The Just Checking In Podcast
The Just Checking In Podcast is another step in VENT’s mission to give people a voice, change the conversation around mental health and provide an outlet where everyone, but especially men and boys, can express themselves.Each pod we check in with a special guest. We have a natter and a chat about all things mental health as well as anything and everything else they're passionate about. If it helps that person with their mental health, we'll discuss it!
The Just Checking In Podcast
JCIP #339 - Luke Loughlin - Part 2
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In episode 339 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked back in with Luke Loughlin.
Luke is a men’s mental health advocate based in Canada, the former Co-Founder of Men United and the Founder of Recovery Painting, a painting and decorating business which gives opportunities to men in recovery from addiction issues or have been in prison.
He is also the Founder of The Inside Job Project, a soon-to-be-launched recovery and coaching programme for other people going through addiction recovery.
Luke first came on the podcast in May 2024 in JCIP #244, where we discussed childhood trauma, including being a survivor of CSA, his battle with alcohol addiction, interactions with the police, faith and recovery.
We then checked in again in March 2025 in JCIP #280 where we had one of the most powerful conversations we've ever had on this podcast with Luke and his sister Lindsay.
In this Part 2 solo episode, we check back in with Luke’s mental health journey and recovery.
We talk about the conclusion of a court case which has been hanging over him since 2019 and which came about because of his actions whilst in addiction.
We discuss how and why he built his new painting and decorating business and giving other men like him an opportunity for employment, self-esteem and keep them on the path of recovery.
For Luke’s continued advocacy journey, we discuss his launch plans for The Inside Job, the event he did in February 2026 with an organisation called Lives Touched by Addiction and a sermon he delivered about his story at his local church.
We finish by discussing the opportunity he had when he got to speak to a graduate class of firefighters, which as you’ll discover, was a massive full circle moment for him in the context of his story.
As always, #itsokaytovent
You can follow Luke on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthloughlin/
You can listen to Luke's previous episodes below:
TRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a brief discussion about sexual abuse and suicide, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.
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Trigger warning, this podcast contains brief discussions about sexual abuse and suicide, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting. So please listen with caution. Hi Venters, welcome back to another episode of the Just Checking In Podcast. I'm your host, Roddy Cocker, and this podcast is brought to you by Vent, a place where everyone, but especially men and boys, can open up about their mental health issues, break down stigmas, and start conversations. In each episode, I check in with a special guest. We have a natter and a chat about all things mental health, as well as anything and everything else they are passionate about. If it helps that person with their mental health, we discuss it. In this episode, I'm checking back in with an incredible man and one of my all-time favorite podcast guests. Luke Laughlin is a men's mental health advocate based in Canada, the former co-founder of Men United, and the founder of Recovery Painting, a painting and decorating business which also gives opportunities to men in recovery from addiction issues or have been in prison. He is also the founder of the Inside Job Project, a soon-to-be launched recovery and coaching program for other people going through addiction recovery. Luke first came on the podcast in May 2024 in JCP 244, where we discussed childhood trauma, including Luke being a survivor of CSA, his battle with alcohol addiction, interactions with the police, faith and recovery. We then checked in again in March 2025 in JCIP 280, where I had one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had on this podcast, when I checked back in with Luke, but also his sister Lindsay. Where we discussed their upbringing together, their relationship as siblings, how Lindsay had to make difficult decisions to protect her family whilst Luke was in the grips of his addiction, and how she was the lighthouse for him to find his way back. In this part two style episode, we check back in with Luke's mental health journey and recovery. We talk about the conclusion of a court case which has been hanging over him since 2019, which came about because of his actions whilst in alcohol addiction, and how and why he built his new painting and decorating business and giving other men like him an opportunity for employment, self-esteem, and keep them on the path of recovery like Luke. For Luke's continued advocacy journey, we discuss his launch plans for the inside job, the event he'll be doing soon at time of recording with an organization called Lives Touched by Addiction in February 2026, and a speech he delivered about his story at his local church too. We finished by discussing his speech to a graduate class of firefighters, which, as you'll discover in this podcast, was a massive full circle moment for Luke in the context of his story. So this is how part two of my conversation with a legend, that is, Luke Laughlin, went. Luke, welcome back to the Just Checking In Pod for an unofficial third time, but officially your part two. Thank you for letting me check back in with you, brother. We are chatting in that weird period between Christmas and New Year. I imagine a lot of Canada is looking like a Michael Buble Christmas album right now. How are you, bro?
SPEAKER_00I'm doing well, Freddie. We just uh wrapped up Christmas there with the family. And as you know from other times we've talked, you know, Christmas wasn't always the uh greatest thing in our family with some of the struggles that were going on, but this year everyone's together, everyone's got smiles on their faces, and it was a blessing.
