Beyond Substance

Engaging a Community in Recovery Episode Summary In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore how storytelling can help communities face substance use, recovery, stigma, and the impact addiction has on families, neighborhoods, and systems. Dean speaks with Lisa Dotson-Hall, creator of The Addict’s Wake, about how a documentary project that began in Brown County,...

Substance use and suicide are often discussed separately, but this episode of Beyond Substance makes clear that they frequently overlap in ways that can be dangerous when missed. Hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller examine that intersection through data, clinical insight, and lived experience, showing why people struggling with both need to be seen, understood, and treated more completely. Dean spe...

In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore expungement in Indiana and why it can be a critical step for people working to rebuild their lives in recovery. Dean speaks with Robin Kelly, an attorney with Indiana Legal Services, about how expungement works, who may qualify, and what legal and financial requirements people need to understand before starting the pro...

In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore the complex and often confusing conversation surrounding marijuana use. Joined first by psychiatrist and geriatric specialist Dr. John Wernert, the discussion examines the history of cannabis regulation, what current research tells us about safety and brain development, and why age and frequency of use matter. The epis...

In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller focus on adolescence, substance use, and the role treatment and medications can play when young people struggle. Dean speaks with Dr. Alexander Thomas, an addiction psychiatrist and program director, about when medication should be considered for adolescents, why opioid use requires earlier medical intervention, and why integr...

Hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore the human side of public safety in this moving episode of Beyond Substance. Brandon Dreiman, a retired Indianapolis firefighter and wellness coach, shares how peer support and employee assistance programs are breaking barriers to care for first responders. Jerry Richard, a veteran firefighter, opens up about his decades-long struggle with alcohol use, the...

In this episode, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore how schools play a critical role in shaping youth experiences with substance use, prevention, and recovery. John Ferguson, a licensed marriage and family therapist with decades of experience, shares how supportive school policies and family engagement can prevent escalation and foster resilience. Ted, a parent in recovery, offers a deeply...

In the season two finale of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller bring together a panel of leaders working across Indiana to address the opioid epidemic. Joining the conversation are Jodi Miller (peer recovery leader and co-host), Sarah Grubb (Forensic Epidemiologist, Marion County Public Health Department), Dr. Eric Yazel (ER Physician and Indiana EMS Medical Director), and Justin...

In this powerful episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Jodi Miller and Dean Babcock explore recovery, redemption, and the systems that support both. Jodi sits down with Megan Pino, a graduate of the Hamilton County Drug Court Program, who shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, motherhood, and healing. Dean interviews Morgan Walker, Executive Director of Hancock County Community Correct...

In this powerful episode, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore stigma from two deeply connected vantage points: the clinical world of healthcare and the lived reality of addiction and recovery. Dr. Christopher Suelzer, a retired internal medicine physician with decades of experience treating veterans, shares his perspective on how stigma within the medical community affects patient care and...

In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore how the criminal justice system—particularly county jails—can be a surprising gateway to recovery. Through conversations with Kelly Gunn, Director of Jail Programs in Hamilton County, and Jennifer Bella, a peer recovery coach who found hope behind bars, this episode examines the transformation possible when dignity, su...

In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore the critical intersection of research, personal experience, and community support in addressing substance use and recovery. They engage with experts Dr. Brad Ray and Dr. Katrina "Kat" Thomas, who share insights on drug trends, the impact of overdose data, and the importance of empathy and education in combating stigma....

This episode of Beyond Substance explores the complex and often misunderstood topic of substance use disorder during pregnancy and beyond. Hosts Dean Babcock talks with expert Dr. Camila Arnado and Jodi Miller talks with Ashna Clark. Segment 1: Co-Host Dean Babcock talks with Dr. Camila Arnaudo. Dr. Arnaudo shares her journey as an addiction psychiatrist, her insights on the complexities of substa...

In this episode of the Beyond Substance Podcast, hosts Dean Babcock and Jody Miller explore the transformative power of harm reduction in addressing substance use disorders. They engage in insightful conversations with Erika Chapman from the Indiana State Department of Health and Aisha Diss, founder of project. ME , discussing the importance of meeting individuals where they are, the impact of sti...

This episode explores the critical intersection of substance use disorder and hepatitis C, featuring personal stories and expert insights. Dean Babcock and his guest, Dr. Janet Arno, discuss the critical intersection of substance use disorder and hepatitis C. They explore the stigma surrounding these issues, the importance of testing and treatment, and the public health implications of addressing...

This episode of Beyond Substance delves into the use of buprenorphine for treating opioid use disorders, featuring insights from Dr. Carol Dellinger and the personal story of Bailey Wisher.  Dr. Dellinger discusses her extensive experience in treating opioid use disorder with buprenorphine. She shares insights into the evolution of pain management practices, the importance of addressing stigma, an...

This episode of Beyond Substance explores the profound impact of community-driven recovery efforts in Scott County, Indiana, particularly in response to a significant HIV outbreak linked to substance use. Through personal stories of struggle and resilience, the conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, the power of lived experiences, and the establishment of recovery organizations l...

This episode of the Beyond Substance podcast focuses on the experience of receiving care in an opioid treatment program, commonly known as a methadone clinic. The hosts speak with Dr. Carolyn Warner-Greer, an addiction medicine specialist, and share the personal story of Brandy Vaughn, a former patient. The episode highlights the effectiveness of methadone in treating opioid use disorder and the c...

Season 2 of the Beyond Substance podcast focuses on substance use disorder and its impact across the state of Indiana. The first episode features Jay Chaudhary, the Director of Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction and Doug Huntsinger, the Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement and Chairman of the Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder. They discus...

As we prepare for Season 2 of Beyond Substance, Co-hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller drop in for a quick update. Podcast Information: Hosted by: Dean Babcock & Jodi Miller Executive Producer: Shawn P Neal Audio Engineer: Shawn P Neal Mixed at: AdvoCast Studio236

In this episode, the entire podcast team (Dean, Jodi, Shawn, Angela, and Mandy) share their perspectives and highlights from the first season of Beyond Substance Podcast. Listeners will learn more about each podcast team member's inspiration for working in the substance use disorder field and their favorite takeaways from the first 12 episodes. September is Recovery Month, so check out the resourc...

Episode 12: Stigma Can Be Deadly Guests: Dr. Melissa Cyders earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2009. She has been a faculty member in Psychology at IUPUI since 2009 and is the Director of Clinical Training for Clinical Psychology PhD program at IUPUI. Her research focuses on how impulsivity and its neurocognitive functions underlie risk-taking, with a special...

For this episode of Beyond Substance we will be learning about Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI) and how this organization is working to improve mental health care for Hoosiers through advocacy efforts. Guests: Stephen McCaffrey earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis , and been with Mental H...

For this episode of Beyond Substance we will be learning about dual diagnosis also known as co-occurring conditions, which is the diagnosis of both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. This can be tricky to navigate since the symptoms of one can often worsen the other condition, but comprehensive treatment is available. Check out the episode to learn more. Guests: Andy Chambers...

For this episode of Beyond Substance we will hear from two people who are working daily to combat health inequities by promoting public health and wellness. Guests: Virginia A. Caine, MD is the Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Division. She served...