TheWillpowerPodcast with Will Gordon

Will Gordon
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Sobriety podcast featuring real addiction recovery stories and practical tools that actually work. I'm Will Gordon. Boston school teacher, two-time organ transplant survivor, and a guy who used to hide vodka bottles in places I don't even like remembering. At 35, my liver and kidneys were done. Doctors said weeks, maybe less. Transplants gave me a second shot. Sobriety gave me everything else. This isn't some shiny recovery show. It's raw conversations about what addiction actually feels like, how messy getting sober really is, and the quiet moments that slowly pull you back to life. Every Friday I talk with people who've been to the edge - some still hanging on by their fingernails - and we unpack the doubts, the small wins, the tools that actually work when everything else fails. If you're fighting cravings, questioning if it's worth it, or just need to hear someone who gets it... this is for you. Real stories. Real tools. No b******t. AND ALWAYS with Respect and Compassion. 🎧 New Episodes Every Friday: One listen could reframe your life. 🙏 Every donation helps keep this content going and reaching the people who need it most. → https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast JOIN THE MOVEMENT: YouTube: @TheWillpowerPodcast (full video eps—subscribe for the visuals that hit harder).Audio Platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, AudibleInstagram: @thewillpowerpodcast (daily Reels, tips, and community vibes).TikTok: @willgordonsober Connect Direct: thewillpowerpodcast@gmail.com. Book a FREE 30-minute sober mentoring session via my Calendly (link in IG bio too)—let's chat if you're ready to flip the script. "Your greatest comeback starts the moment you decide it's possible."  Feel that pull? Hit play. One story could change your lens. Subscribe, and let’s build something unstoppable. 

  1. I Did Kim Kardashian’s Intervention – The Reality of Family Interventions

    2D AGO

    I Did Kim Kardashian’s Intervention – The Reality of Family Interventions

    In this episode, I sit down with Evan Jarschauer, a licensed psychotherapist and one of the most experienced interventionists in the country. Evan has led interventions for families from all walks of life — including one that aired on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. We talk about what actually happens during a real intervention, the emotional weight of the job, and some of the heaviest cases he’s ever faced (including working with families where a parent is dying). Evan also opens up about his own childhood trauma and how it shaped the way he works with families today. Topics we cover: - What really happens behind the scenes of a family intervention - The emotional toll of working with families in crisis - Why denial is so powerful (and the most common things people say) - The difference between people who stay sober long-term vs. those who don’t - What it’s like when a dying parent wants to see their child get help before they pass If you love someone who’s struggling with addiction or mental health, this episode offers a rare look into how families can actually get help. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:45 – Evan’s personal story & childhood trauma 06:41 – Doing Kim Kardashian’s intervention 11:27 – What actually happens during a real intervention 14:12 – The hardest cases (including dying parents) 18:16 – Common things people in deep denial say 21:16 – Why the substance is usually a symptom, not the root 23:32 – What actually determines long-term recovery 27:11 – What families should do first when someone is struggling 31:52 – What keeps Evan doing this work Evan’s Website: behavioralhelp.com If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. #Intervention #AddictionRecovery #FamilyIntervention #MentalHealth --- My Links: - Sober Mentoring: https://calendly.com/thewillpowerpodcast/30min - Instagram: @thewillpowerpodcast - TikTok: @willgordonsober

