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A record deal can feel like proof you finally matter. For Ezra Vancil, it also became a fast track to blackout nights, broken trust, and a life that kept shrinking under addiction.

We talk with Ezra, a Texas singer-songwriter and creative entrepreneur, about growing up in a traveling gospel family and moving more than 30 times before his preteens. That constant reset shaped his identity, his relationships, and his early experience of faith. Then the music industry arrived all at once: studio sessions, Los Angeles attention, and the kind of access that can turn alcohol from a weekend habit into a daily escape. Ezra shares what it felt like when music and drinking became tied together, and what finally made him admit he could not live like that anymore.

From there, the conversation turns to sobriety and marriage recovery. Ezra walks us through his rock-bottom moment, a prayer with no bargaining, and the decision to return to a 12-step meeting he once hated. We also dig into what it takes to rebuild a relationship after years of damage, including a hard-earned lesson: love someone deeply without rescuing them from consequences. Along the way, we hit practical discipline too, including a simple way to stop hitting snooze when you want morning routines to stick.

We end with the creative comeback: Ezra’s Americana music roots, writing and performing with his daughter, and the story behind his “Morning And Midnight” project, built as two sides of one life. If you care about addiction recovery, mental health, faith, and the real cost of the music business, this one stays with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Our team will choose random (but timely) episodes from our previous three seasons (which are our most popular ever!) to share with our listeners during the slower parts of a long podcast season. We think you will enjoy them! Thanks for listening!

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Quantum Squares: Support the show

Are you a guest with a message of hope and faith, overcome tragedy and addiction, creativity, invention, or you just have questions about society and culture? The “They Can Me Mista Yu” brand of podcasts is looking for guests!

Book your interview today: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/theycallmemistayu

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Faith. Society & Culture. Your Inspirational Stories. Mental Health. Entrepreneurship. We talk about what matters to you!

Join Mista Yu across our shows:

🎙 Inspiration Station

🎙 They Call Me Mista Yu

🎙 One on One With Mista Yu

🎙 The Men’s Roundtable Series / MRTS Interview Spotlight

If you would like to support the show, here’s how you can do that: https://www.patreon.com/cw/theycallmemistayu and https://buymeacoffee.com/theycallmemistayu