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Ellen Isaacs grew up with addiction in her family, became addicted herself and then lost one of her sons to an overdose. Now she is an advocate for addicts and teaches parents and loved ones the value and use of Narcan in order to save lives from overdoses. Through Ryan's Opioid Pandemic Coalition she is helping to raise awareness of this pandemic and the fact that it does not discriminate according to economic status, education or religion.

Brandi Winans is an inspirational keynote speaker and Life Coach. She was married to former Pro NFL player, Jeff Winans for over 30 years, and she details their life story in her book, "The Flip Side of Glory". This was told from the wife's perspective, in a story of love, acceptance and hope. Her faith was tested beyond her wildest imagination in dealing with Jeff's addiction, and after Brandi lost everything she had to learn to start over. And she did.

Don Cummins not only is a former addict but he served over 20 years in prison for bank robberies. He was homeless and declared insane by the courts. But he found his self respect in a recovery workshop and completely turned his life around to where he is a high powered executive in a computer software company, husband, father and a man who is giving back to society.

Duke Rumely is a former alcoholic who has been sober since 1989. Since then he realized that what was needed at concerts and sporting events was an area for those who are sober and trying to remain that way. He founded Sober AF Entertainment and is making great strides in leading the sober movement - making sober the popular to be for young and old alike.

Darren Prince is a prominent sports and celebrity agent and global advocate for addiction and recovery. Through his agency, Prince Marketing Group, he represents icons such as Magic Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Charlie Sheen, Dennis Rodman, Chevy Chase and the late Muhammad Ali - to name a few. However, he will tell you that after 12 years of sobriety, it's his mission to help others avoid and break free from addiction that really makes him happy.

Joanne Peterson is the Founder and Executive Director of Learn to Cope (LTC), a non-profit, peer-led support network established in 2004. Ms. Peterson’s journey started when she was a young girl, as her siblings experienced issues with addiction. Years later, when Ms. Peterson discovered that her own son’s experimentation with prescription drugs had led to an opioid addiction, she was motivated and empowered to use her voice to bring about change. Today, her son is in long term recovery.

Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson is probably one of the most flamboyant NFL players in recent history. However, his lifestyle led him into full blown addiction. Now sober for almost 37 years, he's reaching out to help others. He is speaking in prisons, churches, AA meetings and basically, to anyone who might benefit from hearing his story.

Britt Barker had a good upbringing, a stable family. But he wanted to try alcohol and drugs; and so went down the road to addiction. He was arrested a few times and went through several rehabs. Finally sober since July 2015, he is making music and has released his first solo EP - Trust under the stage name Catch the Rise. He's also helping others by counselling at the local ER in Greenville, SC.

There is a fine line between enabling a loved one who is an addict and giving up on them. Michelle Weidenbenner is a mom whose son is a recovering addict. She has dealt with all that means including becoming guardian of his two daughters. She did what she had to do and discovered the difference between letting go and giving up. Now she's helping other moms navigate the nightmare of addiction.  Her book is Moms Letting Go without Giving up and is available on Amazon.  She also has a private Facebook group for moms in this situation - momslettinggo.

There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child - meaning that there are many different people that play a part.  This podcast is a roundtable discussion with several different "experts" - all of whom are playing their part in addressing the addiction pandemic; whether it's treatment; intervention; education or just as a voice for those who often don't have their own voice.  Bottom line, if we want to eliminate addiction on this planet, it's going to take each and every one of us.

Grant Feasel was a starting center and long snapper for the Seattle Seahawks from 1987 to 1992. However, due to a brain muddled by a history of repetitive trauma and symptomatic concussions, he turned to drugs and alcohol. The combination of CTE and his drinking led to his death 9 years ago. His wife, Cyndy, is on a mission to educate people about this deadly combination - brain injury and addiction.

Alex had a great upbringing, but at age 13, he got drunk and from there his drinking escalated into cocaine and ultimately meth. Homeless, on the streets, living in a tent, he found a friend - Watson (a dog). His wake up call was when he lost Watson. His dad found Narconon Ojai and Alex started the program in February 2020. Now he's giving back by helping new students to the program. And he has Watson back!

