Dopenly Honest

At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations.Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials!Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonestConnect on Socials:Instagram — @dopenlyhonestFacebook — Dopenly HonestThe Dopenly Honest TeamZavian Dre — Host & CreatorRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original MusicYeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital MarketingA Buyride Production

In this powerful solo episode of the Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre shares his deeply personal journey through a decade-long battle with addiction. Celebrating a sobriety date of June 26, 2023, Zavian reflects on the illusion of control, the dangerous trap of complacency, and what it truly takes to look in the mirror and change. Diving into principles from recovery literature, he breaks down the heavy toll of pride, the deadly reality of what’s on the streets today (like xylazine and "Russian roulette" poisoning), and the vital role of a higher power and a supportive fellowship. This is a story about what it takes to choose life, to choose to live, to live for yourself, your family, your community. Tune in for an episode that is as real, vulnerable, and dopenly honest as it gets.

In this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre welcomes a longtime friend from the recovery community, Harley. Hailing from Waddy in Shelby County, Harley opens up about her clean date of September 24th, 2024, and shares a raw look into a family history marked by addiction. For Harley, true recovery has meant a total commitment to life free from any mind-altering substances, including alcohol. For her, and so many who struggle with addiction, "one is too many and a thousand is never enough." This episode delves into the heavy reality of navigating motherhood while battling a fentanyl addiction, the terrifying moments that force us to face our reflection, and the incredible, life-saving impact of finding a home within the fellowship. If you are at the end of your rope and trapped in a vicious cycle, Harley’s message to you is simple: Reach out and ask for help. You don't have to navigate this alone.

In this special audio-story style episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with his good friend Kody for a deeply personal look into the grim reality of active addiction. Kody pulls zero punches as he shares the harrowing details of his "last big hurrah"—from mixing heroin and meth on a traumatic birthday weekend to waking up handcuffed to an EMT gurney after his fifth overdose. From the absolute bottom, there is only one way to go. This episode paints a vivid picture of what happens when you finally stop digging and allow the life-saving power of fellowship to pull you out of the dark. Tune in for a powerful testament to survival, accountability, and the essential role of community in recovery.

On today’s episode, we are switching gears; instead of interviewing someone in recovery, we are sitting down with a medical expert who is also deeply woven into Zavian's personal journey. Angie Chisholm is a nurse-midwife from Shelbyville, KY, with years of experience working on the frontlines of treatment with pregnant and postpartum women in Oregon and Kentucky. In this deeply necessary conversation, Angie breaks down the heartbreaking reality of the US maternal mortality rate (which includes deaths in pregnancy or the year after pregnancy) and why the postpartum period is the most dangerous time for mothers in recovery. We tackle the massive stigma surrounding Medically Assisted Treatment/Medication for Opiate Use Disorder (MAT/MOUD) during pregnancy, and answer the burning question of whether babies are actually born "addicted." They also discuss practical tools that Angie used to help Zavian through his own detoxes.  Whether you are a mother fighting for your life, a family member trying to understand the cycle of generational trauma, or just someone looking for the truth, this episode is for you. 

In this powerful episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with Matt Walters, who has nearly 2 decades of sobriety. Matt opens up about his journey from a childhood shaped by his father's binge drinking to his own deep struggle with alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and Quaaludes. This battle led to multiple arrests and strained his most important relationships, including his marriage. Matt gets real about what recovery actually looks like. It's not just putting down the bottle, it's showing up every day and making what he calls "living amends," actively choosing to be considerate, helpful, and accountable rather than simply saying "I'm sorry." He credits a strong sponsor, a structured daily routine, and a genuine relationship with a higher power as the pillars that have made long-term sobriety possible. The conversation also gets personal, as the host shares his own experiences with an addictive personality and struggles with gambling, making this a true two-way dialogue about the messy, ongoing work of recovery. Today, Matt is a trusted and respected member of his community, and his message to anyone still suffering is simple: come in with an open mind, give recovery a real chance, and know that a better life is waiting on the other side. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest Facebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production

In this soul-baring episode of Dopenly Honest, we sit down with Micah and Kyla Fitzgerald to discuss the raw reality of addiction, the role trauma plays in substance abuse, and the "God-incidences" that led them to a life of sobriety. This isn't just a conversation about putting down the bottle or the pipe; it’s a deep dive into the spiritual architecture of addiction. What We Discuss: The Roots of Chaos: Kyla shares her journey from a traumatic childhood in Ohio to a 13-year-old silencing her mind with substances, and the "popsicle-giving saint" named Agnes who first planted the seeds of faith. The Addictive Personality: Micah breaks down "desire out of control," explaining how an addictive spirit can jump from sports and shoes to substances. The Money Trap: A candid, emotional moment between our host and Micah about the "noise" of worldly success and why aggressively fighting the idol of money is essential for a thriving marriage. The Daily Bread: Why "faking the funk" doesn't work. The guests share their literal morning rituals, from 3:30 AM Bible studies to why every father needs to let his children hear him sing worship music. Whether you are in early recovery, a parent trying to break generational cycles, or someone just feeling crushed by the "noise" of the world, this episode serves as a touchstone for staying clean and finding strength through spirit, especially when things get intense. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest Facebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production

