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:

I Smoked Myself Into a Crack Psychosis | 33 Felonies, 3 Raids, 40 Year Prison Sentence, Sobriety Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

Richard's story is one of the most gripping tales of addiction, crime, and redemption ever told on this channel. By the age of 18, he had already served prison time for burglary. Over the next two decades, he racked up 33 felony convictions, became known as one half of the “Dynamic Duo” of cr@ck-addicted brothers in Palm Beach County, and lived in trap houses, behind shopping centers, and eventually a foreclosed home taken over by drug dealers and pr0stitutes.His downward spiral included multiple prison bids, including time in one of Florida’s most violent correctional facilities, a 40-year sentence served in pieces, and heartbreaking moments like watching his mother and siblings cycle through incarceration and addiction as well.But in 2016—after a final psychosis-fueled standoff in a motel—Richard made a decision to change his life. Almost ten years later, he’s clean, sober, employed, helping others, and back in touch with every family member who once cut him off. His story proves that even after decades of darkness, it’s never too late to rise above.

🔗 Join our Monday night Rise Above Recovery MeetingsEmail: kevin@riseabovepod.com

🎙️ Support the podcast and go deeperJoin our Patreon for exclusive content & live guest chats.

#AddictionRecovery #PrisonToPurpose #CrackAddiction #FelonToFreedom #SobrietyJourney #DrugAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #RedemptionStory #FloridaPrison #RiseAbovePodcast

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Coming Off Adderall Was the Worst Experience of My Life | My Brutal 15 Year Addiction to Stimulants Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Izzy opens up about her 15-year battle with Adderall and how quitting cold turkey changed her life forever. From being put on ADHD medication at just 12 years old to building a fast-paced career as a hairstylist powered by stimulants, she shares how the drug shaped her identity, destroyed relationships, and disconnected her from her true self.After a divorce, years of emotional chaos, and a nationwide Adderall shortage, Izzy made the life-altering decision to walk away from the pills—and every crutch that came with them. In this raw and honest interview, she describes the silent hell of detox, how she found peace through meditation, why she got rid of her TV, and what it really means to reclaim your power.Whether you're struggling with Adderall, ADHD, burnout, or just looking for hope—you need to hear this.

🎧 Subscribe for more raw and real stories of resilience every week.

🔗 Follow Izzy on TikTok: @izzzywho

🧠 Hosted by Kevin Lanning | Rise Above Podcast

#AdderallRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionRecovery #QuittingAdderall #SobrietyJourney #ADHDAwareness #HealingJourney #Meditation #ColdTurkey #MentalHealthMatters #WomenInRecovery #SelfGrowth #StimulantAddiction

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I Caught My Wife Cheating, Blacked Out & Landed in Prison | Domestic Violence, Prison & Sobriety Sep 14, 2025

Show notes

Carl Stone spent over 30 years in law enforcement—respected, decorated, and seen as a protector. But behind closed doors, he was quietly unraveling. Haunted by childhood trauma, daily exposure to horrific crimes, and suppressed mental health struggles, Carl turned to alcohol to cope. Then one day, everything came crashing down.In this raw and unfiltered interview, Carl shares his story for the first time: witnessing brutal domestic abuse as a child, becoming a police officer to escape that cycle, and ultimately repeating it himself. After a violent domestic incident with his wife, Carl was arrested, charged, and sentenced to prison.Now sober and free, Carl is using his story to spark real change. He opens up about PTSD, toxic masculinity, the stigma around men’s mental health, and the lifelong shame he carries. This isn’t just a redemption story—it’s a wake-up call.⚠️ Trigger warning: this episode discusses domestic violence, addiction, suicide ideation, and childhood trauma.📧 To join our weekly Rise Above Recovery Meeting or connect with Kevin: kevin@riseabovepod.com💬 For exclusive behind-the-scenes content and live guest chats, join our Patreon: https://patreon.com/RiseAbovewithKevinLanning?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

#PolicePTSD #RedemptionStory #MentalHealthAwareness #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #AddictionRecovery #MensMentalHealth #RiseAbovePodcast #CarlStoneInterview #FromCopToConvict #PrisonReform #TraumaHealing #RealStoriesRealPeople #RiseAboveWithKevinLanning

