Ep. 42 From TV Star to Behind Bars

Todd Bridges Talks About Life in Prison

EPISODE 42 / 09.17.2025

How does someone go from teenage heartthrob to the brink of self-destruction—and back again? In this fan-favorite DANG! episode, Todd Bridges opens up about the choices that led him to prison, the twists that brought redemption, and the surprising humor he found along the way. Now remastered and combined into one seamless episode, this raw story is one you don’t want to miss.

Show Notes

When this episode first aired, many of you said the sound quality didn’t do Todd’s powerful story justice. We’ve fixed that and merged Parts 1 and 2 into one seamless episode. While we’re away on a short vacation, we couldn’t think of a better encore than this listener favorite.

Todd Bridges opens up about the decisions, struggles, and life-altering moments that ultimately landed him in prison. From his tumultuous battle with addiction to finding himself in a transformative sober living program, Todd reflects on how his path was shaped by both poor choices and divine timing.

He recounts his early recovery days, including being placed in a unique living environment that taught him self-love and patience, and how those lessons set him on the road to rebuilding his life. Todd also shares poignant moments like experiencing the 1994 LA earthquake while in a sober living facility and grappling with the ripple effects of his addiction on his family.

Few people know that after entering recovery, Todd quickly dedicated himself to helping others achieve sobriety. This work brought him face-to-face with the harsh realities of the legal system, including making difficult decisions—like sending individuals back to jail when recovery efforts failed. These experiences taught Todd profound lessons about accountability, the justice system, and the complex path to lasting sobriety.

From the realities of prison food to the intricate group dynamics, Todd shares how he navigated life on the inside—fitting in, surviving, and even finding moments of connection. He breaks down the key differences between county jail and prison, offers a glimpse into the personalities of his fellow inmates, and reflects on a particularly chaotic stint in a psychiatric ward.

But it’s not all grit and hardship—Todd weaves in the moments that made him laugh, the friendships that surprised him, and the lessons that shaped his outlook on life. This episode delivers plenty of DANG!-worthy stories you won’t want to miss!

HIGHLIGHTS

Part 1

• The First Hit: Todd’s first encounter with that white powder which would change his life.
• Crossroads: The moment Todd knew he had to choose between his old life and a fresh start.
• Court-Ordered Recovery: A judge’s unconventional approach—ordering Todd to show up in court daily as part of his recovery journey.
• Finding Self-Love: How a life-changing placement in a compassionate sober living environment helped Todd rediscover himself.
• Shaken but Grounded: Experiencing the 1994 LA earthquake while in recovery and how it reinforced the importance of staying grounded and relying on community during crisis.
• From Survivor to Advocate: Starting his own sober living homes and collaborating with courts to help others—while facing the heartbreaking failures of the system.
• Lessons in Redemption: The hard truths Todd learned about accountability, redemption, and facing the consequences of his actions.

Part 2

• Prison Food Horror Stories: Ever had a wish sandwich? Todd breaks down the sad reality of jailhouse cuisine.
• Psych Ward Shortcut: A bizarre twist lands Todd in a psychiatric unit—straightjacket and all.
• Welcome to Chino: Shackles, shouting inmates, and a prison entrance straight out of a movie.
• An Unlikely Guardian: A towering inmate steps in, claiming to be Todd’s “brother.” Protection or something else?
• Prison Politics: Race, respect, and the unspoken rules that determine survival behind bars.
• Trust No One: Making friends in prison is risky business. Todd reveals the unspoken rules of inmate interactions and why staying guarded was key to survival.

Tune in to learn

• What led Todd Bridges to prison and how recovery transformed his perspective.
• How the justice system interacts with recovery programs—and where it still falls short.
• Why Todd believes his journey was divinely guided, and how he managed to find humor even in the darkest moments.
• The surprising realities of prison life—from the food to the unspoken rules.

Ready for a peek behind the prison walls? Hit play now—you won’t want to miss Todd’s full prison survival story!