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One phone call, one prescription, one quiet apartment, and a life splits into before and after. We sit down with Katie Rizzo, a former high school anatomy and AP biology teacher, to talk about the loss of her firstborn son Nicholas to opioid addiction and overdose, and the brutal moment she realised grief was no longer an event, it was part of her identity.

Katie brings a rare mix of tenderness and clarity to subjects many of us avoid: bereaved parenthood, the stigma around substance use disorder, and the chaos a family carries while trying to save someone they love. She walks us through Nicholas’s story, from an adventurous childhood to injuries, painkillers, and the spiral that so often defines the opioid crisis. We also get honest about anger, blame, and how “legally acceptable” prescribing can still create devastating outcomes.

Then Katie shares the framework that changed how she survives: the “trimesters of grief.” She explains why grief can feel like a pregnancy you cannot end, how art becomes a lifeline, and why telling the truth out loud can be a form of healing. We also talk non opioid pain management options, shame, recovery support, and why law enforcement and healthcare need more trauma informed responses during wellness checks and overdose calls.

If you care about grief support, addiction recovery, opioid addiction education, or helping families after overdose, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the line that hit you the hardest.

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A quiet town in Maine. A historic 1830s farmhouse and barn. A veteran with seven years of sobriety and a plan that flips the usual “tourism takes from locals” story on its head. We brought back our friend JJ Holly to do something different: a walking tour of Ripple Retreat in West Paris, where he’s building an alcohol-free wellness and event space designed to create real, measurable community impact. His promise is bold and specific: after opening on 7 April 2027, Ripple Retreat will return 75% of profits to the town of West Paris and local charities.

As JJ shows us around, you’ll hear what’s coming to life on the property: Studio 22 for yoga, meditation, massage, Reiki, and holistic healing during the week, plus music lessons and kid-friendly programming that feels like a throwback to real community. Weekdays also include affordable Airbnb stays in two apartment-style units, with easy access to Maine ski resorts like Sunday River, Black Mountain, and Mount Abram. On weekends, the full property becomes a place for sober weddings, retreats, and gatherings, with clear rules that protect peace and neighbors: no alcohol and no music past 10 p.m.

The heart of this conversation is JJ’s story. He shares how the loss of Commander Murphy Sweet shaped his life, how he survived a dark moment overseas, and why recovery starts with reaching out and learning to love yourself. He also tells the unforgettable “White Socks” story from Baghdad, a reminder that tiny choices can create enormous ripples. That’s the same idea behind his fundraiser: a $5 “cup of love” on ripple-retreat.com to help fund the rebuild, plus weekly updates so supporters can track the progress.

If this moved you, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find Ripple Retreat and the recovery message behind it.

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