Just Trish Podcast — Nov 20, 2025

Guest: Jeff Wittek
Host: Trisha Paytas
Date: November 20, 2025
Listen on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this candid and hilarious episode, Trisha welcomes YouTuber, barber, and personality Jeff Wittek. Fresh from his own turbulent journey of rehab, self-discovery, and personal reinvention, Jeff dives into mental health, addiction, and rediscovering purpose—all while keeping things light with stories of New York, Broadway, food, and, in classic 'Just Trish' fashion, plenty of offbeat banter. The conversation traverses everything from showbiz insecurities to genuine advice for those struggling, peppered with memorable moments, self-deprecating humor, and Trisha’s signature oversharing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff’s Disappearance & Healing Journey (10:34–29:25)

Rehab & Addiction: Jeff opens up about hitting rock bottom, disappearing from the public eye to attend a bootcamp/ayahuasca rehab in Mexico to deal with self-destructive tendencies, addiction, and mental health ([10:34]).

"I don't want to come in with that victim mentality, but hey, you know, when you're a victim of something, there's nothing you can really do to get away from it." — Jeff, [10:44]
Ayahuasca & Plant Medicine: He discusses the program’s alternative, plant-based approach—using ibogaine, ayahuasca (which “didn’t work” for him), and frog poison DMT for mental reset and spiritual breakthrough ([11:43]–[13:25]).
Rocky Withdrawal: Jeff details how withdrawal led to hallucination, aggressive outbursts, sleep deprivation, and how he ended up physically confronting (but not harming) his shaman ([15:15]).

“I attacked him like 10 times in the rehab…Luckily, he was a big Mexican dude, a tough marine.” — Jeff, [15:40]
Spiritual Awakening: Both Trisha and Jeff compare notes on their respective breakdowns, spiritual moments, and how meditation, plant medicine, and self-reflection have changed their outlooks ([12:35], [13:07]).

2. Life, Anxiety & Recovery Tips (28:04–34:52)

New Coping Mechanisms: Jeff now faces anxiety and life challenges “without a crutch” like pills or substances, relying on acceptance, giving anxiety to "God," and embracing discomfort ([28:04]).

“Now, like, when I have anxiety, I’m just like, okay, this is part of life. … I don’t have a crutch anymore.” — Jeff, [28:04]
Running as Meditation: Jeff chooses running as a form of mental reset, equating it with meditation for zoning out and achieving “runner’s high” ([30:23]).
Advice to Younger Selves: Jeff asks Trisha what she'd say to herself during her darkest period; both agree: you can’t always reach someone in crisis, but time, treatment, and getting offline are vital ([33:34]).

3. Broadway, Acting, & Social Media Pressures (02:22, 05:35, 59:18)

Broadway Experiences: Trisha shares her excitement about her Broadway debut and how the environment is different from previous acting work ([05:35], [59:18]).
Star Power, Training, & Criticism: She admits to not having formal acting training, credits her passion and prep, and addresses criticism about her landing major roles ([06:18]).
Influencer Fatigue: Both discuss the ongoing pressure and toxicity of social media; Trisha muses on wanting to retire from social media in favor of traditional performance ([59:00]).

4. Food, Nostalgia & New York-Life Banter (41:42–44:37)

Food Debates: Lively debate about New York vs. Chicago pizza, fake parmesan cheese, “chicken rolls,” and childhood food nostalgia ([42:52]).

“My body, as I was growing from a small child into a man, I'm built off of chicken rolls.” — Jeff, [44:17]
Tourist vs. Local: Jeff and Trisha trade takes on tourist attractions in their respective cities ([41:24], [41:45]).

5. Work, Barbering, & Staying Grounded (09:32, 61:58)

Giving Back: Jeff talks about his Staten Island barber shop, mentoring local kids, and how having a trade gives him a sense of grounding unlike online fame ([09:32], [61:58]).

