The Begin Again Podcast
The Begin Again Podcast is a space for redemption, resilience, and raw truth. Hosted by Gary Menkes, each episode dives deep into the powerful, unfiltered stories of people who have faced addiction — and chosen to rise. These aren’t just stories of sobriety. They’re stories of spiritual awakenings, shattered stigmas, and second chances that turned into extraordinary lives.
Through heartfelt, often spiritual conversations, we explore what it truly means to begin again — not just once, but every day. Whether you’re in recovery, sober-curious, or walking alongside someone on their journey, this podcast is here to remind you:
You are not alone.
You are not broken.
And your most meaningful chapter might still be ahead.
This is more than a podcast. It’s a movement of hope, healing, and the belief that no matter your past, you can begin again.
Episodes
105 episodes
🔥 EP 104 - The Crime That Changed Everything: Joshua Bennett-Johnson's Last Rock Bottom
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes interviews Joshua Bennett-Johnson, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor from Waltham, Boston, MA. Joshuaua shares his harrowing experiences with addiction, including a tr...
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Season 2
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Episode 104
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1:04:07
🌟EP 103 - Discovering Joy: Elan Hardy's Path to Sobriety and Self-Discovery
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes, dives deep into the raw and transformative story of Elan Hardy, a trauma-informed somatic coach and sobriety specialist. With 12 years of sobriety under her belt...
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Season 2
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Episode 103
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53:40
🚀EP 102 - If I Fail, I Fail: Melissa McGovern on Embracing Fear and Recovery
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Mankey speaks with Melissa McGovern, a certified sobriety coach and the host of the Sober New Yorker podcast. Melissa opens up about her lifelong battle with alcohol, beginning w...
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Season 2
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Episode 102
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47:13
🌟EP 101 - From Trauma to Triumph: Jay Barnard’s Story
In this compelling episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Mankey invites motivational speaker and CEO Jay Barnard to share his transformative journey from addiction and trauma to recovery and empowerment.Jay details his struggle w...
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Season 2
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Episode 101
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1:03:31
EP 100: Breaking the Cycle 💥 Meghan Melin’s Recovery Story
In this Episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Meghan Melin—recovery advocate, mother, and creator of the Sober Strong YouTube channel—for a deeply honest and u...
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Episode 100
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58:12
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🚫Ep99: Austin Karr on Ditching Alcohol to Find Joy
In Episode 89 of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes welcomes sobriety and happiness coach Austin Karr, whose journey from high-functioning social drinker to powerful recovery advocate is nothing short of transfo...
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Episode 99
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56:11
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🙏EP 98: Jim McKinley’s Surrender to Sobriety
In Episode 98 of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Jim McKinley, a former Army officer, high-level corporate executive, and now a passionate writer and spiritual guide. Jim opens up about h...
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Episode 98
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51:17
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🔁 Ep 97: Rewiring Addiction Recovery w/ George Haymaker
In Episode 97 of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with George Haymaker, a neuroeducator, coach, and recovered addict, for a deeply insightful conversation about addiction, healing, and the powe...
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Episode 97
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52:46
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💪Ep 96: Sober & Empowered: Keelie Allen’s Bold Journey
In this inspiring episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Keelie Allen, a sobriety and mindset coach whose powerful story of transformation is rooted in her personal battle with addict...
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Episode 96
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46:18
💬 Ep95: Mike Savidant’s Honest Story of Recovery and Hope
In Episode 95 of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes welcomes Mike Savidant, creator of Sober Savvy, for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about addiction, healing, and the...
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Episode 95
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59:23
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❄️Ep94: Cold Plunges & Clarity: Aaron Mead’s Sobriety Path
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes welcomes back Aaron Mead for an unfiltered conversation on the reality of addiction, relapse, and the relentless pursuit of recovery. Aaron sh...
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Episode 94
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52:55
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🧠Ep93: Lauren White: Breaking Cycles, Finding Purpose
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Lauren White, a motivational speaker, addiction counselor, and fierce mental health advocate, to explore her deeply personal an...
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Episode 93
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56:47
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🚨Ep92: First Responder to Soberpreneur: Zach Loescher’s Story
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Zach Loescher, a former EMT whose journey through addiction, mental health struggles, and recovery has led him to a new purpose in life. Zach ...
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Episode 92
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41:54
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🔥Ep91: How Chris Janssen Broke Free from Addiction & Found Purpose
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Chris Janssen, a mindset coach, author, and speaker, to discuss her powerful journey through addiction and recovery. Chris opens up about her ...
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Episode 91
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54:09
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⚡Ep90: Brenton Sconce on Identity, Recovery & The Power of Surrender
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, Gary Menkes sits down with Brenton Sconce, a former pastor turned recovery advocate and comedian, to discuss his battle with alcohol addiction, the impact of losing his...
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Episode 90
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48:00
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🎯Ep89: Success, Addiction & Redemption: Dan Berger’s Story
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Dan Berger, an entrepreneur, author, and founder of Social Tables and Assemble Hospitality...
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Episode 89
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52:25
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🎯Ep 88 - From Addiction to Innovation: Matt von Boecklin’s Story
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Matt von Boecklin, founder of Quit Kit, to discuss his powerful journey from battling addiction to developing a science-backed solution ...
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Episode 88
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47:40
🚀Ep87: Aaron Mead: From Rock Bottom to Recovery
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Aaron Mead to explore his raw and inspiring journey from addiction to recovery. Aaron candidly shares his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, ...
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Episode 87
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1:01:22
💪🏼Ep86: Breaking the Cycle: Samantha Lander’s Sobriety Journey
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes welcomes back Samantha Lander, a functional nutritionist, personal trainer, and recovery advocate, to discuss her transformative journey through add...
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Episode 86
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38:29
🎼Ep85: Gail Taylor on Recovery, Music, & Reinventing Herself
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes welcomes Gail Taylor, a musician, author, and motivational speaker, to share her inspiring journey of transformation. Gail opens up about her struggle with a...
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Episode 85
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56:14
💪Ep84: Michael Conklin on Sobriety, Relapse & Second Chances
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes welcomes back Michael Conklin for an insightful conversation about addiction, recovery, and the ongoing journey of personal transformation. Michael ...
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Episode 84
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1:03:24
⚓️Ep83: Ian Fee’s Wild Ride: From Addiction to Sobriety
In this episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Ian Fee, author of Wild Ride to Sobriety, to discuss his unconventional and intense journey to recovery. Ian opens up a...
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Episode 83
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40:29
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💪EP82: Overcoming Trauma and Addiction with Danielle Mallad
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes welcomes the remarkable Danielle Mallad, a recovery advocate, writer, and future addiction counselor, to share her deeply personal journey through a...
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Episode 82
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49:17
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