    37 min
  2. I Died for 3 Minutes in a Car Crash… Then God Spoke to Me

    MAY 8

    I Died for 3 Minutes in a Car Crash… Then God Spoke to Me

    Matt Farnsworth had 11 years of sobriety… then everything fell apart. In this raw and powerful conversation, Matt shares how a toxic relationship, a relapse, and a horrific car accident that left him dead for 3 minutes completely changed his life. He opens up about white-knuckling sobriety, codependency, Hollywood darkness, and the moment he finally cried out to God on a bathroom floor. This is one of the most honest and emotional recovery stories we’ve ever had on The Willpower Podcast. Timestamps: 00:00 - The Night Everything Changed 03:45 - 11 Years Sober & The Relapse 08:20 - The Car Crash That Killed Him for 3 Minutes 15:10 - Crying Out to God on the Bathroom Floor 22:40 - The Hollywood Darkness No One Talks About 31:15 - Rock Bottom as a Launch Pad 38:50 - How God Removed His Anxiety Overnight 44:10 - Life After Recovery & Finding Real Peace If you’re struggling with addiction, relapse, or feeling like you’ve hit rock bottom — this episode is for you. If you’re struggling right now, please know that help is always there. You don’t have to do this alone. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 24/7, free, and confidential. Or reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 👉 Subscribe for more raw recovery stories every week. Follow Matt Farnsworth: Website: mattfarnsworth.net Book: The Comeback Blueprint (on Amazon) App: Armor Up (Gospel Warrior) #Sobriety #Recovery #RockBottom #Faith #Addiction The Willpower Podcast is all about real stories, real struggles, and real hope. Have a story? Think sharing would help? TheWillpowerPodcast@gmail.com

    38 min
  3. Liver Transplant Survivor: Nathan Cheatwood’s Raw Story of Rock Bottom to Rebirth

    MAY 1

    Liver Transplant Survivor: Nathan Cheatwood’s Raw Story of Rock Bottom to Rebirth

    This episode is raw, emotional, and deeply personal. Nathan Cheatwood is a liver transplant survivor who went through end-stage liver failure from alcohol addiction in 2023. He received his new liver after only 10 days on the transplant list and turned his entire journey into the world’s first AI-assisted autobiographical short film called “Second Chances: Rebirth.” In this conversation we talk about: - The slow descent into daily drinking - The lies we tell ourselves while our bodies are shutting down - Getting the call for a new liver - Waking up after surgery in excruciating pain - The mental battle of staying sober after transplant - The powerful “light bulb moment” that changed everything - Finding purpose and helping others If you’re struggling with alcohol, liver disease, or waiting for a transplant — this one is for you. If you’re struggling right now, please know that help is always there. You don’t have to do this alone. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 24/7, free, and confidential. Or reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Why This Episode Matters 01:59 Nathan’s Story Begins 04:12 The Mental Grip of Alcohol 07:12 The Lies We Tell Ourselves 10:19 The Turning Point – Going to the Hospital 12:57 Getting the Call for a New Liver 15:06 Waking Up After Surgery 17:43 The Hardest Part – Physical & Emotional 21:01 The Light Bulb Moment 25:06 Life After Transplant & Staying Sober 29:00 The Biggest Gift This Second Chance Gave Him 31:15 Message of Hope to Anyone Struggling Nathan’s Film: Second Chances: Rebirth → Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@2ndchancesfilm Follow Nathan: Instagram: @2ndchancesfilm If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. #LiverTransplant #TransplantSurvivor #AlcoholRecovery #RockBottom #SecondChance #AddictionRecovery #WillpowerPodcast 📅 My Calendly for 1-on-1 sober mentoring: link in bio 👈 Thank you for supporting my mission to lessen the suffering of other ❤️‍🩹🤘-will

    38 min
  4. From Heroin Hell to 100K Runs: How Running Saved Shawn Livingston

    APR 3 ·  BONUS

    From Heroin Hell to 100K Runs: How Running Saved Shawn Livingston

    Family, that’s Shawn Livingston — four-time felon, heroin survivor, ultra-runner, and living proof that your lowest moment can become your greatest purpose Shawn Livingston went from high school basketball star to Air Force vet, heroin addict, 4-time felon, and prison time… until a mirror moment and a simple running group changed everything. He shares the raw truth about recovery bubbles, Scientology rehab madness, military painkiller hell, and how finding something that "lit a fire under his ass" rebuilt his body, mind, and purpose. If you're battling addiction, liver/kidney recovery, or just feel stuck in sobriety — this is your reminder: recovery is the foundation, not your whole life. Find what excites you to wake up every morning. Watch Shawn's documentary "100 Miles to Redemption" on Amazon: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0Q92IH29KIQG1EJ3K381552TQR/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Follow Shawn: @iamredemption + his "I Am Redemption" podcast Drop in the comments: What's YOUR "fire under the ass" thing? Tag a friend who needs this. Timestamps below ↓ If my transplant journey and these stories help you, hit subscribe, like, and share — we're building real recovery impact together. Booking speaking? DM me. #Sobriety #Recovery #AddictionRecovery TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 – New Intro + Shawn’s Big Lesson 1:45 – Car Crash That Ended Basketball Dreams 4:30 – Oxy to Heroin Pipeline 8:10 – Scientology Rehab Madness (you won’t believe this) 12:00 – Military Injury & Painkillers 16:30 – Prison Wake-Up Call 21:00 – The Mirror Moment That Changed Everything 25:45 – How Running Lit the Fire 32:00 – Lance Armstrong Podcast + Documentary Story 38:00 – Vulnerability Pays Off 44:00 – Actionable Steps: Find Your Fire 52:00 – Final Wisdom + Where to Find Shawn And if you find value in the content we're creating. A coffee is a great way to support the channel. 🤝 https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

