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 uplift, educate, and inspire. Tune in and discover the strength within you.

Latest Episodes:

A Hollywood Producer’s SHOCKING Addiction to Xanax & Oxycodone Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Tyler Ramsey had it all… working on Baywatch, MTV, Survivor, and building a career in Hollywood.

But behind the scenes, he was spiraling.

What started with alcohol turned into Adderall, Xanax, and opiates… leading to blackouts, chaos, and near-death situations.

The moment everything changed?

His young daughter found his drugs.

That was the line.

In this episode, Tyler breaks down:

Growing up with trauma and loss
Hollywood success while secretly addicted
The moment addiction took full control
The terrifying wake-up call involving his daughter
The ultimatum that saved his life
How he rebuilt everything and found real sobriety

This is one of the most honest conversations about addiction, consequences, and what it really takes to change.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone.

Tyler Ramsey had it all… working on Baywatch, MTV, Survivor, and building a career in Hollywood.But behind the scenes, he was spiraling.What started with alcohol turned into Adderall, Xanax, and opiates… leading to blackouts, chaos, and near-death situations.The moment everything changed?His young daughter found his drugs.That was the line.In this episode, Tyler breaks down:Growing up with trauma and lossHollywood success while secretly addictedThe moment addiction took full controlThe terrifying wake-up call involving his daughterThe ultimatum that saved his lifeHow he rebuilt everything and found real sobrietyThis is one of the most honest conversations about addiction, consequences, and what it really takes to change.If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

#addiction #sobriety #recovery #xanaxaddiction #opioidcrisis #mentalhealth

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I Stole an Entire Pharmacy for Drugs | How Heroin Took Over My Life Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

Ryan Moyer had a key to a pharmacy… and one night, he used it to steal the entire narcotics closet.

What started with prescription pills turned into a full-blown heroin addiction, multiple arrests, federal charges, and living in trap houses just to survive. He was running scams, stealing cars, and doing whatever it took to get his next fix.

But that wasn’t the end of his story.

After hitting rock bottom, Ryan made a decision that changed everything. Today, he’s over 5 years sober and has built a successful business as “The Tesla Doctor,” working on high-end vehicles and rebuilding his life from the ground up.

This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction, crime, consequences, and what it really takes to turn your life around.

If this story helps even one person, it was worth it.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

#addiction #heroinrecovery #sobriety #recoveryjourney #drugaddiction #fentanylcrisis #cleanandsober #riseabove #truecrime #selfimprovement

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I Thought Prison Was My Only Way Out | How Addiction Led Me to 15 Years in Prison Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Jason Brewer’s story is one of the darkest we’ve ever shared.

After experiencing severe trauma as a child, Jason spiraled into addiction, violence, and eventually a life of crime. What started as drinking and drugs quickly escalated into armed robberies, crack addiction, and a path that led him to serve over a decade in prison.

In this interview, Jason opens up about:

The childhood trauma that changed everything
His descent into drugs, violence, and crime
Robbing gas stations to fuel his addiction
The moment he knew his life was over
What prison was really like
How he finally turned his life around

This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction, consequences, and redemption.

If you or someone you love is struggling, there is a way out.

#AddictionRecovery #PrisonStory #TrueCrime #Sobriety #RockBottom #Redemption #DrugAddiction #LifeStory #RecoveryJourney #CrimeStory

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Navy SEAL to Fentanyl Addict | K9 Attack, Tased, Lost Everything… Then Got Sober Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Taylor Cavanough was living the dream.

A Navy SEAL. Deployed overseas. High performer.

But behind the discipline… was chaos.

After a violent arrest where he was tased and attacked by a police K9, everything collapsed.
His career. His identity. His future.

What started as alcohol and Adderall turned into Percocet… then fentanyl.

He lost control of his life.

In this episode, Taylor shares:

The moment everything fell apart after his arrest
Getting kicked out of the SEAL Teams
How one decision led him down the path of addiction
The reality of fentanyl dependency and withdrawal
Hitting rock bottom alone in Hawaii
And how he rebuilt his life for his daughter

This is a story about self-sabotage, identity, and redemption.

#NavySEAL #FentanylAddiction #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #RiseAbove #DrugAddiction #MentalHealth #RecoveryStory #Opiates #SelfSabotage

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I Couldn't Stop Using… Even When I Knew It Would Kill Me | Fentanyl Addiction Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Graham Reid was living a double life.

What started with pills and partying quickly turned into a full-blown opiate addiction — smoking 30s, chasing dealers, and doing whatever it took to not get sick.

At his lowest point, he burned his dealer with fake money and lost everything.

From fentanyl and heroin to brutal detox and multiple failed attempts at getting clean, Graham shares what addiction really looks like behind closed doors.

In this episode, he opens up about:

Getting hooked on opiates
The moment everything spiraled
Living as a “functional” addict
The reality of withdrawal and detox
What finally helped him get sober

This is the side of addiction most people don’t see.

#Fentanyl #OpiateAddiction #AddictionRecovery #DopeSick #Sobriety
#HeroinAddiction #RecoveryStory #MentalHealth #CleanAndSober #RiseAbove

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I Hid a 10-Year Drug Addiction From My Wife | Blackout, Lies & How I Finally Got Sober Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

Matt Robinson lived a double life for over a decade.

