The Chris Voss Show

The Chris Voss Show


The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Overcoming Addiction: Estle Wallace’s Journey to Helping Others

March 27, 2025



Overcoming Addiction: Estle Wallace’s Journey to Helping Others



Cornerstonehealingcenter.com





About the Guest(s):

Estil Wallace is the CEO and founder of Cornerstone Healing Center, a behavioral healthcare agency that under his leadership has expanded significantly, growing 15 times over in the past seven years. A father, husband, entrepreneur, and investor, Estle’s journey from battling addiction and homelessness to building a successful business has positioned him as a passionate advocate for change and transformation. With over 20 years of sobriety, he leverages both his personal experiences and professional expertise to inspire and guide others towards recovery. Estle is also the host of the “Struggle and Strive” podcast where he explores topics related to addiction recovery, leadership, and personal growth.


Episode Summary:

In this enlightening episode of The Chris Voss Show, host Chris Voss delves into the inspiring and powerful story of Estle Wallace, CEO of Cornerstone Healing Center. The episode offers an intimate look at Estle’s personal journey from addiction and homelessness to years of sobriety and successful entrepreneurship. Highlighting both his professional achievements and his personal growth, the conversation showcases how life’s adversities can be transformed into a passion for helping others. Estle shares insights into the current addiction crisis, emphasizing the need for accessible recovery solutions and the deep human impact of substance use disorders.


Throughout the discussion, Estle provides a detailed perspective on the nuances of addiction, the intersection of personal trauma and substance use, and the importance of aligning one’s values with actions for lasting change. The episode also sheds light on the wider societal issues related to addiction, with Estle offering suggestions on identifying substance abuse problems, seeking help, and the significant impact of treatment centers like Cornerstone Healing Center. Additionally, the conversation touches upon the opioid crisis, emphasizing the critical role rehabilitation plays in addressing these widespread issues. Through Estle’s personal anecdotes and professional insights, the episode paints a realistic yet hopeful picture of recovery and transformation.


Key Takeaways:

Understanding Addiction: Estle highlights the profound impact of personal and familial trauma on addiction and how fundamental recovery is to navigating life with these complex challenges.

Sobriety and Success: A vital part of the conversation is Estle’s narrative of overcoming addiction to lead a fulfilling, productive life, serving as a beacon of hope for those battling similar struggles.


Behavioral Health Insights: The episode offers a deep dive into the workings of Cornerstone Healing Center, painting a detailed picture of what comprehensive behavioral health care entails.

Fentanyl and Alcohol Addiction: A critical topic discussed is the alarming rate of fatal overdoses from fentanyl and alcohol, showcasing the urgency for better intervention and support systems.

Guidelines for Recovery: Estle shares candid insights on the practical steps toward recovery, underscoring the power of community and professional support in fostering long-term sobriety.


Notable Quotes:

“You do that for a long enough period, you start building a life worth living, worth salvaging, worth having, worth striving for.”

“If you’re asking yourself, ‘Am I an alcoholic?’ You probably are. It’s a good indicator already.”

“It’s the illness that’s unique in the respect that the person suffering from it defends it for a long time.”

“I started making some new friends with people who were trying to fix up their lives as well.”

“When you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired.”