    55 min
  5. Relapse Isn’t Failure: How Shame Almost Killed My Liver

    MAR 27

    Relapse Isn’t Failure: How Shame Almost Killed My Liver

    Hey everybody, welcome back to The Willpower Podcast. I was a Boston teacher sneaking bottles, blacking out, and waking up yellow-eyed in a hospital bed with doctors telling my wife I had two weeks left. Liver and kidneys gone. Two transplants later I’m sober, but I still remember the crushing shame that kept pulling me back every time I slipped. Today Chris Cummins (operations at Laguna Treatment Center, biggest detox/recovery hospital in Orange County) gets it from the other side. He’s seen thousands walk in defeated after relapse, carrying the same shame that almost ended me. Chris shares his own raw story — starting shots at 11, snorting methadone in PE, his fraternity rock-bottom “united front” intervention — and why relapse is the disease talking, NOT failure. We break down how shame kills progress, why family systems keep the cycle going, the “pink cloud” trap after detox, and the gratitude hack that kills shame before it kills your recovery. This one’s for anyone who’s relapsed and hates themselves for it… or watching someone they love spiral. Key moments: 00:00 — My shame story + Chris’s first words to relapsed patients 02:31 — Chris’s childhood: 8 shots before school at 11 12:51 — The “united front” rock bottom that saved us both 15:18 — Why shame is a self-fulfilling prophecy (review the tape like an Olympian) 19:47 — Family homeostasis — the #1 thing that makes relapse worse 25:48 — Daily gratitude tool that actually kills shame If this hits you or someone you love, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway — it helps more people than you know. Need 1:1 help breaking the shame cycle and staying sober? Book a mentoring call — link in bio. #Sobriety #RelapseRecovery #LiverFailure #BeatShame #WillpowerPodcast 📍Chapters:00:00 — Welcome: My Yellow-Eyed Rock Bottom & Why Shame Keeps Us Stuck 02:31 — Chris’s Story: First Shots at 11 & Building a Drinker Reputation 12:51 — The “United Front” Intervention That Changed Everything 15:18 — Relapse Isn’t Failure — Review the Tape Like an Olympian 19:47 — Family Disease: Why Homeostasis Makes Relapse Almost Impossible 22:11 — Chronic Relapse Programs & Value-Based Aftercare That Actually Works 25:48 — The Daily Gratitude Tool That Kills Shame Before It Kills Recovery 33:56 — Pink Cloud Warning & Why Most People Relapse After Discharge 🔥 8 Actionable Takeaways! First words to someone who relapsed: “I’m glad you’re alive.” No shame — just hope.Shame is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Review the “tape” like a pro athlete instead of beating yourself up.Relapse is the disease talking — not a personal failure. Those 999 sober days still count.Change your environment AND include family in treatment. Homeostasis will pull you right back otherwise.Families: Stop hyper-vigilant blame. Open communication + shared accountability = real recovery.Chronic relapsers: Get into specialized groups with people who get it. Longer stays = better outcomes.Aftercare hack: Demand value-based agreements and open conversations between facilities.Daily tool: Start small with gratitude (“I’m grateful for this coffee”). It crowds out shame. Thank you all for listening/watching. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

    35 min
  6. Hazelden Betty Ford: Real Recovery When Alcohol Wrecks Your Liver (Joseph Skrajewski)

