Wisdom Shared with Carole Blueweiss

Episode Summary

Our last episode explored addiction from the perspective of loved ones. In this episode, we are looking at the opioid crisis from the point of view of a retired FBI agent, Aaron Weeter, who spent 25 years specializing in drug-related crimes. From his frontline perspective, we learn how the opioid epidemic of the 90s spread to become the fentanyl epidemic we have today. 

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for those who need closed captioning, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/oXq6XJ_z-HI

About Aaron Weeter

Beginning in 1998, Aaron served for over 23 years as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington, D.C. Field Office.  He served for twenty years as a case agent and three years as a supervisor investigating matters primarily involving white-collar/financial crimes in the areas of healthcare fraud and prescription drug diversion and distribution.  During this time, Aaron also worked on a variety of national/office-wide cases including the 9-11, D.C. Sniper and January 6th investigations among others.  Aaron is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner.  He retired from the FBI in late 2021 and recently started a fraud consulting business.  Much of Aaron's FBI investigative work focused on the illegal distribution of pharmaceutical narcotics and other controlled substances by physicians, pharmacists and street-level dealers.  He opened his first "pill case" in early 1999 in the early stages of what would become the pill epidemic and through dozens of cases thereafter, had a window into the evolution of the pill epidemic and its influence on the current fentanyl epidemic gripping the U.S.  

More to Watch and Read

Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict - a documentary made by the FBI & DEA

Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer? - a documentary about Dr. William Hurwitz, a Virginia physician who served nearly five years in prison for drug trafficking

Anonymous Sister - a documentary where director Jamie Boyle explores her family's collision with the opioid epidemic

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed - a documentary about artist and activist Nan Goldin and her personal fight to hold the Sackler family accountable for the opioid overdose crisis

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - a novel that shows the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on a young boy in Appalachia

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy - the definitive account of America's opioid epidemic

Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America’s Overdose Crisis by Beth Macy - a sequel to Dopesick

Dopesick - Hulu limited series remake of Beth Macy's book 

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe - a book that describes the Sackler family and their role in the opioid epidemic

The Family That Built an Empire of Pain - article by Patrick Radden Keefe that led to the book

What Can Be Done?

Words Matter - Terms to Use and Avoid When Talking About Addiction

https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html: 

https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prevention/index.html

Fentanyl Test Strips

Find Narcan Near You

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. You can also visit https://www.samhsa.gov. 

How opioid addiction occurs - Mayo Clinic

List of Treatment Facilities and Support Groups

Drug Takeback Programs

Safe Drug Disposal

Related Episodes

Addiction to Sobriety: A Mother's Journey

Anonymous Sister

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WisdomSharedCaroleBlueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroleblueweiss/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

The Wisdom Shared Team

• Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
• Social Media and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson

Episode Summary

In this episode, I'm joined by two special guests, harm reduction activist Julie Stampler and award-winning documentary filmmaker Jamie Boyle.  We discuss the opioid epidemic through the frame of the incredible documentary Anonymous Sister, directed by Jamie Boyle, produced by Marilyn Ness, and executive produced by Julie Stampler. This is the story of one American family, but what happened to them could happen to any family.  We learn about Julie's brother, Jonathan,  who died from a heroin overdose, and how his death led Julie into her life of activism and harm reduction work. We see two different paths to managing addiction and substance abuse disorder. This is a story told by two women who watched their siblings suffer.  This show is dedicated to all the siblings out there who are anonymous witnesses.

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for those who need closed captioning, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/oD0vVqw-w6w

About Anonymous Sister

When a young woman turns to the camera for refuge, she ends up with a firsthand account of what will become the deadliest man-made epidemic in United States history. From the producers of Dick Johnson Is Dead and Summer of Soul, Anonymous Sister is two-time Emmy Award winner Jamie Boyle's chronicle of her family's collision with the opioid epidemic.

Anonymous Sister will be playing at IFC Center in New York June 2nd - 8th and Laemmle Theater in Los Angeles June 16th - 22nd, with more cities to follow.  

Select screenings will be accompanied by special events and panels. For details and info about upcoming events: 

• anonymoussister.com
• https://www.facebook.com/AnonymousSisterFilm
• https://www.instagram.com/anonymoussisterfilm/
• https://twitter.com/AnonSisterFilm

