Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

Michael Chernow’s powerful story of overcoming alcoholism and transforming his life is nothing short of inspiring. From battling addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Michael shares his raw and honest journey of hitting rock bottom, finding sobriety, and building Creatures of Habit, a brand dedicated to health, wellness, and personal growth. In this conversation, Michael opens up about:...

Norman Seabrook, the once-powerful president of the Corrections Officers’ Union at Rikers Island, built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in the prison system—until it all came crashing down. Arrested and convicted for corruption, Norman went from overseeing guards to serving time behind bars. In this explosive interview, he reveals the dark realities of Rikers Island, the power...

Nelson was once at the top of a multi-million dollar health insurance fraud scheme—until the feds came knocking. In this episode of Rise Above, he takes us inside the world of healthcare fraud, how he got caught, and what life was like in federal prison. But his story doesn’t end there. After serving his time, Nelson turned his life around, overcoming a heavy binge eating disorder and building a n...

Nick, an Air Force Sergeant, shares his harrowing experiences from multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan—dodging bullets, surviving bombings, and losing friends to war and suicide. In this powerful episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, he opens up about the lasting mental health toll of combat and the tools he’s used to heal. Now a fitness trainer, Nick has transformed his trauma into s...

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Kevin Lanning sits down with John Valerio, a man whose journey from suburban normalcy to addiction, crime, and near-death survival is nothing short of jaw-dropping. John opens up about how a tragic turn of events spiraled his life out of control—starting with his father’s sudden abandonment, a painkiller prescription after a quad accident, and how it all led...

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at: betterhelp.com/riseabove In this special episode of Rise Above, the roles are reversed as Annabella Rockwell interviews the usual host, Kevin Lanning. Kevin opens up about his personal journey—starting from his days playing college sports, climbing the ranks in corporate America, and eventually facing addiction...

At just 16, Mo Nelson was involved in a robbery on the USF campus in Florida that turned tragic when his codefendant shot and killed a 57-year-old man. Charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery, Mo was sentenced to 15 years in prison. But instead of letting prison define him, he took full accountability, surrounded himself with the right people, and committed to deep self-reflection a...

Jason Votrobek, once at the center of one of the most notorious pill mill operations in the country, joins me for an exclusive interview to reveal the shocking truth behind the prescription drug epidemic. As the co-owner of Atlanta Medical Group, a Georgia-based pain clinic that became one of the top distributors of Oxycodone in the nation, Votrobek made millions before the law caught up with him....

Ross Mandell, a former Wall Street broker and the founder of Sky Capital, once dominated the financial markets before being convicted of a $140 million fraud scheme and serving over nine years in prison. Accused of manipulating the London Stock Exchange, Mandell faced intense legal battles, extradition challenges, and the harsh realities of the federal justice system. Now free and determined to ma...

Zach Rance, known from Big Brother, reveals the harsh reality of life after the show, describing how his world came crashing down. In this powerful conversation, he shares how he hit rock bottom and rebuilt his life through structure, discipline, consistency, and fitness. Now a thriving entrepreneur, Zach opens up about the mindset and habits that helped him turn it all around. Learn more about yo...

Daniel Phaithaisong, better known as internet personality Dpeezy2099, opens up about his addiction to Xanax, lean, and methadone, as well as his struggles with the law that led to multiple stints in prison. In 2021, while living in a sober house, he discovered content creation—a passion that not only changed his life but also helped him stay clean. Daniel shares the highs and lows of his journey,...

Adam Jablin lived a double life—on the surface, he was a devoted husband and father, but behind closed doors, he was battling a relentless addiction to alcohol. Now sober since 2006, he shares the brutal consequences of his alcoholism, how it tore apart his family, and the turning point that led him to recovery. In this powerful episode, Adam discusses where and how to get help, his experience bri...

Dr. Linda Varisco was indicted in a massive FBI healthcare fraud case—but that’s not where her story ends. In this episode of Rise Above, she shares her side of the scandal, the lessons she learned, and how she rebuilt her life after facing federal charges. From being named in a high-profile indictment to finding redemption, Dr. Varisco’s journey is one of resilience, accountability, and transform...

