Be A Voice

On this episode, we sit down with Mike Urban, founder of Guide To Wellness, to discuss his powerful journey through service, injury, addiction, and recovery. Mike shares why he joined the Army and decided to attend Ranger School. During his training, he suffered a severe injury that abruptly changed the course of his life and sent him back home. As he struggled to process the physical and emotiona...

What happens when recovery becomes a mission to serve others? On this episode of Be A Voice, Darnell Hinton shares the powerful story behind Teach One Feed One, his recovery journey, and why giving back to the community has become his purpose. This inspiring conversation dives into overcoming addiction, helping others heal, and creating lasting change through service. 💙 Recovery is possible, and...

Welcome to Be A Voice, the podcast where your host Britt James Carpenter interviews inspiring individuals making a difference in their communities. In this episode, we sit down with Kev Nichøls, also known as DJ Kev, to discuss his work with the Grace Project for addicts in the city of Philadelphia as the Volunteer Coordinator and his career as a DJ. With over 10 years of experience in the DJ busi...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Be A Voice with Britt James Carpenter! Join us as we sit down with Megan Cohen, the Executive Director of The GRACE Project. This amazing organization is all about spreading grace and hope to those who need it most. From providing food and clothing to cleaning up our communities, The GRACE Project is making a real difference in the world. Tune in for a fun and...

Warning - Graphic Language. In this short segment , Britt sits down with , WWE Alumni and Stars share their stories on the path of recovery. Curtis Hussey, a WWE and IMPACT Star; Shannon Moore WWE Alum; Jesus Rodriguez WWE Alum; and Christopher Dreisbach entrepreneur - break down their experience in the industry and how it caused them to take up addiction. Their stories of recovery are inspiring a...

At just 12 years old, he discovered LSD, the Grateful Dead, and a lifestyle that completely consumed his identity. What started as tie-dye shirts and being a young Deadhead quickly spiraled into addiction, rehab, crime, and eventually a life-altering sentence before he was even old enough to drive. By 15, he had already been through TWO rehabs. By 16, he was sentenced to juvenile life for possessi...

Roz Pichardo has lived through more pain than most people could ever imagine. She lost her twin sister to suicide. Her brother was robbed and murdered. Later, her ex-boyfriend tried to kill her — and murdered her current boyfriend instead. Most people would never recover from that level of trauma. But Roz chose a different path. Today, she leads Operation Save Our City, helping people battling gri...

On this episode of Be A Voice, Steve Jackson shares a story that challenges everything people assume about mental health. He grew up with loving parents—but life wasn’t easy. His family struggled financially, and even at a young age, Steve was battling something no one could see: suicidal thoughts. That pain followed him into years of addiction, ups and downs, and searching for a way out. Now sobe...

On this episode of the Be A Voice Podcast, we sit down with Drew Davis, founder of Drink Gem Blends, now partnered with powerhouse entrepreneur Arlan Hamilton. Both Drew and Arlan have faced their own toxic relationships with alcohol—and turned those experiences into a mission: 👉 Build something that nourishes instead of numbs 👉 Redefine what it means to “have a drink” 👉 Create a brand rooted i...

On this dynamic episode of Be A Voice, we sit down with Eddie Dunn, a lifelong Philadelphian who was born and raised on the streets of Kensington. With deft and levity, Eddie's stories offer a sweeping overview of a neighborhood that has risen and fallen through waves of health crises and drug epidemics. From heroin in the 70s to crack in the 80s and the opioid epidemic that has come to define the...

On this powerful episode of Be A Voice Podcast, we sit down with Tom Frey, who is getting ready to celebrating his 25th year of sobriety and now serves as the Director of Operations at the Everywhere Project. Tom opens up about the painful childhood trauma he endured from the ages of 3 to 10, and the pivotal moment when he was sent to live with his cousin in the mountains—a decision that unknowing...

In this powerful episode of the Be A Voice podcast, we sit down with Susan Sheehan Fasulo, President of Angels in Motion, whose work in outreach and recovery took a heartbreaking and unexpected turn. After years of supporting individuals and families battling addiction, Susan’s mission became deeply personal when she discovered that her own daughter had fallen victim to drug abuse. Susan shares he...

