In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal talk with Ryan Penley—Nationally Certified Recovery Coach (NCRC II), podcast host, and author of Man Up. Sober Up.—to hear his extraordinary story of transformation.

Ryan spent 11 years immersed in the fast-paced nightlife of Las Vegas, living a double life of bartending by night and battling addiction behind the scenes. After years of substance use and personal turmoil—including a diabetic coma, run-ins with the law, and complete spiritual isolation—Ryan hit rock bottom. But instead of breaking, he began the long journey of rebuilding.

With six years of sobriety under his belt, Ryan shares how his darkest moments became the foundation for a life of purpose. He now dedicates his life to helping others navigate recovery through his platform, MyRockBottomRecovery.com, and his deeply personal book. He opens up about the lack of resources he encountered when transitioning from early sobriety to building a fulfilling life, and why he’s made it his mission to fill that gap for other men in recovery.

In this candid conversation, Ryan reflects on:

• The pivotal moments that led to lasting change
• Finding purpose beyond addiction
• How addiction can be reframed as a “superpower” when directed toward service
• Dealing with online stigma and staying resilient in the face of negativity
• The importance of incremental progress and how small daily improvements lead to unstoppable growth

Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for hope and insight, Ryan’s story is a reminder that even the most shattered lives can be rebuilt—stronger than ever before.

Tune in to hear how one man’s fall led to a powerful rise, and how his commitment to sharing his truth is helping others rise with him.

Learn more about Hanley Foundation’s prevention, treatment, and recovery services at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-HOPE.

What happens when the truth you've believed your whole life changes overnight?

In this powerful and emotional episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben welcome Lisa Sugarman—author, columnist, and mental health advocate—for an honest conversation about grief, suicide loss, and finding purpose through pain.

A three-time suicide loss survivor, Lisa shares how discovering the truth about her father's death 35 years later reshaped her world and mission. From that moment on, she has worked tirelessly to normalize conversations around suicide and mental health, and to provide compassionate support for those in crisis through her work with The Trevor Project, NAMI, and her platform, The HelpHUB™.

Lisa shares how that revelation not only led to years of personal grief but also propelled her into a new purpose: normalizing the conversation around suicide, loss, and mental health. She speaks candidly about the stigma surrounding suicide, what real support looks like for those in crisis, and the importance of simply saying, "I don't know" when facing pain.

Lisa also introduces listeners to The HelpHUB™, a free online platform she created to connect individuals to mental health resources specific to a wide variety of communities. From her work with The Trevor Project to being a storyteller with NAMI, Lisa's message is clear: healing starts with honest conversation.

Resources Mentioned:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988
• The HelpHUB – www.thehelphub.co
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – www.nami.org
• The Trevor Project – www.thetrevorproject.org

To learn more about Hanley Foundation visit hanleyfoundation.org.

In this gripping episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with Michael Molthan — better known as “M2 The Rock” — to talk about his extraordinary journey from high-profile luxury homebuilder to 27 mugshots, addiction, and incarceration… and ultimately, to recovery, redemption, and purpose.

Michael shares candidly about the spiritual awakening he experienced while in prison, the childhood trauma that fueled his addiction, and the transformational power of service. With raw honesty and passion, Michael challenges the stigma around addiction by making a bold statement: “Everyone is an addict.”

This conversation dives deep into:

• The hidden trauma beneath substance use disorder
• How spiritual disconnection drives addiction
• What recovery really looks like (and why it's not about willpower)
• Why Step 2 may be the most dangerous moment in early sobriety
• How to find peace and purpose on the other side of pain
• Michael’s "spiritual autopsy" and how it led to healing
• Turning pain into purpose — and mugshots into a mission

Michael’s story is proof that nothing is wasted — and that healing is possible no matter how far you've fallen. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or seeking a deeper understanding of mental and spiritual health, this episode will move and inspire you.

Resources & Mentions:

• Learn more about Michael Molthan: M2TheRock.com
• Hanley Foundation: HanleyFoundation.org