Aaron Garcia is an evangelist, international speaker, best-selling author of "Coincidence or God?" and his newest book - "Burn Notice". At one time, he was the biggest drug dealing in Joplin Missouri and living on the streets.  He is the founder of S.O.S. Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit that is dedicated to improving the community and reaching the lost in the streets. Aaron travels all over the globe, specifically to unreached countries where the gospel isn't preached, sharing his story and seeing people come to Christ.  Aaron, his wife and three children, all reside in Neosho, Missouri.

Greg Nance had it all - a great home, a great family, successful business, successful athletic ability and a scholarship to a great college. This is a story like so many. He suffered a loss and turned to alcohol and drugs to deal with it. When he finally admitted to being an addict, he found help in the form of mentors and his ability to run. Now he's passed 3000 days sober and he's planning a run across North America - 3000 miles to celebrate 3000 days. His positive outlook makes his story truly one of redemption and hope. http://www.gregrunsfar.com/

Not only did Lisa Busby deal with her son, Cannon's addiction for 12 years but now she has to deal with his death due to overdose. This is something that we feel very deeply, being parents to two sons. One of the purposes of this podcast is to ensure that no parent has to lose another child to addiction. Lisa still has hope because Cannon never lost hope and so she is starting a foundation to help addicts get the help they need - even if they have to pay for it.

Randy Grimes was an NFL player with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He considered taking painkillers to be a "necessary evil" - part of the job description. However, he left the NFL addicted to painkillers and spent the next 20 years in the depths of addiction - losing friends and almost his lovely wife - Lydia. Lydia stood by him throughout that whole time and finally got him into a treatment program that stuck. Now they are giving back through their non-profit, Pro Athletes in Recovery.  Hear from Randy and the woman who helped to save him.

For three years, Robby Gallaty battled a drug addiction that ravaged his life.  A $180 a day heroin and cocaine addiction forced him to steal $15,000 from his parents.  After living without gas, electricity and water for months, losing 8 of his friends to drug related deaths, watching 6 friends arrested, and completing two rehab treatments, Robby remembered the gospel that was shared with him by a friend in college and was radically saved on November 12, 2002.  Robby has served as Long Hollow's Senior Pastor since 2015.  In addition to his leadership at Long Hollow, Robby is also the founder of Replicate Ministries and the author of several books, including Growing Up; Firmly Planted; and Rediscovering Discipleship.

Rob Lohman's rap sheet includes alcohol and drug addiction, gambling addiction, divorce, bankruptcies, mental health and suicide ideation, prison, recovery and transformation.   Rob’s drinking career started at age 14 which lead to some very dark places.  The climax of Rob’s drinking career happened with a suicide attempt interrupted by the compassion of his dog Jake.  Upon a divine intervention, Rob was freed from his substance abuse addiction which began a rollercoaster ride in recovery…to which Rob has yet to take another drink or drug. Rob now invests in the lives of those wanting to see positive change, whether it is coming out of addiction, prison or just wanting more for their lives.  

Ryan Skinner is currently the co-owner of the Woburn based Summit Financial Partners. His journey into and slow burn out of a hell of multiple addictions is living proof that with deep faith, the encouragement of loving friends, sponsors, mentors and family and a 12-step program, anything is possible. Whether he is buying lunch for the police department that arrested him multiple times, or getting together with fellow addicts in recovery - "Deadmen on Vacation"; he is living his best life.

Steve Mason is a stund performer, author, actor and speaker who believes in "simply doing the RIGHT thing!" Steve lost his father to suicide when he was an 8 year old boy and he found the body. This sent him down a dark path and many years of substance abuse and depression. Now nearly 9 years clean and sober, Steve shares his poignant story. Steve wrote and co-produced EIGHT, a 21 minute short film based on his father's death. It is a message of helping those in need.