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PODCAST

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

Welcome to Rise Above with Kevin Lanning. Join Kevin, a former Google executive in sobriety, as he shares inspiring stories of resilience. Each episode features individuals who have faced life’s toughest challenges—addiction, trauma, anxiety, and more—and emerged stronger. These conversations aren’t just about survival; they’re about thriving and finding practical solutions to rise above adversity. Kevin’s own journey through addiction and childhood trauma fuels his passion for sharing stories that

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All Episodes

78:38

"I Was Stripping, Dealing, and Shooting Heroin" | Raw...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/26

Arayelle’s story is one of the most raw and inspiring transformations ever shared on Rise Above.A Boston native, she opens up about growing up in chaos, battling addiction, stripping to survive, and finding herself trapped in toxic relationships. After years of substance abuse, self-harm, and pain, she found healing through faith, therapy, and fitness — and is now nearly five years sober. In this episode, Arayelle and host Kevin Lanning have a deeply honest conversation about recovery, mental

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62:19

Addiction Lawyer Helps Families Lost in Addiction |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/25

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, attorney Mark Astor joins host Kevin Lanning to discuss how families can legally intervene to save loved ones battling addiction and mental health struggles. Mark founded The Mental Health & Addiction Law Firm of Florida, a groundbreaking practice that combines legal authority, clinical support, and investigative resources to help families take action when everything else has failed. Together, Kevin and Mark dive into: How families can legally get loved

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78:38

A Fentanyl Addict's Raw Story of Addiction & How He...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/23

Jeff Baird’s story is one of survival, truth, and transformation. Put on Adderall at age 5, Jeff spent his entire youth medicated — never learning who he truly was. By 19, he was deep in the South Florida party scene: weed, coke, Xanax, lean, and eventually fentanyl. He was robbed at gunpoint, arrested multiple times, and even flatlined from an overdose. But in October 2021, Jeff finally made the call that saved his life. Now, nearly 4 years sober, he’s helping others in recovery and proving that

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90:02

Addicted to Roxy: Wall Street Drug Dealer Busted at...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/20

Brian grew up in a strict Brooklyn home, surrounded by addiction, secrets, and death — living next door to a funeral home and watching grief daily. What started as a college experiment with ecstasy in Florence spiraled into a decade of cocaine dealing across New York City, gambling thousands he didn’t have, and a public arrest at the World Trade Center construction site. After narrowly avoiding prison, he rebuilt his life — until opioids nearly killed him. In this raw interview, Brian opens up

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94:57

Hooked on the Needle | The Dark Reality of IV Heroin...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/17

Jay Mac up in chaos — born to two addicted parents, moving from town to town, finding identity through graffiti, and battling fear and dysfunction from an early age. By high school, he was using cocaine and opiates, and soon after, heroin became his escape.After years lost to addiction, theft, and survival on the streets, Jay rebuilt his life from the ground up. He found sobriety, purpose, and a voice through art, barbering, and recovery work. Now with nine years clean, Jay shares how he went from a

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89:29

I Lost Everything to Alcohol | Homeless, Addicted &...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/15

In this raw and honest interview, Riley Whelan opens up about her battle with addiction, multiple relapses, and how she’s found a new life in sobriety.Riley shares about her upbringing, her early exposure to prescription drugs, the spiraling path through college and substance abuse, hitting rock bottom, and the pivotal moments that pushed her toward recovery. She also discusses how she handles ego, vulnerability, and purpose now — especially as a voice helping others.💬 What you’ll hear: •

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101:38

A Mother’s Fight to Save Her Addicted Daughter |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/14

Brandi Mac is a nurse practitioner, a mother, and a survivor of trauma. Her daughter battled addiction for years—cycling in and out of treatment, relapsing nine times, and nearly losing her life. But what finally saved her wasn’t another rehab. In this powerful interview, Brandi shares the truth about parenting through addiction, breaking toxic family cycles, and finding healing through love, boundaries, and vulnerability. From surviving domestic violence to writing her book Do What You Can Live

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76:42

How Sobriety Transformed My Life After Addiction |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/10

Ryan Soave joins me on Rise Above to share his powerful story of 17 years in sobriety and the lessons he’s learned as a therapist helping others heal from addiction, trauma, and the human condition.We dive into: The fear and courage of sharing your story publicly Why mental health and addiction exist on a spectrum The importance of learning to sit with uncomfortable feelings How childhood experiences shape adult behaviors Strategies to break patterns, slow down, and live with purpose Ryan

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62:12

Inside a Heroin Addict’s Dark Journey in Kensington |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/08

Michael Zallie’s story is one of unimaginable pain, loss, and redemption. Growing up in Philadelphia, Michael faced tragedy when his sister took her own life—an event that haunted him for decades. That trauma, combined with addiction to alcohol, pills, heroin, and meth, spiraled him into years of chaos: 13 rehabs, jail time, robbing his own family, and suicidal thoughts while climbing skyscrapers in a meth-fueled haze. But today, Michael is turning his pain into purpose. With nearly a year fully

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72:28

From Surf Prodigy to Crack Houses & Prison | Insane...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/07

Josh Wilson’s story is one of extreme highs and devastating lows. A Cocoa Beach surfing prodigy competing alongside legends like Kelly Slater, Josh’s life spiraled into addiction, arrests, and prison sentences. Despite more than 80 failed attempts at sobriety, today he celebrates one full year clean and sober. In this raw conversation, Josh opens up about: Growing up surfing at a national level and being sponsored at just 5 years old The devastating grip of alcohol, cocaine, and opiates that

