I've Got A Problem

Comedian Jesse Case joins Forrest Shaw on I've Got A Problem to talk about addiction, drinking through cancer treatment, and the toxic shame that can drive self-destructive behavior. Jesse shares honest stories about getting diagnosed young, hiding how bad things had gotten, and the difficult process of quitting alcohol and learning how to face life without running from himself. It's raw, funny, and packed with real stories about alcohol, illness, isolation, anxiety, toxic shame, and learning how to stop running from yourself. 🎧 If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle, hidden how bad things really were, or wondered why "feeling okay" can be so hard to hold onto, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. ——————————————————————————————————————— Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Meet Jesse Case 00:52 – The Dunkin' Drive-Thru Beef 03:15 – "You Look Like an Ex-Gambling Addict" 05:30 – Jesse vs. Cancer 08:40 – Getting Sick in L.A. 11:55 – Starting the Cancer Podcast 15:40 – Why Cancer Felt So Isolating 18:20 – Drinking During Treatment 21:50 – The DUI on Foot Story 25:35 – Waking Up in the Car 28:45 – Quitting After Thanksgiving 32:15 – The Shock of Early Sobriety 37:00 – Toxic Shame 44:45 – Why It All Goes in the Same Bucket 58:10 – The Worst Addiction 01:02:30 – Pathetic, Pride & Starting to Feel Okay ——————————————————————————————————————— Find Jesse Case Podcast : Probably Science https://www.probablyscience.com/about Podcast : Jesse Vs. Cancer https://jessevscancer.com/about

Quitting Drinking at 24 (Before It Destroyed My Life) – Greg Fitzsimmons | I've Got A ProblemComedian Greg Fitzsimmons joins Forrest Shaw on I've Got A Problem to talk about quitting drinking at 24 before alcohol destroyed his life. Greg shares stories about growing up around family alcoholism, early stand-up in Boston, fighting, crashing cars, and realizing he was heading down the same path as his father. It's raw, funny, and honest — packed with stories about comedy clubs, family history, denial, dating, and the strange clarity that can come from recognizing a drinking problem early. 🎧 If you've ever wondered whether you're catching a problem early or already sliding into something bigger, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations about addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Greg Fitzsimmons 02:05 – Greg's Drinking Problem 04:10 – The Only Time He Drank in 36 Years 06:20 – Comedy, Injuries & Damaged Comics 08:50 – Growing Up Around Alcoholism 11:30 – Quitting Drinking at 24 14:05 – Fighting, Crashing Cars & Warning Signs 17:10 – Early Stand-Up in Boston 20:15 – Dating, Drinking & Social Anxiety 23:30 – Weight Loss & Life on the Road 26:45 – Masturbation, Health & Comedy Tangents 30:40 – Why Young People Drink Less Now 34:30 – Parenting, Pot & Addiction Risk 39:15 – Advice That Changed Greg's Comedy 44:20 – One Word for Addiction 49:30 – Helping People Struggling with Addiction 54:00 – Final Thoughts Find Greg Fitzsimmons Website: https://gregfitzsimmons.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregfitzsimmons YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gregfitzsimmonscomedy Book: Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons

Singer Rob Dukes joins comedian Forrest Shaw on I've Got A Problem to talk about addiction, drinking culture in music, and the consequences of years spent living loud on the road. Rob shares honest stories about touring in the metal scene, the role alcohol plays in music culture, getting older in an industry built on excess, and the moment you realize something has to change. It's raw, funny, and brutally honest — packed with real stories about touring, drinking, aging, identity, and learning how to keep the music without destroying yourself in the process. 🎧 If you've ever wondered where the line is between partying and losing control, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations about addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 03:05 – Meeting Rob Dukes 06:20 – Life on the Road 10:15 – Drinking Culture in Metal 14:30 – Touring Chaos Stories 18:10 – When the Party Never Stops 22:05 – Aging in a Young Music Scene 26:40 – Looking Back at the Lifestyle 31:15 – Music, Identity & Ego 36:30 – Consequences Catching Up 41:20 – Getting Honest About Addiction 46:10 – Mental Health & Perspective 51:05 – Lessons From the Road 56:40 – What Actually Matters Now 01:02:30 – Final Thoughts Find Rob Dukes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob_dukes/ Exodus: https://www.instagram.com/exodusbandofficial/ Generation Kill: https://www.instagram.com/generationkillband/