About Jamie Boyle

Jamie Boyle is a two-time Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker. Her work has played at Sundance, Tribeca, and SXSW. In 2019, she was part of the inaugural Sundance Talent Forum & Catalyst Lab and on DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40 list. She is the writer and editor of BREAKING THE NEWS, premiering Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023. She is the director and editor of ANONYMOUS SISTER, a personal feature documentary coming to theaters in summer 2023 and produced by Big Mouth Productions (DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD, CAMERAPERSON) and Vulcan Productions (SUMMER OF SOUL, THE REASON I JUMP). She was the editor, producer, and cinematographer of JACKSON (Showtime), winner of the 2018 Emmy® Award. She was the editor of TRANS IN AMERICA: TEXAS STRONG, winner of the 2019 Emmy® for Outstanding Short Documentary and two Webby Awards. TEXAS STRONG premiered at SXSW and launched on them. She was the associate editor and production manager of E-­TEAM (Netflix), which won the 2014 Sundance Cinematography Award and was nominated for two News & Documentary Emmys®, including Best Documentary. She was the director, cinematographer, and editor of the short documentary TAKE A VOTE, which premiered at DOC NYC in 2020. She was the in-house editor for The American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch. She taught at the Bronx Documentary Center, as a guest lecturer at Columbia University, and served as a judge for the News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

https://www.jamielboyle.com/

About Julie Stampler

Julie Stampler is a voiceover actress and harm reduction activist who is a National Harm Reduction Coalition Board Member. Julie's harm reduction advocacy work aims to help people who use drugs stay alive rather than pushing for abstinence-only approaches. She advocates for the importance of overdose prevention programs, training people on when and how to use and distribute naloxone/Narcan, and advocating for overdose prevention centers that focus on keeping people alive with access to social service resources. Julie's life-saving work stems from her brother Jonathan's untimely death from a heroin overdose 20 years ago. In a twist of irony, her stepfather Jack Fishman was the scientist credited with inventing naloxone which can reverse an overdose from heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time. 

https://juliestampler.com/

From This Episode

• How to use Narcan training video: https://www.anonymoussister.com/resources
• Find Naloxone near you
• Julie's stepfather Jack Fishman
• The Drug That Saves Lives Even if It's Never Used
• https://dancesafe.org/ - site Julie mentions where you can order fentanyl test strips and drug testing kits
• Marilyn Ness
• 5 myths about using Suboxone to treat opiate addiction
• DEA takes aggressive stance toward pharmacies trying to dispense addiction medicine
• About Xylazine

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WisdomSharedCaroleBlueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

The Wisdom Shared Team

• Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
• Social Media and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson

Episode Summary

Melissa Conrey shares her story of living with drug and alcohol addiction and now, sobriety. A single mom of two, she worries about her children who have been exposed to so much. She went back to school to earn her degrees and is now a registered dietician. Melissa speaks openly about her challenges and her victories. 

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for those who need closed captioning, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/yTUuE_L-L8g

From This Episode

• A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous): https://www.aa.org/
• Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org/
• Melissa's Roller Derby Team: https://centralcoastrollerderby.squarespace.com/

Find and Follow Melissa:

• Instagram: @simplyme_rd
• email: [email protected]

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WisdomSharedCaroleBlueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

The Wisdom Shared Team

• Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
• Social Media and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson

Episode Summary

This episode features mother and daughter Bobbie and Angela Singletary. This dynamic duo shares their story, full of hardship, resilience, joy, love, and support. Bobbie, Angela, and two of Angela's kids all have achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, as did Angela's late sister Cindy. Listen how Cindy’s life at 33 could not be saved despite the huge sacrifices made by her mom and sister. We will hear how the Medicaid system failed them and how in spite of life challenges, including discrimination, systemic inequity, and personal struggles with alcohol,  these women continue to advocate for others.

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for those who need closed captioning, watch the transcript video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qFpEPqzdD0

About Angela and Bobbie

• Angela's Podcast: A Little Perspective
• Angela's Website
• The book featuring Bobbie's essay: A Little Perspective: REAL Stories of Little Ladies
• Documentary EveryBODY Matters featuring Angela
• Angela's interview with NPR about the treatment for achondroplasia: https://www.bodiespodcast.com/resource-pages/not-your-average

From This Episode

• Tulane University
• Special Delivery From Pregnancy to Toddlerhood
• Mindy Silva  - Wired on Development
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Dwarfism: Raising a Little Person, Wisdom Shared episode with Audrey Curwin
• Dwarfism: Life as a Little Person, Wisdom Shared episode with Jillian Curwin
• Dwarfism: A Mother-Daughter Conversation, Wisdom Shared episode with Audrey and Jillian Curwin

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WisdomSharedCaroleBlueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

The Wisdom Shared Team

• Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
• Social Media and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson

EPISODE SUMMARY

Lisa Greer is a mother of five, a former executive and business owner, a convener of charitable events, and the author of Philanthropy Revolution.  We discuss her childrens' diagnoses with cancer and adolescent-onset epilepsy and how that affected the whole family. Lisa explains how transparency fosters trust, something that applies to the worlds of charitable giving, healthcare, and parenting.  There are so many impactful takeaways from this wide-ranging conversation with Lisa, as the wisdom she has gained in her variety of roles interconnect in sometimes surprising ways. 

