The First COVID Patient in Burbank: Gregg Garfield’s Fight to Survive

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with COVID survivor Gregg Garfield to share one of the most extraordinary survival stories from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.Gregg recounts the moment everything changed while on a ski trip in the Italian Alps—when a warning call from his girlfriend first mentioned a mysterious virus spreading through Europe. Within days, flu-like symptoms spread through the group, and soon after returning to Los Angeles, Gregg tested positive. At the time, hospitals were unprepared for the virus, and he became the first COVID patient admitted to Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Burbank.Doctors told Gregg he had only a 1% chance of survival. After being placed into a medically induced coma and spending 31 days on a ventilator, he endured a cascade of life-threatening complications including sepsis, collapsed lungs, blood clots, and organ failure. Gregg flatlined multiple times and says doctors still cannot explain why he survived.When he finally woke up, the battle was far from over. Gregg had lost most of his fingers and several toes due to the life-saving treatments that kept blood flowing to his vital organs. He had to relearn how to walk, eat, and rebuild muscle after losing over 50 pounds during his hospitalization.Through the darkest moments, Gregg credits the strength of his “village”—friends, family, and his partner AJ—for giving him the motivation to fight through recovery. With the support of hundreds of loved ones rallying around him, Gregg set small, achievable goals that eventually led to an incredible milestone: getting back on skis the very same year he nearly died.Today, Gregg channels his second chance at life into purpose-driven work through Gregg’s Village and ChipIn, initiatives dedicated to supporting nonprofits and building community through giving.This powerful conversation explores resilience, mindset, gratitude, and the life-changing realization that the people around you can make all the difference when the unthinkable happens.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Daniel Hai joins host Richard Taite for a powerful, unfiltered conversation on trauma, addiction, neuroplasticity, and what real healing actually requires.Dr. Hai, founder of the Neuro Assessment Center, breaks down neurocognitive therapy in practical terms—how he blends neuroscience, attachment theory, mindfulness, and real-world exposure therapy to create measurable cognitive and behavioral change. From meeting clients in classrooms and nightclubs to helping autistic adults integrate socially, he explains what exposure and response prevention (ERP) truly looks like outside the therapy office.They challenge controversial topics head-on: Is functional medicine overhyped? Are therapists neglecting their own unresolved trauma? What is “premorbid intelligence,” and can clinicians accurately measure someone’s capacity before addiction or trauma altered their trajectory? The discussion dives into executive functioning, obsessive thought loops, and the neurological patterns that keep people stuck.The episode turns personal when Richard shares his belief in transcendence—describing a moment in Italy where he had a glass of wine without reigniting addictive behavior, arguing that some individuals can move beyond constant internal struggle. Dr. Hai offers a clinical counterpoint, emphasizing maintenance, routine, and the reality that for many, recovery is an active, ongoing process. Together, they explore the gray space between “recovered” and “in recovery,” questioning whether the traditional disease model tells the full story.They also unpack neurodiversity, over-diagnosing, and whether society’s fixation on labels may hinder functional growth. Dr. Hai shares the powerful story of an 11-year-old nonverbal child who defied every clinical expectation—an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to seeing beyond diagnoses and treating the whole person.The conversation expands into spirituality versus science, intuition, higher power, AI in mental health, ketamine and psychedelics, and why therapeutic alliance—not trendy modalities—remains the strongest predictor of long-term transformation.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with Marci Hopkins, host of Wake Up With Marci and author of Chaos to Clarity. With 10 years of sobriety, Marci shares the defining moments that shaped her recovery journey—from childhood sexual abuse and generational alcoholism to the DUI that became her wake-up call on October 3, 2015.Marci opens up about coping with trauma through alcohol, confronting her stepfather years later, and mourning the mother she wished she had. She reflects on losing her mother to addiction, the complicated grief that followed, and the realization that recovery meant rebuilding her life from the ground up. “Once everything fell to the ground, I had to start rebuilding.”The conversation explores surrender in 12-step recovery, rewiring the brain through daily habits, and why recovery is not about willpower—but transformation. Marci explains how forgiveness, self-love, and spiritual connection became the foundation for lasting sobriety, and how motherhood ultimately fueled her decision to change. From “popping the tape” to avoid relapse to learning how to laugh sober, she shares practical tools for thriving after addiction.Richard and Marci also discuss breaking the stigma around substance use disorder, the dangers of fentanyl-laced street drugs, and the urgent need for parents to act when a child is using. They highlight resources like Shatterproof, founded by Gary Mendell after losing his son, and the importance of education, in-network treatment options, and family involvement in recovery.Marci shares insight from her new book, Wake Up, You’re Not Broken: What to Expect in the First 30 Days of Sobriety, offering guidance on cravings, triggers, shame, and the science behind early recovery. This episode is a powerful conversation about trauma, faith, forgiveness, parenting through addiction, and transcending chaos to build a beautiful, purpose-driven life.