Keepin' It Friel: Conversations on Recovery
28 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 41 ratingsKTLA News anchor and reporter Courtney Friel hosts a weekly podcast where she has candid conversations with celebrities and media personalities about their recovery from addiction. With over a decade of sobriety, Courtney hopes to inspire others struggling with addictions and show that recovery is possible, and that life can still be fun and rewarding without drugs or alcohol. Welcome to "Keepin' It Friel: Conversations on Recovery!"
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Episodes
Advocating for the Voiceless with Kiana Dean
April 22, 2020 12:41 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Kiana Dean, a 22 year old foster care advocate, who was born addicted to drugs due to her mom’s meth addiction during pregnancy. As a result of the drugs, the right side of Kiana’s face is paralyzed, she has a heart defect, and has had many surgeries. She bounced around foster homes until a woman she calls her “angel” adopted her. Amazingly, Kiana doesn’t have the victim mentality, and instead got the urge to fight for babies who can’t speak for themse...
Hitting Bottom at the Top with Sports & Celebrity Agent Darren Prince
April 01, 2020 12:43 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBDarren Prince is a prominent sports & celebrity agent whose clients have included Magic Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Carmen Electra and more. He is also the other of the book Aiming High: How a Prominent Sports and Celebrity Agent Hit Bottom at the Top. Darren opens up about his 24-year addiction to opioids. Darren's recovery journey is now going 11 years strong, and he is now helping others break free from addiction.
Detailing Sobriety with Former “Details Magazine” Editor in Chief Dan Peres
March 25, 2020 13:05 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Dan Peres, the former editor in chief of Details Magazine and author of the book “As Needed for Pain”. During Dan’s 15 years in charge at the magazine, he was secretly popping 60 opioids a day, and overdosed several times. He’d doctor shop, call in prescriptions for himself, and drive to Mexico for pills. Dan now has 12 years sober, loves being a dad to his three sons, and is trying to help de-stigmatize addiction.
Spreading Sober News with Laurie Dhue
March 18, 2020 11:38 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBLaurie Dhue was the first news anchor to work at all three cable news networks. While at Fox News Channel, Laurie’s drinking and cocaine use escalated. She ended up hiring an addiction specialist to help her get clean. Laurie now has 13 years sober, but at the 5 year mark, she attended an off the record dinner and a gossip magazine reporter outed her sobriety in an article the next day. While she wasn’t planning on going public, Laurie became a recovery advocate that day, and...
Inside the opioid addiction crisis with ‘American Fix’ author Ryan Hampton
March 11, 2020 12:58 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBRyan Hampton is an author and activist. He is the author of the book American Fix: Inside the Opioid Addiction Crisis-and How to End It. Ryan opens up about his addiction to heroin, and the challenges he encountered with the nation's treatment system. Ryan's experiences have led him to be at the forefront of advocating for addiction recovery reform.
Fashionably Sober with Lawrence Zarian
March 04, 2020 15:49 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Lawrence Zarian, a fashion expert who has covered hundreds of awards shows, and contributed to multiple TV networks, including here at KTLA. Lawrence now has 14 years sober, but before that, he thought his alcohol and cocaine addiction would ultimately kill him.
Selling Houses and Sobriety with Shelton Wilder
February 26, 2020 13:52 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBKeepin’ It Friel this week is Shelton Wilder, an LA real estate agent who was once featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank”. From age 18-30, Shelton drank every single day, until her girlfriends gave her an intervention. She went to rehab and has now been sober for 10 years.
Overcoming Alcoholism With Therapy with Psychotherapist Bianca Rodriguez | Keepin' It Friel
February 19, 2020 13:59 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Bianca Rodriguez, a licensed psychotherapist who helps people struggling with addiction. She also has 8 years sober from alcohol. Bianca used to get sick all the time from drinking too much, ending up in the fetal position crying and hating herself. Now she lives a calm, drama-free life and provides motivation to others through her “You Are Complete” life coach program.
