The Next Fix

Ryan Penley
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Sobriety is just the beginning⛓️‍💥—The Next Fix shares comeback stories that spark reinvention🚀. Host Ryan Penley, founder of the My Rock Bottom Recovery community, sits down with addicts, alcoholics, addiction specialists, healing practitioners and people dedicated to rebuilding after hitting rock bottom 📈. Each episode delivers real strategies for goal achievement, resilience and self‑discovery beyond addiction, helping you turn recovery into a purposeful new chapter🏆. If you’re ready to redefine yourself and pursue a life filled with meaning, this show guides you through what comes next. Backed by a recovery community of over 240,000 followers, The Next Fix is more than inspiration—it’s a movement. Join us weekly and connect with the community at https://www.facebook.com/myrockbottomrecovery

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    Disbarred, Sober, and Starting Over | Les Delaney Hawkins Ep43

    A successful Boston attorney. Three forged documents. Six felony convictions. Les Delaney Hawkins knew the law. As her drinking spiraled, she made choices that cost her career, her reputation, and nearly her freedom. But she’s clear about one thing: alcoholism doesn’t erase her responsibility. In this episode of The Next Fix, Les joins Ryan Penley to tell the story of a very public rock bottom, getting sober, and building a life she never imagined. She opens up about drinking around the clock, forging liquor-licensing documents, and watching her downfall become news. She faced a possible prison sentence, pleaded guilty to six felony counts, and received three years of probation. Losing her law license meant losing the career that had become her identity. Even those consequences hadn’t reached her the way one conversation over coffee finally did. Today, Les is the founder of Sober & Curious Boston, a nonprofit creating friendship, adventure, and connection without alcohol. What started with a hike and 12 people grew into a Facebook community approaching 10,000 members at the time of recording. She began building that community while still waiting to learn whether she would go to prison. We talk about: How professional success helped her hide an escalating alcohol addiction.The words that finally broke through her denial.Facing shame and taking responsibility for her choices.Why she needed friendship, purpose, and a new life alongside recovery meetings.Creating a community that welcomes people in recovery, sober-curious people, and anyone who wants to socialize without drinking.If you’ve ever wondered how to move forward after consequences you can’t undo, this conversation is for you. Connect with Les and Sober & Curious Boston: Website: https://sobercuriousboston.com Les: https://www.instagram.com/lesdh1984/ Sober & Curious Boston: https://www.instagram.com/soberboston/ Follow The Next Fix for honest conversations about recovery, responsibility, and what comes next.

  2. Sep 26 ·  Video

    He Walked Away From One IPA and Never Stopped Building | Rhett Sullivan Ep42

    He woke up in a hospital with two days missing. Then he went home and drank again. A few weeks later, Rhett Sullivan ordered his favorite IPA. When it arrived, he left it untouched and walked out. That was July 17, 2020. He hasn’t had a drink since. Today, Rhett is married, looking forward to starting a family, and building a life he once could only dream about. His warmth and optimism run through this entire conversation. In this episode of The Next Fix, Rhett and Ryan talk about the peace he found in AA, the support of the woman who became his wife, and the confidence that came from keeping a promise to himself. Rhett also shares how he sold roughly 20,000 used books on Amazon before starting a cleaning business with about $500. Two years in, he expected the business to bring in around $40,000 in revenue during the month of this conversation. Ryan shares how addiction once narrowed his own view of the future to a four-hour window. Together, they explore what becomes possible when you can finally look farther ahead. Rhett’s message to anyone starting over: “Just keep going. Know it’s gonna get better.” CONNECT WITH RHETT The Glebe Clean: https://theglebeclean.com/ FOLLOW THE NEXT FIX Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-fix/id1737680071 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ytlQkbD5R8vxtM3KAO0Xs MORE FROM RYAN https://www.ryanpenley.org/ If Rhett’s story brings someone to mind, send them this episode. And follow The Next Fix for more conversations about what people build after recovery.

  3. Sep 19 ·  Video

    8 Years Sober. A Recovery Pastor. Then He Relapsed. Ep41

    George Lynch was helping other people get sober while his own life was falling apart. After eight years of sobriety, the recovery pastor picked up a drink. In this episode of The Next Fix, I sit down with George for an honest conversation about addiction, faith, relapse, and finding your way back when you thought you already knew the way. George shares his journey from drinking at 11 and struggling with heroin and meth to prison, recovery, and becoming a pastor. But his story didn’t stop at the comeback. Behind the smile he brought to church, his marriage was unraveling, and he was carrying pain he wasn’t addressing. He opens up about stepping away from ministry after his relapse, the people who showed up when he needed help, and the long process of returning to sobriety and rebuilding his life. One conversation with his sponsor brought a difficult truth into focus: he knew how to work the steps, but he wasn’t living their principles in every part of his life. We talk about: The advice from a fellow inmate that changed his direction.Relapsing after eight years sober while leading a recovery community.Divorce, resentment, and telling everyone you’re fine when you aren’t.How faith, recovery, and accountability came together in his life.Rebuilding a healthy co-parenting relationship and returning to ministry. George now serves as director of Dynamic Life Recovery, a men’s recovery residence in Vero Beach, Florida, and as pastor of Recovery Church Vero Beach. Explore his work and connect with him: Dynamic Life Recovery: dynamiclifevero.comRecovery Church: recovery.churchInstagram: @george_lynch_ivFacebook: George Lynch If you’re the person everyone leans on, this conversation is for you. Share it with someone who needs a reminder that they can ask for help, too. Follow The Next Fix with Ryan Penley for more honest conversations about sobriety, second chances, and building a life worth staying sober for.

