449. Poetic Resilience: The Crash and Burn Story of Rising From the Basement

2025-09-30

It’s International Podcast Day and we’re celebrating with a powerhouse guest from Canada! In this riveting episode of Better Call Daddy, hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman sit down with the dynamic Crash, creator of the award-winning podcast Crash and Burn. With a gift for storytelling and a heart of gold, Crash shares her incredible journey of resilience, creativity, and transformation. The episode opens with a powerful poem from Crash, setting the tone for an emo...

It’s International Podcast Day and we’re celebrating with a powerhouse guest from Canada! In this riveting episode of Better Call Daddy, hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman sit down with the dynamic Crash, creator of the award-winning podcast Crash and Burn.

With a gift for storytelling and a heart of gold, Crash shares her incredible journey of resilience, creativity, and transformation.

The episode opens with a powerful poem from Crash, setting the tone for an emotional and inspiring conversation. From her adoption story as one of ten children—and later meeting both of her older sisters from her biological mother—to surviving an abusive marriage where she was locked in a basement for two weeks and left for dead, Crash’s honesty and courage will leave listeners both moved and motivated.

She shares how leaving that relationship became the turning point that led to her becoming clean and sober for 16 years, reclaiming her life, and stepping fully into her creativity. Through poetry and art, Crash found healing and a way to connect with others who have faced hardship.

Along the way, she pays tribute to those who have touched her journey, including a young boy named Jake whose memory continues to inspire her.

This episode is a raw and uplifting exploration of survival, forgiveness, sobriety, and embracing our past as part of who we are. Crash reminds us that even through darkness, we can rise, create, and help others do the same.

✨ Episode Highlights

(00:00) Reena Friedman Watts: Welcome to Better Call Daddy with Crash!
(01:15) Crash shares her beautiful poem for the show
(04:00) The story behind her name and her journey of adoption
(10:30) Growing up as one of ten kids and meeting both of her older sisters from her biological mom
(15:45) Surviving an abusive marriage and being locked in a basement for two weeks
(20:00) Leaving her abuser, finding freedom, and beginning her 16-year sobriety journey
(22:00) Crash’s heartfelt tribute to a young boy named Jake
(30:00) The importance of community and helping others in need
(35:00) Looking forward: Crash’s future projects and aspirations
(40:00) Wayne’s dating advice for Crash as she navigates the single life