In 2020, New Hampshire Public Radio Lauren Chooljian received an email about Eric Spofford, the founder of New Hampshire's largest addiction treatment network. In it was an allegation that Spofford was sexually abusing female clients and employees. Chooljian set out to learn whether this could be true. Over the next three years, she would go on a journey to learn the truth, not just about this allegation, but about widespread sexual misconduct in the addiction treatment industry. The result of that journey is The 13th Step, a gripping series that won a slew of awards, including the duPont, sometimes considered the Pulitzer of broadcasting.

This is Part 1 of a two-part episode that goes behind-the-scenes of The 13th Step. Along the way, Chooljian, her family, and her news director become targets of retaliation. What started as a reporting task would also become about another thing: Freedom of the press. And how, why, and for whom to persist with a story in the face of unnerving threats.

You'll learn how to pursue a tough investigation; how to frame a complex series with many characters and themes; and how to craft a true, deeply relevant story that serves the public good. And you'll learn what this arduous journey required of everyone involved.

This episode explores sensitive subjects including addiction and sexual assault. Please listen with care.

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For more takeaways from this episode on crafting an investigative series and why accountability journalism is so important, visit Current.

Listen to the series deconstructed on today's show: The 13th Step.

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Want to learn more about how NHPR's Document Team greenlights projects like The 13th Step to begin with? Listen to "How to Pitch an Audio Documentary and the Unusual Origin of a This American Life story."

More about The 13th Step

Read about the team
Check out the supporting legal documents

Resources on addiction treatment, substance use disorder, sexual misconduct, and more

Follow Lauren Chooljian
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Twitter/X: @laurenchooljian

Follow Alison MacAdam
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Threads: @ajmacadam

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Credits

Sound Judgment is a production of Podcast Allies, LLC.

Host: Elaine Appleton Grant

Podcast Manager: Tina Bassir

Production Manager: Andrew Parrella

Audio Engineer: Kevin Kline

Production Assistant: Audrey Nelson

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