SPEAKER_01Oh so great to hear, man. It's so great to see some of the amazing posts that you and Lindsay have been putting up on your Instagrams as well. You have come so far, even in the time I first checked in with you, mate, which is not too long ago in the grand scheme of life. And I'm always, you know, so proud of everything that you've achieved and will go on to achieve in the future. And we've got a lot to talk about again. So without further delay, are you ready to start the show and talk all about it? I am, man. Let's start your part two, unofficially part three, by checking in with your mental health journey first, bro. So, this is a big question. You might get emotional already. How do you reflect on your pod with Lindsay? What feedback did you get to it? And who's the Luke we meet now?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think that pod we did with my sister was it was important and pretty much like it touched our family a lot. You know, a lot of times with addiction, you know, it's all about like the person that's in addiction, their recovery, right? And like people trying to encourage them, where I find like the family members do get left out a bit. So, you know, when you invited both of us on here, I gave my sister an outlet to share her story and her perspective of things, right? And pretty much like after doing that, the feedback we got back was, you know, not only from people talking about my experience, how it like may have helped them, are they related, but there was parents, there were siblings that reached out to Lindsay because they, you know, really could relate with her, you know, some of the things, the boundaries she had to set. And uh today, like my relationship with my sister has definitely grown. Like the other day we made a post together. She texted me saying, You just made a post, and I was also sitting in a parking lot making a post on my thoughts. Like we had no clue. We literally were doing this at the same time, thinking about each other and just how important it is. And I think the man I am today is, you know, is life perfect? No, but I'm constantly striving to take care of myself, to build the things that are in my life today. And I believe I have been growing since the last time that we have met. I've had other challenges since we last time met, but I'm I've always kept persevering through these, and and thank God I got a family that's behind my back with that.
SPEAKER_01Well, you mentioned there that amazing coincidence of the post that you and Lindsay did. And I remember when I literally remember after we finished that pod, you messaged me saying, you know, me and Lindsay have just had a like a really great conversation and kind of just had a bit of a decompress after doing it. Was there one particular DM or in-person comment, maybe you were when you were out and about, that you or Lindsay received that you can share that really meant a lot to you both, mate?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I I think one of the biggest ones was a DM about how hard it must have been for my older sister to have set the boundary that she set. Because initially, with that boundary, especially the headspace I was in, at first you're kind of like, How could you do that? How can I not be around my nieces and nephews? But she knew she was powerless. And I remember somebody reached out just saying, like, I can only imagine how hard that was for your sister, but look at the consequence that it grew to today, where you guys are both sharing this story about both of your guys' perspectives, her journey, your journey. And the person that DM'd us said they're trying to set that boundary right now with a loved one, and it's one of the hardest things that they're trying to do. But that story of ours gave them hope that in the future them taking care of themselves might pay dividends. And it's priceless to have somebody reach out and say something like that.
SPEAKER_01No, that's amazing, man. And definitely, you know, when you put these boundaries in place, you can't predict the future, right? You don't know what's going to happen at the end of it. But what you did, you provided that waypoint, that lighthouse. If we go back to you and Lindsay's podcast, is that how it felt when that person reached out to you?
SPEAKER_00Yes. Yeah, yeah, because it's like really, and you think about like somebody showed me how to climb out of a hole that I was in. Like they've been there before. And the same with like Lindsay. So us doing that was kind of, you know, somebody might have been in that hole too and seen it and heard that. And okay, these are the things I might have to try to climb out myself, right? And yeah, it's a joy, it's like you get this ball of joy in you when you know you've like touched somebody with just sharing your experience authentically. Yeah, it's priceless.
SPEAKER_01Give my listeners an insight into where you are with your recovery right now, mate, versus when we last checked in. You mentioned challenges. So, how have you navigated this last year or so too?
SPEAKER_00I would say here's a big thing too. I've been working a lot more since the last time that me and you had a podcast. So there was a lot more time to focus on myself and do stuff like, you know, continuous therapy, my recovery meetings and stuff like that. And then now with work being there, you know, eight to ten hours of a day is, you know, you're at work, you're focused at work, and then trying to find that balance to do those things after work and take care of yourself. So I feel like balance has been a thing. If you meet anybody that's mastered balance, please send them my way because it's been an ongoing. Like some weeks, I'm I'm feeling good, I'm feeling healthy, and then work. I got a couple jobs lined up or something where my focus goes a lot more on the work and I neglect little things here that are good for me. And I can feel that in my mental health. I can feel it in my physical health, my spiritual health. So it's been really navigating, like compartmentalizing my life with my work, my faith, my recovery, emotional, mental, physical, spiritual health. And that's been, I'm still going and I I am doing well, but it has been like there's some days where I'm just not feeling that great. Like I feel burnt out, I feel tired. And when you're burnt out and you're tired, I know for me that's when you can make the most mistakes. And I haven't made any big mistakes that have like threatened my sobriety or any of that. But of course, maybe I reacted a little bit, you know, in a conversation, had to go make an apology, stuff like that, right?
SPEAKER_01Well, that's life, man. You're on a journey where, you know, some people are more ahead of you, some people are more behind you. But you know, as long as you focus on yourself and where you are, as long as you approach each situation with grace and you know, people hopefully, you know, forgive. I think forgiveness is sadly going out the window in a lot of society right now. But I think as long as the people around you kind of approach your situation with grace and compassion and you approach them the same way, I think that that can only be a positive. Yeah. Yeah. We're all human at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yeah. And to somebody I I really look up to, right, when I've like shared, like, yeah, I'm tired or I made this mistake. She always likes to say, How human of you to have a human experience, you know.
