Zac https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/ https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclark https://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553 https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery: (914) 588-6564 releaserecovery.com @releaserecovery

    41 min

  8. JAN 7

    What Getting Sober ACTUALLY Looks Like

    On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Grace Adams joins Zac and Jay for an honest and funny conversation about what early sobriety actually looks like.  They start with a hot topic that brings all sorts of opinions: dating in sobriety. Is “don’t date for a year” real wisdom… or an arbitrary rule people cling to? Zac and Jay break down why recovery can’t be one-size-fits-all – and how the wrong guidance can push people into obsession, fear, or dependency on personalities rather than recovery-building principles.  Then Grace opens up about her story: a disciplined performing arts kid who hit college freedom like a hurricane, the moment the police found her blacked out in her dorm, and the brutal truth that shame didn’t make her stop drinking. She shares what it looked like to “control” drinking — switching alcohols, counting glasses, and even going to a restaurant with a journal to write about her relationship with alcohol… while getting drunk. The conversation gets real about the hidden danger for young women: blackout culture, risky situations, sexual trauma, and the isolating belief that you should be able to fix it alone. Zac, Jay, and Grace land on the thing that keeps showing up: peer-to-peer recovery — one person sharing their story with another so shame breaks, hope shows up, and life becomes possible again. If you’re newly sober, thinking about getting sober, or love someone who is – this is a great conversation for you. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to do it alone. Connect with Zac https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/ https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclark https://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553 https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery: (914) 588-6564 releaserecovery.com @releaserecovery

    1h 1m
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4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Twelve years ago, I was smoking crack, shooting dope, unhappily married, broke, and hopeless. My story isn't unique, but I'm one of the fortunate ones. I never wanted to do a podcast, but I see the world burning — substance use, depression, anxiety, suicide — and the conversations that need to happen aren't. This podcast is a platform to have these hard conversations. With experts, frontline heroes, voices we know and the many we need to know, my intent is to confront these issues head-on and, most importantly, offer solutions and hope.

Information

  • Creator
    Zac Clark
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Zac Clark
  • Show Website
    The Zac Clark Show

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