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:

From ‘Fun Drunk’ to Full-Blown Alcoholic | My Terrifying Descent Into Addiction Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

Jessica Hoff’s story is one of the most powerful transformations ever shared on Rise Above.
Growing up in a small Minnesota town with an alcoholic father, Jessica swore she’d never become him. But one blackout in college sent her spiraling into years of binge drinking, cocaine, Xanax, opiates, and a near-fatal battle with breast cancer.

Her life completely unraveled—addiction, a failing marriage, losing custody, and waking up in rehab with no memory of getting there.

But nothing compares to the day she flew home to make amends… and found her father dead on the floor.

What happened next changed her life forever.

In this raw, emotional, and deeply spiritual interview, Jessica reveals:

Her first blackout that launched a decade of chaos
How cancer, pain pills, Xanax, and coke took over her life
The brutal detox she barely survived
The divine intervention that got her into treatment
Finding her dad dead—and the God moment that kept her sober
Rebuilding her life, motherhood, spiritual connection & purpose
Her work as a healer helping others through sound, energy, and meditation

Jessica is now over 7 years sober, a mother, healer, and walking example of what recovery can look like when you surrender and do the work.

👉 If this episode moved you, please subscribe, comment, and share. Your support helps us change lives.
👉 Join our Monday Night Recovery Meeting: Email Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com for the link.
👉 Go deeper with Rise Above on Patreon — early access, live Q&A, behind-the-scenes, and more.

#RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #TraumaHealing #Alcoholism #RecoveryCommunity #AddictionStories #SoberLife #MentalHealthAwareness #CocaineAddiction #OpiateAddiction #XanaxAddiction #AAProgram #SpiritualAwakening #HealingJourney

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Lost Everything to Crack | My Descent Into Hell and the Fight Back Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

Alex’s story is the definition of Rise Above.

Raised just outside of D.C., Alex had a solid upbringing—until a life-shattering trauma at age 9 changed everything. Losing his father to addiction left a hole he didn’t know how to fill… and by 11 years old, he found the first thing that made him feel “connected”: getting high. What started as weed quickly turned into a full-blown lifestyle—dropping out of school, running the streets, dealing drugs, chasing status, and doing whatever it took to feel okay.

By his late teens, Alex was deep into cocaine, then crack. Florida became a new playground, but the addiction followed—fast. The party life turned into homelessness, violence, felony charges, and multiple prison stints. At one point he had five felonies, lost every opportunity in front of him, and spiraled into the darkest place imaginable.

But in the middle of prison—while getting high on rat poison and living in survival mode—one brutal moment of truth from a cellmate cracked the armor. That day became the turning point that led Alex to complete surrender, recovery, and a new life built on faith, service, and accountability.

Today, Alex is coming up on four years sober, living with peace he never thought was possible, and dedicating his life to helping others find a way out.

If you’re struggling, feel stuck, or think you’re too far gone… this one’s for you.

Rise Above Recovery Meetings: Every Monday night. Open meeting for anyone struggling with addiction, alcohol, gambling, food, etc.
Email me at kevin@riseabovepod.com for the link + weekly updates.

If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share—your support helps us spread hope to the next person.

#RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RecoveryStory #CrackAddiction #CocaineAddiction #PrisonToPurpose #FelonToFreedom #FaithAndRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #SecondChances #RecoveryIsPossible #FloridaRecovery #DelrayBeach #12StepRecovery #HopeDealer #LifeAfterAddiction #TraumaRecovery #SoberLife #Inspiration

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Trauma Shapes Your Life: Dr. Monica Vermani Breaks Down Stress, Anxiety & Healing Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Dr. Monica Vermani — clinical psychologist, trauma expert, TED speaker, and author — breaks down the true roots of stress, anxiety, trauma, maladaptive coping, and why so many of us feel overwhelmed in today’s world.

From the role of childhood wounds to the patterns we repeat in adulthood, Dr. Vermani explains why we get stuck, how to break cycles of pain, and why rituals and slowing down are essential to healing. She unpacks everything from self-medication, addictive behaviors, people-pleasing, anger, boundaries, relationships, and the myth of “reinventing yourself.”

If you’ve ever struggled with trauma, mood swings, anxiety, addiction, overwhelm, or feeling “not enough,” this conversation will change your life.