SPEAKER_01I want to dive deeper because there was a time in your life which we've discussed in your previous pods, where you struggled with suicidality a lot. And the years since, because of the work you do now, hopefully because of the podcast too, and some of the other public speaking stuff you've done, which is great, a lot of other people have come to you and spoken to you about their own experiences of suicidality or when they've come close to taking on their own life, etc. And one really profound thing you said to me off air was that Luke that was suicidal, it feels so distant now. Has that surprised you when these people have had those conversations? And how do you reflect on that?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, like I know I shared with you before, uh, actually, in this same bedroom that I'm doing this podcast with, like, I used to sit up on the edge of my bed, you know, when's this gonna be over? Like I had no drive to live where today, where I'm at now, there is this purpose, there is this why. Okay, I don't wake up every morning click in my heels, but I know I'm going to be moving towards stuff. So when people have like reached out to me, like feeling like that, I really, I really sit in that. And I don't, when anybody reaches out and talks to me about that, I don't start hitting them with solutions and what they need to do. I listen to it, man. Like, because I know what that's like. And I know when I was feeling that way, if I ever talked about it, I wasn't ready. I just need to share that. It's already hard to share that with somebody because I always would think, like, I'm effed up, I'm not normal. And if I share this, are they gonna throw me in the mental ward or what, you know, am I gonna get hospitalized right away? So the fact that people will come to me and share that means a lot. That means that me not being silent about my journey and my past gives other people hope. Yeah, the lighthouse we talked about, right?
SPEAKER_01It's really interesting you say that, mate, because something that all, I'm using air quotes here, mental health advocates have to go through is protecting our own boundaries. And you spoke about Lindsay setting boundaries with you when you're in addiction, and boundaries is really important for us because people might come to us, they might be in really deep distress. Sometimes we might not be able to have the energy to give back to them. Sometimes people might try and exploit our good nature, and you have to recognize when someone's doing it for the right reasons, when sometimes someone's doing it for the wrong reasons. How have you adjusted to that position of responsibility in your own community too, mate?
SPEAKER_00Man, that's been a hard one too, Freddie. Because of course, there's this thing in me that, you know, with compassion, you you want to help, right? But you can't say that you can fall into that so easily that because you might have come out of a dark place, you have to be the one to show up and be there for those people. And it's interesting you bring this up because I had somebody call me a few weeks ago and it was late. I had a long week. I was with a friend of mine, and she also knew this person, and it took a lot for me not to feel bad because I just didn't have the capacity to pick up this phone call. And and I know sometimes the thought was in my head, like, what if something was terribly wrong with this person? Um, am I gonna sit with that if they were in in a bad place? And I remember not calling back because I just I need to get to bed, and I just didn't have it in me anymore. And and I remember talking to the person actually that called me like a couple days later, and they're like, Oh, it was a pocket dial. And uh like it was amazing how like right away I wanted to just pick up the phone with such a long day because I know this person has had their own struggles. My friend, God bless her, she's been uh a really close friend of mine. She just said, like, look, you don't have to be there for everybody all the time. Like, you already are there a lot for a lot of people. And sometimes I still need that reminder, Freddie. Because sometimes I just discovered am I helping people or being there for people solely because I want to help them and I have the capacity, or am I going to do it because I still am trying to earn my worth in some way? Am I still trying to make up for my past in some way? So yeah, I like just really was like putting that together the past couple weeks, actually, right? That there may be some times where I jump to get in there to help when is this coming from a place of I have the capacity to do it and I want to help, or am I trying to kind of make up for my past?
SPEAKER_01You'll get there, mate. You'll get there. I've had an obsession with an author called Mitch Albom, you might be aware of, mate. He's written so many incredible books, a lot around faith. So if you don't know about him, get to know. I'll send you a couple links after this. I just finished one of his books called The Timekeeper. I've got about three more books of his left. I've read about eight already. And I remember one of the most amazing quotes that you gave me on your podcast was Faith is hope with a track record, right? And I use that with all of my guests who have a faith, and it really kind of hits them in the feels. And there's a quote in this book which I want to kind of speak back to you too, which is when hope is gone, time is a punishment. So, how do you reflect on that quote when it comes to your attitude towards gratitude and your recovery journey with your family and friends now? Wow, that's uh I gotta let that sink in for a second. Say that quote one more time. When hope is gone, time is a punishment.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's like thinking about like that and your question. Because look, I'm here today just because I hoped something would work. And some people that have the same struggles as me were like, hey, this is what I've been doing. Why don't you try doing some of this stuff? And and I didn't have faith it was gonna work. I had no clue but that hope, and that's where that quote is like come from. But when you say what you just said with that other quote, I feel like I lived in that for so long, man. Like, no hope where time felt like I was in a prison. I literally felt like I was in the prison of life. When's this gonna be over? And today, just with my family and friends, I have much more of a closer relationship to my family and extended family than I ever had in my whole life, Freddie. Like these friends and relationships have come out of the woodwork since I got into recovery. It's almost like God has put people in my life that were gonna help me get to where I need to go or wherever his plan is for me to go. Just some genuine loving people that aren't expecting anything back. And so that hope I held on to, like I say, right, is built that faith. If I lose hope, I pretty much lose life. I might still be alive, but I'm I'm lifeless because there's nothing I'm striving for, there's nothing to persevere for. And with that, that hope that has turned into faith, I have more blessings with family, with friends, with opportunities in life that I ever could have imagined. And I heard a quote the other day that said, What a blessing it is to be exhausted from the things that are in your life that you prayed for and hoped for. What a blessing it is to be a little overwhelmed with the things that are in your life that you hoped for and you prayed for. And I'm like, man, this past month I've been really tired because work's been like go, go, go to the end of the year. And I'm like, man, I'm tired. But like when I stop and sit and look around, I'm like, man, I like I've overshot what I ever hoped for where I am today. Like, if I was to say this is what I'd hoped for and I got recovered, I would have shortchanged myself. Like, there's so much more in life today, and that all stems from that hope.