    MAR 20

    Hazelden Betty Ford: Real Recovery When Alcohol Wrecks Your Liver (Joseph Skrajewski)

    This episode is part of Podcasthon 2026 — thousands of podcasts dropping special episodes to spotlight nonprofits and raise funds for addiction recovery. I’m honored to feature Hazelden Betty Ford because their work saves lives and it’s personal for me. Joseph Skrajewski (National Director of Business Development – Healthcare Solutions at Hazelden Betty Ford) joins me for a raw, honest conversation about what actually works when alcohol is destroying bodies and families. We cover: How alcohol wrecks the liver and relationshipsMedical detox for cirrhosis, encephalopathy, and organ damageThe groundbreaking Sesame Street partnership for kids in addicted familiesRebuilding trust after addictionReal hope stories and why you don’t have to hit rock bottomIf you’re in liver failure, watching someone you love spiral, or just stuck in the shame loop — this one’s for you. Hazelden Betty Ford Resources: https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Podcasthon 2026 01:00 Joseph’s background & recovery story 03:10 Sesame Street partnership for kids 04:08 Medical detox for liver damage 07:04 Reaching out before it’s too late 08:51 Real hope stories from families 11:07 Free resources & how to get help Like, subscribe, and share if this helped — every view supports Podcasthon’s mission. #Podcasthon2026 #HazeldenBettyFord #AddictionRecovery #LiverFailure #SoberParenting #SobrietyJourney #FamilyHealing

    14 min
  7. “Burnout Felt Like Relapse Fog” – Jon Gustin (@thetireddad) on Sobriety, Dad Life & New Book

    MAR 13

    “Burnout Felt Like Relapse Fog” – Jon Gustin (@thetireddad) on Sobriety, Dad Life & New Book

    Hey family, it's Will Gordon on The Willpower Podcast. Two years ago yellow-eyed in a hospital bed, kidneys/liver gone from blackouts—docs said two weeks. Two transplants later, sober, but I still know the numb fog when life's grinding you down. Jon Gustin—@thetireddad to over 2 million followers—gets it from the dad side. First kid in 2016 hit like a mirror: childhood stuff undone, marriage holes, alcohol numbing everything since age 14 (alcohol poisoning in ninth grade). Quit 2023 after tolerance exploded—now 3+ years sober, co-hosts The Tired Dad & Tired Mom Podcast with wife Jessica (@the.tiredmom), and his book "The Tired Dad" drops May 5 (pre-order now at tireddad.com—100 reflections on showing up exhausted, legacy, vulnerability; extras include 5 bonus reflections + curated soundtrack). We go deep: Becoming a dad flipped everything: "Shit, figure life out"Generational cycles: Breaking military-style discipline, no emotional connectSobriety grind: Dry Jan fails, first-year hell, stacking winsBurnout like pre-relapse: Numb, isolated—family walks & kindness as resetShame/regret flip: "Past had to happen for present"Legacy: Kids feel love through actions, not just wordsDads on fumes, anyone in recovery parenting, fighting numbness—this hits different. Liver transplant or dad burnout, the fight is showing up anyway. Timestamps: 00:00 – My transplant hell & Jon's dad mirror 05:00 – Sobriety wake-up: Alcohol since 14, quit 2023 12:00 – Generational cycles: Breaking no-connect patterns 20:00 – Burnout tools: Walks, kindness, getting uncomfortable 30:00 – Book tease: 100 reflections on showing up 40:00 – Legacy: Kids feel what you do Drop your takeaway: What's one cycle you're breaking? Tag a dad grinding. 👇 National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7 free) Follow Jon: IG/TikTok @thetireddad | Podcast: The Tired Dad & Tired Mom Pre-order book: tireddad.com (extras: soundtrack + bonus reflections) Subscribe for raw recovery stories. Much love, Will Gordon Two-time transplant survivor • Sober • Still fighting

    39 min
  8. Rare Liver Disease: Then Transplant, Sepsis & Rejection Nearly Broke Me – Daniel Eadle

    MAR 6

    Rare Liver Disease: Then Transplant, Sepsis & Rejection Nearly Broke Me – Daniel Eadle

