The Zac Clark Show

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A Parent’s Mission To Overcome The Tragedy Of Addiction: Honoring Nic Pagano Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

On January 23rd at City Winery, we honor the life of Nic Pagano through a night of music and community. After losing Nic to an accidental overdose in 2021, his father, Rich Pagano, has turned unimaginable grief into a mission to raise awareness and provide hope. The Nic Pagano LGBTQIA+ Scholarship for Recovery is not only a tribute to Nic’s memory but also a lifeline for others in need of treatment, particularly in the LGBTQIA+ community.

In this deeply emotional episode, Rich shares his family's journey through Nic’s struggles with substance use disorder. He opens up about the pain of loss, the lessons they learned, and the hope they’ve found in honoring Nic’s legacy. It’s an episode for parents navigating the heartbreak of addiction, for families seeking guidance and understanding, and for anyone who believes in the power of compassion and recovery.

Nic was a bright, compassionate, and talented soul who dreamed of helping others as a social worker. Though his life was tragically cut short, his legacy now lives on, opening doors for others to find recovery and inclusion.

Join us in celebrating Nic's light while supporting this critical cause. Tickets are selling fast—don’t miss an unforgettable evening of music, hope, and connection.

For tickets and more information about the Nic Pagano LGBTQIA+ Scholarship For Recovery Event, please click here:

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Rich Vos: Breaking the Rules of Comedy, Sobriety Myths, and Why Recovery is Life’s Best Punchline Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with comedy legend Rich Vos for a raw, wild, and insightful conversation. With 38 years of sobriety under his belt, Rich opens up about his battle with substances, the pivotal moment that drove him to recovery, and the incredible life he's built since then. Known as the first white comic on Def Comedy Jam, Rich recounts breaking barriers in the comedy world and the lessons he's learned from decades in the industry.

The conversation touches on Rich's groundbreaking Amazon comedy special, Rich Vos Anonymous, which made history as the first filmed comedy show inside a Narcotics Anonymous convention. Rich and Zac also delve into the challenges of staying sober in the comedy world, the misconceptions about addiction and creativity, and the importance of giving yourself a chance to live differently. From recovery principles to the realities of mental health, marathon running, family life, and even the changing comedy landscape with social media influencers, Rich delivers wisdom wrapped in his signature sardonic wit.

Please tune in to this episode for a powerful blend of inspiration, laughter, and an unfiltered exploration of the journey to recovery.

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Building a Media Empire: Betches Co-Founder Jordana Abraham on Humor, Mental Health, and Life Online Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Jordana Abraham, co-founder of Betches, shares how she and her college roommates turned a satirical blog into a full-fledged media empire with over 10 million followers. Jordana talks about the power of humor in building connections, reducing feelings of isolation, and tackling real-life challenges like mental health and modern dating.

Zac and Jordana explore her journey of building Betches as three recent college graduates driven by instinct and a desire to create humorous, poignant, and provocative content for women. They discuss how the brand has grown alongside its audience and the realities of balancing public success with personal challenges. Jordana opens up about a toxic relationship that led her to therapy, the struggles of life online in 2024, and why communication and self-awareness are essential in any relationship.

With humor, honesty, and a lot of insight, this episode explores what it takes to grow a community—and a media empire—one meme at a time.

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Learn more about Jonathan Rauch and his work.

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Expert Interventionist Shares Secrets Behind 1,000+ Successful Interventions | Jonathan Rauch Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

When you hear the word “intervention,” you might picture the chaotic scenes from TV shows like Intervention. But as Certified Intervention Expert Jonathan Rauch explains, interventions aren’t about chaos—they’re about connection, preparation, and healing.

In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with Jonathan, who has led over 1,000 successful interventions, to discuss how reframing interventions as family meetings can reduce stress and create a path toward recovery. They dive into the critical role of family support, preparation, and education in addressing substance use disorders (SUD), alcohol use disorders (AUD), and mental health challenges.

Jonathan shares his personal experience with intervention, provides valuable advice for families on how to care for themselves while supporting a loved one, and emphasizes the importance of long-term treatment plans. He also sheds light on the increasing number of interventions stemming from marijuana psychosis and mental health disorders, which create unique and challenging dynamics. This powerful conversation is a must-listen for families and individuals navigating the complexities of substance use disorder and mental health.

Listen or watch to discover how interventions can be transformative tools for hope and healing—for both individuals and families.

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If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release:

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Sex, Therapy and Addiction: NYC Therapist Reina Zelonky on Balancing Love, Family, and Healing Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with Reina Zelonky, a renowned New York City psychotherapist whose career spans over 13 years of helping families, couples, and young adults find healing and connection. From her impactful work at The Freedom Institute and Serenity New York to her leadership roles at Hazelden Betty Ford, Reina has built a career centered on addiction recovery, families, and relationship-building.

In their conversation, Zac and Reina discuss the challenges of balancing demanding careers with family life in New York City, the evolving roles of men and women in modern relationships, and the unique pressures of raising children in an urban environment. Reina also shares insights on maintaining a healthy sex life, the transformative benefits of couples therapy, and the reality that therapy often means facing your childhood.

Packed with heartfelt stories and practical advice, this episode offers meaningful discussions on navigating life’s complexities while fostering connection and community.

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ASK ZAC EPISODE: Holiday Edition Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac answers your questions about navigating the highs and lows of the holidays. Whether you’re newly sober and heading home for the first time or looking for advice on how to handle tricky family dynamics, Zac has you covered. The holidays are here, and they don’t have to be hard!