SPEAKER_01I want to address something now briefly before we move on, because at the time of recording, you have a case which has been going on since 2019. It's reaching its conclusion. It came about because of actions that you took in the depths of that addiction. Just very briefly for my listeners, just tell me how you feel about it right now. And do you hope it'll bring you closure on this chapter of your life and hopefully peace, whatever outcome decides?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think like because I'm still it's just finishing up right now, so there's only so much I can like talk on it just with like publicity bans. But uh, yeah, that two very bad blackouts in 2019 caused a lot of trouble. And the sentencing, I am looking at possible time in prison, maybe house arrest. We'll see where that goes. And I've been trying to prepare myself for both ways. Like, if I don't go to jail, then you know, how will I carry myself to keep going forward with where I'm going now? Some things might have to get put on hold, but these are just the consequences for the actions that are taken in addiction and in recovery, and we got to be held accountable. And then there's another side. Actually, writing my goals out for this next year, it's like I got two sets. These are my goals for if I stay here, these are my goals if I gotta go do stuff like that. And the way I keep my face with that is if God's got a job for me to do inside a prison, that is where I will go. If my work is to be done out here, this is where I will stay and I will pay my price out here. And that has kept me grounded in whatever the outcome is, you know, hope is faced with a track record. I will keep going forward. No matter where I get put, I will still do ministry for people who are struggling with mental health, addiction, criminal backgrounds, whatever it is. Just quickly, there's a guy named Adam West, and he talks about the coffee bean. He went in years in prison, he didn't get into any gangs, but he said there's three things that happen in boiling water. There's a carrot, there's an egg, and a coffee bean. The carrot goes into the boiling water, it gets soft. So that means if you know you go into an environment like that and just kind of kind of get taken advantage of all the time, beat up or whatever, you can end up going soft. The egg goes into the boiling water, it gets hard. So you can end up going in there, trying to be the tough guy and doing what you do, get mixed up with different crowds, and then you become hard. Or you can be the coffee bean. What happens when you throw a coffee bean in uh boiling water? It changes into coffee, it changes the color. So try to go in as the coffee bean, change the environment around you, you know, with your positivity, with your hope and stuff like that. And that's another thing that I keep strong in my head and in my heart.
SPEAKER_01It's an incredible mindset to have, mate. And I'm I'm just so proud of you that you've been able to reach that so quickly. How important has it been to have the support of Lindsay, your family, your friends kind of behind you all the way, whatever outcome takes place too?
SPEAKER_00It's it's almost hard to put into words to know that, you know, no matter what that outcome is, even if it was I had to put stuff on pause and go, you know, pay the price with going into a place like that, is I always know that I have a loving family and loving friends. I've been told by countless people that they definitely would come visit me and they would do whatever, you know, they need to do to help me out, check in on my family. It it keeps me strong in that I just gotta keep going one step at a time. If I didn't have that support and the faith I have today, I probably would have been drinking and like ran away somewhere. Like I would have done something that would have made this situation so much worse. I would have hurt my family, hurt the people that are in my life. Where I'm gonna walk through it. I'm gonna walk And there is going to be a purpose, and no matter what outcome comes.
SPEAKER_01I want to talk about a massive positive since we last checked in, which is a business you've started. It's got a mental health slant as well. It's called Recovery Painting. Tell me why you wanted to start it and its altruistic mission, too, mate.
SPEAKER_00So I have this written in a book when I was doing therapy about two and a half years ago. I actually wrote this in a book. I always wanted to like create something that was going to give people a second chance, also maybe give them a skill and help them financially. Because when we come into recovery, a lot of us have no jobs. We couldn't keep a job or retire, whichever one it is, right? And somebody helped me out when I first came in. So I called it recovery painting. And the plan is to obviously build a business to make a living, but I also wanted to give these guys who are either, you know, starting off in recovery, don't have employment, or guys coming out of prison, can't get employment because of their criminal records. Give them a place to come try a trade out, come try painting out. And the way it is with painting, right? Like somebody wants things changed, you know, it doesn't look so good. Well, we come in not looking so good. We do some of the work, and then you start seeing, you start looking better, healthier, happier. And I look at when I'm painting a wall like that, right? I'm restoring this wall to look better. And I want to build crews of guys that are in this space and also have a job that they can go to where they don't have to lie about how they're feeling, or if they need to take the day off because of a mental health thing, they don't have to make up a lie and just have a really good work environment and then hopefully turn that into some other adventure, you know, financially, if we can grow this really big. So the vision's there. I've only been able to have a few guys come on here and there because it's actually a lot of work to try and build it up, build the clientele up, right? And I wrote that in a book for therapy two and a half years ago, and it's coming to fruition right now. How much of yourself do you see in these men? A lot. A lot, man. A lot. Like there's something. I can't, you know, when I see a couple of the guys have had work for me, there's not one part of them that I don't see something in me, whether it's what they're going through right now, how they're thinking, how they're feeling, maybe some of the shame they're still holding on to of like, I can't get a job, or you know, their family, whatever it is. I just I know there's a part of their story that there's gonna be a part of me in it. And we're gonna relate in some sort of way. And I needed a second chance. I needed some of the people that showed up when I was in those places to put their hand out for me, Freddie, and I can never forget that, and I want to create that for other people.
