Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

From rock bottom to redemption, Louis Essig shares his incredible journey of transformation. After experiencing the cycle of addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, Louis turned his life around in an unexpected way—by becoming an officer at the very jail where he once served time. In this powerful episode, Louis opens up about growing up in a small town, the challenges of college life, his tim...

Step into the world of Mark Chauppetta, a seasoned private detective, as he shares gripping stories from his career, including the Karen Read case, shocking inmate scandals, and the dark truths of the entertainment industry. In this candid conversation, Mark opens up about the mental toll of his work, the challenges of undercover investigations, and balancing a demanding career with family life. T...

Katie, a former nurse, became addicted to opiates after being prescribed Percocet following surgery. Her addiction led to stealing liquid Fentanyl from work and using it intravenously. In 2022, she faced federal charges and hit rock bottom. Now, two years clean, Katie has turned her life around. She’s reestablished her connection with God and speaks at facilities to warn others about addiction and...

In this gripping episode of Rise Above, Manny, a 1% biker in the infamous Outlaws Motorcycle Club, shares his extraordinary journey of survival and transformation. From being shot in the face and stabbed to battling a near-fatal struggle with alcoholism in 2020, Manny’s story is one of unrelenting adversity and remarkable resilience. Now sober, Manny reflects on the lessons he’s learned, the chall...

Andreea, shares her story of being arrested for assisting immigrants in entering the country and committing tax fraud tied to Gene Friedman’s yellow cab taxi company. After serving prison time, Andreea turned her life around and is now the host of a successful podcast and a thriving business owner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this eye-opening episode, Karissa shares her harrowing journey through addiction, multiple DWIs, and the dark realities of an alcoholic's lifestyle. We dive into the psychological factors that lead to reckless decisions like drunk driving, the development of drinking issues, and the devastating long-term effects of substance abuse. Karissa opens up about her struggles, the dangerous behaviors f...

Retired NYPD Detective Tom Smith, host of the Gold Shields podcast, shares a gripping account of one of the most intense moments in his career—stopping a school shooter on the day of the planned attack. With 17 years of experience on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Tom provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at high-stakes law enforcement. From life-saving decisions to the relentless dedicat...

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Kevin Lanning sits down with Ginjer, a recovering opiate addict and alcoholic whose life took a devastating turn during the height of the opiate epidemic. Ginjer opens up about the tragic night she fatally struck a 16-year-old girl while driving under the influence, an event that led to her imprisonment. Now in recovery, she shares her raw and emotional jour...

Victor Shear's life took a dark turn when his opiate addiction spiraled out of control. To fund his habit, he became a professional bank robber, a decision that ultimately landed him in Clinton prison in New York. Released in 2020, Victor has since turned his life around and is now clean. In this raw and powerful episode, he opens up about the highs and lows of his journey—from addiction and crime...

Bryan reveals his gripping journey from working with the infamous Gulf Cartel to surviving the harsh realities of Texas federal prisons. In this episode, Bryan shares the high-stakes life of drug trafficking, his run-ins with the DEA, and the life-or-death decisions he faced behind bars. Discover how he turned his darkest moments into a story of resilience and redemption. Don’t miss this eye-openi...

From a life of crime to the spotlight of hip-hop, Majesti’s journey is one of resilience, redemption, and transformation. In this episode, she opens up about her raw and unfiltered path—overcoming prison, embracing her passion, and rising as a powerful voice in the music world. Don’t miss this inspiring story of a career criminal turned rap icon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Step inside America’s most successful correctional facility, where one warden’s focus on rehabilitation and mental health has led to the lowest repeat offender rate in the country. Hear how he transforms lives while balancing his own mental well-being in this inspiring interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring episode, Mike Peters shares his powerful story of resilience, from his challenging beginnings in the inner city to a life-altering journey through the prison system. Faced with the pressure to support his family, Mike turned to selling drugs, a choice that ultimately led him to incarceration. But instead of giving up, he used his time to reflect, grow, and prepare for a new path....

In this powerful episode, we sit down with D'nita, a former D1 college basketball star and prison corrections officer from New Jersey, whose life took an unimaginable turn in an instant. One morning on her way to work, a car accident changed everything, taking a life and placing her on a path that led from guarding prison cells to living in one. D'nita shares her journey of resilience, the strengt...

In this powerful episode, Jacob Gentry shares the harrowing story of his wrongful conviction for murder—a sentence that nearly cost him 30 years of his life. What started as a night of self-defense in a brutal fight turned into a legal nightmare when corrupt prosecutors twisted the truth, painting Jacob as a killer. Instead of justice, Jacob was thrown into a broken system, branded a murderer, and...

Step into the world of wiretaps and covert investigations with Jon Molik, a veteran detective and wiretap expert. In this in-depth interview, Jon reveals the fascinating techniques and challenges behind catching criminals on tape, sharing some of the most unexpected and humorous moments he’s experienced in law enforcement. Now living a sober life, Jon also discusses his personal journey to sobriet...

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Steve shares his unbelievable story of survival, resilience, and success. After losing both parents to cartel violence in Cali, Colombia, Steve was thrust into a world of uncertainty at a young age. But through grit and determination, he carved a path from working in nightclubs to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Join us as Steve opens up about his journe...

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In this powerful episode, Olivia shares her gripping story of addiction, recovery, and redemption. From the chaotic lifestyle of opiate and heroin abuse to her journey through jail and rehab, Olivia opens up about the darkest moments of her life, including the shocking discovery that her dad's dealer was fueling her addiction. Now over six years clean, Olivia is turning her life around and pursuin...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Nadine Macaluso shares her experiences, including her marriage to Jordan Belfort, 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' Our conversation goes beyond her story, diving into the psychology of trauma bonding, narcissism, gaslighting, and manipulation. Dr. Nadine sheds light on recognizing toxic behaviors and the process of breaking free, while also sharing what truly defines a heal...

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, I sit down with a career criminal whose life has been shaped by a cycle of crime, gang loyalty, and years spent in correctional facilities across Tennessee. With raw honesty, he shares his story, detailing the choices that led him into a life of crime and the influence of gang culture on his decisions. Together, we explore the factors that pull individuals i...

In this powerful episode, Alana Wilson opens up about her difficult journey growing up in Queens, New York, facing the harsh realities of abuse, bullying, and the devastating impact of incarceration on her family. From uncovering dark family secrets, including her father’s criminal past, to battling depression and low self-esteem, Alana’s story is one of resilience and transformation. She shares h...

In this jaw-dropping episode, we uncover Reggie’s unbelievable comeback story! After surviving horrific childhood abuse and serving time in prison, Reggie turned his life around in a way no one saw coming. He walked across the country twice to honor his late mother, won the prestigious Presidential Award for Community Service, and even teamed up with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, earning a shoutout o...

In this powerful interview, JD Delay, a former prison gang leader and career criminal, opens up about his turbulent past. From battling a severe meth addiction to becoming a prison shot caller, JD's story is one of crime, chaos, and ultimately, redemption. Now 5 years sober, JD shares his incredible journey to sobriety, what led him to turn his life around, and how he has become a social media sen...

In this powerful episode of 'Rise Above,' we sit down with Devan, who shares her incredible journey of overcoming addiction and finding hope after a devastating loss. After losing her father in a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver, Devan spiraled into a world of self-destruction and despair. Hitting rock bottom was a wake-up call that led her to reclaim her life and embrace sobriety. Join us...