THE STORIES THAT ENCOURAGE US, RESONATE WITH US, AND HELP US TO BELIEVE IN the journey.

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ALCOHOLISM OR JUST BINGEING? Understanding the "all or nothing" stop button - Featuring Keesha Scott

ONE DRINK TRAPS YOU because for the high-functioning binge drinker, the "stop button" simply doesn't exist. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Patrick Custer sits down with Keesha Scott, co-founder of a national treatment empire and host of the Cake for Dinner podcast, to dismantle the most dangerous myth in wellness: that you aren't an alcoholic if you don't drink every day. From the Nashville podcast bringing you celebrity stories of sensational transformation, survival & healing from mental health, trauma, addiction and the shame that fuels it all!

DO YOU HAVE AN "ALL OR NOTHING" BRAIN?

Many successful professionals hide behind the "binge drinking" label, believing that because they can go days without a bottle, they are in control. Keesha reveals the "invisible struggle" of winning corporate awards while smelling of "booze and cigarettes," explaining how the high-functioning mask actually accelerates the spiral. We explore the neurological "animal state" that takes over after the first glass and why "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" is the only trick most of us have until it stops working.

WHY THIS EPISODE IS FOR EVERYONE

Whether you’ve never touched a substance or you’re 20 years sober, this conversation is a masterclass in the human "mask." We all have an "aesthetic" we project—the entrepreneur, the perfect mom, the tireless leader—while often throwing our internal trauma "out the window" instead of processing it. Keesha’s journey from a fatal accident at 20 to co-founding Guardian Recovery demonstrates that "perfection is a myth that kills" and that choosing joy is a radical act of resilience that can start at any age.

WHAT YOU WILL UNLOCK:

  • The Binger’s Paradox: Why the "days in between" are actually a trap of denial.

  • The Corporate Duality: How success is often used as a shield to avoid the "shit show" in private.

  • Parenting from Conviction: Moving from "parenting from fear" to being "honest-ish" with the next generation.

  • The Back Nine: Why Keesha decided at age 51 to finally "put herself on the list" and how you can too.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: KEESHA SCOTT

Keesha Scott is a prominent public figure in the behavioral health space, a certified parenting coach, and the co-founder of Guardian Recovery—a nationwide network with over 800 employees and 17 facilities dedicated to whole-family healing. As the host of the Cake for Dinner podcast and author of an upcoming book (Simon & Schuster), Keesha leverages her 23 years of sobriety and Master's in Psychology to advocate for adolescent mental health and "authenticity over aesthetics".

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🧲 FOLLOW KEESHA SCOTT (guest): 

Instagram: @keeshawscott -  https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

TikTok: @keeshawscott - https://www.tiktok.com/@keeshawscott

YouTube: @CakeForDinnerPod -  https://www.youtube.com/@CakeForDinnerPod   

Web: https://keeshascott.com

🧲 FOLLOW PATRICK CUSTER (host): 

Instagram: @thepatrickcuster - https://www.instagram.com/thepatrickcuster

TikTok: @thepatrickcuster - https://www.tiktok.com/thepatrickcuster

YouTube:  @thepatrickcuster -  https://www.youtube.com/@thepatrickcuster

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepatrickcusterr

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Ryan Basham | From Real Housewives to the Presidential Campaign: Surviving a "Rigged Script"

Political analyst Ryan Basham discusses addiction recovery and mental health after surviving the "Real Housewives" false realities of his high-functioning alcoholic mother.

Playing a part in a story you didn’t write is a recipe for burnout. Recorded at our studio on Broadway in Nashville, former Presidential campaign advisor and Out100 honoree Ryan Basham pulls back the curtain on a childhood that felt like a "rigged script" long before he stepped onto the national political stage. We explore the "forgotten cameras" of a home life where the public facade was perfect, but the private reality was breaking.

Ryan’s mother was the ultimate high-functioning alcoholic paradox: the charismatic, community-leading PTA President who was losing her battle with a bottle every single night. In this fascinating conversation, Ryan details the "alternate reality" his family was forced to maintain—a world where facts were rewritten daily to validate the disease of addiction and protect a facade of "perfection." This episode explores the psychological gymnastics required in dysfunctional homes, relating Ryan's personal anecdotes to the broader family dynamics of addiction and the "invisible" toll of keeping a high-functioning secret for twenty years.