Rob Koebel on Getting Sober After His Arrest
February 12, 2020 13:53 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Rob Koebel, a former TV news investigative reporter whose career imploded after he got drunk and was caught on camera urinating on the Apple store, then scuffling with the cops. He’s now coming up on seven years of sobriety.
Supermodel Sobriety with Jennifer Gimenez
February 05, 2020 15:20 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBKeepin’ It Friel this week is actress Jennifer Gimenez, who starred in the movies Blow, Vanilla Sky and Charlie’s Angels. She also appeared on the reality shows Celebrity Rehab and Sober House. Jennifer just celebrated 14 years of sobriety, but for many years she abused drugs and alcohol, and even overdosed once. Jenn now travels the country speaking as a recovery advocate.
Sports Illustrated Model Genevieve Morton Talks Sobriety
January 29, 2020 12:58 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBGenevieve Morton is a former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model from South Africa. She moved to Hollywood and seemed to be "living the life" with a successful career and a Maserati. However, she felt like she was dying inside because of her alcohol addiction. She was able to put two years sober together, only to have a boyfriend convince her to drink again one night. Since that slip, Genevieve now has almost 3 years booze-free.
Success After Recovery with Anna David
January 22, 2020 13:36 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBKeepin’ It Friel this week is Anna David, a NY Times best-selling author of 8 books, publisher, TV commentator, and recovery advocate. Anna recently celebrated 19 years clean from drugs and alcohol. She hit rock bottom after being holed up in her apartment for weeks with her cats, doing cocaine.
Spreading Hope with Brandon Novak
January 15, 2020 13:52 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Brandon Novak, a former professional skateboarder and star of the MTV show JackAss. Brandon is coming up on five years sober from alcohol and heroin. After spending a year in jail, he finally surrendered to his addiction during his 13th rehab. He now speaks around the country.
A New Way of Life with Activist Susan Burton
January 08, 2020 13:42 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Susan Burton, an activist who’s been called a “modern day Harriet Tubman” for her work helping incarcerated women reintegrate back into society. Susan knows what prison is like. She went 6 times herself for drug offenses. She became addicted to drugs after her 5 year old son was struck and killed by a car. Susan now has 22 years sober and Governor Newsom recently pardoned her. She continues to work with her non-profit “A New Way of Life” and recently ...
From Homeless to Hopeful with Guitarist Billy Morrison
January 01, 2020 12:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBKeepin' it Friel this week is British rocker Billy Morrison, the lead guitarist for Billy Idol. Billy Morrison now has 24 years sober, but before that he was homeless on the streets of Hollywood and hooked on heroin. After 20 failed rehabs, he finally had a spiritual awakening when he realized no one would be at his funeral. Billy loves living sober, is a successful artist, and also runs the charity “Above Ground” which raises awareness about mental health issues.
Sarah Scheper Opens Up About Her Struggles With Alcohol Abuse & Eating Disorders | Keepin' It Friel
December 18, 2019 11:30 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBKeepin’ It Friel this week is Sarah Scheper, star of VH1’s “Love & Listings” and an LA power real estate agent. For many years Sarah struggled with alcohol abuse and eating disorders. She finally quit everything after passing out and then waking up in a stranger’s moving car. She is now 9 years sober and hopes her past experiences will help others recover.
Former KTLA Reporter Brandon Lee Shares Hope For Recovery
December 11, 2019 13:41 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBKeepin’ it Friel this week is Brandon Lee, a main news anchor in Phoenix, AZ, and the author of “Mascara Boy.” While Brandon was working as a reporter at KTLA 5 News, he hit rock bottom by overdosing twice in one week on booze, meth and GHB. He’s now coming up on a decade sober and enjoys spreading a message of hope towards recovery.
