Kratom Stories

Imagine a life riddled with chronic pain, facing a cancer diagnosis, and battling the relentless grip of Lyme disease. This was Bekkah Morris' reality before discovering the power of Kratom. On this week's Kratom Stories podcast, Bekkah, a fervent advocate for the plant, shares her deeply personal journey. Discouraged by the limitations of traditional medicine, she turned to her family's deep-root...

Britney Hiser, a lifetime sufferer of chronic illnesses, shares her inspiring story of finding relief through Kratom. After years of debilitating pain, fatigue, and a series of misdiagnoses, traditional medicine offered little solace. Faced with a life of increasing limitations, Britney was desperate for a solution. Her journey with Kratom began as a last resort, fueled by a mix of desperation and...

In this special solo episode of the Kratom Stories Podcast, host Madalyn Sklar delivers a mini Kratom masterclass, sharing her personal insights and years of research to guide listeners through the world of this increasingly popular botanical. Madalyn dives into the basics of Kratom, explaining its origins, the science behind its effects, and the importance of sourcing high-quality products. She b...

From social worker to struggling addict, Mike Felicetta's life took a dark turn after a back injury led him down a path of opioid dependence. Years of battling addiction, rehabs, and even resorting to heroin left Mike feeling trapped. However, a chance encounter with someone purchasing Kratom at a gas station sparked a glimmer of hope. Though his initial reliance on extracts threatened to replace...

In this episode of Kratom Stories, Madalyn sits down with Craig Burlingame, a dedicated advocate for Kratom and its life-changing benefits. Craig speaks candidly about his struggles with anxiety, chronic pain from a torn rotator cuff, and the negative side effects of prescription painkillers. His discovery of Kratom in 2022 marked a turning point in his journey. Through diligent research and conne...

This episode of Kratom Stories welcomes Marcelle Morfin, a Kratom super advocate who shares her deeply personal story of triumph over chronic pain and medical dismissal. After sustaining a severe spinal injury during her time in the military, Marcelle's life became a whirlwind of doctor's appointments, ineffective treatments, and mounting frustration as medical professionals struggled to understan...

In this episode of Kratom Stories, Madalyn speaks with Venus Usher, an ardent Kratom advocate who shares her transformative journey from suffering to healing. Venus recounts her years of enduring chronic pain due to endometriosis and the subsequent ill effects of FDA-approved medications like Lupron, which led to extreme measures, including multiple surgeries, opioid prescriptions, and even turnin...

On this episode of Kratom Stories, listeners will hear a raw and honest conversation with guest Scars Rodriguez as he details his harrowing battle with chronic pain stemming from a childhood diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. After enduring countless surgeries and grappling with the destructive cycle of prescription opioids, a defeated Scars found himself contemplating ending his own life...

Heather Habura seems to have it all - a glitzy career as a national television host, a thriving business, and a beautiful family. But beneath the surface, a silent struggle raged. In this episode of Kratom Stories, Heather bravely opens up about her battle with endometriosis and Crohn's disease, diagnoses that brought debilitating pain and a medical system that failed to offer lasting relief.  Hea...

Soren Shade, a Kratom advocate and entrepreneur, shares his unconventional introduction to the plant. While battling the pressures of studying at Columbia University, he found himself overly reliant on caffeine, leading to sleep deprivation and compromised well-being. Soren's discovery of Kratom through an episode of Hamilton's Pharmacopoeia, ironically, led him to a healthier relationship with st...

In this episode of Kratom Stories, Madalyn talks to Dr. Mike, a primary care provider who also treats chronic pain and happens to be a pain patient himself. He's gained an impressive following on TikTok for his candid discussions about pain management and patient advocacy. Dr. Mike shares his personal experience with chronic pain and how it transformed his approach to treating others. He sheds lig...

In this episode of Kratom Stories, we meet Tara R., a nurse who discovered Kratom just three weeks ago (April 2024) and is already experiencing profound changes in her life. After years of battling mental health issues like bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, along with chronic pain caused by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and degenerative disc disease, Tara was at her wit's end. Traditional treatm...

