Matthew Fisher always felt like an outsider. He struggled to make friends and was overcome by mood swings. By age 13, he turned to drugs and alcohol to cope. His father, Steven, watched from the sidelines, desperately trying to help his son. This is the story of how a father and son found recovery and healed their rocky relationship. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org. Host: Vic Vela Lead producer: Rebekah Romberg Editor: Jo Erickson ..read more

Khadi Oluwatoyin was always a high achiever. She excelled in law school and got her dream job, as a lawyer in New York City, in her early twenties. Racial and gender barriers didn’t stop her. Nothing stood in the way of her career, except alcohol. But when Khadi sought help for her drinking, she often found she was the only Black woman in the room. So she created her own recovery group for Black women and nonbinary folks to help others — and herself — through recovery. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling ..read more

Aaron Taylor was a standout athlete at the University of Notre Dame. He went on to become a Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers. But behind all that success, Aaron was a high-functioning alcoholic. After an injury ended his career, Aaron had to come to terms with his addiction and heal the childhood trauma he had never addressed. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org. Host: Vic Vela Lead producer: Kibwe Cooper Editor: Rebekah ..read more

Pebe Sebert's dreams of becoming a professional songwriter started coming true when Dolly Parton recorded one of her songs and it became a hit. But Pebe felt like a fish out of water, and she used alcohol to deal with those feelings. Other drugs came into the mix, too. But after she had her daughter Kesha, Pebe knew something had to change -- and years later, Kesha became the pop star Pebe always dreamed of being. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroke ..read more

Growing up, Natalie Hodges practiced the violin every moment she could. She was good, and the practice made her excellent. She started down the path of becoming a professional violinist until debilitating performance anxiety put a wrench in her dreams. But it helped her discover the root of her problems -- and put her on the road to recovery. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org. Host: Vic Vela Lead producer: Rebekah Romberg Editor: Er ..read more

Drew Robinson was a talented professional baseball player. It seemed like all his goals were coming to fruition. But he couldn't shake a sense of deep inadequacy. Those feelings eventually brought him to the darkest moment of his life. In that moment, he realized he was here for good reasons, and he committed to living. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org. Host: Vic Vela Lead producer: Rebekah Romberg Editor: Jo Erickson Additional ed ..read more

Like her father, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, Carnie Wilson found solace and joy in music. She started the group Wilson Phillips with her sister and childhood friend. But then, it turned out she inherited some of her father's addiction issues, too. With the help of her community, she rose from her darkest place. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org. Host: Vic Vela Lead producer: Kibwe Cooper Editor: Rebekah Romberg Additional editor ..read more

Back From Broken is a podcast about the highest highs, the darkest moments and what it takes to make a comeback. Colorado Public Radio’s Vic Vela — a journalist and recovering drug addict — talks to guests about how they’ve struggled and the surprising ways they put their lives back together. It’s an intimate show about challenges like substance abuse, PTSD, gambling addiction and mental health issues. Ultimately, it’s a podcast about hope. The first episode arrives Feb. 21, so subscribe now ..read more

When journalist Ted Jackson set out to do a story on homelessness, he never imagined he'd meet a former NFL player who'd made it to three Super Bowls. But there was unhoused Jackie Wallace, a former cornerback facing a long journey of recovery. After Ted wrote a story about Jackie, the two became good friends. But then, as the years passed, Jackie disappeared -- twice. Yet Ted refused to let Jackie slip away. This is the powerful story of their friendship. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can fin ..read more

Morgan Sinclair wrestled with his identity as a trans man growing up. He turned to drugs to numb his feelings, and struggled with addiction. As a teen, he found a way to break free through rehab, as well as Denver's unique 5280 High School. Now, at age 19, he's four years sober, out and proud -- and has his whole life ahead of him. Back From Broken is a show about how we are all broken sometimes, and how we need help from time to time. If you’re struggling, you can find a list of resources at BackFromBroken.org. Host: Vic Vela Lead producer: Jo Erickson Editor: Erin Jones Additional producers ..read more