Behind the scenes, he was battling a severe drug addiction… while his wife had no idea.

It started with a prescription after an injury at just 11 years old. What followed was years of lies, hiding money, and chasing pills—until everything came crashing down during a blackout in Las Vegas, where he emptied his bank account overnight.

That moment led to a phone call that changed everything.

In this episode, Matt opens up about:

Living a secret addiction for 10 years
The moment his wife found out
Addiction, shame, and rebuilding trust
What recovery actually looks like long-term
How he’s stayed sober for 13 years

This is one of the most honest conversations about addiction, marriage, and recovery we’ve had on the show.

If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode is for you.

Matt Robinson lived a double life for over a decade.Behind the scenes, he was battling a severe drug addiction… while his wife had no idea.It started with a prescription after an injury at just 11 years old. What followed was years of lies, hiding money, and chasing pills—until everything came crashing down during a blackout in Las Vegas, where he emptied his bank account overnight.That moment led to a phone call that changed everything.In this episode, Matt opens up about:Living a secret addiction for 10 yearsThe moment his wife found outAddiction, shame, and rebuilding trustWhat recovery actually looks like long-termHow he’s stayed sober for 13 yearsThis is one of the most honest conversations about addiction, marriage, and recovery we’ve had on the show.If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode is for you. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

#addictionrecovery #soberstory #opioidcrisis #recoveryjourney #mentalhealthawareness #alcoholism #sobriety #fentanylcrisis #recoveryispossible #riseabove

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I Was Drinking Vodka All Day | Car Crash, Hidden Addiction & How I Finally Got Sober Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Megan’s addiction didn’t look obvious at first.

She had a job, a family, and a life that seemed “normal” on the outside… but behind the scenes, she was drinking vodka all day, hiding bottles, and slowly losing control.

After a near-fatal car crash, showing up drunk to work, and hitting a breaking point as a mother, everything came crashing down.

In this episode, Megan shares:

The moment her addiction spiraled out of control
Drinking in secret while trying to hold life together
The crash that should’ve been her wake-up call
How motherhood and rock bottom forced change
What it actually took to get and stay sober

This is a raw conversation about shame, survival, and what recovery really looks like.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone.

#addiction #soberstory #alcoholism #recoveryjourney #mentalhealth #sobriety #rockbottom #riseabove

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My Son Was Doing Fentanyl at 16… I Had to Let Him Go to Save His Life Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Brenda Zane was a successful advertising executive living what looked like a normal life—until her son’s addiction turned everything upside down.

From early warning signs to marijuana at 13… to running away, arrests, and eventually fentanyl use—this is the raw, unfiltered reality of what families go through when addiction takes over.

In this episode, Brenda shares:

The moment she realized her son was in real danger
Sending him to wilderness therapy at 16
The chaos of addiction—jail, running away, and near-death experiences
The heartbreak of setting boundaries and “letting go”
How she turned her pain into purpose to help other parents

This conversation is for anyone who has loved someone struggling with addiction—or is trying to understand what families go through behind the scenes.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april

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Heroin Was Killing Me | I Smuggled Drugs into Rikers Island & Nearly Died Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

John Rokee’s story is a terrifying look at the lengths an addict will go to maintain a "perfect" life. By day, he was a high-earning union steamfitter. By night, he was a "chameleon" trapped in a $1.2 million downward spiral, snorting up to 200 bags of heroin a week.

In this raw and "brutal" interview on Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, John details the physical and financial devastation of his addiction:

The $1.2M Habit: The math behind a decade of OxyContin and heroin use that drained every union fund, savings account, and personal loan.
The "Water Overdose": The shocking medical anomaly that put him in a week-long coma after he tried to flush his system to beat a drug test.
Knocking at the Pearly Gates: Waking up in a hospital bed to find a priest performing his last rites when doctors said he would be a "vegetable."
The True Healing: How John moved past 11 years of "white-knuckle" abstinence to find true spiritual recovery and a new life as a sober coach.

Connect with John Rokee:

Instagram/TikTok: @JohnRokee21
Website: JohnRokee.com

#RiseAbove #HeroinAddiction #RecoveryStories #ComaSurvivor #LastRites #JohnRokee #KevinLanning #AddictionRecovery #SoberCoach #OpiateCrisis #MentalHealth

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Inside A 14-Year-Old Stripper’s Brutal Addiction | Meth, Overcoming Cancer & Sobriety Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

Kim House’s life story sounds like a movie script, but the trauma was all too real.

After fleeing an abusive home at just 14 years old, Kim found herself winning bikini contests and dancing in clubs just to survive. By her early 20s, she was diagnosed with a rare, "terminal" bone marrow cancer—but instead of getting sober, she ramped up her drug use, even attempting to balance chemotherapy with meth and alcohol.

In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Kim details the harrowing "redline" abuse of her childhood, the insanity of flying drugs across state lines, and the moment of "existential clarity" that led her to nearly a decade of sobriety. Today, she’s the founder of Sober Surfers, turning her darkest trials into a message of hope for foster youth and addicts everywhere.

Connect with Kim House:

Website: sobersurf.org

#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RiseAbove #CancerSurvivor #MethAddiction #RecoveryStory #KevinLanning #SoberSurfers #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthAwareness

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