{"podcast":{"title":"Get a Grip Podcast","slug":"get-a-grip-podcast-7141471","podcast_index_feed_id":7141471,"rss_url":"https://anchor.fm/s/f9cdd698/podcast/rss","website_url":"https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast","image_url":"https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/staging/podcast_uploaded_nologo/41810166/41810166-1742665156512-51f4e5b811028.jpg","author":"Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes","episode_count":193,"summary":"Get a Grip Podcast is hosted by Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes, both in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In each episode, they share their unfiltered stories of overcoming addiction, time in prison, and struggles with mental health—mixing raw honesty with humor. The podcast gives a voice to the underdog, breaking down the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. Through candid conversations and real-life experiences, Louis and Aaron inspire others on their journey, showing that while recovery is challenging, it’s possible. Tune in for laughter, hope, and stories of transformation.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-16T10:19:52.913714+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/get-a-grip-podcast-7141471"},"episode":{"title":"I Smuggled Illegal Aliens, Survived Human Trafficking, and Beat Heroin Addiction | Ep 171","slug":"i-smuggled-illegal-aliens-survived-human-trafficking-and-beat-heroin-addiction-ep-171","published_at":"2026-06-03T23:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/get-a-grip-podcast-7141471/i-smuggled-illegal-aliens-survived-human-trafficking-and-beat-heroin-addiction-ep-171","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/get-a-grip-podcast-7141471","url":"https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/officialgetagrippodcast/episodes/I-Smuggled-Illegal-Aliens--Survived-Human-Trafficking--and-Beat-Heroin-Addiction--Ep-171-e3k8uoh","audio_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO1292874356.mp3","summary":"In this unforgettable episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Mickey Mills to share one of the most shocking and inspiring recovery stories ever featured on the show. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia and adopted into the United States, Mickey's life was shaped by trauma from an early age. After losing a close friend to suicide and experiencing abuse, she spiraled into addiction, overdosing on benzodiazepines and experimenting with heroin by just 15 years old. Mickey opens up about homelessness, toxic relationships, living under bridges, moving across the country, entering the sex industry, and becoming involved in criminal activity tied to addiction and human smuggling operations near the border. What began as substance abuse evolved into a life marked by exploitation, trafficking, violence, and survival. She also provides powerful insight into the psychology of abusive relationships, addiction, methamphetamine use, dissociation, and the realities many never see behind trafficking and sex work. Through overdoses, near-death experiences, dangerous situations, and devastating betrayals, Mickey somehow survived. Life-changing moments eventually led her toward recovery, motherhood, and a new purpose. Today, she works with survivors of human trafficking and uses her experience to help others escape situations she once believed she would never survive herself. This episode is a raw look at addiction, trauma, recovery, and redemption—and a reminder that transformation is possible. 🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio l…","meta_description":"In this unforgettable episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Mickey Mills to share one of the most shocking and inspiri…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":8343,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/get-a-grip-podcast-7141471/episodes/i-smuggled-illegal-aliens-survived-human-trafficking-and-beat-heroin-addiction-ep-171/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/get-a-grip-podcast-7141471/i-smuggled-illegal-aliens-survived-human-trafficking-and-beat-heroin-addiction-ep-171.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}