The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return

Stephen Yates, a seasoned analyst and practitioner in politics, policy, and national security, hails from St. Petersburg, Florida. As a Senior Fellow and Chair of the China Policy Initiative, he has traversed the intricacies of policy decision-making, both foreign and domestic. A veteran commentator and media trainer, Yates brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served as a senior advi...

Alex is 51 years of age, graduated in the top 5 and got a college scholarship, went to state in cross country and track and qualified for national team freshman year. Pre-med student for biomedical engineering. Busted with 52 hits of LSD in campus dorm room. Lost scholarship and started the slow spiral downward. Became a male entertainer, was in a couple of movies (both with Lee Burns) played semi...

Scott Strode, sober for over 25 years, is the Executive Director of The Phoenix, a transformational nonprofit he founded in 2006. The Phoenix harnesses the power of connection to ignite a movement that's changing how society looks at addiction and recovery. The Phoenix provides free programs both in-person and virtually, across the globe, including yoga, climbing, music, CrossFit, art, and more. T...

Nily Ilan lost her son 4 years ago to fentanyl poisoning.  He had become addicted to painkillers after a devastating car accident and even though he had tried rehab, he relapsed and bought what he thought was heroin.  However, it was laced with fentanyl and he died.  He was a young man in his 20s.  He was loved by all who knew him.  He had a young son at the time.  Now dealing with unspeakable gri...

I'm a native Floridian, born and raised in Sarasota. I had a very normal Floridian childhood, swimming and fishing in local ponds and lakes. Nothing extraordinary. I graduated Sarasota High School in 1982 and joined the United States Army. I served for six years so I could use the GI Bill to help pay for my college education.  After the Army I endured the long process of obtaining a Master of Scie...

Well obviously my name is Josh. Basically in a nutshell as it were I was a careered musician and was very successful in many capacities. I once owned a recording studio with Gordon Raphael (producer of the strokes & Regina Spektor) after getting my own record deal I worked on my debut album with Anthony Braun Perry and Scott Montoya (both from the band the growlers) and was well on my way. I h...

Ed Bisch's son died of an overdose of Oxycontin.  Ed didn't sit by.  He started researching Oxycontin and its manufacturer - Purdue Pharma; AND the family behind it - The Sacklers.  He has been fighting this battle for years and doesn't see giving up until both the company and the family are made to take responsibility for the countless deaths due to oxycontin addiction and overdose. In December 2...

I am Joe Sealey, a current cast member on "The Real Housewives of Cheshire," a globally televised show seen in 36 countries. While I may appear to lead a glamorous life on screen, my journey has been marked by personal struggles, particularly my battle with addiction to cocaine and alcohol. My story is not just one of success but of resilience, transformation, and the importance of sharing the rea...

Tonja Myles is a multi-faceted leader, ordained minister, and passionate advocate for mental health awareness, substance abuse recovery, and trauma healing. Over 36 years in recovery from addiction, Tonja has overcome suicide attempts and childhood/adult sexual abuse, earning a diagnosis of PTSD. Her inspiring journey has been shared in books, documentaries, talk shows, and national TV series. Ton...

Lang Martinez from Oxnard, California, a returning NAASCA family member. When the topic of homelessness is brought up in Ventura County, a single name comes quickly to mind: Lang Martinez. Martinez has built a reputation for himself as a known homeless advocate to have come from the same streets he now walks through with his head held high.    His peer-to-peer approach has cemented his name among...

Dan Zsido has had 15 years of narcotics investigative experience with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. He established and supervised the Strategic Diversion Task Force investigating pharmaceutical crimes, doctor shopping, fraud, trafficking and more.   Currently Dan is the Training and Education Director at NADDI (National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators) - The Training and Educat...

Thaddeus' service to this country began its course while proudly serving in the United States Air Force. He served on the Terrell County Independent School District School Board for eight years and as the Board President four of those years.  His viewpoint: "Students and our school's educators are at the forefront of our nations foundation. Texas must lead the nation by adapting our approach to do...

