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 Was Living a Double Life | Addicted to Coke & Alcohol, Cheating & Wanting to Die Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Kat Sorensen (@socalkattt) drank for the first time at age 7, blacked out by 13, and was married and cheating by her early 20s — all while hiding her addiction behind a successful career. But when her double life nearly cost her everything, she surrendered to recovery and found purpose in helping others.Now, 9.5 years sober, Kat shares how she went from suicidal thoughts and secret drug use to launching a global sober community, building multiple businesses, and living a life rooted in faith and service.This is one of the most unfiltered and powerful stories we’ve ever told.🚨 Listen to the full episode and hear:Her first blackout at 13The secret she kept from her husbandHow she married a stranger in AA after 21 daysGetting clean without rehabStarting a FREE global sobriety platformAnd how cold plunges, structure, and service keep her grounded todayConnect with Kat:Instagram: @socalkatttHer free sobriety platform: https://changetochange.circle.soSponsored by OpenRecovery – the anonymous addiction help app with 24/7 support. #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholicsAnonymous #SoberLife #RecoveryStory #SoberCommunity #KatSorensen #RiseAbove #DrugAddiction #WomenInRecovery #TraumaToTriumph #ColdPlunge #SoberLiving #ChangeToChange #FaithBasedRecovery #MentalHealth #aa

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The Dark Side of Alcoholism: I Lost Everything to Alcohol | Relapse in Sobriety Jul 10, 2025

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Robert was born into chaos—raised by a controlling mother, traumatized by his father’s suicide at 8, and conditioned to seek validation in everything but himself. After achieving 10 years sober, he relapsed and spiraled, losing his business, wife, and—most painfully—custody of his daughter. But in the ashes of devastation, Robert found God, healing, and a new identity.In this raw, unfiltered interview, Robert opens up about childhood trauma, toxic love, addiction, codependency, relapse, and redemption. His journey reminds us that it’s never too late to rebuild—and that recovery isn’t just about sobriety, it’s about coming home to yourself.👉 Subscribe for more inspiring interviews🎧 Available on all podcast platforms📲 Sponsored by OpenRecovery: Get 24/7 addiction help from your phone.#AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #ChildhoodTrauma #AARecovery #Alcoholism #RiseAbovePodcast #RobertStory #MentalHealthAwareness #RelapseRecovery #FatherWound #CodependencyRecovery #FaithAndSobriety #HealingFromTrauma #InnerChildHealing #OpenRecovery #SobrietySuccess #OvercomingAddiction #SoberLife #TraumaHealing

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Inside the Dark Reality of Drug Psychosis: Murder Trial, Public Shame & the Road to Sobriety Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Louis grew up in privilege—but addiction doesn’t discriminate. In this raw and emotional interview, he opens up about getting arrested, battling drug and gambling addictions, and testifying in a high-profile murder trial involving his former best friend. From being publicly shamed in the press to rebuilding his life through sobriety, Louis shares how he broke a generational curse and stepped into fatherhood, service, and peace.This story is about hitting rock bottom—and then going deeper. It’s about trauma, loss, family healing, and rising above it all.#AddictionRecovery #MurderTrial #DrugAddict #SobrietyJourney #RedemptionStory #GamblersAnonymous #MentalHealthMatters #RiseAbovePodcast #Testify #OvercomingAddiction #PublicShaming #SecondChances #OpenRecovery #FromChaosToClarity #NYCStories #SoberLife

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She Risked Everything to Follow Her Own Path | Nigerian Immigrant Story of Adversity & Purpose Jul 06, 2025

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Krystal’s story is nothing short of incredible. Her father immigrated to America from Nigeria with just $20 in his pocket and walked miles to enroll in college—on the last possible day. Years later, Krystal faced a defining moment of her own: she walked away from medical school against her family’s wishes, lied about it for months, and hustled her way from sleeping on a friend’s couch to landing a job at Spotify.In this episode of Rise Above, we unpack:Her Nigerian-American upbringing and her parents’ sacrificesThe immense pressure to become a doctor—and the moment she said “no”How cold emailing and pure hustle got her into Uber, HBO, and eventually SpotifyThe power of acts of kindness, paying it forward, and building communityWhy Gen Z has no excuses—but also faces new, real-world challengesKrystal’s journey is about faith, grit, sacrifice, and trusting your gut even when the world says no.

#ImmigrantSuccess #NigerianAmerican #SpotifyJourney #RiseAbovePodcast #WomenInTech #ImmigrantStory #AgainstAllOdds #AfricanParents #LifeChoices #ColdEmailHustle #HBO #UberToSpotify #FromNothingToSomething #PayItForward #Gratitude #SuccessMindset #GenZHustle #LinkedInHacks #ImmigrantStrong #BreakingGenerationalCycles #SpotifyLife #MentalHealthMatters

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Undercover Agent Exposes Shocking Truth About Ch*ld Trafficking: What I Saw Changed My Life Forever Jul 03, 2025

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Paul Hutchinson was a billionaire real estate mogul living a life of luxury—until one phone call changed everything. He went undercover to infiltrate a child sex resort being built by a cartel, and what he witnessed would alter the course of his life forever. In this gripping interview, Paul exposes the brutal reality of child trafficking, the addictions and trauma behind it, and how he made rescuing children his life’s mission.This is the true story that inspired The Sound of Freedom.⚠️ Viewer discretion is advised.🕊️ Learn more at LiberatingHumanity.com#ChildTrafficking #UndercoverRescue #SoundOfFreedom #HumanTraffickingAwareness #AddictionRecovery #SurvivorStories #ExposeTheDarkness #PaulHutchinson #HealingTrauma #RiseAbove #PsychedelicTherapy #FaithAndRedemption #RescueMission #TraumaHealing #TruthSeeker

