Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up

About Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up

Welcome to Unfiltered: Dare to Level Up with Lynn Zielasko. We have real conversations about addiction, recovery, trauma, mindset, relationships, business, and leadership, and what it truly takes to become your strongest self. We have real conversations about addiction, recovery, trauma, mindset, relationships, business, and leadership, and what it truly takes to become your strongest self. It's more than a podcast. It's a movement for healing, growth, and purpose. We're bridging the gap, bringing together people in recovery, entrepreneurs, business leaders, advocates, and change-makers who believe awareness creates impact, challenging you to rise above limitations, think bigger, lead stronger, and level up, one decision at a time. No filters, no fluff, just real conversations that create real change.

Publisher

UnfilteredDaretoLevelUp

Category

education · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

15 May 2026

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Lynn Zielasko Unfiltered — Episode 12: Connection Is the Opposite of Addiction: Caleb’s Recovery Story

   Connection Is the Opposite of Addiction: Caleb’s Recovery Story In the premiere episode of this special mini-series, host Lynn sits down for an intimate, deeply candid conversation with her husband, Caleb, to explore the raw realities of addiction, relapse, and the grueling journey toward a purposeful life. Caleb opens up about more than a decade of substance abuse—tracing its escalation from marijuana and alcohol to methamphetamine—and reflects on how profound isolation and a fierce desire for self-reliance ultimately kept him trapped. Through his unique lens, Caleb shares the turning points that redefined his journey, including the holistic programming and Wellbriety traditions that helped him truly engage in healing. He opens up about the reality of his recovery path: the 18 months spent in an Oxford House, the false sense of being "cured" after completing the 12 steps, and how a single drink following a job layoff sparked a painful year-and-a-half relapse filled with suicidal ideation. This episode is a powerful testament to the necessity of self-forgiveness, the ongoing work of addressing trauma, and the life-saving realization that true connection is the ultimate opposite of addiction. For more information, visit: https://kennedysplace.org/

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Lynn Zielasko Unfiltered — Episode 11: Surrender, Sobriety, and "Coffee with God"

   In this powerful episode, we sit down with Heather to explore her deeply moving journey through addiction, a life-saving mental health crisis, and the beautiful reality of long-term recovery. In a beautiful twist of fate, Heather and our host discover they share the exact same sobriety date—January 13th—exactly one year apart. Together, they reflect on what it truly means to surrender, rebuild, and continuously show up for one another in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. Heather opens up about how alcohol took hold of her life early on, starting at just 10 years old as a way to cope with a difficult childhood. She takes us through her high school years marked by blackouts, the heavy-drinking culture of her time in the military, and the complex reality of how motherhood temporarily paused—but didn't cure—her addiction. After a major move from Washington to Texas stripped away her remaining structure, Heather found herself in the depths of a suicidal crisis. Thanks to a life-saving call to the Veterans Crisis Line, Heather began a journey of profound surrender. From spending two weeks in a VA psychiatric ward and 44 days in rehab to finding her home in AA, she shares how willingness and daily routines—like her morning "coffee with God"—keep her sober today. Tune in to hear an honest, raw, and ultimately hopeful conversation about: How childhood coping mechanisms can evolve into adult addictions. The unique challenges of military drinking culture and navigating motherhood. The turning point: reaching out for help and learning to follow directions. What "practicing recovery in all areas of life" actually looks like. The healing power of service, sponsorship, and allowing yourself to finally feel. For more information, visit: https://kennedysplace.org/

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Lynn Zielasko Unfiltered — Episode 10: Boundaries, Ethics, and Empathy: Redefining Support in Long-Term Recovery

   In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kalei as she reflects on a major milestone: celebrating 13 years of recovery alongside her son’s 13th birthday. Kalay opens up about her journey from a turbulent youth—which included running away and experiencing homelessness on the streets of Seattle at just 12 years old—to finding her true calling in community advocacy. She shares how her relationship with recovery has evolved over more than a decade, transforming her from someone focused strictly on meetings into a dedicated mother, leader, and mentor who makes intentional space for family and service. As the development manager at the Everett Recovery Cafe, Kalei dives into the logistics and deep rewards of building sustainable support for those seeking help. She discusses the realities of managing everyday relapse triggers, why choices like non-alcoholic beer didn't feel safe for her path, and how she navigates the unique fears of parenting a teenager when her own adolescence was so chaotic. Through her work teaching the Recovery Coach Academy, Kalei highlights the vital role of boundaries, professionalism, and diverse lived experiences in creating safe spaces for healing. Looking forward, Kalei reveals her change to study social justice to support middle-school students during their most vulnerable years. Tune in to hear an inspiring conversation about the everyday victories of recovery—from watching members regain hope and obtain driver's licenses after major setbacks, to the profound impact of showing up for your community with empathy, boundaries, and a clear sense of purpose. For more information, visit: https://kennedysplace.org/ https://everettrecoverycafe.org/

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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