I've Got A Problem

Forrest closes out the year with a short solo episode reflecting on gratitude, the holidays, and what addiction can look like when it's left unchecked. He talks honestly about family damage, accountability, compassion, and the devastating consequences that addiction can have — regardless of money, fame, or resources. It's a raw, sincere message about staying vigilant, reaching out, helping others when you can, and remembering that recovery requires ownership, not excuses. 🎧 If the holidays bring up heavy feelings, guilt, fear, or concern about yourself or someone you love, this episode is a grounding reminder that you're not alone — and that action still matters. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Gratitude & Holiday Thanks 02:10 – When Addiction Turns Tragic 04:25 – Final Holiday Message

Dr. Suzette Glasner joins Forrest to break down the science of addiction — why some people get hooked and others don't, what actually happens in the brain during cravings, and how recovery rewires the circuits that chronic use destroys. They dig into genetics, trauma, dopamine, stress pathways, gambling triggers, access, professional athletes, and why the brain can heal more than most people think. It's raw, smart, and packed with real explanations about addiction, cravings, relapse risk, emotional regulation, and why time, behavior change, and biology all work together in recovery. 🎧 If you've ever wondered why you crave, slip, spiral, or struggle — this episode makes the science finally make sense. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 02:25 – Introducing Dr. Suzette Glasner? 04:30 – "What's Your Problem?" 06:35 – Why Scientists Need Better Platforms 07:55 – The Otani Gambling Scandal Pops Up 09:20 – What Actually Happens in the Brain During Addiction 12:30 – Dopamine, Memories & Chasing the First High 14:52 – Early Gambling & Childhood Reinforcement 17:20 – Social Aspect vs. Alone Behavior 19:05 – Is Addiction an Illness or a Choice? 22:40 – Genetics, Trauma & Why Some People Become Addicted 26:30 – Teen Brains, Risk Windows & Early Use 30:05 – Forrest's Childhood Stories (Pot Brownie Edition) 32:45 – Stress Pathways & Why They Increase Vulnerability 38:40 – What Craving Feels Like in the Brain 43:15 – Money, Cash & Gambling Triggers 47:20 – Can the Brain Heal After Addiction? 51:50 – Time, Neural Rewiring & Building New Pathways 55:20 – Dopamine vs. Serotonin (and Why Both Matter) 58:10 – Gambling in the NBA & Athlete Vulnerability 1:04:10 – Treating Gambling for High-Access Populations 1:08:05 – Legalized Sports Betting & Public Health Risks 1:13:10 – Recovery Outcomes & Why There's Real Hope 🎙️ Find Dr. Suzette Glasner: 🔗 Website: https://www.drglasner.com/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drglasner 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drglasner/ 👉 Book : Addiciton : What Everyone Needs To Know

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and comedian Gwen Filosa joins Forrest to talk alcoholism, cocaine, recovery, identity, and the messy, hilarious reality of rebuilding your life when your mind refuses to shut up. They dive into New Orleans drinking culture, addiction in Key West, obsessive thinking, dating disasters, internalized homophobia, and what it actually feels like to stay sober one stubborn day at a time. It's honest, funny, and packed with real stories about booze, coke, self-doubt, relapse thinking, bad decisions, better choices, and the relentless nature of addiction. 🎧 If you're queer, questioning, sober, struggling, or just someone with a brain that won't shut up, this episode will absolutely hit you. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 04:23 – Meet Gwen Filosa 05:09 – "My Only Trigger Is Reality" 06:42 – Why Good Decisions Are Hard 08:31 – Drinking in Key West & New Orleans 10:59 – What Alcohol Really Did for Her 12:37 – Gambling vs Drinking Consequences 14:45 – Hitting Bottom in New Orleans 17:13 – Staying Sober in a Drinking Culture 19:19 – Relationships, Boundaries & Patterns 22:29 – Giving Yourself Credit 24:54 – Being Gay, Identity & Self-Acceptance 33:04 – Dating in Key West 43:29 – Lightning Questions Begin 46:40 – Dumbest Excuses We Tell Ourselves 56:11 – Advice for Anyone Struggling 🎙️ Find Gwen Filosa: 🔗 Substack: https://gwenfilosa.substack.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwenfilosamedia 👉 Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/keywestgwen/

Forrest jumps in for a quick episode to talk about turning 53, holiday overwhelm, and why this time of year brings out every addiction trigger imaginable — drinking, gambling, emotional eating, family pressure, and old habits that sneak back in when you're not paying attention. He breaks down why the holidays hit so hard, how to build an exit plan before things get messy, and why sugar might actually be the most dangerous drug in your house. It's short, honest, and surprisingly funny for an episode about spiraling at Thanksgiving. 🎧 If the holidays crank up your cravings, stress, or self-destruction meter, this one will make you feel seen (and a little less nuts). 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 02:30 – Listener Call: Missed Messages 05:12 – Holiday Triggers: Drinking, Gambling & Overwhelm 08:10 – Thanksgiving Food Spiral & Sugar as a Drug 11:45 – Family Chaos, Pressure & Coping Strategies 14:30 – Dog Training, Anxiety & Removing Yourself 16:55 – Staying Steady Through the Holidays

Comedian Kristin Key joins Forrest to talk alcohol abuse, hidden struggles, recovery, mental health, and the moment she realized she couldn't joke her way out of it anymore. They get into "rock bottoms" that don't look dramatic from the outside, performing while impaired, concealing the truth from friends, and the strange mental gymnastics you do before finally admitting something isn't right. It's raw, funny, and full of real stories about denial, shame spirals, setbacks, and rebuilding a life that doesn't revolve around numbing out or pretending everything's fine. 🎧 If you're trying to cut back, reevaluate your relationship with substances, or just understand how hard honesty can be, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Kristin Key 03:38 Struggles with Alcoholism 05:20 Transitioning to Sobriety 10:40 The Impact of Sobriety on Comedy 15:01 Finding Authenticity in Performance 18:31 Navigating Relationships in Sobriety 22:15 Emotional Rock Bottom and Recovery 32:14 The Journey to Sobriety and Acceptance 33:32 Navigating Relationships and Recovery 35:06 The Impact of COVID-19 on Lives 37:09 Reflections on Addiction and Recovery 45:33 Advice and Insights for Those Struggling 49:05 Introduction and Mental Health Awareness 49:33 Outro 🎙️ Find Kristin Key: 🔗 Website: https://kristinkey.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekristinkey/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kristinkeycomedy 👉 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinkeycomedy 🎧 Podcast: Kristin Knows Blank