Episode Overview

Podcast: We're Out of Time
Host: Richard Taite
Episode: Sober and Strong: Marine Veteran Shane Neal’s New Mission
Date: November 25, 2025

This powerful episode centers on Shane Neal, a Marine veteran and former client of host Richard Taite, sharing his raw journey from addiction, through recovery, and into a life of hope and service. The conversation deeply explores Shane's battle with substances, his experiences in the military, struggle with the criminal justice system, and how community and helping others have become cornerstones of his new, sober life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life and Military Experience

• Family legacy of military service: Shane comes from a long line of servicemen (great-grandfather and stepdad both Marines, father served in Vietnam), sparking his early commitment to join the Marines after 9/11.
  Quote:

  “My great grandfather was a marine. My biological father was in the army, served in Vietnam. My stepdad was a marine... after 9/11, I took the opportunity when I graduated high school in 2004 to go in.” — Shane Neal (02:18)

• Loved his time in Marines: Served from 2004–2012, rose to rank of sergeant, discharged due to back injury.
  Quote:

  “Absolutely loved it. If I could do it all over again, I would.” — Shane Neal (03:19)

• Struggle after leaving service: Transition to civilian life was tough and led to further substance issues.

Descent into Addiction

• Alcohol & drugs from early teens: Began drinking at 14, then experimented with drugs before getting clean to join Marines.
  Quote:

  “I started at the age of 14 drinking alcohol... drink throughout high school, started doing drugs at a young age as well. And then I got clean to join the Marine Corps.” — Shane Neal (05:14)

• Continued use in the military: Drank while stationed overseas where the drinking age was lowered to 18.

• Later years escalated to heavier drugs:
  Quote:

  “I was pretty heavy in ketamine. Cocaine.” — Shane Neal (21:19)

Hitting Bottom and Entering Recovery

• Legal troubles & jail time: Recently served three months in jail (even while sober for over a year) due to a combination of a DUI and a probation violation.
  Quote:

  “Took me 38 years to get a DUI. I'm so lucky that I did not hurt anybody else.” — Shane Neal (00:00, 21:29)
  “I just got out October 10th.” — Shane Neal (21:56)

• Path to recovery: Entered rehab after being introduced via another veteran and went through multiple treatment centers, experiencing major internal change at One Method.
  Quote:

  “Once I completely opened up and participating in every meeting group, that's when I could see myself internally changing. A transformation was happening.” — Shane Neal (09:56)

Treatment, Transformation, and Service

• Importance of safe community: Shane credits the supportive environment and focus on group/community healing at One Method for his transformation.
  Quote:

  “You did it all. I just provided a safe space and good, loving people.” — Richard Taite (07:16)

• Found new purpose by helping others: Shane became a source of support and inspiration for other veterans in the program, reinforcing how serving others aids personal recovery.
  Quote:

  “Not only were you being of service to the other servicemen... but to everyone. Like, everybody loved you. You were of service to everybody. And just so that, you know, that's when the shift happens.” — Richard Taite (10:58)

• Continued commitment to mental health: Currently in a mental health treatment center, focusing on sustained healing.
  Quote:

  “I'm not working right now. Strictly focused on treatment. I'm still in it. I'm at Totality Treatment Center.” — Shane Neal (14:13)

Reflections and Future Mission

• Plans to keep serving: Shane expresses a desire to stay in the recovery community, offering support and mentorship to others walking the same path.
  Quote:

  “I want to keep being a service to others.” — Shane Neal (16:52)
  “After being through treatment rehab for as long as I was, I think this is my calling.” — Shane Neal (17:50)

• Striking renewed faith: Shane repeatedly credits God and deep self-work for his transformation.
  Quote:

  “I give it all up to God because he saw that as greatness… opportunity for us to internally look into ourselves.” — Shane Neal (13:45)

Giving Back, even in Jail

• Supporting others behind bars: Even during his jail stint, Shane started groups and church meetings, helping others start their own recovery journeys.
  Quote:

  “I had the opportunity to share my story with the guys in there... and we had a lot of guys come in and change their lives, too.” — Shane Neal (24:22)

Advice for Struggling Veterans

• On asking for help:
  Quote:

  “Find somebody to talk to. Don't stay closed. Let somebody know what's wrong. There's somebody out there that can help everybody. That's what happened to me.” — Shane Neal (20:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On recovery work:

  “It's not something you have to do, it's something you get to do. It's the ultimate luxury. It's how elegant men and women deal with their stressors so that they don't create wreckage in their lives.” — Richard Taite (15:00)

• On the future:

  “All the chains are broken. My past has changed. It's time to lead a new me. And I'm focused on that.” — Shane Neal (18:39)

• Marine Corps trivia & humor:

  “November 10, 1775, Philadelphia. In a bar.” — Shane Neal on the founding of the Marines (19:18)
  “As it should be. Where else would it be conceived?” — Richard Taite (19:25)

Important Timestamps

• Intro to Shane, milestone in sobriety: 00:36 – 01:32
• Military service background: 02:14 – 04:22
• Substance use beginnings and escalation: 05:14 – 06:11, 21:15 – 21:24
• Entry into rehab & turning point: 06:11 – 10:58
• Service to others and group transformation: 10:58 – 13:45
• Current treatment & mindset on ongoing therapy: 14:07 – 15:39
• Reflecting on the future & call to serve: 16:52 – 18:18
• Jail experience, legal challenges: 21:44 – 25:22
• Advice to veterans in trouble: 20:12
• Marine Corps birthday & humor: 19:06 – 19:38

Episode Closing

The episode closes with Shane’s affirmation of having found himself again and Richard’s encouragement. Both men underscore the ongoing need for community and service, and Shane addresses listeners directly, extending hope and practical advice for those on the brink.

Memorable send-off:

“See you next Tuesday.” — Shane Neal (25:57)

Summary prepared for listeners seeking insight, hope, or powerful perspective from a veteran’s raw and redemptive recovery journey.