Last Day

We open Season 2 of Last Day with a tale of two Kevins. One is Sergeant Kevin Briggs, also known as the guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge. The other is Kevin Berthia, an Oakland native who drove to that bridge on March 11, 2005 with the intent of ending his life. This week, we tell the larger story behind a moment of intervention — what led up to it and what happened in the 15 years since. We’re also joined by Courtney Knowles, our advisor at the Jed Foundation, who’s here to poke holes in our narrative.   Season 2 of Last Day is created in partnership with The Jed Foundation. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults. You can find tips, tools and resources for taking care of your emotional health available at: www.jedcares.org/lastday Resources from the episode: Kevin Berthia has a new foundation! Check it out here. Kevin Briggs can be booked to speak about crisis management and suicide prevention through Pivotal Points. To learn more about recommendations for reporting on suicide, visit https://reportingonsuicide.org/  If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. Contact one of the resources below for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor anytime.  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text line: Text “Connect” to 741-741 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Support the show by checking out our sponsors: The Jane Club is a community for women, mothers, and caretakers. Their all-inclusive virtual membership, the Connected Jane, offers daily meditations, fitness classes, community check-in’s and evening social gatherings for only $50 per month. Head to janeclub.com and use the code INSIDER JANE FF for $10 off your first month. What you put on your face matters. True Botanicals is MADE SAFE® certified - meaning they are made without toxic ingredients. Try them for yourself! Head to truebotanicals.com/lastday to get 15% off your first purchase. Look no further than Rothys for a shoe that’s all about comfort and sustainability. They’re knit from repurposed plastic water bottles - and they’re machine washable! Head to rothys.com/lastday to check them out.   To follow along with a transcript and/or take notes for friends and family, go to https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day shortly after the air date. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Day is back for a second season, and we’re tackling another important topic: mental health and the rising rates of suicide. With her baseline irreverence and wit, host Stephanie Wittels Wachs zooms in on a variety of “last days” — some that end tragically and others that have become powerful testaments of survival. Through first-person story-telling, thoughtful conversations, and in-depth collaboration with the mental health community, Last Day features diverse stories, rich in humanity, with an ongoing quest for solutions and solace. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. Contact one of the resources below for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor anytime.  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text line: Text “Connect” to 741-741 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Season 2 of Last Day is created in partnership with The Jed Foundation. Transitioning into adulthood can bring big changes and intense challenges. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s National Suicide Prevention Week, and that means you’re probably seeing a lot of triggering content. We can relate. The Last Day team is hard at work producing season 2, which is all about the rising rate of suicide episode in this country. Why are more people at risk? What can we do to help? And how can we take care of each other when things feel so hopeless? Season 2 arrives Wednesday, October 14th. If you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide, tell someone who can help right away National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text line: Text “Connect” to 741-741 The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Season 2 of Last Day is created in partnership with The Jed Foundation. Transitioning into adulthood can bring big changes and intense challenges. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lumineers’ Jeremiah Fraites reflects on losing his older brother Josh to a heroin overdose in 2001 and the many ways Josh’s death has impacted his life. His mom, Kathy, joins him to fill in the holes that memory has left. From channeling grief through music to finding the “right” support, this candid and beautiful conversation about grief and loss will resonate deeply with Last Day listeners and Lumineers fans alike.Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Shatterproof.org healingthenation.wellbeingtrust.org www.lemonadamedia.com/patreon inrecovery@lemonadamedia.com In The Bubble with Andy Slavitt Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know, we know. We said we were done, but surprise! We’re back to reveal the topic for Last Day Season 2, ask for story submissions, and tell you a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes around here. Tune in! www.lemonadamedia.com/patreon Email us your story ideas to hey@lemonadamedia.com International Association for Suicide Prevention National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 The Trevor Project Befrienders Worldwide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks our 25th and final episode of Last Day, Season One. Today, Stephanie and Jess sit down--virtually--to reflect on favorite interviews and ah-ha moments, noting the ways the show has changed along the way and the moments that have changed them most. We also look at what’s next for the Last Day family with an exciting announcement! Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.  https://harmreduction.org/ www.lemonadamedia.com/patreon www.betterhelp.com/lastday Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we meet Isaac Beverly who shares his journey from 5 years in prison to a 5-year medallion. Isaac has found a solid recovery plan that includes medication-assisted treatment at Eleanor Health and strong ties to a 12-step recovery community. His plan is working, and Isaac swears by it….but not everyone is on board. Now, Isaac is willing to make waves in order to make progress. Also! Fan favorite Dave from Dopey stops by to answer some of our burning questions about 12-step programs.   Please note, 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/ truebotanicals.com/lastday Betterhelp.com/lastday See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we continue our treatment tour at Eleanor Health in High Point, North Carolina. It’s a new-ish (and pretty groundbreaking) outpatient clinic with a unique payment model and an emphasis on evidence-based care. We chat with our old friend, Dr. Nzinga A. Harrison, Eleanor’s Chief Medical Officer, about the clinic’s unparalleled access to MAT and their emphasis on a problem-solving, rather than a fit-someone-inside-a-box, approach to treatment. We meet a clinic member who, at 60 years old, is committing to treatment for the very first time. And we meet an incredibly passionate staff as they pull every possible string to get 100% of people who walk through their doors the tools to meet their individual recovery goals.  Please note, 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/rothys.com/lastdaybetterhelp.com/lastdayDear Young Rockerwww.lemonadamedia.com, promo code: Birthday10https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/opinion/jay-z-the-war-on-drugs-is-an-epic-fail.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Addiction treatment in America is like a Rubik’s Cube. We’ve talked about this. We know this. We feel this. But good programs do exist. This week, we visit The Women’s Home in Houston, a non-profit established 60 years ago, to check out their long-term approach to residential treatment. We delve into the nuts and bolts of their program: 18 month stays, 30 hours a week of therapy, hands-on job training, and what’s cooking in the kitchen. And we meet three women with incredible stories of recovery who credit this program with changing their lives. Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Family Ghosts27 Clubbetterhelp.com/lastdaymentalhealthforus.netTranscriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This whole season we’ve focused on how to help people with substance use disorders. We’ve talked about the importance of harm-reduction and human connection, destigmatization and education. But to at least one of our listeners—a really important one—something is missing. Why not talk about punishing the people who make and sell drugs? China, Mexico, Purdue, the Sacklers? This week, we talk to two experts—Ben Westhoff, author of Fentanyl, Inc. and David Smith, a healthcare economist—about why it’s so hard to control supply, who’s really to blame, and the potential long-term benefits of billions of dollars in settlement money. Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.  Show Notes  Mouthpeace with Michael & Pele Bennett Truebotanicals.com/lastday betterhelp.com/lastday http://www.lemonadamedia.com/shop/ Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.