Who this episode is for:
Those walking through the fire of addiction.
Anyone who grew up in chaos and called it normal.
Parents raising kids with trauma in their eyes.
Social workers hanging by a thread.
Therapists questioning if they’re helping or just absorbing.
And anyone who's ever face-planted in life, looked up, and thought, “Fuck. Now what?”

CHAZ FRANKE RETURNS: MENTOR, THERAPIST, TRAUMA SHERPA

We took last week off because of Thanksgiving—calm down, we're allowed to have lives. But to make it up to you, we're throwing it back to one of the most powerful convos ever recorded in the Pondoff’s Anonymous studio: Chris and the inimitable Chaz Franke, therapist, mentor, and walking embodiment of “safe adult.”

And here’s the real kicker—this isn’t just a rerun. It’s a preview. Chris and Chaz are teaming up to launch a brand-new show under the PA umbrella in the new year. He’s the brilliant. Chris is… well, let’s just say it’s appropriately titled.

In this episode, you’ll hear why Chaz has been the go-to guy for the hardest shit in Chris’s life since the ice rink days. They unpack everything from adolescent chaos and Zamboni-fueled misadventures to trauma, addiction, meth, grief, and how the fuck we’re supposed to survive it all.

Chaz breaks down why people turn to drugs not because they’re weak, but because the pain is unbearable—and why the world’s answer to that has been to shame them. He explains the realm of hungry ghosts, the devastating weight of childhood neglect, and why trauma isn’t what happened—it’s what never got healed.

Raw, funny, heartbreaking, and deeply human—this one’s a time capsule of the broken-to-healing pipeline. And a taste of what’s to come.

Chapters:
00:00 Thanksgiving Reflections and Show Launch
01:30 Insurance and Mental Health Support
02:17 Introducing Light in the Dark Coffee
03:39 Personal Milestones and Family News
04:35 Welcoming Chas Frankie: A Mentor's Perspective
08:11 Exploring Trauma and Addiction
10:15 Nostalgic Ice Rink Stories
12:31 Friendship and Shared Memories
20:09 Reflections on Personal Growth and Challenges
27:54 The Journey to Social Work
34:09 First Experiences in Counseling
40:20 Understanding Addiction and Its Roots
49:57 The Impact of Trauma on Addiction
56:02 The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
01:04:39 Navigating Mental Health Conversations
01:06:08 Creating Safe Spaces for Therapy
01:09:27 The Concept of Light Source in Therapy
01:12:42 Community Investment and Support
01:14:02 The Impact of Telehealth on Therapy
01:19:35 Feedback and Adaptation in Therapy
01:22:38 The Importance of Safe Adults in Trauma Recovery
01:28:12 Reflections on Personal Growth and Support

Mentions:
🧠 Chaz Franke’s therapy practice: https://findyourlightsource.com
☕ Light in the Dark Coffee: https://pondoffsanonymous.com
📚 Book drop: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté
📍 Location: LightSource is located at 114 East Lincoln St, Belleville, IL

Sponsored by:
McKelvey Insurance
LightSource Psychotherapy