Sober Fun with DJ Megan Holiday
December 04, 2019 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBKeepin’ It Friel this week is Megan Holiday- a popular DJ on two radio stations: KROQ (Los Angeles) and ALT 105.3 (San Francisco). After getting fired from her job, becoming “high-class” homeless, and entering a psych ward due to her alcohol, cocaine and heroin addiction, Megan finally surrendered on 1/13/16. She’s coming up on four years clean and loves living sober and helping others in recovery.
Talking Rehab with Jason Wahler
November 27, 2019 13:10 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBKeepin It Friel this week is reality TV star Jason Wahler, from MTV’s “The Hills,” “Laguna Beach” and “Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab.” Jason has been to more than a dozen rehabs and even attempted suicide. He’s been honest about his past relapses and is now coming up on a year sober. In this episode, Jason discusses recovery, and brings on a special guest to discuss tips and rehab options.
"My Fair Junkie" with Amy Dresner
November 20, 2019 13:20 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBKeepin’ it Frielthis week is Amy Dresner, a former stand up comic and author of the book “My Fair Junkie”. It took Amy many years to quit booze, blow, and crystal meth, but she’s now coming up on 7 years sober.
Overcoming Alcohol and Drug Addiction with Pat O'Brien
November 13, 2019 13:31 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBPat O’Brien proves it’s never too late to quit alcohol and drugs. The popular host of “CBS Sports”, “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider” started his sobriety journey at 60 years old after his agents and bosses surrounded his bed and forced him to go to rehab. Pat discusses his infamous voicemail that made headlines, and how he would do cocaine in the newsroom. He now has ten years sober and enjoys mentoring others in recovery.
Finding Spiritual Alignment with Gabby Bernstein
November 06, 2019 13:24 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBKeepin' it Friel this week is New York Times best-selling author and motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein. At 25 years old, Gabby weighed 98 pounds and was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. She realized she could either die as an addict or choose another path. Gabby is now 14 years sober and has published 7 self-help books, including her latest, Super Attractor.
Sobriety Rebound with Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams
October 30, 2019 13:04 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBFormer NBA All-Star Jayson Williams’ life was thrown off course by drugs and alcohol. He says it all started after his uncle force-fed him liquor at age 8, then raped him. Williams served time in jail for the 2002 accidental shooting death of his limo driver. He’s now coming up on four years sober and is passionate about helping others recover at his “Rebound” treatment center in Florida.
Rocking to Recovery with Wes Geer
October 23, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBKeepin it Friel this week is former Korn guitarist Wes Geer. Now 11 years sober, Wes had longtime addiction with meth, heroin, weed and alcohol. He’s now a huge meditator and is the creator of “Rock to Recovery,” a program that’s bringing music into treatment centers.
Eden Sassoon Is Living Sober With Style
October 16, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBEden Sassoon ended up in her closet hearing the voice of her dead father telling her to stop drinking. She’s now coming up on 7 years sober. In this episode, Eden discusses her sister’s overdose, the pressures of living under her famous hairdresser father Vidal, dating sober, and being on the cast of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
How A 12-Step Program Saved Ben Stein's Life
October 09, 2019 11:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBKeeping it Friel this week is actor, author, financial commentator, and former presidential speech writer Ben Stein. Ben has over three decades of sobriety. He shares stories of doing drugs with his students, his pill problem, being a workaholic, dealing with feelings, and his love for 12-step programs.
Darrell Hammond on the Pressures of Working at SNL & Getting Sober
October 02, 2019 11:00 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBKeeping it Friel this week is comedian and former SNL actor Darrell Hammond. He talks about the challenges of getting off Percocet, his cocaine arrest in the Bahamas, cutting, PTSD, the pressures of SNL, how he’s working on himself in sobriety and trying to help fight the opioid epidemic.
Preview: Keepin' It Friel - Conversations on Recovery
September 23, 2019 23:57 - 38 seconds - 595 KBKTLA's Courtney Friel introduces her new podcast, Keepin' It Friel: Conversations on Recovery. On this weekly podcast, Courtney has candid conversations with celebrities and media personalities about overcoming addiction.