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with rabbi, entrepreneur, and recovery coach Asher Gottesman for a raw, deeply human conversation about addiction, faith, accountability, and connection.Asher opens up about experiencing profound separation anxiety and loneliness at just five years old, growing up as the rabbi’s son, and feeling different from his peers. He shares how resentment toward faith and fear-based religion shaped his early relationship with God, eventually contributing to eating disorders, substance use, and a lifelong sense of unworthiness. Asher candidly recounts waiting two years to end his life so a life insurance policy would pay out, followed by the collapse of his multi-million-dollar business and filing for bankruptcy.From there, the episode explores his first real experience of unconditional love, sobriety, and community through recovery, including the moment he felt truly seen and accepted for the first time. Asher explains how keeping suicide “in his back pocket” paradoxically gave him the courage to rebuild, and how accountability, faith, and human connection became central to his healing.He reflects on Judaism as a framework for responsibility rather than fear, challenging performative spirituality and emphasizing kindness, humility, and lived amends. Asher also discusses the tension of being a “wounded healer,” balancing vulnerability with leadership, and offers compassionate advice for people in their 20s: you don’t need to do anything to be worthy of love.The conversation closes with insights on relapse, mentoring others, why social media is not real connection, and how true healing happens in community. Asher also shares how his work through Transcend Recovery and his podcast Showing Up With Asher G centers on helping people feel seen, heard, and unconditionally valued.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with bestselling author, counselor, and recovery expert Erica Spiegelman for a powerful conversation on addiction recovery, mindset, and personal transformation. Erica, co-founder of New Spirit Recovery and creator of the Rewired Method, has helped transform thousands of lives through her counseling work and online programs, including an initiative that has reached over 11,000 incarcerated learners nationwide.The conversation begins with Erica breaking down The 8 R’s of Recovery, the core framework behind her new book The Rewired Method, and how neuroplasticity allows people to change their lives by changing their thoughts and routines. She explains why reframing is essential in recovery—shifting from self-judgment and failure narratives to growth, learning, and opportunity.Erica then explores how healthy habits and routines play a critical role in overcoming addiction, emphasizing repetition, self-care, and movement as tools for rebuilding identity and self-worth. From there, the discussion dives into the damaging impact of unhealthy narratives, often shaped by parents, childhood experiences, and comparison, and why constantly measuring ourselves against others is a “recipe for feeling sh*tty.”As the episode continues, Erica highlights the importance of self-love, compassion, and positive self-talk, reminding listeners that lasting recovery requires becoming your own best friend. She explains how affirmations and refocusing attention help reclaim personal power, reinforcing the idea that where we put our focus is where we give our energy.The episode closes with a deep reflection on reinvention, purpose, and why long-term sobriety is impossible without replacing addiction with something of equal or greater value. Erica also addresses gaps in the current treatment system and shares how the Rewired Method is expanding access through online education, prisons, and professional training programs.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with Dr. Wendy Walsh—renowned relationship expert, psychology professor, author, and host of The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show. Known as one of the most trusted voices on the science of love and human behavior, Dr. Walsh breaks down why relationships aren’t about luck, but skill—and how biology, psychology, and culture shape who we love and why.Dr. Walsh explains why love is often about familiarity rather than happiness, unpacking attachment patterns that lead people to repeat the same relationship mistakes. She dives into the modern mating marketplace, exploring the oversupply of successful women, the decline of ambitious men, and how the high-supply sexual economy has reshaped dating, commitment, and desire.The conversation tackles the effects of chronic pornography use, testosterone, aggression, empathy, and why relationship satisfaction does not equal frequency of sex. Drawing from evolutionary psychology, Dr. Walsh explains how anthropologists measure monogamy, why men unconsciously seek fertility cues, and how testosterone influences behavior and bonding.She shares practical insights on boundaries—why they’re about consequences, not control—and breaks down why the “price of sex” is at an all-time low. Dr. Walsh also addresses OnlyFans, long-term relationship goals, and why short-term sexual strategies often conflict with building lasting partnerships.The episode continues with candid reflections on power, female mating strategies, her early connection to Lauren Sánchez, and the unintended consequences of the Me Too movement. Dr. Walsh closes with research-backed advice on the three daily practices couples need for healthy, loving relationships, followed by a rapid-fire Love Lab lightning round covering chemistry, compatibility, honesty, and modern dating myths.