Podcast star claims Colorado radio station cashed in on his crack cocaine addiction story and then FIRED him when he needed mental health support amid fears of relapse

A former Colorado radio podcast host claims he was fired from his role after he asked for mental health support to prevent a relapse of his crack addiction. 

Vic Vela had been working for the Colorado Public Radio for nine years, during which he launched a podcast titled 'Back From Broken' discussing his mental health, how he overcame his crack cocaine addiction and living with HIV. 

Since being terminated on January 3, Vela has alleged that once he began complaining about stressful working conditions threatening his recovery, he was not given any support and was later fired. 

He also claims that the radio station was happy to monetized his recovery through the podcast - but belittled and mocked concerns he was on the brink of falling off the wagon. 

The Colorado Public Radio has clarified that Vela was fired due to 'insubordination'.  

Vic Vela had been working for the Colorado Public Radio for nine years during which he launched a podcast titled 'Back From Broken', where he discussed his mental health, how he overcame his crack cocaine addiction and living with HIV

Since being terminated on January 3, Vela has alleged that once he complained about stressful working conditions threatening his recovery, he was not given any support and was later fired

In an X post, Vela said how CPR took 'advantage of him' and 'mocked his addiction and struggles'. 

'For nearly a decade, I gave my heart and soul to Colorado Public Radio. I loved CPR. They were my extended family. 

'So, saying this is painful: CPR took advantage of me; they hurt, even mocked me, for my struggles with addiction and request for support so that I could stay sober,' he wrote yesterday on the social media page. 

Later in an interview with 9News, Vela explained: 'CPR was more than willing to monetize recovery through the podcast. 

'But they found my own recovery journey to be inconvenient. And that's really, really heartbreaking. 

'It makes me feel hurt and taken advantage of. And those are two things that nobody wants to feel, especially from their employer. And especially from an employer that I've given my heart and soul to.' 

The ex-podcaster claims that once the company began to undergo financial turmoil, the overall environment also took a nose-dive and work became increasingly stressful. 

He also claims that the radio station monetized his recovery through the podcast, belittled and mocked his mental health concerns

Later in an interview, Vela explained: 'CPR was more than willing to monetize recovery through the podcast

'It makes me feel hurt and taken advantage of. And those are two things that nobody wants to feel, especially from their employer. And especially from an employer that I've given my heart and soul to,' he added

He told the The Denver Post that he approached management to ask for workplace accommodations once the stress became overwhelming and he began to fear that he would relapse. 

'As a person in recovery, one of the things that is vital for me to survive is to recognize triggers. 

'I was being honest with them — how stress was impacting my recovery and creating triggers that threatened my sobriety.'

He further told the channel that senior leadership dismissed his concerns and when he said the triggers could 'send him back to the crack house', the management 'mocked and disparaged' his recovery. 

'The insinuation I would use my addiction to get something out of this, to manipulate CPR, is audacious and insulting,' Vela said. 

The former podcaster has also filed a charge of discrimination with the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the company. 

He said that senior leadership dismissed his concerns and when he said the triggers could 'send him back to the crack house', the management 'mocked and disparaged' his recovery

CPR's chief executive officer, Stewart Vanderwilt confirmed that that the station has been financially struggling in an interview on Monday

The former podcaster has also filed a charge of discrimination with the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the company 

But CPR's senior vice president for audience and development, Jodi Gersh has denied all allegations, said Vela never asked for an accomodation - and implied that he was fired for bullying. 

'Over the past several years, this person has demonstrated behaviors that are not in alignment with the values, culture and environment we have at CPR, where we strive to provide a workplace that is both physically and psychologically safe for all of our employees.

'This individual was provided opportunities to bring his behavior in alignment with our values but was unable to meet those expectations. 

'Colorado Public Radio does not tolerate harassment or hostile, abusive or discriminatory behaviors of any kind from any employee – regardless of their power, influence or position. This applies to all individuals including vendors, contractors, and audiences. 

'Behavior that is aggressive or hostile, creates a reasonable fear of injury toward another party, or subjects another to emotional distress will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal,' the official company statement read. 

According to the Post, Vela was involved in an incident with another employee, who felt that the ex-podcaster was disrespectful to them in an internal message in 2023

As a result, senior management told him his 'behavior was a problem' and set new rules for how he communicated with colleagues

According to the Post, Vela was involved in an incident with another employee, who felt that the ex-podcaster was disrespectful to them in an internal message in 2023. 

As a result, senior management told him his 'behavior was a problem' and set new rules for how he communicated with colleagues. 

CPR's chief executive officer, Stewart Vanderwilt confirmed that that the station has been financially struggling in an interview on Monday. 

As a result, the station has laid off 15 people - mostly from their podcasts unit named The Audio Innovations Studio. 

The station is not an affiliate of NPR.  

The CEO did not comment on any of Vela's claims during the interview.