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read or for those who need closed captioning, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/KE1KrICHEPM

ABOUT LISA GREER

• Lisa's website: https://www.lisagreer.com/
• Lisa's book: Philanthropy Revolution: How to Inspire Donors, Build Relationships, and Make a Difference
• Lisa's blog newsletter: https://philanthropy451.substack.com/

FROM THIS EPISODE

• myFace: https://www.myface.org/
• Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/
• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/
• The Feldenkrais Method
• Stacy Barrows is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, PMA-National Pilates Certified Teacher, and creator of the Smartroller. Visit  https://www.smartroller.net/ and https://smartsomaticsolutions.com/
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio
• Adolescent Medicine is now a subspecialty but as Lisa has experienced with her kids, it's not available everywhere.

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

The Wisdom Shared Team

• Audio Engineering by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works
• Social Media and Marketing Coordinator: Kayla Nelson

Episode Summary

In this episode, we meet Patty Braendel, a special education teacher who is an adoptive mom, a birth mom, and also a foster mom. We hear about her journey to parenthood with all its ups and downs and learn how her experiences as a parent have helped her work in special education. 

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/6gINmxyiQ5o

Resources

• Foster the Family
• Florida Department of Children and Families
• Empowered to Connect

Find and Follow Patty

• Email Patty: [email protected]

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

EPISODE SUMMARY

Kathryn Paylor-Bent has a lot of wisdom to share and we cover a lot of ground in this conversation. We talk about her experiences as a disabled woman, wheelchair user, and the CEO of two successful businesses. She uses her disability as inspiration for her successful career as an adaptive fashion designer and as a consultant to other organizations.

She shares her experiences with ableism, including medical and digital ableism like shadow banning on social media and examples from her personal life. In light of some of these negative experiences, she also shares solutions as an advocate and suggests how we can better understand the disability community.  Another important part of Kathryn's story is being a mother to Tom, her son with autism and mental health challenges.  She shares her vision for Tom's future as well as the future of other young people with disabilities through her business Seated Sewing.  

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/rpJslXjawTk

FROM THIS EPISODE + RESOURCES

• Kathryn describes ableism by saying, "Ableism is where people who are without disability assume they know what is right for us." She describes several examples, including digital ableism and medical ableism. Learn more about ableism here.
• Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive
• Dogs For Good
• Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
• North East Autism Society: the charity behind the school Tom attends
• National Autistic Society
• Open Style Lab
• Pointing Out Meaningful Representation for Children With Disabilities 

FIND AND FOLLOW KATHRYN

• Seated Sewing
• Consult Seated
• Kathryn's LinkedIn

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we meet Dom Raban, a designer, software developer, and father of Issy.  Issy underwent cancer treatment at age 13. While Issy is now a young adult and cancer-free, the lack of information given to Issy during her treatments prompted her father to create a child-centered app called  Xploro. This amazing app was designed to improve the health literacy of children, to decrease procedural anxiety, and  to improve the hospital experience for all children and their families.

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/5evWmZZ4BS8

From This Episode:

• About Ewing Sarcoma
• Study showing Xploro reduces anxiety about hospital procedures: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/new-study-shows-xploro-app-reduces-procedural-anxiety-in-children/

Find and Follow Dom:

• Dom's LinkedIn profile: https://linkedin.com/in/domraban
• Xploro: https://xploro.health/
• Email Dom: [email protected]
• Dom's Twitter: @DomRaban
• Dom's Company's Twitter: @CorporationPop

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we meet Dom Raban, a designer, software developer, and father of Issy.  Issy underwent cancer treatment at age 13. While Issy is now a young adult and cancer-free, the lack of information given to Issy during her treatments prompted her father to create a child-centered app called  Xploro. This amazing app was designed to improve the health literacy of children, to decrease procedural anxiety, and  to improve the hospital experience for all children and their families.

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/5evWmZZ4BS8

From This Episode:

• About Ewing Sarcoma
• Study showing Xploro reduces anxiety about hospital procedures: https://www.healthtechdigital.com/new-study-shows-xploro-app-reduces-procedural-anxiety-in-children/

Find and Follow Dom:

• Dom's LinkedIn profile: https://linkedin.com/in/domraban
• Xploro: https://xploro.health/
• Email Dom: [email protected]
• Dom's Twitter: @DomRaban
• Dom's Company's Twitter: @CorporationPop

Find and Follow Carole and Wisdom Shared:

• https://www.caroleblueweiss.com/
• Follow me and send me a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroleblueweiss
• Follow me and send me a message on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-blueweiss-pt-dpt-23970279/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole_blueweiss/

Eleven-year-old Easton and his mother Jennifer are a great son-mom team. In this episode, we will hear from both and learn about support dogs, supercars, playgrounds, pregnancy, birth, and spina bifida. 

For the visually-minded who prefer to listen and read, watch the transcript video here: https://youtu.be/yVwx-zwqNhM

FIND AND FOLLOW JENNIFER:

• [email protected]

ABOUT SPINA BIFIDA:

• https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/
• https://redefiningspinabifida.org/

FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Learn about the inclusive playground Jennifer spearheaded with her local Rotary Club:  https://www.rotaryplaygrounds.org/
• About Ethan's favorite sport, Wheelchair Motocross or WCMX: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WCMX_(sport)