Sagely Speaking

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Paul Solotaroff, a no-holds barred investigative reporter from Rolling Stone Magazine who has been covering very serious and tough stories for decades. Famous for his persistence, Paul has been on the trail of social media companies and their role in making drugs very accessible to the children of America. His in-depth research has shown how these platforms...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes a very special guest, especially since he is her husband... Rear Admiral Stephen Oswald, USN (ret) . Steve is a distinguished former astronaut and Naval Aviator who embarked on a remarkable career that spanned various facets of aviation and space exploration. His journey began at the United States Naval Academy in 1973. Following his graduation, Steve served...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Ed Bisch, the relentless advocate and founder of Relatives Against Purdue Pharma (RAPP), who talks about his 23 year struggle to make sure Purdue Pharma is held accountable for their irresponsible promotion and distribution of the highly addictive and potentially deadly drug OxyContin. Motivated by personal tragedy with the loss of his son, and driven by a c...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Chris Didier, a pilot for United Airlines and Executive Board Member for Stop the Void who shares the heart-wrenching story of losing his 17-year-old son to a single pill laced with fentanyl. Chris talks about this tragic incident and how it underscores the critical need for parents to have open and honest conversations with their children about the dangers...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Katheryn Burgum, the First Lady of North Dakota , who is a powerful advocate for initiatives aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding drug addiction. Drawing from her own courageous journey of 15 years in recovery, she openly shares her experiences, breaking down barriers and fostering a more compassionate understanding of addiction as a disease.

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Kim Humphrey , the Executive Director of Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL). Kim's organization plays a crucial role in assisting parents who are navigating the challenging journey of having children with addiction issues and how they empower parents to lead by example. By fostering resilience and promoting healthy behaviors, Kim and his team help parents...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers who has served in the House of Representatives for the past 20 years. During her tenure she has risen to hold the gavel on one of the most prestigious and powerful committees in the US Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee. We spoke about her work combatting the opioid and fentanyl overdose epidemics and a whole lot...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Gil Kerlikowske . Gil served as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Obama for 5 years. After that service, he lead the Customs and Border Protection. It’s worth noting that he had a strong background in law enforement after leading the Seattle Police Department and then the Buffalo, New York department. Gil and I worked...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Dr. Kevin Sabet whom Congressman Patrick Kennedy (ret.) calls the “Happy Warrior.” Kevin is a warrior when it comes to smart drug policy, and the sheer weight of his beliefs and his dedication to his convictions will win any debate. He strongly believes in drug abuse prevention first.

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Dr. Bertha Madras who has been at the forefront of discussions around drug policy for decades. Among the many areas she focuses on, we discussed her research into psychedelic drug therapies and her very concerned viewpoint. With billions of dollars pouring into this emerging field, Dr. Madras sheds light on the complexities and controversies surrounding thes...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Emmitt Smith, the three time Super Bowl champion and football legend emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and physical resilience in the sport. Smith, who famously played through injuries with minimal medication, warns about the dangers of relying on opioids for pain management. He talks about his role as a speaker at college campuses, educating ath...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Greg Totten, CEO of the California District Attorneys Association , is an influential figure at the forefront of the multifaceted challenges facing California, including homelessness, rampant retail theft, and the alarming rise of fentanyl addiction. He is leading the efforts on a California measure called, The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Thef...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes a seasoned expert, a 32-year veteran of the DEA, Bill Bodner, whose insights shed light on the intricate dynamics of the drug trade. Our conversation delved into the complex interplay between supply and demand, touching upon the operations of drug cartels and the influence of global players like China. We explored the evolving challenges, particularly concer...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Lorraine Martin who talks about her leadership at the National Safety Council, and how the NSC serves as a vital conduit for workplace safety information. She offers comprehensive guidelines for general safety practices and talks about the concerning rise in drug overdoses in workplaces and the proactive measures the NSC has taken to address this issue head-...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Michael Braun, retired from the U.S.  Drug Enforcement Administration  ( DEA ) as Chief of Operations, Assistant Administrator. He sheds light on the intricate network behind the Mexican cartels' dominance in supplying fentanyl, emphasizing their dependence on chemical companies in China for production. He underscores the financial motivations driv...

A proven thought leader and Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University, Dr. Keith Humphreys emphasizes the crucial role of law enforcement and health care workers joining together to solve our Nation's drug problem. He also talks about his leadership as a former drug policy advisor at the White House in expanding public access to naloxone, the overdose reversal medication, that is helping to s...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes renowned addiction specialist and popular television host, an author, and a public speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky. They dive into the complex landscape of addiction, parenting, treatment and the lack of facilities, and the policies surrounding these issues and gives the most honest, practical, and up-to-date medical advice based on scientific evidence.

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Dr. Adam Leventhal as they delve into the complex world of the drug epidemic. An innovative academic response with the founding director of the Institute for Addiction Science at host Mary Bono's alma mater, the University of Southern California (USC). In this insightful conversation, Dr. Adam Leventhal , discusses his approach to the multifaceted issues sur...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Captain Christopher Jones , the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention , who discusses the critical importance of safeguarding our loved ones from the dangers of substance abuse. Their conversation delves into the multifaceted challenges faced by communities in combatting drug abuse and the urgent need for proactive preventative measures. Capt...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes a friend and a leader in advocacy and policy at Safe States Alliance, Rich Hamburg who works tirelessly to address a myriad of issues, always prioritizing prevention and wellness. His dedication to promoting policies that safeguard communities against illness and injury is unparalleled. Whether advocating for access to healthcare, supporting initiatives to c...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Angela Kennecke, whom despite enduring the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter to a tragic drug overdose finds solace in channeling her grief into a beacon of hope for others. With unwavering determination, she founded a charity in her daughter's name, Emily's Hope, which is dedicated to supporting parents grappling with similar struggles. Angela remains re...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Rob Perry , the visionary founder of XOMAD. He talks about revolutionizing influencer marketing by tapping into the "power of local messengers," recognizing the potential to reach audiences en masse by employing local influencers. XOMAD can use the technology to disseminate the word about the current drug epidemic by leveraging authentic voices of...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Tom Wolf , a fierce advocate against failing addiction and homeless policies. He bravely took the stage, opening up about his journey through drug addiction and subsequent recovery. His story unfolds as a testament to resilience and the transformative power of rehabilitation. Wolf's candid account not only sheds light on the harrowing depths of addictio...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono welcomes Congressman Buddy Carter who passionately discusses the urgent need for Naloxone in every school across America. He underscores his critical role in the Saving our Students in School Act ensuring that every school is equipped to handle opioid-related incidents. Additionally, he touched upon his involvement in advancing Sammy's Law aimed at empoweri...

Former Congresswoman Mary Bono kicks off her first episode with Matt Capelouto who lost his daughter Alexandra to fentanyl poisoning in 2019. Matt became president of Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation , and has introduced Senate Bill 44, otherwise known as " Alexandra's Law ," which would help prosecutors bring murder charges against convicted drug dealers. For some grieving parents, laws like this...