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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

60:05

Former Rikers Island Chief Reveals the Mental Health...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/03/10

Norman Seabrook, the once-powerful president of the Corrections Officers’ Union at Rikers Island, built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in the prison system—until it all came crashing down. Arrested and convicted for corruption, Norman went from overseeing guards to serving time behind bars. In this explosive interview, he reveals the dark realities of Rikers Island, the power struggles within the system, and what led to his shocking downfall. Was he a corrupt leader or a victim

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67:50

Inside A Kingpin's Multi-Million Dollar Health Clinic...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/03/06

Nelson was once at the top of a multi-million dollar health insurance fraud scheme—until the feds came knocking. In this episode of Rise Above, he takes us inside the world of healthcare fraud, how he got caught, and what life was like in federal prison. But his story doesn’t end there. After serving his time, Nelson turned his life around, overcoming a heavy binge eating disorder and building a new career in podcasting. This is a raw and inspiring conversation about crime, redemption, and second

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94:51

Surviving Iraq: The Psychological Impact of War on an...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/03/04

Nick, an Air Force Sergeant, shares his harrowing experiences from multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan—dodging bullets, surviving bombings, and losing friends to war and suicide. In this powerful episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, he opens up about the lasting mental health toll of combat and the tools he’s used to heal. Now a fitness trainer, Nick has transformed his trauma into strength, proving that resilience is possible after war.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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65:18

An IV Heroin User's DARK Reality in Kensington |...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/26

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Kevin Lanning sits down with John Valerio, a man whose journey from suburban normalcy to addiction, crime, and near-death survival is nothing short of jaw-dropping.John opens up about how a tragic turn of events spiraled his life out of control—starting with his father’s sudden abandonment, a painkiller prescription after a quad accident, and how it all led to full-blown heroin addiction. As his need for the next fix grew, so did the chaos: robberies, gun

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120:41

Inside a Google Executive's SHOCKING Opioid Addiction

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/26

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at: betterhelp.com/riseabove In this special episode of Rise Above, the roles are reversed as Annabella Rockwell interviews the usual host, Kevin Lanning. Kevin opens up about his personal journey—starting from his days playing college sports, climbing the ranks in corporate America, and eventually facing addiction to OxyContin. Now, with 7 years clean and sober, Kevin shares the powerful tools, mindset shifts, and

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80:28

Inside The Fatal Night at University of South Florida...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/19

At just 16, Mo Nelson was involved in a robbery on the USF campus in Florida that turned tragic when his codefendant shot and killed a 57-year-old man. Charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery, Mo was sentenced to 15 years in prison. But instead of letting prison define him, he took full accountability, surrounded himself with the right people, and committed to deep self-reflection and change. Today, Mo is a completely different person—helping others break cycles of crime and find a

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101:33

Inside Florida’s Most Notorious Pill Mill: Exposing...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/16

Jason Votrobek, once at the center of one of the most notorious pill mill operations in the country, joins me for an exclusive interview to reveal the shocking truth behind the prescription drug epidemic. As the co-owner of Atlanta Medical Group, a Georgia-based pain clinic that became one of the top distributors of Oxycodone in the nation, Votrobek made millions before the law caught up with him. His network of pill mill pain clinics stretched from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta, flooding the streets

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104:58

ADDICTION, FRAUD & POWER | Inside a $140M Wall Street...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/12

Ross Mandell, a former Wall Street broker and the founder of Sky Capital, once dominated the financial markets before being convicted of a $140 million fraud scheme and serving over nine years in prison. Accused of manipulating the London Stock Exchange, Mandell faced intense legal battles, extradition challenges, and the harsh realities of the federal justice system.Now free and determined to make a difference, Mandell has reinvented himself as an educator and online course creator. He shares

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63:40

The Truth About Reality TV Fame: Big Brother Star...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/11

Zach Rance, known from Big Brother, reveals the harsh reality of life after the show, describing how his world came crashing down. In this powerful conversation, he shares how he hit rock bottom and rebuilt his life through structure, discipline, consistency, and fitness. Now a thriving entrepreneur, Zach opens up about the mindset and habits that helped him turn it all around.