  4. Sep 12 ·  Video

    After Losing Both Children, He Chose to Help Others Recover | Dave Mahler Ep40

    Dave Mahler lost both of his children. He still chose to show up for families fighting addiction. This is what a comeback through grief looks like. Dave survived 9/11, lost his daughter Dana to fentanyl poisoning, and later endured the death of his son. He could have allowed that grief to close him off from the world. Instead, he left Wall Street and devoted his life to helping individuals and families find recovery. In this powerful return to The Next Fix, Dave explains why getting sober and living in recovery are not the same thing. “Sobriety is physical. Recovery is change.” We talk about what real recovery requires, how connection can interrupt addiction, and why serving someone else can help us survive what we never thought we could carry. In this episode: • The difference between sobriety and recovery • A father’s journey through unimaginable grief • Why relapse does not have to be inevitable • How families can participate in recovery • Breaking a destructive habit one moment at a time • Recovery coaching and sober transportation • Dave’s live-in sober companion work • Finding the courage to share your story • Turning pain into purpose through service Dave Mahler is the founder of Ground Zero Recovery Coaching and the author of “From Stigma to Sanity.” Connect with Dave: Ground Zero Recovery Coaching https://www.groundzerorecoverycoaching.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Ground-Zero-Recovery-Coaching/100067664186542/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/groundzerorecoverycoaching/ Phone: 347-687-9766 If this conversation reaches you at the right time, share it with someone who needs to know that loss does not have to be the end of their story. Subscribe to The Next Fix for honest conversations about addiction, recovery, resilience, and what it takes to build a comeback. #TheNextFix #AddictionRecovery #Comeback

  5. Sep 5 ·  Video

    She Was 6 and Had Never Slept in a Bed | Luke Mickelson Ep39

    Six-year-old Haley was sleeping on a pile of school clothes. When Luke Mickelson delivered her first bed, she hugged and kissed it. Her mother stood nearby with tears running down her face. Luke had come to deliver furniture. He left understanding that this was about far more than a place to sleep. Sleep in Heavenly Peace founder Luke Mickelson joins Ryan Penley to share the story behind a Christmas garage project that grew into a movement providing beds for hundreds of thousands of children. At the heart of this conversation is Haley, a little girl who was proud to show visitors her bedroom even though she had never had a bed. Her story reveals an overlooked need in our own communities, and what ordinary people can do about it. Luke also opens up about the successful life that still left him feeling empty, teaching his children the joy of giving, and the small moments of compassion that become something meaningful when we act on them. In this episode: Haley’s first bed and the reaction Luke will never forget.Why a bed means dignity, belonging, and a place to feel safe.How volunteers build and deliver beds for children in their own communities.The difference between wanting to change and taking action.Finding purpose through service, connection, and helping someone else. You don’t have to start a nonprofit to make a difference. You can start by noticing someone who needs you. CONNECT WITH LUKE AND SUPPORT THE MISSION Sleep in Heavenly Peace, including volunteering, donations, and bed requests: https://shpbeds.org Luke’s website and speaking information: https://lukemickelson.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shpluke Speaking inquiries: luke@lukemickelson.com Follow The Next Fix on Apple Podcasts for honest conversations about recovery, purpose, and what we build next. If Haley’s story moves you, share this episode with someone who would want to help.

  6. Aug 29 ·  Video

    Why Sobriety Was Only the Beginning for Greg Wallan Ep38

    Greg Wallan survived an overdose, watched addiction tear through his family, and still discovered that getting sober was only the beginning. His real enemy was drift: the slow surrender of your attention, identity and future to anything that keeps you from becoming who you were created to be. In this powerful episode of The Next Fix, Greg shares how prescription pain medication led him into addiction, how his mother’s final words awakened his faith, and how he rebuilt his life through recovery, discipline, exercise and purpose. In this episode of The Next Fix, Ryan and Greg discuss: • How prescription pain medication opened the door to addiction • The overdose that nearly ended Greg’s life • His mother’s final words and the spiritual experience surrounding them • Why sobriety alone was never a big enough goal • How exercise helped him feel naturally high on life • Why addiction exists on a spectrum • The danger of drifting through an unintentional life • Why recovery may require completely changing your environment • Greg’s developing ten-week transformation process, The Hero Protocol • How discipline, purposeful goals and faith can help someone move from surviving to thriving Greg Wallan is a father, entrepreneur, recovery advocate and performance coach who has been drug-free since 2010. Today, he is building businesses, helping men pursue meaningful transformation and working to become the polar opposite of the person addiction once made him. Connect with Greg: Website: https://wallancoaching.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakingupwallan/ Free Solo Tree Climbing: https://www.instagram.com/freesolotreeclimbing/ Follow The Next Fix for honest comeback stories from people who discovered that sobriety was not the finish line. It was the beginning.