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with Mike Bayer for an unfiltered conversation about addiction, long-term sobriety, relapse, and redemption. Mike opens up about growing up in Orange County, excelling in high school basketball, and how early struggles with mental health led to substance use. After heading to New York to play basketball at Fordham University, his partying escalated and ultimately landed him in treatment at just 22 years old.Richard shares how his own sobriety journey led him to open a treatment center, setting the stage for Mike to walk through his path to recovery and purpose. Mike details his rise in the recovery space, including becoming a New York Times bestselling author with the help of Dr. Phil, who later mentored him for four years and helped launch his media career.The conversation takes a powerful turn as Mike reveals relapsing after 19 years of sobriety due to a medication prescribed by a doctor—an experience that deeply reshaped his understanding of recovery. He reflects on what relapse after long-term sobriety taught him, the emotional toll it took, and why humility and honesty remain essential to sustained recovery.The episode closes with raw discussions on freedom, identity, and compassion, including Mike’s belief that he is no better than anyone else and his decision to help an assistant who is now serving four years in prison—highlighting the complexities of service, boundaries, and humanity in the recovery world.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with Dr. Ken Spielvogel, Senior Medical Officer at Carrera Treatment Wellness & Spa, to explore one of the most talked-about breakthroughs in addiction medicine: GLP-1 medications. Originally developed for diabetes and weight loss, emerging research now suggests GLP-1s may significantly reduce cravings, compulsive behavior, and relapse risk in people struggling with substance use disorders.Dr. Spielvogel explains how GLP-1 medications are being used in addiction treatment, including why injectable options outperform oral medications when it comes to compliance and effectiveness. The conversation breaks down how GLP-1s impact dopamine signaling in the brain, why they can decrease urges to use drugs or alcohol, and how their effects differ in individuals with substance use disorders. Richard and Dr. Spielvogel also discuss nicotine replacement therapy, brain fog, and the broader public health reality that over 50% of Americans are obese.As the episode continues, Richard Taite makes a bold statement, calling GLP-1s “the best drug I’ve ever seen for the treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism.” Dr. Spielvogel expands on why the medication may be a game-changer, outlines the four leading causes of death these drugs may help reduce, and addresses side effects associated with rapid weight loss. The discussion emphasizes that medication alone is not enough without self-work, exercise, and lifestyle change. The episode concludes with a look at falling prices, expanded access, and the future of GLP-1s as preventative medicine.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with former NFL player turned Emmy-nominated television host Akbar Gbajabiamila for an honest, deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and reinvention after professional sports. Best known as the longtime host of American Ninja Warrior and former co-host of CBS’ The Talk, Akbar opens up about the moments that shaped his life on and off the field.Akbar reflects on traveling to Nigeria and witnessing his father reunite with his mother after 32 years apart, an experience that allowed him to see his father as a child for the first time. He shares how watching his Nigerian immigrant parents build businesses from nothing instilled discipline, grit, and resilience at an early age. The conversation moves into Akbar’s journey to the NFL, the pressure of becoming a professional athlete, and the identity crisis that followed when his football career ended.He speaks candidly about financial struggles after leaving the NFL, including working two years for free, earning under $30,000 a year, moving back into his childhood home with his wife and kids, and watching his savings dwindle to his last $40,000. Akbar explains how betting on himself eventually led to a breakthrough in broadcasting, landing roles at the NFL Network and American Ninja Warrior.The episode also dives into injuries, brain health, and the hidden dangers of painkillers, as Akbar shares his experience unknowingly developing a Vicodin dependency after football. He discusses overcoming that habit, confronting sugar addiction, and rethinking how everyday substances impact mental and physical health. Akbar also shares the inspiration behind launching his new podcast One54 Africa, dedicated to telling stories from across the African diaspora, and reflects on the pride and purpose behind hitting the American Ninja Warrior buzzer himself.

In this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with viral creator Ryan Burton to unpack the real story behind online success, mental health, and personal growth in your 20s. Ryan opens up about building a YouTube career from the ground up—going from 13,000 subscribers to over 5 million, eventually reaching 10 million subscribers across platforms and 50M+ likes through relentless experimentation, consistency, and creative risk-taking.Ryan shares how he began earning $4,000 a month at just 18–19 years old, and why early success didn’t protect him from anxiety, panic attacks, burnout, and depressive waves. The conversation dives into the mental toll of being online, why you can’t thrive with poor mental health, and how physical movement, real connection, and discipline became essential tools for stability.The episode explores emotional intelligence and relationships, including why men often want to fix problems while women want to feel heard, and how pain is often the catalyst for real change. Ryan reflects on internal dialogue, explaining how the “good voice” represents your healthiest self while the opposing voice stems from your inner child.As the conversation deepens, Richard offers life advice for people in their 20s, touching on financial lessons, purpose, and responsibility. They discuss the concept of “failure to launch,” why so many young adults feel stuck, and how growth can happen rapidly when guided by the right teacher. The episode closes with reflections on meaning, faith, long-term fulfillment, and the importance of leaving the world better than you found it.