Lisa Gregory (qual it make sure it was both alc and drugs). The has one pp in Podpage, this is expanded:   Step into the riveting and uncharted territory of Lisa Gregory's life as she takes the mic on our podcast, baring her soul in a tale that will leave you utterly spellbound. Prepare to embark on an emotional rollercoaster as Lisa unravels her journey through the treacherous waters of addiction...

April Babcock, a resolute mother, has weathered the darkest storm a parent can endure. In the cruel grasp of 2019, she was forced to bid a heartbreaking farewell to her precious son, Austen, a victim of the sinister clutches of fentanyl poisoning. Her agony, however, did not cripple her spirit; it ignited an unquenchable fire within her soul. With unwavering determination, April Babcock's anguishe...

I am Amy, the mother of an 18 year old son who has struggled with SUD and MH challenges. He is still alive, but the road over the past 4 years is one  that will spin  heads. Every system has failed our family. I understand I cannot want my son to get help more than he does  and  I know  at this point I can let him know I love him and I can ultimately only save myself  from this ugly illness. I aut...

Rev. Christian Janson Step into the gripping world of redemption and resilience with Rev. Christian Janson, the indomitable power behind the awe-inspiring Most High Ministries. Brace yourself for a tale of triumph over darkness, as he emerges from the depths of personal struggle to become a beacon of hope for those lost in the clutches of addiction. Christian's journey is a testament to the streng...

Brace yourself for a fascinating episode of **The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return**, featuring the Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist, **Barry Meier**, as we peel back the layers of the opioid crisis, examining its roots, aftermath, and the unsettling role played by the Sackler family and their empire, Purdue Pharma. Meier also discusses how he ventured into investigative repor...

Prepare to be captivated by the electrifying presence of Phillip A. Barbb, a 2x Emmy®-nominated TV Producer, whose journey transcends far beyond the ordinary. As a dynamic performance coach, speaker, and author, he dives headfirst into the realm of emotional intelligence and unyielding leadership, igniting the flames of transformation in executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives alike. But that's n...

Meet Flindt Anderson, a true warrior in the war against the relentless grip of the Opioid and Fentanyl crisis. From the tender age of 13, Flindt's journey through addiction led him down a harrowing 23-year battle with Opioids, consuming a staggering 70-80 Vicodin pills daily. Emerging from the abyss of addiction, Flindt's life became a testament to the sheer strength of the human spirit. In 2009,...

Prepare to be captivated by Annie Grace's extraordinary journey, a story that defies conventional norms and leads to the ultimate victory for her and for others. At just 26 years old, Annie became the youngest Vice President in the history of a multinational company. But as her professional success soared, her drinking career took off with equal intensity. By the time she reached 35, Annie held a...

Jeannine Coulter's story is one of the most powerful and inspiring journeys of transformation and redemption you'll ever hear. For fifteen long years, Jeannine battled with addiction, leading to multiple arrests, homelessness, and spent her final days of shooting meth and heroin in a literal doghouse before getting sober in January of 2015. Today, Jeannine is a force to be reckoned with and is a s...

Meet Lance Dyer, an extraordinary individual driven by unimaginable tragedy and unwavering courage. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Lance enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1982 and later became an esteemed member of the elite Ranger unit. But it was a devastating event in 2012 that changed his life forever. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Lance's 14-year-old son, Dakota, tragically lost his life af...

Jackie Gouché has traveled to six of the seven continents, singing in studios and on stages behind some of the most notable names in the music Industry including Elton John, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, Yolanda Adams, and a host of others.   It was not always a smooth path, however, and Jackie had to master herself before she could...

If you never heard Valerie's story, it would be difficult to imagine that her daughter Jamie was murdered at the age of 30 or that it was not the first time Jamie had been shot — 12 years and 12 days earlier, she survived the same injury.   But her story doesn't reflect the woman you see today. Through the pain and trauma of Jamie's addiction and her daughter's senseless murder, Valerie has become...

"A merciless pit bull of an investigator" is what the Chicago Tribune said about Gerald Posner, a former attorney turned investigative journalist and author. He has written thirteen acclaimed books, including New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestsellers Case Closed, Why America Slept and God's Bankers. Posner was a finalist for the Pulitzer in History for Case Closed. He has also written dozens...