A Gen Z Story - Pt.2 - w/ Matthew Dingee

Ep24: Matthew Dingee on addiction, faith, and the battle for belonging This one hits deep.

In Part 2 of his raw conversation, 17-year-old life coach Matthew Dingee opens up about his descent into substance use, the chase for dopamine, and how the desire to fit in nearly cost him his life.

From mixing medication with alcohol, suicidal episodes, peer pressure, and emotional chaos, to finding grounding in community and purpose through faith.

This is the unfiltered story of a young man walking himself out of the dark.

It’s not a redemption arc. It’s a reckoning.

What’s in this episode:

• The hidden dangers of mixing meds with alcohol as a teen
• The misunderstood role of dopamine in addiction and peak chasing
• The impact of early peer pressure and identity distortion
• Vaping, marketing, and how kids get hooked without realizing
• Why sobriety felt like a prison and substances felt like freedom
• How witnessing his sister’s mental health journey influenced his own
• The power of community, faith, and honest mentorship
• What brought him to the church
• A full-circle moment: from drug use in the church parking lot to working there

If you’re raising a son, mentoring youth, or you remember the tension of being young and misunderstood. This one hits different. Share it with someone who needs to know they’re not alone. These are the conversations that ripple forward.

Where to Watch & Listen: ▶️ YouTube 🟢 Spotify 🍏 Apple 🫘 Podbean 👍 Facebook

Links are in the comments for easy access.

How to Connect with the Guest:

IG: @dingee.lifts

TikTok: @dingee.lifts LinkedIn: / matthew-dingee-4a7681369

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