“For me, it’s cutting hair. … I have the barbershop show but I also have the hair products and I still cut hair. … You’ll never be homeless, you know, you can always cut hair.” — Jeff, [61:58]

6. Mental Health, Addiction, and Social Stigma (22:05, 37:29)

Honesty About Substances: Jeff warns about dangerous legal drugs like Kratom and the risks of dependence, explaining their marketing and personal impact ([22:05]).
Stigma & Self-Acceptance: Trisha and Jeff reflect on changing attitudes toward body image (Ozempic discussion), influencer culture, and finding contentment beyond public approval ([57:17], [58:19]).
Cycles of Rock Bottom: Jeff voices frustration at life's recurring lessons and setbacks, yet frames them as necessary for growth ([37:29]).

7. Humor, TV, and Pop Culture (46:15–54:50)

Physical Comedy: Trisha’s stories about breaking chairs on Broadway and elsewhere lead to a discussion of “The Chair Company” on HBO—satirizing dramatized failure ([46:15]).
Obsession With On-Screen Penises: The hosts parse why male nudity is often played for laughs on TV compared to female nudity, exploring TV double standards and personal discomfort ([50:09], [52:52]).
Show Recommendations: Jeff raves about shows featuring Trisha’s niche humor (“I Love LA,” "Righteous Gemstones," “Eastbound & Down”), and they dissect what makes content memorable ([48:39], [49:09]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Plant Medicine & Recovery:

"I didn't like...the drugs they give you to get off drugs. ...I was like, I don't want to do more drugs. I'm kind of just done. ...But they said, well, it's part of the program. ...It resets your brain chemistry..." — Jeff, [10:44–11:43]
On Destructive Patterns In Crisis:

“I was trying to fist fight the guy that was like, my shaman. ...Luckily he was a big Mexican dude...he was restraining me in a way, like, without leaving marks and stuff.” — Jeff, [15:40]
On Gaining Perspective After Rock Bottom:

“Now when I have anxiety, I’m just like, okay, this is a part of life. ...I don’t have a crutch. ...So it’s just, you’re gonna live your life or you’re not.” — Jeff, [28:04]
On Dealing With Adversity:

“Every time I end up in jail or something, I’m like, God, why do you keep putting me back here?” — Jeff, [37:36]
On Broadway & Training:

“I think that's why people were maybe upset at the casting at first, because yeah, these people do train their whole lives. ...And no, I'm just a fan.” — Trisha, [06:18]
On Food & Growing Up:

“My body, as I was growing from a small child into a man, I'm built off of chicken rolls.” — Jeff, [44:17]
On Mental Health & Getting Help:

“But the help only worked because I wanted to get better. ...You gotta be like, I'm ready to, you know, change my life.” — Jeff, [37:09]
On Social Media & Contentment:

“I do love the acting era too. ...There might be a day where I retire from social media and just—” — Trisha, [59:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

01:02 – Why Jeff disappeared from the public eye
10:34 – Opening up about trauma and recovery: rehab, ayahuasca, and addiction
13:07 – Trisha’s 2021 spiritual awakening and coping strategies
15:40–16:43 – Hallucinations, withdrawal, and physical altercations in rehab
21:00 – Debating plant-based vs. traditional addiction treatments
28:04 – Facing life and anxiety without medication
33:34 – Advice to their younger selves in crisis
41:42–44:17 – Food nostalgia: NY vs. LA, real vs. fake parmesan, chicken rolls
46:15 – Breaking chairs and the absurdity of physical comedy
50:09–53:34 – TV nudity and why male bodies are played for laughs
57:17–58:40 – Ozempic, body image, and shifting standards
61:58 – The importance of having a trade and giving back
64:07 – Broadway, acting aspirations, and the current state of theater

Overall Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is deeply personal while maintaining irreverent, self-mocking energy. Both Jeff and Trisha are unusually candid, blending serious discussion of trauma, recovery, and mental health with the kind of side-splitting, rambling anecdotes fans love. They’re unafraid to poke fun at themselves, discuss societal taboos, and shine a light on the confusing mix of hope and chaos that comes with reinventing yourself in the public eye.

Final Thoughts

Jeff’s honest account of his journey through addiction and recovery offers insight and hope. Trisha’s reflections on her own struggles highlight how far she’s come while showing empathy for those still in the trenches. Listeners looking for real, raw talk about mental health and creative reinvention—served with a heavy helping of pop culture, foodie talk, and classic Trisha/Jeff banter—will not want to miss this one.

Next up: The pod swap continues on Jeff FM!

