The 13th Step

Latest Episodes:

3: Just the Beginning Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

In March of 2022, Lauren publishes her first story detailing allegations against Eric Spofford. The events of the next several months illustrate the ways powerful, wealthy people can intimidate sources and try to stop journalism from happening. And then, there was the vandalism…

The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. More at 13thsteppodcast.org.

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4: A Wild (Wild?) West Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

How did 13th stepping become so common in the recovery world and who can hold people accountable? Lauren looks into the history of the addiction treatment industry; goes in search of the people, government agencies, and industry groups that are supposed to oversee it; and does a deep dive into its most pervasive cultural force: AA and the 12 steps. She finds a lot of good intentions, alongside a lot of problems.

The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. More at 13thsteppodcast.org.

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1: The Shadow Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

What is “the 13th step,” and why does it matter? It all starts with understanding what it’s like to be in the earliest days of recovery. We meet two women who say they were harassed during early recovery. And we meet the man who allegedly harassed them – the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network.

The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. More at 13thsteppodcast.org. To hear more stories by Lauren Chooljian and NHPR's Document team, click here.

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Trailer: The 13th Step May 31, 2023

Show notes

Reporter Lauren Chooljian starts getting tips about the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network. He is allegedly sexually harassing or assaulting women — employees and former clients at his facilities. The tips send Lauren on a journey deep into the addiction treatment industry, which, as one source says, “needs a #MeToo movement.”

The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team, coming June 6th. More at 13thsteppodcast.org.

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