SPEAKER_01I imagine you have lots of conversations with these men when you're doing a job, you know, eight-hour days, you're working with them side by side all the time. Has there been a moment when just from you taking the pressure off them, painting, whatever it is, there's been a moment when something's clicked, maybe a penny's dropped that you had yourself, and you think, oh, I think they can take the next step now in a way that they perhaps weren't able to before.
SPEAKER_00So, because it's been so new, and I've only had a few guys come in for jobs here and there. I think like the only one where I've really can like with how you're asking that is there's this one guy I had come work with me that he already has kind of a vision of where he wants to go, right? And I found as we were both talking throughout the day, and I was telling them kind of what I was trying to do, it kind of it gave him an incentive of where he wants to go in his life, of how he can also do that for other people. And I think that the best way I could answer your question is that whole penny dropping thing of like there's purpose in this. You know, maybe this day of doing something like this gave this guy a little spark to go past that on and do it for somebody else. And it's all about the positive ripple effect, right? For any one person we can touch or inspire, there's a chance they're gonna go do that for many more people, man. And then we get the ripple effect going, like you throw the rock in the water, right?
SPEAKER_01I want to reflect now because there are several guests out of the 400 and oh my god, 430 odd episodes I've done and over 400 people I've interviewed. There are several who I call living affirmations, right? When I look at them and their journeys, they're the reason why I keep going. There's many reasons why I keep going, but they're the reason. One of them is you, mate. One of them is you, and there's several others and know who they are. So my question is we spoke about lighthouses earlier. Do you see yourself as a lighthouse now or not yet?
SPEAKER_00It's so crazy that you're asking this question right now. I have a lot of people tell me, especially with speaking at like events. I have a lot of people say certain things to me about like, you know, you're gifted with this. Yeah, you are a lighthouse. And it has taken me so long to own it. And I don't know if it's like I'm just trying to show humility and give grace to God for it, or there's sometimes with, you know, because from my past and going through a court case still, right? I still hear, you know, name calling and certain things happening, and it's it's like it's always attached to you, your past. And so I I do sometimes struggle with it still, Freddy. I sometimes do. I sometimes people will say, give me a certain comment about how I help people and and that I'm a beacon of life for people. And sometimes I'm like, there's something behind them. Like, who are you talking about? And and this is so hard to admit. Like, I want to feel like I can fully own that and be grateful for it, but there's sometimes I feel unworthy of it, man. There's sometimes I I I can still get my head and feel unworthy that people can look to me in that sort of light. And I'm just being raw and authentic with you, brother, because I do not have it all together, man. I battle these voices in my head every day still, and and that's why I give it to you, raw, man. And yeah, I'm I'm still trying to sit in that. I'm still trying to really sit in it, Freddy.
SPEAKER_01What did your friend say to you about being human? How human of you. How human of you. That's exactly it, man. Yeah, yeah. And as a final question, bro, before we move on to your advocacy journey and all the brilliant work you do there too. What has this continued part of your mental health journey taught you about yourself?
SPEAKER_00That I am human. I think a big thing is there's no destination. Like, I feel like we can get caught up in this like arrival place. I'm gonna make it to this place where I am just, you know, my mental health is so in check. I'm spiritually fit and nothing bothers me. I think what I've learned is this is a journey. This is you know, a marathon, not a race. And just until the day that I am six feet in the ground, I'm constantly gonna be stepping forward, maybe a couple steps back, a couple more forward. And I keep trying to tell myself, enjoy the journey. Fall in love with this journey. That's not gonna be lollipops and candy canes. And I just know if I continue to do the things I continue to do, no matter how high, how low I get throughout this journey, I don't have to go back to when it was complete darkness.