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Inside a Police Officers Brutal Addiction to Painkillers | Addiction, PTSD, Brain Trauma & Recovery Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Hal Hughes had the perfect life: a loving wife, four kids, a successful career in law enforcement, and a reputation as a local hero. But everything changed the day he was violently attacked on the job—an incident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and a slow-burning descent into darkness.In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Hal opens up about the devastating impact of PTSD, chronic pain, and addiction. He shares how opiates hijacked his life, how he almost lost everything, and what finally pulled him back from the edge. Now 9 years sober, Hal has transformed from a wounded officer into a licensed psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and mental health advocate—teaching others how to turn pain into purpose.This episode is a must-watch for anyone struggling with trauma, addiction, or identity after a life-altering event.

👥 If this conversation helps you—share it. You could save someone’s life.

📩 Join our Monday Night Rise Above Recovery Meetings:Email kevin@riseabovepod.com for the Zoom link.

#AddictionRecovery #PoliceStory #OpiateAddiction #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSDRecovery #TraumaSurvivor #RiseAbovePodcast #SobrietyJourney #FirstResponderStories #BrainInjuryRecovery #CopsAndAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #InspirationalPodcast #RedemptionStory #RealLifeStories

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My Mugshot Was Everywhere: The Brutal Consequences of a DUI Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Leticia grew up in a tight-knit Brazilian-American community in Danbury, CT. One night out with friends—“just two drinks”—became a life-changing DUI at 0.08. In this raw conversation, she breaks down what actually happens after the arrest: getting pulled over twice in minutes, the breath test, court, fines and fees, a year-long program, and installing an interlock on her Tesla. She also shares the emotional fallout of seeing her mugshot blasted online, navigating family and community judgment, and the simple choice that could have avoided it all: a $100 Uber vs. a $15,000 mistake.We talk practical takeaways for anyone tempted to “risk it” on a short drive, what to expect legally and financially, and how to support someone going through it—without shaming them. This isn’t about excuses. It’s a reality check that may save a life.—Want community support? I host the Rise Above Recovery Meeting every Monday at 8:30pm ET on Zoom (open to anyone: alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, and more).Email kevin@riseabovepod.com and I’ll send the link + weekly reminder.

#DUI #DUIAwareness #Sobriety #RecoveryCommunity #DanburyCT #BrazilianAmerican #RiseAbovePodcast #AlcoholAwareness #LegalConsequences #MentalHealth #YoungAdults #DoNotDrinkAndDrive

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"Once I Shot Heroin, It Was GAME OVER" | My Dark Descent Into Addiction Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Carla grew up in a loving home in Boston with a supportive family and big dreams of becoming a teacher. But one party after high school changed everything. She took her first Percocet—and what followed was a devastating spiral into opiate addiction, heroin, and eventually shooting up. In this gripping episode, Carla opens up about stealing $100,000 from her hardworking father, losing custody of her kids, and surviving a near-fatal seizure during detox.But Carla’s story doesn’t end in tragedy—it’s one of powerful redemption. After getting sober while pregnant, she stayed clean for six years before relapsing in a moment of heartbreak and rage. She fought her way back once again, regained custody of her children, and is now four years sober, living with purpose and using her TikTok platform to help others rise above addiction.

🔗 Join our Recovery Meeting every Monday at 8:30PM EST:Email kevin@riseabovepod.com to get the Zoom link.

#RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddict #Suboxone #RecoveryJourney #SoberLiving #AddictionAwareness #RelapseAndRecovery #TikTokRecovery #OpiateAddiction #TraumaHealing #OvercomingAddiction #Benzodiazepines #FamilyHealing #RecoveryPodcast #RockBottomToRedemption

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Chevy Chase RAW & UNCUT | Hollywood Stories, Wild Years & Untold Moments Sep 07, 2025

Show notes

Chevy Chase, the legendary star of Saturday Night Live and the National Lampoon’s Vacation films, sits down for a rare and unfiltered conversation about his life, career, and sobriety. From growing up in New York and Woodstock, to breaking into comedy with Lorne Michaels, to navigating sudden fame and unforgettable fan encounters, Chevy opens up like never before. He also reflects on his battle with alcohol, his time at the Betty Ford Center, and how he’s maintained 47 years of sobriety. Honest, funny, and raw, this is Chevy Chase as you’ve never seen him.