“People become attached to their burdens, sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them.” — George Bernard Shaw

This quote reveals the "a-ha" moment of today’s session: we often cling to the familiar dysfunction of our past because the "rigged script" is the only one we know. Whether you are navigating your own addiction or are the exhausted "peacekeeper" in a chaotic family, there is enlightenment waiting. You have the permission to stop being a character in someone else’s false reality and start the process of reclaiming your own truth. You are not broken—you are becoming.

Top 3 Psychology-Backed Tips [For Families]:

  1. Stop the Fact-Checking: You cannot cure someone else’s alternate reality. Shift your energy from trying to "prove them wrong" to establishing and trusting your own internal truth.

  2. Plug Your Own Air Hole First: Prioritize your own emotional safety. You cannot save someone from a storm if you are drowning alongside them. Support is not the same as enabling.

  3. Reclaim Your Joy: Laughter is a biological survival mechanism. Reclaiming your sense of humor is the ultimate act of defiance against a dysfunctional script.

Top 3 Tips:

  1. Transition from Shame to Accountability: Shame is a global attack on who you are; accountability is a focus on what you do. Owning your actions without condemning your essence is where healing begins.

  2. Embrace the "Pivot": Your life doesn't have to follow the trajectory set by your trauma. Like Ryan’s move from policy to comedy, your most authentic self is found in the "becoming."

  3. Refuse to "Shrink to Fit": If your environment requires you to hide your truth to be accepted, it is the wrong environment. You have permission to take up space.

Help Resources:

ABOUT RYAN BASHAM

"Ryan Basham is the ultimate system disruptor—a man who navigated the 'scripted' worlds of high-level media and a Presidential campaign by first surviving his own living room. With a disarming blend of 'laughter through tears,' Ryan reveals the resilient child behind the Out100 innovator, proving that your history isn't a life sentence, but a masterclass in the survival skills needed to become who you were always meant to be."

Corey Warren: Why "Success" Triggered My Relapse & The Truth About Parenting

Corey Warren had it all: money, a family, and 10 years sober. Then he drank one beer.

In this episode, Corey joins Patrick Custer to dismantle the myth that you can "outgrow" addiction. We discuss the terrifying speed of his relapse—from one drink at a bar to blacking out daily in just 60 days—and the "successful failure" that nearly cost him his family.

Corey reveals the specific moment that broke him: sitting on a luxury boat he bought to win his daughter’s affection, only to hear the six words that money couldn't fix. If you are chasing success to quiet your shame, or navigating the guilt of co-parenting, this conversation is the wake-up call you need.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The "10-Year Lie": Why long-term sobriety doesn't mean you're cured.

  • The Boat Story: How trying to buy his daughter's love backfired.

  • The "Radio Glitch": The unexplainable moment that forced Corey back into recovery.

  • "Work Sobriety": Why trading alcohol for 80-hour work weeks is just a different form of sickness.

  • Parenting Through Guilt: How to stop performing for your kids and start connecting with them.

Quotes from the episode:

"I bought this boat to make my daughter love me. We were out there, sun shining, and she looked at me and said, 'Dad, I just really miss Mom.' It hit like a ton of bricks."

"I didn't think I was an alcoholic anymore. I thought I was just a guy who used to drink too much. That lie cost me everything."

Connect with Corey:

Connect with Patrick:

Resources (HELP): If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or addiction, help is available. You are not alone. Call or text 988 (USA) for confidential support.

ABOUT THE GUEST: Corey Warren is a recovery advocate, entrepreneur, and the founder of the Rise Recovery Community, one of Michigan’s largest Medicaid-funded recovery housing programs. Known internationally for his viral storytelling and "Hook Point" media strategy, Corey has transformed his life from a convicted "Polite Bandit" facing armed robbery charges to a beacon of hope for millions.