SPEAKER_01We've talked about your continued mental health journey. Let's talk about all the amazing advocacy and public speaking work you've done in the last year too, brother. So, first of all, let's discuss something we talked about on your last pub with Lindsay. You kind of gave it a bit of a tease, which is your baby the inside job project. It's not launched yet at time of recording, but it will be sometime, hopefully, in 2026, fingers crossed. What can the listeners expect from it?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so I think I've always thought about when I came into recovery of how much it is of an inside job. I was always looking for these outside things, right? If if only he would change, her would change, if always looking for these outside things, right? And then when you realize that you got to turn in and our insides are looking good, nothing really changes on the outside, but everything does change, right? Like our perspective, I just I started thinking like, what are some of my lessons and the things I've done that I've learned that have helped me? And how can I put this into like maybe a 12-week program kind of for people? And and I'm not a recovery coach, like I'm not certified and stuff like this. That's why it's been taking it. So I've been like slowly working on this, and and there's times where I'm like, nah, let's pick that out because things have changed a little bit, and I'm finding this is working a little bit better and stuff. So I have it pretty much drawn out, but the whole plan is I I really once I feel like I'm set to like, okay, I want people to at least give this a try, I'm gonna, you know, find some people that want to try and give it a go and you know, they get to have it for free. I just want to see like, what do you feel? Is this helping you at all? It's not like it's something I'm like, I'm gonna create this and make tons of money out of it. I just want to see if it's another resource to help people. And I think when we we really start seeing that any sort of recovery and healing really does come from the inside, you know, that's where we can make progress. And and that's kind of what I want to share. I just want to share my mistakes, my lessons, what I've done, and I'm gonna do it through this little 12-week program.
SPEAKER_01There's a really funny phrase in London slang. I think it it is UK wide a little bit. So if you want to say to someone, knock it off, you say turn it in. And I was just thinking, as you were talking, I was like, mm, that could be a good phrase for actually saying to someone, turn it in.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, man.
SPEAKER_01Something to think about, mate. See, I'm already thinking of branding for you. Already. In the last year, you've also done a lot of work with an organization called Real Lives Touch by Addiction, and you'll be speaking at another one of their events in February 2026, which will have taken place by the time this pod comes out, hopefully. All good. What work do they do and how did you get involved with them too, mate? So, yeah, it's called Real Lives Touch by Addiction.
SPEAKER_00How it started was a mother that I knew, her name's uh Jen. She is a son who's been in recovery, trying recovery,'s had some falls, and she's a mother. She has her own actually uh programming for mothers who struggle with children in addiction. And then another lady whose son unfortunately passed away through addiction, and she's still a big advocate. And another woman to uh Laney. So there's Jen, Sandra, and then Lainey is she lost her brother to addiction. And then I got me who's in recovery from addiction. So we started just doing these videos together. Did an event last year on it through a spam, which is called Preventive Health and Awareness Month, which is run by Margaret Wallace Duffy, which is a big, big advocate of mine. God bless this woman. She has helped me in so many ways. She's the one that says that how human of you uh I quote. So we started when we did our last event, we also were like, why don't we like make a podcast? Like, let's start just doing some recordings as well. And and we started doing that together on different topics, and now it's rolled into another event, a second event in February, which is going to be in Belleville, Ontario, at Loyalist College. It's gonna be at a college, so there might be some college student traffic there, and we're just people with different perspectives and different areas of addiction that we're just trying to spread hope and share stories.
SPEAKER_01You're also talking at another event in that month next year about all types of addiction. So, how did this opportunity come about? And how much do you learn as well, mate, when you speak to people who have recovered from other types of addiction, not just alcohol? What similarities do you find and what differences too?
SPEAKER_00So, this other one actually is this gentleman I got in contact with who's actually he's been building up this really big addictions recovery movement, and they're doing one in Toronto. And so I was told to reach out to him to talk to him, and then he asked me to get involved and if I would speak at it, which I'm so excited about. And what I love about this one is about the all different uh addictions that they talk about is I always find like for me, whether it was alcohol, drugs, sex, smoking, food, I'm looking for relief. There's some sort of discomfort inside me. And so alcohol and drugs are out for me, right? But the next ones that can easily come up for me is sex addiction, porn addiction, smoking a lot more, gambling, uh gambling, overeating, and and then like you even have like codependent addiction where you're addicted to a person, like where they need to act a certain way to make you feel good. So there's a part of me in everybody, even if there's somebody who tells me they're addicted to gaming. Okay, I might not be going to gaming, but I'm probably looking for the same relief they're looking for, but just in another way. If we really look at it, there's gonna be some sort of dependence or addiction that every human being has. You just start seeing yourself in everybody, even if it's just a little piece, you realize how much we actually are all connected.
SPEAKER_01In July 2025, you delivered a sermon at your local church, your family go to it, your friends go to it, and you shared your story of addiction and recovery, which must have been just a huge moment for you and your family, mate. How did that come about? And what was that experience like when you got up on that stand?
SPEAKER_00So, yeah, how that I've been going to this church for about two and a half years. This place has been such a big impact on my life, Freddie, because it's I was accepted with all my struggles and my story and and whatnot. And what happened was the pastor was letting other people kind of give sermons, like, and you would get like an outline asked like if you would want to try and do it. And what it was was it wasn't solely on my story, but it was a story in the Bible about it's called the unforgiven servant, which is this servant is forgiven a huge debt that he was never gonna pay. And the person he owed it to, you know, forgave him for it and let it go. But then that servant was owed by another servant, and he like went and asked for his money that he was owed, and the guy's like, I can't pay it, and he got like really nasty with this guy and like was upset about it. So the the point of the story was forgiveness. And in my life and my experience, uh, when I talked to you about the you know sexual abuse when I was younger with the older woman, that rented so much space in my head and so much anger, and and other people forgave me for things that I did, which I was happy to be graced by, but I wouldn't forgive this because forgiveness isn't for the other person. It's not to let that person off. It's for me. It doesn't mean I'm gonna go hang out with the person or it's like I like the person, but the whole point of that sermon I was sharing is trying to reach people of who in your life have you not forgiven? Who in your life, when their name gets brought up or a situation gets brought up, you kind of are like, oh, because that's how I live my life, and it was killing me living it like that towards this person. So if God's forgiven me for the things that I've done, who am I not to be able to forgive somebody else? Doesn't mean I condone their actions, but I can forgive them, release them from me, so then I can find peace inside myself. And so I got to give that sermon with bringing in the Bible, the scripture, and then relating a bit of my experience with that into it, right? And I think I got a lot of feedback with some people that said they had a lot of people in their lives that they were struggling to forgive, and they thought if they forgave them, it was like letting them off with what they did. But I guess I was able to paint a picture that forgiveness isn't for the other person, it's for us, it's for us to be free of that person or situation.