    I know transplant hell—yellow eyes, sepsis scares, rejection fears, the mental limbo after waking up with someone else's organ keeping you alive. Two transplants later, sober and fighting, but I still remember the grind. Today's guest? Daniel Eadle, UK dad, husband, multi-genre drummer, and CEO of his heating business. Diagnosed at 19 with PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis) and autoimmune hepatitis—a rare, no-fault liver killer—he shrugged it off for over a decade, built his life, started a family, and kept pushing. Then April 2025: full liver transplant, sepsis, infections, massive rejection bouts, six weeks in hospital, ATG nuking his immune system. But he prepped like a beast (gym, nutrition, Perspectum scans), leaned on wife/kids, and came back drumming, running his company, and advocating proactive care so others don't wait for crisis. We talk raw: Diagnosis at 19 with just a leaflet—Google spiral terror10 years grinding through flares, fatigue, yellow skin, varicose veins—still building business and familyNo-judgment compassion: Why he never judged "drinking" livers in hospital—everyone's fighting somethingTransplant call (three false alarms), high-risk surgery, mental crush no one preps you forPost-op rejection terror: "Didn't think I was coming out"Family fuel: Kids knowing everything, book "My Daddy Has Cirrhosis" to explain it allSecond-chance clarity: More active dad, less regrets on the table If you're facing chronic illness, waiting for transplant, supporting someone, or just need hope—this one's for you. Liver transplant's the same fight, alcohol or not. If you find value in what im doing. A coffee helps :) http://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast Timestamps 00:00 – My transplant parallels & intro to Daniel 03:00 – Diagnosis at 19: Leaflet drop & shrugging it off 08:45 – 10-year grind: Business, family, hidden fatigue 14:20 – Jaundice stares & no-judgment on "drinking" livers 19:50 – Proactive prep: Gym beast mode & Perspectum scans 25:10 – Transplant call, high-risk surgery, mental fear 31:00 – Sepsis, rejection, six weeks hospital hell 37:40 – Post-transplant limbo & new normal 42:00 – Advice: Ask questions, don't be scared—there's hope Drop your takeaway below: What's one thing you're fighting proactively today? Tag a warrior who needs this. National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7 free support) Follow Daniel: IG @daniel.eadle | TikTok @dddrummer (drumming vibes) PSC Support UK: pscsupport.org.uk Perspectum (scans): perspectum.com Subscribe for more raw recovery stories. Hit like/share if this hit. Much love, Will Gordon Two-time transplant survivor • Sober • Still here for you

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Sobriety podcast featuring real addiction recovery stories and practical tools that actually work. I'm Will Gordon. Boston school teacher, two-time organ transplant survivor, and a guy who used to hide vodka bottles in places I don't even like remembering. At 35, my liver and kidneys were done. Doctors said weeks, maybe less. Transplants gave me a second shot. Sobriety gave me everything else. This isn't some shiny recovery show. It's raw conversations about what addiction actually feels like, how messy getting sober really is, and the quiet moments that slowly pull you back to life. Every Friday I talk with people who've been to the edge - some still hanging on by their fingernails - and we unpack the doubts, the small wins, the tools that actually work when everything else fails. If you're fighting cravings, questioning if it's worth it, or just need to hear someone who gets it... this is for you. Real stories. Real tools. No b******t. AND ALWAYS with Respect and Compassion. 🎧 New Episodes Every Friday: One listen could reframe your life. 🙏 Every donation helps keep this content going and reaching the people who need it most. → https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast JOIN THE MOVEMENT: YouTube: @TheWillpowerPodcast (full video eps—subscribe for the visuals that hit harder).Audio Platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, AudibleInstagram: @thewillpowerpodcast (daily Reels, tips, and community vibes).TikTok: @willgordonsober Connect Direct: thewillpowerpodcast@gmail.com. Book a FREE 30-minute sober mentoring session via my Calendly (link in IG bio too)—let's chat if you're ready to flip the script. "Your greatest comeback starts the moment you decide it's possible."  Feel that pull? Hit play. One story could change your lens. Subscribe, and let’s build something unstoppable. 

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