Last Day

DeRay Mckesson and TeRay Ross are world-class community leaders, siblings, and the best of friends. They also grew up surrounded by addiction in both their immediate and extended family. As a result, they spent lots of time as kids hanging out in the back of 12 step meetings, absorbing lessons that continue to impact them as adults. This week, we sit down with DeRay, TeRay, and their dad, Calvin, to talk about how their understanding of addiction has evolved over the years and how they continue to support each other to this day. Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. wealthfront.com/lastdaybetterhelp.com/lastdayTranscriptions 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.

When Emily found out she was pregnant, her life began to snowball in a positive direction. She stopped using heroin, reconnected with family and was rocking it as a new mom to her beloved daughter, Carter. Sadly, Emily relapsed and died when Cater was 9-months old, leaving Emily’s mom, Joanne, to navigate the unexpected journey of becoming a new mom all over again. Today, Carter is four years old and thriving. She loves her Aunt Diane and Grandma “Mommy.” In this episode, we hear the heartfelt story of how one family is adjusting to raising a child, spreading awareness about addiction, and advocating for better policies to help families like theirs.Please note, Last Day contains strong language and mature themes. It may not be suitable for all listeners. Rothys.com/lastdaybetterhelp.com/lastdayGenerations United’s National Center on GrandfamiliesKey Notes Podcast Onsite Grief WorkshopOverdosed newsletter by Diane RoznowskiTranscriptions 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.

Brandy and Wilma are two women who have a lot in common. They both grew up in California, they both experienced profound childhood trauma, and they both turned to drugs to soothe their pain. But their stories end very differently. Brandy died 10 years ago, at 28 years old. Wilma is now in her 50’s, approaching 10 years sober and living a busy, meaningful life. In this episode, we look at cycles of trauma and how facing it head-on can make all the difference in recovery.Please note, this episode of Last Day contains graphic details of physical and sexual abuse along with strong language and mature themes. It may not be appropriate for all listeners.casper.com/lastdaybetterhelp.com/lastdayWater By The Spoonful at Stages Pod Save the PeopleInternational Association for Suicide PreventionNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255The Trevor ProjectBefrienders WorldwideTranscriptions 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.

Dr. Gabor Maté is a world-renowned trauma expert who can (and will) deconstruct your happy childhood in a matter of minutes. At least, that’s what he did to our host, Stephanie. We start this episode with the question, “Why?” Why would someone get addicted to opioids? In this riveting interview, Dr. Maté expands our definition of trauma, breaks down how childhood trauma leaves wounds and how addictions of every kind are an attempt to soothe those wounds, and explains that healing is possible. Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.  Somatic Experiencing from Peter Levine Sensory Motor from Pat Ogden Emotional Feeding Therapy MDMA and other psychedelic therapy studies Compassion Inquiry from Dr. Gabor Maté Internal Family Systems therapy from Richard Shwartz Ketamine Therapy  EMDR Therapy Hold On To Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Disorder https://drgabormate.com/ Mouthpeace with Michael and Pele Bennett wealthfront.com/LastDay lastday.robinhood.com 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.

Dave and Chris co-hosted 142 episodes of Dopey, a recovery podcast about “drugs, addiction and dumb shit,” when the worst thing that could have ever happened, happened: Chris relapsed and died. This week, Stephanie sits down with Dave, who’s still hosting Dopey, to chat about Chris’s last day, recovery, and the transformative power of losing someone you love. Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. DOPEY PODCAST - The Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction | Heroin | Cocaine | Meth | Weed | Drugs | LSD | Recovery | SobrietyEverything Is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love, and LossBroken Justice on Apple PodcastsLastday.robinhood.comMouthpeace with Michael & Pele Bennett on Apple Podcasts‎Food, We Need To Talk on Apple Podcasts‎Family Ghosts on Apple PodcastsTranscriptions 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.

 A few years ago, Laurie McTeague noticed her teenage son, Ian, was uncharacteristically depressed. So she went snooping around on his phone and discovered that he’d been widely experimenting with nearly every drug under the sun. What followed was years of relentless searching for effective adolescent treatment while her son continued to relapse again and again. As a parent, how do you navigate this?  Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Everything Is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love and Losswww.lemonadamedia.com/lastdaysurvey rothys.com/lastdaywww.lemonadamedia.com/shopTranscriptions 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 season started with the question: How did we get here? How did Stefano and Harris overdose and die in their early 30s? How did our country lose 400,000 lives to opioids since 1999? In the new year, we turn our attention to other last day stories, and other kinds of last day stories. Brittany and Ahren are high school sweethearts who built a life and a family together, when “the blues” came into the picture. Brittany and Ahren talk about Ahren’s addiction, his last days of using, one ugly night, their joint recovery, and what gives them hope for the future. Plus, addiction medicine doctor Dr. Charles Reznikoff shares his approach to early recovery.  Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Dr. Charles Reznikoff, M.D.Casper.com/LASTDAY promo code LASTDAYNativedeodorant.com promo code LASTDAYwealthfront.com/LastDayTranscriptions 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 asked. You answered. This week, we hear from Last Day listeners about why the holidays are so hard, different, stressful, all of the adjectives. Stephanie chats with Dr. Neha Kumar, a clinical psychologist, about tips to get through the season and ways we can honor our loved ones who are no longer with us. Drug and alcohol counselor Wilma Hawkinson discusses being newly sober during the holidays and the importance of making new memories; Miss Ian Callaghan, Executive Director of San Francisco Drug Users Union, provides useful advice for those who have someone with active addiction in their lives; and comedian James Tison explains how boundaries keep holiday gatherings healthy. Plus, a very special letter from Santa. Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.  San Francisco Drug Users' UnionJames TisonVistaprint.com promo code LASTDAYNativedeodorant.com promo code LASTDAYMylola.com promo code LASTDAYReset podcastEleanor HealthBoomtown podcastTranscriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Stephanie sits down with the parents—Stefano’s and her own—to dig into where everyone is with their grief, understanding, and personal responsibility around what happened to their sons. Hint, hint: The moms and dads are in very different places. Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be suitable for all listeners. Broken Justice podcastCasper.com/LASTDAY  (promo code LASTDAY)SimpliSafe.com/LASTDAYTalkSpace.com (promo code LASTDAY) Policygenuis.comReset podcastIn this episode, Steph’s mom makes an off-handed comment about suicide. If you or someone you love needs support, reach out to Suicidepreventionlife.org or call 1-800-273-8255. Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we circle back to where this story began — on the ground, in Boston, with Jess. Joined by new voices (Gary Mendell, Michael Botticelli, Mayor Marty Walsh) and familiar ones (Stefano’s wife, Paige), Jess delves into what it’s been like to produce a show that’s so deeply personal. By the end of the episode, she’s finally able to answer the question that drove her to create the show in the first place: What could I have done differently? Please note, Last Day contains strong language, mature themes, and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Shatterproof.orgKnock and Talk - BostonMichael Botticelli’s TED Talk: “Addiction is a disease. We should treat it like one.”Grayken CenterBoston’s Office of Recovery ServicesGood Kids PodcastStamps.com (promo code LAST DAY)mejuri.com/lastdaymybillie.com/LASTDAY Transcriptions available shortly after air date at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day/Continue the conversation on your phone at https://flick.group/lastday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.