What happens when a man walks through addiction, trauma, broken relationships, and a near-death experience—and comes out the other side with clarity, faith, and purpose? In this long-form conversation, Jeff Gould sits down with longtime friend and broadcaster Bill Palanuk for one of the most honest and revealing discussions you’ll hear. This is not a surface-level interview. It’s a deep, unfiltered conversation about the realities of addiction, the weight of personal history, and the difficult but powerful process of rebuilding a life from the ground up. Bill’s story spans decades. From his early years in radio, living the fast-paced “on-air personality” lifestyle, to quietly battling nicotine addiction, alcohol dependency, and internal struggles that few people ever saw. He opens up about what it took to finally say enough—walking away from smoking, chewing tobacco, and drinking, not through perfection, but through a moment of truth that forced him to confront who he had become. But that was only the beginning. Shortly after making those changes, Bill suffered a stroke—an event that stripped away his ability to speak, process language, and function normally. What followed was not just physical recovery, but a profound internal shift. During that experience, Bill describes a level of peace and calm that fundamentally changed how he views life, death, and everything in between. As doctors searched for answers, they uncovered something even more shocking: a hole in his heart that had been there since birth. A condition that, in many ways, explained a lifetime of symptoms and struggles. The procedure to repair it, the complications that followed, and the long road back add another layer to an already extraordinary story. Throughout this conversation, Bill also speaks candidly about PTSD, family trauma, and the long-term effects of growing up in an environment shaped by addiction. He shares how those experiences influenced his behavior, his identity, and the way he navigated the world for years. This is also a conversation about transformation. Bill talks about sobriety—not just as the absence of alcohol, but as a way of thinking, living, and processing life differently. He breaks down the daily practices that keep him grounded: gratitude, faith, discipline, and connection. He shares the principles he now lives by—God, love, forgiveness, gratitude, serenity, courage, and wisdom—and how those guide his decisions today. There are also moments of reflection on friendship, storytelling, and the lost art of truly listening. Jeff and Bill revisit their early days in broadcasting, the discipline required in radio, and the difference between interviews and real conversations. This episode is not rushed. It takes its time. And it rewards you for staying with it. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, faced a health scare, questioned your path, or wondered if it’s too late to change—this story will meet you where you are. Subscribe for more long-form conversations that go beyond the surface and explore what really shapes a life. New episodes released every Thursday. #BillPalanuk #JeffGould #americasstoryteller #Storytelling #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #StrokeSurvivor #NearDeathExperience #PersonalTransformation #FaithJourney #Resilience #LifeLessons #SelfImprovement #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSDRecovery #TraumaHealing #RecoveryStory #OvercomingAdversity #GrowthMindset #Inspiration #Motivation #LifeAfterAddiction #SpiritualGrowth #AuthenticConversations #PodcastLife #LongFormContent #HumanExperience #RebuildingLife #SecondChances #PurposeDrivenLife #DeepConversations ____ Learn all about America's Storyteller on his website: https://www.ilikethatstory.com Buy Jeff's books, CD, and audio book: https://www.ilikethatstory.net/shop Get urgent one-on-one coaching with Jeff now: https://calendly.com/jeffjgould Connect with Jeff on social media: LinkedIn — jeff-gould-americas-storyteller Twitter/X — https://x.com/jeffgouldstory Instagram — jeffgouldilikethatstory Facebook — jeffgouldilikethatstory For booking, contact: Email: book@ilikethatstory.net Phone: (605) 215-6414 or https://www.ilikethatstory.net/contact Send business/sponsorship inquiries to book@ilikethatstory.net © Jeff Gould, America's Storyteller This video is not to be reproduced without prior authorization. The original YouTube video may be distributed & embedded, if required. Callers waive all rights to privacy on this public call in show. If you need private coaching, pay for and book a call at https://www.ilikethatstory.com
