diff --git a/chat_listener.py b/chat_listener.py
index 32fbf67..78f524e 100644
--- a/chat_listener.py
+++ b/chat_listener.py
@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@ class TwitchBot(twitchio.Client):
         )
         self.channel_name = channel_name
 
+    async def start(self):
+        """
+        A custom start method to bypass the default start() which can
+        unpredictably start a webserver. This gives us direct control.
+        """
+        await self.connect()
+        await self.join_channels([self.channel_name])
+
     async def event_ready(self):
         """Called once when the bot goes online."""
         print(f"Listener ready for #{self.channel_name}")
diff --git a/listener_manager.py b/listener_manager.py
index 52b1001..83aa36a 100644
--- a/listener_manager.py
+++ b/listener_manager.py
@@ -37,7 +37,9 @@ class ListenerManager:
             websocket_manager=websocket_manager,
             db_user_id=user.id
         )
-        task = asyncio.create_task(bot.start())
+        # We now call our custom start() method in the TwitchBot class,
+        # which gives us direct control over the connection process.
+        task = asyncio.create_task(bot.start()) 
         self.active_listeners[user.id] = task
 
     async def stop_listener_for_user(self, user_id: int):