One secret kept him safe. One truth would leave him with nowhere to go. For Josh Cloud, music wasn’t just a dream—it was his identity. But after American Idol and the contract that followed stripped him of his ability to perform, he lost the only thing that made him feel alive. The silence left space for something else to creep in—fear, isolation, and addiction.In this deeply personal conversation, host @thepatrickcuster sits down with Josh to uncover the messages that shaped his silence—from childhood warnings that threatened his very survival to an industry that made it clear: If they knew who you really were, you’d be spit out and forgotten. He opens up about the impossible ultimatum he faced as a child, the trauma that followed him into adulthood, and the alcohol that became his only escape.But this isn’t just a story about loss. It’s about taking back what was stolen. Josh shares how he fought to reclaim his voice, his identity, and his purpose—and how he’s finally living on his own terms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt like they had to hide to survive.
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Follow/Watch/Listen/Subscribe:
Instagram: @rootedrecoverystories
Tiktok: @patrickcusterproject
YouTube: @rootedrecoverystories
Facebook: @rootedrecoverystories
Website: www.rootedrecoverystories.com
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Cast:
Patrick Custer - Host
Instagram: @thepatrickcuster
Tiktok: @thepatrickcuster
YouTube: @thepatrickcuster
Facebook: @thepatrickcuster
Website: https://linktr.ee/patrickcuster
Josh Cloud - Guest
Instagram: @joshcloud
The Big Drag Bus - Josh's Nashville-based comedy show led by dazzling drag queens on wheels!
Instagram: @bigdragbus
YouTube: @bigdragbus
Website: www.bigdragbus.com
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Get Help (adiction, mental health/trauma):
Promises Behavioral Health
Call: (888) 648-4098
Website: www.promises.com
Instagram: @promises_bh
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Production:
Produced and Edited by "The Cast Collective" (Nashville, TN)
Email: info@thecastcollective.com
Instagram: @TheCastCollective
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About Josh Cloud: Josh Cloud is a man whose life revolved around music. He moved to Nashville to pursue that dream at 19 and later became a finalist on American Idol. In 2021, Josh started a thriving new business called "The Big Drag Bus" in Nashville where he continues to live today.