Beyond Shame: A Journey Through Unhealthy Habits, Addiction, and Redemption episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 16, 2026 · 1H 9M

Beyond Shame: A Journey Through Unhealthy Habits, Addiction, and Redemption

from Stay MENtally Strong · host Gina Oliverson

In this episode, we go somewhere many men are afraid to go — into the quiet battles fought behind closed doors. We sit down with Mason Haycock, a husband and father who shares his personal journey through unhealthy coping mechanisms, addiction, and the shame that often keeps men stuck in silence. Mason speaks candidly about the cycles he found himself trapped in, the moment he realized something had to change, and the hard, honest work it took to rebuild his life through accountability, mental health support, and purpose-driven living. Today, Mason shares his story with youth groups, encouraging young men to overcome the "natural man" and live with integrity and intention. Mason's wife, Bonnie Haycock, joins the conversation as well, offering a powerful and grounded perspective on what it looks like to struggle together, heal together, and rebuild trust within a marriage. Her voice brings depth, compassion, and honesty to the realities of walking alongside someone in recovery. This episode addresses difficult but necessary topics, including pornography, without excusing the behavior or shaming the individual. We discuss how many men are exposed at a young age, long before they are equipped with healthy education or tools, and why open, candid conversations are essential if we want to prepare the next generation and support those already caught in the cycle. This is a raw, real conversation about responsibility, compassion, faith, and hope. If you've ever struggled with unhealthy habits, addiction, or shame, or if you love someone who has, this episode is for you. Healing is possible. Help exists. And no one has to walk this road alone.  You can reach out to Mason and Bonnie by email at [email protected]

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 16, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

Beyond Shame: A Journey Through Unhealthy Habits, Addiction, and Redemption

0:00 1:09:23

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Stay MENtally Strong?

This episode is 1 hour and 9 minutes long.

When was this Stay MENtally Strong episode published?

This episode was published on January 16, 2026.

Can I download this Stay MENtally Strong episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!