Emmy Award winning journalist Christie Ileto details her journey as an on-air news anchor in Philadelphia and the challenges and responsibilities that come with it. From her work covering protests to assisting with outreach efforts in Kensington and raising young children, Christie is an outspoken advocate for Philadelphia and its people.

Once caught in the grips of addiction, Melanie Beddis now stands as a force of hope in Kensington, PA—one of the toughest neighborhoods in America. Nearly five years sober, Melanie has turned her second chance into a mission as Director of Operations at Great Goods, a free grocery store feeding hundreds and restoring dignity to those in need. In this powerful episode of Be A Voice, Melanie opens u...

In this powerful episode of Be A Voice, host Britt Carpenter sits down with Racquel McNichols, who shares her incredible journey from the depths of addiction to celebrating 9 years of sobriety. Racquel opens up about the struggles, breakthroughs, and moments that shaped her transformation — and how she’s now using her story to inspire and uplift others on their own recovery paths. This is a conver...

In this episode of Be A Voice, we sit down with Anthony Wilson, who has been thriving in recovery for six years. Anthony shares his powerful story of overcoming addiction and how he transformed his life into one of purpose and success as an accomplished realtor. Beyond his career achievements, Anthony remains dedicated to helping others find hope and healing on their own paths to recovery. Tune in...

In this episode of Be A Voice, we sit down with Carla Sofronski, Director of the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network, to talk about the life-saving work being done to combat the overdose crisis, support people who use drugs, and dismantle stigma. Carla shares the mission behind PAHRN, the power of harm reduction in building healthier communities, and the urgent policy changes needed to protect our...

In this inspiring episode of Be A Voice, host Britt Carpenter sits down with Tim Galloway, the heart and hands behind Good Werks — a small business built on big values. Tim shares how Good Werks goes beyond just selling products by building community through monthly giveaways, supporting grassroots nonprofits through raffles, and making consistent donations a core part of the business. From handwr...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Tony LaCerra, a man who is six years into active recovery and living proof that true strength comes from facing your emotions, not hiding them. Now a sponsor to two others, Tony reflects on the profound impact of his own sponsor—who has become one of his closest friends—and how that relationship helped shape his path. In honor of Men's Mental Health Aware...

In this powerful and inspiring episode, we sit down with James Sherman, a dedicated advocate, educator, and Substance Use Navigator whose personal journey from homelessness and active drug use in Philadelphia to becoming a core team member at The Everywhere Project is nothing short of remarkable. James shares how receiving life-saving materials from the very organization he now serves helped him s...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Chris Willis, co-founder of Restore & Recover LLC, to explore how one organization is transforming lives through safe, structured, and affordable sober living in Philadelphia. With eight residences across Harrowgate and Germantown, Restore & Recover is more than just a housing solution — it's a community-driven pathway to healing. Chris shares his...

In this deeply moving episode of Be A Voice, Philadelphia photographer Loren Berckey shares his personal journey through depression, the day he nearly ended his life on the Ben Franklin Bridge, and how he found the strength to keep going. Known for rarely leaving home without his camera, Loren opens up about losing — and rediscovering — his creative spark, the healing power of photography, and wha...

In this insightful episode, Britt is joined by two dedicated community leaders, Carla Sofronski & Jen Shinefeld, who are making a difference in the lives of individuals battling substance abuse in Philadelphia. Together, they share their personal stories and discuss the vital community service they provide to help those affected by addiction. Throughout the conversation, they delve into their...

In this powerful episode of Be A Voice, we sit down with Harry Cunnane, a man who transformed his life from the depths of opiate addiction to becoming a voice of hope and change. Harry shares his personal story of struggle and resilience, reflecting on how the birth of his first child sparked a life-altering journey towards recovery. As an author of Under Our Roof, Harry offers deep insights into...

In this powerful episode of the Be A Voice podcast, we sit down with Michael Worthy, the Director of Philly Unknown, who shares his incredible story of survival, redemption, and transformation. Michael reflects on his early years of moving from the South to Philadelphia, where he faced the harsh realities of city life. Struggling to find his place and avoid falling into the gang lifestyle, he chos...