Just Trish Podcast — Nov 20, 2025

Guest: Jeff Wittek
Host: Trisha Paytas
Date: November 20, 2025
Listen on YouTube

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff’s Disappearance & Healing Journey (10:34–29:25)

Rehab & Addiction: Jeff opens up about hitting rock bottom, disappearing from the public eye to attend a bootcamp/ayahuasca rehab in Mexico to deal with self-destructive tendencies, addiction, and mental health ([10:34]).

"I don't want to come in with that victim mentality, but hey, you know, when you're a victim of something, there's nothing you can really do to get away from it." — Jeff, [10:44]
Ayahuasca & Plant Medicine: He discusses the program’s alternative, plant-based approach—using ibogaine, ayahuasca (which “didn’t work” for him), and frog poison DMT for mental reset and spiritual breakthrough ([11:43]–[13:25]).
Rocky Withdrawal: Jeff details how withdrawal led to hallucination, aggressive outbursts, sleep deprivation, and how he ended up physically confronting (but not harming) his shaman ([15:15]).

“I attacked him like 10 times in the rehab…Luckily, he was a big Mexican dude, a tough marine.” — Jeff, [15:40]
Spiritual Awakening: Both Trisha and Jeff compare notes on their respective breakdowns, spiritual moments, and how meditation, plant medicine, and self-reflection have changed their outlooks ([12:35], [13:07]).

2. Life, Anxiety & Recovery Tips (28:04–34:52)

New Coping Mechanisms: Jeff now faces anxiety and life challenges “without a crutch” like pills or substances, relying on acceptance, giving anxiety to "God," and embracing discomfort ([28:04]).

“Now, like, when I have anxiety, I’m just like, okay, this is part of life. … I don’t have a crutch anymore.” — Jeff, [28:04]
Running as Meditation: Jeff chooses running as a form of mental reset, equating it with meditation for zoning out and achieving “runner’s high” ([30:23]).
Advice to Younger Selves: Jeff asks Trisha what she'd say to herself during her darkest period; both agree: you can’t always reach someone in crisis, but time, treatment, and getting offline are vital ([33:34]).

3. Broadway, Acting, & Social Media Pressures (02:22, 05:35, 59:18)

Broadway Experiences: Trisha shares her excitement about her Broadway debut and how the environment is different from previous acting work ([05:35], [59:18]).
Star Power, Training, & Criticism: She admits to not having formal acting training, credits her passion and prep, and addresses criticism about her landing major roles ([06:18]).
Influencer Fatigue: Both discuss the ongoing pressure and toxicity of social media; Trisha muses on wanting to retire from social media in favor of traditional performance ([59:00]).

4. Food, Nostalgia & New York-Life Banter (41:42–44:37)

Food Debates: Lively debate about New York vs. Chicago pizza, fake parmesan cheese, “chicken rolls,” and childhood food nostalgia ([42:52]).

“My body, as I was growing from a small child into a man, I'm built off of chicken rolls.” — Jeff, [44:17]
Tourist vs. Local: Jeff and Trisha trade takes on tourist attractions in their respective cities ([41:24], [41:45]).

5. Work, Barbering, & Staying Grounded (09:32, 61:58)

Giving Back: Jeff talks about his Staten Island barber shop, mentoring local kids, and how having a trade gives him a sense of grounding unlike online fame ([09:32], [61:58]).

“For me, it’s cutting hair. … I have the barbershop show but I also have the hair products and I still cut hair. … You’ll never be homeless, you know, you can always cut hair.” — Jeff, [61:58]

6. Mental Health, Addiction, and Social Stigma (22:05, 37:29)

Honesty About Substances: Jeff warns about dangerous legal drugs like Kratom and the risks of dependence, explaining their marketing and personal impact ([22:05]).
Stigma & Self-Acceptance: Trisha and Jeff reflect on changing attitudes toward body image (Ozempic discussion), influencer culture, and finding contentment beyond public approval ([57:17], [58:19]).
Cycles of Rock Bottom: Jeff voices frustration at life's recurring lessons and setbacks, yet frames them as necessary for growth ([37:29]).

