Addiction: From the Streets to a Second Chance episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 16, 2025 · 1H 2M

Addiction: From the Streets to a Second Chance

from The Life Shift | Conversations About Life Before and After · host Matt Gilhooly

What if the lowest point in your life was actually your turning point? Dr. Robb Kelly knows what it means to lose everything, family, home, and even the will to live, and still find a way forward. From playing music at Abbey Road to living on the streets of Manchester, Robb’s story is a raw reminder of what happens when pain becomes purpose. Through science, faith, and relentless honesty, he rebuilt his life and devoted it to helping others recover from addiction and reclaim their worth. In this conversation, we talk about: How childhood trauma quietly shapes the way we cope, connect, and self-destruct What it really takes to rebuild a life after addiction and find a new identity Why embracing our perfectly imperfect selves is key to healing and helping others This episode is a powerful reflection on redemption, resilience, and the small moments that can change everything. Listen to The Life Shift Podcast: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/follow Support the show for ad-free and early access episodes: www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast Subscribe to the newsletter: https://thelifeshiftpodcast.beehiiv.com Connect on socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Guest Bio Dr. Robb Kelly, PhD, is a sought-after recovery expert who believes in treating the causes of addiction and not the symptoms. Dr. Kelly has appeared on shows such as The Doctors, Eye Opener, Good Morning Texas, and KENS 5 Morning News. A frequent contributor to radio and print interviews, including The Jim Bohannon show, Miracles in Recovery, USA Today, and participated in McLean Hospital’s (Harvard Medical School) study on the stigma associated with mental illness. Dr. Kelly hosted the Sober Celebs show on KLIF radio in Dallas, and currently hosts the Breaking Through Addiction podcast featuring special guests discussing a variety of mental health issues. Dr. Kelly created Let’s Get Back to 98% Recovery DVDs, used in prisons and recovery treatment centers throughout the US. He has lectured on addiction and trauma at high-profile universities, national conferences, treatment facilities, public schools, churches, business organizations, and hospitals. Dr Kelly is currently the CEO of the Robb Kelly Recovery Group, an addiction and mental illness recovery coaching company he founded based on extensive research and behavioural studies he conducted over the past 20 years. Dr. Kelly shares his personal highs and lows as he struggled and overcame crippling alcoholism in the November 2019 release of the book “Daddy, Daddy Please Stop Drinking”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the lowest point in your life was actually your turning point? Dr. Robb Kelly knows what it means to lose everything, family, home, and even the will to live, and still find a way forward. From playing music at Abbey Road to living on the streets of Manchester, Robb’s story is a raw reminder of what happens when pain becomes purpose. Through science, faith, and relentless honesty, he rebuilt his life and devoted it to helping others recover from addiction and reclaim their worth. In this conversation, we talk about: How childhood trauma quietly shapes the way we cope, connect, and self-destruct What it really takes to rebuild a life after addiction and find a new identity Why embracing our perfectly imperfect selves is key to healing and helping others This episode is a powerful reflection on redemption, resilience, and the small moments that can change everything. Listen to The Life Shift Podcast: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/follow Support the show for ad-free and early access episodes: www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast Subscribe to the newsletter: https://thelifeshiftpodcast.beehiiv.com Connect on socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Guest Bio Dr. Robb Kelly, PhD, is a sought-after recovery expert who believes in treating the causes of addiction and not the symptoms. Dr. Kelly has appeared on shows such as The Doctors, Eye Opener, Good Morning Texas, and KENS 5 Morning News. A frequent contributor to radio and print interviews, including The Jim Bohannon show, Miracles in Recovery, USA Today, and participated in McLean Hospital’s (Harvard Medical School) study on the stigma associated with mental illness. Dr. Kelly hosted the Sober Celebs show on KLIF radio in Dallas, and currently hosts the Breaking Through Addiction podcast featuring special guests discussing a variety of mental health issues. Dr. Kelly created Let’s Get Back to 98% Recovery DVDs, used in prisons and recovery treatment centers throughout the US. He has lectured on addiction and trauma at high-profile universities, national conferences, treatment facilities, public schools, churches, business organizations, and hospitals. Dr Kelly is currently the CEO of the Robb Kelly Recovery Group, an addiction and mental illness recovery coaching company he founded based on extensive research and behavioural studies he conducted over the past 20 years. Dr. Kelly shares his personal highs and lows as he struggled and overcame crippling alcoholism in the November 2019 release of the book “Daddy, Daddy Please Stop Drinking”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Addiction: From the Streets to a Second Chance

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This episode was published on December 16, 2025.

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What if the lowest point in your life was actually your turning point? Dr. Robb Kelly knows what it means to lose everything, family, home, and even the will to live, and still find a way forward. From playing music at Abbey Road to living on the...

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