Dr. Vermani’s work has helped thousands—and today, she shares her tools with you.

📘 Her Book: A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety & Trauma
Available on Amazon & at DrMonicaVermani.com

🧠 Follow Dr. Vermani:
Instagram | Website | Psychology Today Column

🆘 Every Monday Night: Rise Above Recovery Meeting
Open to anyone struggling with addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, food).
To join: Email Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com for the meeting link & updates.

💙 If this interview helped you, please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE to support the mission.

#TraumaHealing #AnxietyRelief #MentalHealthMatters #StressManagement #PsychologyTalk #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionRecovery #EmotionalHealing #TherapyTools #MindfulnessDaily #InnerPeaceJourney #DrMonicaVermani #ThoughtWork #HealingTrauma #CopingSkills #SobrietyTools #SelfImprovementDaily

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Overdosed on Fentanyl Mid-Flight | My Descent Into Fentanyl Hell & How I Finally Got Sober Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Rise Above, Michael Chosewood shares one of the wildest fentanyl addiction stories ever told on this channel.

From smoking weed as a freshman athlete… to crushing Xanax bars before school… to flipping houses, running a CBD company, and secretly trafficking fentanyl pills between the U.S. and Nicaragua—Michael was a high-functioning addict whose entire life unraveled behind the scenes.

His addiction spiraled so far out of control that he overdosed in an airplane bathroom mid-flight, forcing an emergency medical response the moment the plane landed. Yet even that wasn’t enough to stop him—at least, not yet.

Michael opens up about:

Growing up as a star athlete in Georgia
Getting hooked on Xanax at 14
The first overdose that should’ve killed him
Running from warrants, debt, and guilt
Living in Nicaragua while importing fentanyl pills
The overdose on the airplane that changed everything
Detoxing from fentanyl and Xanax for 31 brutal days
The spiritual experience that finally broke the cycle
Finding real sobriety in Charleston
Making amends, rebuilding his life, and choosing God

His journey is a powerful reminder that it truly gets worse—until you decide it doesn’t have to.

If Michael’s story inspired you, please LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to help us spread hope.

#Fentanyl #AddictionRecovery #SoberLiving #RiseAbove #DrugAddiction #FentanylCrisis #RecoveryJourney #Sobriety #AddictToAthlete #OverdoseSurvivor #XanaxAddiction #DrugRehab #RecoveryCommunity #FaithAndRecovery #Inspiration #NeverGiveUp #YouAreNotAlone

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relapse After 13 Years Sober: The Dark Side of Addiction Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

Gia seemed to have it all together—13 years clean, a child, a spiritual awakening. But one drink changed everything. In this powerful and vulnerable episode of Rise Above, Gia shares her journey from childhood in New Jersey to addiction in Florida, her battle with mental health, and the crushing weight of postpartum depression. She opens up about her two marriages, spiritual growth, and how community and self-honesty brought her back from the brink. Her story is a beacon for anyone struggling with relapse, loneliness, or the pressure to be “okay.” #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SobrietyJourney #PostpartumDepression #RiseAbovePodcast #GiaStory #AARecovery #WomenInRecovery #RelapseToRecovery #SpiritualAwakening #TraumaHealing #MotherhoodUnfiltered #RecoveryPodcast #AlcoholismAwareness #AddictionSupport

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Olympic Ice to Shooting Meth in a NYC Bathroom | How I Overcame Addiction and Found Sobriety Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Olympic figure skater Nicole Bobek was once America’s golden girl — a national champion with worldwide fame, endorsement deals, red-carpet tours, and the spotlight of the 1998 Winter Olympics. But behind the sequins and standing ovations, Nicole was spiraling into addiction, identity struggles, trauma, and eventually a meth addiction that led to a high-profile arrest splashed across national headlines.

Nicole’s story is a journey through fame, pain, accountability, and ultimate redemption — proof that no matter how far someone falls, they can rise again.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.Rise Above.

#NicoleBobek #RiseAbovePodcast #Olympics #FigureSkating #AddictionRecovery #MethAddiction #RedemptionStory #TraumaSurvivor #RiseAbove #KevinLanning #SoberLiving #RecoveryCommunity #InspiringStories #SobrietyJourney #ComebackStory

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Shot Heroin for the First Time in Prison | My Shocking Story of Recovery Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

He swore he’d never touch a needle.
But inside a California prison, surrounded by chaos, violence, and addiction—he did.