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70:10

Hooked on Heroin & Homeless in Detroit | From Opioid...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/04

Nick’s story is one of the most raw and inspiring transformations you’ll ever hear. Once homeless on the streets of Detroit, sleeping in dumpsters and abandoned boats, Nick’s addiction to cocaine, pills, and heroin led him to DUIs, high-speed police chases, jail time, and near-death experiences.But after hitting rock bottom, he found recovery, rebuilt his life, and is now 10 years sober. In this interview, Nick shares:What it was like growing up with an alcoholic father His descent into heroin

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95:19

I Was Shooting Heroin With My Mom Living in a Tent |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/10/01

Joey Gandee’s story is one of the rawest journeys you’ll ever hear. Growing up in small-town Ohio, Joey had what looked like a “normal” childhood—but addiction does not discriminate. He went from playing varsity sports to selling weed in 9th grade, living in his car while raising his younger brother, and eventually using heroin with his own mother while homeless in a tent by the river. This episode dives deep into: His first felony at 18 and years of hustling The shocking day his mom introduced

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77:29

I Was Living in Hotels Snorting Meth & Drinking Vodka...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/29

Bubba Sparxxx (Warren Mathis) opens up like never before about his rise to fame, the dark years of addiction, and his path to recovery.From topping the charts with Ugly and Ms. New Booty to battling alcoholism, opiates, meth, and even suffering a mini-stroke, Bubba’s story is raw, real, and inspiring. In this interview, he shares: How addiction nearly destroyed his career, health, and relationships What it was like going from platinum records to rehab and jail The role sponsors, honesty, and

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58:42

Inside a Binge Drinker’s Double Life on Cocaine &...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/28

Jennifer Kazilionis sits down with me to share her raw and unfiltered story of addiction, chaos, and ultimately, recovery.From growing up in Portland, Maine, to an abusive relationship, cocaine use, and two DUIs that landed her in jail, Jennifer’s path was filled with self-destruction and pain. With the help of treatment, sober living in Florida, and the guidance of a sponsor, she rebuilt her life and is now celebrating 13 years of sobriety.In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Jennifer

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127:31

"I Was Throwing Up Blood and Still Drinking" |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/24

Karina’s story is raw, unfiltered, and powerful. From growing up as a cheerleader with early signs of heavy drinking, to panic attacks and daily withdrawals, she spiraled into isolation, suicide attempts, and repeated hospital visits.Her first rehab didn’t stick—she left planning to “drink normally” again. But after seizures, ICU stays, and liver failure, Karina nearly lost her life.What changed? During her second treatment, she finally surrendered—acceptance, honesty, and community transformed her

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68:03

Harvey Weinstein Assaulted Me at 16 | Alcohol Abuse,...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/22

Kaja’s story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and hope.At just 14 years old, she was thrust into the world of international modeling, traveling across Europe and facing impossible standards. By 16, she encountered Harvey Weinstein for the first time—an experience that left deep scars and would be repeated again at 19.In this raw and powerful interview, Kaja opens up about:Growing up with anxiety and never feeling like she fit in.The pressures and exploitation she faced as a teenage model.Her

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50:51

Blackouts, Shame & the Illusion of Control | The...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/20

Jennifer grew up in a chaotic household with an alcoholic parent and perfectionist pressure driving her from a young age. Her journey took her from being a nationally ranked bowler on scholarship to the wild world of college sororities, drinking, and cocaine-fueled chaos.What began as casual partying quickly spiraled into blackouts, toxic relationships, and moments of incomprehensible demoralization—including a traumatic assault that left lasting scars. But Jennifer’s story doesn’t end there. At

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80:54

I Smoked Myself Into a Crack Psychosis | 33 Felonies,...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/17

Richard's story is one of the most gripping tales of addiction, crime, and redemption ever told on this channel. By the age of 18, he had already served prison time for burglary. Over the next two decades, he racked up 33 felony convictions, became known as one half of the “Dynamic Duo” of cr@ck-addicted brothers in Palm Beach County, and lived in trap houses, behind shopping centers, and eventually a foreclosed home taken over by drug dealers and pr0stitutes.His downward spiral included multiple

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66:20

Coming Off Adderall Was the Worst Experience of My...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/16

Izzy opens up about her 15-year battle with Adderall and how quitting cold turkey changed her life forever. From being put on ADHD medication at just 12 years old to building a fast-paced career as a hairstylist powered by stimulants, she shares how the drug shaped her identity, destroyed relationships, and disconnected her from her true self.After a divorce, years of emotional chaos, and a nationwide Adderall shortage, Izzy made the life-altering decision to walk away from the pills—and every

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65:18

I Caught My Wife Cheating, Blacked Out & Landed in...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/09/14

Carl Stone spent over 30 years in law enforcement—respected, decorated, and seen as a protector. But behind closed doors, he was quietly unraveling. Haunted by childhood trauma, daily exposure to horrific crimes, and suppressed mental health struggles, Carl turned to alcohol to cope. Then one day, everything came crashing down.In this raw and unfiltered interview, Carl shares his story for the first time: witnessing brutal domestic abuse as a child, becoming a police officer to escape that cycle,

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171 results

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