Despite years of scrutiny, recent FDA studies have now acknowledged that dried leaf Kratom is well tolerated in humans. This pivotal update was discussed recently in Etha Natural Botanicals' "Live Fully with Kratom" podcast, and I'm thrilled to share this episode with you here on Kratom Stories. You'll hear Etha's co-founder, Alexander, and head of customer service, Amanda, as they dive into the s...

In this insightful episode, we dive into the transformative impact of Kratom on Alexander Karp's life—an engineer turned Kratom advocate and entrepreneur. As co-founder of ETHA Natural Botanicals , Karp shares his journey from experiencing chronic back pain to finding substantial relief through Kratom. This led him down a path of deep curiosity about the plant, eventually motivating him to start h...

In this riveting conversation with Victor Chung, co-founder and CEO of ETHA Botanicals, we learn he is deeply rooted in compassion and a desire to make a difference in the world. On a mission to solve his chronic pain, Victor's journey into the heart of the Kratom industry uncovers not just personal healing but also groundbreaking innovation. ETHA Botanicals emerges through his quest, to redefine...

In this compelling episode, Amanda Schuchardt, a chronic pain advocate and avid storyteller on TikTok, shares her transformative journey with Kratom. As someone who has grappled with the debilitating effects of chronic pain and the challenges of traditional pain management, Amanda provides an insightful look into how this plant has offered her not just physical relief but mental peace as well. Her...

We dive into the transformative journey of Jennifer VanBlunk, a long-time Kratom user whose life was drastically changed by this botanical wonder. Jennifer shares her compelling story, from the depths of prescription opioid dependence following a severe injury in the military to discovering Kratom for recovery and pain management. With nearly a decade of experience, she highlights how Kratom, and...

In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the transformative journey of Twinkle VanFleet, a chronic pain warrior and passionate Kratom advocate. She shares the gripping narrative of how Kratom became her lifeline, offering solace from a life once dominated by unbearable pain, pharmaceuticals, alcohol dependence, and the brink of despair. Twinkle's discovery of Kratom marked a turning point, lea...

In this empowering episode, I sit down with Brandy Novicka, a fervent advocate for the chronic pain community. Faced with a critical shortage of her prescribed pain medication due to widespread pharmacy outages, Brandy turned to Kratom as an alternative pain management solution. Her narrative is a compelling tale of embracing the relief that Kratom provided amidst the healthcare system's stringent...

We explore the life-changing journey of Heidi Sykora, a dedicated Kratom advocate and healthcare professional. Battling with chronic pain and complex medical history from a young age, Heidi's transition into a world with less pain began with her introduction to Kratom by her son. Her experience sheds light on the profound impact this botanical has had on her life, not only alleviating her pain but...

In this episode, I have an enlightening conversation with John Newmark, M.S., LPC., a psychotherapist who shares his personal journey with Kratom. John's exploration into this plant began as a search for an alternative treatment for his chronic pain and that path led him to discover its myriad benefits. This chat underscores the multifaceted benefits of Kratom for both physical and psychological w...

Harrison Cohen, CEO and co-founder of Blate Co., the makers of Blate Papes , shares his transformative journey from battling opioid addiction and body image issues to discovering and utilizing Kratom as a pivotal tool in his recovery. Harrison's story illuminates his early interest in health and fitness, leading him down a path of substance exploration and eventually toward Kratom. This botanical...

In this episode, we explore Christopher Deaney's journey with Kratom, highlighting its profound impact on his pain management. After years of relying on traditional medical treatments with limited success, Christopher discovered Kratom, which provided him not just relief, but a newfound sense of vitality and well-being. We dive into the transformative power of this natural remedy, underscoring his...

In this inspiring episode of Kratom Stories, I talk with Chai, also known as Aisha, a registered nurse who has witnessed a remarkable transformation thanks to Kratom. Her journey begins with a struggle against alcoholism, depression, and an eating disorder, leading to multiple relapses even after managing brief periods of sobriety. Kratom entered her life serendipitously during a visit to a head s...