Recorded in West Virginia coalfield country on #Cherokeeland, this podcast explores contemporary community and culture at ground zero of the opioid epidemic. Join host Andrea Brunais as she continues a lifelong career and passion of lifting up and amplifying marginalized voices and experiences. Diving into topics such as the Sacklers and contemporary urban harm reduction-going-rural, to regional colloquialisms like Pillbilly, this podcast prioritizes the lives and work of those on the front lines of this deadly epidemic. Brunais is a longtime writer, journalist and editor who discovered the astounding talent for poetry by the drug-dealing young author behind the book “Hillbilly Drug Baby: The Poems.” You’ll hear his words along with the voices of "opioid warriors" in Appalachia as well as those who are planting seeds of hope. In this episode: Jesse-Ray's poem, "Irony of Childhood," which Andrea discusses with Appalachia native Chris Giles. Chris recommends a related Stevie Wonder song, and Andrea touts the Elizabeth Catte book "What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia." In an interview, Greg Puckett, Mercer County commissioner and head of Community Connections, talks about how politics gets in the way of helping people. He explains why it’s crucial to stop stigmatizing people with addictions. Puckett’s email is [email protected].  A final news note: The Lancet says the HIV epidemic in the U.S. has moved from urban settings into rural areas like Appalachia, and Lancet series author Dr. Sally Hodder, professor of Medicine at West Virginia University, offers ideas to halt the spread.