  7. Aug 22 ·  Video

    35 Years of Drinking Ended With One Promise | Ali Burke Ep37

    Ali Burke’s longest relationship was with alcohol. After more than 35 years, everything changed following one final wedding and one brutal drive home. She started drinking at 14, admitted at 19 that she might be an alcoholic, lost her license three times for DUI, and still could not break the cycle. Sick, ashamed, and terrified of ever feeling that way again, Ali recorded a video and looked herself in the eye: “You’ll never ever, ever feel like this again.” She has not had a drink since. In this episode of The Next Fix, Ali opens up about becoming the funny party girl, using alcohol to find confidence and belonging, surviving an alcohol-fueled marriage, coping with miscarriage through drinking, and recognizing how her addiction was affecting her daughter. But this is not simply a story about quitting alcohol. Ali shares the work that came next: sitting with her pain, learning to meditate and journal, rebuilding her identity, reparenting herself, and transforming lived experience into service. Today, Ali is more than five years sober and co-hosts Laughs Without Lager, an honest Australian podcast about sobriety, healing, identity, connection, and life beyond alcohol. We also explore why addiction can become a superpower when its intensity is aimed at recovery, purpose, and helping other people. If you are sober, sober-curious, struggling with addiction, or wondering whether life can become bigger after alcohol, Ali’s story is proof that sobriety is just the beginning. CONNECT WITH ALI Ali on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idontdrinkfullstop/ Laughs Without Lager on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laughswithoutlager/ Listen to Laughs Without Lager: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/laughs-without-lager/id1813514971 Podcast website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2470602 If this conversation reaches you, share it with someone who needs to know that change is still possible. #podcastclips #sobriety #addiction #addictionrecovery #wedorecover

  8. Aug 15 ·  Video

    The Last $20 That Changed Josh Contreras’ Life Ep36

    Josh Contreras had four weeks to get clean and reclaim a $47-an-hour union ironworker job. One hour before the meeting that could give him his career back, he was still smoking meth and crying as he lit the pipe. That was when “powerless” stopped being a word on the wall and became his reality. In this raw conversation with Ryan Penley, Josh shares how meth addiction cost him his career, damaged nearly every relationship in his life, and left him unable to stop using even when everything he wanted was within reach. His recovery began with one honest decision. Josh spent his final $20 on the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text because he knew that if he carried the money home, he would use it to buy meth. That night became January 24, 2023, his clean date. With help from his sponsor, Billy, Josh began rebuilding his life through meetings, step work, prayer, accountability, humility, and service. Then, with only about 45 days clean, Jesse, the ironworker who fought to get Josh his career back, died from an overdose. Josh had every reason to return to the drug. Instead, he reached out, allowed others to support him, and stayed clean. In this episode: • Why a $47-an-hour job still could not make Josh stop using meth • What it felt like to use against his own will • The final $20 decision that changed his life • How service and humility helped dismantle his ego • The overdose that tested his recovery at 45 days clean • Why Josh now finds purpose in sponsoring and serving others • His goal of becoming a recovery coach Josh’s story is proof that recovery is not built through willpower alone. It begins when we stop surrendering to the drug and surrender to a solution. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Meet Josh Contreras 00:02:05 Losing His Career 00:04:57 Four Weeks to Quit 00:10:26 One Last Meeting 00:26:38 Jesse’s Final Gift 00:34:07 Purpose After Meth CONNECT WITH JOSH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditchum_433/ MORE FROM RYAN PENLEY https://ryanpenley.org/ Josh shares only his personal experience and does not represent Narcotics Anonymous.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Sobriety is just the beginning⛓️‍💥—The Next Fix shares comeback stories that spark reinvention🚀. Host Ryan Penley, founder of the My Rock Bottom Recovery community, sits down with addicts, alcoholics, addiction specialists, healing practitioners and people dedicated to rebuilding after hitting rock bottom 📈. Each episode delivers real strategies for goal achievement, resilience and self‑discovery beyond addiction, helping you turn recovery into a purposeful new chapter🏆. If you’re ready to redefine yourself and pursue a life filled with meaning, this show guides you through what comes next. Backed by a recovery community of over 240,000 followers, The Next Fix is more than inspiration—it’s a movement. Join us weekly and connect with the community at https://www.facebook.com/myrockbottomrecovery

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Penley
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    131
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ryan Penley
  • Show Website
    The Next Fix