Addiction Talk

Wes Geer’s substance use as a teen ended up getting him kicked out of both high school and his home; by 18, he was living in his car and working at Domino’s. Eventually, he was able to get a better job and continue playing in local bands, which led to the creation of Hed PE at the age of 21. For eight years, the band toured the world, but Geer’s feelings of loneliness made him turn back to alcohol...

Joining “Addiction Talk” to wrap up Recovery Month is “Below Deck Mediterranean” star Captain Sandy Yawn, where she’ll be speaking about her history with addiction. Alcohol and addiction have been present in Yawn’s life for quite some time. Her mother was addicted to alcohol and addiction issues run in her family; she lost a niece in 2020 due to addiction. Her drinking began at a young age in what...

Many may remember Chef Chris Scott as a finalist on the show “Top Chef,” a platform that showcased is unique take on Southern cuisine. As he excelled through the competition, Chef Scott also used this newfound platform to raise awareness about substance use in the restaurant industry and addiction. Alcohol and substances were freely available and often given to those in the kitchen, according to C...

This episode of “Addiction Talk” will feature former child actor Shaun Weiss, who many may remember as goalie Greg Goldberg from “The Mighty Ducks.” Shaun initially began drinking heavily after the death of his mother in 2008. Over the next decade, after experiencing unsteady work, growing frustration about his career, failed friendships and the death of his father, Shaun became homeless and addic...

Provisional data indicates that there were approximately 107,000 drug overdose deaths last year, a 15% increase from the previous year and the highest number on record. Though overdose deaths from other substances, such as methamphetamine and cocaine also saw significant increases, fentanyl has been the primary driver of overdose deaths: last year, it was responsible for more than 88% of all opioi...

Joining “Addiction Talk” is five-time Olympic medalist Greg Louganis. Before becoming who many consider the most remarkable American diver, Louganis turned to alcohol and drugs in his early years for several reasons: his feeling of not fitting in due to being adopted at nine months, having a darker complexion due to his Samoan heritage, and when on the U.S. National Team, bullied for being gay. Hi...

This “Addiction Talk” episode will feature Gill Tietz, a biochemist and the host of the podcast Sober Powered. At 18, Gill had her first drink, but it wasn’t until four years later, in grad school, that drinking became a regular occurrence. Drinking was normalized in her workplace culture, so she believed drinking with her lab colleagues was normal. Within a year, she began to drink daily, blackou...

Christy Carlson Romano, former star of Disney’s “Even Stevens,” “Kim Possible,” and “Cadet Kelly,” joins Addiction Talk to speak about her struggles with alcohol, which began during her teens. At 16, Christy began binge drinking to cope with shyness, which later advanced to the point that she couldn’t stop drinking as it was so embedded in her daily life. Now, nearing her sixth year in sobriety, s...

This edition of “Addiction Talk” will feature stand-up comedian, actress and podcast host, Nikki Glaser. Over the last decade, Nikki Glaser has become one of the funniest female comics today. She has traveled and performed at clubs across the country, hosted three hit podcasts, including The Nikki Glaser Podcast, released two Netflix comedy specials, and has had a number of memorable film and tele...

Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby joins “Addiction Talk” to discuss his addiction to alcohol. Crosby recalls drinking heavily during his high school and college years, but as someone with a family history of alcohol use, he knew he had a problem. During the 2020 offseason, Crosby checked himself into rehab and transitioned to a sober living facility until training camp began that summer. After rece...

In this midday episode of “Addiction Talk,” we will hear from Deborah Taranto, Nadia Davis and Anita Lee in a panel discussion on how addiction affects families. Deborah Taranto is a mother, writer, teacher and professor who has taught writing and literature for the past 20 years. She is in the process of publishing her latest book, “The Beginning, The Middle, No End” that tells the story of her f...