In this episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Banta sits down with his long-time friend and brother-in-recovery, ToJo Brooks, for a conversation that is as raw as it is refined. ToJo doesn’t just share a "sobriety story"—he deconstructs the psychological architecture of addiction and offers a Masterclass in Acceptance.  From the railroad tracks of Kentucky to the high-stakes world of Florida’s drug scene, ToJo reflects on the "actor’s mask" he wore for decades. He reveals the moment his world shifted: facing a Stage 3 prostate cancer diagnosis while in the grips of an even more lethal disease—active addiction. Inside the Episode: The Prison Pivot: Why ToJo calls his time in the system one of the "best things that ever happened" to his foundation. The Fatherhood Gap: A transparent look at the pain of missing a child’s birth and the journey to becoming the father his six children deserve. The "Stop Sign" Analogy: A genius-level breakdown of why you can't just "slow down" when dealing with a life-threatening addiction. Connect with Tojo @ TojoBTV Support the Show: At Dopenly Honest, we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials:Instagram — @dopenlyhonestFacebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest TeamZavian Dre — Host & CreatorRussell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original MusicYeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production

In this solo episode of Dopenly Honest: Breaking the Chains of Addiction, Zavian gets into something every addict in recovery must face: learning how to cope with life when difficulties show up. The old ways of handling fear and trauma can seem "normal", but approaching worry and fear while rooted in faith, fellowship, and recovery is what it takes to go next level. Drawing from the “Who Is an Addict?” reading in the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, Zavian reflects on what it means to accept the disease of addiction; and why coping skills aren’t optional in early recovery, they’re necessary for survival. This episode is a reminder that: You can’t treat addiction casually. You can’t heal what you won’t be honest about. And you can’t stay clean without action. At Dopenly Honest we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials!

In this powerful episode of Dopenly Honest, Zavian sits down with Brooke Johnson who has been in recovery for nine years and is living proof that it is never too late to start over. Brooke’s story doesn’t hold back. Born into addiction, raised between chaos and her grandparents’ stability, Brooke started using at just 13 years old, sometimes with her own family.

In this powerful episode of Dopenly Honest, Zavian sits down with Andre Quincy, a man whose life and recovery have impacted countless people in our community. With a clean date of February 17, 1998, Andre shares his journey from a young man just trying to fit in, to the depths of addiction, and finally to a life rebuilt through honesty, surrender, and service. Andre speaks openly about how addiction took control of his thinking, his relationships, and his sense of self, and how working a program one day at a time gave him a way back. This conversation is about more than “putting the drugs down.” Andre talks about what it really means to recover: working the steps, showing up for family, serving others, staying consistent, and learning how to live life on life’s terms. From taking meetings into the jail, to rebuilding trust, to staying clean through loss. Andre’s story is a living example that long-term recovery is possible. Whether you’re new to recovery, have years clean, or are still on the fence, this episode is full of honesty, wisdom, and hope for anyone who is still-suffering. Because as Andre reminds us: as long as there’s hope, there’s a chance.

As we move into the New Year, Zavian takes time to look back on how far this podcast & his recovery journey have come. What started as a thought became a platform, and now, six episodes in, we’re going strong, but also just getting started. Zavian reflects on the victories of 2025, the lives touched along the way, and the power of having a voice when life once felt meaningless. He lays out his vision for 2026: more exclusive interviews with people in recovery, deeper conversations with addiction counselors, doctors, and professionals in the field, and more content centered on hope, recovery, and transformation. This episode is about gratitude, growth, and purpose. Whether you’re in recovery, struggling with active addiction, or loving someone who is, this message is for you. Recovery is possible, freedom is real, and a new way of life is within reach.

In this deeply personal milestone episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre steps out from behind the mic to share the unfiltered story of how he achieved two years of sobriety. From the early days when even 30 minutes without using felt impossible, to receiving his Black Key Tag at his home group, Zavian brings listeners into the heart of what “no matter what” recovery really looks like. Growing up in the tiny town of Eminence, Kentucky, Zavian opens up about the beginnings of his addiction, the chaos that shaped him, and the spiritual reconnection that ultimately saved his life. He reflects on the power of consistency, the ups and downs of the past two years, and the way helping others has become his mission. If you’re still struggling, if you’re trying to find your way out, or if you love someone who’s battling addiction, this episode is for you. Zavian’s story is a reminder that recovery is possible for anyone willing to take that first step. This is Zavian’s story. 100% real. 100% Kentucky. And 100% hope. Support the Show At Dopenly Honest we believe recovery is possible, one story at a time. Do you want to support our work? Leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple or Spotify to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest Facebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm/Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production

In the 3rd episode of Dopenly Honest, host Zavian Dre sits down with fellow Kentuckian Matthew 'Fig' Nelson for a moving conversation about what it takes to find recovery. Fig opens up about the early moments that pulled him into addiction at just nine years old, the progression from alcohol to cocaine to meth, and the years he spent homeless, hustling, and losing everything, including his family’s trust and his place in his children’s lives. With raw honesty, Fig shares how his individual battles with addiction tore his life and relationships apart, and how finding peace within himself became the foundation for his healing. Today, Fig is clean, rebuilding relationships, showing up for his family, and committed to helping others find their way out of addiction. His story is one of resilience, forgiveness, and the daily choice to stay in recovery. Whether you're in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for a story of hope, this episode offers a candid look at how far down addiction can take you… and how far back a person can come. Liked the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review to help us bring you more inspiring guests and conversations. Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials! Tag @dopenlyhonest + #DopenlyHonest Connect on Socials: Instagram — @dopenlyhonest Facebook — Dopenly Honest The Dopenly Honest Team Zavian Dre — Host & Creator Russell Chapa — Producer, Sound Engineer, Original Music Yeva Chisholm / Venus Marketing — Design & Digital Marketing A Buyride Production https://chapamusic.com/buyride-productions

Welcome to Dopenly Honest, a bold new podcast from Kentucky that’s breaking the silence around addiction and recovery. Hosted by Zavian Dre, this podcast shares real stories of resilience and healing from people who made it out and found their way back to life.