The Begin Again Podcast

About The Begin Again Podcast

RCVR Stories — Real People. Real Recovery. Real Hope. RCVR Stories is the evolution of what began as The Begin Again Podcast. Same mission. Same heart. Bigger purpose. Hosted by Gary Menkes — sober since 2006, founder of the recovery lifestyle brand RCVR, and believer that every comeback story deserves to be heard — this podcast shares unfiltered conversations with people who have rebuilt their lives through recovery. Each week, we explore stories of addiction, transformation, resilience, mental health, and the powerful truth that you are not alone. From athletes and artists to entrepreneurs, creators, and everyday heroes, RCVR Stories shines a light on the voices that prove recovery is not just possible — it’s extraordinary. This is more than a podcast. This is a movement. A tribe of a million comebacks. Welcome to RCVR Stories.

Publisher

Gary Menkes

Category

education · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Apr 2023

Latest episode

26 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

112 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Aug 2025

   🦋EP 111 - Breaking the Stigma: Ali Yule’s Journey Through Sobriety

   In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary sits down with Ali Yule, who will be celebrating three years of sobriety in August. Ali shares her deeply personal journey from growing up with anxiety and substance abuse in her family to falling in love with sobriety. Despite experimenting with alcohol in high school, it was a traumatic event at 21 that thrust Ali into full-blown addiction, leading to numerous relapses and stints in rehab. A turning point came after ...

2. 

   19 Aug 2025

   🔄EP 110 - Facing the Abyss: Josh Datant's Redemption Story

   In this compelling episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Josh Datant, a talented musician and powerful advocate for recovery. Josh shares his harrowing journey through addiction, which began at the tender age of 15 when he first tried heroin. From heavy alcohol use to engaging in identity theft and fraudulent checks, Josh's life spiraled out of control. He recounts how addiction led him to lose his career, relationships, and even custody of his son. T...

3. 

   12 Aug 2025

   💡EP 109 - Life Overhaul: Gabe Cohen's Path to Redemption

   In this heart-wrenching and inspiring episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes sits down with Gabe Cohen, a man whose journey through addiction and multiple incarcerations has led him to become a passionate advocate for recovery. Gabe shares his raw and personal experiences, from getting arrested at 15 for a shooting incident and grappling with cocaine addiction, to facing homelessness and numerous stints in prison. He talks about hitting rock bottom when a near-fatal ...

Who has been a guest on The Begin Again Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Joshua Bennett-Johnson
• Elan Hardy
• Melissa McGovern
• Jay Barnard
• Meghan Melin

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

154,201

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

72

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

77

Contact The Begin Again Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.