The NOCE Dose: The Opioid Crisis Unplugged

This Listening Session explores the rapidly evolving intersection of high-tech innovation and the deeply personal landscape of recovery. As behavioral health systems increasingly look toward high-tech solutions for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) prevention and treatment, this session explores how technology is no longer just a tool for communication but a primary intervention. Participants will engage...

Altamit Lewis is a licensed clinical professional counselor and subject matter expert in behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and workforce wellness. With over 15 years of experience spanning crisis intervention, EAP services, and behavioral health program management, she brings a grounded, systems-informed perspective to the challenges faced by first responders, healthcare workers, and helpin...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, Bianca D. McCall sits down with Dr. Trudy Gilbert-Elliott, trauma specialist and clinician working alongside first responders and crisis teams, for a deeply human conversation about the cost of caring. From “death by a thousand cuts” to the slow, often invisible onset of secondary trauma, Dr. Trudy unpacks what happens when exposure to crisis becomes cumulative—an...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, Bianca D. McCall is joined by Gabrielle Burton, LMFT, for a powerful conversation at the intersection of faith, trauma, and care work. Together, they explore what happens inside helping spaces—especially faith communities—when image becomes more important than authenticity. From “mean girls in ministry” to cover-up culture and spiritual bypassing, Gabrielle names...

Jewels Crable completed her Bachelors of Social Work and a minor in Addiction Treatment at University of Nevada, Reno where she excelled and received special honor from the faculty of her program. During her senior year internship at NAMI Western Nevada, she felt at home with the Peer Work perspective and the ability to pull from her own lived experiences to help others. Having been personally imp...

This Listening Session addresses the emotional, cognitive, and professional impact of opioid-related crises on those working in prevention, treatment, and recovery, including clinicians, peers, first responders, and systems leaders. Drawing from suicide postvention frameworks and lived experience, the session explores the invisible injuries of care work, such as compassion fatigue, secondary traum...

Season three of The NOCE Dose, hosted by Bianca D. McCall, centers the people doing the work—and the often invisible costs of caring. This season amplifies the voices of clinicians, peer support specialists, first responders, crisis teams, and community providers across Nevada who show up every day in response to the opioid crisis. Through powerful testimonies and expert insight, we explore how id...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, we are joined by Amy Thatcher, a speech-language pathologist and neonatal feeding specialist with over fifteen years of experience supporting medically fragile and opioid-exposed infants. Together, we explore what truly family-centered care looks like in the NICU—from dismantling stigma and clinical bias to building trust with birthing parents and extended familie...

In this compelling episode, host Bianca D. McCall reconnects with Dr. Annie Lindsay to dive deeper into the gendered realities of opioid and stimulant use among women. Dr. Lindsay breaks down why women of reproductive age are one of the fastest-growing groups affected by substance use, highlighting the overlooked role of methamphetamine, the weight of trauma, and the profound impact of limited soc...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall, LMFT welcomes Dr. Eboni January—physician, author, and advocate—for a transformative discussion on empathy, maternal health, and the human side of medicine. Together, they examine how opioid use disorder impacts mothers and families, challenging traditional systems that punish rather than support. Dr. January shares her experiences as both a...

This second Listening Session continues our exploration of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in special populations, shifting the lens to the full lifespan. Building upon Part 1's focus on youth and Tribal communities, Part 2 will examine the intergenerational and biological effects of opioid exposure from the womb through later life stages. Panelists will include a speech-language pathologist and lactati...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall, LMFT sits down with Dr. Tara C. Raines, Ph. D., N.C.S.P., a passionate advocate for youth mental health and community empowerment. Together, they explore how the opioid crisis impacts children, families, and educators—and how compassion, advocacy, and education can inspire systemic change. Dr. Raines shares insights on the importance of unde...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall sits down with Ryan Mills, a former professional BMX rider whose story embodies both the pain and the promise of recovery. Ryan opens up about his battle with opioid use disorder, exploring how the intense pressure to perform can lead youth and high-achieving athletes down a dangerous path. Together, Bianca and Ryan unpack the importance of h...

Moderator: Bianca D. McCall, LMFT Panelists: Dr. Tara C. Raines, Ph. D., N.C.S.P | Dr. Crystal Lee (Diné) | Ryan Mills In this episode, host Bianca D. McCall, LMFT leads an insightful discussion on how opioid use disorder impacts diverse and often underserved populations. Drawing on years of clinical practice, research, and lived experience, the panel explores prevention, recovery, and culturally...

In season 2 of the NOCE Dose we examine how Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) impacts specific population groups that experience distinctive health vulnerabilities, including youth, older adults, individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence, birthing women and Tribal Nations. Anchored in evidence-based frameworks for trauma-informed care, developmental risk, and structural competency, the season prio...

In this deeply meaningful episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall is joined by Dr. Crystal Lee, a public health expert and advocate for Indigenous communities, for a powerful discussion on Indigenous health, identity, and healing. Together, they explore how acknowledging historical truths, embracing cultural worldviews, and reclaiming Indigenous languages are essential steps toward collect...

In this enlightening episode of The NOCE Dose , host Bianca D. McCall sits down with Alisa Howard to explore the vital role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in behavioral health, with a particular focus on addressing opioid use disorder. With compassion and clarity, Alisa underscores the power of lived experience in reducing stigma, building trust, and humanizing the healthcare system. Together,...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose podcast, host Bianca D. McCall welcomes Daniel Fred, Director of the Nevada Recovery and Prevention (NRAP) Program, to explore the evolving landscape of opioid recovery. Together, they dive into insights from a recent listening session, focusing on how creating fun, inclusive spaces—especially on campuses—can foster stronger recovery communities. Daniel emphasizes...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose podcast, host Bianca D. McCall sits down with Cheryl Nixon, a certified peer recovery support specialist, for a heartfelt conversation about the realities of opioid use disorder and the journey toward healing. Cheryl shares her personal story, emphasizing the power of belief, the importance of meeting people where they are, and the role of community in recovery. To...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall speaks with Teresa Sands about the complexities of recovery, stigma, and harm reduction. Through powerful reflections, Teresa challenges traditional narratives around addiction, emphasizing the importance of asking individuals what they truly want from recovery. The discussion delves into key themes such as sex work stigma, the war on drugs a...

In this powerful episode of The NOCE Dose, we dive deep into the stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and its profound impact on People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) communities seeking treatment. Hosted by Bianca D. McCall, LMFT, this Listening Session brings together a diverse panel of experts and advocates dedicated to fostering recovery-friendly spaces in both the workplace and community. Bi...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall engages in a deep conversation with Kayla Shannon, a licensed clinical social worker, about the opioid response programming in Nevada. They discuss the importance of collaboration among professionals, the unique trauma profiles in Nevada communities, and the integration of holistic treatments like yoga into medically assisted treatment (MAT)....

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall sits down with Kim Nischik, a board-certified physician assistant, to discuss the opioid response in Nevada and the vital role of mentorship in addiction treatment. Reflecting on insights from a recent listening session, they explore strategies for educating patients about medication options, overcoming barriers to access, and fostering a sup...

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall sits down with Dr. Krista Hales to discuss Nevada’s opioid response programming and the critical role of community connections in behavioral health. Reflecting on insights from a recent listening session, they explore the challenges of maintaining motivation in recovery, the importance of psychological safety for treatment providers, and the...

In this insightful conversation, Bianca D. McCall and Erik Schoen discuss the challenges and opportunities in addressing opioid use disorder and mental health in rural Nevada. They explore the importance of community engagement, pro-social activities, and the need for a shift in mental health models to better serve the unique needs of rural populations. Erik shares his experiences and insights on...