RCVR Stories
RCVR Stories — Real People. Real Recovery. Real Hope.
RCVR Stories is the evolution of what began as The Begin Again Podcast.
Same mission. Same heart. Bigger purpose.
Hosted by Gary Menkes — sober since 2006, founder of the recovery lifestyle brand RCVR, and believer that every comeback story deserves to be heard — this podcast shares unfiltered conversations with people who have rebuilt their lives through recovery.
Each week, we explore stories of addiction, transformation, resilience, mental health, and the powerful truth that you are not alone.
From athletes and artists to entrepreneurs, creators, and everyday heroes, RCVR Stories shines a light on the voices that prove recovery is not just possible — it’s extraordinary.
This is more than a podcast.
This is a movement.
A tribe of a million comebacks.
Welcome to RCVR Stories.
Episodes
112 episodes
🦋EP 111 - Breaking the Stigma: Ali Yule’s Journey Through Sobriety
In this powerful episode of RCVR Stories host Gary sits down with Ali Yule, who will be celebrating three years of sobriety in August. Ali shares her deeply personal journey from growing up with anxiety and substance abuse in her fa...
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Season 2
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Episode 111
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1:05:40
🔄EP 110 - Facing the Abyss: Josh Datant's Redemption Story
In this compelling episode of RCVR Stories, host Gary Menkes sits down with Josh Datant, a talented musician and powerful advocate for recovery. Josh shares his harrowing journey through addiction, which began at the tender age of 1...
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Season 2
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Episode 110
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49:25
💡EP 109 - Life Overhaul: Gabe Cohen's Path to Redemption
In this heart-wrenching and inspiring episode of RCVR Stories, host Gary Menkes sits down with Gabe Cohen, a man whose journey through addiction and multiple incarcerations has led him to become a passionate advocate for recovery. G...
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Season 2
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Episode 109
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50:42
🪖EP 108 - Thomas LaGrave: From Navy Seal to Youth Mentor
In this powerful episode of RCVR Stories, Gary Menkes interviews Thomas LaGrave, a former Navy Seal whose career ended tragically due to drug use. Thomas shares his compelling story of addiction, starting his drug use at age 14, and...
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Season 2
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Episode 108
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47:20
❤️🔥EP 107 - Rebirth: The Journey of Alexandra Talbot
PODCAST DESCRIPTION:In this powerful episode of RCVR Stories, host Gary Mankey welcomes Alexandra Talbot, a health and lifestyle coach and founder of Sober Active Canada. Alexandra shares her harrowing journey of battl...
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Season 2
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Episode 107
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54:23
☄️EP 106 - Sobriety and Swagger: Chris Rosburg's Story of Redemption
In this riveting episode of RCVR Stories, host Gary Mankey sits down with Chris Rosburg to discuss his harrowing journey through addiction and his inspiring path to sobriety. Chris opens up about his early experiences with alcohol a...
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Season 2
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Episode 106
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36:20
🏥EP 105 - From Party Girl to Sober Coach: Kate Vitela's Incredible Journey
In this heartfelt narrative, Kate Vitela shares her raw and unfiltered experience with addiction and her initial struggles with sobriety. She describes a poignant moment of clarity at a support meeting, where she felt a deep sense o...
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Season 2
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Episode 105
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39:29
🔥 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
