The Truth About Addiction, Shame & Healing | FT George Gilliam | EP156

What happens when rock bottom looks like a country club basement — and a way out looks like a pizza oven? This week on Jess Ask the Podcast, Jessica sits down with George Gilliam — founder of Uncle G's Pizza in Birmingham, Alabama — for one of the most honest conversations the Safe Space has ever held. George shares his journey from growing up privileged and blind to it in Charlottesville, Virginia, through a drug addiction that took him all the way to heroin and crack cocaine, to the moment in a rehab lecture that finally broke him open. He talks about what it feels like when drugs stop working, what it cost him to tell his parents the truth, and how a move to Alabama and an obsession with sourdough became the foundation of something much bigger than food. If you've ever carried a secret that felt too heavy to say out loud — or wondered whether your past disqualifies your purpose — this episode was made for you.CONNECT WITH UNCLE GUncleGsPizza.com Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn: @uncle_gs_pizzaABOUT JESS ASK THE PODCAST Jess Ask The Podcast is where influencers, entrepreneurs, and creatives come to decompress, get real, and just ask the questions that matter. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. Produced by BGTV Studios.🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week.JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAskSUPPORT THE PODCAST✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITSHost: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmithProducer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11eMusic: King Chosen | @kingchosen46Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.comJess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success.🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week.  JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY  The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it.➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk  SUPPORT THE PODCAST  ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people  PODCAST CREDITS  Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmithProducer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11eMusic: King Chosen | @kingchosen46Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com