Forrest marks one year of the podcast with a solo episode about gambling, relapse cycles, weight loss, and what real progress actually looks like. He reflects on 52 weeks of recording, losing 88 pounds, rebuilding his life again, the exhaustion of lying during addiction, and why staying connected keeps him out of the cave. It's honest, reflective, and funny — packed with real talk about gambling, shame, productivity, denial, childhood patterns, comedy, and the relief of not having to hide anymore. 🎧 If you're rebuilding, starting over (again), or trying to claw your way out of isolation, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – 52 Episodes Later 01:50 – Looking at Old Footage 04:15 – Not Seeing Yourself Clearly 06:30 – Why I Started This Podcast 09:05 – Two-Thirds Stay Clean? 12:10 – In and Out of Gambling 14:45 – 88 Pounds Down 17:00 – The Exhaustion of Lying 19:20 – Living in the Cave 22:00 – Childhood Gambling Memories 25:40 – Conservative vs Reckless Kids 29:10 – 40+ Years of Gambling 32:30 – Being of Service 35:10 – Gratitude & Growth 38:40 – Crisis Resources & Final Thoughts

Comedian and TV host Al Jackson joins Forrest to talk addiction, drinking, memory loss, mental health, and the long tail of consequences that show up years later. They get into being young and reckless, the "it's still fun" lie, friends who stopped early, identity wrapped around partying, and how addiction mirrors everything from gambling to political cult thinking. It's raw, funny, and reflective — packed with real stories about drinking, denial, aging, regret, nostalgia, social media addiction, and learning how to live without numbing out. 🎧 If you've ever looked back at your 20s and thought "that was fun"… but also paid for it later, this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 02:25 – Growing Older, Drinking Harder 04:50 – Why Some People Quit at 18 07:30 – Paying for DUIs Years Later 09:05 – "It Was Fun Back Then" 11:00 – Damage You Can't Undo 13:10 – Gambling vs Drinking 15:30 – Not Remembering Your Life 18:15 – Getting Pulled Over at LAX 21:40 – Comedy Clubs & Old Stories 23:25 – Addiction and Political Cults 26:00 – Losing Family Over Beliefs 28:45 – Social Media Addiction 31:10 – Mental Health & What Americans Believe 36:20 – Vaccines, Rage & Generations 42:00 – Helping Friends Get Sober 49:10 – Being of Service & Identity 🎙️ Find Al Jackson : ▶️ YouTube: @FriendsfromWorkshow https://www.youtube.com/@friendsfromworkshow ▶️ YouTube: AlJackson https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5H_JfxlfKzuy0SJtAEMGXQ 📸 Instagram: aljacksonig https://www.instagram.com/aljacksonig/?hl=en

Comedian Dan Duvall joins Forrest to talk addiction, drinking, mental health, and the underlying need for validation that fueled years of destructive behavior. They get into moving goalposts, "I'll quit tomorrow" thinking, addictive patterns beyond substances, and learning how to slow down and make intentional choices for the first time. It's raw, funny, and deeply honest — packed with real stories about denial, shame, creativity, gambling, codependency, and what it actually means to grow up and participate in your own life without numbing out. 🎧 If you've ever chased approval, justified bad decisions, or felt stuck repeating the same patterns — this episode hits hard and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Meet Dan Duvall 01:02 – "What's Your Problem?" 03:30 – Moving the Goalposts 05:21 – When One Thing Takes Over 06:56 – Shame, Identity & Early Recovery 08:45 – Not Owing Anyone an Explanation 10:50 – Addiction Beyond Substances 13:00 – Gambling Everywhere Now 15:34 – Losing Track of Money 18:08 – Everything Has a Price Tag 21:45 – Watching Others as Motivation 24:40 – Addiction Is the Brain 26:50 – Work, Exercise & Obsession 29:38 – The Real Problem Beneath It All 34:27 – Helping Others Helps You 39:32 – "I'll Quit Tomorrow" Thinking 46:21 – One Word for Addiction / One for Recovery 🎙️ Find Dan Duvall : ▶️ YouTube: @danduvallcomedy https://www.youtube.com/@DanDuvallComedy 📸 Instagram: @danduvallcomedy https://www.instagram.com/danduvallcomedy/ 👉 FB : @danduvallcomedy https://www.facebook.com/DanDuvallComedy/

