Former NM resident finding international audience with 'Back from Broken' podcast

Vic Vela knows how to be vulnerable.

It wasn’t always this way, as it’s taken years for the podcast host to become comfortable with his journey.

What a journey it’s been.

At the helm of “Back from Broken,” Vela turned the mirror on himself.

This has pushed him to be brutally honest – by doing so, he’s found an audience around the world that is listening.

The podcast is about recovery, and Vela says everyone knows someone who struggles with addiction or mental health issues or a physical ailment that has dramatically changed their life. It is available to listen anywhere you listen to podcasts or at cpr.org under “Latest podcasts and shows.”

This show is a place to regularly showcase courage and what it takes to come back, he says.

The podcast is in its fourth season and a new episode is released each week.

One of the episodes in the new season featured Carnie Wilson – the daughter of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and member of 1990s trio Wilson Phillips.

“Carnie talked about how addiction runs in the family,” Vela says. “Her dad is a musical genius of our time. He had a lot of demons. Carnie dealt with her own issues.”

Vela says Wilson is one of the many stories in the new season – which also covers a lot of terrain.

“These stories are from people from all walks of life,” Vela says. “They are the athletes whose jerseys you’ve worn to games, to everyday people in your community. With each story, it shows why mental health and addiction is important to talk about.”

Vela has long been a storyteller and is comfortable now at the microphone listening to other people’s stories.

During his tenure at Albuquerque Journal North in Santa Fe from 2007 to 2012, Vela covered crime in northern New Mexico.

At the time, he was drinking and using drugs – which led him to not deal with his own behavioral issues.

He called the version of himself then, “the poster boy for a functioning addict.”

Today, he is sober and works on himself daily.

He says “Back from Broken” doesn’t tread new ground when it comes to podcasting. He’s quick to say it’s the stories that make an impact with listeners.

“One way I describe ‘Back from Broken’ is like watching ‘Law and Order,’ ” Vela says. “The show has been around for a million years. It’s the same formula since the first episode. With ‘Back from Broken,’ you know going in, it’s going to be someone talking about the troubles in life and how they came out of it. What’s different is that each story is unique and doesn’t sound the same. We rarely reinvent the wheel and let the stories speak for themselves.”

The podcast is also a cog to Vela’s sobriety and recovery.

He’s become known for the podcast and cherishes interactions with listeners in public.

“I went to a lot of Nuggets games in the playoff and concerts,” he says. “People will ask if I’m Vic Vela and they thank me for talking about addiction and how I’ve helped change or save their life. I’m not a paramedic or a doctor or first responder. I’m someone who has lived a life where people can feel universal empathy. That’s the beautiful thing about ‘Back from Broken.’ ”

Vela says helping people also helps him.

“When I’m talking to someone, it helps me get out of my own head,” he says. “If I’m able to help someone, it serves as a reminder to me of what and where I don’t want to go again. It’s hard to start from square one. It’s a process and I will always be recovering.”

Vela works with a five-person team from Colorado Public Radio on the podcast.

It’s a challenge to whittle down the prospects to 8 to 10 episodes.

“The challenge is finding the right mix to make an impact and be diverse,” he says. “Suffering is universal. Everyone knows what it’s like to suffer. By having this avenue, that person feels seen and through the story of a stranger, it helps create change, no matter big or small.”

Vela often shares his journey on social media through photos and videos.

He’s had some amazing guests over the course of the four seasons – but there are still some personalities he’d like to get.

“Elton John is at the top of my list,” he says. “There’s plenty of others. I’m inspired by hearing other people’s journey through their honesty. I wouldn’t be here today without my process. I’ve been able to live and enjoy life. I got to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday. The life I was living years ago, I would have been dead. Change is possible.”

Vela took the time to share some of his favorite episodes over the four years.

1. Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Jake “The Snake” Roberts was one of the most famous pro wrestlers of the 1980s. But behind the scenes he was addicted to drugs and alcohol, and haunted by childhood abuse.

2. Anders Osborne

Anders Osborne is a talented singer, blues guitarist and songwriter from New Orleans. He was dependent on alcohol for years — and it nearly destroyed his career and family. Osborne opens up about his struggles with addiction, explains how he got sober and shares songs about those experiences.

3. Jessica Dueñas

As both a student and a teacher, Jessica Dueñas found a sanctuary in the classroom. But her alcoholism made her reevaluate her priorities — and the career she loved.

4. Hunter Biden

Hunter Biden’s struggle with addiction has been intense — and very public. But with the support of his family, including President Joe Biden, Hunter found the help he needed.

5. Lissa Yellow Bird-Chase

Lissa Yellow Bird-Chase’s spiritual path to recovery is memorable and moving.