Keepin' It Friel: Conversations on Recovery

Pat O’Brien proves it’s never too late to quit alcohol and drugs.  The popular host of “CBS Sports”, “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider” started his sobriety journey at 60 years old after his agents and bosses surrounded his bed and forced him to go to rehab. Pat discusses his infamous voicemail that made headlines, and how he would do cocaine in the newsroom. He now has ten years sober and enjoys mentoring others in recovery.  

Keepin' it Friel this week is New York Times best-selling author and motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein. At 25 years old, Gabby weighed 98 pounds and was addicted to cocaine and alcohol.  

She realized she could either die as an addict or choose another path. Gabby is now 14 years sober and has published 7 self-help books, including her latest, Super Attractor.

Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams’ life was thrown off course by drugs and alcohol.  He says it all started after his uncle force-fed him liquor at age 8, then raped him.  Williams served time in jail for the 2002 accidental shooting death of his limo driver. He’s now coming up on four years sober and is passionate about helping others recover at his “Rebound” treatment center in Florida.  

Keepin it Friel this week is former Korn guitarist Wes Geer.  Now 11 years sober, Wes had longtime addiction with meth, heroin, weed and alcohol.  He’s now a huge meditator and is the creator of “Rock to Recovery,” a program that’s bringing music into treatment centers.  

Eden Sassoon ended up in her closet hearing the voice of her dead father telling her to stop drinking.  She’s now coming up on 7 years sober.  In this episode, Eden discusses her sister’s overdose, the pressures of living under her famous hairdresser father Vidal, dating sober, and being on the cast of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

Keeping it Friel this week is actor, author, financial commentator, and former presidential speech writer Ben Stein. Ben has over three decades of sobriety. He shares stories of doing drugs with his students, his pill problem, being a workaholic, dealing with feelings, and his love for 12-step programs. 

Keeping it Friel this week is comedian and former SNL actor Darrell Hammond. He talks about the challenges of getting off Percocet, his cocaine arrest in the Bahamas, cutting, PTSD, the pressures of SNL, how he’s working on himself in sobriety and trying to help fight the opioid epidemic. 

KTLA's Courtney Friel introduces her new podcast, Keepin' It Friel: Conversations on Recovery. On this weekly podcast, Courtney has candid conversations with celebrities and media personalities about overcoming addiction.