Brian Cuban, younger brother of Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, is an attorney, best-selling author, activist and recovery advocate. Brian has a storied history with drug and alcohol addiction stemming from bullying and fat-shaming during his youth. He became addicted to alcohol while he was a freshman at Penn State, and by the time he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law,...

Joining Addiction Talk is Real Housewives of Orange County alum and mom of seven, Braunwyn Windham-Burke. Braunwyn will discuss her past struggles with alcohol – something she was very open about during her time on the show – navigating sobriety and finally living her truth.

Joining “Addiction Talk” is actress and singer Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. On this upcoming special episode, which will be broadcast live on Instagram, Rumer will discuss her struggle with alcohol use, the impact of addiction on her family and expand upon how she has chosen to focus on herself in her recovery journey.

Steve Kuhn is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, Bronze Star Medal recipient,  speaker, author, entrepreneur and owner of QOL Enterprises, where he helps leaders improve their lives and business. After his experiences during the Gulf War in 1991, Kuhn developed Combat PTSD. His trauma, in addition to the depression, loss of identity and lack of purpose that veterans sometimes experience after t...

Symone Redwine is a lawyer, owner of The Redwine Law Firm, PLLC, host of the podcasts “ Is That Legal? ” and “ Ages and Stages .” She is also a recent cast member of OWN TV’s reality dating show “Ready to Love.” Professionally, Symone has seen much success in her law career having practiced fashion and trademark law in New York City. In addition to handling high-profile cases that have received na...

Vic Vela is an award-winning journalist and reporter at Colorado Public Radio where he covers government and politics throughout the state. Vela is also the host of “ Back from Broken ,”a recovery podcast that features inspirational stories from people who have overcome their addictions and learned from adversity; an effort very close to him as he has more than six years in recovery himself. Durin...

Former Laker and two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom will join addiction talk to speak candidly about his public battle with addiction. He will also chat about his new documentary, “Reborn,” where he shares his personal healing journey and some of the most challenging and painful times in his life.

Kassi Underwood – spiritual teacher, author, founder of The Practice, host of the podcast Big Energy , and the first-ever resident Meditation Advisor at Harvard – joins Addiction Talk to speak about her personal journey to healing. By utilizing The Practice, the result of fourteen years of spiritual, social, and psychological study, she was able to heal her addictions, depression and anxiety.

In a special midday edition of Addiction Talk, Army veteran Annette Whittenberger, Army veteran Steven Kuhn and AAC’s Chief of Staff and former Navy SEAL Dan Cerrillo will speak about the stigma of mental health among service members and veterans. Annette Whittenberger is a retired, disabled Army veteran of 17 years, a military spouse and mother of two. Today, her work consists of coaching others...

Tawny Lara (she/her) is a bisexual NYC-based writer, public speaker, and podcaster [podcasts.apple.com] who’s passionate about smashing stigmas associated with both sexuality and sobriety. She’s recently been dubbed “The Sober Sexpert”. Tawny’s words have been published in Men’s Health, the Huffington Post, and more; she’s the founder of SobrieTea Party and the host of Recovery Rocks podcast.

This episode of Addiction Talk will feature a panel of past and present NFL players, including Matthew Slater, Patrick Venzke and Derek Price, and the CEO of the NFL Alumni Association, Beasley Reece, speaking about the stigma of addiction within sports in general and among professional athletes. Matthew Slater is a special teamer for the New England Patriots and a three-time Super Bowl champion....

Kirstin Walker is the creator of the blog SoberBrownGirls.com , a safe and supportive space for other sober brown girls that is now a safe place for all sober women. In honor of Black History Month, Kirstin will join Addiction Talk to chat about addiction and her sober journey as a woman of color.

Nick Santonastassso has been defying limitations his entire life. He is one of four people in the world currently living with Hanhart syndrome, a very rare birth defect that resulted in him being born without legs and his right arm. Nick joins Addiction Talk to discuss overcoming the adversity he’s experienced in his life, including his brother’s recent passing from a drug overdose.