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I Was Addicted to the Needle | How I Survived a Brutal Drug Spiral and Found Sobriety Jul 01, 2025

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Chris Olson was a straight-A student at an elite boarding school when he took his first ADHD pill—and it changed everything. What started as prescription meds quickly escalated to Vyvanse, Adderall, benzos, and eventually intravenous heroin and cocaine. By 21, he was prescribed 6mg of Klonopin a day and using over 100 Xanax bars weekly. At 25, on a solo hike in the South of France, Chris had a spiritual awakening that changed the trajectory of his life.In this raw and powerful interview, Chris shares:His early addiction to amphetamines and benzosShooting heroin for the first time and speedballing with cocaineHis failed first attempt at rehab in CaliforniaThe turning point that led him to lasting sobrietyHow fitness, nutrition, and spiritual growth saved his lifeBuilding a new life, falling in love, and staying 7 years soberWhether you're struggling with addiction or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with hard truths, inspiration, and real solutions.👊 Subscribe for more raw stories of recovery and redemption.#AddictionRecovery #SoberLife #HeroinAddict #Benzos #RecoveryStory #MentalHealthAwareness #DrugAddiction #SpiritualAwakening #SobrietyJourney #AmphetamineAddiction #AA #NA #ChrisOlson #RiseAbovePodcast

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I Pulled the Trigger Just to Pay Rent | Crack Addiction, Kidnapping & a Life Sentence to Redemption Jun 29, 2025

Show notes

Rodney grew up surrounded by addiction, violence, and heartbreak. By 12, he was stealing food to survive. By 14, he was being paid to carry out violent crimes. He faced multiple life sentences—including for a kidnapping—and spiraled into a world of crack cocaine, street justice, and desperation while trying to save his mother from her own addiction.

But this is not where his story ends.

Rodney opens up about the drive-by shooting that nearly destroyed his life, the death of his mother from an overdose, and the moment he chose faith, fatherhood, and forgiveness over the streets. Now a mentor and author of The Illness, Rodney is on a mission to save the next generation from the same cycle.

#PrisonReform #AddictionRecovery #MotherhoodAndAddiction #FromPainToPurpose #FaithOverFear #RedemptionStory #DrugAddictionAwareness #CriminalJustice #OvercomingAdversity #LifeAfterPrison #RodneyStory #RiseAbovePodcast #SurvivorTestimony #MentorshipMatters #BreakTheCycle #ForgivenessJourney #InnerCityStruggles #ResilienceAndHope #CocaineAddiction #GenerationalTrauma

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Cop Turned Cocaine Dealer | The Vicious Grip of Cocaine Addiction Jun 25, 2025

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Sean went from leading Coast Guard drug busts to becoming a full-blown addict selling the very drugs he once confiscated. He was arrested more times than any cop in history, ended up homeless and addicted, and cycled through 10 rehabs. His story spirals through violence, strip clubs, overdoses, and jail—until a final moment of grace saved his life. Today, Sean runs a successful business, cares for his mother, and uses his story to help others break free.🎧 Watch the full episode to hear how he went from law enforcement to outlaw… and made it back.#AddictionRecovery #DrugAddiction #CocaineAddiction #SobrietyJourney #RockBottom #RedemptionStory #RehabSurvivor #CoastGuard #PoliceToPrison #Inspiration #SalvationArmy #HomelessToHero #RiseAbovePodcast #SoberLife #MentalHealthAwareness

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I Married a Doctor… and Ended Up With a Drug Addict I Didn’t Recognize Jun 24, 2025

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Dr. Linda Varisco had it all: a thriving chiropractic business, two kids, and what seemed like the perfect marriage. But when her husband spiraled into drug addiction, infidelity, and shady business dealings, her world came crashing down. Caught in a $25M healthcare fraud scheme she didn’t fully understand, Linda cooperated with the FBI—and still ended up behind bars.In this explosive follow-up interview, Dr. Linda shares the raw truth about:– Walking in on her husband cheating– The moment she realized he was addicted to crack– How she was lured into a massive RICO case– Life inside a women’s federal prison (yes, the lesbians, the guards, the yoga...)– Rebuilding from rock bottom into a best-selling author and business leader🎙️ This is one of the most jaw-dropping stories ever told on Rise Above.📚 Her book: The Girl with the Million Dollar Smile#truecrime #prisonstory #federalprison #riseabove #healthcarefraud #addictionrecovery #resilience #womensstories #incarceration #chiropractor #rebuildyourlife #fyp #podcastclips #survivorstories #prisonlife

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"I Woke Up in Jail for Trying to Decapitate My Mom" | Alcohol & Opiate Addiction Spiral Jun 22, 2025

Show notes

Ryan Penley was deep in a spiral of addiction — partying in Las Vegas, hooked on alcohol and 14 Roxy pills a day. But nothing could’ve prepared him for what happened next: he blacked out during a multi-day bender… and woke up in jail for trying to decapitate his own mother.In this gripping and brutally honest interview, Ryan shares:His chaotic upbringing with addicted parentsHow a broken leg led to full-blown opiate addictionLife as a bartender in Vegas while using and selling drugsWaking up in jail with no memory of a near-fatal incidentGoing into a diabetic coma and losing everythingThe long road to recovery — starting with just 3 minutes of jumping jacksHow he rebuilt his life into a story of faith, family, and redemptionThis is one of the darkest — and most inspiring — comeback stories ever shared on Rise Above. #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholAddiction #OpiateAddiction #RoxyAddiction #AttemptedMurder #DrugAddiction #BlackoutStory #RockBottom #SobrietyTransformation #RiseAbovePodcast #RedemptionStory #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaSurvivor #FromAddictToAdvocate

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