SPEAKER_01Faith is hope with a track record, right? As you say. When you got up on that stand, did you think about that mantra in that moment about how everything had got you to that place?
SPEAKER_00Yes, big time. Because if you told me almost six years ago, Luke, when you get sober, or the only way to get sober, find recovery, is you needed to go to church or believe in Jesus or in God or whatnot, I would have been like, stay away from me. Okay. And I remember saying to my mom and dad years ago, because they wanted me to go to a rehab, and I'm like, what do you guys think is gonna happen? I'm gonna go to this rehab and come out like I found Jesus and everything's gonna be okay. So years later, I'm up on a stage giving a sermon and like sharing about the principles that Jesus tried to teach people. You want to talk about feeling unworthy? Oh my god, those voices were big time coming into me before I had to do that. But that faith is hope with a track record is a mantra that I'm here because of that hope. And I had no clue where I was gonna end up, and it was a blessing to be able to uh give that sermon.
SPEAKER_01Public speaking is a skill, and you know, you've done it on this podcast, you've done it on other podcasts and events, but speaking in front of 200, 300 people that you did is a very different and more daunting prospect, right? And I remember you spoke about very openly and bravely on your part one and with Lindsay about your ADHD diagnosis and your learning difficulty diagnosis too. So when you finished that speech, how much was that younger Luke who had just been diagnosed with those difficulties going, Wow, I can't believe you actually did it?
SPEAKER_00Oh, big time, Freddie, big time, man. Like, and I think that's where it goes back to that question you asked. Like, I can still have a hard time sitting in and leaning into my skills and the gifts that I've been given, because I think it's been so instilled into me that you're not gonna be able to accomplish anything. Like, you're stupid, you're this, you're that, and and so getting off that stage, which I got to do it again actually two weeks ago, and you get off that stage and you realize that this is your purpose. Like, God's making a way, like this is where you are supposed to be. You don't need to be qualified to do it. Like, one of the greatest quotes I heard is God doesn't call the qualified, he calls the unqualified, you know, to do the things. And I don't have to be perfect and so ready and be so good at something. I just need to show up where I'm being called to, and just the feeling of love after doing that, man, is it's hard to explain.
SPEAKER_01You got to also watch your nieces and nephew watch that back, and uh, you put a beautiful post up about it, and so did Lindsay. How do you reflect on seeing that picture just as a as an encapsulation of how far you've come, mate?
SPEAKER_00Uh, yeah. Man, my niece and nephew don't know the Luke that was drinking and doing drugs and yelling at their grandparents, yelling at their mom, yelling at their other uncle Benny. They see me as somebody who I guess is giving them inspiration. They see me as a loving guy, um, somebody who's caring and comforting, and and so to see them watching that through that laptop, you know, their Uncle Luke, all stemmed from that post I said, right? That all stemmed from my sister doing the thing she had to do. Those kids get to see me in the way they deserve to see me. And it's they're loving Uncle Luke. And to mean anything to those kids, it just it's priceless, man. It's priceless. Like, I can't believe like I could have missed out on all of this, Freddy. I could have missed out on all of this.
SPEAKER_01The funnel of advocacy, and we're gonna go even deeper now, mate, than what we've just discussed, is a talk you delivered to a group of graduate firefighters. Just tell the listeners why this talk was so powerful for you and the biggest definition I can think of of a full circle moment.
SPEAKER_00So a little backstory too is the pastor at my church is also a chaplain for the fire department in my city, right? So every year when there's new recruits, he gets to introduce himself. And one day I'm at the church and he's like, Hey, you want to come up on stage with me while I do this and you can share just a little bit of your story? And of course I'm like, what? Like it and the reason why is yeah, my brother's a captain, a firefighter. He's been a firefighter for 17 years now. And there's a couple things why this full circle meant a lot. And and I'm just gonna be real and share this. And when I was going through my rough time turbulence with my family, me and my brother got into a big fight. It was disgusting, it was hurtful. I just wanted to cut him with my words, and and then we worked, you know, once I got sober. But another reason, too, is one of the charges I'm charged with is arson. So I also put firefighters at risk in one of those blackout nights that I had. And so So my brother and my relationship has gotten so good today and so loving. And I'm so proud of him for being a firefighter because he's a modern-day hero. When I got to share my story up there, a little bit of my story with these firefighters, it's it was more about how much I commend them for their heroes, you know, their bravery. And you know, while we're running out of fires, those guys are running in to save them. They're putting their lives on the line. And to be able to sit there and share a little bit of my story and congratulate them and pray with them. Again, I'm I'm in a place of like, how am I here right now? How am I here right now? How do I go from being a menace to society in some areas of my life and causing harm and trouble and to being there congratulating with my pastor and talking with a bunch of graduates for the Brampton Fire Department? It's like if I didn't believe in a god, I gotta believe in one now, because this is how I'm here right here. There's no other explanation.
