

Last Day
Lemonada Media
This is a show about the moments that change us, fundamentally and forever. Each week, host Stephanie Wittels Wachs (Lemonada’s co-founder and award-winning queen of darkness and light) is sitting down with a new guest to explore happy/sad stories of survival, resilience and transformation. After three seasons of exploring the "last day" of people’s lives in an effort to understand mass epidemics, Steph was ready for a change herself. Some “last days” are hopeful. Some are tragic. But at the heart of every “last day” is also a new beginning. Laugh/cry with us.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 20, 2019 • 47min
Addiction 10: Surviving Is Revolutionary
This week, Stephanie sits down with Garth Mullins, who hosts an award-winning podcast in Canada called Crackdown, which is also about drugs. The difference? Garth is coming at it from the perspective of a drug user. The plan was to talk about international solutions and Garth's recent reporting in Portugal (which they do discuss) but they also compare notes as two podcasters making shows based on personal trauma. And in the process, Stephanie has a huge revelation. The holidays are approaching, whether we like it or not. Whatever you’re going through, we would love to hear your stories, your concerns, and your tips for making it through to the new year. Even if you just want to share a happy memory of your person! Share your holiday stories with us at 1-833-4LEMONADA or via voice memo at hey@lemonadamedia.com. Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com.Crackdown PodcastCrackdown Podcast: The Portugal Paradox Garth Mullinseverlane.com/lastdayNative Deodorant (promo code LASTDAY)Mejuri.com/lastdayGood Kids PodcastYour Primary Playlist Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 13, 2019 • 51min
Addiction 9: Kids At Ground Zero
This week, we talk about the variety of ways that children are affected by the opioid crisis. Also, Stephanie has a breakdown because it’s hard to accept the things you cannot change. In this episode, she sits down with Peter who describes the process of adopting three kids born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; The Seattle Times’ Claudia Rowe who gives an overview of how this epidemic is impacting kids in the foster care system; and Kendra Cram and Ryan McGraw from Minford Elementary in Ohio, who have created a program that addresses social and emotional learning for kids who have been impacted by trauma. Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com.Claudia Rowe for the Seattle TimesNew York Times story on Minford ElementaryCasper.com/lastday (promo code LASTDAY)hellofresh.com/LASTDAY80Talkspace (promo code LASTDAY)Good Kids: How Not to Raise An A**holeAn Arm and A LegDopeySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 6, 2019 • 43min
Addiction 8: America Is Insane
While “opioids” has become a political buzzword, national policy on opioids is virtually nonexistent. Our system is nowhere near able to meet the needs of those who desperately need help. So what’s it going to take to move the needle, so to speak? Stephanie sits down with Congressman Patrick Kennedy to talk about legislation and funding (see: lack of funding) for mental health and addiction; Sarah Gad about her dramatic journey from Cook County jail inmate to congressional candidate; and Andy Slavitt about what we should be looking for if we care about this issue as we head into election season.Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com. Show Notes: The Kennedy ForumSarah Gad for CongressAndy Slavitt mybillie.com/lastdayEncyclopedia WomannicaMental Health for USSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 30, 2019 • 46min
Addiction 7: 20,000 Fewer Funerals
We’ve tried arresting people. We’ve tried shuffling them from place to place. We’ve tried shaming them into sobriety. What would happen if, instead, we met people where they’re at? Stephanie talks to Ithaca’s Mayor Svante Myrick and Bronx harm-reductionist Hiawatha Collins about the inequities of our justice system and how we can do better, including treating all people with dignity and respect, going into communities and reducing potential risk, and creating medically-staffed safe spaces for drug use. It may sound controversial, but according to data worldwide, it could mean 20,000 fewer funerals a year in America.Step into the no-judgment zone. All are welcome here. Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/. Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com. Show Notes: • Harm Reduction Coalition• Insite Supervised Consumption Site• Parks & Recreation • Lola (promo code LASTDAY)• Pod Save the PeopleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 23, 2019 • 46min
Addiction 6: The Magic Formula
Today marks the 2-year anniversary of Stefano’s death, and his family is still asking: “How did this happen?” For most families dealing with addiction, treatment can feel like a Rubik’s cube. What works? What doesn’t? Are there Yelp reviews? On this episode, Stephanie talks to David Sheff, New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction, about the morass of confusion that is the rehab industry and Dr. Nzinga A. Harrison about the importance--and effectiveness--of treating the whole person. Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com. David Sheff Dr. Nzinga A. Harrison Eleanor Health Everlane/lastday Native (promo code LASTDAY) Do You Need A Ride? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2019 • 33min
Addiction 5: Shame City
In this episode, Dr. Nzinga A. Harrison walks us through detox. Then, Stephanie is joined by Dr. Robert Meyers, the architect of Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training (CRAFT), to discuss the “put your own oxygen mask on first” approach to interventions.Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptionsavailable shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com.Dr. Nzinga HarrisonCRAFTHellofresh.com/LASTDAY80simplisafe.com/lastdaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 9, 2019 • 39min
Addiction 4: Was It Painful?
Most of us have seen an opioid overdose depicted on TV or in movies, but what happens in real life? On this episode, Stephanie talks to Karen Host, Senior Director at Cataldo Ambulance, and Dr. Jay, an emergency room doctor, about the anatomy of an overdose, whatit’s like to save a life, the immediate aftermath, and the complexity of prescribing opioids for pain in the midst of an opioid crisis. Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com. Manova Town Hall RegistrationAs Me with Sineadmybillie.com/lastdaycasper.com/lastday (promo code LASTDAY)With Friends Like TheseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 2, 2019 • 43min
Addiction 3: And Now, We Rewind the Tape
On this episode, Stefano Cordova Jr.’s family tries to make sense of Stefano’s overdose death and how they all got here. Then, Dr. Sam Snodgrass, a behavioral pharmacologist with a doctorate in biopsychology, explains how his own addiction to opioids is a disease and why understanding that is key to helping people with substance use disorders. Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com.Broken No MoreLOLA With Friends Like TheseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 25, 2019 • 31min
Addiction 2: Stefano’s Last Day
On this episode, we retrace the steps of Stefano Cordova, Jr. on his last day of life. Stefano died of a fentanyl overdose on October 23, 2017 in Allston, MA. This is where our story begins. Continue the conversation on your phone athttps://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com.Terrible, Thanks for Asking Episode #12: Horrible and Wonderful and Figuring it OutSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 25, 2019 • 40min
Addiction 1: Meet Stephanie, Meet Harris (with Sarah Silverman & Aziz Ansari)
Meet Stephanie Wittels Wachs, host of Last Day, and sister of the late Harris Wittels, comedian-writer-producer-actor, who died in 2015 of a heroin overdose. Harris’ close friends, Sarah Silverman and Aziz Ansari, also join Stephanie as she introduces the concept of the show and why it’s critical that it exists. Continue the conversation on your phone athttps://flick.group/lastday.Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Transcriptions availableshortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/.Last Day is presented by www.newchapter.com.Everything Is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love, and Loss, by Stephanie Wittels WachsHumblebrag: The Art of False Modesty, by Harris Wittels You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes: Harris Returns (Parks and Rec! Comedy! Don't Stop or We'll Die!) returns to make it weirder!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


