What’s the real difference between saying “I’m sorry” and making amends? In this episode, Aaron Prager sits down with psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Stephen Marmer to break down what genuine amends require: truth, empathy, accountability, and repair—not word games or “pseudo apologies.”

PragerU

Stephen Baldwin says cocaine was “the devil” for him. Long before The Usual Suspects and Bio-Dome, he was already drinking, using cocaine, and finding himself in places where even a drug dealer once told him it was “time to go home.”

In this episode of American Recovery, Stephen Baldwin sits down with Aaron Prager for a candid conversation about addiction, Hollywood, Alcoholics Anonymous, faith, family, and the decisions that changed the course of his life.

Stephen traces his story from growing up as the youngest of the Baldwin brothers on Long Island to being exposed to a Hollywood culture where drugs and alcohol were often treated as normal. He remembers finishing a gram of cocaine before his high-school prom, eventually recognizing cocaine as the most controlling substance he'd ever experienced, and confronting the reality that his lifestyle could cost him both the woman he loved and the future he wanted.

Note: the content provided here is informational purposes only and not to be considered medical advice. Guests’ views are their own and do not reflect in any way the views of PragerU.

American Recovery

Stephen Baldwin on Addiction, AA, Faith & Going “Cali Sober”

She had a DUI published in the local newspaper. She was suicidal at the end of her drinking. She's been sober for 24 years — and now she's a Senior White House Adviser for Addiction and Recovery.

Kathryn Burgum — former First Lady of North Dakota, founder of Recovery Reinvented, and Co-Chair of the White House Great American Recovery Initiative alongside RFK Jr. — joins Aaron Prager for one of the most policy-meets-personal conversations American Recovery has ever aired.

This isn't just a recovery story. It's a blueprint for what recovery looks like when it reaches the highest levels. And it started with one woman saying she needed help.

Having a Spiritual Awakening

He grew up in foster care with a schizoaffective mother, and a father in prison. He was selling heroin out of his grandmother's house. Today he's 17 years sober and runs a recovery program in LA.

Chris Howard is a substance abuse counselor, interventionist, and certified case manager who has spent over a decade helping people get sober at Ethos Recovery — the same program that helped save his life. But in this episode, he's not here to sugarcoat anything.

Chris and Aaron Prager have a no-holds-barred conversation about prayer, meditation, personal accountability, and why Chris thinks the modern treatment industry is doing more harm than good.

Improving A Conscious Connection: How Prayer and Meditation Overcomes Anxiety

He was arrested 13 times. Had 4 DUIs. Woke up driving on the freeway. And still found a way back.

Comedian Dave Landau joins Aaron Prager on American Recovery for one of the most raw, honest—and surprisingly funny—conversations about addiction, trauma, and redemption you'll ever hear.

Dave grew up in a household shaped by his mother's bipolar disorder and watching his father, a Vietnam veteran, die from Agent Orange brain cancer. By his mid-20s, he was a successful stand-up comic and a full-blown alcoholic, burning through substances the same way he burned through opportunities.

What turned it around? A fourth DUI, a mug shot he didn't recognize, and a moment when he finally felt God step in.

How To Self ‘Spot Check’ with Dave Landau

What if the worst day of your life was actually the day you got rescued? In this episode of American Recovery, Aaron Prager sits down with author and speaker Damon West—a former Division I quarterback turned meth addict who was sentenced to 65 years in Texas prison… and found freedom long before he ever walked out. Damon shares his life-changing “Coffee Bean” story, why hope is essential, and how a simple daily practice—taking personal inventory—can set you free from resentment, fear, and the mental prison so many of us live in. If you’re battling addiction, rebuilding your life, or just trying to become the best version of yourself—this series is a blueprint for recovery, purpose, and servant leadership.

Being Fearless: Taking A Moral Inventory With Damon West

Making Amends the Right Way with Dr. Stephen Marmer

What happens when your character defects aren’t just “bad habits”… but survival patterns that start destroying everything you love?

In this episode of American Recovery, Aaron Prager sits down with Todd Spears (Graham Allen Show / The Hot Seat) to talk about rage, addiction, ego, and the moment Todd hit a breaking point—and chose a different path.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles you can’t explain—this conversation will hit home.

Removing Character Defects: From Rage & Addiction to Accountability and Peace With Todd Spears

Can honesty actually improve anxiety, health, and recovery? Clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner (UCLA Psychiatry) joins Aaron Prager to break down the science behind honesty, shame, cortisol, relapse, and why secrets keep people stuck.

If you’re navigating addiction recovery, anxiety, toxic relationships, or behavioral addictions like gambling—this episode gives practical, evidence-based insight without shame.

Honesty That Heals: Why Secrets Fuel Anxiety (and Openness Matters)

Aaron Prager speaks with military veteran Josiah O’Neil about combat trauma, self-medication, and the long road to healing. Josiah shares how he chose to numb the weight of traumatic events during his service—and how consciously choosing faith led him to surrender and renewal. Together, they discuss why belief must be backed by action, how trust in God creates real change, and why surrender isn’t weakness, but the beginning of true freedom.

A Decision to Trust: Turning Our Lives Over to God with Josiah O’Neil

Aaron Prager sits down with interventionist Darren Hobbs to explore how belief in a higher power can transform any life. Hobbs explains that “coming to believe” is usually a gradual process—not an instant revelation—and that most people grow into faith in God over time. Together, they discuss gratitude, openness, and the hope that emerges when pain pushes us to seek strength beyond ourselves. They also reflect on how real belief shows up in action through honesty, love, and kindness.

Faith In A Greater Power: How We Grow Into Belief With Darren Hobbs

In this episode of American Recovery, host Aaron Prager sits down with Zach Livingston, a recovered addict turned professional interventionist, to discuss the journey from addiction to purpose. Zach shares his raw and inspiring story of powerlessness, unmanageability, and ultimate transformation. He opens up about how admitting his lack of control became the turning point in his recovery and how embracing spiritual principles brought clarity, faith, and freedom. Drawing from years of experience helping families and individuals through interventions, Zach offers practical insights on recovery, surrender, and lasting change. This powerful episode explores the heart of addiction recovery, highlighting resilience, hope, and the strength found in surrendering to a higher purpose.

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