Debi Borger, founder of DB Wellbeing and creator of the transformative E3 Method, shares her powerful story of recovery and reinvention. After a devastating car wreck and hitting rock bottom, Debi got sober, but for her first nine years, she avoided working a recovery program, which led to heartbreak, ending an engagement, and moving back home. Now, with over a decade of sobriety and actively work...

In this episode of Rise Above, Parker, a recovering fentanyl and heroin addict, shares her powerful journey of relapse and redemption. She opens up about how not working a strong recovery program led her back to a brutal lifestyle of addiction, but also how she found the strength to rebound and rebuild. Parker dives deep into the lessons learned from her relapse, the harsh realities of addiction,...

Brett Hollins Jr. was on top of the world as the #1 high school recruit in the country, destined for greatness—until one fateful night changed everything. Sentenced to four years in prison for stabbing two men at a college party, Brett faced the devastating consequences of his actions. But his story doesn’t end there. After serving his time, Brett rebuilt his life, becoming a symbol of resilience...

Dan, 13 years sober from fentanyl and heroin, shares his raw and unfiltered journey of addiction and redemption. From running the dangerous streets of Kensington, robbing dealers, and spending time in jail to going through 20+ inpatient facilities, Dan’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and hope. Tune in to hear how he turned his life around and found purpose in sobriety. If you’re stru...

Robert shares his powerful story of transformation after being sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for cocaine conspiracy and a firearm charge. A major drug dealer in Tampa, he served nearly 18 years, starting in high-security and working his way down to a camp. Released early during Covid under the CARES Act, Robert has since rebuilt his life. Now married and thriving in real estate, he opens...

Teresa's journey is one of resilience and transformation. Abused by her stepfather, a teen mom at 16, and enduring a painful divorce, she overcame immense challenges to rewrite her story and reshape her family's future. With over 25 years as an entrepreneur and executive, she has built high-performing teams, managed multi-million dollar projects, and founded a million-dollar company. In this episo...

Emmanuel Lewis, a former prison correctional guard, endured grueling 16-hour workdays, understaffed facilities, and the daily pressures of managing inmates. The relentless stress not only took a toll on his mental health but also triggered a rare heart condition that caused his skin to turn white over a year. In this eye-opening interview, Emmanuel shares his incredible story of resilience, the ch...

Savannah shares her raw and unfiltered journey from the depths of addiction to a life of recovery and hope. Once caught in the grip of heroin and fentanyl, she turned to stripping and selling drugs in strip clubs to support her habit, which eventually led to jail time. Her story is wild, heartbreaking, and ultimately one of resilience and redemption, as she overcame incredible odds to get clean an...

Welcome to a riveting episode of the Rise Above Podcast! In this exclusive interview, we speak with the notorious Joe Exotic, star of Netflix's "Tiger King," straight from prison. Joe opens up about his latest efforts to secure a pardon, his ambitions to run for president in 2024, and the shocking conditions inside the prison. Joe shares the latest developments in his bid for a presidential pardon...

Frank Parisi, whose family founded the iconic Parisi Bakery in Little Italy, shares his extraordinary journey of resilience and transformation. Battling the shadow of his father’s organized crime ties and his own addiction to opiates, Frank emerged 13 years clean and sober, embracing mindset shifts and strategies for growth. In this episode, he opens up about overcoming adversity, achieving abunda...

Rachel shares her journey through alcoholism, the turning point that led her to sobriety, and the profound impact it had on her mental health. With honesty and courage, Rachel discusses the struggles of addiction, the challenges of recovery, and how embracing sobriety has transformed her life. Her story is a testament to resilience and hope, inspiring others to overcome their own obstacles. Learn...

In this episode of Rise Above, singer-songwriter Gabrielle Cacciola opens up about her journey of resilience and creativity. Hailing from the Bronx, Gabrielle shares her experiences with anxiety and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes and addressing root causes over medication. She discusses her Italian heritage, her family’s deep musical roots, and the story b...