SPEAKER_01It's such a powerful story you share there, mate. What was the conversation like with your brother after you delivered that talk? Because when you're in the depths of that addiction, he's probably got colleagues who know you for your bad actions, not just your good actions, right? And then there's a level of guilt and shame that he probably feels because he's got a brother who's doing these things. What was that conversation like when you did that talk afterwards with him?
SPEAKER_00He was super proud of me. We got to uh hug a few days later, and you know, he had pretty much tears in his eyes, like just saying, I'm just I'm so proud of you and the man you've become and how much he loves me. And there was a firefighter in there that actually was getting transferred because he worked in the city that my brother worked with. So that guy came up to me after and was like, Is your brother Benny Lochland? I'm like, Yeah, and he's like, I know him, I I really know him. And so my brother just he ex as well was like, you know, like it's like hard to believe that you got to do that, man. Like, I remember what it was like, you know, graduating and being in that recruit class. And look how far you've come, man. Like, this is amazing. And and another thing that just not only did I have a negative impact when it came to the fire department in that situation, the fire department also saved my life when I was about six years old when I got attacked by a bee's nest. And those guys showed up at my house two days later to give me a little stuffed animal dalmation. So, like, that's also a positive thing experience that I've had with the fire department, right? And and then my brother being a captain, man. Like, I'm just so proud of that guy. I'm so proud of him.
SPEAKER_01Let's reflect on your advocacy journey as well, mate. So, if we could speak into existence something here, what goals and ambitions do you have for it going forward? Are there any organizations that you want to speak to or work you want to do? Just tell me a little bit here.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think one right now, I'm connecting with an old high school teacher, actually, at my old high school that's gotten himself. He wrote a book about like personal growth and and mental health. And I'm gonna jump on a podcast with him and get something going because I really want to get into the high schools. Like, I really want to talk with high school students from like grade nine to 12, which you're like 13, 14 to like 18. It's such a crucial time of like growth and years, of like certain decisions you make in those years. Like, we can look at them of like, oh, they're just being teens. But I know for myself and for many others, certain decisions I made at those ages really shot me off into a total different path than what you know I would have probably liked to have gone down. So, my big thing is high schools. I also would love to get into more what I'm doing with real life, touch by addiction, get into more events at the colleges as well, and in different cities, and maybe getting up in front of something to do with our government, like getting involved in that way. So those are my ambitions. And I'm trying to turn recovery painting into something where that starts to grow in a way where I can have a little bit of free time too, to like put some focus into that and do the advocation because every time I'm doing stuff like this, Freddie, I'm lit up. Like this lights my soul up doing this and talking to people and stuff, right? And I can't forget that. So I do got some goals for this year of getting into the high schools, also getting into maybe the colleges and doing more events.
SPEAKER_01And as a final question, mate, what has this continued part of your advocacy journey also taught you about yourself?
SPEAKER_00Uh, it's taught me that I have resilience, perseverance, that you know, I used to stay quiet about my addiction. I used to, you know, suffer in silence sometimes where we need more people talking. We need more people sharing their story because there's so many ways to recovery and dealing with your mental health. And the more and more that can be out there of experiences, the more and more people we can touch, we can relate to. One way might not work for another person. So the more and more ways that people are sharing their experience, man, it could help save a life and could get them on the right track. And I think I'm excited for the future, man. I want to be a father one day. Like I want to get married, I want to live a good life like that, have my own family and stuff. And I think what this has all taught me is all that's possible. All of it is possible when I never thought it could be possible. And I'm I'm just looking forward to the upcoming years that are coming.
SPEAKER_01Luke, it is an absolute privilege to check in with you, mate. You've joined an esteemed club now of three times appearance on the podcast. So well done. I hope everything goes well for you in 2026, mate. I always love everything that you do. I'm always proud of everything you do. Thank you for coming back on the Just Checking In podcast and talking to you, mate. Love you, bro.
SPEAKER_00Love you, brother. Thank you, Freddie.
SPEAKER_01Well, that's all we've got time for on this episode of the Just Checking In pod. A big thank you to my brother Luke for being my special guest and for letting me check back in for a third time. I'll put links to where you can follow Luke's journey on social media as well as listen to his previous episodes in the show notes. As always, thank you to all the vendors who've tuned into this episode. Remember, if you've liked what you've heard, give it a share on social media, tell your friends, family, or work colleagues about us. If you're feeling generous, please do write us a review and give us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what we're doing at Vent and want to support us further, go to patreon.com slash event helpuk or make a one-off donation to our PayPal or buy event t-shirt. All of those links are on our link tree. That's linktr.ee slash event helpuk. We hope to check in with you again very soon. And remember guys, it is always okay to vent.