This raw, unfiltered story follows one man’s journey from trying meth at 9 years old to shooting heroin behind bars, losing everything, and ultimately finding redemption.

He survived prison riots, overdoses, and years of chaos before rebuilding his life through sobriety, faith, and service. Today, he helps others break free from the same darkness that once consumed him.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains graphic stories of addiction and incarceration.

💬 If this story moved you, please like, comment, and share — it helps us reach more people who need to know recovery is possible.

📩 Join the weekly Rise Above Recovery meeting — email kevin@riseabovepod.com
🌐 Learn more: https://riseabovepod.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone In Her Family Was Addicted to Drugs | How to Break Generational Trauma Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Amber grew up in a world surrounded by addiction. Her mom used meth. Her grandparents were addicts. Her father dated women who battled addiction. Chaos was normal.

But somehow… she never fell into it.

Instead, Amber became the one who breaks the cycle. Today she’s a counselor who has spent over 20 years helping families navigate addiction, denial, enabling, and communication breakdowns. She teaches families how to get through to an addict—without losing themselves.

This conversation is going to help millions of people who are trying to save someone they love.

Join us as we dive into generational addiction, family systems, resilience, boundaries, and the psychology behind denial and early stage addiction.

#RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionRecovery #BreakTheCycle #AddictionEducation #GenerationalTrauma #FamilyRecovery #OvercomingAddiction #SobrietyJourney #HopeDealer #RecoveryCommunity #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$25K Gamble to Build an Empire | How I Became One of America’s Most Powerful Female Attorneys Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Brooke Goff started her law firm from a kitchen table with $25,000 — and turned it into a legal empire in Connecticut. In this episode, Brooke shares how she beat the odds, bet on herself, built a dominant personal injury brand, navigated massive adversity, and became a force in a male-dominated industry. Her journey is proof: with accountability, courage and relentless belief… you can build the life you want. If you’re navigating fear, self-doubt, recovery, entrepreneurship, building something from nothing — this episode will light a fire inside you. Brooke Goff — a mother, an entrepreneur, a fighter… and a woman who built her own empire.

#RiseAbovePodcast #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneur #EntrepreneurMindset #OvercomingAdversity #BuildYourEmpire #Motivation #SuccessMindset #RiseAbove #WomenInLaw #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #BusinessJourney #SelfBelief #NeverGiveUp

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She Lost Everything to Heroin—But Found Recovery & Purpose | Powerful Addiction Transformation Story Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Meghan’s story is one of the most emotional, raw, and impactful episodes we’ve ever filmed on Rise Above.

After years of opioid addiction, relapse cycles, losing her teeth, stealing to survive, and eventually living in a tent community—Meghan was ready to end her life. Instead, she made one call that saved everything.

Inside this episode we talk about:

Her descent from partying → pills → sniffing heroin → injecting
What actually triggered her relapse AFTER years sober
How dishonesty and “grey area using” almost took her out
The moment she raised her hand in AA and had to reset her sober date
Why secrets = the real relapse
How emotional sobriety, service, God & community changed her entire life

Today, Meghan is nearly 6 years sober, a professional speaker, a coach, and she helps others reclaim their power, heal trauma, and build real inner peace.

There are thousands of people right now who feel like THEY are beyond repair. Her story proves the opposite. If you’re struggling—don’t give up before the miracle happens.

Rise Above Recovery Meetings
Every Monday night I host an open Rise Above recovery meeting for addiction, alcoholism, gambling, food addiction, etc. To get the Zoom link, email: Kevin@RiseAbovePod.com

Patreon
Join Rise Above Patreon for LIVE interviews + talk with guests after episodes

#AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #OpiateEpidemic #RelapseRecovery #SobrietyJourney #EmotionalSobriety #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveredNotCured #HopeAfterAddiction #TraumaHealing #SpiritualAwakening #12StepRecovery #NeverRecoverAlone #SoberLife #RecoveryStory #OpioidCrisis #SoberCommunity #FaithInRecovery

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected