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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

77:05

Inside an Alcoholic’s Brutal Fall: From National...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/23

At just 9 years old, Eric watched a man strangle his mother with a phone cord—the same man who later became a convicted serial killer. That moment shaped his entire life. From martial arts champion to nightclub enforcer, to losing his wife to a terminal illness, and ending up homeless and suicidal—Eric’s story is raw, powerful, and ultimately redemptive.In this gripping episode, Eric opens up about addiction, grief, violence, and how faith and service helped him rebuild everything. Now 7 years

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55:47

The Dark Side of IV Heroin Use: Jail Time, Overdose,...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/21

At just 19 years old, Andrew’s life imploded after selling weed to an undercover cop and spending 30 days in jail. What followed was a six-year spiral into OxyContin, heroin, and IV drug use that nearly killed him—literally. On Christmas Eve, after a near-fatal overdose, his life changed forever.In this raw and inspiring episode, Andrew opens up about:Growing up in Jersey and the trauma of divorceHow college freedom led to experimenting with every drug imaginableHis arrest, addiction, and

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49:19

My Brutal Addiction to Perc 30s, Locked Up, and Left...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/19

Maddee was prescribed 300 oxycodone 30s a month after a minor injury. What followed was years of addiction, jail time for marijuana DUIs, a suicide attempt, and being told she had 8 years of prison hanging over her head. But when rock bottom came, she made a decision that would change her life forever.Now 10 years clean, Maddee shares how jail saved her life, how journaling and prayer helped her stay off opiates, and what it means to live in God’s will. She opens up about her childhood trauma, being

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85:29

Inside an Alcoholic's Battle with Severe Depression |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/15

At 25, Michael Barschi was crippled by anxiety, drowning in addiction, and secretly planning to end it all. Today, he's 22 years sober, a father of three, and one of the most respected therapists in the recovery space.In this powerful episode, I sit down with the man who helped me through my first year of sobriety—my former social worker, Michael Barschi. We talk about his darkest moments: the shame of dropping out of law school, suicidal depression, and the painful journey through early recovery.He

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100:57

I Was Living a Double Life | Addicted to Coke &...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/12

Kat Sorensen (@socalkattt) drank for the first time at age 7, blacked out by 13, and was married and cheating by her early 20s — all while hiding her addiction behind a successful career. But when her double life nearly cost her everything, she surrendered to recovery and found purpose in helping others.Now, 9.5 years sober, Kat shares how she went from suicidal thoughts and secret drug use to launching a global sober community, building multiple businesses, and living a life rooted in faith and

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93:46

The Dark Side of Alcoholism: I Lost Everything to...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/10

Robert was born into chaos—raised by a controlling mother, traumatized by his father’s suicide at 8, and conditioned to seek validation in everything but himself. After achieving 10 years sober, he relapsed and spiraled, losing his business, wife, and—most painfully—custody of his daughter. But in the ashes of devastation, Robert found God, healing, and a new identity.In this raw, unfiltered interview, Robert opens up about childhood trauma, toxic love, addiction, codependency, relapse, and

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91:11

Inside the Dark Reality of Drug Psychosis: Murder...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/08

Louis grew up in privilege—but addiction doesn’t discriminate. In this raw and emotional interview, he opens up about getting arrested, battling drug and gambling addictions, and testifying in a high-profile murder trial involving his former best friend. From being publicly shamed in the press to rebuilding his life through sobriety, Louis shares how he broke a generational curse and stepped into fatherhood, service, and peace.This story is about hitting rock bottom—and then going deeper. It’s about

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54:43

She Risked Everything to Follow Her Own Path |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/06

Krystal’s story is nothing short of incredible. Her father immigrated to America from Nigeria with just $20 in his pocket and walked miles to enroll in college—on the last possible day. Years later, Krystal faced a defining moment of her own: she walked away from medical school against her family’s wishes, lied about it for months, and hustled her way from sleeping on a friend’s couch to landing a job at Spotify.In this episode of Rise Above, we unpack:Her Nigerian-American upbringing and her

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78:58

Undercover Agent Exposes Shocking Truth About Ch*ld...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/03

Paul Hutchinson was a billionaire real estate mogul living a life of luxury—until one phone call changed everything. He went undercover to infiltrate a child sex resort being built by a cartel, and what he witnessed would alter the course of his life forever. In this gripping interview, Paul exposes the brutal reality of child trafficking, the addictions and trauma behind it, and how he made rescuing children his life’s mission.This is the true story that inspired The Sound of Freedom.⚠️ Viewer

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105:04

I Was Addicted to the Needle | How I Survived a...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/07/01

Chris Olson was a straight-A student at an elite boarding school when he took his first ADHD pill—and it changed everything. What started as prescription meds quickly escalated to Vyvanse, Adderall, benzos, and eventually intravenous heroin and cocaine. By 21, he was prescribed 6mg of Klonopin a day and using over 100 Xanax bars weekly. At 25, on a solo hike in the South of France, Chris had a spiritual awakening that changed the trajectory of his life.In this raw and powerful interview, Chris

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51:38

I Pulled the Trigger Just to Pay Rent | Crack...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/29

Rodney grew up surrounded by addiction, violence, and heartbreak. By 12, he was stealing food to survive. By 14, he was being paid to carry out violent crimes. He faced multiple life sentences—including for a kidnapping—and spiraled into a world of crack cocaine, street justice, and desperation while trying to save his mother from her own addiction.But this is not where his story ends. Rodney opens up about the drive-by shooting that nearly destroyed his life, the death of his mother from an

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70:52

Cop Turned Cocaine Dealer | The Vicious Grip of...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/25

Sean went from leading Coast Guard drug busts to becoming a full-blown addict selling the very drugs he once confiscated. He was arrested more times than any cop in history, ended up homeless and addicted, and cycled through 10 rehabs. His story spirals through violence, strip clubs, overdoses, and jail—until a final moment of grace saved his life. Today, Sean runs a successful business, cares for his mother, and uses his story to help others break free.🎧 Watch the full episode to hear how he went

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87:21

I Married a Doctor… and Ended Up With a Drug Addict I...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/24

Dr. Linda Varisco had it all: a thriving chiropractic business, two kids, and what seemed like the perfect marriage. But when her husband spiraled into drug addiction, infidelity, and shady business dealings, her world came crashing down. Caught in a $25M healthcare fraud scheme she didn’t fully understand, Linda cooperated with the FBI—and still ended up behind bars.In this explosive follow-up interview, Dr. Linda shares the raw truth about:– Walking in on her husband cheating– The moment she

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64:16

"I Woke Up in Jail for Trying to Decapitate My Mom" |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/22

Ryan Penley was deep in a spiral of addiction — partying in Las Vegas, hooked on alcohol and 14 Roxy pills a day. But nothing could’ve prepared him for what happened next: he blacked out during a multi-day bender… and woke up in jail for trying to decapitate his own mother.In this gripping and brutally honest interview, Ryan shares:His chaotic upbringing with addicted parentsHow a broken leg led to full-blown opiate addictionLife as a bartender in Vegas while using and selling drugsWaking up in jail

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30:48

Addiction Recovery: God saved me from a Drug +...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/20

In this first episode of Rise Above Reflections, I open up about how I lost myself to addiction—and how surrendering to God completely transformed my life.From chasing external validation to battling shame, I reflect on the moments that nearly broke me… and the spiritual breakthrough that saved me.This isn’t just my story—it’s the truth about addiction, identity, and the healing power of faith.🙏 If you're struggling, you're not alone. There is hope.🎧 Listen. Reflect. Rise Above.#AddictionRecovery

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94:22

"My 40 Roxy-a-Day Addiction Nearly Killed Me" |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/17

Casey was deep in the Florida pill mill scene—doctor shopping, pushing 40 Roxy 30s a day, and connected to the infamous George brothers. But a violent bust and prison sentence changed everything. In this raw, unfiltered interview, Casey shares how trauma, addiction, and near-death moments led to a full transformation—from inmate to entrepreneur and father fighting for custody of his daughter.⚠️ From DEA raids to witnessing a CO kill an inmate, this is one of the most brutal and inspiring recovery

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72:34

"I Was Doing 30 Oxycontins a Day" | Brutal Painkiller...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/14

Tyler never expected one pain pill would spiral into a full-blown opiate addiction. What started as a prescription for a finger injury turned into 30 OxyContins a day. He was sniffing pills, partying non-stop, and buying Roxys from Camden bodegas. After hitting rock bottom, losing his girlfriend, and nearly ending his life, Tyler checked into treatment and never looked back.In this raw and unfiltered interview, Tyler opens up about: -His terrifying opiate withdrawal -Partying through the “cocaine

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81:04

Inside an Alcoholic’s Chaotic Life | Sexually Abused,...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/11

Marci was just six years old when she had to choose between safety and her own mother. Raised in a home filled with alcoholism, abuse, and betrayal, her childhood was a nightmare. She was groomed, sexually abused, abandoned emotionally by both parents — and began drinking at age 12. By her 20s, she was spiraling through toxic relationships, addiction, and the pain of unhealed trauma. But everything changed after one final breaking point: a DUI that forced her to confront her past, her drinking, and

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83:11

Inside the SHOCKING Fall of an Aspiring NHL Star |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/08

Kevin Corbin grew up in the chaos of 1980s Boston—gunshots, addiction, and dysfunction were the norm. A star athlete who played junior hockey under a former NHL player, Kevin's life spiraled after one arrest derailed his college dreams. He fell into addiction, worked security at biker bars, and ended up in prison after a toxic relationship led to felony charges. But today, he’s nearly six years sober and helping others rise from rock bottom. In this gripping interview, Kevin opens up about: His

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81:24

My Husband’s Hidden Opiate Addiction | Surviving a...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/06/05

Shauna thought she’d met the perfect man—until one day, he showed up at her door high and told her the feds had just raided his office. What followed was over a decade of addiction, legal chaos, a $12 million fraud case, and prison time.In this raw and powerful interview, Shauna opens up for the first time about surviving an abusive past, building a multi-million dollar lash business from nothing, and holding her family together while her husband battles addiction and incarceration.This is a story

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167 results

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