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51:56

Inside Dpeezy's Brutal Addiction to Xanax, Methadone...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/05

Daniel Phaithaisong, better known as internet personality Dpeezy2099, opens up about his addiction to Xanax, lean, and methadone, as well as his struggles with the law that led to multiple stints in prison. In 2021, while living in a sober house, he discovered content creation—a passion that not only changed his life but also helped him stay clean.Daniel shares the highs and lows of his journey, from the depths of addiction and incarceration to finding purpose through social media. His story is a

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84:00

Inside The SHOCKING Double Life of an Alcoholic

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/02/04

Adam Jablin lived a double life—on the surface, he was a devoted husband and father, but behind closed doors, he was battling a relentless addiction to alcohol. Now sober since 2006, he shares the brutal consequences of his alcoholism, how it tore apart his family, and the turning point that led him to recovery. In this powerful episode, Adam discusses where and how to get help, his experience bridging back to life, and the challenges of navigating divorce with kids while rebuilding trust and

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94:03

Inside a Doctor’s $10M Insurance Fraud Scheme That...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/29

Dr. Linda Varisco was indicted in a massive FBI healthcare fraud case—but that’s not where her story ends. In this episode of Rise Above, she shares her side of the scandal, the lessons she learned, and how she rebuilt her life after facing federal charges. From being named in a high-profile indictment to finding redemption, Dr. Varisco’s journey is one of resilience, accountability, and transformation.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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77:42

An Alcoholic's Testimony | The Dark Side of Alcohol...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/28

Debi Borger, founder of DB Wellbeing and creator of the transformative E3 Method, shares her powerful story of recovery and reinvention. After a devastating car wreck and hitting rock bottom, Debi got sober, but for her first nine years, she avoided working a recovery program, which led to heartbreak, ending an engagement, and moving back home. Now, with over a decade of sobriety and actively working a program, Debi has rebuilt her life as a life coach and nutritionist, helping others overcome

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80:51

Parker’s Journey Through Fentanyl and Heroin...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/23

In this episode of Rise Above, Parker, a recovering fentanyl and heroin addict, shares her powerful journey of relapse and redemption. She opens up about how not working a strong recovery program led her back to a brutal lifestyle of addiction, but also how she found the strength to rebound and rebuild. Parker dives deep into the lessons learned from her relapse, the harsh realities of addiction, and the mindset shifts that saved her life, offering inspiration for anyone battling addiction or

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69:47

The Violent Night That Cost An NBA Prospect Everything

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/21

Brett Hollins Jr. was on top of the world as the #1 high school recruit in the country, destined for greatness—until one fateful night changed everything. Sentenced to four years in prison for stabbing two men at a college party, Brett faced the devastating consequences of his actions. But his story doesn’t end there. After serving his time, Brett rebuilt his life, becoming a symbol of resilience and redemption. Today, he dedicates himself to helping others rise above their own hardships and find a

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126:15

Inside An IV Fentanyl Addict's BRUTAL Lifestyle

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/18

Dan, 13 years sober from fentanyl and heroin, shares his raw and unfiltered journey of addiction and redemption. From running the dangerous streets of Kensington, robbing dealers, and spending time in jail to going through 20+ inpatient facilities, Dan’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and hope. Tune in to hear how he turned his life around and found purpose in sobriety. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, this conversation could be the inspiration they need.Learn more about

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64:35

Florida's Drug Kingpin | From Serving 23 Years in...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/15

Robert shares his powerful story of transformation after being sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for cocaine conspiracy and a firearm charge. A major drug dealer in Tampa, he served nearly 18 years, starting in high-security and working his way down to a camp. Released early during Covid under the CARES Act, Robert has since rebuilt his life. Now married and thriving in real estate, he opens up about life behind bars, the resilience it took to start over, and his path to success.Learn more

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102:57

Inside A Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Brutal...

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/13

Teresa's journey is one of resilience and transformation. Abused by her stepfather, a teen mom at 16, and enduring a painful divorce, she overcame immense challenges to rewrite her story and reshape her family's future. With over 25 years as an entrepreneur and executive, she has built high-performing teams, managed multi-million dollar projects, and founded a million-dollar company. In this episode, Teresa shares her inspiring journey, hard-earned lessons, and practical tools for building strength

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32:26

How Stress Discolored My Skin

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/10

Emmanuel Lewis, a former prison correctional guard, endured grueling 16-hour workdays, understaffed facilities, and the daily pressures of managing inmates. The relentless stress not only took a toll on his mental health but also triggered a rare heart condition that caused his skin to turn white over a year. In this eye-opening interview, Emmanuel shares his incredible story of resilience, the challenges of his profession, and the physical transformation that left everyone speechless.Learn more

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89:10

Inside a Stripper's Brutal Addiction to Fentanyl

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning ·

2025/01/07

Savannah shares her raw and unfiltered journey from the depths of addiction to a life of recovery and hope. Once caught in the grip of heroin and fentanyl, she turned to stripping and selling drugs in strip clubs to support her habit, which eventually led to jail time. Her story is wild, heartbreaking, and ultimately one of resilience and redemption, as she overcame incredible odds to get clean and sober and now inspires others to do the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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