His mission is to disrupt the stigma of addiction by blending raw vulnerability with business acumen. Through his work with Hook Point and his "Straight Talk" school programs, Corey helps individuals identify the root causes of their struggles—often stemming from a need for external validation rather than the substance itself.

Laughing to Keep from Crying: Faith Reconstruction with Andi Marie Tillman

If you grew up in a church where 'speaking in tongues' was a Tuesday night occurrence, you know that sometimes, you have to laugh to survive. In this episode, Andi Marie Tillman brings her viral character 'Aunt Pam' to the studio to roast our religious trauma before we sit down for a raw, honest conversation about what it means to heal through the dogma, not just run from it.

About The Guest: Andi Marie Tillman is a viral comedian, actor, and writer known for bringing the "Appalachian Gothic" aesthetic to the masses. Best known as the creator of Aunt Pam—the gum-smacking, tongue-speaking Southern auntie who has amassed millions of views on TikTok and Instagram—Andi uses satire to explore complex themes of religious trauma, regional identity, and mental health.

A self-described "recovering Pentecostal" and native of East Tennessee, Andi’s work walks the tightrope between hilarity and heartbreak. Whether she is channeling "Papaw," the vampire "Nashveratu," or her own "Sickly Victorian Woman" persona, she offers a masterclass in using humor as a survival mechanism. Beyond the sketches, Andi is an advocate for sobriety and "faith reconstruction," helping others find safety and laughter after leaving high-control religious environments.

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Are you ready to heal and grow? Start your journey with me by signing up here for exclusive updates, resources and behind‑the‑scenes insights from each episode. It’s your invitation to experience “entertainment that heals,” where vulnerability becomes strength and hope is contagious.

Forced Out: The Day Avalon Came to My House - Michael Passons (part 2)

"They showed up at my house and told me I was no longer in the group." In Part 2, Michael Passons reveals the failed "cure" that cost him his career and the 17-year battle to reclaim his life. For nearly two decades, the official story was that Michael Passons left the multi-platinum group Avalon to "pursue other interests." Today, the silence ends.

In this conclusion to our interview, Michael takes us inside the room on June 30, 2003, detailing the unannounced "intervention" at his home that erased him from the band he helped build. He opens up about the industry ultimatum - "get cured or get out" - and the reality of the "reparative therapy" sessions that failed to change who he was, but succeeded in breaking his spirit.

But the trauma is only half the story. This episode is a masterclass in survival and healing. Michael shares how he navigated the "dark night of the soul" after being muzzled by NDAs and management , how he deconstructed the narrative that he was "broken," and how he finally made peace with the "boy in the mirror."

The truth was brutal, but the healing is beautiful.

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🤝 Sponsor Spotlight – Bright Horse Counseling

We’d like to thank our episode sponsor Bright Horse Counseling, one of Nashville’s most respected therapy practices. Their clinicians specialize in trauma, PTSD, personality disorders, anxiety, addiction, maternal mental health, couples work and more. Bright Horse blends embodiment, insight and research‑backed modalities like DBT, EMDR and trauma‑informed yoga. They offer secure telehealth anywhere in Tennessee and have a no‑nonsense relational style.

Website: https://talktobrighthorse.com/

Phone: 615‑637‑7000

Instagram: @bright_horse_counseling

Are you ready to heal and grow? Start your journey with me by signing up here for exclusive updates, resources and behind‑the‑scenes insights from each episode. It’s your invitation to experience “entertainment that heals,” where vulnerability becomes strength and hope is contagious.

Michael Passons Breaks Silence: His Truth About Avalon, Christian Music & 20‑Year Return (Part 1)

Part 1 of 2: Discover the untold story behind one of Christian music’s biggest voices. In his most in‑depth interview ever, Michael Passons, founding member of the GRAMMY‑nominated group Avalon, sits down with Patrick Custer to share the highs, lows and hidden battles that shaped his journey. From singing hymns as a toddler in Yazoo City, Mississippi, to being discovered by Sparrow Records and launching Avalon in 1995, Michael takes you behind the scenes of the group’s meteoric rise. Hear how hits like “Testify to Love,” now considered a gospel classic, nearly didn’t make the cut, and why the band’s ABBA‑inspired sound stood out in the CCM world.