Actor and comedian Kelly Ebsary joins Forrest to talk addiction, drinking, mental health, family systems, and the role fantasy plays in keeping destructive patterns alive. They get into growing up around alcohol, surviving trauma, compulsive behaviors around money and spending, and the slow process of learning boundaries, accountability, and self-trust. It's raw, funny, and deeply honest — packed with real stories about alcohol, denial, fantasy thinking, grief, financial chaos, creativity, and what it takes to build a grounded life without numbing out. 🎧 If you've ever escaped into fantasy, struggled with money or relationships, or felt stuck replaying the same patterns — this episode hits close to home and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Meeting Kelly Ebsary 01:08 – "Here's Everything Wrong With Me" 03:30 – Comedy Camp Out & Desert Life 05:55 – Getting Sick After 9/11 08:20 – Leaving Los Angeles to Heal 10:11 – Growing Up Around Alcohol 12:50 – Isolation, Community & Loss 15:40 – Addiction and Money Problems 18:10 – Property Taxes & Losing the Family Home 21:16 – Why Credit Cards Don't Feel Real 24:20 – Gambling, Cash & Fantasy Thinking 27:34 – You Can't Make Someone Change 31:10 – Spending vs Saving Psychology 33:58 – Fantasy as the Core Addiction 37:03 – A Small Moment That Meant Everything 40:38 – No Choice Inside Addiction 43:51 – One Word for Recovery 46:00 – Worst Advice & Final Message

Comedian Tom Rhodes joins Forrest to talk addiction, drinking, mental health, creativity, and the long road from excess to clarity. They get into growing up around alcohol, the romanticized "drunk artist" myth, dangerous party years, loss, grief, and the moment Tom finally saw himself clearly and decided to change. It's raw, thoughtful, and funny — packed with real stories about alcohol, denial, creativity, regret, love, and learning how much more is possible when you stop numbing out. 🎧 If you've ever believed chaos was part of who you are, or wondered who you might be without it, this episode will hit deep and still make you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Meet Tom Rhodes 01:22 – Growing Up Around Drinking 02:30 – Wanting to Be "Cool" Like Your Heroes 03:47 – Moving to Amsterdam to Slow Down 05:15 – Loss, Grief & Drinking to Numb 06:41 – The Night Everything Changed 08:20 – Seeing Yourself Clearly 11:22 – Regret, Shame & Sensitivity 13:03 – Cringing at Who You Used to Be 15:22 – Social Media & Modern 'Assholishness' 18:49 – Dangerous Party Years 21:44 – What Felt Normal But Wasn't 23:29 – Love as a Catalyst for Change 28:22 – The Lie That It Helps Creativity 41:22 – One Song That Describes Addiction 45:10 – Why Clarity Is Its Own Drug 51:50 – Advice for Anyone Still Struggling 🎙️ Find Tom Rhodes : 🔗 Website: https://www.tomrhodes.net 📸 Instagram: @_tomrhodes https://www.instagram.com/_tomrhodes/ 👉 TikTok : @tomrhodescomedy https://www.tiktok.com/@tomrhodescomedy ▶️ YouTube: @kingofhaha https://www.youtube.com/user/kingofhaha

Comedian and actor Cort McCown joins Forrest to talk addiction, drinking, mental health, and growing up in an environment where chaos felt normal. They get into starting young, family dynamics, fear, the myth of the "drunk artist," and how addiction slowly became a way of coping rather than a choice. It's raw, funny, and packed with real stories about alcohol, denial, isolation, creativity, relationships, and learning how to live comfortably in your own skin without numbing out. 🎧 If you grew up around addiction, normalized unhealthy behavior, or have ever wondered why chaos felt familiar — this episode hits close to home and still makes you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Meet Cort McCown 01:13 – Growing Up Around Alcohol 03:07 – The "Geographic Fix" Myth 04:50 – Remembering 9/11 in Early Recovery 07:09 – Fear as a Driving Force 08:45 – Comedy, Bars & Being Around It 10:40 – Pain on the Inside vs the Outside 12:50 – Why Moderation Never Worked 15:11 – Dating & Not Drinking 18:45 – Responsibility Changes Everything 21:22 – The Drunk Artist Myth 23:39 – Starting Young & Losing Control 27:50 – Barely Getting Through School 30:01 – From Acting to Stand-Up 33:36 – Isolation and Addiction 41:03 – "I'll Worry About It Tomorrow" 46:36 – One Word for Addiction / One for Recovery 🎙️ Find Cort McCown: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortmccown/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cortmccowncomedy

Forrest jumps on for a short solo episode to talk gambling, money, addiction, and the difference between what you want and what you actually need. Sparked by expensive dental work, he reflects on fantasy thinking, chasing jackpots, financial denial, and how addiction convinces you everything will be fixed "once this one thing works out." It's raw, funny, and honest — packed with real talk about gambling, money stress, aging, mental health, and learning to choose stability over ego. 🎧 If you've ever justified risky decisions, chased a financial fantasy, or struggled to tell the difference between wants and needs, this episode will hit close to home and still make you laugh. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on addiction, recovery, mental health, and comedy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Dental Bills 02:00 – Wants vs Needs 05:00 – Gambling Fantasy Thinking 09:30 – Closing Perspective