Dopenly Honest

Dopenly Honest
  • 5.0 (7)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Dopenly Honest is bold new podcast from Kentucky that’s breaking the silence around addiction and recovery. Hosted by Zavian Dre, this podcast shares real, unfiltered stories of pain, resilience and healing from people who made it out and found their way back to life. Join Zavian and a community of voices determined to break the chains of addiction together; one story, one voice, one truth at a time. Listen now.

  1. A Grateful Addict Will Never Relapse

    APR 22

    A Grateful Addict Will Never Relapse

    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. Born to a mother struggling with addiction and given a week to live by doctors, Micah’s life began with adversity. From the complexities of adoption and the revolving door of the foster care system Micah shares how he used violence and eventually drugs to "quiet the noise" of abandonment and trauma. 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. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Steve Peyton.

    44 min
  2. Peace, Faith, and Serenity

    APR 11

    Peace, Faith, and Serenity

    In this powerful episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with Matt Walters, who has nearly 2 decades of sobriety. Matt opens up about his journey from a childhood shaped by his father's binge drinking to his own deep struggle with alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and Quaaludes. This battle led to multiple arrests and strained his most important relationships, including his marriage. 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. The conversation also gets personal, as the host shares his own experiences with an addictive personality and struggles with gambling, making this a true two-way dialogue about the messy, ongoing work of recovery. Today, Matt is a trusted and respected member of his community, and his message to anyone still suffering is simple: come in with an open mind, give recovery a real chance, and know that a better life is waiting on the other side. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest Facebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production

    47 min
  3. Breaking The Cycle with Micah and Kyla

    MAR 22

    Breaking The Cycle with Micah and Kyla

    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. What We Discuss: The Roots of Chaos: Kyla shares her journey from a traumatic childhood in Ohio to a 13-year-old silencing her mind with substances, and the "popsicle-giving saint" named Agnes who first planted the seeds of faith. The Addictive Personality: Micah breaks down "desire out of control," explaining how an addictive spirit can jump from sports and shoes to substances. The Money Trap: A candid, emotional moment between our host and Micah about the "noise" of worldly success and why aggressively fighting the idol of money is essential for a thriving marriage. The Daily Bread: Why "faking the funk" doesn't work. The guests share their literal morning rituals, from 3:30 AM Bible studies to why every father needs to let his children hear him sing worship music. Whether you are in early recovery, a parent trying to break generational cycles, or someone just feeling crushed by the "noise" of the world, this episode serves as a touchstone for staying clean and finding strength through spirit, especially when things get intense. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest Facebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production

    1h 15m
  4. The High Cost of Low-Living

    MAR 11

    The High Cost of Low-Living

    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. Inside the Episode: The Prison Pivot: Why ToJo calls his time in the system one of the "best things that ever happened" to his foundation. The Fatherhood Gap: A transparent look at the pain of missing a child’s birth and the journey to becoming the father his six children deserve. The "Stop Sign" Analogy: A genius-level breakdown of why you can't just "slow down" when dealing with a life-threatening addiction. Connect with Tojo @ TojoBTV Support the Show: At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials:Instagram — @dopenlyhonestFacebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest TeamZavian Dre — Host & CreatorRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original MusicYeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production

    35 min
  5. Running isn't an Option

    FEB 22

    Running isn't an Option

    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. Drawing from the “Who Is an Addict?” reading in the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, Zavian reflects on what it means to accept the disease of addiction; and why coping skills aren’t optional in early recovery, they’re necessary for survival. This episode is a reminder that: You can’t treat addiction casually. You can’t heal what you won’t be honest about. And you can’t stay clean without action. At Dopenly Honest we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials!

    29 min
  6. This too shall pass

    FEB 11

    This too shall pass

    In this powerful episode of Dopenly Honest, Zavian sits down with Brooke Johnson who has been in recovery for nine years and is living proof that it is never too late to start over. Brooke’s story doesn’t hold back. Born into addiction, raised between chaos and her grandparents’ stability, Brooke started using at just 13 years old, sometimes with her own family.

  7. The Power of Showing Up

    JAN 22

    The Power of Showing Up

    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. With a clean date of February 17, 1998, Andre shares his journey from a young man just trying to fit in, to the depths of addiction, and finally to a life rebuilt through honesty, surrender, and service. Andre speaks openly about how addiction took control of his thinking, his relationships, and his sense of self, and how working a program one day at a time gave him a way back. 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. Whether you’re new to recovery, have years clean, or are still on the fence, this episode is full of honesty, wisdom, and hope for anyone who is still-suffering. Because as Andre reminds us: as long as there’s hope, there’s a chance.

    43 min
  8. Let's Get Straight To It--2026!

    JAN 11

    Let's Get Straight To It--2026!

    As we move into the New Year, Zavian takes time to look back on how far this podcast & his 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. Zavian reflects on the victories of 2025, the lives touched along the way, and the power of having a voice when life once felt meaningless. He lays out his vision for 2026: more exclusive interviews with people in recovery, deeper conversations with addiction counselors, doctors, and professionals in the field, and more content centered on hope, recovery, and transformation. This episode is about gratitude, growth, and purpose. Whether you’re in recovery, struggling with active addiction, or loving someone who is, this message is for you. Recovery is possible, freedom is real, and a new way of life is within reach.

    12 min
See All (13)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Dopenly Honest is bold new podcast from Kentucky that’s breaking the silence around addiction and recovery. Hosted by Zavian Dre, this podcast shares real, unfiltered stories of pain, resilience and healing from people who made it out and found their way back to life. Join Zavian and a community of voices determined to break the chains of addiction together; one story, one voice, one truth at a time. Listen now.

Information

  • Creator
    Dopenly Honest
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dopenly Honest
  • Show Website
    Dopenly Honest