This rare conversation explores themes of mental health, faith and resilience without shying away from the pressure of fame, imposter syndrome and the weight of carrying a secret. Michael reflects on his connection to his mother, the power of music as therapy, and what it felt like to juggle creative success with personal turmoil. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism, wondered what happens backstage, or simply need encouragement on your own healing journey, this episode is for you.

And the story isn’t over - Part 1 ends just before a life‑changing revelation that will forever alter Michael’s path. In Part 2 we’ll dive into that revelation, the fallout that forced him out of Avalon, and how he rebuilt his life and faith while preparing to return to music after nearly twenty years away from the spotlight. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.

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Instagram: @thepatrickcuster

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Facebook: @patrickcarlcuster

Follow Michael

Instagram: @michaelpassons

Follow The Patrick Custer Show:

Instagram: @thepatrickcustershow

TikTok: @thepatrickcustershow

Facebook: The Patrick Custer Show

🤝 Sponsor Spotlight – Bright Horse Counseling

We’d like to thank our episode sponsor Bright Horse Counseling, one of Nashville’s most respected therapy practices. Their clinicians specialize in trauma, PTSD, personality disorders, anxiety, addiction, maternal mental health, couples work and more. Bright Horse blends embodiment, insight and research‑backed modalities like DBT, EMDR and trauma‑informed yoga. They offer secure telehealth anywhere in Tennessee and have a no‑nonsense relational style.

Website: https://talktobrighthorse.com/

Phone: 615‑637‑7000

Instagram: @bright_horse_counseling

Are you ready to heal and grow? Start your journey with me by signing up here for exclusive updates, resources and behind‑the‑scenes insights from each episode. It’s your invitation to experience “entertainment that heals,” where vulnerability becomes strength and hope is contagious.

Series Premiere:

Country Music's Annie Bosko Reveals Mental Health Struggles & Nashville Industry Realities

Ever been told you’ll never get better? In this powerful debut episode, Patrick Custer and California Cowgirl Annie Bosko unpack her journey; from singing at her great‑grandmother’s funeral at five to fighting for her physical voice again after a devastating vocal injury and her inner voice for the power to fight back when business betrayal in the music industry machine tried to take her power and agency from her. You’ll hear how she hid her California roots in Nashville, fought perfectionism and depression, and learned to ask for help when everything fell apart.


They dive into therapy, faith, and the gritty reality of being a woman in country music—and why Annie believes every “no” is just a “not yet.” If you’re struggling with anxiety, procrastination, rejection or feeling stuck, this episode will give you hope and practical tools!

Show Highlights:
- Early performing roots: turning household surfaces into stages; singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at her great‑grandmother’s funeral at five.
- Breakthrough moments: landing The Little Mermaid II soundtrack at 13; singing jingles and studio work; moving from California to Nashville.
- Country‑music identity: hiding her California background to fit in; eventually embracing her “California Cowgirl” roots.
- Voice loss & recovery: discovering a vascular lesion during a Broadway gig; enduring surgery, rehab and the pandemic.
- Therapy & mental health: learning to ask for help, dealing with perfectionism, and letting go of people‑pleasing.
- Rejection, patience & persistence: every “no” becomes a “not yet”—including later collaborations with Dwight Yoakam, Darius Rucker, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton.
- Boundaries & relationships: applying her grandmother’s “80% rule,” standing firm on family and faith values, and learning not to compromise her core beliefs.

Are you ready to heal and grow? Start your journey with me by signing up here for exclusive updates, resources and behind‑the‑scenes insights from each episode. It’s your invitation to experience “entertainment that heals,” where vulnerability becomes strength and hope is contagious.

I appreciate every single one of you for joining this community.

Whether you’re here for your own growth or because someone you love shared this conversation, I’m grateful you’re listening and want to welcome you to The Patrick Custer Show family. Please pass this episode along to friends, family and anyone who might need a lift. When we open up about our struggles and triumphs, we remind each other that we’re not broken, we’re becoming.