Connections by APNC

In this episode, Sara and Morgan sit down Lauren Borchert, Program Manager & Certified Proof Alliance Trainer to discuss Proof Alliance NC’s work to spread the word about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to the public and fill the knowledge gaps, especially among women who are or will become pregnant.  Listeners will gain insights into the causes and symptoms of FASD, how we can prevent...

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by the Senior Director of Community Partnerships at TROSA to discuss his journey from active addiction and incarceration to being a cornerstone of the recovery community in North Carolina. Listeners will gain insights into the importance of support for people in recovery and how recovery communities can act as an antidote to the systemic issues that keep peopl...

During this episode, Sara and Morgan are joined by Catherine T. Brunson, representing the Opioid Response Network, to discuss the Surgeon General’s report on the connections between alcohol consumption and cancer diagnoses. Listeners will gain insights into the historical parallels between tobacco and alcohol regulations and an understanding of the data published in the report.

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by two problem gambling professionals, Tiffany Reddick and Josh Hampton, to discuss the increase of problem gambling among all age demographics due to the availability of gambling. Listeners will gain greater awareness of problem gambling in North Carolina, including the common signs and symptoms to watch for, as well as resources and support services availabl...

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by Dr. Patrick McGrath, the Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD, to discuss the significant overlap between SUD and OCD because individuals often use substances as a way to cope with their compulsions. Listeners will gain insights into the gaps in treatment for people with co-occurring disorders, and how substance use counselors and mental health professionals can...

On this episode, join Sara and Morgan in conversation with Sam Lewis, a primary prevention professional working with the U.S. Department of Defense, about his work with active military service members and person-focused prevention. Listeners will gain insights on what they can personally do to help prevention professionals support military service members, and how to make a returned service member...

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by Tameka Wade Brewington, APNC Board Member and founder of Real Talk Counseling, for a powerful conversation on mental health in professional spaces. Together, they explore how counseling services can be tailored to meet the unique needs of working professionals, the warning signs of declining mental well-being in the workplace, and the social pressures that...

During the premier episode of Season 3 of Connections by APNC, Morgan and Sara are joined by Author and former NBA star, Rex Chapman, fresh off his keynote presentation at APNC’s 2025 Spring Conference. Rex discusses his book, It’s Hard for Me to Live with Me, his gambling addiction, and how the lack of regulation on sports betting is creating an environment where gambling addiction can thrive. Li...

On this special episode of Connections by APNC, Sara and Morgan are joined by Chris Hoffman, a longtime member of the behavioral health field and someone with experience in natural disaster recovery, to discuss initial reactions when people are hit by a natural disaster and the ways that our field can offer support to those affected.

In this live podcast recording, we explore harm reduction as more than just a set of strategies for reducing the negative consequences of drug use. We discuss how it is a radical shift in thinking—focused on meeting individuals where they are, affirming their dignity, and promoting autonomy. Through personal stories and professional insights, our guest will unpack the core idea of harm reduction a...

On the season finale of Connections’ second season, Morgan and Sara are joined by Gene Ettison from the United Way of Rutherford County to discuss how he is connecting people transitioning out of incarceration with peers who help them adjust to their new life. Listeners will understand how empathy and compassion is the way forward when assisting individuals recently released from incarceration.

This week, Sara and Morgan sit down with Chaz Franke, therapist and social worker, to discuss how competent supervision and mentorship can guide professionals through periods of distress at work. Listeners will gain a new understanding of the supervisor position and how to reframe their mindset from quantity of work to quality to avoid burnout.

On this episode, Morgan and Sara are joined by Tym Rourke of Third Horizons to discuss the differences between the infrastructure in place to treat children with cancer and the infrastructure (or lack thereof) in place to treat children with substance use disorders. Listeners will learn about the inconsistencies in treatment based on the type of disease that manifests and how we can ensure that al...

This week, Morgan and Sara are joined by Emmy Knowles, the Director of Collegiate Prevention at APNC, to discuss the protective factors on campuses to ensure student safety regarding alcohol and other drugs. Listeners will gain insights into the state of college campuses and prevention programming in North Carolina and the Leadership Academy at APNC, which is working to introduce young people to t...

On this episode, Morgan and Sara are joined by Chris Hart, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Third Horizon Strategies, to discuss how our field tracks our work and how to collect and utilize data without losing sight of the real people we are trying to help. Chris also describes his time working with collegiate recovery when it was not a common practice. Listeners will learn about how people who...

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by Erin Bowman, CEO of the Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center, in front of a live studio audience to discuss blazing a trail for peers to create a career in the field and the ways that peers can help create a safety net for patients going through treatment. Listeners will learn how implementing peers substantially helps the peer and the pa...

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by APNC team member and Director of Scholastic Recovery, Jarmichael Harris to discuss his journey as a trailblazer in North Carolina collegiate recovery and how the state became a national example. Listeners will gain new insight into what it takes for a collegiate recovery program to succeed on campuses and what students need to feel safe and heard. 

September is National Recovery Month! All month long, Connections will be bringing you interviews about various aspects of recovery. To kick this off, this week, Sara and Morgan are joined by fellow APNC's Director of Outreach, Michael Roberts, to discuss his personal story of recovery and the journey from active addiction to working in the substance use field. Mike brings his real-world experienc...

In this episode, Sara and Morgan, in front of a live studio audience, continue last season’s conversation with Nathaniel Metz and Dock Henry from Phoenix Recovery Solutions to discuss how recovery professionals can establish themselves not just in a community but as part of the community. Listeners will gain insights on establishing a wide network of connections in a community and how listening to...

On this incredible season premiere, hosts Morgan and Sara chat with Dr. Beth Harmer, Vice President of the Board of APNC and Director of the Masters of Social Work program at Western Carolina University, to discuss her experiences with social work students. She provides insights and guidance on how graduates can ingratiate themselves in the field and how employers can treat the students to increas...

This week on our podcast, Greg Williams, President of Third Horizon Strategies and producer of the film “Tipping the Pain Scale,” joins Morgan and Sara for a compelling discussion. Together, they explore how addiction stories can be effectively brought to life in films and documentaries. Additionally, Greg shares insights on the unique considerations parents in recovery face when discussing substa...

In the Season 1 finale of APNC's Connections, we are honored to welcome Maryum Ali, the eldest daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali. Maryum is not only a writer, performer, and social justice advocate but also has extensive experience in gang intervention in Los Angeles from her previous work as a social worker. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation as we delve into her transformative journey,...

During this episode, Dr. Dominique Clemmons-James, Assistant Professor at Eastern Carolina University’s Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies, joins Morgan and Sara to discuss her experience crafting a collegiate recovery program at an HBCU, as well as her research into students’ interactions with recovery programs. Dr. CJ provides insight into what will attract students and how to t...

This week, Becca Sweeting, Integrated Recovery Resource Specialist at Alcohol Drug Council of North Carolina (ADCNC), joins Morgan and Sara to discuss ADCNC’s call center, best practices for connecting patients with treatment providers, and how Medicaid Expansion will reshape the near future. Becca sheds some light on who is calling for help and why, as well as how to eliminate gaps in the healthc...

As opioid settlement funds have become available in North Carolina, several counties have questioned whether or not to begin offering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in jails. Pitt County's program goes deeper than that by providing resources for individuals while incarcerated that will kickstart their ability to re-enter society effectively when released. Join APNC as they talk with social wo...