187: I Was A Heroin Addict (The 30-Hour Bus Ride That Saved Me) with Jesse Todisco

Jesse Todisco was a successful salesman by day and a heroin addict by night. Then came the 30-hour bus ride that changed everything.

In this episode of The Modern Man Podcast, I sit down with Jesse Todisco—author of From Heroin to Healer—to discuss the dark reality of high-functioning addiction and the "impossible" journey of recovery. Jesse opens up about breaking the cycle of generational trauma, the truth about quitting cold turkey, and the profound Ayahuasca experience where he reconnected with his deceased daughter.

If you feel stuck, numb, or like you are repeating your father’s mistakes, this conversation is the wake-up call you need. We go beyond the surface to discuss why "success" often masks deep pain and how to finally find peace.

In this episode, you will learn:

The Hidden Cost: How high-performers hide addiction and why rock bottom is necessary.

The Impossible Twist: Jesse’s firsthand account of seeing his dead daughter during a plant medicine ceremony.

Breaking Trauma: How to stop being "just like your dad" and become the father your children need.

Tactical Tools: How to use Breathwork and "Gratitude Stacking" to hack depression immediately.

CHAPTERS 

0:00 - Intro: The High-Functioning Addict

09:18 - Growing Up With a Heroin Addict Father

11:11 - The 30-Hour Bus Ride That Saved My Life

13:51 - The Truth About Quitting Cold Turkey

22:49 - What Is a Spiritual Awakening? (Real Definition)

28:02 - I Saw My Dead Daughter (Ayahuasca Story)

31:19 - Integration: How to Actually Change Your Life

35:19 - Parenting: Breaking The Cycle of Anger

39:04 - "Gratitude Stacking": A Tool for Depression

43:14 - What It Means to Be a Modern Man

🔗 CONNECT WITH JESSE TODISCO

Book: From Heroin to Healer (Amazon)

Organization: weareawakenedhearts.org

Email: hello@jessetidisco.com

Free eBook Here: Mastering Self-Development: Strategies of the New Masculine: https://rebrand.ly/m2ebook

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ABOUT THE HOST Ted Phaeton is a TV News Anchor, Coach, and the Host of The Modern Man Podcast. He helps ambitious men master their time so they can lead their families, build wealth, and leave a legacy—without burning out.

“The Modern Man” is a series focused on discussing the challenges and obstacles men face in today’s society. It is an open forum of discussion where thoughts, strategies and ideas of men living a happy and fulfilled life are explored. The Modern Man aims to create a community of men not only sharing and connecting on a deeper level, but also exploring how to thrive and live a happy and fulfilled life. This is done through intentional conversations strategically aimed at issues that men face in today’s society.