#ChevyChase #SNL #SaturdayNightLive #ChristmasVacation #NationalLampoonsVacation #HollywoodStories #ComedyLegend #RecoveryJourney #RiseAbovePodcast #KevinLanning

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A Heroin Addict's SHOCKING Descent | D1 Football Full Scholarship, Prison Time, Homelessness & His Road to Recovery Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Jordan was a promising D1 football recruit with full-ride offers—until a torn ACL and a bottle of painkillers changed everything.What started as surgery recovery turned into full-blown addiction: Oxy, Perc 30s, heroin, Subutex, and eventually shooting drugs with horse syringes stolen from Tractor Supply.From robbing his grandma’s wedding ring… to almost holding up a Subway sandwich shop with a butter knife… to surviving two years in state prison where he watched people overdose and even saw someone die by suicide—this is one of the rawest and most jaw-dropping stories we’ve ever heard on Rise Above.But Jordan’s story didn’t end in tragedy. After a wreck on his motorcycle, his now-wife held him accountable in ways he’d never experienced before—and he’s been clean since 2018.⚠️ Viewer discretion advised — this episode contains graphic stories of addiction, survival, prison violence, and near-death experiences.If this story moves you, please like, comment, and subscribe to help us spread the message of hope.🎙 Hosted by Kevin Lanning

Get access to our weekly Rise Above Recovery meetings: kevin@riseabovepod.com

Join our Patreon for exclusive content: https://patreon.com/RiseAbovewithKevinLanning?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

#AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddict #FromAddictToAdvocate #PrisonStories #DrugAddiction #OxyContin #FentanylCrisis #RiseAbovePodcast #RedemptionStory #SoberLife #Subutex #DrugRehab

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I Started Smoking Crack at 17 | Drug Addiction Story, Family Tragedy & Sobriety Recovery Journey Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Chris Lavin's life is almost too extreme to believe.Abused as a child. Locked in a box for days. Smoking crack and running a car scam at 17. He made millions, lost it all, then lost the only thing he truly loved—his son. He held a gun to someone’s head, and almost pulled the trigger. Twice. But something stopped him.This is not just a story of survival. It’s a story of redemption, purpose, and undeniable spiritual transformation.In this raw and emotional interview, Chris shares the darkest parts of his journey—sexual abuse, addiction, homelessness, criminal empires, and unspeakable loss. But also how faith, community, and a willingness to change helped him rise from the ashes.If you're struggling, you're not alone.Watch this and let Chris's story give you hope.

🧠 Need help? Join our free Rise Above Recovery Meeting every Monday night.Email kevin@riseabovepod.com to get added to the list.

❤️ Support the mission:Patreon.com/riseabovepod – Watch live interviews, access behind-the-scenes content & more.

📲 Follow for daily clips and recovery content:TikTok • Instagram • YouTube Shorts • Spotify • Apple Podcasts

#ChrisLavin #AddictionRecovery #FaithAfterLoss #CrackAddictToEntrepreneur #RiseAbove #ChildhoodTrauma #SobrietyStory #SurvivorTestimony #FromPainToPurpose

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The Needle Became My Addiction | From OxyContin to Shooting Heroin & Facing 8 Years in Prison Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

He went from a small-town baseball player with a bright future… to shOOting heroin in New Jersey, smuggling bricks of dope through airports, and facing eight years in prison.In this raw and unfiltered interview, Flip shares how his life spiraled from painkillers and partying in the restaurant industry to becoming a full-blown IV drug user. This is one of the wildest redemption stories ever shared on Rise Above.👉 If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, know that recovery is possible. Please share this story with someone who needs to hear it.

#RiseAbovePodcast #HeroinAddiction #DrugSmuggling #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #FromPrisonToPurpose #IVDrugUser #RedemptionStory #RecoveryJourney #AddictToAdvocate

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