7. Humor, TV, and Pop Culture (46:15–54:50)

Physical Comedy: Trisha’s stories about breaking chairs on Broadway and elsewhere lead to a discussion of “The Chair Company” on HBO—satirizing dramatized failure ([46:15]).
Obsession With On-Screen Penises: The hosts parse why male nudity is often played for laughs on TV compared to female nudity, exploring TV double standards and personal discomfort ([50:09], [52:52]).
Show Recommendations: Jeff raves about shows featuring Trisha’s niche humor (“I Love LA,” "Righteous Gemstones," “Eastbound & Down”), and they dissect what makes content memorable ([48:39], [49:09]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Plant Medicine & Recovery:

"I didn't like...the drugs they give you to get off drugs. ...I was like, I don't want to do more drugs. I'm kind of just done. ...But they said, well, it's part of the program. ...It resets your brain chemistry..." — Jeff, [10:44–11:43]
On Destructive Patterns In Crisis:

“I was trying to fist fight the guy that was like, my shaman. ...Luckily he was a big Mexican dude...he was restraining me in a way, like, without leaving marks and stuff.” — Jeff, [15:40]
On Gaining Perspective After Rock Bottom:

“Now when I have anxiety, I’m just like, okay, this is a part of life. ...I don’t have a crutch. ...So it’s just, you’re gonna live your life or you’re not.” — Jeff, [28:04]
On Dealing With Adversity:

“Every time I end up in jail or something, I’m like, God, why do you keep putting me back here?” — Jeff, [37:36]
On Broadway & Training:

“I think that's why people were maybe upset at the casting at first, because yeah, these people do train their whole lives. ...And no, I'm just a fan.” — Trisha, [06:18]
On Food & Growing Up:

“My body, as I was growing from a small child into a man, I'm built off of chicken rolls.” — Jeff, [44:17]
On Mental Health & Getting Help:

“But the help only worked because I wanted to get better. ...You gotta be like, I'm ready to, you know, change my life.” — Jeff, [37:09]
On Social Media & Contentment:

“I do love the acting era too. ...There might be a day where I retire from social media and just—” — Trisha, [59:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

01:02 – Why Jeff disappeared from the public eye
10:34 – Opening up about trauma and recovery: rehab, ayahuasca, and addiction
13:07 – Trisha’s 2021 spiritual awakening and coping strategies
15:40–16:43 – Hallucinations, withdrawal, and physical altercations in rehab
21:00 – Debating plant-based vs. traditional addiction treatments
28:04 – Facing life and anxiety without medication
33:34 – Advice to their younger selves in crisis
41:42–44:17 – Food nostalgia: NY vs. LA, real vs. fake parmesan, chicken rolls
46:15 – Breaking chairs and the absurdity of physical comedy
50:09–53:34 – TV nudity and why male bodies are played for laughs
57:17–58:40 – Ozempic, body image, and shifting standards
61:58 – The importance of having a trade and giving back
64:07 – Broadway, acting aspirations, and the current state of theater

Overall Tone & Atmosphere

Final Thoughts

Next up: The pod swap continues on Jeff FM!

wavePod

Nov 20, 2025 with Jeff Wittek

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Summary

Just Trish Podcast — Nov 20, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff’s Disappearance & Healing Journey (10:34–29:25)

2. Life, Anxiety & Recovery Tips (28:04–34:52)

3. Broadway, Acting, & Social Media Pressures (02:22, 05:35, 59:18)

4. Food, Nostalgia & New York-Life Banter (41:42–44:37)

5. Work, Barbering, & Staying Grounded (09:32, 61:58)

6. Mental Health, Addiction, and Social Stigma (22:05, 37:29)

7. Humor, TV, and Pop Culture (46:15–54:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Overall Tone & Atmosphere

Final Thoughts

Summary

Just Trish Podcast — Nov 20, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff’s Disappearance & Healing Journey (10:34–29:25)

2. Life, Anxiety & Recovery Tips (28:04–34:52)

3. Broadway, Acting, & Social Media Pressures (02:22, 05:35, 59:18)

4. Food, Nostalgia & New York-Life Banter (41:42–44:37)

5. Work, Barbering, & Staying Grounded (09:32, 61:58)

6. Mental Health, Addiction, and Social Stigma (22:05, 37:29)

7. Humor, TV, and Pop Culture (46:15–54:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Overall Tone & Atmosphere

Final Thoughts