We're Out of Time

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with Mike Bayer for an unfiltered conversation about addiction, long-term sobriety, relapse, and redemption. Mike opens up about growing up in Orange County, excelling in high school basketball, and how early struggles with mental health led to substance use. After heading to New York to play basketball at Fordham University, his partying escalated and ultimately landed him in treatment at just 22 years old.

Richard shares how his own sobriety journey led him to open a treatment center, setting the stage for Mike to walk through his path to recovery and purpose. Mike details his rise in the recovery space, including becoming a New York Times bestselling author with the help of Dr. Phil, who later mentored him for four years and helped launch his media career.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Mike reveals relapsing after 19 years of sobriety due to a medication prescribed by a doctor—an experience that deeply reshaped his understanding of recovery. He reflects on what relapse after long-term sobriety taught him, the emotional toll it took, and why humility and honesty remain essential to sustained recovery.

The episode closes with raw discussions on freedom, identity, and compassion, including Mike’s belief that he is no better than anyone else and his decision to help an assistant who is now serving four years in prison—highlighting the complexities of service, boundaries, and humanity in the recovery world.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with Dr. Ken Spielvogel, Senior Medical Officer at Carrera Treatment Wellness & Spa, to explore one of the most talked-about breakthroughs in addiction medicine: GLP-1 medications. Originally developed for diabetes and weight loss, emerging research now suggests GLP-1s may significantly reduce cravings, compulsive behavior, and relapse risk in people struggling with substance use disorders.
Dr. Spielvogel explains how GLP-1 medications are being used in addiction treatment, including why injectable options outperform oral medications when it comes to compliance and effectiveness. The conversation breaks down how GLP-1s impact dopamine signaling in the brain, why they can decrease urges to use drugs or alcohol, and how their effects differ in individuals with substance use disorders. Richard and Dr. Spielvogel also discuss nicotine replacement therapy, brain fog, and the broader public health reality that over 50% of Americans are obese.
As the episode continues, Richard Taite makes a bold statement, calling GLP-1s “the best drug I’ve ever seen for the treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism.” Dr. Spielvogel expands on why the medication may be a game-changer, outlines the four leading causes of death these drugs may help reduce, and addresses side effects associated with rapid weight loss. The discussion emphasizes that medication alone is not enough without self-work, exercise, and lifestyle change. The episode concludes with a look at falling prices, expanded access, and the future of GLP-1s as preventative medicine.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with former NFL player turned Emmy-nominated television host Akbar Gbajabiamila for an honest, deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and reinvention after professional sports. Best known as the longtime host of American Ninja Warrior and former co-host of CBS’ The Talk, Akbar opens up about the moments that shaped his life on and off the field.
Akbar reflects on traveling to Nigeria and witnessing his father reunite with his mother after 32 years apart, an experience that allowed him to see his father as a child for the first time. He shares how watching his Nigerian immigrant parents build businesses from nothing instilled discipline, grit, and resilience at an early age. The conversation moves into Akbar’s journey to the NFL, the pressure of becoming a professional athlete, and the identity crisis that followed when his football career ended.
He speaks candidly about financial struggles after leaving the NFL, including working two years for free, earning under $30,000 a year, moving back into his childhood home with his wife and kids, and watching his savings dwindle to his last $40,000. Akbar explains how betting on himself eventually led to a breakthrough in broadcasting, landing roles at the NFL Network and American Ninja Warrior.
The episode also dives into injuries, brain health, and the hidden dangers of painkillers, as Akbar shares his experience unknowingly developing a Vicodin dependency after football. He discusses overcoming that habit, confronting sugar addiction, and rethinking how everyday substances impact mental and physical health. Akbar also shares the inspiration behind launching his new podcast One54 Africa, dedicated to telling stories from across the African diaspora, and reflects on the pride and purpose behind hitting the American Ninja Warrior buzzer himself.

In this episode of We’re Out Of Time, Richard Taite sits down with viral creator Ryan Burton to unpack the real story behind online success, mental health, and personal growth in your 20s. Ryan opens up about building a YouTube career from the ground up—going from 13,000 subscribers to over 5 million, eventually reaching 10 million subscribers across platforms and 50M+ likes through relentless experimentation, consistency, and creative risk-taking.
Ryan shares how he began earning $4,000 a month at just 18–19 years old, and why early success didn’t protect him from anxiety, panic attacks, burnout, and depressive waves. The conversation dives into the mental toll of being online, why you can’t thrive with poor mental health, and how physical movement, real connection, and discipline became essential tools for stability.
The episode explores emotional intelligence and relationships, including why men often want to fix problems while women want to feel heard, and how pain is often the catalyst for real change. Ryan reflects on internal dialogue, explaining how the “good voice” represents your healthiest self while the opposing voice stems from your inner child.
As the conversation deepens, Richard offers life advice for people in their 20s, touching on financial lessons, purpose, and responsibility. They discuss the concept of “failure to launch,” why so many young adults feel stuck, and how growth can happen rapidly when guided by the right teacher. The episode closes with reflections on meaning, faith, long-term fulfillment, and the importance of leaving the world better than you found it.

On this episode of We’re Out Of Time, host Richard Taite sits down with Dr. Katie Held, Chief Clinical Officer, and John Lieberman, CEO of Visions Teen Treatment Center, to expose the harsh realities adolescents face in today’s drug crisis. Drawing from frontline experience treating teens with substance use disorders, they break down what parents, educators, and clinicians urgently need to understand.
The conversation begins with a sobering look at how adolescents are unknowingly using fentanyl, often without realizing it’s present in the substances they consume. Dr. Held and Lieberman explain what they’re seeing inside teen treatment centers and why fentanyl exposure has become increasingly common. They then explore how high-potency THC and cannabis extracts are triggering psychosis in teens, particularly among young brains that are still developing.
Toxicology data reveals the scope of the problem, with 10–15% of teen admissions testing positive for fentanyl, a number that continues to climb. The discussion moves into the dangers of street vape cartridges and counterfeit products, highlighting how teens casually pick up unknown carts with potentially lethal consequences.Beyond substances, the episode confronts human trafficking risks tied to drug access, including real cases where teens normalize dangerous situations just to obtain drugs. The emotional weight deepens with stories of parents receiving hospital calls after overdoses—one father worrying about school while his son fights for his life, and another asking, “Can help get here fast enough to save my son?”
Dr. Held and Lieberman address parental responsibility, denial, and fear, unpacking common misconceptions teens and families have about drugs. They examine the post-COVID and social media impact on adolescent mental health, emphasizing the urgent need for resilience-building. The episode also explores what it’s like to seek treatment for your own child while running a treatment center, the critical role of family support, and the key differences between treating adolescents versus adults.
The conversation closes with a powerful reflection on why they choose to work with adolescents—because early intervention can change the trajectory of an entire life.