Growing up in a loving family outside of New York City, Matt Williams had everything he needed—supportive parents, a good home, and endless possibilities. But behind the surface of a normal childhood, something darker was brewing. Undiagnosed ADHD made it hard for him to focus, and as a teen, he discovered a thrill in getting away with things—starting with alcohol. What began as sneaking drinks at sleepovers soon spiraled into a cycle of blackouts, consequences, and self-destruction.

By his late 20s, Matt's drinking had taken him to some of the darkest places imaginable—waking up in unknown locations, getting behind the wheel in dangerous states, and ultimately, crashing his car on May 15, 2010. That night changed everything. Stripped down in a jumpsuit, facing inmates whose crimes went beyond DUIs, he finally realized: he couldn’t keep living this way. Recovery wasn’t easy. He fought through loneliness, self-doubt, and the weight of rebuilding his life from scratch. But through relentless perseverance, he not only got sober but built a career, a family, and a thriving business—one step at a time.

Matt’s story is proof that no matter how deep the hole, there’s always a way out. If you’re struggling with addiction or know someone who is, this episode will give you hope, perspective, and the motivation to keep going. His journey will inspire you to face your own challenges, embrace change, and build a future beyond addiction.

Dr. Harold Jonas grew up feeling like a failure—struggling with self-worth, addiction, and a toxic family dynamic. Introduced to drugs at a young age, he quickly spiraled into a life of crime, heroin dependency, and repeated run-ins with the law. He tried to escape through relationships, business ventures, and even a rushed marriage in Las Vegas, but the cycle of addiction continued to pull him back.

After years of struggling, losing his marriage, and nearly losing himself, Dr. Jonas finally reached his breaking point. A letter offering him a ticket to Florida for treatment became his unexpected lifeline. Through the pain of withdrawal, personal loss, and deep self-reflection, he found a way forward. Today, as a licensed therapist, business owner, and advocate for addiction recovery, he shares his journey of resilience, transformation, and the heartbreaking loss of his son to addiction.

Access the full show notes for this episode at crosstalkofficial.com

Video is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CROSSTALKPODCASTS/videos⁠⁠⁠⁠

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𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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In this episode of Crosstalk Podcast, we welcome Eric Weber—also known as Bow Tie—a leading addiction counselor with 25 years of experience in mental health, addiction recovery, and behavioral disorders. From working in correctional facilities to treating patients at Karen Treatment Centers, Eric has seen addiction from every angle. Today, he reveals the hard truths about addiction, relapse, and what actually works in recovery.

Eric shares his personal and professional journey, starting as a counselor in a prison system, where he saw the devastating cycle of addiction, crime, and recidivism. He later transitioned to working in mental health and addiction treatment, gaining deep insight into what drives addiction, why people relapse, and how recovery can truly happen. He discusses the compounded shame of relapse, the role of community in recovery, and why some people struggle to stay sober even after treatment.

In this conversation, Eric also explores the science behind addiction, explaining how dopamine dysregulation fuels compulsions and why modern vices like gambling, cannabis, and technology are rapidly becoming new addiction epidemics. He provides practical, no-BS advice for those in recovery, those considering treatment, and family members who are struggling to understand addiction.

Whether you’re battling addiction, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand the psychology of compulsive behaviors, this episode is packed with powerful insights that can change lives. Tune in to learn why addiction isn’t just about substances, why some people relapse, and the single biggest factor that predicts long-term recovery.

Access the full show notes for this episode at crosstalkofficial.com

Video is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CROSSTALKPODCASTS/videos⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow CROSSTALK on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crosstalkpodcasts/⁠

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We’re so grateful for your support each episode! If you’re enjoying the show, please help us reach others by sharing it with someone who’d love it and leaving a review here!