Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Ep 1441 | I Was Addicted to Whiskey & Porn. Here’s What Phil Robertson Said That Changed My Life

October 14, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

When a YouTube Algorithm Delivered Redemption

In 2017, a New Jersey fire chief sat at his computer with three fingers of whiskey in a glass, about to open the porn sites he visited every afternoon. Instead, YouTube's algorithm served up something he had never searched for: a bearded man named Phil Robertson talking about Jesus. That click changed everything for Jersey Joe, who tells his story on this episode of Unashamed — a story that became a book called Phil Robertson and Jersey Joe, and that eventually led him to move his family from New Jersey to Louisiana, marry his son into the Robertson family, and take over the Bible study Phil Robertson had led before his death.

The Man Nobody Knew

Joe describes himself before 2017 as someone who looked successful from the outside. He was a fire chief, well-known in his town, liked by everyone he met. But inside, he was a mess. He was depressed and anxious, on multiple medications for panic attacks, and drinking whiskey every afternoon to medicate what he calls "a mess of a life." His family was falling apart — his kids were afraid of him, his wife was afraid of him, and when he was home at all, nobody wanted to be around him.

"I always had this thought in my brain that I was the man," Joe says. "I was a good man. I was going to heaven. I didn't rob anybody. I didn't cheat. I didn't kill anybody."

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What you'll learn

  • 1 Timestamped Outline: Ep 1441 – I Was Addicted to Whiskey & Porn. Here’s What Phil Robertson Said That Changed My Life
  • 2 (00:01) **Opening** - Episode begins with "I am unashamed" and introduction of guest Jersey Joe
  • 3 (01:34) **Jersey Joe's Backstory** - Joe shares how Phil Robertson became his spiritual mentor
  • 4 (03:13) **The Move from New Jersey** - Joe explains why he uprooted his family to Louisiana
  • 5 (04:04) **Addiction to Whiskey & Porn** - Joe describes his secret struggles in 2017
  • 6 (05:07) **The Algorithm Intervention** - How a YouTube video of Phil Robertson appeared in Joe's feed
  • 7 (06:15) **First Exposure to the Gospel** - Joe clicks on the Unashamed podcast

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Phil Robertson Al Robertson

Show Notes

Jersey Joe returns with the story of how one unexpected YouTube recommendation brought Phil Robertson into his life and changed his future. Joe, Jase, Al, and Zach revisit how that encounter led him to faith, a move to Louisiana, and a close friendship with Phil that eventually made him part of the Robertson family. Joe gets emotional remembering the promise he made while holding Phil’s hand near the end of his life, and Jase recalls the first sermon his dad preached. The guys discuss carrying Phil’s ministry forward, while Joe offers a closer look at their friendship in his new book, Phil Robertson and Jersey Joe.


In this episode: 2 Timothy 4:6–8; John 14:6; John 1:1, 14; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Luke 9:57–62; Romans 8:28–29, 35–39; Isaiah 6:8


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“Unashamed” Episode 1441 is sponsored by:


Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/UNASHAMED and use promo code UNASHAMED at checkout.


https://preborn.com/unashamed - Visit the PreBorn! website or dial #250 and use keyword BABY to donate today.


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Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621


Chapters

00:00 Jersey Joe Returns

03:30 A Fire Chief’s Hidden Struggles

04:58 Phil’s Unexpected YouTube Appearance

07:25 ‘Duck Dynasty’ Inspires a Move

12:42 Leaving New Jersey for Jesus

21:17 Becoming Phil’s Ministry Successor

23:09 Joe’s Final Promise to Phil

26:15 Phil’s Advice Still Guides Joe

30:32 Remembering Phil’s First Sermon

37:17 Finding Freedom in Jesus

40:52 Al’s Prison Preaching Mix-Up

42:53 Willingness

Unashamed with the Robertson Family

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