Questions we covered:

Blackout Wednesday – how do I tell old friends I am not drinking anymore?

Do you have any tips for having my recently sober boyfriend home for the holidays?

How can I support my family member who has a drinking problem and does not want help?

What are the best ways to communicate my needs to family members who may not understand or respect my sobriety?
My father won’t stop drinking – we have tried to help but he won’t listen. How do I be around him and not allow my anger and resentment to come out?

My spouse thinks he may be an alcoholic but does not help – how do I help him? How do I support him while also taking care of myself?

I know my friend got sober and I’m seeing her for the first time – how do I handle this in a sensitive and respectful way?

I am less than 90 days sober and going home for the first time. I am really nervous I will be around old situations – friends, family – and drink again. How do I stay sober?

USE CODE ZAC10 to get 10% off your purchase. To learn more about FROPRO: ⁠https://gofropro.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqNf0AZVATlaDU_r0ncf9W3lakTFpwk-sbKtHkPC6zd1CyF3tRl

Happy Holidays from The Zac Clark Show!

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If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release:

(914) 588-6564

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Addiction Breaks Families, Recovery Heals: Rep. Madeleine Dean and Son Harry Cunnane’s Journey Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA) and her son Harry Cunnane join The Zac Clark Show for a powerful conversation about their journey through Harry’s substance use disorder and the road to recovery. Drawing from their co-authored memoir, "Under Our Roof: A Son’s Battle for Recovery, a Mother’s Battle for Her Son," they share raw insights into the challenges of addiction, the resilience of family, and the importance of breaking stigma. In Congress, Rep. Dean, a member of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Taskforce, has championed initiatives to combat the opioid crisis, increase access to mental health treatment, and support families impacted by substance use. Harry, now 13 years sober, works as Vice President of Business Development at Caron, a nonprofit addiction treatment center providing evidence-based care and recovery resources.

From intimate family dynamics to broader policy and legislation on a national scale, hearing a high-level public official share such a raw, personal, and painful story is a powerful reminder that substance use disorder can impact anyone, anywhere. These honest conversations not only provide hope but also let families know they’re not alone. They shine a light on the resources available and offer a path forward for those who might not know where to turn. Please tune in to hear their inspiring story and their efforts to transform how we address addiction and recovery.

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More about Dr. Bonnie Milas’s Story

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The Story of Dr. Bonnie Milas: How Losing Her Children to Fentanyl Inspired Her Fight Against the Deadly Epidemic Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

In this powerful episode of The Zac Clark Show, Dr. Bonnie Milas shares her deeply personal journey through unimaginable tragedy and her mission to protect other families from the same fate. A cardiac anesthesiologist, intensivist, and clinical professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Milas lost both of her sons to accidental fentanyl overdoses within 15 months. Professionally, she’s on the frontlines treating patients affected by opioid use disorder, and she is a passionate advocate for the availability of naloxone—a life-saving nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses when administered in time.

Dr. Milas’s advocacy is vast and tireless: she’s lobbied for over-the-counter naloxone access, provided testimony to the FDA and Philadelphia city council, and collaborates with organizations like the American Society of Anesthesiologists to spread overdose rescue education nationwide. She also leads training on naloxone administration through her initiative REVIVEme.com and serves as Chief Narcan Rescue Officer at her institution. Driven by her own loss, Dr. Milas is devoted to breaking the stigma around opioid addiction and empowering families with the tools to prevent overdose deaths. Join us as she opens up about her experiences, the emotional toll, and her relentless fight to save lives through advocacy and education.

Editor’s Note: Zac Clark and Dr. Bonnie Milas are brand ambassadors for NARCAN® Nasal Spray. However, the thoughts and opinions expressed during this conversation are solely their own.

To learn more:

About NARCAN® Nasal Spray: https://narcannasalspray.ca/en/

REVIVEme: https://www.asahq.org/advocating-for-you/reviveme

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THE MARATHON EPISODE: Transformative Stories from the TCS New York City Marathon Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

In this special post-TCS New York City Marathon episode, Zac, on the eve of his own 10th NYC Marathon, sits down with four inspiring runners who share how the race has transformed their lives. Each guest brings a unique story of resilience, healing, and growth. Featured guest Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners and a two-time NYC Marathon finisher, discusses his commitment to making running accessible to all through NYRR’s mission of enhancing community health. Rob, a native New Yorker and former sports executive at ESPN and NBC Sports, offers his perspective on how the marathon fosters unity and empowerment.

Among Zac’s guests are Andrew Schwartz, Luc Zoratto, and Sean McGowan, who ran this year’s marathon to support the Release Recovery Foundation, raising funds for scholarships to provide recovery treatment through Release Recovery. Luc, a Canadian social media influencer open about his sobriety journey, shares how discovering running has been a powerful tool in his recovery. Sean McGowan, Senior Director of Continuing Care at High Watch Recovery Center—the world’s first 12-Step treatment center—speaks to the mental wellness benefits that running has brought to his life.

Together, these runners demonstrate that the NYC Marathon is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the power of recovery. Join us for these compelling stories of transformation and the life-changing impact of running the largest marathon in the world.

Right now, our listeners get 20% off your first order when you use the code Zac20 or go to shopduer.com/ZAC. Code will be active until Dec 15, 2024 excluding the Black Friday blackout period from Nov 22 to Dec 2

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